Another exciting giveaway, that has even more of a personal connection for me. This week I am giving away two Diva Wipes and two Crinkle Charms. So if any of you are or knows of someone having a baby, these are great gifts! You can also find "bellajane" on facebook to order and see the different styles, colours, etc. I have given a few Diva Wipes out as gifts and they are always a big hit!
When we moved to Airdrie just after Genesis was born, we were really seeking community. We had moved around a bit and were going through some pretty rough times and just needed to find and build some solid community. Thankfully we already had a few people in the area that we knew and then we got connected with a church quite quickly. We signed up for a Bible Study group, one that had children close in age to ours and we were so incredibly blessed by this amazing group. It was definitely challenging as there were 10 kids 8 years and under. We tried having the kids around, and found that we never got anything accomplished. We hired a babysitter for the night for all of the kids and still it was hard, some families got babysitters for their kids, but we never could because we didn't really have anyone. Nonetheless, we all understood and we were all in the same position. So we worked through and we had a wonderful time fellow-shipping. Not only that, we knew that we could always count on this group for prayer, support, understanding. God truly blessed us. We then had to make the move and it was so hard. We loved Airdire and the area. We loved our church, we loved our community, we loved our Bible Study group and all of our friends that we had in the area. We also loved that we were still relatively close to family too.
The wonderful thing about technology is that we are still a part of this group. We Skype in every second week and we participate with our Bible Study group. They have helped us so much this year, not only with prayer, but with some other support at times when we really needed a miracle and there they were. Incredible! The other thing that we have really, really appreciated about this group is the raw openness and honesty. Everyone is so open about everything and it is rare to see that and rare to have that trust with one another. We are truly blessed.
With that being said, one of the families from our group is the Buhler family! They have three boys (who Zech absolutely adores and loves to play with and a little princess only two months younger than Genesis). We have had a lot of wonderful times with them and they have had an amazing impact on us as a family. They are an inspiration and they have really helped us (whether they know it or not).
Christina started a company with her girlfriend called "bellajane" selling Diva Wipes and Crinkle Charms. I absolutely love their products and it was so hard to try and pick some for the giveaway! I also really wanted to support her. There are some big, exciting changes happening to their family and I know that they too could use the prayers and support.
Christina is a stay-at-home Mom to her 4 wonderful kids, she also has her Children's Ministry Degree. She is amazing with kids and my kids absolutely adore her. She is also from the States and made her way to the frozen north to be with her wonderful hubby Ben. I have always been inspired by them, as I wonder how they do it with 4 kids. We have had some great conversations with them and there was one in particular that had a huge impact on me and really helped me.
We were talking about worship and singing. You see I used to hate singing, I would mouth the words or at one point I was told to mouth 'watermelon' because it would actually seen like I was pronouncing the words to the song. So a lot of times I sat in church mouthing 'watermelon'. When I gave my heart to the Lord, something changed. I now belt it out (even though I am so out-of-tune) and I am moved by songs (plus I actually listen to the words of the songs--something my hubby taught me). Then I had kids, and I had to sing. Zech will ask me to sing and then tells me how nice I 'sound'--he really is too nice and generous with his words, but I don't want my kids to be embarrassed, so I have to suck it up and sing as silly and loud as I can so that I show them confidence. Now if any of you know the musical talent that runs deep in my family, you will see that this 'gene', this talent seriously went missing when it came my turn.
Anyways, we attend church and some people get really into the music and lift their hands to the Lord, some have tears streaming down their face, and some even clap. This is so foreign to me and it kind of makes me uncomfortable. We were talking about worship this one evening and the Buhler's were sharing a favourite artist (Kari Jobe--she sings my absolute favaourite song and I didn't know it---the Revelation Song) who they were going to the States to see LIVE. So Awesome! I then shared my fear of singing and really worshiping to the Lord with them. Christina shared what she told the kids when she was in the Children Ministry and it really had a profound effect on me (I will clap now and not feel so embarrassed and inhibited when I feel moved to raise my hands--not at the dancing part yet--I think my husband would check me into a mental hospital if I started that-lol). Christina said that when she worships and sings, she thinks of God as her Father (which of course He is), but when she raises her hands it is like a child raising their hands to us, their parents because they need us, want us, desire to be close to us, love us. So every time I have this urge to raise my hands, I think of what she said. I need God, desire God, love God and really want to be close to God. He is my Father and I think about all of the times that my kids raise their hands to me, their Mom for love, comfort, support, and just plain silliness sometimes. I want to pass that onto my kids too. I have never, ever thought of it like that before, so thank you Christina!
So for this weeks giveaway, two lucky readers will win a Diva Wipe and a Crinkle Charm. The winner will be announced next Thursday. Check 'bellajane' out on facebook too, if you have a chance.
What I want to know is:
What is your favourite song and why?
8 comments:
Vanessa, I just want to say that I am so proud of you for the way that you have handled everything that life has thrown at you in the past year. I love your large heart and the way that you are so wanting to help others. You inspire me.
One of my favorite songs in the last while has been by Casting Crowns: "I will praise you in the storm". I cry EVERY time I hear it. When everything in our life turned upside down we discovered this song, it blessed us immensly, and to this day is one of my favorites.
what a great couple! lol! love u too!
One of my favourite songs is Nicole C. Mullen singing "Call on Jesus". It has nourished me when I am worrying far too much and when things seem hopeless. I know I can always call Him and He will move mountains! Thanks for asking :)
I just had to post after reading your entry tonight but please share the giveaway with someone else this time. I love the shares but I'd love you to share the goodness with others too. Thanks!
My favourite artist is Jill Paquette...I found her music when I went to college in 2001. I can't remember the title of my favourite song of her's because it's a secret song on the album, but the whole album is beautiful. Here's a link:
http://www.newreleasetuesday.com/albumdetail.php?album_id=4654
There were 2 live songs that are more recent on youtube, but I can't find them anymore...which makes me sad. Anyways, I love Jill and it was interesting how she was sort of involved in my life. I didn't know it at the time, but she was part of the reason I attended PBI, I later met her, then I went to a women's retreat in Saskatoon and didn't know that she was playing there...it proved to be an amazing and deciding time for me!
Anyways, I too have won a few draws, so even though I'd love love love the prize this month I'll gladly let someone else take it:-)
I really love this idea and it's such a fun way of doing it too. As soon as Jesse and I aren't clawing at pennies in our account I think I'll start this too!
WARNING: This question has prompted a self-absorbed, lengthy answer. I cannot refer to only one song!!
Normally I don't pick on spelling of my children, or anyone else, for that matter. However, when I read "fellow-shipping" I wondered what it meant to be a "fellow-shipper." Are these people who get together to ship their goods and perhaps save a bit of money? Then I got the giggles because I realized that you meant "fellowshipping." lol
I have always enjoyed singing. It probably dates back to my Sunday School days. Every Sunday before our SS lesson we would have a singsong. Our leader for many years was Ingvald Ness, and sometimes his son Darryl. (You might ask your Mom if she had a crush on Darryl.) They were both very talented musically. I believe I still know every song I learned by heart, for instance, "Faith, Hope, and Charity."
In elementary school, our music class was on the radio. We had a little book of lyrics to accompany it. My favorites to this day are "Redwing" and "Bonnie George Campbell."" In later elementary and junior high years, the Bue family came to Kingman. Mr. Bue became the pastor of our church. Mrs. Bue taught music in the school. Two favorite songs I remember are "Cockles and Mussels, and a round called "The Hunter." Mrs. Bue had such a wonderful repertoire!! She also started a choir in church for Junior High which your Mom and I were both part of.
My Grandmother Hanson first took me to Hastings Lake Bible camp. I loved singing choruses around the campfire. I believe it was the summer of '64 that my girlfriends and I walked arm in arm singing "She Loves You (Beatles).
In high school, I was part of a girls' sextet. That's where I learned "Jamaica Farewell," "Climb Every Mountain (Sound of Music), and "Sioux City Sue." In the early days of our church, the service was very informal, and gospel-oriented. The pastor was expected to wear a suit, and any order of service was expected to be minimal. No robes were allowed. Popular hymns were "What a Friend We Have in Jesus" and "When the Roll is Called up Yonder." Not too many years later, the pastor was wearing a robe, there was a fairly formal of service, and new hymns. I still enjoy gospel music, for instance "Runaway Soul" by Ruthie Foster.
At Camrose Lutheran College, I joined both the basketball team and the choir. I found that was too much of a commitment, and I didn't enjoy the really formal choir music, so I dropped the choir and played basketball. My favorite hymn from those days is "Immortal, Invisible, God-only Wise." I also love the hymn "Prayer is the Soul's Sincere Desire."
EVER THE ROMANTIC, THESE SONGS APPEAL:
"Songbird" by Fleetwood Mac
"Songbird" by Eva Cassidy who passed of cancer at about age 30. She became known after her passing and has an amazing voice.
"All I Need is the Air that I "Breathe" by Air Supply
"Have you Ever Really Loved A Woman?" by Brian Adams?
"Bad Timing" by Jim Cuddy of Blue Rodeo. If I had someone to sing me to sleep every night, it would be Jim Cuddy.
"Unchained Melody" by the Righteous Brothers
IT'S ALL ABOUT EYES
"Brown-eyed Girl" by Van Morrison
"Blue Eyes Crying in the Rain" by Willie Nelson
THE ROCKER/TWISTER IN ME:
"Old Time Rock and Roll" by Bob Seeger
"In the Mood"
"Come on and Twist Again Like we Did Last Summer' Chubby Checker??
LATEST DISCOVERY:
"Siki Siki" by Hot Water of South Africa
I could go on and on. Every week I discover something new in music.!!
FAMILY GENES: I'm sure that every family has a mix. Grandpa Willie was tuneful, and had good rhythm. He was a good dancer. Mom danced well but could not carry a tune. However, we still enjoyed her bedtime lullabies. Mom' sisters Hazel and Trudy won a "Search for Talent" show when they were teens for "Mockingbird Hill." Auntie Helga could play piano.
PIANO: My childhood dream. Mom said we did not have enough money.
DANCE: I always wanted to dance. Although Mom and Dad were not against dancing, I was not allowed because it was a taboo in the church, and Mom and Dad wanted to show respect for the church people. Thus I was not allowed to be in the Grade 6 square dance demo. I haven't square danced to this day!! I spent two years enjoying "Scottish Country Dancing," however. In high school, a friend asked if I would like to take ballet lessons with her. I was really interested and I asked Mom. She said, "Big girls like you don't take ballet." I was all of 140 pounds!! The first thing I did when I went to the UofA was to join the University Ballroom Dance Club. I was with the club for 2 or 3 years. Helge doesn't like dance rules, but he has excellent rhythm, so is fun to dance with. My favorite sound since we married is the sound of his voice first thing in the morning. He is also tuneful, but rarely sings!! Keith carries a good tune, and used to sing with the Barbershoppers.
Whew!! I've unleashed enough for now!!
TWO UPLIFTING SINGING EXPERIENCES FROM MY TEEN YEARS:
Singing in the choir for the Barry Moore Crusade
Singing in the Easter Kingman Parish Choir (Kingman, Round Hill, and Bardo) for 2 or 3 years
I am so proud of the many Albertan and Canadian singer/songwriters and instrumentalists. One favorite is Maria Dunn of Edmonton. I like her song "Take it Easy" and "God Bless us Everyone" from the Christmas Carol Project where she plays Tiny Tim.
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