Reverend Will

We were recently blessed by the desire of our pastor and church to ordain Will into the gospel ministry of Jesus Christ, thus giving him the title of reverend.  To me this honor is a further confirmation of the call that God has placed on Will's, and in some ways now, our, life.  Even though ordination must come to you through the local church body, Will has done his part to follow through with the call God put on his heart in eighth grade. 
He willingly accepted the call, surrendered his life, committed to prepare, and has served the local church for the last three years.  I am very proud of the heart my husband has for worship and music ministry and the integrity with which he serves.  He desires excellence, but does not neglect the one we seek to worship or the people he is leading to worship.  I count it a privilege to serve alongside him where I am able and to support him always.  I look forward to seeing what the Lord chooses to do through the ministry he entrusts to Will in the future. 

On to the service... 

As should be expected with the ordination of a music minister, the service was packed full of music.  The youth choir sang one of our favorite anthems, Brooklyn Tabernacle's "My Help".  The adult choir sang a beautiful arrangement of "Jesus Paid it All", and of course there were a few hymns including "Great is Thy Faithfulness" and "How Firm a Foundation". 
The service was made even more personal by a letter written for Will by his long time music minister, mentor, and role model Dr. James D. Whitmire. 
The biggest surprise, however, was a song written by our orchestra director, Deborah, based on Will's favorite scripture, Isaiah 43, and sung by yours truly. 

We had been sneaking around for over a week trying to pull off the surprise and a couple of times I was sure we were busted.  But the look on his face when I got up from the pew and walked to the stage during the middle of the service confirmed that he didn't have a clue. 

The text of this song could not have been more appropriate for the occasion. 

You Are Mine

This is what the Lord says,
He who created you,
This is what the Lord says,
He who formed you:
Fear not, for I have redeemed you,
I have summoned you by name.
You are mine.

And when you pass through the waters
I will be with you
And when you pass through the rivers,
They will not sweep over you.
And when you walk through the fire
You will not be burned;
for you are precious in My sight,
You are mine.

This is what the Lord Says,
Your redeemer the Holy One;
This is what the Lord says,
Your Savior and your God.
Fear not, for I will be with you,
My servant, I've chosen you;
And you are mine.

And you are mine.
You are mine!



The service concluded with a time of laying on of hands by other ordained ministers and deacons, including Will's dad.  It was a sweet time of prayer. 

We were so thankful to have most of our families present to celebrate with us. 

Congratulations, babe.  I love you and am so happy to be your help mate.

Musical Journey of 2010

Alright, let's dive into this.


Singing has always been a favorite pastime of mine, and being married to a Minister of Music I knew it would continue to be a significant part of my life. But music, well that's a different story. Whaaat? Yeah, singing "Desperado" along with Linda Rondstadt, "Achy Breaky Heart" with Billy Ray Cyrus, "Take Me Home, Country Roads" with John Denver, and "Greatest Love of All" with Whitney Houston, all on tape (can you say child of the 80s!), is a far cry from teaching music to a children's choir, learning notes and rhythms, playing an instrument, and singing four part harmony in a one hundred fifty voice choir. But again, thanks to the influence and encouragement of my husband, that's exactly what I am doing. Now I still don't "read" music, sometimes I confuse half notes and quarter notes, and I'm often very nervous on stage, but I've learned a lot and I'm enjoying the process. The following activities have added significantly to this process.
First up, teaching Praise Kids (Pre-K and Kindergarten choir). This one is close to my heart. It really hit me when I filled out my volunteer application for the children's ministry. It asked why I was interested in working with children and specifically with children's choir. My answer, I want to be a part of giving to these children what was given to me. It was through the ministry of children's choir and the movement of the Holy Spirit, that lead me to give my heart to Jesus at the age of six. The Lord has given me a heart for these kids and I want to impact their lives for Him so that they can impact the lives of those to come.
Our program this year was entitled, "The Thank You Meal". The kids did so well and I'm so glad to be part of this ministry.

My ten little munchkins on the end

1st - 6th grade choirs

Next in line, guitar lessons. I'm not quite sure how this came to be. Will is the director of our performing arts academy so I have a feeling he has something to do with it. I'm sensing a pattern. The things I get into following him around. :)


At first I wasn't sure my fingers were going to stick with this endeavor, but they have come through. I can now manage my way around a G, C, C2, D, Am, and Em chord. Getting from chord to chord (cough, playing a song, cough) is still a bit tricky at times, especially if it involves the F chord, but if you sing really slow and don't require it be in time, I'm your girl. If only I would practice. I know, I know, I'm working on it.

Also pictured, my pumpkin chocolate chip cake

Lastly, recording a Christmas CD, entitled Underneath the Tree, with our adult choir. Singing with a choir, especially a large choir, is a very unique, unifying experience. The impact is extended when singing corporately about a person, a relationship, a message we all believe in, that being the birth of our Savior, Jesus Christ. Also, the leadership we are under (I'm slightly biased to one of them in particular) and the extremely talented sound engineer that recorded us made it a really fun time. Oh, and did I mention I had a solo on said CD. Yikes! And it's the title track. I never expected I would say that. It was an unexpected, nerve racking, lie awake in bed all night, pressure packed, tear inducing, humbling experience, but I grew from doing it and dare I say I might be willing to do it again, one day. That said, it is my sincere hope and prayer that the song not be about me, but that all the glory go to God.

This morning we completed the final 3 of 4 performances of some of the songs on the CD with an added drama, both on stage and through video.  It turned out really well and we're glad to have that behind us. 

So, with that, moving on...