NO MORE TEARS
Copyright 2011 The Arts Expressed/Jenna Sorenson

I’ve seen every tear shed
For the pain you feel is real
But, not meant to be lasting.
Countless nights you’ve cried yourself to bed

So I urge you, forgive and forget.
I’ve said it before, move forward to a life without regrets.
When you do, you’ll be as a prisoner set free;
When you do, you will let Me be Me.
I will heal your heart
My dear, I’m a Master at such art.
For every pain, I give you joy.
I’ll give for every tear
One thousand smiles.
I’ll give for every fear
Laughter for miles.
I’ll make your life flawless as a breathtaking song.
Choose Me and through Me remain strong.

Don’t listen to what some say you should be, a lie.
Look to Me and see the treasure I’ve made you to be.
We’ll dance far, far from every fear.
You’ll ask, “Why ever did I cry?”
But for now, I look to the day when I’ll wipe away your every tear.

A DANCE

copyright 2011 The Arts Expressed/Jenna Sorenson

That I could explain the wholeness I feel.

The sound of youthfulness
The sound of love
The sound of courage
The sound of peace
That I hear.

Oh, that I could show you
But, I can’t…it is not something that one beholds with his eyes.
It is a feeling that transcends explanation.

Oh, that peace, so breathtaking and overwhelming
It is wrapped around me – a veil.
It stirs inside me – calm waters.

For a second, I fall…my strength has been washed away.
Now, I am lifted by sound.
I am carried by waves…a spin, a step, a spin, a step.

Seconds turn minutes, and minutes turn hours…a spin, a step, a spin, a step.
Such soulful rhythm overtakes me.
I am undone in this dance of peace.
A spin, a step, a spin, a step…

To Our Tapestry of Miracles

copyright 2011 The Arts Expressed/Jenna Sorenson 

This is the story of you.

The story of what was given to you
Before you were born.

So close your eyes

And picture your life a tapestry.

With brown thread I carefully shaped your frame. Your humanity.

With blue thread I weaved the breath of life. Your freedom.

With an iridescent thread I weaved hope.
To look beyond
 what’s wrong and walk to what’s right when troubles come.
With crystal thread I weave the light in your eyes. So others would be drawn to you.

With a heavy thread of scarlet and pain, my Son rejoiced as He gave his life for You.
That through His pain you would hurt no more and be forever Ours.

At the same time, with thread wet with tears and joy, I weaved into you forgiveness.
This is for you to use when hurt.
Forgive my child, the same way you have been forgiven.
Forgive others and forgive yourself.

With the whitest thread I weaved innocence.
This is for you to know that I do not see what you’ve done or what was done to you.

With purple thread I weaved royalty.
Oh, that crowning moment, when I called you, my daughter, my son!

Our love for you is unending;

How precious were the priceless moments We spent creating you!

Our perfect tapestry.

Still, don’t you know

The time We took in making you?

Oh, that you would know

Your life is unique.
For as We weaved, We created new patterns.

Your royal tapestry hangs in Our court day and night;

Upon a glance We are filled with utmost delight.

Our darling, our child, value your life.

Love,

Your Creator and Savior

The Arts Expressed is looking to fill our unique classes with students of all ages (preschoolers through adult) who desire the skills on their instrument (piano, guitar, bass guitar) to be able to play by ear, as well as enhancing & releasing their ability to create their own music. We have qualified, experienced professional instructors (classically trained, holding degrees & certifications) waiting to equip the musician in you! Call The Arts Expressed at 763-262-2607.

Attention Churches! Are you looking for a resource to enhance the musicianship skills in your worship team members, regardless of age? Call The Arts Expressed(763-262-2607), as we specialize in equipping your musicians with the skills needed to contribute excellence in your church’s worship ministry.

Do you have need of a professional photographer or professional graphic designer with exceptional creative skills for capturing your identity system or facilitating the marketing of a specific artist or event? Call The Arts Expressed (763-262-2607), as we have an on-staff professional photographer, as well as an on-staff professional graphic designer to meet your creative marketing needs.

Are you searching for identity or purpose or do you know someone who is? Are you feeling isolated or growing weary of the culture or peers defining who you are supposed to be? We offer classes that empower you to discover the unique individual you have been created to be, as well as the unique gifts inside you waiting to be discovered, identified, developed, encouraged & shared. Our instructor is a qualified experienced professional, holding four degrees through the doctorate level, author of five books & a curriculum, has recorded three instrumental CD’s with a fourth in progress, married 31 years, parent of six children (three biological & three adopted), & active 30 years in education & ministry.

The Arts Expressed offers a variety of class scheduling to facilitate your busy schedule, as well as mini-sessions for those who are unable to commit to long-term study.

Class schedules run Mondays-Fridays from 3-9 p.m., Saturdays, 9-5 p.m., or by appointment. Call The Arts Expressed today at 763-262-2607

The Arts Expressed also houses a bookstore that contains local authors’ books, local musicians’ CDs, local artists’ art & jewelry, guitar strings & picks, slightly used homeschool curriculum (Don’t see a book on the shelf or need hands-on manipulatives, science projects, etc.? Ask, as we most likely have it.), Christian inspirational books, devotions, etc., & used instruments & gear. We offer some guitar & bass guitar maintenance services as well.

The Arts Expressed is looking forward to launching, equipping, or enriching your journey as as a creative, confident & skillful individual with specific purpose needing to be expressed!

The Arts Expressed is a Christ-focused equipping center for the purpose of identifying and developing gifts, skills and talents in a variety of life areas, with an emphasis on music and the creative arts. The Arts Expressed will offer weekly music instruction, specializing in piano, guitar, and bass guitar, and weekly core classes entitled, ‘I Am A Good Idea,’ focusing on identy, the discovery of individual gifts and talents, and purpose. Monthly seminars will also be offered relating to music, creative arts, writing, graphic design, photography, gifting and talents, psalming, family, and adoption.

Included in our facility will be a bookstore with local authors’ and artists’ CD’s, books, art, photography, graphic design, jewelry, etc., and used homeschool and Christian living books. We will also offer instrument maintenance and repair, and used music equipment.

The Arts Expressed teaching methodology incorporates group instruction at the preschool, beginning and intermediate levels for piano, guitar and bass guitar. Note reading is offered at intermediate and advanced levels for piano, guitar, and bass guitar, as well as private instruction for learning to master the tools of musical excellence, skill and musicianship. Preschool music classes incorporate singing, creative movement, and rhythm/melodic ear training. The Arts Expressed’s unique music instruction methodology encompasses technical facility, ear training and musicianship, releasing individual creativity through spontaneous improvisation and original composition, i.e. creating music, rather than emphasizing reading the music of others. Our teaching method is designed to nurture and release creativity and in skill in students of every age: from the youngest of preschool and K-12 students, to adults of all ages.

I Am A Good Idea classes focus on identity, discovering individual gifts, and purpose. I am a good idea because I am God’s idea. I have been created by my Heavenly Father with unique gifts, interests and talents. The gifts in me are to be identified, equipped, and released for Kingdom purposes to use throughout my entire life.

The Arts Expressed instructor’s biographies are detailed under ‘About Us’ on this site.

The Arts Expressed will also house Jessa Lyn Photography and Jadan Advertising & Design. Jessa Lyn Photography specializes in marketing, musicians, artist promotion, engagements, weddings and graduations, while Jadan Advertising & Design excels in logo design, artist/musician promotion & design, and posters.

We are excited to be launching in the Monticello area and look forward to an exciting year. For more information on classes, lessons, schedules, hours, location, and other questions, please contact us via support@TheArtsExpressed.com or call 763-262-2607. Please share this website information and help us get the word out!

I see the world through the lens of the Kingdom of Heaven, therefore, the prophetic symbolism of the hummingbird is the first thought that comes to mind. I get my resources in order to delve further into the wonder of what I have been so privileged to witness. One of my sources (www.barbiebreathitt.com) reads: “rapid success from a small beginning will be as sweet as honey; ‘flying jewels’; compact, strong muscles: tiniest of all birds, small ideas or concepts may possess much potential and power; high maneuverability to hover; travels at 65 mph then comes to a complete stop; flying forward, straight up and down, sideways, and backwards, obtain nectar and the sweet treasures of life and eat insects. Focus on the good, beauty and joy in people.”

Another states that hummingbirds symbolize freedom, energy, tireless joy, and accomplishing things that are said to be impossible. Also, as a side-note, hummingbirds are the ONLY birds that can fly backwards (http://wiki.answers.com/Q/What_is_the_symbolic_meaning_of_hummingbirds#ixzz1UAHlxJKV).

Finally, (I am unable to locate my source, therefore I won’t quote, but rather, restate), one writes about the tongue of the hummingbird being able to bypass the tough, bitter outer layers of the plant in order to find hidden treasure beneath. (The essence of my book, “I Am A Good Idea,” is all about finding the hidden treasures within each individual!) I also note that these are baby hummingbirds, which always represent birthing; “something new and delicate that is totally dependent upon you taking care of it: a ministry, business in infancy stage; fruitfulness; reproduction (www.barbiebreathitt.com).”

For me, personally, this all has significance, as I have been praying, fasting, and waiting on a number of promises/prophetic prayers and words spoken over me/my family for years. The hummingbirds symbolize both reflecting back, and the ‘suddenlies’ that will take place in my life and in my family moving forward (I believe this for many prayers covering this nation and this generation as well). My eyes well up with tears as I think about the precious way the Holy Spirit chooses to so intimately and personally reveal my Heavenly Father’s answer to heartfelt cries for being His vessel in bringing His Kingdom to come and His will to be done. In the stillness, He clarifies His desires for the season that is at hand.

Years ago, the Lord instructed me to write the vision down, and though it tarried, to wait for it (Habakkuk 2:2-3). He was also clear that I was not to despise small beginnings (Zechariah 4:10). I have spent much of my adult life walking out this vision with the children the Lord has so richly blessed my husband and me with: all six…three biological, including a set of twins, and an adopted sibling group of three (all at once, older and non-English speaking ! I have focused on teaching each one their identity in Christ through His Word, their homeschool curriculum, and through a daily journey called life. This journey has centered around intimately knowing the voice/presence of the Holy Spirit and a desire to live their lives and use their giftings for the Kingdom of Heaven on Earth. I have also focused on identifying and nurturing the specific and unique giftings the Father has placed within each one. We have a drummer/studio musician/audio production specialist, a guitar/bass/graphic designer artist, a vocalist/hip hop dancer/keyboardist/photographer, a gift of helps/creative artist/missionary heart/writer/worshiper, a lyrical dancer/writer/gift of helps/worshiper, and a finder of the lost/gifts of helps/kairos Word from Scripture child…each one unique, each one special, and each one a gift from Heaven sent to Earth to be expression of His nature through their assigned giftings.

The Arts Expressed has been an evolving vision in my spirit and in my heart since the Lord gave me a heart for gifted and talented kids back in college. He has however, shaped the vision into such a portrayal of His beauty that I could not have remotely fathomed or thought of in my own strength. Over the years of walking it out in the homeschooling environment of our six children and in our family ministry, the Lord has brought it to a place where it so much better manifests His heart than my own. He has been teaching me a multitude of things about myself and the depths of the identity His Son purchased for my freedom to be who He has called me, to see myself as my Father sees me through His righteousness and nothing less, and who He has created and gifted me to be as an expression of Heaven on Earth.

From that perspective, He has so clearly emphasized that EVERY individual is gifted, talented, and created with unique purpose for a specific Kingdom assignment here on Earth. He has called me to find and release the limitless treasures He has hidden in others, regardless of age, but especially from the earliest of ages (it’s NEVER too late to discover the gifts He has placed within you!). Through Jesus, the Father has placed infinite good and infinite beauty intentionally to be expressed throughout the Earth through His vessels. He wants all people to know His love and joy (and all of the Fruits of His Spirit), and what better way to manifest His nature to a world in need than through His Son via Holy Spirit via His sons and daughters expressing the vast array of endless creative gifts He has placed within each member of His creation. Every created being is a container for expressing the Father’s inexhaustible creativity. We have each been given the freedom to choose whether to use our God-given gifts for the Kingdom of Heaven or not. The evidence of this is all around us daily. (Please note, that I am not stating that our gifts are to be used exclusively in the church. To the contrary, our gifts are to be used out in the world wherever we’ve been placed. We are to be the Kingdom of Heaven’s sphere of influence – the Church He is building and advancing – (love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control, wisdom, understanding, council, might, knowledge and reverential awe of the Lord) wherever those who don’t yet know Him are!

The Arts Expressed purposes to stir up, discover, nurture, and equip the giftings the Lord has placed within each individual person who seeks to discover their unique and specific purpose here on Earth; the individual assignments given to each one to develop and release. There is no one else who can contribute and share what the Father has created you to express. What an amazing and mind-boggling concept to grasp! I believe The Arts Expressed is going to be a center with high maneuverability that will ‘suddenly’ be propelled into the lives of those who are seeking identity, purpose, and to be an expression of Heaven on Earth through the development of their giftings, talents, and skills in a multitude of areas, but especially in the creative arts. I also believe there will be a non-profit piece to The Arts Expressed that will be created specifically to reach those the world has cast aside; the ones the world labels as ‘orphans,’ and those who feel isolated, alone, or ‘orphaned.’ The Father’s eyes are on each and every one and in Him, there are no orphans, only a family waiting to embrace and love them. He created each and every individual to know and receive the gift of His Son, and through Him, be activated and released in their unique giftings within; to know their specific assignment and to take their place in all He has purposed for this time in His story. His desire is for them to be trained up in the way they should go, follow Him in a vital and living love relationship, as well as develop the skills and giftings He can use to transform the atmospheres of their nations.

In the process, I will be blessed to continue to use my own giftings as a pianist, psalmist, teacher, and writer (as well as wife and mother . The worship, prayer, prophetic giftings, identity in Christ, authority in Christ, and being a daughter who desires to be an expression of her Father’s heart and will, by His Spirit and His Word through His blood, is the foundation of my journey. In Him, I am free to be me, and in Him, I am free indeed! In Him, I am on Earth to be used to release others to walk freely as He made a way for and created them to be: free to love, free to walk in joy and peace, free to be patient/kind/and gentle, free to be self-less, free to be compassionate and merciful…free to be an inexhaustible list of adjectives that express the goodness of Heaven on Earth through who we are in Christ and what’s/Who’s inside of us to express, however we have been gifted to express it!

Yes, I have been blessed with birthing a big vision that contains much Kingdom potential and power (the hummingbirds ). I know the One who is faithful to do what He says He will do, and the One who will bring it to pass, not by might or power, but by His Spirit…SUDDENLY!

P.S. Note: The Arts Expressed also has a unique music instruction methodology that encompasses technical facility, ear training and musicianship in order to develop creativity through spontaneous improvisation and original composition, i.e. creating music. It involves learning to develop the tools of musical excellence and skill, in collaboration with identity/relationship in Christ, facilitating new/original songs, as well as following the leading of the Holy Spirit spontaneously in worship and in ministry.

FYI: mama and papa hummingbird have visited my deck three times since starting this note, and yes, that number has significance, too ! We were blessed to capture a portion of the baby hummingbird experience on video, but unfortunately the file is too large to post on this site, even after condensing the resolution.

Spontaneous Expression Of Creative Arts, Gifts And Talents

History has proven that culture is defined and influenced by the music, art, and literature of the era. The arts and entertainment of the historical period shape the atmosphere of a nation. Liberal arts college students study themes, context and stylistic ideas of the influential voices for each of the Middle Ages, Renaissance, Baroque, Classical, Romantic and 20th century historical periods. Transitioning from the 20th century into the 21st century, media would be added to the list of these culturally defining influences.

We are currently living in an historical period in which the sexual revolution of the 1960′s has contributed much to a culture of declining morality. We are now immersed in a culture of self-centeredness, self-gratification, and destruction. Therefore, it is imperative for us to begin nurturing a Kingdom generation to paint and sculpt life-producing masterpieces and works of art with the eyes of their spirits, revealing to the world the glory of God, the beauty of His Kingdom, and the eternal life He pours outs to all who seek Him. It’s time to encourage this generation to dance unabandonly before the Lover of their souls (2 Samuel 6:14). This is the generation who is to write life-giving songs, poems and stories, and create movies, films, plays, etc., filled with the compassion, love, mercy and justice of the Father. This is the hour to bind, break off and remove the strongholds of death over cities, states and nations through ways that are higher than our ways. We need the revelation of Heaven on behalf of the unborn, the children, the youth, the fatherless, the poor, the needy, the lost, the family, and the Kingdom of Heaven. Art and entertainment forms expressing love, joy, peace, kindness, goodness, gentleness, and life-giving beauty need to reach the masses.

We must focus on Jesus and receive His Kingdom strategies to raise up a generation who seeks to live the life they’ve been given with Kingdom love, Kingdom purpose, Kingdom identity, and Kingdom creativity. We must begin to invade the major sectors of our society with Kingdom life (government, media, education, business, religion, arts and entertainment, and the family). These sectors have been given over to a culture of death for far too long. We must turn our focus toward training up a generation of politicians, journalists, businessmen and women, and educators who possess integrity and moral character flowing from within the Kingdom life of their inner being. The people who know their God can be strong and do mighty exploits (Daniel 11:32). We can transform our society through Kingdom ways and thoughts that are higher than the world’s ways and thoughts (Isaiah 55:8). We don’t have to understand how or why. It is our call to believe, trust and put action to persevering faith (Hebrews 11:1-6).

Transformation to abundant life-producing culture can be done through instruction and impartation of an understanding of God as a loving Father and Creator, and through a revelation of ourselves as His gifts and gift carriers. We are creative spiritual beings who contain the capacity to hear, see, and release the frequencies of Heaven here on Earth because of all that Christ accomplished on our behalf. God sings over us (Zephaniah 3:17), Jesus sings over us (Hebrews 2:12), and Holy Spirit sings over us (Ephesians 5:19 and Colossians 3:16). He’s looking for a generation to sing through.

As the Body of Christ positions itself (purposes frequent times of humble worship, adoration, thanksgiving, praise, and listening individually and corporately), the Father will sing and speak revelation over and through His children in all of the varying creative art forms, as we focus on seeking and listening. The fruit of a personal and on-going relationship with the Lord will become the expression of what Heaven is revealing through individual gifts within.

Hearing And Seeing The Frequencies Of Heaven On Earth

Through the frequencies of His voice, the Lord spoke creation into existence (Genesis 1-2 and John 1:1-5). Man’s ability to hear and see sound and light frequencies in the natural realm is limited. Because we are created eternal spiritual beings who carry creative giftings, we need to apprehend the power of the shed blood of Christ, the power of Holy Spirit, and the practice of hearing and seeing with our spiritual eyes and ears in our spiritual minds and hearts. This ability continues to increase as we align ourselves in Christ. The anointing of Christ in us empowers us to more fully and creatively express His Kingdom come and His will be done (Isaiah 11:2, Revelations 3: 1, and 4:5) on the Earth as it is in Heaven.

The power of sound, color, and words in the spiritual realm encompasses far more than we can comprehend with our natural minds, yet it is important to understand spiritually. The treasure in Jesus contains the supernatural power of Heaven to change the spiritual atmosphere in our environments, which then manifests and transforms our natural environments. Jesus Himself, in Revelations 4:1, invites us to “Come up here, and I will show you things which must take place after this.” We are invited to enter the throne room to see and hear the things Jesus Himself desires to show us. In that place we can be His vessel to bring the glorious things He reveals to us in sight and in sound to the natural realm; to manifest on Earth.

Spontaneous worship and psalming (prophetic worship. soaking and intercessory music), as an example, involves becoming a vessel the Lord can minister through musically (technical skill level), artistically (musicianship), and spiritually (ability to hear, discern and obey) to accomplish manifesting the Kingdom of Heaven in the Earth. Through Jesus Christ we are to carry the fruit of joy, healing, freedom, deliverance, restoration, and all of the abundance of Heaven available to us here and now.

Meditate on the following truths. Our Heavenly Father doesn’t ask us to understand it all, but rather to believe and receive all that the life, death and resurrection of His Son, Jesus Christ, accomplished on our behalf. He then asks us to seek Him, His righteousness, and His Kingdom as we follow the leading of the Holy Spirit within us to accomplish the very things He has called, purposed, gifted, and equipped each of us to do as citizens of the Kingdom of Heaven on the Earth.

Luke 4:17-21 (NLT)
17 The scroll of Isaiah the prophet was handed to him. He unrolled the scroll and found the place where this was written: 18 “The Spirit of the LORD is upon me, for he has anointed me to bring Good News to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim that captives will be released, that the blind will see, that the oppressed will be set free, 19 and that the time of the LORD’s favor has come.” 20 He rolled up the scroll, handed it back to the attendant, and sat down. All eyes in the synagogue looked at him intently. 21Then he began to speak to them. “The Scripture you’ve just heard has been fulfilled this very day!”

John 14:12 (NLT)
“I tell you the truth, anyone who believes in me will do the same works I have done, and even greater works, because I am going to be with the Father.”

Isaiah 55:9 (NLT)
“For just as the heavens are higher than the earth, so my ways are higher than your ways and my thoughts higher than your thoughts.”

The vision for the arts express’d is to equip a generation in Kingdom identity & purpose. In so doing, Kingdom sons & daughters will be passionately in pursuit of the King and His Kingdom on Earth, always available as His vessels to receive creative downloads with which to transform the atmosphere and the nations in which they live. Creative downloads come in all forms: music, art, dance, design, photography, literature, etc. Below is a wonderful example of our daughter being a creative Kingdom vessel. This breathtaking poem was dropped into her spirit supernaturally quickly while working on a class assignment. Be blessed!

An Angel’s Tale
Copyright 2011 Jenna Sorenson/the arts express’d

A lily with no flaws.
Serene lake of glass, every wave moving rhythmically
as if directed by a master composer 

and followed by choirs of youthful angels
playing golden harps and lyres.
Perfection impersonated 

is what some believe heaven to be.
Yes, truth! Still, truth, to some extent
is not a whole truth.

So, I will tell what you may understand.
Yes, there is music and it masterfully composed,
and yes, heaven is peaceful!

Yet, heaven is so much more.
Heaven is a story with no beginning or ending.
My words fail to describe 

the wondrous lands and majestic galaxies.
There is overcoming triumph, we rejoice a victory!
There is overwhelming sadness

when one from Earth is harmed or lost.
I am carried by waves of indigo blue and iridescent white
brushing against the soles of my feet.

Air so crisp, times, and times sharper,
than the sharpest air you've ever breathed.
Water is made of crystals,

I can hold it in my hands
and it melts upon entering my lips.
My thirst is quenched for days,

refreshing my entire being.
Brooks laugh with joy and glee,
silly children with a joke; 

not so funny as they think.
Stop too long, they will try their best to make you laugh.
About the music: 

everything is music!
Hear Wind, he forever whispers a song.
A father singing soothing lullabies, 

"Hush, my dear worries are not for you...
My gift to you a crown of peace,
with  pearls and jades and stones with blue..."

Instruments play themselves
unleashing tidal waves of sound.
The drums' beat call your feet to dance and 

Oh, the rhythm of the bass-
your soul's very heartbeat!
There is always light, but no sun.

He, Creator of heaven and earth,
is the source of all light.
Gates of pearls and emeralds 

gleam like snow under His light.
Streets of endless gold
are the very arms of moonlight.

These are but few of heaven's smallest mysteries.
You ask about me, I have jet black hair
That fall to my shoulders.

I am ten feet tall,
small in comparison to those around me.
I have large and powerful wings,

pure white; embedded with luxurious stones.
If you could see them,
that is how they would appear.

Picture a humming bird,
One of earth's smallest birds.
This creature flies 

and her wings are but a blur.
Mine and everyone else's are similar.
The wings are there, 

just not within your frame of vision.
Now today is a very important day.
As I look down upon the child, I am filled with pride.

How I remember the first day
I was appointed to watch over her.
Poor helpless child, 

wrapped in a dirty blanket!
Taking her first gasps of oxygen,
as her young mother breathed her last.

Dumpster!
What a dirty and awful place for a babe!
Oh, her story reminds me of my Lord, 

when He was born on earth;
His bed was but a dirty manger.
That night, the very first night, 

she spent alone. A forbidding of what was to come?
Drops fell from my eyes
and crashed like fragile glass as they hit the ground.

I stood over her and wept.
Both with joy and sadness, I wept!
My wings were a shield

guarding her from the bitter wind.
A heavy lump climbed my throat.
Still, that night I sang her song;

its very melody runs though her DNA.
Every human being has their very own song,
Not to be replicated by anyone.

Now she is six...
Oh, my little precious and kind hearted beauty!
Never given a name,

used and abused.
Oh, how Fury burned within me,
when I was prevented 

from keeping her from scarring pain!
Those heartless rats!
Faster than the beat of my wings,

I would have run my sword of light through them,
had I only been given the command.
Oh, wretched was I!

Nothing is worse for a Guardian
Than the feeling of helplessness;
not being able to protect his earthly treasure.

Her life on earth is over,
Her destiny not fully reached.
Still, she will do great things. 

Hardship builds character.
Hers is one of kindness.
I have weaved her a garment of gold and

anointed her waist long hair with oil.
Now we go... forward we go!
The past is forgotten,

a vain wisp of smoke in the wind.
I am so proud to present her
to her Heavenly Father, my Lord!

I hold her small hand and we walk forward.
We travel galaxies in seconds
Wind has crowned my little darling and

brooks have made her laugh.
Almost there...forward we go!
We approach His Majesty and I fall to my knees, 

not out of force, but by choice.
Oh, how glad He is to see her precious smile!
He gently kneels at her eye level, and 

with such grace and overwhelming love,
leans over and gently kisses her anointed head.
Then from deep within He sings! 

As the sound of oceans,
He sings her song,
and to my delight she sings back to Him!

Oh blessed I am! What beautiful harmony!
Silence... Do you hear the song is over,
yet, still resonating around us? 

The sound is as drops of rain returning to the sea.
I am shaken to the core!
He smiles a brilliant smile lit by a hundred stars

and says, "Your name, the name I gave
you before you were even born...
Precious, My Precious."

…Petals falling from a red rose into mud
Were those bright red droops of blood…
Miserable, Unbearable, Cruel-Hearted Agony
Her talons dug with such an art.
Yet, not once was heard, “Why me?”…
…Not my will but yours be done!….

To think this was but the beginning of the agony He would suffer for me is more than I can or will ever fully comprehend. So on this day, I remember what my Savior, Jesus Christ, did for me. As King, He lowered himself lower than any earthly servant…why should I do less? I pray for boldness to share the Gospel and humility to serve my friends and neighbors the way my Savior has done for me.
In Jesus name, Amen!

Our oldest son Jaran is currently touring with Hyland playing bass guitar.