Really The BASS???

I am someone who loves to try new things and take on what some might say is a crazy idea or just really stupid one. Last year I decided to run the Death Race with a team of strong young women.  I ran Leg One and I achieved 20 minutes faster than I planned for - a lot of people thought I was crazy, foolish and again even stupid.  Maybe they were right but I don’t care I had so much fun during the process, got to know these incredible young women better and know I can push myself through pretty much any kind of pain, hardship and injuries… I did it and I am so proud of that accomplishment…but that is another story.

So now at the age of 49 - almost 50 years old I decided to learn how to play the bass. The idea started with what I saw was a need in our very young Churches Worship Team - our team only had one committed bass player who is also an amazing worship leader (its hard to combine Bass and leading) -we needed more bass players. So I decided to help out…I know crazy and unrealistic - its going to take me quite some time to learn to play let alone start working with the band. After purchasing an amazing bass and amp and everything else that goes with it…lessons and practice I set to work on learning - then realized this is going to take some time - looking cool isn’t all you need to play the bass :-).  Thank goodness some bass players have started to come out of the woodwork and join our team so the pressure is off me and I can learn and have fun doing it.  :-) Because of this idea my amazing husband has started taking Guitar lessons and I believe one day he will play with our worship team…this will be continued. 

But all that being said I am so glad I decided to take this journey into music from a different side. I have always loved to sing and have been given the great honour to sing with our worship team and now through  this new undertaking I am learning about music in a whole new way which is helping me understand worship and singing so much better.  It has increased my desire is to learn as much as I can through this and bring more when I worship God. I am also taking voice lessons and learning how to improve my singing as I also have a strong desire to lead worship one day. God is so good -He puts people and circumstances on your path so you will hopefully follow His plan for you.  The people on our Churches worship team are so inspiring, gifted and anointed. I love getting know everyone involved and sharing this beautiful experience with all of these talented young people.  I feel so blessed.

I was told by two different people (both worship leaders - I admire and respect) I would be a worship leader one day and I just laughed and put that thought away... how could someone like me lead worship?  I tried not to think about it and I never even prayed about it. For along time I stopped singing and even worshiping - closed that part of my life off. Then just recently I was given a chance to worship again by a young talented Pastor who asked me if I would like to be apart of their worship team. So I came out - I was scared and I really thought he was just being nice and that in time he would figure out I really couldn’t sing and I would be slowly fazed out.  Funny this hasn’t happen…yet - he has just been encouraging my love of worship and pushing me to be better and also reminds me its not about me it is all about HIM…we were made to WORSHIP GOD.

So that being said I am going to continue to learn the bass - it is so much fun and I will continue to take singing lessons in an effort to one day become the worship leader I was meant to be. 

The best part of all of this is John learning guitar and Sarah and Rayna are now singing on the Worship Team!!!  God is so good - heck we might even have a family worship band. :-)

The something from nothing on this is…. from just wanting to help out in an area of need - It in turn opened my heart to what I am truly passionate about "Singing and Worshiping God".   It is so true that when you give you get back ten fold…I am so excited about what the future holds for all of us. 

God Bless

Something from nothing…an icy dip

I love long weekends - for so many reasons…
its an extra day to do something or absolutely nothing, maybe you start your spring cleaning or have a BBQ’s with family and friends or just relax and remember.  But we all seem to get that feeling that summer really is going to happen  around this time of year. Some people plan elaborate traditions but not me I just like relaxing with family and friends and remembering….but once I had a tradition:

A tradition is born… it happened when I lived in Cold Lake Alberta. I was in grade 4 and my mom took me and our dog Bonny to the lake…"Cold Lake" on the May long weekend…so began the new ritual of the first dip of the season being the May long weekend! I can remember being excited and so ready to jump in the water…I had my new blue, red and white speedo on - I am not sure but I don’t think we put sunscreen on back in the day - we just burnt. :-) I also remember my freckles were popping out all over my face in the warmth of the beautiful spring sunshine  (my father used to say it looked like I stood in front of a screen door that someone had through poop through = freckles) Ah the memories :-).

Standing on the sand I remember the wind having a bit of a chill to it but off I ran towards the water- because we were at the lake and our dog Bonny was in already so it was my turn- off I ran in full tilt. As my feet hit the ICE COLD WATER…I stopped felt shooting pain in my feet and looked back at my mother who encouraged me to keep running in….”it will get better just keep going - you are doing great!” She was laughing and waving her arms towards the water - encouraging me to keep going in. So I trudged in further - tippy toeing trying to make myself as tall as I could as the icy water crept up my body - my feet were numb now  - but I continued on and even put my head under - a brain freeze I still think might have affected me in regards to learning. I didn’t stay in too long - I ran out faster it felt faster - but it was probably slower - because my feet and legs were numb. Once I got out thats when the chill of the spring wind really kicked in. But my mom hurried over to my purple shivering body and wrapped me in a big towel and went on and on about how great I did and how proud she was and how she thought it was so great that I had started a new tradition - our tradition. Me, my mom and our dog Bonny- The annual May long icy water dip - no it wasn’t a swim - I can say maybe a slight doggy paddle but not a swim it was way way way too cold!!!

 Each year after that I got nervous and even dreaded that dip - because the "Cold Lake" never got warmer on the May long weekend but I loved the experience my mom and I shared - all the laughter, the memories and hugs. She always made us a special picnic, had a big towel and a hug for me when I came out of the Freezing water - cheering me on - it was our special time no one else shared - except for Bonny.

Funny I carried that tradition on with my friends when I became a teenager - but it wasn’t the same and it didn’t last - because she (my mom) wasn’t there with the cheers, laughter, towel, a big hug and oh yes and a pretty darn good sandwich - a tradition becomes a memory.

The something I got from nothing is a wonderful memory of a funny little tradition that was born because my mom thought it would be nice to take the dog to the beach for a dip…after all Bonny was a spaniel and she loved the water.

Some of the best things come from nothing…Thanks Mom and Bonny.  xxoo