Showing posts with label Michael W. Smith. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Michael W. Smith. Show all posts
Tuesday, October 18, 2011
Tuesday, October 19, 2010
A Moment With Michael W. Smith
This story REALLY started when I was 11 and Michael’s song “Secret Ambition” lead me to ask Jesus Christ into my life as my Lord and Savior. Since that time, I’ve prayed for a chance to meet him. I came VERY close years ago at a KSBJ Full Power concert MWS gave, when he was shaking hands with fans afterward, I was ONE PERSON away from shaking his hand when he was whisked away in his limo. I’ve been to countless concerts and while each and every concert was amazing, I always left them a bit down because I wanted SO BADLY to meet him. While I still prayed (though not as consistently) for the chance to meet him, I slowly resigned myself to the fact that it may not be God’s will for us to meet this side of Heaven.
Move ahead YEARS later to last Friday morning. I had just gotten to my Friday volunteer job at the church. As usual, I turned on the computer and went to the ksbj homepage to turn on their live streaming radio while I worked. Shortly after I did, I noticed the dates for Michael’s Christmas tour were up so, I started an e-mail to my MWS buddies (the family I go to all the MWS concerts with) and gave them the info. As I was finishing, I heard Susan O’Donnell say that Michael was coming to town on Monday October 18th. I didn’t know anything else about it but just mentioned it in the e-mail not thinking much of it since it was such short notice, and I didn’t have any other details. All I was really expecting was a yay or nay on the December concert. I sent it off and didn’t give it much thought.
Sunday after church I checked my e-mail and saw that Warren (my friend) had responded. He said that they couldn’t make the December concert but that Mary (Warren’s wife) had called Lifeway and gotten details on Michael’s visit. He would be meeting fans and signing his new CD there in Humble from 4:30 until 6 O’clock. They told Mary he had a flight to catch and absolutely HAD to be gone by 6. Mary was also told that a huge crowd was expected. Warren told me that it may or may not work, but that if I wanted to make an attempt to meet Michael, they were ready and willing!
I’d had plans scheduled for weeks and wasn’t sure if I should just cancel them or not, once I told my Mom what was going on she emphatically encouraged me to “Go! Meet Michael….Everything else will be here later!” I quickly sent an e-mail saying I was on board!
I was giddy, but every time I got too excited or too nervous as to whether or not I would actually meet him, I found myself praying, “Lord, I want this…But Your Will is what I want more so I give it to You…” It was a strange kind of tug of war all day Sunday wanting this so badly, but then saying “Help me be okay, if it doesn’t happen Lord.” I knew with the crowd expected, and the time constraints, it sounded as if a miracle was going to have to happen for Michael and I to actually meet each other! So, I asked people to pray for one!
Warren picked me up this afternoon and we headed to the high school (where he and his wife teach, and his two sons go to school) to pick up Mary, Matt, and John. Mary and Warren had gotten someone to cover the last ten minutes of their classes, and Matt and John had gotten permission to leave ten minutes early so we could beat the high school traffic and begin the hour and 15 minute trip down to Humble. By 3:2O we were on the road!
For the most part, I was quite calm on the way down there. I really think I was in a state of shock and didn’t really think we would be able to meet him. I got antsy when we got to the Woodlands and began looking at my watch every five minutes praying constantly, “Put this van on wings of Angels, Lord and help us get there! Whatever happens, Your Will be done!” At one point, I looked at my watch and this Voice inside my head said, “Stop looking at your watch! I’ve got you covered, I’ll get you there!” To which I mumbled, “Yes Lord…” And stared straight ahead at the road that seemed to stretch miles and miles with no Lifeway in sight!
Finally making it to Humble, we hit only ONE read light and then we could see LifeWay on the other side of the interstate! It was 4:25. I was calm, believe it or not…Until I heard the voice of my friend (and afternoon KSBJ dj ) Liz Jordan come on and say, “Just moments from now, Michael W. Smith will be starting a Meet and Greet with fans at the Lifeway book store and Humble! This is your chance to get up close and personal with Michael and say hello!” It was then that I was like, “Okay Lord, we’re SO close I can SEE it…I REALLY REALLY want this to happen now so please let it be Your Will!”
We pulled up to the parking lot and I kept envisioning this long line wrapping around the building and us having to wait in the heat! Only to have them come out and say, Michael’s time is up! Sorry he couldn’t greet all of you….” What I ACTUALLY saw however was nothing like that. No line outside the store and a parking place close to the door. We all piled out and I started shaking with excitement and nerves. I got settled in my wheelchair and we went in expecting to see chaos…Again, all was calm. Michael was nowhere in sight and we were directed to the line. It was 4:35. Mary went and bought two of Michael’s CD’s for him to sign, one for me and one for their family. Matt went to find the men’s room and Warren, John and I held everybody’s spot in line. The staff there was SO friendly! The lady that showed us the line that was sectioned off by those ropes you see at theatres told me, “Michael’s going to come out in just a minute, if you want to turn your chair around, he’s going to walk right by you!” So I said okay and quickly turned getting out my cell phone. Matt had returned from the men’s room and said, “I just ran into Michael in the restroom!” All of us stared at him with our mouths open! Before we could say anything else, the nice lady that had suggested I turn my chair around said, “Here he comes…” And there he was indeed…He was walking at a fast pace so between that and my shaking hands, my picture turned out to be a blur of bookshelves but he was indeed in the building!
We only had about 30 people ahead of us and had more than an hour before his time would be up…I was probably very poor company for my friends but I couldn’t stop thinking about how God had lead me to this moment and how He had provided for us all day long. This had been years in the making! When we rounded the final corner where Michael was set up it was then that it hit me…It’s GOING to happen….In just MOMENTS I was going to meet the man who God had put into my life so many years ago to speak to me through his God given talents and helped me make the most important (and best) decision of my entire life! I took a deep breath and willed myself not to cry. We finally got up to the blue line that signified we were next (Michael was still talking to the people in front of us) and another staff member asked me if I was going to want my picture taken, I said yes and took my phone out of my purse. He handed it to another staff member who promised she would take a good one of us and I asked if I could also get my CD signed as well and was told to just hand it to Michael when I was ready. Then it was my turn.
Michael looked at me as Warren wheeled me over to him and said, “Hi there!” I said “Hi Michael! How are you?” He replied that he was great and stood up to come over and shake my hand. He asked my name and I told him and he said, “Natalie, great to meet you!” And I said how great it was to meet HIM! At this point they let Mary, Warren, Matt, and John come up and Mary told Michael I was his biggest fan! He looked at me for confirmation and I said, “It’s true! I’ve been to countless concerts, I follow you on Facebook and twitter….” To which he looked at me and said, “Ya know, I never thought I’d be one that would twitter. I got talked into it.” I told him I loved his updates and he said he hadn’t tweeted in a few days. I said, “You really should!” Then he said, “Well, I tell ya what why don’t you and I do a tweet right now?” I was like, “Okay!” He called one of his staffers to come over with what I assumed was his phone and said, “Could you take a picture of Natalie and me for my twitter page?” They gladly agreed and he knelt down as they snapped our picture! He said, “I’ll put that up when I leave here so look for it tonight, okay?” I said I would and the girl with my phone asked if he would take one more with me. He said sure and we snapped another one together! I had just gotten TWO pictures taken with Michael W. Smith! I was getting ready to wrap it up (I didn’t want anyone to have to TELL me to wrap it up) when Michael said, did you want me to sign your CD?” I’d forgotten all about it! I said “Oh yes, please!” And as he did so he asked if I had heard the album yet, when I said, “Of course!” He said, “You’re my biggest fan, I guess you have!” LOL! I thanked him for everything and as I was walking off (or rolling off, rather) he squeezed my shoulder and said “Don’t forget to look for our tweet later!” I promised I would and waited while John and Matt met him and got a quick picture with John’s phone. As Michael was shaking Matt’s hand he said, “We meet again!” referring to their earlier run-in in the men’s room! Everybody got a kick out of that one!
As I basically floated toward the door, I noticed a familiar face coming toward me. It was DK, Liz Jordan’s husband! I had no idea he was even there! He scored major brownie points with me because I’d only met him one other time which happened to be on his wedding day. I got to meet him just moments after he and Liz had said, “I do!” and I really doubted his mind was on anything but his amazing wife at that moment, but I must be memorable because he definitely remembered me! He told me he had gotten some video footage of my meeting with Michael! I already adored DK because I adore Liz and I love the way he adores Liz (did that make sense? LOL!) but to hear that he got VIDEO of me meeting Michael…Now, I REALLY adored him! LOL! I don’t know if I’ll ever get to see it, but it’s there for SOMEONE to see and that makes me happy!
The whole day was just surreal. It’s hard for me to really express just HOW much meeting Michael meant to me. It’s a moment I never thought would happen and now, it’s a moment I’ll never ever forget. Looking I’m AMAZED at how calm I was, and how natural it felt talking to him. He’s SO down to earth and genuine that you can’t help but feel at ease. It was incredible and something that I know had to be from God because I so desperately wanted to be IN the moment and not let it be one of those times where my nerves took over to a point where I barely remembered the whole experience. It was truly a God filled moment because I remember it so clearly!
Once we were in the car, John pulled out their CD to see what was written on it. It had been signed, “For you! –Michael W. Smith” I didn’t give mine much thought assuming he signed them all the same for the sake of simplicity. When I opened mine however, it said, “Natalie, Your Friend, Michael W. Smith” He actually PERSONALIZED it?! With MY NAME?! Mini freak out moment right there in the car in the Lifeway parking lot! Another more major freak out occurred on the road home when I checked twitter to find that just two minutes prior to me logging on, Michael had indeed posted our picture on his twitter page! With the caption, “Me and Natalie at Lifeway in Houston today.” I squealed and everybody in the car cracked up! That pic is now my Facebook profile picture!
It was an amazing day! A day that’s been in the works since that very night Michael became such an incredible part of my testimony. A day that I saw God’s Hand print more than once and a day that was filled totally with His presence. It happened because God moved mountains and gave me a miracle and in that miracle gave me a moment with Michael W. Smith that I’ll remember for the rest of my life!
Yes, dreams DO come true. Yes, mountains DO move. And yes, miracles DO happen….Just believe.
Move ahead YEARS later to last Friday morning. I had just gotten to my Friday volunteer job at the church. As usual, I turned on the computer and went to the ksbj homepage to turn on their live streaming radio while I worked. Shortly after I did, I noticed the dates for Michael’s Christmas tour were up so, I started an e-mail to my MWS buddies (the family I go to all the MWS concerts with) and gave them the info. As I was finishing, I heard Susan O’Donnell say that Michael was coming to town on Monday October 18th. I didn’t know anything else about it but just mentioned it in the e-mail not thinking much of it since it was such short notice, and I didn’t have any other details. All I was really expecting was a yay or nay on the December concert. I sent it off and didn’t give it much thought.
Sunday after church I checked my e-mail and saw that Warren (my friend) had responded. He said that they couldn’t make the December concert but that Mary (Warren’s wife) had called Lifeway and gotten details on Michael’s visit. He would be meeting fans and signing his new CD there in Humble from 4:30 until 6 O’clock. They told Mary he had a flight to catch and absolutely HAD to be gone by 6. Mary was also told that a huge crowd was expected. Warren told me that it may or may not work, but that if I wanted to make an attempt to meet Michael, they were ready and willing!
I’d had plans scheduled for weeks and wasn’t sure if I should just cancel them or not, once I told my Mom what was going on she emphatically encouraged me to “Go! Meet Michael….Everything else will be here later!” I quickly sent an e-mail saying I was on board!
I was giddy, but every time I got too excited or too nervous as to whether or not I would actually meet him, I found myself praying, “Lord, I want this…But Your Will is what I want more so I give it to You…” It was a strange kind of tug of war all day Sunday wanting this so badly, but then saying “Help me be okay, if it doesn’t happen Lord.” I knew with the crowd expected, and the time constraints, it sounded as if a miracle was going to have to happen for Michael and I to actually meet each other! So, I asked people to pray for one!
Warren picked me up this afternoon and we headed to the high school (where he and his wife teach, and his two sons go to school) to pick up Mary, Matt, and John. Mary and Warren had gotten someone to cover the last ten minutes of their classes, and Matt and John had gotten permission to leave ten minutes early so we could beat the high school traffic and begin the hour and 15 minute trip down to Humble. By 3:2O we were on the road!
For the most part, I was quite calm on the way down there. I really think I was in a state of shock and didn’t really think we would be able to meet him. I got antsy when we got to the Woodlands and began looking at my watch every five minutes praying constantly, “Put this van on wings of Angels, Lord and help us get there! Whatever happens, Your Will be done!” At one point, I looked at my watch and this Voice inside my head said, “Stop looking at your watch! I’ve got you covered, I’ll get you there!” To which I mumbled, “Yes Lord…” And stared straight ahead at the road that seemed to stretch miles and miles with no Lifeway in sight!
Finally making it to Humble, we hit only ONE read light and then we could see LifeWay on the other side of the interstate! It was 4:25. I was calm, believe it or not…Until I heard the voice of my friend (and afternoon KSBJ dj ) Liz Jordan come on and say, “Just moments from now, Michael W. Smith will be starting a Meet and Greet with fans at the Lifeway book store and Humble! This is your chance to get up close and personal with Michael and say hello!” It was then that I was like, “Okay Lord, we’re SO close I can SEE it…I REALLY REALLY want this to happen now so please let it be Your Will!”
We pulled up to the parking lot and I kept envisioning this long line wrapping around the building and us having to wait in the heat! Only to have them come out and say, Michael’s time is up! Sorry he couldn’t greet all of you….” What I ACTUALLY saw however was nothing like that. No line outside the store and a parking place close to the door. We all piled out and I started shaking with excitement and nerves. I got settled in my wheelchair and we went in expecting to see chaos…Again, all was calm. Michael was nowhere in sight and we were directed to the line. It was 4:35. Mary went and bought two of Michael’s CD’s for him to sign, one for me and one for their family. Matt went to find the men’s room and Warren, John and I held everybody’s spot in line. The staff there was SO friendly! The lady that showed us the line that was sectioned off by those ropes you see at theatres told me, “Michael’s going to come out in just a minute, if you want to turn your chair around, he’s going to walk right by you!” So I said okay and quickly turned getting out my cell phone. Matt had returned from the men’s room and said, “I just ran into Michael in the restroom!” All of us stared at him with our mouths open! Before we could say anything else, the nice lady that had suggested I turn my chair around said, “Here he comes…” And there he was indeed…He was walking at a fast pace so between that and my shaking hands, my picture turned out to be a blur of bookshelves but he was indeed in the building!
We only had about 30 people ahead of us and had more than an hour before his time would be up…I was probably very poor company for my friends but I couldn’t stop thinking about how God had lead me to this moment and how He had provided for us all day long. This had been years in the making! When we rounded the final corner where Michael was set up it was then that it hit me…It’s GOING to happen….In just MOMENTS I was going to meet the man who God had put into my life so many years ago to speak to me through his God given talents and helped me make the most important (and best) decision of my entire life! I took a deep breath and willed myself not to cry. We finally got up to the blue line that signified we were next (Michael was still talking to the people in front of us) and another staff member asked me if I was going to want my picture taken, I said yes and took my phone out of my purse. He handed it to another staff member who promised she would take a good one of us and I asked if I could also get my CD signed as well and was told to just hand it to Michael when I was ready. Then it was my turn.
Michael looked at me as Warren wheeled me over to him and said, “Hi there!” I said “Hi Michael! How are you?” He replied that he was great and stood up to come over and shake my hand. He asked my name and I told him and he said, “Natalie, great to meet you!” And I said how great it was to meet HIM! At this point they let Mary, Warren, Matt, and John come up and Mary told Michael I was his biggest fan! He looked at me for confirmation and I said, “It’s true! I’ve been to countless concerts, I follow you on Facebook and twitter….” To which he looked at me and said, “Ya know, I never thought I’d be one that would twitter. I got talked into it.” I told him I loved his updates and he said he hadn’t tweeted in a few days. I said, “You really should!” Then he said, “Well, I tell ya what why don’t you and I do a tweet right now?” I was like, “Okay!” He called one of his staffers to come over with what I assumed was his phone and said, “Could you take a picture of Natalie and me for my twitter page?” They gladly agreed and he knelt down as they snapped our picture! He said, “I’ll put that up when I leave here so look for it tonight, okay?” I said I would and the girl with my phone asked if he would take one more with me. He said sure and we snapped another one together! I had just gotten TWO pictures taken with Michael W. Smith! I was getting ready to wrap it up (I didn’t want anyone to have to TELL me to wrap it up) when Michael said, did you want me to sign your CD?” I’d forgotten all about it! I said “Oh yes, please!” And as he did so he asked if I had heard the album yet, when I said, “Of course!” He said, “You’re my biggest fan, I guess you have!” LOL! I thanked him for everything and as I was walking off (or rolling off, rather) he squeezed my shoulder and said “Don’t forget to look for our tweet later!” I promised I would and waited while John and Matt met him and got a quick picture with John’s phone. As Michael was shaking Matt’s hand he said, “We meet again!” referring to their earlier run-in in the men’s room! Everybody got a kick out of that one!
As I basically floated toward the door, I noticed a familiar face coming toward me. It was DK, Liz Jordan’s husband! I had no idea he was even there! He scored major brownie points with me because I’d only met him one other time which happened to be on his wedding day. I got to meet him just moments after he and Liz had said, “I do!” and I really doubted his mind was on anything but his amazing wife at that moment, but I must be memorable because he definitely remembered me! He told me he had gotten some video footage of my meeting with Michael! I already adored DK because I adore Liz and I love the way he adores Liz (did that make sense? LOL!) but to hear that he got VIDEO of me meeting Michael…Now, I REALLY adored him! LOL! I don’t know if I’ll ever get to see it, but it’s there for SOMEONE to see and that makes me happy!
The whole day was just surreal. It’s hard for me to really express just HOW much meeting Michael meant to me. It’s a moment I never thought would happen and now, it’s a moment I’ll never ever forget. Looking I’m AMAZED at how calm I was, and how natural it felt talking to him. He’s SO down to earth and genuine that you can’t help but feel at ease. It was incredible and something that I know had to be from God because I so desperately wanted to be IN the moment and not let it be one of those times where my nerves took over to a point where I barely remembered the whole experience. It was truly a God filled moment because I remember it so clearly!
Once we were in the car, John pulled out their CD to see what was written on it. It had been signed, “For you! –Michael W. Smith” I didn’t give mine much thought assuming he signed them all the same for the sake of simplicity. When I opened mine however, it said, “Natalie, Your Friend, Michael W. Smith” He actually PERSONALIZED it?! With MY NAME?! Mini freak out moment right there in the car in the Lifeway parking lot! Another more major freak out occurred on the road home when I checked twitter to find that just two minutes prior to me logging on, Michael had indeed posted our picture on his twitter page! With the caption, “Me and Natalie at Lifeway in Houston today.” I squealed and everybody in the car cracked up! That pic is now my Facebook profile picture!
It was an amazing day! A day that’s been in the works since that very night Michael became such an incredible part of my testimony. A day that I saw God’s Hand print more than once and a day that was filled totally with His presence. It happened because God moved mountains and gave me a miracle and in that miracle gave me a moment with Michael W. Smith that I’ll remember for the rest of my life!
Yes, dreams DO come true. Yes, mountains DO move. And yes, miracles DO happen….Just believe.
Wednesday, September 29, 2010
"WONDER"
Michael W. Smith's new album "WONDER" is now available! I know you all probably think I'm just saying this, but it is INCREDIBLE! I'll just share with you a few thoughts on my favorite songs from the album:
Rise: Love the lyrics! A song that basically shouts "HAVE FAITH! TRUST ME!" It really made me think about how much faith I actually have and what I do to put the faith into action. Great song!
Wonder: Upbeat and powerful! Great song to "dance it out" to and great song to have on while you're getting dressed in the morning and getting ready to face the day.
Leave: This song brought me to my knees and made me cry the "ugly cry." Heartbreaking. One line in particular made me gasp the first time I heard it. Then I cried some more. In fact, sounded like MWS himself was tearing up toward the end of it.
One More Time: Talks about never giving up. I needed to hear it. Definitely one of those I'll be listening to when I need a reminder that with God, ALL things are possible!
Take My Breath Away: I LOVE the violins in this one! upbeat and I LOVE the chorus!!
Take Me Over: BEAUTIFUL BEAUTIFUL song! The first line talks about resting in His Arms...Just the image it gives me makes me tear up. This is one I'll be putting on to listen to as I fall asleep. I love it!
I'd be more specific,but I want YOU to get (or download) your copy and draw your own conclusions! If you do, let me know what you think! You'll be blessed, I promise!
Rise: Love the lyrics! A song that basically shouts "HAVE FAITH! TRUST ME!" It really made me think about how much faith I actually have and what I do to put the faith into action. Great song!
Wonder: Upbeat and powerful! Great song to "dance it out" to and great song to have on while you're getting dressed in the morning and getting ready to face the day.
Leave: This song brought me to my knees and made me cry the "ugly cry." Heartbreaking. One line in particular made me gasp the first time I heard it. Then I cried some more. In fact, sounded like MWS himself was tearing up toward the end of it.
One More Time: Talks about never giving up. I needed to hear it. Definitely one of those I'll be listening to when I need a reminder that with God, ALL things are possible!
Take My Breath Away: I LOVE the violins in this one! upbeat and I LOVE the chorus!!
Take Me Over: BEAUTIFUL BEAUTIFUL song! The first line talks about resting in His Arms...Just the image it gives me makes me tear up. This is one I'll be putting on to listen to as I fall asleep. I love it!
I'd be more specific,but I want YOU to get (or download) your copy and draw your own conclusions! If you do, let me know what you think! You'll be blessed, I promise!
Saturday, September 11, 2010
Nine Years Later
I always share this video on this date because it sums everything up.
May God bless the families of those who lost their lives nine years ago today. May He bless and protect those that have served, are serving, and will some day serve. And may God ALWAYS bless America as we turn our gaze to Him! WE WILL NEVER FORGET!
THERE SHE STANDS
May God bless the families of those who lost their lives nine years ago today. May He bless and protect those that have served, are serving, and will some day serve. And may God ALWAYS bless America as we turn our gaze to Him! WE WILL NEVER FORGET!
THERE SHE STANDS
Friday, December 5, 2008
A Passion of Mine
I recently e-mailed out one of those surveys where your friends fill the questions out about you and not themselves. One of the questions was, "What am I passionate about?" and one of the responses I got back was "Hollywood and anything related to the entertainment industry."
As I thought about that response, I had to smile because it IS true. I am passionate about the industry and have made no secret about the fact that I would like to work in the entertainment industry in some capacity. However, I'm passionate about the industry, not because of the glitz and glamor, I'm passionate about it because so many times Hollywood and entertainment get such a bad rep from people because all they hear about is bad things...How this actor did this, or "so and so is a bad role model because...." Yes, Hollywood (or should I say the media) DOES put great emphasis on looks, weight, etc and it seems all you hear about is who is breaking up, who is suing who, blah blah blah. I'm passionate about Hollywood and the entertainment industry because I know how the OTHER side has reached me. The OTHER side that the media doesn't talk about. And it's also another example of something else I'm passionate about....The fact that somebody else's story can help another person.
I'm a big believer that God meets you where you are. BECAUSE I love the world of entertainment like I do, He has used people within that industry to reach me.
He used Michael W. Smith to help to open my heart to Him.
He used Patrick Dempsey to help save me from myself.
And most recently, He used Derek Hough to help inspire me and reignite my own dreams.
Three ordinary people that because of the media spotlight have touched my life and helped me in extraordinary ways.
So YES, I am passionate about the entertainment world. I am passionate about trying to change the stereotype of it, I'm passionate about trying to get the word out that as much bad as the brings out of it, there's just as much good. I'm passionate about trying to stop the almost automatic eye roll that takes place whenever anything in the particular industry is mentioned and instead help there be at least a small smile. I'm passionate about the entertainment world because I'm a better person due to it.
I owe a lot to Michael, Patrick, and Derek and by extension, I owe a lot to the entertainment industry for shining a light on them so that they could reach me. I don't have all of the resources that the media has, all I have is this blog so I do what I can to share what I have learned and how it has helped me so that perhaps the entertainment industry might not leave such a bitter taste in your mouth.
As I thought about that response, I had to smile because it IS true. I am passionate about the industry and have made no secret about the fact that I would like to work in the entertainment industry in some capacity. However, I'm passionate about the industry, not because of the glitz and glamor, I'm passionate about it because so many times Hollywood and entertainment get such a bad rep from people because all they hear about is bad things...How this actor did this, or "so and so is a bad role model because...." Yes, Hollywood (or should I say the media) DOES put great emphasis on looks, weight, etc and it seems all you hear about is who is breaking up, who is suing who, blah blah blah. I'm passionate about Hollywood and the entertainment industry because I know how the OTHER side has reached me. The OTHER side that the media doesn't talk about. And it's also another example of something else I'm passionate about....The fact that somebody else's story can help another person.
I'm a big believer that God meets you where you are. BECAUSE I love the world of entertainment like I do, He has used people within that industry to reach me.
He used Michael W. Smith to help to open my heart to Him.
He used Patrick Dempsey to help save me from myself.
And most recently, He used Derek Hough to help inspire me and reignite my own dreams.Three ordinary people that because of the media spotlight have touched my life and helped me in extraordinary ways.
So YES, I am passionate about the entertainment world. I am passionate about trying to change the stereotype of it, I'm passionate about trying to get the word out that as much bad as the brings out of it, there's just as much good. I'm passionate about trying to stop the almost automatic eye roll that takes place whenever anything in the particular industry is mentioned and instead help there be at least a small smile. I'm passionate about the entertainment world because I'm a better person due to it.
I owe a lot to Michael, Patrick, and Derek and by extension, I owe a lot to the entertainment industry for shining a light on them so that they could reach me. I don't have all of the resources that the media has, all I have is this blog so I do what I can to share what I have learned and how it has helped me so that perhaps the entertainment industry might not leave such a bitter taste in your mouth.
Sunday, November 2, 2008
Smitty Does it Again!
Michael W. Smith's most recent album entitled, "A New Hallelujah" came out this past week. I immediately downloaded the entire album from itunes. A definite must have! If you can't afford the entire album right now but can splurge on at least one song, I highly recommend "Deep in Love With You." until you can afford the rest! ;) It's an incredible album, you will definitely be blessed by what you hear.
And hey, the holidays are just around the corner....This would make a GREAT Christmas gift for anyone! Just throwing the idea out there. ;)
Thursday, September 11, 2008
In Honor of September 11th...
I know this is about my third post in two days and I hope those of you that are subscribed aren't sick of the notifications yet. I just couldn't let today pass and NOT post this video.
It'a called There She Stands and it was written and is sung by Michael W. Smith. Michael has sung this song at every concert of his I've been to since the attack.
Our thoughts and prayers are with everyone that was affected that day and we continue to pray as well for those that are serving our country right now. God bless you all!
Please scroll to the bottom of my page and pause my music to see the video.
It'a called There She Stands and it was written and is sung by Michael W. Smith. Michael has sung this song at every concert of his I've been to since the attack.
Our thoughts and prayers are with everyone that was affected that day and we continue to pray as well for those that are serving our country right now. God bless you all!
Please scroll to the bottom of my page and pause my music to see the video.
Saturday, April 19, 2008
My Testimony
Born too early for some, but God's timing is perfectI am the youngest. My sister Kimberly, my only sibling, is three years older than I am. I was born on August 15, 1981....I wasn't supposed to arrive until October 31. Being born two and a half months early, I weighed less than one pound at birth and was flown almost immediately from Huntsville to Texas Children's Hospital in Houston. That was where I spent my life up until my original due date. I wasn't supposed to survive, but God is a God of miracles, and He had plans for me.
Rolling and Living with Cerebral Palsy
Due to my early arrival, I have a disability known as Cerebral Palsy. I could give you a long medical explanation as to what that is, but the simplest way I know to explain it is to say that because I was born so early, my brain did not have time to teach my legs how to work properly, so I have CP.
CP comes in various forms and can affect people in a variety of ways, in my case, I only have CP in my legs and that is why I walk with a walker. I use a wheelchair for longer distances, and if you ever saw me on campus, then you noticed my red scooter. I really only use my wheelchair about 1 percent of the time, the other 99 percent I'm on my walker. When I do walk, I walk with a noticeable limp because one of my legs is shorter than the other. I've had four surgeries, all of them orthopedic, my last of which was back in 1997 to place steel rods on each side of my spine to correct scoliosis. I have told my parents that unless it is a situation where I will die unless I have surgery, that I do not want anymore operations. Four is enough. The only other way CP affects me is that it causes me to jump at EVERYTHING! Ask anyone who has ever gone to the movies with me, they'll tell you that they probably ended up with a lap full of popcorn. I seriously thought something was wrong with me, I jump at someone coughing or sneezing....Seriously! I told my mom about it years ago and she told me that people with CP do startle easily so that really eased my mind! Doesn't make the embarrassment of jumping all the time go away. Seriously, that's one of the things I hate most about my disability. Mentally, I am fine. CP has no affect on me mentally at all.
CP comes in various forms and can affect people in a variety of ways, in my case, I only have CP in my legs and that is why I walk with a walker. I use a wheelchair for longer distances, and if you ever saw me on campus, then you noticed my red scooter. I really only use my wheelchair about 1 percent of the time, the other 99 percent I'm on my walker. When I do walk, I walk with a noticeable limp because one of my legs is shorter than the other. I've had four surgeries, all of them orthopedic, my last of which was back in 1997 to place steel rods on each side of my spine to correct scoliosis. I have told my parents that unless it is a situation where I will die unless I have surgery, that I do not want anymore operations. Four is enough. The only other way CP affects me is that it causes me to jump at EVERYTHING! Ask anyone who has ever gone to the movies with me, they'll tell you that they probably ended up with a lap full of popcorn. I seriously thought something was wrong with me, I jump at someone coughing or sneezing....Seriously! I told my mom about it years ago and she told me that people with CP do startle easily so that really eased my mind! Doesn't make the embarrassment of jumping all the time go away. Seriously, that's one of the things I hate most about my disability. Mentally, I am fine. CP has no affect on me mentally at all.
A "Secret Ambition" revealed
I became a Christian at the age of eleven. two years prior to this, a favorite baby-sitter of ours was over one night and had brought a tape of her favorite music artist. We listened to the tape and a song entitled, "Secret Ambition" by Michael W. Smith came on. I listened to the words but had really no idea what they meant so I asked Kim (our baby-sitter, not my sister, Kimberly) to explain it to me and she did. I had tons of questions for her after that every time she came back to baby-sit and even took a copy of the song to my third grade class for "show and tell" one day, not knowing teachers weren't supposed to talk about that sort of thing in class. I still loved the song, but still didn't really understand the meaning behind it.
Two years later my cousin, sister, and I attended a church fellowship at my cousin's church in Dallas. During the evening worship time, a music video was played that portrayed Jesus and His life before crucifixion, and also some very realistic images of Christ being crucified. The music video was the one made for the song "Secret Ambition." Right then and there, everything clicked into place. I knew the meaning behind that song and what Christ had done for me! I asked Christ into my heart that night and was baptized about three weeks later, my sister did the same. It means so much now to look back and say that my sister and I were baptized on the same day, and that we will always have each other as witnesses to that time.
Two years later my cousin, sister, and I attended a church fellowship at my cousin's church in Dallas. During the evening worship time, a music video was played that portrayed Jesus and His life before crucifixion, and also some very realistic images of Christ being crucified. The music video was the one made for the song "Secret Ambition." Right then and there, everything clicked into place. I knew the meaning behind that song and what Christ had done for me! I asked Christ into my heart that night and was baptized about three weeks later, my sister did the same. It means so much now to look back and say that my sister and I were baptized on the same day, and that we will always have each other as witnesses to that time.
Made with a purpose
I had never really given my CP much thought. It's part of my life, I've never known anything different. I was at church camp in the summer of 1999 when a guy there revealed to me that his brother had been diagnosed with Muscular Dystrophy just a few days before camp started. He told me that he had been very down and that he had watched me as I dealt with situations during the week, he said that in seeing me deal with my limitations so well, he had new hope and faith that his brother would be able deal with his just as well. I had no idea he had been watching me that closely all week, but it was then that I realized God had created me the way He did for a reason! He wasn't creating me and then said, "Oops! Didn't mean for that to happen!" God doesn't say, oops!
Psalm 139:13-16 says, "For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well. My frame was not hidden from you when I was made in the secret place. When I was woven together in the depths of the earth, your eyes saw my unformed body. All the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be."
Psalm 139:13-16 says, "For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well. My frame was not hidden from you when I was made in the secret place. When I was woven together in the depths of the earth, your eyes saw my unformed body. All the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be."
God knew EXACTLY what He was doing, and He created me perfectly imperfect!
My life has not been smooth sailing (my college years were especially difficult). I cling daily to the promise of GREAT plans for me (Jeremiah 29:11) and know that my life is not my own. I pray daily that the way I live reflects Him clearly and that He uses me in whatever way He sees fit to help reach others. The journey isn't always easy, but God promises that in end, it WILL be worth it!
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