2014; Touring again; ..and The Ryman Project!!

Welcome to 2014!  ----    Shouldn't our world look like this by now??

Man, I don't know about you, but I'm sure glad it doesn't look like that.   I'm struggling with the high-tech stuff that we DO have introduced into our lives.  I'm not sure I could figure out how to drive one of those flying cars.  And I'm certain I would program the Robot Maid incorrectly so that she burns dinner and bleaches out the darks instead of the whites.  AND, I'm scared of heights, so I would hate living in one of those houses perched on a pole!!

Anyway.... my goal for 2014 (notice I said "goal", NOT "resolution") is to SIMPLIFY.  I've just got too many things pulling me this way and that way and I feel I don't get anything done in an efficient manner because I'm too distracted.  Do I really need THREE calendars?  Trying to sync up 3 calendars has taken up way too much of my time, so....i'm saying good-bye to one of those calendars and I feel good about it!    I'm cleaning out closets.... and getting rid of anything that I haven't worn in 3 years.  I WILL say good-bye to those jeans I used to love but are 2 sizes too small now.  It's ok.  They'll find a new home and be happy... right?    ---SIMPLIFY.  I'm ON it.  :-)

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My BIG 2014 news is that I will be hitting the road again (finally!).  I have enjoyed staying home the last few years, concentrating on sessions, being a wife, raising Sam, and helping with my parents.  But after talking it over with the family, they have all agreed that they think it's time for me to go back to doing what I love to do, which is performing.    So PLEASE check my calendar on my Official Site and if I'm at a venue near you, PLEASE come see me!  One of the best things about touring is getting to see friends and family while I'm on the road!!  There is nothing better than getting to have lunch with a familiar face while being in an unfamiliar city!

I'm starting the year by performing with the QUEEN, Miss Patty Loveless on a country music cruise in the Caribbean this month.... then flying out to California to meet up with the AWESOME Christopher Cross and his band to do a couple of shows out there.  I'm super-blessed to be working with such amazing artists!  Gonna be FUN!

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One more thing... Many of you have been following the story of our friend Ryman Little and her parents, Jeremy and Brandy.  And many of you have asked how you can help.... Well, here is a WONDERFUL video to check out.  Warning:  Get ready to have a warm, warm heart after watching this!!!  Her little smile is infectious!!   Please feel free to share this video and help spread the word!!  What a great way to raise awareness about organ donation!    Here is "The Ryman Project":

Saying Good-bye to Grandma W. & a Ryman Update

I guess her recurrent use of the phrase "Son of a Gun!" left an impact on our youngest boy, Sam.  He actually ended up dubbing her "Grandma Son-of-a-Gun" to distinguish her from the other grandparents (Sam has ALOT of Grandparents, so you can't blame him for being creative in his names for each one...LoL)   She was a colorful character for sure!   Helen Louise Waldron.  My husband's sweet grandmother. She was a special, special lady and she will definitely be missed by many.  

Helen Louise Waldron
Nov. 21, 1924 - Sept. 4th, 2013

All of the Waldron family truly appreciates all your dear messages of prayer and concern for them during this difficult time.

Speaking of prayer, please keep Ryman Ali Little in your prayers.  For those of you that haven't heard, this sweet little girl needs ANOTHER liver.  Yes, another one.  Please PRAY that one comes SOON as the liver she has right now won't sustain her too long.  For all the updates on Ryman, go here:  www.rymanalilittle.wordpress.com  

 

My friend Juli Maners-Hood reminded me today of a simple truth: 

 "Sometimes we look at prayer as a last resort, but truthfully,  it's the most powerful thing we can do."

Your prayers for the Waldron family as they grieve a great loss... and for Brandy, Jeremy and Ryman Little are SO coveted and appreciated.   Thank you friends!

Love you all... M

Who got a new liver?? THIS girl did!!

So many of you ask about sweet Ryman Ali Little.  I know you've been praying for her, and her parents, Brandy and Jeremy.   

Well... God has heard our prayers!   Ryman got her liver!!!!   For all the updated information on her remarkable journey, you can visit:  www.rymanalilitte.wordpress.com

Also, many of you have asked how to help this amazing family.  A donation page has finally been set up for them.  To help, go here:  http://www.gofundme.com/rymanalilittle

She's truly an amazing little girl..... she's SO STRONG!!!!!!!!

Please continue to pray for her healing.... she still has a long way to go!  And pray for Jeremy and Brandy too.. they have been THE most amazing parents!  God sure knew what He was doing when he gave Ryman to them!!  They ROCK!

Thanks again for all the prayers, donations and support for this precious family!!   I love these kids!!

Love y'all... M

Getting it right in the red.

Such a sweet pleasure to see that so many friends went to Ryman Little's Chick-fil-A night last night to support Ryman, Brandy and Jeremy!!   That's what it's all about folks.   Loving well.   Our preacher reminded us last week that spiritual transformation doesn't show itself in knowledge.  Just because you can spout out a bunch of scripture from memory, or that fact that you can name every book in the bible (in order no less!), or list all the disciples (I always fail that... i try to name Paul in there....)--- all that knowledge will get you nowhere if you don't love well.  

I Corinthians 13:13 - "For right now, until that completeness, we have three things to do to lead us toward that consummation:  Trust steadily in God, Hope unswervingly, and Love extravagantly.  And the best of the three is love."

Well, there sure was alot of extravagant love in the Charlotte Ave. Chick-fil-A last night.  Made my heart smile.  :-)

None of us know how long we have on this earth.  And in the grand scheme of things, even the ones who get to live long lives here are really just experiencing a small blip of what is in store for us.  My friend Juli sent me this video by Frances Chan.  He's one of my favorite speakers, writers, and communicators.... ("Crazy Love", "Forgotten God"... both so good!)  In this video, he gives us a little "Rope Perspective":




So there you have it.  We are living in that tiny little red section right now.  We can't see that big, long white rope in front of us, but it's there alright.  And I truly believe that loving well in the red section is the what God wants from us.  Love God, Love People.  It's pretty simple really.  We humans try to complicate it, but God made it simple.   

And last night... I saw simple, extravagant love at the Chick-fil-A.

And alot of people getting it right in the red.   Beautiful!!   

Chick-fil-A night for our RYMAN!! TONIGHT!!

Many of you have been following Ryman Little's story... tonight, the Chick-fil-A on Charlotte Pike here in Nashville, TN will give donations towards the Ryman Ali Little Fund when you bring THIS VOUCHER in tonight and order your meal!   It's from 5:00 - 8:00pm!   So PRINT this voucher and come get some chicken!!!   It's a win-win!!

For more on Ryman's story and all updates:  www.rymanalilittle.wordpress.com

Ryman Ali Little...

It's Monday morning and I'm up early with a heavy heart, praying for many friends who are hurting right now.  I have been asked to pray for several friends in very specific ways.  They are all equally important and I love being entrusted to pray for my friends.  I take them all very seriously.  Some are going through difficult divorces. Some are caring for aging or sick parents.  Some are grieving a big loss.  Some need jobs....desperately.

And then there is little Ryman..... who is 12 days old and needs a new liver.

Please keep our friends, Jeremy, Brandy and Ryman Ali Little in your prayers this week.  Their story can be found on their blog:  www.rymanalilittle.wordpress.com

Mom and Dad.... Jeremy and Brandy.  God picked out the perfect parents for sweet baby Ryman.

Jeremy and Brandy left Nashville, TN last night - heading for Washington DC, where precious Ryman will be flown today in hopes of getting a new liver soon.  This sweet family has been through SO much in the last couple of weeks.  It would mean SO much if you would add them to your prayer lists for me!  We all know that God is in the middle of this... and Jeremy and Brandy's faith is incredibly inspiring as they fight to save their precious baby girl.  But they need to be COVERED in prayer right now.  I want them to feel the strength that comes from that, because I know that their human strength is being tested greatly.  So would you help me lift them up?   Follow their journey and I guarantee, as you lift them in prayer, you will be lifted up too.  

Our precious little girl..... what a sweet face!!!

Thank you friends....  Love you all...... M