Heard this on the way home...

Sung by Chris Sligh
The words...so true.

Beauty...In Music...

I know, I know. I just wrote about Nessun Dorma and now I am writing about music again. You must think I've run out of beauty around me. No, that's not it. It's just that I had a lot of work to do today on the computer. Lots of work. I wanted to listen to some music, but my iTunes library is on another laptop and ...well, it's a long story... So, I just went to my blog and then opened another tab to continue on my work. I listened to my playlist several times through! I love it!
I love music of all genres - as you can probably tell by now - but the music I like best is music that speaks to me. Music that tells a story, that is soothing to the soul...music with a message. The songs I like may or may not have words. I may not understand the language, but it speaks to my soul... I love music and depending on my mood - sometimes, it's the only thing that gets through. So, I invite you to come and listen - listen with me...

Peace On Earth by Casting Crowns...New Christms Album

If you are a Christmas music fan like I am, you might want to check out this new CD by Casting Crowns. Watch this clip (turn off my music playlist first) by Mark Hall, the lead singer of Casting Crowns, to hear what he has to say about the CD. I also want to say that there are many more Christmas songs on my playlist than what you can see...you've got to scroll through it to see them all. If you have a song suggestion or version that I don't have, I'd love to know!

Today, I am thankful for...

...music! I love music. I love all kinds of music. My playlist, that you are listening to right now, changes all the time. Right now, I feel like I want mellow music. Sometimes I like fun, crazy music. We had a good laugh at the retreat over my choice of songs for the CD mix, right guys? LOL

Robert and Juan - so faithful and vital to our music program!

I love to sing. Unfortunately, my voice has been getting lower and lower and lower. I got really sick in college and developed nodes on my vocal chords. Never dealt with it properly and now I lose my voice very easily and can not sing like the first soprano I once was. I actually am a very low baratone/bass now. Oh, well. I still love singing. Especially praise and worship music.

One of my favorite CCM groups - their song lyrics! Oh, my word!

We had a special group come and sing and play at our church tonight. It was so inspirational. I really needed it and my heart was comforted after being all roughed up this week.

I sing in our church worship group and I enjoy it so much. We sing in Spanish and English.
A little over two years ago, my family and I went through some big changes. I clung to certain songs during that time. It was like a healing salve on my broken heart.
I am thankful for music. I like all kinds. I love classical and opera. I enjoy hearing children sing and I don't even mind hearing Bon Qui Qui bust the occasional rap. =]

Marco and I celebrating our 15th anniversary. We love musicals.

Amazing video...amazing song!

This song is one of my all time favorites. It is called "Who Am I?" by Casting Crowns. I found this video on someone else's blog and knew I had to share it here. I love the way the interpret the song. Listen to the words:(Make sure you scroll down and hit stop or pause on my blog music playlist so that the video and blog music aren't layering. =] )

Who am I?
That the Lord of all the earth,
Would care to know my name,
Would care to feel my hurt.
Who am I?
That the bright and morning star,
Would choose to light the way,
For my ever wondering heart.
Not because of who I am.
But because of what you've done.
Not because of what I've done.
But because of who you are.
Chorus:
I am a flower quickly fading,
Here today and gone tomorrow.
A wave tossed in the ocean,
A vapor in the wind.
Still you hear me when I'm calling,
Lord you catch me when I'm falling,
And you told me who I am.
I am yours. I am yours.

Who am I?
That the eyes that see my sin
Would look on me with love
And watch me rise again
Who am I?
That the voice that calm the sea,
Would call out through the rain,
And calm the storm in me.

Not because of who I am.
But because what of youve done.
Not because of what I've done.
But because of who you are.
Chorus:
I am a flower quickly fading,
Here today and gone tomorrow.
A wave tossed in the ocean,
A vapor in the wind.
Still you hear me when I'm calling,
Lord you catch me when I'm falling,
And you told me who I am. I am yours.

Not because of who I am.
But because of what you've done.
Not because of what I've done.
But because of who you are.
Chorus:
I am a flower quickly fading,
Here today and gone tomorrow.
A wave tossed in the ocean,
A vapor in the wind.
Still you hear me when I'm calling,
Lord you catch me when I'm falling,
You told me who I am.
I am yours. I am yours.

Whom shall I fear? Whom shall I fear?
'Cuz I am yours. I am yours.

SS Blog Challenge #19 - Ultimate Music Mix...

This one is presented by Basket Lady.

If you had to make your ultimate MIX TAPE (er, mix CD) what would be the top 10 songs on it, and why would you choose those songs?

Okay, this one is not as easy for me as it should be. LOL I listen to so many different genres and I have everything divided into playlists on my iPod. It just depends what mood I'm in - know what I mean? Hmmm....what to do, what to do....? Okay. That's why this is called a "challenge" - so here goes! I just going to go with what my mood would be right now. This would be totally Inspirational, because that is where I'm at right now.

1. Bring the Rain - Mercy Me

2. Orphans of God - Avalon

3. Praise You In This Storm - Casting Crowns

4. Redeemer - Nicole C. Mullen

5. Voice of Truth - Casting Crowns

6. You Were There - Avalon

7. God In Me - Daniel Doss Band

8. Hold On - Daniel Doss Band

9. Amazing Grace (My Chains Are Gone) - Chris Tomlin

10. Word of God Speak - Mercy Me

Blog Challenge - Favorite Book/CD

SS Blog challenge:
Imagine that you have just joined a club. It is a FAVORITES book/cd club. When it is your time to make a suggestion you should suggest a book and cd that is your favorite –the one that you really connect with.Your goal is not to please the group but to convey something about yourself with your selection. Select the one book that you really connect with for whatever reason. Select the album/cd that you would keep if you were only allowed one for the rest of your life.Along with your selection please explain why.

This one is really tough for me. I mean, I love the idea of choosing a book selection for a book club, but choosing a book that I really connect with and convey something about myself in the selection? That's a little more difficult. I LOVE books. I LOVE reading. Do I always connect with what I read? No. Well, a challenge is a challenge. So I thought long and hard. All week to be exact. Here is what I've decided.

Anne of Avonlea by Lucy Maude Montgomery. I know, I know. Some of you may wonder why I am choosing a book that seems more intended for younger readers. The truth is that I just love the main character. Anne Shirley. Her adventures begin in Anne of Green Gables and do not end in Anne of Avonlea. She is comical, bright, a dreamer, a teacher, romantic, stubborn, determined, big hearted... When I read the book, I am taken back to a more simple time. I am taken back to a beautiful place and love reading about a young orphan girl who becomes a young lady, a teacher, a writer... I love her idea of a bosom friend and kindred spirits. I love that she loves Gilbert so much, yet fights with him relentlessly. It's a good read.

The CD selection was just as hard. I really don't buy CD's. I am more of an iTunes girl. The only CD's I own are Josh Groban, Michael Buble, Mercy Me, Norah Jones, and Clay Aiken. What is that? 5 CD's? The rest are soundtracks to motion pictures, broadway shows...hey, wait a minute. I know...

My CD would be the Soundtrack to Anne of Green Gables and Anne of Avonlea. It takes the music from the movies that were made from those books, by Hagood Hardy (incredible Canadian composer) and makes the story come alive as you listen to it. I could listen to it every day and not tire of it.