Rock and Worship Roadshow 2012

WHAT A BLAST!!!

The Rock & Worship Roadshow! I've heard of these advertised on the Christian radio station I listen to (89.7 KSGN out of the Los Angeles area) and wondered what it would be like to attend one. I heard they were coming to San Diego. Now who can I talk into going with me? Heh-heh. I cannot remember if it was I that mentioned it first or my cousin. I looked up the info online. Tickets were ten bucks, whoo-hoo!!! We're going. Oh, but I worried about seating ......and my poor ears.
We arrived an hour or so early to get good seats. The wheelchair seating was actually rather good! =D Perfect view of the stage, not to close but not too far away (okay, it could have been a bit closer what with my poor distance vision, but I was plenty happy with where we sat =) I wore my 'RA' t-shirt and at least two people asked about it =D I did not even think about taking any pictures. RATS!

Moriah Peters
'I Choose Jesus", what a beautiful song! I cannot wait to hear more of her on the radio. I wish I could remember the other songs she played. She was the first to open the show and did an excellent job. I wasn't ready for her to get off of the stage!

Sidewalk Prophets ~ I am soooo totally a new fan! I loved every song that they sang. Each song seemed to be my hearts cry.
Love Me Anyway
Live Like That
Words I Would Say
You Can Have Me

Hawk Nelson
A few moments after he walked out on stage and the first thing to pop into my head was that he looked like Justin Beiber's twin. I couldn't belive my cousin actually said it out loud! I tried hard not to laugh, somewhat failing.(I'm even cracking up as I'm trying to type this).
Something immediately turned me off to him. Oh sure, his music was too loud for me to understand a single word, but it was the fact that he had "HAWK" in BIG capital letters sitting on the stage, flashing in white lights. Now I could see that at a secular concert, but at a Christian venue I would have rathered 'Jesus' up in flashing lights. After all, in't it His name we are lifting up?

Disciple
I could not understand a word of what they sang. Their music was too loud, EVEN with earlplugs. I thought they were just okay, but my cousing L<3ved them. Seeing her rock out made me smile, so I enjoyed them to a certain extent because of it. Miles McPhereson What the heck? He only spoke for five minutes. Oh sure, just when I was getting into it too! haha

If Jesus is really the man, you need to trust Him. Let Go.

(analogy of holding onto a rope over water)

This message had me squirming at some points. I went home and later looked up more of him online.

Lecrae
I should have known. The two artists I didnt care for, my cousin loved. I was happy. Lecrae wasnt my fave, but I did enjoy them somewhat. Actually, their song 'Background' sort of had me thinking.
Luke 12:15-21
I dont want to waste my life ~ I had a hard time keeping up with this song, they sung it so fast, haha! But it was a great message, considering the struggle I feel I am facing with where God wants me.
fanatic
"You cant celebrate the gifts without celebrating the Giver"

Rend Collective Experiment
I am totally a new fan! Just as Richard Andrew dropped the 'Experiment' shortly after I met him, I now believe RCE needs to do the same.
My favorite song I heard from them tonight was.....oh,... shoot,.... I couldn't decide!
Worship on Iphone ~ that was kind of cool!
You Are My Vision
Build Your Kingdom Here
Praise Like Fireworks

Mercy Me
I was exctatic to see MErcy Me in concert again. I think this woudl be the fourth or fifth time I had seen them. But by the time Mercy Me went up on stage to sing, I was ready to go home. I was sooooo looking rorward to hearing them too! I am hoping it was the fact that I was tired, but I normally really enjoy their music. I mean, I DO have four of their CD's! Their very last song was the best I thought, and it was their song 'Move'. They actually choreographed a dance on stage while playing their instruments. I was laughing.
I did not buy any music that night, but after hearing Rend Collective, really wished I had.

Matthew West 'Story of Your Life' Tour w/ Special Guests Josh Wilson and Richard Andrew

"Is this the end, or only the beginning"........ MW, Story of Your Life

The Rivers Edge church, Rancho Cucamonga, CA

I was listening to 89.7 KSGN online one afternoon when I heard Matthew West was doing his 'Story of Your Life' tour (his first stop on the tour!) and making his one and only Southern California stop in Rancho Cucamonga.- Christian recording artist Richard Andrew ,who is worship leader at that church and whom I got to know two years ago, was opening. I thought of how cool it would be to be there but because of the drive and the time it was supposed to start and end, didn't think it was going to be possible. But I prayed anyway.......and God answered!
I purchased tickets online two or three weeks in advance. For weeks I was practically bouncing off the walls (my roommate can attest to that), so excited to get to worship with Richard for the third time. And it would be my second time seeing Matthew West in concert (first time seeing Josh Wilson). When purchasing the tickets, I made a mistake in typing my address and immediately sent an e-mail to the ticket agency. So when I thought they should have been here, they weren't. I panicked, but I did have a receipt I printed on my computer (right b4 my printer died, ha!). That same day I received a phonecall from an itickets.com representative saying my ticket bounced back to them and they would have it for me at willcall. (WHEW!)

What a night He (God) had planned for me!

The two hour drive was excruciating, I don't know how I survived. I could not wait (my dad was jokingly poking fun of my excitement the whole time, the turd! He's lucky I wasnt siting close enough to smack him ;). I feared the seating arrangements. Would their wheelchair seating be waaaaay in the back? If I sat front row, would I be able to understand what was being sung? Most concerts the intruments are wicked loud, and their wheelchair seating (or is it my vision? ha) makes the artists look an inch tall and three miles away. I was saved a seat in the front =) where RE staff led me right to the spot when I got there. I inquired of earplugs, and someone went and got me a pair! Crazy thing was I hardly had to use them. But by the last three songs, even with them in it was hard to hear/understand the words. My ears were STILL ringing! But it was SOOO totally worth it!!!!!!!
I thought I was going to get to sit with RA and his wife Shawn (now worries you two!), and was sad I never did see another RA fan that friended me on FB. Didnt know the people I was sitting around. Somehow, that didn't matter to me. I became lost in the music and stories of the evening.
Richard Andrew opened the evening with three of his songs (too short if you ask me, Haha!).
Take My Will ~ "Take my will, make it Your own. I'm on my knees letting go. Seeking more of You, finding less of me and now I'm free. Take my will, let Your kingdom come, let Your will be done".
Wave A Hand ~ I waved both hands in the air, and got so into it I just about 'wave'd myself right out of my powerchair! I hope nobody noticed (:sheepish grin:)
None Compare ~ My all time fave since the very first time I hear it! I was trying to close my eyes in worship, but at the same time didn't want to take my eyes off of the stage.

Josh Wilson was second to perform. I had heard one or more of his songs before, but tonight his music was better than I remember. Ha, thre's somethignh to be said about hearign live performances of your favorite songs. Wow. Unlike Richard Andrew and Matthew West, it was just Josh Wilson with a band loop pedal.

Shine On Us
Before The Morning
Savior Please
Always Only You
I Refuse
Amazing Grace (Instrumental, with the band loop pedal, which was AWESOME!)

In his introduction, Matthew West mentioned that this was his first stop on the "Stories" tour, as well as the ONLY So. Cal. stop. COOL! That just made it even more memorable. During his portion of the concert (he just happened to be the last one to play), between songs he played portions of his DVD. (I have watched it two or three times since that night).

Nearly every one of his songs had something that spoke to me

Strong Enough ~

"You must think I'm strong, to give me what I'm going through"

~
The Lord doesnt put anything on us that He doesnt think we can handle. (I often wish the Lord wouldnt think ME so strong, haha.)
~ Phil 4:13 (=D) Just happens to be my favorite verse of all time!
My move out of Montana, health issues, job woes.....all caused me to lose sight of the 'Bigger Picture'.
( Negative "What if"'s....... "Lord, give me a new perspective"
Am I going to decide my life is going to stink from here on out? THIS comment in his video totally and completely hit home for me. This thought is what I've been struggling with since leaving Montana)

Family Tree ~ I have Christs legacy

To Me ~(pain of school)
I was made fun of a lot in school, because of the way I looked, how I walked (or didn't walk). I missed a lot of school growing up even into college because of surgery, doctor appointments, and now these headaches and nausea.

"There are two kinds of people in this world; dream crushers 'Your not able to do it' and dream makers ~ 'Well, you know what? I'm going to do it anyway!'.
I was told I would never live past the age of two. I am now in my my mid-thirties. I was told I would never walk. I did...., but not until I was almost two. I was told I was not cut out for college. I graduated after eleven years earning BOTH an Associate's AND a Bachelors degree. I wheeled on stage to accept my diploma, and as I wheeled off I lifted my eyes and hands to Heaven praising God, knowing it was by His amazing grace that afforded me such an accomplishment.

I lost my digital camera right before the concert , Oh not good!! Mom and dad said they would let me borrow theirs. Last minute I just happened to be looking for something in my purse and lo and behold, THERE it was at the bottom!!! Cool! I was able to take lots of pictures. (Sadly, only a few really turend out. My best picture......one taken with Matthew West.

One Less ~ made me think about my dream for adoption

Your A Survivor ~ Rocked out to this one, about fell outta the chair! (Ohoh oh's)
Told not to try anymore ("Not cut out for college")
Rom 8:37 ~ ...in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us.

Innocence ~ "Love (God) sees perfection"
"Grace can take a broken girl and put her back together"
****God is not done with you yet

The Reason

"Maybe the reason for the pain is so that we would pray for strength. Maybe the reason for the strength is so that we would not lose hope, and maybe the reason for the hope is so that we could face the world and the reason for the world is to make us long for ho-o-o-ome."

The Healing Has Begun
Mercy remebers your name
The tears you hold back, let them fall like rain

The Motions~ (I made this my prayer the first time I heard this song, even more so that night)

"I don’t wanna go through the motions
I don’t wanna go one more day
Without Your all consuming passion inside of me
I don’t wanna spend my whole life asking
What if I had given everything?
Instead of going through the motions

"

In the video, Mattthew West holds up a whiteboard (he had surgery on his throat) ----"the value of this season will no doubt be priceless
God has something to say. To us and through us"

TAKE ME ALL THE WAAAAAAYYY!!!!! (from his song 'The Motions')

Since the concert was late in the evening, and it would be a two hour drive home, we opted to stay in a hotel and drive back in the morning (Mom and dad had a date night while I went to the concert). The concert ended and I was exhausted. But did I WANT to leave?! HA! No. I lingered for as long as I could. ANd I had to hang with Richard once more :D
FINALLY!!! I have an 'RA' t-shirt! Do I get one exactly like my mother's (great story behind how I received that one, I'll never forger 'Tuna and Rice'.)? Or do I check out his different styles? Oh too many choices, I could go for one of each! But sadly, the womens styles didnt fit :'( Too small (crazy to say for this small frame I know!) One shirt stuck out to me. 'Breath = Praise' The Lord seemed to speak as I read those words ~ "As long as I have breath, I have reason to praise Him." Even in light of whatever excruciating circumstances I find myself in.
I showed RA the t-shirt I bought (breath = praise) and he explained it was taken from Psalm 150 verse 6, "Let everything that has breath praise the Lord". The "ra" in 'praise' sports his initials with a circle around it.
Did I sleep once I got to the hotel? Heck no! I was too wound up, and had the evenings songs running through my head most of the night.
The devil had me convinced life was over once I left Montana. God seemed to show me tonight He still wasn't done with me yet.

"This is the joy, this is the pain, and all the pages in between. Your finest hour, your weakest moment is where you've been, where you are, is where you're going".

~ MW, Story of Your Life

KSGN's Making A Difference Tour

KSGN - Making a Difference Tour
Richard Andrew, Jadon Lavik, Raymond Gregory
Harvest Christian Fellowship --- Riverside, California

I was hoping to attend in person and was going to, even invited to sit front row until mom and dad had to go out of town on business. Drats. I was gonna get a t-shirt from Richard and have both my mom and I wear them together that night. I invited people to go too, and prayed about certain people going. But watched it online instead, and believe I had almost as much fun.

Raymond Gregory
Although his first song I wasn't crazy about his style or his voice, he even seemed a bit uncomfortable at first, by the second or third song I was really enjoying his music and he seemed to loosen up quite a bit. What a great sense of humor too, even in his music!
"As long as Your on my side, I'll be wealthy" ~ A song lyric of his that really jumped out at me tonight. And when I first heard 'Happily Married' on the radio, I will confess it wasn't a song I particularly cared for, only because I am not (yet, I hope? Hint hint Lord???) But for some reason, tonight it had a different feel, and I responded differently to it. I dunno, can't explain really.

Richard Andrew
Now *here's* the reason I watched tonight, and frankly I couldn't wait! Oh yeah, I coulda watched him aaaaallll night! I made a comment on the tour site about three o'clock this afternoon, going crazy because it was still four hours away! HaHA!
I had to laugh at myself really, I saw Richard up on stage getting ready to sing right after someone got up and said a few words, and I became r-e-a-l-l-y excited "There he is, there he is!" I'm such a nut!
"Knocking On Heaven's Door". God's telling me regarding my future and the plans that He has for me, "keep on asking, Keep on seeking, KEEP on knocking, whatever you do , don't give up!".
As he is singing an acoustic version "None Compare", my all-time FAVORITE song of his, he shares with the audience (I'm sure those online as well as in person) that God was speaking to someone. "He can see you in the valley, He can hear you call His name" Don't know if that was meant just for me, hope someone else got it too, but it still made me smile.
His drummer sure looked like he was having a blast! That was awesome to see! I know I was. I was trying to recline in my power chair while watching but it didn't work. I was sitting up in my chair having a grand ol' time, dancing and waving to his song 'Wave a Hand'. "I'm no longer the man I used to be. Thank God almighty I'm free at last I'm free......!"
I did not want his set to end!!! I secretly hoped he would even sing a new song, but was thankful for what he did sing tonight.I even sang along, I believe to all of them!

Greg Laurie, pastor of Harvest Christian Fellowship got up and gave a brief word just before Jadon Lavik was up to sing. Pastor Laurie spoke about the woman at the well. I have heard so many pastors preach on this. The one line I really remember and that spoke to me was "Jesus didn't point a finger at her failings."

Jadon Lavik
I am a new fan of Jadon Lavik. His music was crazy good! A little country, a little rock...... My most favorite song was "What If". Again, God really got me here. , something he's been speaking to me lately "I couldn't love you any more or less than I do". Other lines in his music that stuck out to me - "I surrender it all to you" and a line from his song 'I Just Want to Praise You' ~ "Daily I'm forgiven, daily I'm renewed"

I still can't believe, watching it online I still had that much fun. I still acted as though I was there in person, even though I was at home, in my room.

Spirit West Coast Del Mar 2010

It all started with meeting Richard Andrew in Montana. I was invited to be one of his guests at his concert in Del Mar when I told him about my move back to So.Cal. Sadly, just before that I had fallen and broken a leg so I was still recuperating. I couldn't go. Nor could I find the finances in time to pull it off, and so I started saving for the following year with the hope that again Richard would be playing. I became a FaceBook fan of Spirit West Coast and wrote on their wall almost monthly begging for him to be there! I even wrote an e-mail to the main office (I assumed) and received a what I thought a promising reply. I prayed......and prayed....and begged and prayed.....alas it was not to be. :'( *Sniff* So instead, I went an bragged about he and his music to anyone and everyone I could; a t-shirt vendor, KSGN peeps, SWC volunteers. I think I actually got a volunteer interested in checking him out! :D our very last day (sad, didn't want it to end) as we were headed home, a young girl walkeed by my mother and high-fived her. For what reason we were a little unsure. But then again, maybe it was the 'ra' shirt mom wore. (I am getting one soon I hope)

We had our tickets months in advance, and I was busily counting down the days. I would check the SWC site at least once a month or more to check for the 2010 site. When it was finally up I read through the entire site. Tickets, artists, what to bring, activities, you name it. I continuously checked the site for updated information.

Here was our chosen concert line-up for the weeken. So amazing we got to see everyone we wanted. Parking was never an issue for me as there were plenty of spaces to accomodate my van and wheelchair lift.

FRIDAY

Jonny Diaz -
3:30pm
Air1 radio Main Stage
Opening for 'The Afters'.
Now, I did not stay for 'The Afters' as it was not a band I particularly cared for even though I did know the first song. Mom and I both thought Jonny Diaz was the best one of the opening night. His opening song, appropriately titled 'The Opening' was hilarious. Sadly, he only sang for at least half an hour. What a great guy, and funny! Saved his best song "Beautiful You" for last. His second best song that night I happened to like was a song titled "Sarah Jo", about being "God's little girl". I could kinda put myself into that song. After hearing his other music for the first time, we are definately die-hard Jonny Diaz fans now. All of his songs really spoke to me in some way. Later that day we just happened to be walking by the K-LOVE radio station booth and I noticed a crowd gathered. I moved my powerchair in a way to get a closer look. GASP! Jonny was there! Sadly I didnt have anything for him to sign but when I saw somone getting a picture with him I quickly jumped in line! Better than an autograph any day!!! I still can't get over getting my pic with him, and it was the only one that really turned out, Ha. When I arrived home that night I immediately found his fan page on FB and added him. I bought his CD.

Tenth Avenue North -
Air1 Main stage
6pm - 7pm
Brian Weaver opened for TAN and sadly he started before we got there (the program said a different time), only got to hear one song. Fave songs of TAN; Love Is Here, *By Your Side, The Truth is Who You Are, Times, You Are More, *This is Where Healing Begins, I'll Be By Your Side. Okay, so I had a hard time deciding which one I liked best,lol! I love watching bands have a lot of fun on stage, and they really looked as though they did enjoy what they do. It really makes the experience that much better.
One of the bandmembers shared a bit from his heart. The best quote ~ "The Christian life: not about competition, but celebration. Not about action, but reaction."
I bought their CD

SATURDAY

By this time I could pretty much find my way around the SWC site fairly well. Most of the concerts we wanted to see were between twor three stages. I didn't have to do too much asking for directions. Maps don't help me much, lol!

Philip Bardowell-
JC Muzk stage
Saturday afternoon 2:30pm
The JCMuzk stage was great. It was a stage mom liked the music best, and she really liked Philip. She was also able to lie on the grass in the sun and rest her back. Me I kicked back in the powerchair and soaked in the sun and the Son, listening. One afternoon while reclined in the powerchair a woman walks by and says to me, "Hey, cool chair!".

Sunday morning worship 10:30am.
Wow! Can that man worship!!! . Sunday mornign worship "Lord I'm Amazed By You" and "Let Me Be Your Servant Today" were great songs he sung.
Sunday Message- Reg Cox
It was good, really good. Dang I knew I should have taken notes! My mother did.

Mathew West -
Air1 radio Main Stage
4:45 - 5:35
So good! Definately one I loved every song he sung, too hard to pick a favorite! Another singer whose energy on stage and connection with teh crowd made iot an enjoyable experience. Bought all three of his CD's, I forgot how much I like his music. Tried to get his autograph/picture but line was too long by the time I got there :(
"All things work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to His good purpose." ~ word shared by Matthew West

Jars of Clay
Air1 radio Main stage
6:30 - 7:20
Some bands really need to learn to turn down the music and turn UP their mics! But I still enjoyed them to a point. Most of the bands in cluding this one really had such energy on stage making for an awesome concert. Fave song of the night - "Two Hands"

comedy concert with Thor Ramsey and Daren Streblow - I like Daren Streblow more. More original stuff where as Thor Ramsey just asked what everyones worst Christmas gift was and made jokes off of that. Oh yeah, Daren made a comment about not watching a lot of TV, and heard me cheer. I forget his comment now (drats) but I laughed.

Steven Curtis Chapman
Air1 Main stage
8pm - 10pm.
(YAY! Loved him since I was a kid!!!!!) Of all teh Christian artists I was most excioted to see SCC. Sadly, for some reason the show got started late and the speaker went first (not the way the schedule read). Mom was too tired by this point, I guess I was too. The whole reason for the ticket upgrade was to see Steven Curtis Chapman up close and we didnt even get to use it for its intended purpose. :'( So disappointed, but not holding it aganst mom. She was a trooper through the entire weekend.
I bought two of his CD's.

Somewhere between Saturday and Sunday and watching how much fun the artists seemed to have, a thought came to haunt me once again. Some time before starting college I had a desire to pursue music ministry. When Azusa Pacific University came to our church when I was in Jr. High, I guess thats when the thought entered my mind. At the time a family friend was traveling and singing in nursing homes, on cruise ships, and other places. But then I moved to Montana and everything changed. One of these days I'll get to singing in church again. I kinda miss it. Especially after this weekend.

SUNDAY

Shaun Groves- Shaun Groves opened up for Fransesca Batistelli. I really wished he would have been one of the main singers after hearing him. I was not ready for him to be done. "Welcome Home" is a great song!
Gets mixed up with ....oh shoot, I cannot remeber now. Buut I do remeber my first thought was "Great! I am not the only one!!!". I enjoyed him more than I thought I would. I knew more of his music than thought too. His seminar on the beauty of simplicity was interesting, and I was touched by the fact that he invited people to e-mail him about questions regarding the topic. I did not get a CD of his music, and now I am really REALLY bummed) He opened for Fransesca Batistelli.

Francesca Batistelli -
Air1 Main stage
2:00 - 3:15pm
I may have heard a song or two of hers before and didnt put the two together. One afternoon while looking at the SWC site for last year, I came across Fransesca on the artist line-up page and clicked on her name to hear a sample of her music. Fell instantly in love! Its hard to chose a favorite song of hers, they are all so awesome! She did sing two brand new songs however, and I loved them, "Don't Miss It" and my favorite of the two, " Angels By Your Side". This one made me cry. I bought her "Paper Heart' CD and I intend on getting her new song 'Angels By Your Side'.

Angel Smythe-
JC Muzk stage
5:30 - 6:30pm
Sunday afternoon concert on the grass. Sadly mom and i couldn't stay through the whole thing. Mom and I were pretty wiped out at this point and couldn't wsait to fall into bed, but we both thought she was great! her beautiful voice adn her energy opn stage and the way she drew the crowd in were what sold us to her music. I am keeping tabs on her from now on!

Of course all of the concerts were too short! Just when you really get into it and its the last song! Argh. No worries, I came home with a pile of CD's to listen to. I came home with something else too, a slight cough and sore throat. Guess I had too much "Woooo!" -ing going on. :)
Mom and I had 'Full Event' wristbands, of which I wore for days afterward! I did not want the weekend to end, and so I knew it was officially over if I cut it off!

Can't wait to do it all again!

Seasons May Change, But God is Forever the Same

When I first moved to Montana, I thought I would be spending the rest of my life here. A short time and whatever desire I had to ever move back to California...gone. It felt like home....almost immediately.
Hindsight is always 20/20. Looking back at the past year and a half (seems like three) I saw a chain of events that told me something was up. "God is up to something" is what I kept telling myself early on. Landing (and then losing) my first job, my first ...and second staph infection, not being able to find another job, the ups and downs with the house I currently live in. When mom called me one afternoon and told me they were moving me back to Cali, I bawled... for three days. I still LOVED Montana. I still saw myself living the rest of my life here. I thought I was nearing my dream.
Five months prior to all this I was at a rally where we had a speaker and three or so bands that played their music. One of them really stuck out to me; Richard Andrew Experiment. I immediately added him to MySpace. A few months later and he has a Facebook page...added him there too. One afternoon listening to his music and I had to ask myself "WHY do I like his music so much. SOMETHING kept me coming back to it. Then this moving back to California came up---and his music is hitting me A LOT differently. I just happened to see on his FB page he posted a video of him singing a song he wrote at his church, a song called 'None Compares'. It had me resting my head against my computer keyboard, bawling. I came across his YouTube page where he had posted others and came aross 'Fall Apart'. Uh-oh, here we go again! I don't know why exactly (must have been a God thing), but I shared with him my frustration.
Now, I have kept the notiication of his note on my FB wall for some time now, and read his note often. Just a week or so ago I read it and the word 'peace' stuck out to me. God seemed to be telling me it was time to pray for peace regarding my move. Peace, I didn't want it, I was afraid to pray for it for fear it was a "giving in" to my moving back. It took me day and a half. The crazy thing was, once I did I immediately felt it. Whoa! THAT was fast! Where there was once fear, there is now excitement! I am listening to RA's music he gave me when we first met and even THOSE are messing with me :D,

Unchanged - "Your situation has changed, but I(God) have not, My plans for you have not"
New Song - God's challenge to me in the midst of difficult circumstances

The rest of them, lines stuck out to me -

Give Your Life to Jesus - "Hopes, dreams, fears, anxieties, frustrations"
Love All Over the World - " No one understands the path that led me, to losing everything that I held dear, and after watching it all disappear, He's beckoning me near..."
Enough is Enough - "I'm just looking for peace that I don't understand....." Funny how earlier the word 'peace' in his note really hit me.
Chief - Like 'Give Your Life to Jesus', this one just grew on me. lol!



Jeremiah 29:11 - For I know the plans I have for you declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, to give you hope and a future.

Book: A Latino and God, by Rick Reyna

I heard Rick Reyna speak at a 'Rally for Jesus' that a friend put together one evening a few weeks ago. A couple of singers were there too that I had never heeard of before, but that were good, especially Richard Andrew Experiment. In fact, I hadnt really expected to come home with muh, maybe one CD of hte artist I most liked, or a book by the speaker. Two of the artists gave me their CD's RAE included. I only had to pay for the book. RAE had a few CD's out and so I contemplated which one to get. But was given them both. I fully would have paid for them.
Funny, but partway through the concert and it was RAE that said something toward me. ( I was moving to the music and not even realized it. I have listened to their CD every day, even added them on Myspace, of whith the lead singer has replied a few times. We even chatted a bit after the concert (He and Alehe hit it off real well).


CH: 1 No Mister Rogers Neighborhood

The only things I saw were the limitations that were on their lives, holdiing them back from any potential good things. Their exuses usually hinged on the fact that they were Mexican.

Even friends told me to go ahead and dream about living the good life, but that's all it would ever be...a dream.

I could have agreed with the people who told me I was never going to amount to anything or do anything significant because I was Mexican....lived with a 'victim' mentality and a chip on my shoulder. But something in me would not let me do that. Deep down in my heart I knew there had to be something better out there for me....pulling at me, causing me to see myself headed in a different diretion and a better place.

Renee' Bondi: The Last Dance but Not the Last Song

So as you've probably read in an earlier post, I saw Renee Bondi at Joni and Friends Family Retreats a short time ago. She was selling books and CD's, and, well, I bought all four CD's (package deal) plus her autobiography. I even had her sign the book.
Her book is almost as amazing as she is! Crazy but, partway through the book and I felt as though I were reading parts of my own story.

At 29, Renee had an incredible future ahead of her. She taught music at a highschool. She had an incredible talent as a singer. And she was engaged to a wonderful man, Mike Bondi, the night of the senior prom where she worked.
All this changed in an instant. One morning she awoke to her body in midair. She landed on the floor as if she were diving into a swimmingpool. She rolled onto her back after realizing what had just happened. But when she rolled to her side to get up, CRACK! Pain so severe it threw her onto her back once again. She couldn't move. she tried to yell for help, her roomate downstairs, but her voice was reduced to a mere whisper. By some miracle of God, her roomate awoke about the precise time Renee had hit the floor, something they describe as the Holy Spirits doing. From this moment on, her life was changed forever.
Below are insights from what I gleaned from her story

Sometimes our lives take turns we didn't plan, and wouldn't have chosen.
Once she and Danny were both there together, I relaxed even more.
(I felt the same way while in the hospital, mom AND dad there, all is well)
All I did was fall out of a normal sized bed. Who gets hurt doing that?
(I broke my leg making my bed one year!)
"I'd rather be dead than live like this". - Doctor's remark
(Doctors can be so cruel sometimes.)

Junior year music became more important to me
(me, more like junior high)
We never know when something will happen that could completely change the course of our lives.


The horse era - that part of my life over?
I felt like part of me was being wrenched away
(riding horses,preschool too)
Where are all the people my age?
(me after graduating, and @ CLC)
using my music as a ministry
drawn to those whose faith I shared
(more so than non-believers)
Why would I go to Europe before I've seen America?
(I also have wanted ot travel overseas, to see wht it was like,, and how others with disabiliteis live in other countries. Ha, like I would be able to sit on a plane THAT long! I haven't been all over the U.S. yet)
I assumed I knew my sisters pretty well... (friends to roommates)
Renee and her sisters in Europe - God's saying if you just trust me...You'll still have a good time and see what you wanna see)
(God - Don't be afraid to tell others of your dreams, who knows, they just might be the ones I have for you)
I tried to get to know each of my students.....
(easier said than done in some cases)

How would he (future husband)fit into my whole life, and how would I fit into his? I needed to consider family gatherings, common ideals, mutual faith, parenting skills, security, social graces, and character.
It was a crisis of faith such as I had never imagined. Could I still trust God to make beautiful music of my life?
(I can sure try, and I need to!)

the stryker frame....I felt like a pig on a rotisserie
(I cracked up laughing at the sound of that, and then felt bad for doing so)
Was it always going to take all morning to shower, fix my hair, go to the bathroom?
(I could relate! Oh the frustration!)
....God is actively involved in the practical aspects of our lives
Mike was by my side every day
(I could not believe that Mike stuck with her the whole story, wanting to marry anyway,I only pray I find somone like that)
There are some things we are never going to understand this side of heaven. We just have to trust that God loves us and believe that He works all things together for our good. He is not going to waste our pain.
...there is a special awe one feels in a sanctuary.
(Oh don't you know it! I could sit there all day. Why When church is over, I am just getting into it!)
Having difficulty with the days challenges I replied, "Oh, I can't even pray."With her experience, she could easily see I was at the end of my rope, truly depressed. "Okay," she said slowly, ""Let's reduce this to the simplest denominator. Breathe in, say 'Jesus'. Breathe out, say 'mercy'."
(I've gotta remember this one)
I wasn't just remembering some words to some songs; what I was hearing didn't come from my memory. The music came from my soul! It was as though the words bypassed my mind and were being played like a recording to my heart.
(My singing throughout the day...God's communicating with me?)
God was encouraging me to allow the storms of my life...to send me soaring higher than I would have without the storms.
(seeing storms differently -okay God, what are You teaching me through this?)
God was really going to take care of me, in practical ways as well as spiritual ones.

sip and puff
(in relation to my trying the power chair for the first time-LOL!)
three pound weight on her belly to strengthen diaphragm.
(I need to remember this one too, to give me a bit more breath control when I sing)
(I likened her 'halo' experience to my 'body cast' experience-pure misery.)
Dad,...powerless to prevent the accident or to put my body back together.
Hope was gone and the future was dim
(been there, thought that.)
I would always be dependent on someone else taking care of my needs.
(God's dealing with me in this one)
One of the most discouraging realities was the realization that it took a minimum of three hours to get out of the bedroom every morning.
(frustrating for me too! Hoping its no always going to be like this, but....)
....to trust in the Lord and take things one week at a time
( still learning)
There had been a death-the death of life as I had known it.The death of my movement, the death of my career, the death of my wedding, the death of my usefulness, the death of my future hope and dreams and plans, the death of my body.
(I am praying, and waiting, to see what God brings back to life, or gives me in place of )
Later I realized it was necessary to go to that place of mourning so that I could release the grief and start the healing process.
....being content with the way life is now, but it seems like the battle is more intense on holidays and special occasions.
(another lesson to be learned).
I started to worry about how his family would receive me, and and what they must think of me as a potential wife for their wonderful son.

(Oh how I cried through chapter nine)
My paralysis was robbing me of the joy of feeling like I would be a welcome addition to the Bondi family if Mike and I went forward with our wedding plans.
mike -.....I don't need a child to be complete. I love you just like you are, wheelchair and all.
teal brides maids dresses. More flattering in the front than the back due to the wheelchair (coordinate with the color of MY wheelchair)
it was another realization of how interested God is in the details of our lives
(God IS interested)
We came to understand that intimacy is not sex....but holding, loving, listening, caressing...about being loved and giving love in return.

I can't allow myself to get sidetracked by 'what could have been', nor can I spin my wheels wondering what's down the road for me.
I can trust Him to make beautiful music of my life again.
(Yet another lesson still...)

Song - Be Not Afraid
I go before you always
Come follow Me
And I will give you rest
If you pass through raging waters
in the sea, you shall not drown
If you walk amid the burning flames ,
you shall not be harmed
If you stand before the power of hell
and death is at your side
know that I am with you through it all

Mike - romping and playing with our nieces and nephews
Just like one of them, and they adore him. He loves children, is energized by them, and gets just as wound up as they do.
I went back and forth like a ping pong ball between these two questions. being patient and quiet until I began to feel a peace when the pendulum was at yes, and an anxiety when it was at no.
If it was God's will for us...He would equip us with the tools we needed.... We simply left it in God's hands.
Life could be complete from a wheelchair.
It was a different kind of okay than what we had chosen, but none the less, we were okay.

Sometimes ghosts of our past just won't die.

We had walked on the edge of defeat and despair, and now we were beginning to dance on it.

13-baby

peace that passes all understanding
surrender
a new year, always symbolic of a new beginning

powerchair troubles - no thanks to the airlines
Catholicism -confusion on both sides, whether it be from misinformation, lack of awareness of eachother's beliefs, or just plain predjudice.
Carholicism, Protestantism ...both believe and teach that salvation is through Jesus and Him alone. Any person....who has accepted the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ for his sins is Christian.
When we're drowning, God sends a lifeboat, when we're without direction, He sends a compass.....in the form of a person-someone who has been where we are and has made it safely ashore.

I thought it interesting that throughout the book, Renee Bondi seems to struggle with an idea that Mike could leave her for a woman who is not in her situation. From the beginning, Mike has stuck with her, and has no intentions of ever leaving Renee's side.
...I have been criticized by other Catholics for not being Catholic enough.
...if I start talking about my Catholicism from the stage, I am pointing the audience to a denomination when what I really want to do is point them to Christ.
Corri ten Boom - "when you are praised or receive a special compliment, hold it in your heart like a flower. When you gather enough flowers to make a bouquet, offer it up to God, because He is the one who really deserves it.
Disabled? Severely. Discouraged? Sometimes. Defeated? Never. Victorious? Absolutely! Why? Because my God is an incredible God who knew just how to make beautiful music of my broken life.

What is hardest for you mentally about being paralyzed? Being dependent. Giving up the luxury of aloneness. Privacy.
What mistakes to people commonly make around you?
Her aid, Deborah, on a roadtrip. Ticket agent approached and asked D "how would she like to get on the plane?" Renee answered the question anyway. (I know the feeling!)
What would you do if your body worked normally for just one day?
Run and spin like Maria von Trapp on that mountain. And undoubtedly, I am going to approach the throne of grace and respectfully inquire, "What .....was that all about down there?"
Would you go back and undo the accident if you could?
Undoubtedly yes, but I have learned so much about God by being in this wheelchair. Maybe my wheelchair is my brick. It slows me down so "that I may know Him and the power of His resurrection, and the fellowship of His sufferings". Phil 3:10

Now I see that the whole experience was the key to my future.
There is not a dubt in my mind that before the foundations of the world, God picked (him)for me. God protected me from marrying someone who would not have been as perfect for me in my situation...
God can do good things with your life.
(telling this to myself on a daily basis)
Trust that God has a way of blessing that is far better than your way.(....trust God with your whole life....with your deepest dreams and desires.

Todd Agnew and Rush of Fools --- Better Questions Tour

So I am trying to save money so that I may fly home for Christmas. I am attending a seminar titled 'Workinig Well with a Disability', and since I am in a group that is critiqing the material as it i9s being presented to us, we get paid twenty bucks for it. SWEET!

I decided early on that the money would go toward a plane ticket home. Well, so far, I haven't saved much. I cant remember now what I spent the first twenty on, but the second twenty I just HAD to attend the concert. (just call me a music junkie, LOL!)

Wednesday September 26, 2007. Todd Agnew was in concert at Christian Life Center. Opening for Todd Agnew was 'Rush of Fools', from Birmingham Alabama. RoF has garnered themselves a new fan, ME! While they sang, the words to the songs were up on the overhead. Becaus the music was so loud, it was difficult to understand what they were singing part of the time. Watchign the over head adn reading the words, I wept through most of their performance as the words to their music hit me.

Whenever I hear Todd Agnew on the radio I'd always confuse him with Mark Shultz. Good grief, I can tell you the name of a song and recite lyrics almost word for word, but when it comes to who is singing....not so much.

When Todd first came out on stage, he was messing with the sound equipment and talking to the sound people in back, and so I assunmed it was soemeone from his road crew. Later when he came out on stage singing his first song, I almost burst out laughing. Not only was his singing voice w-a-a-a-y different than his speaking voice, but he looked a lot different than I pictured him.

Todd Agnew did a tribute to the late Rich Mulluins by singing his Hallelujiah song, and the n proc cededed to speak a little about Rich Muillins, how he knwew him and wah a gret artist/singer he was. Two of the songs he sang were fun to listen to as they had a country music feel. One of his bandmates played the fiddle (I think) adn was a blast to watch because he would dance while playing. It looked like he had a lot of fun doing it.

I realize now that music is a BIG way that God captures my heart and makes me love Him. The other one being nature.

I wish I wuold have taken notes on the stuff Todd shared. It was awesome

"Hallelujiah , Glory Be to Our Great God" - and ROF's song "Undo" will be stuck in my head for days!

I will be asking for their music for Birthday and Christmas.

Jeremy Camp with Special Guest Goofyfooted

Jeremy Camp Live in ConcertTuesday, August 8, 2006 7:30 p.m.Opening with local spirit rock group Goofyfooted Sponsored by: The Garden of Read'n & SHEC (South Hills Evangelical Church)

The concert was held at the Grandstands of the Western Montana Fairgrounds at seven thirty, and lasted three hours. At first I wasn't sure what seating would be like, wether we were sitting in the grandstands (of which I can hardly see a thing because of a chain link fence that hinders a perfect view of the action on the other side). It turned out to be perfect seating, not quite front row (which my ears thanked me as it was loud from where I sat) but a perfect enough view where I could see both musicians just fine. Of course this was after I had to move because everyone stood where I was seated, so I and my friend Christy Mangals sat at the edge of the crowd. It was great as the ushers brough a chair for her and another woman who was with someone in a wheelchair.

I was a big fan of Jeremy Camp before the concert ( I am attracted to his voice wa-a-a-y more than his looks, although he is not bad looking. Actually better looking in person than his CD cover pics. ) After all I have two or three of his CD's. After the concert experience, I am an even bigger fan than what I was before. It was the way he interacted with the crowd, and shared from his heart things that God was doing, even encouraging the audience with words from scripture. He even invited a young man up on stage with him for a playful wrestling match.

I think what attracts me to his music is the fact that a great majority of his songs seem to be prayer-like. Almost a longing for God to make him better. I had my hands raised to Heaven through most of songs.

Afterward, I went to the souvenir table and bought two CD's and a t-shirt (of which I am wearing today) , both of Goofyfooted. I have two CD's of Jeremy Camp already.

Definately well worth the fifteen bucks it cost for admission.

Goofyfooted is a term originated as a surfing expression & found its way to
skateboarding, snowboarding, wake-boarding, and all board-sports. The term
refers to a rider's foot position. There are two basic foot positions: “regular”
in which the left foot is forward; or “goofy” in which the right foot is
forward, all relative to the front of the board. While the vast majority of
riders position "regular," a few go against the grain and go goofyfooted! In the end, Jesus rode his board nailed goofyfooted to a cross giving us freedom to ride for eternity. Having a relationship with Jesus means going against the flow of the world. so choose the best ride you'll ever experience in this life and
the next... go goofyfooted!

Alison Krauss and Union Station Concert at UM Adams Center

Wednesday August third two thousand and five. Alison Krauss and her band Union Station were performing a concert at the University of Montana Adams Center. I left Ally at home 'cause she'd get scared when there's loud music (I made that mistake one too many times, poor girl). Besides, she had just had a great workout swimming in the Clarkfork River by Beavertail State Park(See previous post Beavertail State Park).

The entire concertwas fantastic, definately worth the money. And i think AKUS have earned themsedlves a few new diehard fans. Mixed in with their singing, there was a lot of humor. The drummer was said to have had a different hairstyle for each performance. On Wednesday night's performance she called it "rough and rugged". One of the band members did a voice over for Geroge clooney in the movie O Brother Where Art Thou. She claimed that this band members voice and George Clooney were her fantasy.

Alison introduced each of the band members throughout the night. Both Janine and I thought the bass player was hot. I couldnt see his face very well at a distance, but his buff arms looked mighty fine!

The band played music for two hours exactly. The second hour I thought was the best. Not only were they songs that I was familiar with, but you were able to hear the words a lot better. Some of these songs included:
Baby, Now That I found You...
Man of Constant Sorrows
Down to the River to Pray
the Smile on Your Face

Alison and the band sang a few christian songs, oh were they beautiful! A song titled 'Living Prayer' was my favorite song that was sung.There was a line in that song that had me closing my eyes and raising my hands toward Heaven. "Take my life and let me be A living prayer my God to Thee." After the concert, Jill said she was a new fan and wanted to go out and purchase all of her albums. (She claimed to have one)

What was so precious that night was seeing two or three couples in the back of the room country/western dancing to each song. Janine and I sat there and drooled. Made me want to get up and dance too.

Once upon a time I used to. Back when I lived in So. Cal. I was involved in a dance group for people with disabilities. Can't remember the building we practiced in, but it was some sort of business that we could use in the evenings as it was closed. We would then perform at nursing homes, a local bar, and even at the Del Mar Fairgrounds. Good times. Oh yeah, and to whomever invented seatbelts for wheelchairs, I thank you. I can remember a time or two that the gentleman I danced with (my favorite was the dance instructor) would inadvertantly spin me right out of my chair...and he was still holding onto my hands whilst my chair rolled across the room!

Liberty Quartet Comes to Christian Life Center on 7-31-05

Liberty Quartet is a four-man christian band and were they ever good! They sing a lot of old time hymns, adn a lot of songs they wrote themselves. Some are upbeat and some are not. but all of them are wonderful! I came expecting a great performance, as I just love music period, but this far surpassed any of my expectations. A few songs I knoew, but the majority of songs I figure they must have written themselves. My favorite out of the four was the piano player, not only was he cute (married with three children darn it all) but he was the funniest I thought. His piano playing was amazing. I sat there and drooled, somday I will play like that!
They embedded a lot of humor into their performance, probably what mde it so good. One gentleman would reach over the keyboard player and play a few nots on teh keyboard as he was playing, which made the keyboard playet give him a funny look. they did that a few timez. Or, the four of them would make wisecracks toward eachother, all of it having us rolling on the floor laughing. I came out of the performance with three CD's anad a DVD, all in a package deal, as I could not make up my mind which to get. There was not one song they sang I did not enjoy.
Check them out at http://www.libertyquartet.com ,
and if they are in your area, tell them I sent you!