So it's been awhile since I've talked about my music. Been busy, you know, having a baby and everything. :) But since I was asked at the grocery store the other day if I'd "given up on singing," I thought it might be time for a little update on where my heart is. I was up late the other night planning out my next EP. I chose the songs (5 of them) and made a plan for when and how I wanted to go about recording. Feeling inspired and accomplished, I went to talk to Josh about it. He gave me the "what is your goal" talk and I realized... I don't know anymore. I just wanted to make another album. Didn't really think about why.

Music is a passion. But not the only passion in my life. Especially now. I get excited about leading others in worship to God, but I'm just as excited about worshiping Him when I'm not the one leading. I love writing songs and I want to share them with others. But at the center of my life, of everything I do, I want God to be glorified. I want to make Him known. What else is really worth living for?

So back to my conversation with Josh. He is so smart to ask the "why" in everything. Even if I really dislike it at the time. ;) If there is no purpose in whatever we do, then we end up living selfish lives. Once we know our purpose, then we live with that in mind.

His question stirred a lot within my heart.

To be honest, there have been many opportunities for me to pursue a full-time singing career. Sometimes I wonder if my lack of ambition and self-promotion are a fault of mine. But I do rest in the fact that I can plan all my life to do something, but God determines the steps to make it happen. I believe I am exactly where I am supposed to be.

A wife, a mom and leading worship at my church. I find my purpose fulfilled in all three of those things. What a blessing!

Right now I barely have time to sit down and write a song (in between feedings, diaper changes, housework, cooking, etc). But my heart has a lot to say. I do hope to record again soon, but not without a clear purpose. Be praying for God to make that known to me, if it's what He desires. For now, you can still buy a copy of my New Day EP on iTunes or order a hard copy to be shipped to you by pushing the "Buy Now" button below. :)

Thank you all for your continued prayers and support!

Over a year and a half ago, I wanted to start a new series on this blog called "Behind the Music." After one post, I gave up. I know that God wanted me to share these stories... but I still struggled with being so vulnerable. I felt God nudge my heart again to share what He's done in and through my life... so almost 5 months ago I tried to smooth it over by doing a "Behind the Music - New Day EP" recap and gave one sentence summaries of all the songs on the album.  But God has convicted my heart of silence. What good would it do for me to write songs and share them with people, without sharing the reason for which I sing? The pain and hurt and all that is behind some of these songs... may in fact be someone else's inspiration and hope. I see a world that is lost without Christ... and there's a joy that can ONLY be found in Him. I need to share that. I want others to know that without Jesus, without His grace in my life, I am nothing.

So, I'm going to try again. This week, I'll be posting my second entry in my "Behind the Music" blog series. I'm going to be real and vulnerable and share these stories, with the hope that someone out there will be encouraged.

If you missed my first entry, click here to read the story behind my song, "Beauty." 

It's been almost a year since I released my EP New Day on iTunes and Amazon.

What a blessing it's been to share music with people all over the world! Thank you to everyone who has been there from the beginning - praying for me, encouraging me and never wanting me to give up on my dreams! It can be so overwhelming at times, doing it all on my own, but the messages of encouragement I receive from those who have been touched by a song or word have been the constant drive for me. Thank you from my heart.

I remember when I shipped my first CD across the country (I think it was to Pennsylvania), I didn't know who the person on the other side of the mailbox was... but when I dropped it in I prayed that God would uplift them through the music, just as He did in my life while writing it.

New Day was written in the valley. My first two years of college were tough, as I struggled to find my identity. I dressed like a hippie, mostly to rebel against the cultural norms of fashion, and I fought against "dressing to impress" because I wanted whoever I married one day to love me for me. It was during this time that I wrote the opening track on my EP, "Beauty." I think I enjoyed the "college experience" more than the "college education," and I spent many long hours awake at night praying for God to captivate every part of who I was - "Captivate Me" and "New Day" were both results of this heart-cry. It was also a difficult time as I struggled with my parents divorcing after 21 years of marriage and then a painful separation from my mom when she spent 5 months in jail. Many days crying on my bed birthed, "I Need You," my passionate, anthem to the Lord. Two tracks were inspired by my brother-in-law, Jordan Robinson. "Everything" was written on the bed where he battled cancer for almost a year and "Little One" was my attempt at writing a love song from God to comfort us during our difficult moments. Really the only positive track on the album is, "Right Beside You" and it's fittingly placed at the end. This song was written for my husband at the very beginning of our marriage. It describes the journey from first glance, to side by side for the rest of our lives. I love it... and I love him, so much.

Click to listen to a preview of each track:

Even though this part of the journey of my life is over, I still have these songs as evidence of the testimony of God's grace and power in my life. I'm on a new journey now... and it has only just begun. I look forward to sharing more music with all of you as the years come. I will never quit writing or singing. Even if my audience never grows larger than my own family. It is forever a part of who I am.

**If you haven't received a copy of my album yet, I would love for you to hear it! You can download it for $6.93 on iTunes or Amazon, or if you're interested in a personalized hard copy check out my music tab and click "add to cart" where you can purchase via Paypal.