A Letter to My Worship Team...

Here's a letter I wrote to my team, at the end of our worship rotation...I know it can easily apply to worship leaders, but I pray it ministers to you as well...xo G


Hello lovelies...

I just wanted to say what an honor and privilege it has been worshipping with you guys the past 6 months.  Man did it fly by...I've learned so much from you, and am always in awe by all of your talents.  

Thank you again for your flexibility this last week, I know some of you weren't happy with us getting there earlier, but God worked everything out beautifully, just like I'd hoped!  We have a good God! 

Also I don't know if you guys noticed but I never have my left in-ear monitor in my ear.  I do this for two reasons: first to see if anyone in the back needs to get my attention; secondly, to hear the body's response to the worship.  I was so moved this past Sunday when the body of Flipside started singing How Great is Our God.  I couldn't help but get choked up, and it took all of my being not to break down crying.  In that very moment I knew that, THAT is what worship was all about.  It's not the two hour practices, or learning harmonies or chords, or which beat sounds better...yes those are all important; but worship is realizing that God alone is our hiding place, our Alpha and Omega, our complete and total keeper.  

Emotions and experiences can be expressed through song in ways spoken words can never satisfy.  In James 5:13 it says, "Are any of you suffering hardships? You should pray. Are any of you happy? You should sing praises."  Can I get an amen?! In Psalms 63:5 it says, "You satisfy me more than the richest feast. I will praise you with songs of joy."  I can't help but think brothers and sisters that God does not accompany our lives without music.  I got a glimpse of that on Sunday.  

I know not all of us had the easiest time the last 6 months, heck the last couple of years; and let's be honest, it might not get easier in the future.  But I can't help but think of Job's story, when all was taken away, all he could do was give God praises even in the darkest nights. Job 35:10-But no one says, ‘Where is God my Maker, Who gives songs in the night."

Often times as worshipers we can think a song is beautiful and memorize its words yet remain completely unaffected by what it says.  Consider the relevance of Paul's words in 1 Corinthians 14:15-I will sing with my spirit, but I will also sing with my mind.  God wants us to worship Him with our souls, but are we truly taking in and reeling through our minds what we are singing and playing?  We have to make a mental and spiritual note TO SING AND PLAY! A song can change our entire perspective, and a song can also greatly affect the heart of God.  When I have been greatly challenged in my life, I've had to learn to stop and worship him.  When I've been tempted, or wanted to go down a different path, I have literally had to sit my butt down and say to myself, Jillian, just sing to your God!  In the Psalms it says, "Let everything that has breath, PRAISE HIM!"  Let us do that my friends.

I pray that God makes us true psalmists, and may there never be a rock that has to cry out in our place!

Love and Peace,

Jillian

Contents of Conversation...

No one will warn you,
Of the contents of conversation.

Words can sneak up on you,
Delivering news of uncertainty.

It was just one time,
Will I be a good mother?


He kissed me.
He kissed me.


I don't think this will work,
You've changed.


How can I do better?
You're fired.


What do you think I should do?
I'm sorry.


I love you.
I miss you.
I hate you.


Please stay.
Just leave.


If words could break,
We've broken them.

If cliché of speech could only be taken by ingenuity,
Words, go forth, cut like a two-edged sword.
Comfort and hold me with sincerity.

If only the contents of conversation would break the mold,
Of last night TV shows,
And the way the clouds change shape.

Bring life to your words,
Passion to your speech,
And death to stereotype once and for all.

Written By: Jillian Saldana

REMEMBER!!!

So my last day of being twenty years old, I created a list of things I learned.  I found that list today; and it seems my twenty year old self has taught my twenty-four year old self a lesson.  Thank you God...I hope you find a few things true as well and hold onto them...

20 THINGS I HAVE LEARNED THE PAST 20 YEARS...


1.  REMEMBER THAT GODS ARMS ARE NOT TO BIG TO HOLD ME.


2.  REMEMBER THAT I WASN'T CREATED TO FIT IN, BUT RATHER STAND OUT!


3.  REMEMBER THERE'S NO TIME LIMIT ON GOD'S LOVE FOR ME.


4.  REMEMBER THAT GOD IS THE ONE WHO CAN MAKE A WAY, WHEN THERE IS NO WAY!


5.  REMEMBER, DON'T IMITATE THOSE IN THE WORLD WHO CARE NOTHING FOR MY SOUL, GIVE MYSELF TO GOD, AND HE WILL GIVE ME THE LOVE I'M LOOKING FOR.


6.  REMEMBER THAT MY REAL BEAUTY IS A WORK OF ART-IT'S HAND CARVED BY GOD.


7.  REMEMBER TO TRUST GOD WITH MY TROUBLED HEART, AND WATCH HIM DO WONDERS FOR ME IN THE MIDST OF THE HOTTEST FLAMES.


8.  REMEMBER THAT THOSE I LOVE, ULTIMATELY BELONG TO GOD, NOT ME.


9.  REMEMBER THATGOD WILL USE MY PAST TO CARVE INTO MY CHARACTER EVERYTHING I NEED FOR THE HERE AND NOW.


10.  REMEMBER...DON'T WASTE MY TIME FIGHTING THE WRONG BATTLES.


11.  REMEMBER EVERY CHOICE I MAKE IS A SIGNIFICANT CHORD IN AN ETERNAL ARRANGEMENT.


12.  REMEMBER THAT MY LOVED ONES NEED ME MORE THAN ANY MATERIAL THING.


13.  REMEMBER...THIS LIFE IS NOT A DRESS REHEARSAL,IT'S THE REAL THING, AND GOD TRAINS ME THROUGH THESE TESTS TO TRUST HIM.


14.  REMEMBER TO LET MY WARDROBE REVEALS GOD'S SPIRIT, RATHER THEN MY FLESH.


15.  REMEMBER THAT NO ONE WILL LOVE ME AS PERFECTLY AS GOD DOES.


16.  REMEMBER THAT PEOPLE NEED LOVE THE MOST, WHEN THEY DESERVE IT THE LEAST.


17.  REMEMBER TO GIVE GOD MY AGENDA, TO CHANGE IT FROM ORDINARY TO EXTRAORDINARY.


18.  REMEMBER I MUST BECOME THE KIND OF FRIEND I DESIRE TO HAVE.


19.  REMEMBER TO LET GO OF THE PART OF MY HEART THAT ONLY GOD CAN HEAL, LET GOD HOLD ME WHILE I CRY.


20.  AND LAST BUT NOT LEAST...I KNOW SOMETIMES I DONT FEEL LOVEABLE, BUT I DON'T HAVE TO EARN GOD'S AFFECTION, HE ADORE'S ME... 

A Place Between Rock and Classical

Listening to two different melodies,
Both intercepting their way through the crowded mind of a girl,
Whose life has been the chateau of misplaced dreams and heaps of lies.

Even in her attempt of seeking peace,
She scorches her skin in the sun.
Beads of sweat slowly make their way down her face to her strained neck.

It's as though all eyes are on her,
Entranced by the girl with the pen.
All wonder why she's seated alone in the sun of a shaded nook.

Her eyes glance around,
Looking to see if anyone's stares or blatant judgments will distract her from her writing.

She's envious of the young girl,
Who frolics and splashes in the fountain next to her.
She hopes water will reach her skin to cool her off.

Instead the heat covers her table,
Her hair blows without apology and her pen doesn't seem to stop.
Having a mind of its own,
It glides across the journal of nonsense thoughts.

Could she be like the girl splashing in the water?
Not caring if the canvas of her coral tennis shoes will soon fade?
Can she be like the girl?
Her hair whipped across her face, painted across her rouged cheeks.

Could she in the future enjoy her day,
Enough to appreciate the breezes which turn her pages.

Written By:
Jillian Saldana

So Who's Your Style Icon?

So I've had a few people ask me lately who are my style icons?  And although I may not regularly think about whom they are, it did get me to take a seat and start reeling through the images in my mind which stand out.  So here they are, in no particular order, the ladies that I've been inspired by stylistically...

1.  My Mom...

My mom is the first person who pointed out fashion in cinemas, walking down the streets and in magazines.  She didn't place emphasis on being a fashionista, but rather placed emphasis on realizing beauty in every circumstance.  I used to look through her make-up drawers and apply the olive green eye shadows from the 80's and her red lipstick which has always been a staple of hers.  She taught me not to be afraid of color, to know what looks good on my body-type, as well as compliment others when they looked amazing.  More than anything she gave me a sense of confidence, not ensued by beautiful and fashionable clothes; but rather an inner confidence that made the clothing shine even brighter. 

2.  Ava Gardner...

Ava Gardner to me has always been one who knew her assets and dressed in such a way to flaunt them.  I remember seeing her in Show Boat when I was a little girl and immediately was awestruck.  I've always been inspired by her body-hugging gowns, her shiny dark brown curls, her green eyes, creamy skin and red lips.  She had rocky marriages, affairs and scandal with which riddled her life.  But to me her confidence and attitude is what always kept me entertained.

3.  Rita Hayworth...

It's the hair!  What I've always liked about Rita Hayworth is that she herself was of mixed race.  She came from Spanish decent, but didn't really fit the look.  Although she started her career with dark hair; she pushed back her hair-line and dyed it red, thus becoming the Rita Hayworth everyone knows today.  She danced with my favorite male dancer, Gene Kelly, and covered many wartime pinups.  But what I like about Rita Hayworth was her humility.  She once said, "Men go to bed with Gilda, but wake up with me."

4.  Brigitte Bardot...

Again with the hair.  I've always adored the fashion of the 1940's but it was really the hair and makeup of the 1960's which have cemented themselves in my brain.  To me there is nothing sexier than the blown-out hair, thick black lashes with black eye liner and a muted lip.  Brigitte Bardot executed the look, and therefore every time I try to get inspired hair or makeup wise, I look at her.   

5.  Audrey Hepburn...

Ever since I saw Breakfast at Tiffany's and My Fair Lady, I wanted to be Audrey Hepburn.  Not only did I want her peculiar accent, I adored her simplicity.  Although stylists really aided her on movie sets, it was the cigarette pant and her staple of black in her wardrobe in which I aways admired.  I envied that she could pull-off a pixie cut, as well as many other hair-cuts in her lifetime.  She always seemed like a lady, and that to me was impressive.

So there you go, a few of my icons...who are yours?

Love and Peace,
G

    

     

 

 

I Could Run Away...

Do you ever have times in your life where you wish you can just runaway?  Runaway from life, from friends, from family, from problems, obligations, responsibilities, etc.

My grandma found out she had breast cancer today, and all I want to do is sleep, cry and get away.  But is strength running away from your problems, or is it facing them and getting through them?  I know everyone says that God won't give you more then you can handle, but do you ever get tired of hearing that?  Tell that to the young woman last week who lost her fiance to suicide, and she flat out said she couldn't hear that expression one more time.  To the wife, whose husband was having an affair after years of marriage.  To the girl whose lost her dad, her husband and now her mom.

Do you ever wish that God didn't trust you so much?

I used to sing a song called "I Could Runaway," and as I was sitting in my room alone, crying myself to some sort of a nap, I couldn't help but sing this song once again.

I could runaway, You will never leave, You will always stay, right by my side.  Everything I ever wanted I found in You; and I need You, every step of the way.

Forgive me for being a little negative, but I feel like I'm losing my ground.  And sometimes I think, "What's the point?"  WIll you pray for me that I will continue on this journey.  If I let you down, if I break your heart, if I don't meet expectations, I'm sorry.  But remember...don't hold me on a pedestal.  I'm only human.

G

This Brokenness Inside Me Might Start Healing...

It's crazy how in one second your life can change.  Whether it be a move of stepping forward, a move of stepping backwards, or sometimes just steps back and forth.  Often it can be the most random step, and you ask yourself, "What was I thinking?!"

I feel like I've been doing a sort of waltz in my life the last couple of months; doing things which I normally never would, and not in a good way.  Is this a part of growing up?  Because if it is I wish it hurt less.

Our lives are defined by our actions, and in my own life I have been pretty predictable.  But as of late, I feel like I've been a little lost.  An amazing friend of mine just told me to stop putting everything on my shoulders and to start putting things in the light.  Heck, if we put things in light from the very beginning, things wouldn't be drawn out and even made into a bigger deal.  But our flesh, our confusion and mostly our pride cause us to hide things which may cause others to feel different about us.  No one wants their reputation dragged through the mud, no one wants their lives to be yelled from rooftops.  But unfortunately it has to happen.  And you get to that place where you wis you could've gone back to the predictable person that is YOU.  

I pray if this has happened to you, that you would allow God to heal you.  That your sins, lies, hopes, dreams would not be hidden because you are scared of what others might think.  Yes, we are called to live a life set apart; unfortunately we ourselves fall down.  It may happen continually, or this could be the first time.  Whether it's your first of many, or your first and your very last; I pray that God will rescue you.

Our brokenness can only be healed and restored once circumstances have light shed upon then.  So I challenge you, as I have been challenged, to give it over to God.  He won't let you go, I PROMISE!

Love and Hoped For Peace,
G
 

It's Hard Sometimes...

I'm being perfectly honest, when does it get any less hard?!  I mean one thing after the other, after the other.

As I was doing my study this morning I was reading about Potiphar's wife; aka the woman who literally tried pulling Joseph into bed with her.  Now while I can honestly say I can't stand women who lure men into bed; I also can't stand a man who doesn't runaway.  I respect Joseph because he did his best to avoid her.  But like any snake, she waited for her next opportunity.

And then I was thinking to myself how often I have to keep my mind in check and break the habit of fantasizing about relationships I wish I had.

Potiphar's wife was surrounded by luxury and yet she was spiritually impoverished.  Her soul was steadily decaying through the corrosive power of lust and hate; and not only that she was empty of God; yet full of herself.  After reading about her, why would I want to be anything like her?

That is where the Lord's help comes in!!!

Psalm 51:10-Create in me a pure heart O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me.

I'm thankful for a God who shows us what is right and also gives us the strength to resist temptation.  I pray that we would all increase our hunger for the Lord, so that He will create in us a pure heart, one that He will find irresistibly beautiful.

Love and Peace,
G  

Wrestling the Angels...

One of my favorite songs is "24" by Switchfoot.  As I was listening to the song I pulled up the lyrics and was particularly moved by the last verse...

"I want to see miracles, see the world change, wrestled the angel, for more than a name, for more than a feeling, for more than a cause, I'm singing Spirit take me up in arms with You, and You're raising the dead in me..."

The part that really caught my attention was the lyric about wrestling the angel for more than a name...and I remember the story of Jacob when he wrestled with the angel until the Lord shrunk his hip muscle so that he would stop.  The Lord then changed Jacob's name to Israel.

How I would long to be like Jacob in this scenario.  To wrestle with the Lord, and have the perseverance to never give up.  I pray that if you're feeling a little tired and a little run-down that we would be like Jacob; wrestling until God stops us...I pray that we would live a life completely surrendered to God, so that when he sees us struggling or wrestling with circumstances that He would intervene.  God does sorrow with us; but He also lifts us up to live a life for more than a feeling and more than a cause...

Love and Peace,
G

Jesus Saw Her...

I was reading today about the story of Rachel and Leah in the book of Genesis.  Both were wives of Jacob, both gave children to Jacob; but it seemed that Rachel was the one whom Jacob truly loved.  In the Bible it said that Leah had delicate eyes, but that Rachel was beautiful to behold.

From the beginning Leah mourned that Jacob loved Rachel over her; despite the fact that she gave him six sons and one daughter.  But even the fact that she gave him children still didn't gain his favor or love.  In fact, the promise of a Savior was carried not through Rachel's Joseph but through Leah's Judah; whose descendants would include the infamous King David and of course Jesus.

More than anything Rachel and Leah reminds me that life is fraught with sorrow and peril, much of it caused by sin and selfishness.  Leah experienced loving a man who was indifferent to her; but it doesn't mean we have to...

You see after reading the story of ultimate competition between two sisters; I couldn't help but think why do women always seem to compare themselves to other women?  We are all in this together, in fact, we struggle with a lot of the same things.

Even though we have a society who often judge by our outward appearances, I'm so grateful for a God who always sees our hearts and judges accordingly!  God is moved by our sorrow, and with His help He can help us not to compare ourselves to other women.

I pray that God will enable us to base our identity on our relationship with Him rather than what we see in our mirrors...I pray we won't be so critical of how God put us together; but rather women who are confident because we are lovable, not because of any outward beauty.  And because God has loved us from the moment He called us into being...

Here's what I want you to do:
Call to mind everything you like about yourself...for example...I love my quirky sense of humor, my love of great literature, musicals and chick-flicks, my compassion for others, my curly hair, even the shape of my body.  Do this for a week, and reward yourself at the end of the week with coffee or dinner with your girlfriends!

Let us resist the temptation to complain about things we don't like...let's not complain about how our Lord made us...go on beautiful sister, shine and exude the beauty God has given you!!!

Love and Peace,
G

God Has Brought Me Laughter...

Dear God,

Help me to be a real flesh-and-blood kind of lady who lives in an adventure more strenuous than any fairy-tale heroine; an adventure that begins with a promise and ends with laughter.

Thank you God for keeping Your promises.  That you have a gracious plan for me that will unfold in Your time according to Your way.

Lord I confess my anxiety and self-reliance; I give that over to you.

Help me to wait with a listening ear and a ready heart to do your will.  I know you hint at your purpose for me by planting dreams within my heart.  Lord I pray I give you my dreams that I've been too busy, too afraid, or too disappointed to pursue.

God if it's time to take the plunge, I pray I might find myself joyfully echoing Sarah's word's in Genesis 21:6, "God has brought me laughter."

Father thank you for loving me despite the fact that my soul still contains shadows that sometimes block the light of Your Spirit.  As I grow older may I trust you more completely for the dreams you've implanted in my soul.

May I be surrounded by laughter at the wonderful way you accomplish Your purpose despite my weakness...

Love you Lord-
G

My Prayer...

God I praise you because you created me in your own image; making me a woman capable of reflecting your love, truth, strength, goodness, wisdom and beauty.

Thank you that despite sorrow, you promised redemption and to crush our enemy.

Help me God to have a clear vision of you!  That I would prefer your will over mine.  Help me to surrender my life so that you can fulfill your purpose in creating me.

You made me for paradise-the joys I feel and taste are infinitesimal compared to those that await for me in heaven...

Help me to envision beauty so I might live with a constant awareness that you intend to restore paradise to all who belong to you...

May I surrender every sin and every sorrow to you, trusting that you will fulfill Your purpose for my life.

I love you Lord and I put my trust solely in You...

Love,

G

Getting Through the Desert...

Sometimes life is too much to handle.  And for me, I feel like what I'm dealing with is way beyond my maturity level.

 I feel as if I've been placed in a desert, and I all I'm seeing is mirage's of what used to be.  I'm starving for any answers as if I were starving for water.  My eyes burn from the constant flow of tears that emerge; and my lips are chapped from the explaining of one's heart.

I just keep telling myself to not wander, to get through the desert rather than be decimated by it.  I've been blessed with beautiful people around me, who love me enough to sit with me and let me cry, be angry and most of all just let me sleep.  It's during those times that I'm at a wonderful watering hole if you will.  One step closer to getting out of the desert and into a place of purpose and assurance.

Life is a desert at times, and often times we let the winds keep us down.  But I'm praying more than ever that God will deliver us from this bondage.  And I have confidence that He's getting us through this desert, one heavy step at a time...

Love and Coveted Peace,
G

Like Whipping Up A Good Mayonnaise...

You might be thinking, "What the heck is up with the title of this blog?"  But let me just say it's very relative to what I have to say.  I'm reading a new book; Lunch In Paris by Elizabeth Bard, (amazing by the way, I can't put it down).  Anyhow she relates mayonnaise to charm; this is what she says...

"Charm, it turns out-like whipping up a good mayonnaise-is very much an acquired skill."

And I totally agree.  Making mayonnaise takes a type of finesse, in which you wait for each ingredient to come together to perfectly make a cloud-like substance which can be added to anything for slight flavor.  If you have the perfect amount of mayonnaise, you can have the perfect sandwich, side to fish or even dipping sauce.  But too much mayonnaise can leave things soggy, leaving anything you eat overpowered by the mayonnaise's taste.  Or you can even have not enough and it leaves you wanting more.

Charming a crowd is very similar to the art of creating the perfect mayonnaise.  If you charm a crowd, and give them just enough, well then it's a success.  But you don't want to over-saturate the crowd, leaving them annoyed and with a bitter-taste in their mouthes.  Charm-like mayonnaise-has a balance.  I guess we can all work on our mayonnaise and our charm skills...I know I can.

Love and Peace,
G

Let's Get It Started...

So last night I hosted my best friend, her momma and the bridesmaids.  Can I just say upfront how excited I am.  First of all we have the most fun together, we are loud, we can't stop laughing and joking around but then we all know we have each other's backs.  As we sat and hung out I couldn't help but think what an intricate thing a bridal party is.  Each and everyone having their own responsibility; a certain role to play to make the whole planning process a little less stressful.

We get each other.  And I know that's simple, but it's so true.  Each one of us bring something to the table.  Whether it's goofiness, laughter, joy, patience, seriousness, observance, or even just a shoulder to lean on.  Thank God for girls who you view as sisters, and are able to get you through the tough and crazy days...

Looking forward to all the excitement which is a wedding...I'll keep you updated about our shenanigans...

Love and Joyful Peace,
G

Common Bond...

So I was so sad tonight because it was the last meeting for my Stained bible study group.  But we all went to dinner discussing how and when we could meet again.  We all felt the urgency to create and continue a time for each other.

Accountability is an amazing thing.  These girls and I have met for over 6 months and we all click.  The dynamic our group has is unbelievable and the common bond is that of Christ.  I often wondered if any of us would've met if we didn't have our Lord as the common denominator.  That's the amazing thing about God.  He totally constructs the world around us; knowing each individual He will place in every nook and cranny of our lives.  It's amazing to know we have a God who cares so much about us that He gives us precious brothers and sisters.

I love these girls with all my heart, and am extremely blessed to call them sisters and friends.  I get the feeling that we will stay close for a long time.  Because honestly we would all have withdraws from our random discussions, times of laughter, tears and smiles.  Love you ladies!

Love and Amazing Peace,
G

You Buggin'...

Do you ever get the feeling you're bugging someone?  Sometimes I feel like I do that, so I back off and then someone gets mad at me because I'm not around as much.

I'm sorry, but I thought you needed space?  Anyhow I don't like to be smothered so I figured you don't like to be as well...so much for thinking I had my stuff together...sheesh...I'm gonna try harder...

Love and (hoped for) Peace,
G

10 Ways To Be An Even Better Friend...

So I had found this article in GLAMOUR Magazine about a year ago, and had stashed it somewhere safe.  I originally wanted to photocopy it and frame it for my two closest girlfriends; but completely forgot about it in the disaster which is my room.

So I finally found the article under the mounds of clothes, jewelry and outdated magazines and wanted to share it with you all.  I don't necessarily agree with all of it, but there are plenty in here that definitely deserve a gold star.  Let me know what you think...

10 Way To Be An Even Better Friend:

1.  If she's crazy about him, pretend he's your brother and never date him.  Ever.

2.  Gossip, yes, but don't get mean.  She'll wonder whether you're talking that way about her to everyone else.

3.  If she's got a poppy seed in her teeth, mascara under her eyes or deodorant on her sweater, tell her.

4.  Do not-repeat, do not-side with her mother.

5.  Keep her ring size filed away in case you-know-who calls for advice about you-know-what.

6.  Have that scary fight about how she's been bugging you.  If you can go there for a guy, you can for her, too.

7.  Oh, just wear the bridesmaid's dress.

8.  Remind her that she wasn't that into him, either.

9.  See straight through her attempts at cool perfection and love her more for the weaknesses she's trying to hide.

10.  When the guy dumps her, the cat gets cancer, the job explodes, SIMPLY BE THERE...


Love and Peace,
G

Shuteye...

It's official...I'm completely and utterly exhausted.

I'm convinced that being tired doesn't just have to be physically tired; but I am at my most tired when I am mentally and spiritually exhausted.  You see when all your efforts are run-down all at once it's hard to recover.

I'm running on empty; and no matter how much I may take a day off here and there, is it really a day off?  Do I really shut-off my mind to all technology, all distractions, heck even all relationships just for one day?

So I'm declaring one day next week a "ME" Day.  I'm gonna go to my favorite spot, turn-off my phone, stay there all day and answer to no one but myself.  Unless of course some emergency pops up and then you can reach me.  But time and again, a little shuteye from the world does a soul good....

...especially mine!

Love and (much needed) Peace,
G

Too Much...

Do you feel that life can often be too much?  Like you can't catch a break?  I feel like lately I'm in catch-up mode.  That when I finish one thing, it's onto the next.  But there's little break or rest in between...

I feel like I need a vacation; a DAY just to myself or even with my family.  I know it can be selfish to get away in such a hurry or angst, but I guess for just one day I don't mind.  Sometimes I feel like my brain needs to reset itself and start all-over.  Ever feel that way?!

Anyhow sorry for the Debbie Downer type of blog today, but I guess if I'm not brutally honest with you all, what kind of person would I be?  A fake?  Any ideas?

Love and (hopefully) Peace,
G

It's the Imperfections...

Today I got the chance to record for the first time.  And although it was full of laughter and uncertainty; it was also weird to hear my voice through the booming speakers.  You have ideas of how you sound, and manipulate your mind to believe certain things about yourself.  For the first time I appreciated the imperfections in my voice, as well as the things which I can always work on.  Is it dangerous to listen to yourself?  Or is it an amazing epiphony to realize that it's a good thing to not sound exactly like Britney, Beyonce, or Gaga.

To me; singing in the corner of a coffeeshop while people study, socialize or go on first dates is what I am completely content with.  And not only that, but to have the quirks in which others don't have is quite rejuvenating as well as freeing...Worship pushes me to reach higher, dig deeper as well as check always the heart from which notes pour forth.

Thank you to Ray for giving me the encouragement as well as the acknowledgement that being different is beautiful as well as inspiring.  Thank you for helping me realize another ounce of courage I never knew I had...

I'm looking forward to writing songs as well as recording a few more for a demo.  With God all things(including the courage to sing) is definitely possible!

Love and Peace,
G

Another Day, Another Blog...

So as you can see, I started my own personal blog...

I'm excited about it, but also reminded that I need to keep up with it...

I'll update you with what's happening as much as possible...

Talk to you soon...G