BST's Blog

Wednesday night was fun. We met early and worked on Pepperdine stuff. It was fun to talk and plan and tell Eve and Philip what a treat it is to be there. We had a great rehearsal.

Afterwards, I had time to catch the last half of Evening Prayers (our Wednesday night assembly). Because of rehearsals for Christmas, then Easter, then recording and now Pepperdine, this was my first one since early fall. What a blessing! WOW! The stations were awesome. There was one for encouragement where we could write encouragement cards to Otter folks who are struggling (their names were on a list). There was another station where Scott Owings and Leland Vickers (one of our elders) stood and received people to pray. They had oil and anointed your head and said in reminder, "The Lord is your Shepherd" and then prayed a blessing. The other station had all kinds of fruit, nuts, bread, etc. It was a table for "feasting and fellowship". People quietly took some of the food while hugging and blessing those around them. Meanwhile a wonderful meditative CD was playing in the background. The evening concluded with worship. JV and Amanda led (JV played piano and sang with Amanda). It was so incredible. Amanda sang "So Are You to Me" and it flowed into "A Shield About Me". It was so beautiful. I found myself just falling to my knees and soaking it in. How I needed that!! I am so grateful for those who help to execute these times on Wednesdays. They are a huge blessing.

Yesterday we all tried desperately to become more "highly effective". I have to say it was the best day yet. That whole book is like sitting through my entry level majors courses at ACU. Go Carley Dodd! I was reminded of a lot of great communication techniques, but still felt convicted that sincerity always wins out over technique. And--sincerity CANNOT be a technique. We had some really great discussions and group time with the staff. It was a very beneficial day.

Last night we worked some solo stuff for the record. Twila Paris is also recording and in the same studio in the room next door. Her stuff was sounding good! She has a new record coming out soon. Anyway--Sheryl nailed "Living Prayer" and JV and Melissa did a great job on the trio with her. We then moved on (MUCH LATER) to "You Were There". That song is a booger. Seriously. It's one of those that--once we really, really get it--will be awesome. It's just really hard. Sheryl laid down the vocal to the first part and then I am singing the middle part of the song. Towards the end of the song the solo switches to Jason. He did an incredible job. There's one part at the end of the song where he goes up to a high b flat and just stays there. It is AWESOME! We're beginning the conference from the first of the book of Matthew. (We hope Donna Hester and Jill Maxwell will come and do their dramatic piece) This song will fit perfectly in that time. I don't want to give anything away--it will be a great weekend! Oct 6-9. Make plans to come.

Tonight I am going back out to lay some more vocals down. I think my mom might come see the studio. She has never gotten to see that part of the process and this studio is so cool, she'll enjoy it.

One of my goals for today is to select and appoint praise team section leaders. We're going to try this and see how it goes. This is more for relational purposes than musical. I'll let you know how it goes. I pray you have a blessed day! Please keep praying for the Shaubs.