Mela Kamin – 4:10 Ministries

I made it to Blissdom. I couldn’t think of a better way to finish up my week than by spending the weekend with my friend Chris Ann and 500 of our “closest friends.” HA. Honestly, I was a bit overwhelmed when I arrived. This feels like a secret society that I somehow mistakenly got an invite to.

Yesterday was so fulfilling – working with Carl, listening through vocals on the new song (I’m very excited about it), meeting with my co-Producer Dan Needham. It was about 10 months since we had all been together . . . it was playtime for me again. The studio at Dan’s is where my album came together. It’s where “I Pray” dropped into our laps.

I honestly didn’t want to leave the music part of my trip . . . but I had a new adventure to begin on.

Carl & Faith dropped me off at the Opryland Hotel. Most of the Blissdom ladies were already at workshops during the day and then headed to cocktail parties. I already felt behind. I called home, unpacked, regrouped and took off my music hat and put on my PR hat. I caught up with Chris Ann and met some really neat, inspiring, savvy business women, Moms, designers, entrepreneurs, writers – bloggers (of all levels).

It’s interesting to me that I used to go to conferences for my clients in the “old days” of my PR job.

I was about to enter a familiar territory . . . yet one that is completely foreign.

The night turned out to be fun and casual and not at all as intimidating as I thought at first. I survived, I stretched out of my comfort zone and that feels good.

Chris Ann & I got up early and prepared for our day of learning and making connections. I was happy my PR brain kicked in and I was able to remember some faces and names. The keynote speaker, Kevin Caroll @kckatalyst was incredible. I cried, laughed, was challenged and inspired . . . he was truly the best presenter I’ve seen . . . the best.

Last night, when I called home, Greg told me to remember to HAVE FUN. That’s just what I heard this morning – so that’s my intention. As we heard from Kevin’s lessons he learned on the playground – I will be prepared to shine and maximize the day.

After getting the piano recorded on the new song, we went out to dinner with Carl’s wife, Faith.

She is just a dear, sweet person. She’s smart, funny, thoughtful and has a smile and laugh that makes you want to smile too. She and Carl are veritable newlyweds, just four months into their marriage. They are one of those couples that you see and secretly hope you & your spouse are as cute as they are. “They’ll know we are Christians by our love,” totally fits Carl & Faith – not only for their marriage, but how they treat others. They both actively serve in their communities and church. Whenever I’m here, they are usually in the midst of doing favors for others and helping out in some way.

I have no business being considered a close friend, but I’m treated as family when I’m here. We eat and pray together and I always come away thinking I’ve just witnessed what true hospitality looks like.

I mean – they “just” got married, people – and they take me in without a second thought. They are busy people who don’t get to spend as much time together as they’d like, because of work and travel schedules. And, yet they welcome me into their home and lives for a few days and include me.

I don’t know if it’s a Southern thing or if it’s a Christian thing or if it’s just a Carl & Faith thing, but from the moment I met them, they have treated me like an old friend.

I am feeling very blessed.

I’m sitting in my Producer’s house while the sun is shining in Nashville. Ahhh.

I’ll be honest, I wasn’t thrilled to see snow on the ground when I landed Tuesday, but it has begun to melt and it’s absolutely Spring-like to me. The birds are chirping and I can see grass as I look out the window – a welcome change for someone who lives with a constant snow covering for months in Minnesota.

I’m here to work on some new songs, maybe do a cover of a couple worship songs that I love. I am so blessed to work with Carl Herrgesell. He and his wife Faith are such lovely people who have invested in my life and work. They have graciously allowed me to stay with them. They are my family here.

Carl & I went into the studio and I sang him a new song I wrote. He heard what he needed to and started playing the keys. I’m not a musician, so this is where it gets really magical for me – he just knew the song, like he had played it before – but he hadn’t. Somehow he is just gifted enough to “get it” and make it come alive. Again – magical.

It’s a glorious couple days of doing what I love to do. Having the chance to live for a few days in this creative space, is exhilarating and inspiring. I get a lot more ideas when I’m able to just focus, sit, read, listen and pray.

I had big ideas of what I wanted to accomplish when I got here. And, being away from home and my family, I do have to be a good steward of my time.

But, God just wants me to be present.

“Be still, and know that I am God” Psalm 46:10
“You will fill me with joy in your presence.” Psalm 16:11

He’s not concerned with my busyness. I’m not saying he’s content with me just hanging out, but he doesn’t want me to miss what or who he’s put in front of me either. He’s not concerned if I write a certain amount of songs or make a hundred connections.

I still want to go back home feeling like I got the most out of my trip. But, I rest in the knowing that if I only fill myself up with His Word and presence … that my trip was more than worth it.

What do you love to do in your free time?