My Song in the Night

The Lost Get Found -- Britt Nicole

Ok, my friends. I am in love with Britt Nicole's music and I wanted to let you know about her. She is an amazing Christian Contemporary artist and her music just speaks to my heart.

Why do I love her music so much? It's HONEST. Honest about imperfections and weaknesses, but also honest about the truth that God is real and He can heal us and help us with anything.

Check out her new music video below "The Lost Get Found." You can listen to more of her music here. My favorites are "Walk on the Water", "Safe," and "Have Your Way" which you can buy on iTunes.

From the richest to the poorest

Scott and Brian before leaving the MTC

As you may know, both of my twin brothers are serving two-year missions for our church, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. They are both serving in Chile. They've been there for two weeks now and are learning so much. Scotty shared a beautiful experience with me today in his email. He said:

"At about 9:30 pm the night before, Elder Killian and I were walking in the street and this drunk woman or baracha stopped us and was really sincere about asking for help to stop drinking. So we set up an appointment to teach her at her home the next day. To make a long story short, we went there to teach her the next day.

We went to Pasaje 1 in Chiloe and found Ana´s home, a little one room shack made of plywood and other scraps that had a sheet for a door. We sat outside on a log and taught Ana about the Atonement of Jesus Christ and how it could help her stop drinking. And how nothing is impossible with God as it says in Luke 1:37. She really liked what we had to say and she said she would start praying for Gods help in stopping her addiction.

The lesson was great, but the greater lesson I learned from this was that all people from the very rich to the very very poor, like Ana, need the help of God in their life. I had never seen such primitive living conditions, even here in Chile and I judged Ana before the lesson on the way her house looked. But after the lesson I realized that the size or shape of one's house isn´t important at all and that all people are equal."

That really hit me. From the richest to the poorest, every single person needs God in their life. I know that wherever we are, whatever our circumstances, we all have one thing in common--we need God. I've felt how much I need Him and how much I need His love. When I feel His love, it gives me energy to do anything. It gives me strength beyond my own and it is the best feeling in the world.

I feel and see His love in the sunshine, in the warm smile of a friend, in the wind, the colors of the autumn leaves, music, in learning, in the taste of chocolate :) and in so many things! Heavenly Father reminds us how infinite His love is for us. He is all around us--we just need to seek Him and we will find Him everywhere.

This is one of my favorite songs ever put to a beautiful video. Take a minute to watch it and to reflect on how you feel God's love every day. Feel free to comment and share your thoughts.

Lessons Learned from Tinkerbell

True fact: Sometimes you just need a good girls’ night. I had a much needed girls' night yesterday with one of my best friends. We ordered pizza, talked about boys, and watched Tinkerbell. (Another true fact: I love pizza. And I might have eaten a lot of it yesterday.) LOVED this movie! It’s clean, great animation, great music and an awesome message = that equals my kind of movie! Definitely worth watching.

Sometimes I think I’m like Tinkerbell...let me explain. Tink is a tinker – she fixes things. But she didn’t feel like that was important in comparison to the other fairies that got to go to the main land when seasons changed. So she got some other fairies to teach her their talent, but it didn’t work. She spent so much time looking at others gifts but she was neglecting her unique and important talent, and what she really loved deep down.

But she finally realized her talent for fixing things. When she was using her talent to help others, she was happy. She was just being herself.

I think it’s very easy for anyone to be like Tinkerbell was, but we don’t have to be just like so and so. I am unique. You are unique. We each have something so important to offer. And I know God will help us as we find our gifts and He’ll help us know how to use them.

If you don’t want to watch the whole movie, here’s a clip from it that I love. It’s at the climax of the movie where Tink is trying so hard to prove herself to the other fairies, but then she discovers…well, you’ll just have to watch…

“Your talent makes you who you are. You should be proud of it.”-Tinkerbell

Thanks, Tink. I needed the reminder.

School is cool. Homework rules?

School is in session! I've been doing homework all day--listening to Haydn, Gluck, Stamitz, Mozart, and other amazing composers for my music history exam. Some of their pieces can sound so similar on the test so I listen over and over. My favorite is John Gay's..."My heart was so free, it roved like a bee!" haha It makes me smile. Maybe I should use language like that in my songs....hmmm...

I love learning and stretching myself and my classes are definitely doing that this semester. I haven't posted in a while but will do better. In the meantime, here are links to my weekly music blogs for MormonTimes.com which I absolutely love writing. Here are a few of the most recent ones--check em out! If you're looking for fresh new music, you might find something you like there. :) Loves!

On tour with Truman
Lowe does 3rd tour with David Archuleta
Faith-promoting music from fellow Christians
Musicians, community combine for great cause
Summer showcase finalists seek to uplift

Make You Feel My Love [cover]

Thanks everyone who came to the Hammer Hands LIVE Playlist Concert Tuesday Night! It was one of my favorite shows ever, and that's because YOU guys are awesome. My friend, Chris, recorded "Make You Feel My Love" from that night so I wanted to share it with you. It's one of my favorite romantic songs. I remember first hearing it at the drive-in in NY when I saw "Hope Floats." Thank you Bob Dylan for writing this gorgeous song!!

Natachia Li joined me for a couple songs on the cello and it was so beautiful. I love the warmth and depth the cello brings. Hope you enjoy this and that you're doing well!

Brian Regan Ab Workout

I'm home in Montana for a few days and my family and I have been watching some Brian Regan videos. He is hilarious. Watching his videos is a great ab workout too ;) Here's one of my favorites...