Archives for September 2010

RESPECT – I want my life to show that you’re important to me!

There’s a new project a brewing that involves writing a song each month that corresponds to the core virtue as outlined in the curriculum we’re using for KidJam at SSCC – our church. Kidjam is the program for 1st through 5th graders.

I have loved this songwriting project – it is extremely stretching. Not only are we having to write on an elementary school level but in order to be able to write a simple lyric I have to understand all that I can about the virtue.  Some other criteria for the songs are :

1) Easily singable for a 1st through 5th grader

2) Understandable for a 1st through 5th grader

3) Upbeat and able to be acted out

4) Keyed in a range that kids can easily sing

5) CATCHY CATCHY CATCHY… melodies that grow on your like mold… can’t shake’em whether you like it or not.

These are standards I have put in place as guidelines for writing the virtue song each month. I also pulled some knowledge from my good ‘ole teaching degree and five years of teaching kindergarten.

I am also learning to write and rewrite according to critiques. For example our first draft of RESPECT 2010 was sent to the reviewers and the verses were vetoed – they thought the Bible story we were illustrating was over an elementary level of understanding. So we rewrote it and made it even better!

One of our main missions with all our ministry endeavors is to empower and equip others in their worship… with that in mind it was a true gift to be able to bring in several 6th graders for a “gang vocal” session. I was overjoyed to see how exciting the experience was for them.

The Kid Jam folks did choose to use our song this month to illustrate respect. The first week Shannon and I taught it with live instruments – it went pretty well. However I realized it would probably catch on better with some simple choreography. The KidJam songs are usually done with a team of people dancing and singing and encouraging the children to join in. Since the normal choreographer was out of town and unable to work out the song I was asked to present the song and come up with the choreography – frightening but incredibly fulfilling at the same time constructing motions for a song I WROTE! I ended up getting together with another girl and coming up with simple moves for the song. I led it Sunday over the track with the headset mic… we had a team of four girls and I have to say it was incredible watching those kids get into the song. They were singing and emulating our motions. I quickly learned to tone down my aerobic movement so I could still sing!

This month’s song about passed the test with my two and four year old. Granted they heard some serious repetition while this song was being mixed but they genuinely seem to understand the character trait. We seem to talk about showing respect almost daily. They will quickly sing “R.E.S.P.E.C.T. I want my life to show that your important to me!” when we are dealing with disrespect. Kenimer has explained to me that if he interrupts when Tucker is talking then Tucker thinks he is not important to Kenimer – it is absolutely precious to hear him verbalize this stuff. Needless to say I have spent hours learning and reading about all avenues of respect. I am amazed at how greatly I have been enriched. There have also been times when I have responded to Shannon rudely and the lyric runs through my head  “I want my life to show that your important to me“.

At the moment I am deep in study about next month’s virtue – Initiative. I am learning all about how to instill an enterprising spirit in our little ones… and then I spend a few moments examining my own heart and asking the Lord to give me courage to take initiative.

Stay tuned for more virtue songs- take a listen to Respect

RESPECT 2010 by Hope Farm Kids by SaintLewis Sep 20, 2010 11:00 PM

This is what we found our family driving into on our way to Ohio a few weeks ago. The sky looked so angry and I wished we were pulling up to the in-laws house sooner rather than later. Usually, when the the skies are raging I want to get away – get inside and get out of the way – oftentimes plans are forfeited due to storms.

I have been thinking a lot about storms in terms of internal storms – the storms that rage inside and are often termed as fear, anxiety, depression, and so on. We have all heard the old folk tales that thunder and lightning mean God is angry and rain signals God’s tears. I don’t believe it’s altogether true but I do believe it can seem that way. When trials hit us from every direction we often think God has his fist raised at us. At least that’s how it feels.

Recently, Saint Lewis – my husband and I’s band – led a worship night out of town, bringing our usual band whom we often gig with, when available. One other band-wife had come up as well, so I went over to talk to her afterward. Soon, the rest of the guys had joined and we were all catching up on life.

Through questions and casual conversation I learned that some of us had been fighting physical/medical storm for months – had even played out with the rest of us a few times – and we had no idea. Consequently we probably hadn’t talked much about our personal lives. We were always busy with rehearsal and music related things.

We shared our related struggles and possible solutions, then gathered around and prayed as a group. We offered support, encouragement and thankfulness for letting us know. Once on the road, Shannon and I talked about how strengthening it is to share others trials and battles.

This thought was also sparked by my friend Mandy’s recent blog – she simply invited people to anonymously comment about anything, but what erupted were countless comments that showing deep pain, fear, and the feeling that it all had to be covered up. The confessions were numbing.

On the other hand, Shannon recently received a text message from a dear friend who stated, “I am reaching out to some guys to help support and hold me up during this time.” He expressed the depth of the situation and asked for help. I had recently spoken to his wife who expressed the need for people to walk with them through this journey. We knew of their burdens but didn’t know the details. We were so encouraged to be invited into their life in that way. We brainstormed ways we could help and made a decision to spend some quality time with them on a regular basis. This is community. This is living life together.

We are not meant to face storms alone. We are not meant to live in the shadows. Fear and anxiety can wreak havoc on our effectiveness in life, even more so if we stay closed up and secretive about them. Fear, anxiety, worthlessness, feelings of rejection – all serious things that can lead to greater problems if we don’t process them. People don’t often know what is going on with us unless we reach out. We are so good at putting on the mask and acting like it’s all fine and dandy.

Confession is good. I love how my friend responded to the heart wrenching confessions on her blog- here.

As we reach out with an invitation to open up, We are releasing real power to people who are living in the shadows. We were not meant to do this alone. I am further challenged to remain mask-less and be real with people. After all, that’s what I seek in relationships: transparency & authenticity. Let’s be true and honest – for that is when true healing comes.

It’s been almost a year since Kenimer was dismissed from speech therapy. Much to my delight he kept a few cute-isms in his speech. I feel a bit of grief when he self-corrects some words because its just so darn cute.<br />
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One of our faves: <strong>Birp-Pay</strong>- translation: Birthday.<br />
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September 14, is the grand day! Though we celebrated with a party on Sunday (another post) we are also continuing the festivities today. He started off the morning with a breakfast date with daddy before school. Then some school fun and two friend visits during the day! We commemorated his birthday with a family dinner/party tonight!<br />
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I snapped these right before heading out to his Birp-Pay party!<br />

I scored this vintage blue suitcase Saturday at an estate sale. It was under a dollar. Isn’t it lovely? The suitcase held the goody bags for his party. The blue shirt he is sporting was given to me by my hubands mother. It was <em>my husband’s</em> when he was five! It has a vintage sears tag in it and is’s a  size 5.  My mother-in-law knows how I love old things, so she periodically surprises me with things from Shannon’s childhood that are <em>true</em> vintage. I treasure these items!<br />

Kenimer is a true joy these days.  The best part about planning his party was how enthused he was about it all. He told me a million times he had the best birp-pay and that I was the best mommy ever! He is really growing up and his personality is awesome! He is such a people-person, outgoing and friendly (most of the time)! <br />
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As of lately he has been learning about respect, We wrote and recorded a childrens song called R.E.S.P.E.C.T. a few weeks ago for a project and he knows every word. He is also quick to tell you that you’re not showing respect. <br />
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Example: I interrupted him recently and he said “<em>Mama, your <strong>rupting</strong> me. That’s not showing respect.</em>” I apologized and validated his point, when he said “<em>It’s ok mama, God still loves you when you make a <strong>atake</strong></em>” (mistake). I thanked him for the reassurance. <br />
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He still has his fair share of mistakes and disrespectful moments but he desires to please God and that is absolutely precious. He writes his name beautifully and is beginning to learn to read. He is beyond amazing and I love him dearly! I can’t believe he is five! Oh – did I mention that he asked me if I would take some pictures of him with the balloons, he said “<em>I want to model for you!</em>” What?! He is the bomb!<br />
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An old but familiar song lyric by John Mark McMillan raced through my mind as I examined this scene through my lens. The cracks in the asphalt were strangely intriguing and beautiful to me. I crept down to try to get the right angle all the while I was nearly lying on the sidewalk, then again I heard the lyric…

Hope grows between the cracks in the Asphalt…

I wondered how long before green life would poke through these cracks and I simultaneously wondered how quickly a gardener would come and snip the weed away.

I wondered if Glynn County had plans to replace the bubbling and cracking asphalt.

The thought evoked sadness as I thought the naturally occurring splits to be lovely.

I have been noticing that when I get inspired and have a creative idea I am quickly apt to push it aside- common idea killers such as “ I don’t have the time”, “I don’t have the resources”, are often blockades that prevent me from developing ideas.

Usually my best ideas come at the most inopportune times. In the car, while making dinner, and so on. Just like the green stuff that pokes through the cracks in the sidewalk. That green life is poking through at the most inopportune place, but still they grow, they push through and rear their heads to grow until the weedeater comes around- and then they come again.

Since my time is limited these days I have come up with a few practical solutions.

1: I keep a small sketch pad nearby so I can quickly draw what I am imagining then I quickly jot down what it is. I do this because if I am too vague I can’t remember what I was thinking.

2. If I am in the car/ in the pick-up line at school, at the store etc. I send a text message to my hubby. He also does this with me- we know that these are simply ideas to keep somewhere. We always save them!

3. When ideas are flooding my mind, I also keep a journal on my computer and beside my bed to jot down and clear my mind… then I refer to when need be.

4. I also look for accountability. Currently I attend a songwriting circle with several girls. We keep each other on track with goals while collaborating.

Jesus has been quietly whispering to my soul to be a good steward of the ideas he has given me. To act on them and to take initiative.

So just like the hope growing between the cracks we are creative beings and our ideas and expressions while infused with the Holy Spirit are what bring his kingdom to earth. I pray that I will have the ability to create and write without fear and do so in the midst of obstacles!

As a follower of Christ, I pray that I exhibit freshness and divine inpsiration in all that I do!

As I examined the picture, I realized that hope truly grows where you least expect it to…

So in the midst of your crazy life where do you see hope? Think about it.

Happy Monday {Love-CyleAugusta}