We officially have less than 20 days left until Christmas!!!!!

Where did the time go?!? (please slow down, I have so much shopping to do....)

I'm sure by now you all have your tree up, stockings hung, candles lit & are instagramming pictures of your ornaments.

The only thing missing is some good 'ole Christmas music! (and you may already have that too, just humor me folks)

The great thing about recording a Christmas album, is it really never goes out of style.

Good news for me! All the hard work was done last year.

Last December, I got creative and recorded some of my favorite Christmas tunes using the Garageband app.

That's it. Just me, my guitar (and piano on one song!) and my iPhone.

Then I put it on Noisetrade & gave it away for free. (250 people downloaded it!!! That's almost platinum in my little world!)

So, if there is any of you left out there who need some Christmas jingle - check it out! It's completely free. And if you want to spread the word on Twitter or Facebook, that would be nice. But it's free. And if you want to leave a tip, that would be even nicer. But really, it's totally free.

:)

So it's been awhile since I've talked about my music. Been busy, you know, having a baby and everything. :) But since I was asked at the grocery store the other day if I'd "given up on singing," I thought it might be time for a little update on where my heart is. I was up late the other night planning out my next EP. I chose the songs (5 of them) and made a plan for when and how I wanted to go about recording. Feeling inspired and accomplished, I went to talk to Josh about it. He gave me the "what is your goal" talk and I realized... I don't know anymore. I just wanted to make another album. Didn't really think about why.

Music is a passion. But not the only passion in my life. Especially now. I get excited about leading others in worship to God, but I'm just as excited about worshiping Him when I'm not the one leading. I love writing songs and I want to share them with others. But at the center of my life, of everything I do, I want God to be glorified. I want to make Him known. What else is really worth living for?

So back to my conversation with Josh. He is so smart to ask the "why" in everything. Even if I really dislike it at the time. ;) If there is no purpose in whatever we do, then we end up living selfish lives. Once we know our purpose, then we live with that in mind.

His question stirred a lot within my heart.

To be honest, there have been many opportunities for me to pursue a full-time singing career. Sometimes I wonder if my lack of ambition and self-promotion are a fault of mine. But I do rest in the fact that I can plan all my life to do something, but God determines the steps to make it happen. I believe I am exactly where I am supposed to be.

A wife, a mom and leading worship at my church. I find my purpose fulfilled in all three of those things. What a blessing!

Right now I barely have time to sit down and write a song (in between feedings, diaper changes, housework, cooking, etc). But my heart has a lot to say. I do hope to record again soon, but not without a clear purpose. Be praying for God to make that known to me, if it's what He desires. For now, you can still buy a copy of my New Day EP on iTunes or order a hard copy to be shipped to you by pushing the "Buy Now" button below. :)

Thank you all for your continued prayers and support!

Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path. Psalm 119:105.

This has been the truth of my life lately.

A few days ago, I was overcome with worry (and when I say "overcome," I mean completely overwhelmed, shaking in fear - worried). So what did I do? Googled "verses on worry," of course! These verses gave me immediate comfort. "Those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint." How about that for a lift in your spirit?!

But why has this just been true in my life lately?

That's what I've come to despise in myself. It takes circumstances that are out of my control, completely, for me to walk with God's word as a lamp to my every step. I don't want to have to go through the valley to need the lamp! God, I promise I still need You when things are going great.

But obviously, He knows better. God knows my heart and how much I desired to be a mother. He gave me my heart's desire and now He is guaranteeing that I walk close to Him in this journey.

So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you;  I will uphold you with my righteous right hand. Isaiah 41:10.

Yesterday's heart appointment for Micah was much more encouraging! We were able to talk to another doctor about his echo (ultrasound of his heart). This doctor seems to think that Micah's hole has a great chance of closing on it's own - or at least, getting smaller. And he said Micah could live with a small VSD (hole) and be fine! This was drastically different than what the doctor last week said. Of course, he also said that his hole is a moderate size and will take months for us to start seeing some change and within that time he could start having symptoms of heart failure - in which case we would need to take the step forward in getting it fixed surgically.

Just knowing there is now a "chance" it can close on it's own, is an improvement from last week! I have faith that God can heal Micah's hole completely.

A sweet friend has been sending me Scripture verses for the past couple days. She also sent me this new song by Meredith Andrews called "Not For a Moment," that just speaks such truth to my heart. I wanted to share it with you all - so I took a break in the middle of writing this blog post to pull out my guitar and learn it. Check out a little cameo of Micah in the background too! He made it into his first youtube video (outside the womb). ;)

 p.s. I don't know why the audio & video are not in sync... but I didn't really want to redo it. Or maybe Micah woke up. My apologies. :)

Not For a Moment

You were reaching through the storm, walking on the water, Even when I could not see. In the middle of it all, when I thought you were a thousand miles away. Not for a moment, did You forsake me. Not for a moment, did You forsake me.

After all, You are constant. After all, You are only good. After all, You are sovereign. Not for a moment, will You forsake me.

You were singing in the dark, whispering Your promise. Even when I could not hear. I was held in Your arms, carried for a thousand miles to show, Not for a moment did You forsake me.

After all, You are constant. After all, You are only good. After all, You are sovereign. Not for a moment, will You forsake me. Not for a moment, will You forsake me.

And every step, every breath You are there. Every tear, every cry, every breath. In my hurt, at my worst, when my world falls down. Not for a moment, will You forsake me.

Even in the dark, even when it's hard You will never leave me After all

After all, You are constant. After all, You are only good. After all, You are sovereign. Not for a moment, will You forsake me. Not for a moment, will You forsake me.