The Voice!

I recently went to a David Phelps concert...oh my goodness, it was incredible!!!
What beauty! What power!
Everything about his voice is just perfect. His seemingly limitless lung capacity is the real driving force in the mix, and I love the clarity of his voice. It's such a pure sound (much like Sandi Patty). Most singers sacrifice beauty for power, but Phelps' voice is a perfect union of the two. I think that's was really hits home for his audience; his strong, power-packed notes retain the glorious beauty of his most gentle tones. The concert was mostly Christmas music with a few other hits thrown in including- End of the Beginning, Fly to You, and Nessun Dorma. It was a full night of amazing singing and I hope to see David Phelps in concert again. He has my utmost admiration and respect, not only for his vocal genius, but also for his genuine humility. I've seen some good vocalists perform and it's a little too obvious they know they're "all that". David accepted the multiple standing ovations with grace and sincere delight.
Another reason why it's a joy to watch him perform is that he sings with conviction and passion that is necessarily lacking in good secular singers, ie: Josh Groban.
The longer I live, the more I notice the fingerprints of God in His marvelous creation. Sitting there, listening to one of the greatest singers of all time gave me a sense of awe reminiscent of my first airplane flight when I saw the clouds from above and the time I beheld the magnificence of the Grand Canyon. Truly, there is no more powerful demonstration of the Lord's majesty than that which is displayed in His creation. Only His hands could form these wonders...
"Every good and every perfect gift is from above."  I am so thankful to have been blessed with the opportunity to enjoy this exquisite gift from the Author of beauty.
I highly recommend that all of you see David Phelps in concert, and don't forget to take me with you!

Goodbyes can be tough.... but it's not the end of the world!

        Last Sunday the youth at my church said goodbye to two of the most Christlike people I have ever known. It was not easy. Mike and Tara have led the youth Bible study for a couple of years now and it's been amazing to see how God has worked through them to transform lives for His glory. If I were to tell all the ways they've been His hand extended, His words of life spoken, this post would end up a mile long. My life, and the lives of many others, has been changed for the better because of their obedience to Jesus Christ and their desire to see Him alone glorified. Looking back on the time Mike and Tara were here, I can clearly see God's presence and guidance all along the way. I guess that's one reason it's so hard to see them move on.
Monday morning was really difficult for me because that's when I finally let reality sink in. The sad part wasn't just the fact that we'll miss them terribly, but also the question: what now?
Wednesday I was reading in the book of Mark chapter 8 which begins with the account of Jesus miraculously feeding the 4,000. Verses 15-21 really spoke to me;
"Then He charge them, saying, "Take heed, beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and the leaven of Herod." And they reasoned among themselves, saying, "It is because we have no bread." But Jesus, being aware of it, said to them, "Why do you reason because you have no bread? Do you not yet perceive nor understand? Is your heart still hardened? Having eyes, do you not see? And having ears, do you not hear? And do you not remember? When I broke the five loaves for the five thousand, how many baskets full of fragments did you take up?"
They said to Him, "Twelve."
"Also, when I broke the seven for the four thousand, how many large baskets full of fragments did you take up?"
And they said "Seven."
So He said to them, "How is it you do not understand?""

I looked down the page to see if there was any commentary on these verses and this is when it was clear to me what the passage was saying. Here's what it says about verse 21;
"Here Jesus' role in teaching the Twelve comes into the foreground of the narrative. His question to them is a reproach for failing to realize that the Lord who miraculously provided for five thousand and four thousand men with their families is capable of taking care of twelve men's physical needs. Indeed, they should know that Jesus is worthy of their total faith in all that He will reveal to them in the days to come."

Here's what I wrote in my journal after reading this.
Wow! This really hit me as a word regarding my doubt about Mike and Tara leaving, wondering what will happen now that they're gone. We were so blessed to have them leading us, they are so rare...I felt so sad that their incredible influence would be gone. They were one of the best things that ever happened to us. These verses and the commentary rebuked me for my doubt and lack of trust in God. If God has been so faithful in providing for my spiritual needs thus far, how is it that I do not understand? He will provide. He knows best today just like He knew best when He brought Mike and Tara here a couple years ago.
        Lord, forgive me for my doubt. Forgive me for forgetting Your wisdom. You give us every reason to trust You. Thank You so much for speaking to me, for comforting me, for reassuring me. May I never cease to trust You and to praise You for Your faithfulness. Let Your will be done always!
Amen

Celebration!

Today my beautiful sister and I celebrate our birthday! We've already had a super day shopping in the city with our wonderful Mother, and we're having a blast just being together. It's shaping into one of the best days of my life. = )
So right now I'm dropping by to wish Brianna a Happy, Happy Birthday. God gave me my very first (and most precious) birthday gift when He gave me you. I love you SOO much! You're the best sister in the whole earth, moon and stars combined! lol   (it's a joke from when we were little)

This past year was great. God has been so faithful, His never-ending grace amazes me the more with each passing day. I'm looking forward to what He has in store for this coming year and I'm so thankful that I get to share it with my dear sister...
Love you B!!!

An amazing discovery

I was listening to some Sandi Patty on youtube yesterday when I stumbled upon David Phelps...WOW. This guy can sing! His voice is incredible and his music is beautiful. I can't believe it's taken me this long to find him! You have to listen to the whole song, it gets really good towards to the end.
Enjoy!

Hear my cry, oh God
Attend to my prayer.
From the end of the earth I will cry to You,
When my heart is overwhelmed;
Lead me to the rock that is higher than I
For You have been a shelter for me,
A strong tower from the enemy.
I will abide in Your tabernacle forever
I will trust in the shelter of Your wings...

My soul, wait silently for God alone,
For my expectation is from Him.
He only is my rock and my salvation;
He is my defense;
I shall not be moved....
Trust in Him at all times, you people;
Pour out your hearts before Him;
God is a refuge for us...

God, You are my God
Early will I seek You
My soul thirsts for You
My flesh longs for You
In a dry and thirsty land where there is no water...

As the deer pants for the waterbrooks
So pants my soul for You, oh God
My sould thirsts for God.
When shall I come and appear before God?
My tears have been food day and night
While they continually say to me,
"Where is your God?"
When I remember these things,
I pour out my soul within me
For I used to go with the multitude;
I went with them to the house of God
With the voice of joy and praise...

Why are you cast down
Oh my soul?
And why are you disquieted withing me?
Hope in God, for I shall yet praise Him
For the help of His countanence
The Lord will commend His lovingkindness in the daytime
And in the night His song shall be with me
A prayer to the God of my life....

SKYDIVING!!!!

Yesterday Brianna and I went skydiving and it was the most extreme experience of my life! I don't even know how to describe it. Brianna was the first one to jump (out of our group of 8) and it was a profound moment when we waived goodbye, knowing that it could possibly be the last time I'd see her alive (seriously, it was dramatic). The airplane was really small so they could only fit 2 pairs of jumpers at a time plus the pilot. It took about 10-15 minutes to reach the proper altitude. It was a perfect day for skydiving; clear skies, not too hot, not too cold, and it was a Sunday, what could be better? The emotional build up while waiting for my turn was like nothing I've ever experienced. I had no clue what to expect and I was praying that Brianna's chute would open. It did, of course. = )  Once she landed (lol) I got ready to go.
The airplane ride itself was lots of fun and the view was absolutely beautiful! As my instructor began the final preparations I looked out the window and thought, "this is crazy! why in the world am I going to jump out of this thing?". Then the door opened! I can't begin to decribe the feeling that washed over me. It's just so against instinct to open an airplane door at that altitude. I held onto the pilot's chair as I placed my left foot onto the aluminum step outside the plane. Then I put my right foot out  and the instructor grabbed my hand from off the pilot's seat and we dove. What a flight. It was the most exhilirating experince of my life. So crazy. So exciting. The free-fall was the best part. Honestly, it's not at all what you would imagine free-falling to feel like. There's no stomach tickle, no real physical sensation, it's mostly psychological. For the first second you know you're falling but then all you feel is the wind against your face and you're just riding the air. I didn't even think about whether or not the chute would open and it was a little disappointing when it did because I wanted the fall to last longer. Don't get me wrong, I did want the chute to open. = ) 
The rest of the ride down was great. It was breathtaking to be up so high with nothing between me and the wind. I loved it! I'd like to do it at least once more in my lifetime, it was unbelievable. I'm so glad I didn't back out, it's really not as scary as it sounds. I was more nervous thinking about it than actually doing it (except for getting out of the plane,  pretty traumatic). I think skydiving is something everyone should experience. Just make your peace with God and man before you jump. ; )
p.s thanks to all of you who prayed for our safety
p.p.s I'll be sure to post pics as soon as possible

Happy 9th minute of the 9th hour in the 9th day of the 9th month in the year 2009!!!!!