Mike Westendorf
Back in September, I posted this interview with Shaun Groves in support of his Third World Symphony album.
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Today, I’d like to introduce you to another musician – a mentor and friend of mine, Mike, who is also a husband & Dad (and weatherman).
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My Youth Pastor suggested I call Mike to talk about music, since he [...]
Women of Faith – Imagine
Imagine starting your day being led in worship by the astounding Allison Abbott, Janice Gaines, Laura Cooksey & Jenifer Thigpen.
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Imagine being joined in worship by an arena full of fellow sisters in Christ.
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Imagine hearing stories of God’s faithfulness, comfort, power & love from speakers like
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Sheila Walsh, Nicole Johnson and Angie Smith.
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I’m thrilled to have [...]
Choosing JOY- a gift from Sara
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After a busy day of preparing for & celebrating Greg’s birthday Wednesday, cleaning up, praying with and blessing my kids, I finally checked email. I wasn’t prepared.
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I was shocked to see that hospice had been brought in to my friend, Sara’s condo and she’s on the verge of going Home.
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I wasn’t prepared. As I read [...]
Shaun Groves – Third World Symphony
We’ve been listening to this wonderful new album from Shaun Groves.
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Here, take a listen, yourself.
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Third World Symphony by shaungroves
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The whole CD bursts with beautiful melodies under Biblically-sound, experience-rich lyrics.
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It’s not merely music that sells, but that teaches, acknowledges, reflects and remembers.
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Shaun graciously answered a few questions of mine as he prepared to [...]
This is (in)courage …
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The (in)courage community chose my song “Surrounded by Your Love” for their newest video. I was delighted, honored and humbled (and a teensy bit excited – ok, A LOT excited – I may have squealed)!
Here’s the video. This community of women, many of whom I’m proud to say I’ve met and connected with, are [...]
I QUIT!
Don’t worry – I’m not about to rant or tell you I just. can’t. DO IT ANYMORE!
If you’ve followed my story, you know I “quit” my proverbial day job by trading in the status quo & perceptions of what a stay-at-home Mom job looks like and struck out on an adventure to record my debut album …
at 34 …
with zero prior music experience.
Me in Dan Needham’s Brownstone Recording studio on my first trip to Nashville – the cheesy smile was my excitement that Mark Schultz had sat in that chair the day before. I’m such a Christian music nerd.
That was 2 years ago.
I get so charged up telling my story and how God coordinated the whole shebang … I also love hearing about others who’ve done the same.
My friends Kristen & Chris Ann of Lovefeast Table have a saying for this type of departure from the ordinary … from dryer lint to dreams! I <3 that!
Speaking of Lovefeast Table – their blog is getting a makeover and I can’t wait to see how it captures their artistic, fun, eclectic styles and personalities. Go join them at the table – you’ll leave craving their zest for life.
Another friend is celebrating an anniversary of quitting.
This is the ever-adorable Maggie of Gussy Sews. HAPPY ANNIVERSARY, sweet Gus!
This young, fun, gifted entrepreneur has taken the blogging and handmade worlds by storm … all this as a twenty-something who quit her day job only a year ago. I know! Check out all the ruffled goodness at her shop – you will be drooling!
I’ve gifted my nieces Gussy Girl purses and when I’m feeling sassy, I throw on my Gussy headband. Makes me feel young, hip and fashion forward (does anyone actually say fashion forward?).
I can’t tell you how excited I get connecting with people who have discovered, developed and seek to share their unique gifts with others. Finding your niche – your sweet spot, where ability and passion collide, is a rare gift.
Having friends who share that same “big dreams take great faith” attitude are a gift too.
Spending time in their presence recharges, challenges and inspires me to keep stepping out in faith.
So, does this …
You might know Jon Acuff from his hilarious blog and book Stuff Christians Like. I’ve read it and laugh just thinking of the “holding hands with strangers” bit.
I heard some buzz about Jon’s new book, Quitter – so when Second-Chancer Mike Foster tweeted about the interview he & Jon did, I was intrigued. My initial reaction: sweet production, Jon’s a gifted writer & is great in front of the camera, the music swelled at just the right places and yes, I teared up a little …
maybe because I remember that feeling of recovering something I once loved or maybe because I know there’s SO MUCH MORE waiting out there for me.
I downloaded the kindle version so I can start reading right away.
Do you dream of being a quitter?
Rev. Robert H. Schuller would ask it this way, “What would you do if you knew you could not fail?”
Mothers are a Gift
Being a Mom isn’t all sunshine & roses … it isn’t whine-free dinners and long, uninterrupted bubble baths … it isn’t (insert unrealistic fantasy here).
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But, for all the things it ISN’T and no matter how hard it gets, motherhood is a tremendous gift. I consider it an honor to be a Mom (just not early in the morning, or cooking dinner, or helping with 6th grade math). But nearly every other moment.
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In an effort to show myself how much my kids and I have been through and as a visual record of the time I’ve invested (proof is helpful when kids are sassy), I put together a video.
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My daughter saw me working on it and asked, “You’re making a video for yourSELF?” Umm – yes, yes I am.
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Sure, I could wait for someone to do it for me. I could also wait for the laundry to get folded and put away.
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Since I’m the resident video maker and the only one who would willingly go through thousands of photos, it just made sense. In doing so, I relived a thousand beautiful, funny, terrifying, agonizing, disgusting, delightful, outrageous moments with my family.
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That was a gift to myself (and so is this video).
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I’m a huge iMovie fan & do almost all my videos in there, but this time, I went for fast and, besides going through and picking the bazillion photos I didn’t mind you seeing, using animoto makes it super quick & easy. You just upload photos, pick the music and … voila! They do the work for you. Another gift to myself! You can make free 30-sec. videos or pay for a membership & the ability to create longer ones. I paid, because I liked the animation they offered.
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Here’s the video – 11 years and a ton of memories, starting with me in all my new Mom glory, all the way to the present time, with a few shots of just my kids thrown in because they’re cute (which helps make up for the sassiness).
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Would you like to make a video like this? It would be a super Mother’s Day gift for your Mom (or yourself).
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And, if you need a song about motherhood …
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just upload a photo to our flickr group and I’ll give you a free download of my song “These Hands.”
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Obviously, you could just buy the song & not upload a photo – your call. But, I’d personally love to see yours and we might even choose it to be featured in our These Hands video. Details are on the flickr site.
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Happy Mother’s Day to all Moms!
This is (in)courage …
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The (in)courage community chose my song “Surrounded by Your Love” for their newest video. I was delighted, honored and humbled (and a teensy bit excited – ok, A LOT excited – I may have squealed)!
Here’s the video. This community of women, many of whom I’m proud to say I’ve met and connected with, are living, breathing administers of God’s grace here on earth. They are each using their unique gifts to encourage, lift others up, pray for, strengthen and grow alongside of others in faith. And, they do it all in the Holy, blessed name of Jesus!
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I’m proud to be a small part of this. Please take some time to watch the video, then subscribe to the blog (you won’t be disappointed) and connect with them on facebook and twitter.
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and, of course – sing along!
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Whatever is lovely
Whatever is true
Whatever is noble
These are a few of the things that remind me of You
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Nothing can take me
Take me away from you
Nothing can make me
worthy of all of the wonderful things You do
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And when the world gets me down, I am reminded …
Your love gives me wings to fly
You lift me so high
Your love brings me back to life -
a life that will always need to be surrounded by Your love
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No matter where I go
You are there too
In Heaven or depths below
there is no place that can pull me away from You
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And when the world gets me down, I am reminded …
Your love gives me wings to fly
You lift me so high
Your love brings me back to life -
a life that will always need to be surrounded by Your love
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Whenever I fail, I feel so distant
I need to remember You are there
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Your love gives me wings to fly
You lift me so high
Your love brings me back to life -
Your love lifts me to the sky
You lift me so high
Your love brings me back to life –
a life that will always need to be surrounded by Your love
a life that will always need to be surrounded by Your love
