This year we left on Christmas to spend time with a long time friend Lionel. He and I became friends in 1982 when he was our exchange student. We have remained friends for a long time. He invited my family to come snow ski in the French Alps this year and spend New Year’s Eve with him. It has been an amazing trip.
I was reminded this week that many things in life are incredible, but nothing pleases me more than to spend time with Vickki and Barhon and the rest of my extended family. These days around the table eating and laughing together have blessed me and encouraged me greatly. God has blessed me immensely and Inwill praise him in good times and challenging times. He’s the God of the mountain and the God of the valley.

Christmas is always the busiest time of year for a music director in a church.  It's like you live in a rehearsal and move on to the next one quickly.  You prepare for may hours and then it's time to do the performance.  Most musicians, if truthful would say they struggle with pride, it's just who we are and most people do.  So it's very important to me as a church musician to make sure I always remind myself why I am doing what I am doing. It's because over 25 years ago the Lord called me from a different life path to serve him fully and give my life and my musical skills to Him.  I haven't been perfect by any stretch, and I have made many mistakes along the way, but my heart's desire is to serve the Lord faithfully with all I am and all I have been given.   This week, I had an aha moment.... a couple of times while leading our church choir and our community choir, it was like the spirit tapped me on the shoulder and said.  Look, feel, experience because when you were in your mother's womb, this is what I was knitting you to do.... WOW...  It's indescribable how that feels, but it's such a pat on the back.   I love what I do and I hope the Lord allows me to do it till my last breath here on earth.   I love the Lord and I Love music and this week those two collided with each other in my life.