Winter Jam 2015
The lights, the music, the Christian superstars … they all fill the stage for a night of powerful, moving, and Christ-honoring music! Are you ready for Winter Jam 2015?
My family and I first attended Winter Jam with our church a few years ago. We all piled into the big church bus and made our way an hour to Columbia with excitement building the entire way there. Although we arrived early, the line was wrapped around the building! People came from several cities away to hear and see all that Winter Jam had to offer.
I remember seeing Francesca Battistelli for the very first time live on stage that night. What is especially cool is that years later, I came to know Francesca’s mother on a personal level as we co-lead an (In)Courage group together. Awesome, right? I used to love hearing stories about “Franny,” as her mom often referred to her, and the grandchildren.
That night we also saw Tenth Avenue North live on stage. My daughter and I were a part of an interpretive movement group at our church, and we ministered through several of their songs. By Your Side is one of my favorite songs by them, and although many years have passed since we performed sign art to this song, I still remember the movements and go right along with the song whenever it comes on the radio.
We were also introduced to Toby Mac that night and were amazed by his Christian – sometimes rap style – music. Later, our church performed a few hip-hop numbers to his songs. He is still one of our favorite Christian artists today.
Ah, what fond memories!
We are looking forward to Winter Jam again this year as Francesca Battistelli is back! She will be bringing her powerful voice to the stage along with other artists in the line up such as: Skillet, Jeremy Camp, Building 429, Family Force 5, Newsong, For King & Country, Blanca, About A Mile, and Veridia, with speaker Tony Nolan. What’s better than all of these artists in one night on the stage? You get all of these Christian artists, the powerful, Christ-honoring and glorifying music and stage show, all for the price of $10!
Unbelievable, right?
But, It’s true!
This is the best concert around, and you just can’t beat the price!
The Winter Jam tour kicked off on January 2, 2015, and they are coming to a city near you! Interested? Check out their cities and tour dates here.
Make Them Feel Welcome
It matters how you treat people! Make them feel welcome! Whether it’s in your home, at your church, if they are new to the school, or a new employee on the job.
There is a famous quote that talks about how people will forget what you say, and people will forget what you do; however, people will never forget the way you make them feel!
This is so very true.
I remember how it felt a few years back upon entering a huge church with a congregation full to capacity. You’re already anxious about being out of your comfort zone, yet you forge ahead with sweaty palms, almost wringing your hands as you scan the room hoping for a friendly smile, a warm “Hello” … something, anything to show that you are being welcomed into the church. If you don’t feel welcome, the chances of you returning are slim to none.
This was the first impression we had upon attending a church years ago. Despite not feeling welcome at all, except by the preacher that went out of his way to greet us after the service, we continued going back week after week in hopes that we would finally fit in. While that never happened, we stuck it out and even volunteered to be on a committee. We became a part of the GROW team with emphasis on greeting people and making them feel welcome when they stepped foot into the church for the very first time. What greater feeling could there be than to feel welcome into the family of God and to experience the love that Christians are supposed to have one for another?!
It matters how you treat people.
It matters how they feel when they are in your presence.
It matters when you make people feel welcome!
I’ll never forget the incredible welcome I received when meeting my internet friend of 17 years in September of 2014. Debbie, who was fighting breast cancer at the time, welcomed us into her home. I felt as giddy as a school girl as our vehicle came to a stop in front of Debbie’s house. As quickly as I could, I gathered my gift bags and started making my way as calmly as possible to her front door. She was anticipating our arrival, and when she opened the door, immediately the squeals of “Oh my gosh … oh my gosh” were spoken through smiles a mile wide. We had our arms outstretched before we were even close enough to embrace. Now THAT was an incredible welcome! One I truly will never forget. Sadly, my friend lost her battle with cancer in November of 2014, just two short months after finally having the privilege of meeting her in person.
Thank you, dear Debbie, for the most amazing feeling in the entire world when you welcomed me into your home. Years earlier we welcomed each other into our hearts, and although you’re no longer on this earth, you’re still in my heart. I carry you with me, sweet lady. Thank you for the gift of 17 beautiful years of the greatest friendship I’ve ever known.
Join us weekly for Five Minute Fridays over at Kate’s virtual house.
On A Cold January Day
One of my greatest blessings came to me on a cold January day. It was the year 1997, and I was pregnant with my darling angel sent straight from Heaven above.
Feeling a little scared, but more excited than anything, we made our way to the hospital where I would be induced at 5:30 A.M. I did not mind what was to come, although I was in labor all day and into the night. Why, you may ask? Because I knew that after the labor pains subsided, I would hear the most beautiful sound; the cry of my first born daughter.
But … she had a surprise in store for us all!
At 10:26 P.M., she came into this world without a single sound. Not a peep was heard out of my darling newborn.
Fear and panic set in as the medical team worked to clear my daughter’s airway. Having just seen the movie The Hand That Rocks The Cradle did NOT help the feelings welling up inside of me. (If you’ve watched it, you’ll recall the scene I’m speaking of!)
Oh how I wanted to hold my daughter!
My blood pressure began to drop, and the medical team then began to worry about me as well. I remember crying and saying, “I just want to hold my baby … can I hold my baby …” as the nurses were getting ready to take my baby out of the room.
Finally, the doctor demanded, “Let her hold her baby!! Now!”
This beautiful 5 lb. 15 1/2 oz. baby girl was placed into my arms, and something wonderful happened. Not only did our bond solidify at that moment in time, but my blood pressure increased at a rate that the doctor said he’s never seen before.
I held my baby, smiling as I looked into her deep blue eyes and knew what was meant by love at first sight.
Ah, but in reality, I loved her way before then! I loved this little baby from the moment I found out I was pregnant. I love her still, and I always will!
It is so hard to believe that this little bundle of joy has grown from a little girl with blonde hair bouncing around the house to a brilliant, talented, and gorgeous young woman!
Ladies and gentleman, my daughter is an adult now!
Whoa …
I need a moment after letting that sink in.
She is no longer a baby but a grown woman!
Wow.
And it seemed to have happened over night, too.
On that cold January day 18 years old, an angel came to save me. And that she has! No matter what has happened in my life through these years, with a long, grueling divorce, to losing my sister in the most heartbreaking way possible (suicide), having a ruptured ectopic pregnancy resulting in the loss of one of my tubes and my chances of getting pregnant again reduced to 50%, to bullying that took place at the hands of coworkers, to remarrying but then having a bit of a rocky year in 2014, my angel has always been there – rock solid and as strong as ever giving me all of her strength in those beautiful blue eyes of hers and in those loving arms that would wrap around my neck tightly. All is right in the world when my daughter smiles at me and says, “I love you, Mommy!” Yes … even at age 18 she will occasionally still call me Mommy.
Oh how I love her! This little baby turned toddler, running around in all of her childlike wonder, leaped into her teenage years where she sought her independence, and is now dragging her heels not wishing to become an adult just yet but having no other choice as she turns 18 years old as the clock strikes 10:26 P.M. tonight.
God, thank you for sending me one of your angels straight from Heaven. Thank you for allowing me to be her mother and for us to form a beautiful family unit when I remarried the love of my life when my darling was four years old. She didn’t have to come from a broken home after all, and she didn’t. We became a family in 2002, and tears fill my eyes as I think of my husband getting down on one knee on her level to present her with a beautiful ballerina necklace as part of our wedding ceremony to symbolize the family unit. Dear Father, thank you for allowing me, despite the ruptured ectopic pregnancy and the odds stacked against us, to deliver another beautiful blue eyed miracle baby in 2004 to complete our family. Oh God, how I thank you and praise you for the many blessings in our lives – the greatest blessings that I call my daughters. Please continue to keep Your Mighty Hand upon them and keep them safe. We love them so much, and we love you, too, Jesus. Thank you from the bottom of my heart for allowing me to raise this angel on earth. Amen
