"A falling star fell from your heart and landed in my eyes..."

Yet again it is time for another CMC LIVE. We are quickly approaching tour and thanksgiving break. There are three weeks till tour as of today which completely blows my mind. How can time go so quickly when it seems like just yesterday it was several months till I'd be home, now it is merely weeks. Tomorrow will be the day where we put together the "tour package" i.e the artists/bands that will be playing. This will be challenging but hopefully it will go over smoothly.

Today we went for a hike through a park for our exec class and we all got a chance to talk about things. That is why I love being here, we get to do fun spontaneous things like that. It really helps us to not become bored and stagnant. Even though I am usually a person who has to know what exactly is going on, not knowing sometimes is quite a blessing. 

Tonight is going to be a long night for me because one of my artists Justin is recording from 10pm-8am!! I will try to be there as long as I can. I have actually never stayed up that late before. So it will certainly be an adventure. Then my other artist Lizzy is recording from 10pm-2am Friday. The reason for this late recording is that the artist's first master recordings as due Monday, and since we had a late start getting into the studio... It has made it hard since the recording process can be tedious at times. I have noticed that drums seem to take the longest to mic and get set up. Also we only get one three hour recording session per week unless you book extra time. Three hours really isn't a lot of time to be honest. Even with all of this I think that my artist's will be just fine, their masters are going really well. 

I find myself increasingly being worn out. All this staying up late is beginning to catch up with me. But still I am trying to do my best to keep my head above water. I am trying to find time each day to where I can rest in the moment and just relax. So far so good, especially this week since I don't have an artist or a job. Such a BLESSING! I am going to really start digging into those publishing books, I have learned so much already about it. Also I ordered a book of Van Gogh's letters which I am looking forward to reading. 

One last bit of thinking I have done is to tell myself that God is truly bigger than any bad day I am having or any uncertain thoughts I have. It's good to know He's got it under control and that He knows where I am heading. Thank you God. 

<3 MusicMajor11

"Our God is greater, our God is stronger, God You are higher than any other..."

This weekend I had a wonderful time bonding with my roommates over fall food and mall shopping :-D I truly love those girls, they are so awesome. I am so blessed to be with such fantastic roommates! Sunday was a good day as well because I got to spend time with another friend, Rachel. We baked together which was a real blast. She really inspires me, she came to CMC thinking about working in music and now she knows that baking is her calling! I really hope that she gets into culinary school because she will blow them away! I am so happy for her. It's so nice to get to know people on another level. 

Monday was a day of business as we talked about our up and coming tour which is three weeks away from this Thursday, it's so hard to believe! I am on the marketing team and I am the merch manager for the tour which makes me really excited. It is going to be an experience of a lifetime! Even though I know that my calling isn't on the road it will still be a great time for me to grow and learn. I can't confirm the schools that we are visiting yet because they are not 100% certain but I will post them as soon as I know. It's going to be awesome, CMC Tour 2010! 

One sad note among all the happiness is that tensions are running high among everybody. I really think it is getting to the stressful point in the semester where everyone is taking it out on others. I try my best to stay out of the conflicts and provide positive energy but its hard sometimes. I really hate to see people not getting along, it breaks my heart. I just pray that God intervenes into these situations and causes hearts to be softened. But conflict is a part of living in a community like this. The important thing will be how we all deal with it and get it resolved. 

Today was a awesome day, one reason for that is I got to record my clarinet! My artist/friend Lizzy is doing a master recording of her original song. She performed it this past Thursday and she so graciously asked me to be involved! I was so excited about being asked to play let alone record. I had such a rush of energy recording today. It was so awesome to have the mics around my clarinet and the headphones on. We did three takes of the clarinet and I believe it sounded good. I was so humbled to have that opportunity! God is so awesome!!! He truly provided me with an excellent opportunity. It was so fun to record, I would definitely do it again for sure! I would also like to play again on another show but even if I don't I am still so happy. I didn't expect any of that to happen, let alone to get the feedback that I did :)

I am feeling hopeful about working in the music industry even as changing as it is. I feel like that is where I belong. Music is something that has been essential to my life, I couldn't imagine doing anything but music. Music gives me this feeling that I can't even describe. I love that feeling. This is just a dream, being around music 24/7 for a semester. We had Phil Keaggy come in today and it was such a blessing. He was so joyful and man could he play the guitar! He blew me away, the guy truly has a God given gift. I love this program and everyone it in. I just can't say that enough. I am so excited for the things to come as the semester progresses, it will be awesome. God has truly opened the doors for me and I can never thank Him enough for that. 

<3 MusicMajor11

Sound check for CMC LIVE!

My artist and I doing sound check

CMC LIVE Stage right before the show

Me performing with my artist on my clarinet!! :D

"It would be such a beautiful moment to see the look on your face..."

I would have to say that yesterday and today were the best days ever! I played clarinet with Lizzy (one of my two artists) on her original song and it went really well!! I was so happy and humbled that I got to be on stage playing the instrument I love. Everyone seemed to enjoy it as well which was exciting! One of the prof's even told me that it was one of the many outstanding moments in the show. I was so blessed by the statement. I am still blown away that he said that, and that everyone really liked it. God is fantastic!! His grace is enough! 

Also yesterday I had a meeting with one of the prof's and it seriously changed myself. After talking with him I really feel like I am called to live in Nashville :) We talked a lot of publishing which is what I am interested in pursuing after I leave this place and after I leave Bluffton. I just really feel like that being here has greatly guided me into what I am meant to do. I can't comprehend that God orchestrated all the moments in my life for a time like this. to be honest I had been struggling with being single and not being as content as I could be. But now it seems that it is all crystal clear, it's not the right time. God is so timely, always on time. I can't believe all this is happening at once. 

I was overcome by tears today when I realized how much God loves me. He loved me enough to provide this experience for me, and these awesome people. If I came back for another semester it wouldn't be the same without the people I am with now. They have taught me so much about myself and about life. I have seen God's love through them, and amazing musical talents. Like today this guy Dave here played with his band A Minor Bird...Oh.My.Goodness. They blew me away. Almost to tears. I highly recommend getting their album on itunes. So amazing. 

Just one last thought...God is right on time. Never forget that.

<3 MusicMajor11

"What am I supposed to do when the best part of me is always you..."

Yet again it is time for another CMC Live show. This week there are four artists going and two of them are mine ha. So I am basically managing half the show :-P It's good though, gives me lots of experience. Also I am playing on today's show with my clarinet. It came together really well the last couple of days. I am interested in how it is going to sound. I am not really too nervous about it, I am more excited than anything. I am just going to trust God that he will be with me and I am doing it for his Glory. 

This coming week I will be doing a lot of thinking. I met with one of my prof's today and talked about music publishing...completely blew my mind. Now I am not really sure what I want to do with me life. Do I get an internship and work my way up this summer? Do I move away from Mccomb this summer? Do I find a job in Nashville? I have no idea to be honest. At least I have one more semester to get things figured out. But I feel as though I could walk away from this place with a job for the fall. I really do want to find something that blesses God and that I will enjoy. 

Once again I feel as though I am free falling and I am still not sure where the ground is. Not sure if I am going to find out anytime soon, which scares and excites me. Only God knows where this will end, only He knows my future and what I am meant to do. One thing my pastor did say to me  in prayer before I left was that God would open the right doors and close the wrong ones. Well my prayer today for myself and everyone of you is that God opens those doors which need opening and shuts the wrong ones.

Here we go, show number six!!!! 

<3MusicMajor11

"Wherever you go, go with your whole heart" ~Confucius~

My heart is really aching right now. I had a fall out with one of my artists tonight. She needed to talk and we did but it didn't end well. I am struggling with blaming myself and being upset with her. Not really sure what to feel right now. I know music is what I am supposed to do. She isn't really sure about that, which is okay. But if I can be honest for a minute I think she'd be great. Excellent voice and stage presence. She literally rocked the house during her last show. Even though things didn't go quite so well tonight but I am still her biggest fan. Whether she thinks she can do it, I know she can. But the choice is up to her, if it's not what she wants that is fine. I just don't want her to give up. 

I am giving this my whole heart right now. It's hard because we are all under a lot of stress and working with little sleep. Everyone is still doing great, I am so proud of my artists. I love everyone here at the CMC, they are amazing people. I didn't think I would get this lucky to spend a semester with some of the coolest people ever. I cannot say how humbled I am to know them. God is fantastic. 

So another thing is that I am playing my clarinet on one of my artist's original songs, and that song is being recorded. I am so excited about that. I never though in a million years that I would get to record my clarinet. It's seriously like a dream, can't believe it. God is so good during the happy times and sad. I love Him so very much. He has blessed me immeasurably! 

I encourage you to go with your whole heart into whatever God calls you to do. 

<3 MusicMajor11

"If your lost and look-and you will find me time after time..."

Today has been one of those days...Hammer Time went well for the most part. I am struggling with being really busy with two artists performing this week. Also we are starting recording which is a whole different ball game. I am confident that I can do it but still it's really crazy!

However I am really pumped about being asked to play my clarinet on my artist's song! Also the neatest part is that the song is being recorded . I can't believe me and my clarinet will be recorded. I never thought that I would have a chance to perform on my clarinet with this type of music. God works in mysterious ways, He also surprises you when you least expect it. I practiced it with my artist yesterday and it sounded good together. I am a little nervous about playing this Thursday but I just figure that I am doing it to give Glory to God and to have fun. I will have to use ears and attend sound check not only to help my artists but to actually play. God.is.good. 

I am really wondering here lately where I will be after this and after Bluffton. I can't really see where I will be next summer or even next fall. I kind of have a blindfold on to be honest. But really I think it is a good thing. My best friend/cousin Dustin once told me that if he had the choice to have all of his life laid out before him or not know what was going to happen, he choose to not know. I believe that he is right, because if you did know you would try to avoid the hurtful things and rush head first towards the good things. As hard as it is to think God has went before us and He knows where all of us are headed. I am also reminded that what happens on this earth is not forever. It is so easy for me to get caught up in the little things and worrying. When really none of that has eternal value. I believe that living and loving each day for the Glory of God is my purpose. To smile, laugh, cry, and just love until the end of time. God has given us so many beautiful things that have eternal value and yet I choose to worry about the silly things that will not matter.I love my life even when I do have those crappy days and I feel like giving up. 

Even though my future is uncertain I do know that God never changes. He is the same yesterday today and forever. Wow. Just check that again, never changes. To me that is so powerful, because so many things in all of our lives change and shift around. But God He doesn't. God-Thanks for that, I can always count on you when I feel like I have nothing else. 

To end my post I would like to leave you all with a phrase that was coined by Bach. SOLI DEO GLORIA. This means to GOD be the Glory. I encourage you to do everything for his Glory even if it is doing homework or taking a walk with a friend. Give it all to the One who never changes. 

<3 MusicMajor11

"Can we pretend that airplanes in the night sky are like shooting stars..."

I keep thinking that I am going to wake up from this dream. I am learning music with talented awesome people and having the time of my life. If this was a dream I definitely wouldn't want to wake up. I have never felt so strongly about where I belong. I know that in my heart I couldn't be happier right now than being here in Nashville.


God has been really stretching me since I have been here. I have done so many things that are wayyy outside of my comfort zone, and I am happy about it. Sure there are certainly sometimes when it frustrates me but I am willing to learn. I am willing to wait because there is something great on the other side. 


Shooting stars are fleeting and they are only there for a brief moment in time. I looked for them all summer and found a few. I am pretty sure one of my wishes came true. 


<3 MusicMajor11

Good times with friends :-)

Me, Michelle, and Lizzy :)