December news

Dec. 2013   

 The holiday season is upon us, and as usual, this time of year leaves me feeling pretty melancholy.  There is so much about this season that makes me extra joyful and thankful. I have been blessed with so much! It also brings to the forefront that there are many people out there without the basic comforts that I take for granted each day.  Sometimes, the needs seem so overwhelming that it’s easy to just walk away, or ignore the situation in front of you, feeling like the little bit that you can do wouldn’t really make a big difference anyway.  I’ve definitely been guilty of that in the past…. But no more.  I’ve been praying for the Good Lord to convict my heart when there is a need around me that I can meet no matter how big or small.   And if you are looking for something that you can do to make a difference for someone this year, please take a moment and consider a few of these needs that have been tugging on my heart lately.

1.) Matteo Chavez – You can help this family help their sweet little boy. (I blogged about Mateo recently here.) On DEC. 2^nd, from midnight to midnight, you can text to donate a $5 donation to help them get an Autism Service Dog that he desperately needs! 


Please consider doing this….

$5.00 is donated per text you can do it up to 5 times , you have to reply ,yes when you get a confirmation text back! 

That’s giving up one Starbucks Latte to help someone in need!  Please don’t think “My $5 won’t really make a difference”, because IT WILL!!  If you miss this opportunity on Dec. 2^nd, the family has a FirstGiving.com page set up so you can donate to Mateo’s fund anytime! 


“It’s not how much we give but how much love we put into giving.”

2.)Beautiful Feet Global Outreach – I’m on the Board of Directors for this wonderful organization and we could REALLY use your help!  There are many different ways you can help us.  A one time donation, helping with our Chicken Project, becoming a regular monthly giver, or joining our “Adopt A Child” program.  Everything is tax deductible, so if you are looking for a tax break before the end of the year hits… please consider our worthy organization!   You can also donate just by shopping online at Amazon by using THIS LINK to our Lambshops site.  All you have to do is SHOP.... it will cost you NOTHING and a percentage of everything you purchase will be donated towards BFGO!  

“No one is useless in this world who lightens the burdens of another.”

3.)Alive Hospice – When I lost my dear Mother this year, we were so lucky to get to spend her last few days at Alive Hospice.  This is an amazing place, helping so many transition with dignity and grace.  When Mother passed, I asked people to donate to Alive Hospice in lieu of flowers, and I would still ask anyone who might be willing to donate in her name, or in the name of another loved one to do that before the end of the year.  It’s truly a special, special place.

“A kind gesture can reach a wound that only compassion can heal.”
  
Ok… down to business…. Only one show this month, but it’s a BIG ONE!   The annual “Twelve Against Nature/Make Me Smile” Supershow is Saturday, Dec. 7^th at 3^rd and Lindsley.  Come early, have dinner, and enjoy the music of “Chicago” and “Steely Dan” performed by some of Nashville’s top musicians.  It’s always a fantastic evening!


As each year comes to a close, I always look back with a grateful heart that God has gifted me with such amazing friends and family.  Thank you all for being a part of my 2013.  I wish you all a Merry Christmas, Happy Hanukkah, and all-around wonderful holiday season. 

"If you wait until you can do everything for everybody, instead of something for somebody, you’ll end up not doing nothing for nobody.”

Let the season of giving begin!! 

Love y’all….. M

It's August already?? Time for an update!

So I must say..... August hasn't started off exactly the way I wanted it to.   I don't remember blocking off Aug. 4th - 8th for "Stay in bed with horrible stomach virus", but that's what I did.  Yuck.  Anyway....

BEFORE the dreaded stomach virus hit me, I DID get to do one gig that has become an annual event, and it's one that my husband and I always look forward to doing.  It's a benefit in Cadiz, KY for the "Back to Back Foundation".  Our friends, Brice and Carie Long started this non-profit organization about 9 years ago so they could help out needy families who couldn't afford Christmas gifts each year.  It's truly a remarkable thing to watch 2 people (Brice and Carie) start out with a dream of how they could make a difference in this world, and then actually carry their dream forward into a reality.  With the help of so many local companies, radio stations, business owners, friends and family... they spread the word and have grown this Foundation into a wonderful blessing for that community.  I'm so proud of Brice and Carie and everyone involved with the Back to Back Foundation!!

Doing that show reminded me that giving BACK to this world is what really matters.  It matters to those that receive the gift, but I believe it makes an even bigger impact on the giver.   There is nothing more rewarding than the feeling you get from knowing that YOU made a difference in someone's life.  I had a friend recently tell me that she always felt like there wasn't anything she could do that could make that big of a difference for someone else.  She had convinced herself that she had no special talent, or specific gift that made her unique.  However, what she realized, (after loading herself up in a van with a bunch of strangers to serve those in Oklahoma who needed help after the recent batch of destructive tornados), was that just DOING something... anything.... is the biggest part in making a difference.  Anyone could have done what she did.... But SHE did it.   SHE took the step.  SHE got on that van and helped.

One of the things I have learned is that when I'm feeling down about things in MY life, taking the time to look around and meet a need for someone else is the BEST thing to making me feel better.  Isn't that funny how that works?   Doing something for someone else actually cures MY blues.

So... if you are feeling down a bit.... I've got something you can do to lift your spirits, in more ways than one!   My friend Megan James and her husband Josh Garrett are in the process of bringing their adopted children home from the orphanage that has been caring for them.   Megan and Josh are adopting 4 beautiful siblings from The Raining Season in Sierra Leone, West Africa.  Megan is an amazing singer/songwriter and she has just released a beautiful EP filled with wonderful songs that I know you will love.  All the proceeds from the title track will go to The Raining Season, and the rest of the proceeds will go towards helping Megan and Josh bring their children here to their forever home.  Now see... don't you wanna help this sweet family out??   PLUS, you help yourself out by getting an EP full of great music!  WIN-WIN!!  --- You can download her album here:  https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/love-outside-the-lines-ep/id668214017

On another, totally un-related note:   I should  be singing with "Twelve Against Nature" this Friday night at 3rd and Lindsley, here in Nashville.  AND.. the amazing Michael Omartian will be sitting in with us on keys!!   If you like the music of Steely Dan, you do NOT want to miss this!   Just PRAY that this stomach bug I have is gone so that I don't have to miss it either!!!!   It's gonna be AWESOME!!