hope all of you reading this have had an exciting, adventure filled journey this past six months! My journey has definitely been exciting.
This past summer I was in studio again with a new project that tells the Christmas story.........YES, a Christmas CD! I'd rather call it a worship CD that emphasizes the Christmas story! I decided this time I wanted to have more input into the actual production, but wanted a team effort, so I contacted Graham Ord (a Vineyard worship leader known for his songs "I Believe" and "As Far As The East Is From The West"). I had heard Graham's Waiting CD and was so impressed with the worldbeat overtones and how it brought you to a place of meditation and prayer. I'd also met Graham at a Festival and was so blessed by his heart of worship. He was excited about being involved and suggested we fly in a friend of his from England whom he'd worked with for many years (did I tell you that Graham's a Brit?). So our team grew to 3 with the addition of Adam Dickens. Adam is one of those talented people that are good at everything they do but don't boast about it! He actually came into the studio with 2 songs almost ready for vocals after just hearing my incredibly bad rough mixes. Sandra Schultz came in to be our tech (she's from Vancouver) and was a great help. We spent so much time laughing, I can hardly believe we got all our work done! We originally were going to do 9 songs with a instrumental reprise at the end, but had some extra time and Graham suggested the Huron Carol be added. I am SO glad he did. The Huron Carol is an old song from the 16th century written by a Monk who came to Quebec to work with the Native Indians. He knew that the way to reach the Natives was to tell the Jesus story from their cultural perspective... very discerning and not what most missionaries were doing. SO he wrote the carol about Jesus being found in beaver pelts and hunters finding him and chiefs visiting him. I'm so glad we did that carol as it expresses for me, God's heart to the indigenous peoples of the world. I've written 8 of the 11 songs on the album, Graham wrote 1 plus there are 2 carols. I hope you enjoy it as much as I did making it!
On September 25th, Randy and I left for Northern Ireland to work with James Ryle at a Conference in Bangor, just outside of Belfast. And again I gush, because it was such an awesome time! We were working with a church called West Bangor Presbyterian, whose senior pastors are Charles and Barbara McMullen. The people of N. Ireland are so warm and welcoming, we felt right at home immediately. They share a similiar sense of humour to us Canadians and of course, there's a strong celtic influence in Canadian music (and mine) that is a direct result of all the immigrants that came from Ireland and the rest of the UK. They so embraced us that it was very hard to leave and come home! The worship team I worked with had such a hunger for God and it was a blessing to work with them. AND I tell you, can those people sing! They might not know the song, but that didn't stop them from trying and so they learned all the new songs very quickly......and we're talking about EVERY generation. One morning I lead worship at a senior group and it was one of the highlites for me! James Ryle spoke on the church and how you always knew it should be. I felt it was a very timely teaching for every church and James is always such a pleasure to work with! Charles graciously took us around the Island to see some of the sights and it is so gorgeous there (though the sun only shone 2-3 days out of the 11 we were there...... doesn't seem to dampen the Irish spirit or sense of humour!). I've posted some photos on my website to give you an idea of what we did and the beauty of the land. I hope and pray that I can go back and soon!
Randy is still busy in construction here in Calgary and the kids are back in school, plugging away. Jordan is planning on graduating in January and not sure of his plans after that.......though he'd like to pursue a career in music. Vanya had a great summer in England and hopes to go back again next summer. Adam, well Adam is the life of the party and had a great summer at camp and with friends. I have a very busy fall ahead of me and I'm also looking forward to going to Breakforth 2003 in January/February. Well, that's a little bit of what's been happening in my life and ministry this past few months. I am reminded again how God answers our heart's desires, though not always the way we expect or in our timing. He truly is a faithful friend and Father.
May God bless you, one and all!
Until next time
Lianna
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