Not Guilty

**UPDATE:  Tonight at choir practice, KW was giving away CD's, which he does occasionally.  Guess which one I got?  Uh-huh.  Mandisa!!  YAY!  

I've written before about how much I love and enjoy singing in our church's choir.

I love the people.

I love our music director, KW.

I love the talent of our accompanists.  

I love worshiping God in song and singing with all my heart and soul to Him.

I love harmony.

I also love finding a new song I've never heard before.  Choir practice and our Sunday morning performances are a complete time of worship for me.  When I connect with a song, I feel like I'm standing in the sanctuary alone with God and it's all I can do to not fall to my knees as I sing.

And, I'm sure it will come as no surprise when I say that many, many times I'm brought to tears as the choir sings.

This was the case last Wednesday at practice.  We had a few new songs to start practicing, one being Mandisa's, "Not Guilty."

This song spoke STRAIGHT into my heart.  How many times in our lives do we walk around with shame and guilt because of something we've said or done even AFTER we've asked wholeheartedly for forgiveness from God?  I know I do it all the time.  Thoughts flash into my mind, sent straight from Satan himself, and I'm instantly back in the moment when I said or did something I shouldn't have.  Cue the guilt and shame.  

OH MY...there are no words to describe these lyrics accurately, so I will leave you to read them for yourself and let them bless you like they did me.  Sometimes we just need to be reminded that ONLY because of His sacrificial blood, we are...

NOT GUILTY

(turn up your computer volume so you can hear the song play as you read the lyrics)

I stand accused

There's a list a mile long

Of all my sins

Of everything that I've done wrong

I'm so ashamed

There's nowhere left for me to hide

This is the day

I must answer for my life

My fate is in the Judge's hands

But then He turns to me and says

I know you, I love you

I gave My life to save you

Love paid the price for mercy

My verdict not guilty

How can it be?

I can't begin to comprehend

What kind of grace

Would take the place for all my sin?

I stand in awe

Now that I have been set free

And the tears well up

As I look at that cross

'Cause it should have been me

My fate was in the nail scarred hands

He stretched them out for me

And said

I know you, I love you

I gave My life to save you

Love paid the price for mercy

My verdict not guilty

I'm falling on my knees to thank You

With everything I am I'll praise you

So grateful for the words I heard

You say

I know you, I love you

I gave My life

I know you, I love you

I gave My life just to save you

Love paid the price for mercy

My verdict not guilty

Love paid the price for mercy

My verdict not guilty, not guilty

JJ Heller and More...

If you've read this blog for any length of time, you know by now that I am a music LOVER!  I get so excited when I find a new artist or group or soundtrack I love.  So, here are a few of my new favs:

-JJ Heller...If you haven't heard her, she's a contemporary Christian artist who's music has been described as "simple."  This is so true.  Her sound is just incredible.  Her voice is clear and smooth and reminds me of a female James Taylor in many ways.  Check her out on iTunes.  A song to start with:  "Your Hands."

-WICKED: Original Broadway Cast (soundtrack):  I haven't had the privilege to see this production yet, but I hope to this summer while it is in Dallas.  I am a theater JUNKIE and absolutely die for MUSICALS.  So, my SIL, Amy knowing how much I want to see the show and thinking it would be a good idea to know the music before we go, sent me the soundtrack!  It's SO good!  If you are a fan of Broadway or music theater, you MUST check it out.  Songs to start with: "I'm Not That Girl", "Popular", "Defying Gravity."

-Lifehouse:  This one is not so new, but I thought I would add them anyway.  These guys have a great song most of you are familiar with, whether you listen to Christan rock or not..."You and Me."  You know, "and it's you and me, and all of the people, and I don't know why, I can't take my eyes off of you."  See, I told you you knew them!  But, they have SO many great songs!  Some to start with: "All in All," "Broken,"

-Needtobreathe:  I think I've written about them before, but I just had to include them again!  I L-O-V-E these guys!  Some songs to check out:  "More Time," "Washed by The Water," "Lay 'Em Down."

On a Roll

Quick post.

My Ags are on a roll! Don't say it's because the teams we have played are the equivalent of a 5A high school team, either. At this point, Aggie fans will take a win (and brag about it) anytime we get a chance! I'm pretty sure we're picked last in the Big 12 this year, but I'm hoping we can surprise everyone and show up BIG-TIME! McH and I are headed to a game next weekend, Aggies vs. OSU. It should be a good one.

I'm also on a roll with posting about music these days! So, here's another one of my favs. I love Third Day and as of late I have two favorite songs. So, go to iTunes and have a listen to Offering (on my Playlist that plays on my blog) and Born Again. Oh, and yes, that is Miley Cyrus on my Playlist, too. Quite a collection, I know. But have you heard that song? I LOVE it! It's positive, and has a great beat! It is definitely a song I would play really loudly in my car on a roadtrip while the people next to me stare, point and probably laugh.

Happy Sunday and thank you to all who left such sweet comments of encouragement below. You are ministers to my heart.

Waiting on Him,

Another Fav

Just a quick post to tell you about one of my new favorite artists. They're not really "new" and I've been listening to them for a while now, but I just heard one of their songs on Sirius 6066, and I thought I needed to post about them.

So, if you haven't heard Needtobreathe, go check them out on iTunes. I love their sound and their message.

Some of my favorites are:

More Time

Lay 'Em Down

Washed by the Water (SO GOOD)

Happy Listening!

This Is So Cool!!

Although I no longer watch Oprah on a regular basis, I HAD to DVR the kickoff party episode because my all-time favorite, James Taylor was singing! So when I got home from school today I was excited to play it back and see which song he had chosen to perform as a sing-a-long with the crowd (it was How Sweet It Is).

What I didn't expect was the AMAZING performance by The Black-Eyed Peas, which actually had little to do with their actual performance (although I LOVE their new song I Gotta Feeling...it's so upbeat and positive and a great way to start every day)!

Anyway, while they were singing, this happened. Check out the girl in the very front by the stage; at first I think she's just a little over-zealous fan, but watch what happens.

So COOL!!!

A Few Decades Earlier...

See the blondie with the fiddle in her hand?  In my dream life, that's me!  I have always wanted to play the fiddle (or banjo as a second option) in a bluegrass band.  Even if I just got to play on weekends at local weddings or fundraisers; even if only a handful of people ever showed up to hear us, I would be happy.  I wanted to be the fourth Dixie Chick, too.  

Aaaaahhhhh...back to reality. 

I've always felt I wasn't born in the right decade, musically speaking.  

I would say I have quite a varied taste in music, and there have certainly been times when I've really been into the latest releases.  There have also been those times when I've only pretended to like the "cool" stuff, because I had to or I would NOT be so "cool."  So, I became a PMV (popular music victim)...and I'm absolutely going to say that is a real term and absolutely not something I just made up as I was typing this post...and listened to some mindless tunes I probably secretly detested, but would never have admitted to my best girlfriends who were jammin' in their side-ponies with scrunchies, and MC Hammer pants with Keds.  And then there was me, right alongside them, in my matching "cowgirl" jeans and jacket and pearl boots.  Yes, I said pearl.  And yes, those were some VERY loyal friends.  

I will say my taste in music has certainly been influenced by my family.  I am comfortable saying, because you know my intentions, we are all fairly musically inclined; we have talents for singing, piano, guitar, even a little ukulele.

Some of my most precious memories are of family reunions (my dad is one of 9 kids, so there are LOTS of us) sitting around the great room in the cabin we had rented and singing some of the old favorites like Danny Boy,  Stewball, Tom Dooley, Shenandoah, Streets of Laredo, You Are My Sunshine, and many many more, but you get the idea.  

So, from a very young age, I was aware of songs absolutely none of my friends knew of, much less enjoyed.  

So what attracts us to the music we like?  Well, for me it has to move me and make me feel something.  The lyrics are definitely important in both content and rhythm.  And most of all, I think we are attracted to certain songs that speak to us at certain times in our lives.  

If I had to choose my top 5 people/groups I absolutely LOVE, LOVE, LOVE, they would be:

1.) James Taylor (absolute NUMBER ONE)

2.) Eva Cassidy

3.) Alison Krauss

4.) Willie Nelson

5.) Anne Murray

The rest of these are groups I LOVE almost as much (but I could only have FIVE in my top FIVE)!  

-Nickel Creek

-Roy Orbison

-Emmylou Harris

-Jennifer Knapp

-The Eagles

-Jimmy Buffett

-The Bee Gee's

-Ricky Skaggs

-Marty Stuart

-Sam Cooke

-Michael Buble

-Miranda Lambert

-Patty Griffin

-Roberta Flack

-Linda Rondstadt

-Sara Evans

-Carrie Underwood

-Def Lepard

-Sugarland

-Selah

-Sheryl Crow

-Tom Petty 

-Trisha Yearwood

-Patty Loveless

-Zac Brown Band

-Suzy Bogguss

**ADDITIONS**

-When I saw Corrie's list, I thought, how did I not remember Norah Jones?  

-Cannot BELIEVE I didn't put The Judds on my original list!  They might have to be tied with another of my top 5!  

Those are the ones I can think of now, but I know there are many more that I'll probably say, "Dang it, I can't believe I left him/her off!" about later, and have to revise and edit this post for. 

I can't imagine there are people on this earth who might actually not enjoy music?   Can you?  

What are some of your favorites you just have to listen to on a consistent basis?  I'd love to hear about them and maybe even find a new favorite for myself!  

Your Next iTunes Download!

I have a new favorite among contemporary Christian artists. I say contemporary only to say she is not traditional, because she's been around for over 10 years. I can't describe her music except to say it is inspiring, uplifting and makes me want to worship!

Many of you probably know of her already and those of you who don't, I'm sorry I haven't posted this sooner.

Her name is Jennifer Knapp! Go check her out!

Because We Believe

In choir, we're practicing a beautiful song called Because We Believe. You might have heard it before. It was released in 1996, so it is fairly contemporary. Anyway, we started practicing it yesterday, and I just love the narration, so I thought I would share it with all of you.

The song is based on 1 John 5:13:

I write these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God so that you may know that you have eternal life.


Here is the narration:

That which is held sacred by the Body of Christ is revealed to us in the Holy Scriptures. Why do we believe the Scriptures are indeed the Word of the Lord? Because we refuse to believe that an Almighty, All Powerful, Omnipotent God is not capable of Almighty, All Powerful, Omnipotent deeds. God's Word is a miracle. The same hands that sculpted mountains and galaxies that were pierced by nails on our behalf--guided the hand of His servants, as the Spirit breathed into the language of Man the eternal Word...created by the Father, revealed by the Spirit and fulfilled by the Son.

There are those who claim that many paths exist that lead to whomever we believe or define God to be. However, we do not define God---He defines us. There is only One path to the Father and it is clearly marked by a bloodstained cross and an empty tomb. Those who claim the Master are reborn into a bloodline that does not trace its origin to a culture but to a cross...does not depend upon what we bring but upon what He freely gives...not based in trying to know about God---but actually knowing God.

How can we believe something so unimaginable? We take the courageous, cognitive leap of Faith...and by His power at work within us---this is what we believe.

My favorite part of this is at the end of the second paragraph where it says that our claim to the Master is not based in trying to know ABOUT God, but actually knowing God; this means we have a personal relationship with Him, and that we strive to grow this relationship, not just study and read books ABOUT Him.

I Like to Move It, Move It!

As I was doing dishes, I was listening to my iPod through my cool speakers, something I do quite often. I decided as I was listening, I needed to revamp some playlists so I took a break from the washing and started perusing iTunes.

And my runnin' and/or workin' out friends, I found something SO cool! Some of you may have already stumbled upon this gem and just didn't share...shame on you...but I, for one, had not seen this on iTunes until today.

So, most of you reading this have probably heard of or own the Nike Plus. If not, basically it is a device you put in your shoe that helps calculate, record, play back, etc...your running stats.

So the peeps over at Nike Plus have put together a compilation of workout music for EVERY taste. Some of them are specifically for runners in training and have people like Lance Armstrong, Serena Williams, and Jack Ingram (who knew he ran, too??) talking in your ear, coaching and training you as you go.

It is worth at least a glance, and who knows, you might find some new running/workout music while you're there.

Here's a pic of what it looks like from the iTunes homepage. Click on it to see a bigger image. See it there on the left, under More in Music? HAVE FUN and happy sweating!

Blessings Series

I have been thinking about this for a few months now and I have decided I'm going to begin a series of posts about the ways in which I am blessed in my life. I have no idea how many posts this will entail, or if there will be a rhyme or reason to the timing of them, but I do know it is much easier to put life into perspective when you can meditate on all the things you've been given, even in the midst of wanting.

So, today is my first post in the Blessings Series.

I am blessed with wonderful friends. When we lost our second baby this January, we were surrounded and inundated with love from friends everywhere. This included cards, phone calls, texts, Facebook messages, special nights out, and even a few sweet packages.

Now for some pictures...

Some very sweet sister friends of mine, Sarah (her blog is private, or I would hyperlink it) and Laura, sent me this awesome package! In it was this note...



and all of these great things to pamper myself
with! The CD is full of really great, mellow songs
and the Ghirardelli chocolate is to die for! I'm so blessed!


These pictures are of a Mamma Mia party we had
at Paige's house. The invite said, "You're invited to
a Mamma Mia party in honor of Charla." It was SO
much fun! If you haven't seen this movie, gather
your girlfriends, make your favorite snack and pop open a bottle of vino!
You will have a night full of laughter, singing and
perhaps a little dancing!

"Mamma Mia, here I go again, my
my, how can I resist ya?"

Here's me with Paige in her beautiful new kitchen...love that girl!


The group...minus a few who had to leave early!


And here's the group in the middle of Lynn's story...
do you see how we are all DYING with laughter?
Let's just say the story involved women's legs

in the winter time, and a razor (or lack thereof).

Look at all that good food! I just love good girlfriends...
they are truly a blessing, don't you think?

So, I didn't intend on doing this when I started this post, but would you be interested in joining me in the Blessings Series? There's no pressure for time, I would just LOVE to read how God has blessed you! So, join in if you like and if you have pictures, even better!
If you do decide to participate, be sure to leave a comment on this post with the link to your blog!

I'm High!

I KNEW that would get your attention. Those of you who know me, know I am NOT high; well, at least not because of any illicit drug use. I'm on a LOVE high! I'm in LOVE again, for the first time in over a year. This has nothing to do with the McHotterson...I've always been in love with him. This has to do with someone who loves me even more than McH, even though that is somewhat unfathomable to me. This is someone who really isn't a someone at all. He is I Am. Do you know Him? I was introduced and fell in love with Him a long time ago, but just as quickly I fell out of love (not completely, but enough) with Him just about a year ago and I've been longing for the joy of loving Him since then. Guess what? I'm JOYFUL! And it is marvelous and overwhelming, and scary, and oh so amazing. He didn't go anywhere. I "checked out" for a while, but He didn't. I didn't want to be gone, and sometimes didn't even realize I was, but He knew and he beckoned me back all the while. He was wooing me. That was the tug; that was the longing in my heart; that was the part of Him I couldn't shake; that was His love for me. During this last year, I had lost something and was seeking it, but not in the right ways. I was seeking JOY from trying to get the things I wanted (i.e. a baby), instead of from being grateful and JOYFUL that I am His and that He is here! Oh, my heart is beating in my chest like I'm about to go on a first date, and in some ways, I am. But, I found JOY in a BIG God and I'm back people; the me that was there a year ago and somehow got lost in translation! And the JOY is back! Praise God!

So, as you can read my Walk to Emmaus was indescribable. I won't even try to explain with adjectives because they could never do it justice. But it wasn't the Emmaus Walk itself that changed me...it was God's mercy and perfect timing and his use of others as his eyes, ears, hands and feet. I didn't SEE God, but I know He was there in full force. There were lots of what the world would call "coincidences" but we believers KNOW are not. Go here to read about one of them. If ANY of you are interested or have been contemplating attending a Walk to Emmaus, I highly encourage you to do three things: 1.) pray and listen to God's guidance
2.) Don't judge because of what others' have told you about it 3.) If you decide you would like to go, there is a walk in November and I would be honored and blessed to be your sponsor, so let me know.

After the Walk, I flew out of Midland to Dallas, spent the night with family and then flew out Monday morning for Kansas City, which is where I am right now. I am sitting in the airport with a heap of time on my hands so I figured what a PERFECT time to blog about what has been going on the last two weeks of my life...they have been a whirlwind. My mom is in Kansas City, MO as a grader for the AP Art History test, quite an honor I must say (and I have no shame in bragging on my Momma)! Anyway, I had this trip planned for weeks and I'm so glad I was able to come and spend some time with her while she is here. She will be here through Monday and I wish I could stay longer to keep her company and hang out with her. We have had the best time.

Monday night, we went to dinner and a James Taylor concert as part of his Summer 2008 tour! I know the pic of me in my new tee is backwards, but I took it with my computer so use your imagination! Those of you who know me well, know I LOVE JT! He is a rock star in my book! His voice is absolutely pure and the man could sing pretty much anything, as he proved at the concert. He came out and started and, yes, I pulled the total groupie, crazy fan move and teared up...I DID NOT cry...just tears and the lump in my throat and I turned to my mom and said, "I'm one of those dorky groupies who cry because they believe they are _______'s biggest fan!" She assured me I was tearing up because I was just so happy to be there with her. I decided to agree with her. So, that's my story...etc... ;)

The concert was at the Starlight Theater which we soon realized was an amphitheater! Thank goodness the flooding rains took a respite, and the night was perfect! This theater was breathtaking...very reminiscent of Shakespeare's Globe, don't you think? It even has Juliet's balcony (well, two actually)! It was very clean, too.

Momma and me waiting for the concert to begin...just before my teary lump formed.

This flashed up on the jumbo screens during intermission. I liked it.

This gives you an idea of what the stage was like. We were way back but still had great views and really who needed to see him? I just wanted to hear him! There were jumbo screens on either side of the stage. Notice the lighting? It changed from set to set...really beautiful and added nicely to the ambiance.

Because we were so far back, taking a picture of the man up close was out of the question, but momma, being the smarty she is, snapped some photos of the jumbo screen. Here's JT in all his balding glory! We did have binoculars (again, thanks to the smarty), so we could see closer when we wanted to.

Tuesday, while Mom was in "school" I spent the day sleeping in, walking around, finding Starbucks and reading (see my current read to the right...I've already finished it, am almost finished with another, and am about to start reading the first again), eating lunch in the Power and Light District. When mom was finished, we decided we would eat dinner and go to a movie. We took a cab to Country Club Plaza, which is an amazing high-end shopping center (for you Dallas-ites, it reminds me a lot of Preston Center in the Park Cities). Anyway, we had dinner at this little Italian bistro which was delicioso! Then, we saw Sex And the City. I will not make this a critique of the movie, but know I could have not seen it and been just fine (maybe even better off...GASP...I know, I know). We caught a cab back to the hotel and headed to bed.

Wednesday, I decided to brave it and took public transportation, i.e. the bus, to Union Station. This is an AMAZING place. Picture Grand Central Station on a smaller scale. This was a rail station built the year WWI started. It actually still is a rail station for Amtrak, but is also now an educational museum of sorts, a Post Office, it has two restaurants, lots of little shops, you can even take a Segway tour of the area. I visited Liberty Memorial, dedicated to veterans of WWI but didn't actually go into the museum. I saw the 3D movie on the Imax screen, Ocean Wild. Very cool show about the sardine run in South Africa. But the best part of the day was the Bodies Revealed exhibit. You have probably heard of this, but if you haven't it is a show featuring bodies of Asian men and women who have donated themselves to science. Their skin is taken off and their body parts have been preserved in their natural state. It blew me away! I had been wanting to see this show since last summer when it was in Branson, but we didn't If have time then and I haven't had the opportunity since. So, this time I jumped on it, it was incredible! If you ever get the chance, GO!!!!! I finally made it back to the hotel after a mistake on the bus route (my mistake, not theirs) and took a nap before we headed out to dinner. KABUKI!!! Yum, yum...some sushi and calamari and we were off to see a live theater show called "Perfect Wedding." It was hilarious and the perfect way to end my stay in KC. The theater was intimate, just like an off-Broadway show mom and I caught in NYC years ago, The Fantastiks. We drank coffee/wine and laughed and laughed and just had a blast. The area we were in is known as Crown Center.

The outside of Union Station standing WAY AWAY! Isn't the architecture stunning?
A closer view. You can see the banner advertising the Bodies' Revealed exhibit.

Inside Union Station. Isn't it gorgeous? If you've ever see Grand Central you can see the similarities.

This is a really nice restaurant smack-dab in the middle of the station.

And this is where I chose to eat. Not for any reason except the other didn't look open, but this place I found out, had a really cool story. Mr. Harvey an affiliate with the railroad system thought that travelers, especially those having to stay any time in the station (overnight or just layovers) needed a place to eat and get food without leaving the station. So, he started the Harvey House Diner and it has been around ever since then. There's a soda fountain in the middle (where I sat) and tables all around with a juke box playing hits from every era. I had their Country Style Chicken Pot Pie with a Buttermilk Biscuit and a scoop of strawberry ice cream...yum, yum!!!

I didn't know this until I got to the city, but Kansas City, MO is coined the city of fountains. There were several, I must say. Here is one between Union Station and Liberty Memorial. Something else I didn't know, but probably should have, is that Kansas City is in both Missouri and Kansas! Cool, huh? Not much the geography student am I.

This is Liberty Memorial (WWI) from a distance. It was beautiful, with lots of intricately carved detailing in the architecture. I wish I would have had time to visit the museum...next time!

And finally, here we are my last night with Momma at the play, "Perfect Wedding." You can see the set in the back giground and imagine just how small the theater was. Every scene took place on that set, so it was never changed. We sat on the very top row, so that gives you an idea of the size, as well. So fun. On the way back to the hotel, mom and I were talking about how it has kind of become a tradition for us to find a live theater show wherever we are. We decided we were going to make it an official tradition and see one, if we can, any time we are on a trip together. I can't wait! I love live theater!

So, that's pretty much my trip. Now, I'm waiting for my flight and am really ready to see my McHotterson...I won't get to actually see him until tomorrow afternoon and I'm so ready to plant a wet one on him!

If you ever have the chance or are just looking for a destination vacation you can take the kids on and know there will be things to do, I highly recommend Kansas City, MO! Especially the downtown area. It is filled with education, art, museums, water features the kids can play in, and so much more. Oh, and those of you reading this who only get to eat out in the tiny town you hale from, know there are restaurants galore...more than you can imagine! What a city! I'm ready for next year!

*In a post coming soon...The Shack! Read it, people, read it!!!!!!!

**PRAY FOR THE FAMILIES OF THOSE BOY SCOUTS IN IOWA WHO WERE KILLED IN A TORNADO! WHAT UNSPEAKABLE PAIN THEY MUST BE GOING THROUGH...ONLY PAIN THE ULTIMATE PHYSICIAN CAN HEAL!

***6/13 By the time I have finished and published this post, I am back home, sitting on my bed. It has been so nice to be home. For those of you wondering, we found out today our second procedure was not successful but we are okay...really, we are. Of course I'm sad and disappointed and so is McH, but we are resting in God's ultimate grace and plan and we know HE has one. I am excited to see what it is!!!!! We are also taking some time "off" at least from fertility treatments. The mind, soul and body need a vacation. So, pray that we will continue to seek the Father in this matter and trust in Him and that we would find JOY even in the valleys.

"God, investigate my life, get all the facts firsthand. I'm an open book to you; even from a distance, you know what I'm thinking. You know when I leave and when I get back; I'm never out of your sight. You know everything I'm going to say before I start the first sentence. I look behind me and you're there, then up ahead and you're there, too--your reassuring presence, coming and going. This is too much, too wonderful--I can't take it all in!"

Psalm 139: 1-6 of The Message (I encourage you to read the entire chapter of 139. It is beautiful and a calm in the storm).

77 Days and Counting!

I'm so excited. I posted earlier about a trip to Kansas City to see my mom while she is there with the AP Art History readers. Well, I was researching attractions in and around Kansas City because I will have 3 days there and during the day I will be alone while Mom is grading. I looked up Concerts and one of my all-time favorite singer/songwriters will be in KC June 9th, the day I arrive. I called my mom to tell her about it and she was happy for me, but didn't really seem all that interested.

Then, a couple of days ago, she called and said she had just bought us two tickets for.....

JAMES TAYLOR!!!!

Yay! Thanks, Mom! I'm SO excited! When I was in Elementary school I found a cassette tape of my mom's called The Mellow 70's. I listened to it and instantly loved James Taylor. I've been hooked ever since.

This will be the perfect way to begin my time in Kansas City with my mom.