Calling All Music Lovers!

Do you love music???

Do you love kids???

Are you looking for a simple, wonderful way to help a refugee child this summer in a way which will bring music into her life??

Head on over HERE to the Shine Website to find out how YOU can help in the most practical way.

This summer sounds of music will be filling South Tel Aviv!!

Capturing Moments: Tel Aviv White Night

Last night was the annual WHITE NIGHT in Tel Aviv.  Every July 1st Tel Aviv celebrates various cultures and the arts by putting on a city-wide show… full of music, performances, dances, cultural experiences, food and drink…. oh, and everyone is supposed to be in all WHITE.

There were people everywhere and the vibe was full of energy.  Along Rothchild Street the theme was World Cup, with many different countries represented.  It was pretty cool to watch the Spanish dancers, a US Old-Timers Jazz Band, Elvis lip-singers, Brazilian Samba, and even Italian Opera singers in Drag. (Interesting to say the least)  The beach was also jam-packed with people! Here’s a quick glimpse:

When the Saints Go Marching In…

I think most of us grew up learning the “old school” version of this song, especially if you were ever in band.  I remember when I was in 4th grade, my mom put together a composition of this song for me to play my trumpet to, with my friend, Ang, on the flute… harmony and all.  We actually played it for the talent show that year.

I also think most of us think of Saints in terms of Catholicism, such as St. Peter, St. Andrew, St. John etc.  but really, who IS a Saint?

According to the dictionary, there are many ways of being a saint:

1. a person who has died and gone to heaven.
2. an extremely virtuous person.
3. any of certain persons of exceptional holiness of life, formally recognized as such by the Christian Church, esp. by canonization.
4. a founder, sponsor, or patron, as of a movement or organization.

That sure does leave a lot of possibilities, as far as what EXACTLY a saint is.

Sara Groves has a wonderfully, unique take on the ancient term that for me, pretty much sums it up.  There are a few lines that speak to me, and each time I hear it, I think “thats exactly who I want to be marching in with“.

I see the long, quiet walk along the underground railroad,

I see the slave, awakened to the value of her soul,

I see the young missionary and the angry spear,

I see his family returning with no choice of fear,

I see the long, hard shadows of Calcutta Lights,

I see the sister standing by the dying mans side,

I see the young girl huddled on the brothel floor,

I see the man with a passion, come and kicking down that door,

Oh When the Saints, Go Marching In, I wanna be one of them……

So, who do you want to be marching in with you???

I really miss my family!

There is a Barlow Girl song called Here’s My Life that pretty much sums up how I feel every time I finish furlough and go back on the field.  For many reasons, this past furlough has been the most difficult time to return, so I find myself re-listening to this song and reminding myself why I’m here.  Here are some of the lyrics, and I put a link at the end if you want to hear the song in full…. Its good stuff!!!

Once again I said my goodbyes, to those I love most

My heart feels that familiar pain, as I long for hope

Cause this road is hard, when I feel so far

God, I’m crying out tonight

Cuz I’ve given you my life

But I’m tired, and I’m missing what’s behind

So once more, here’s my life….

(For the complete song, click here)

Move Along

This morning on my trek to Ulpan as I was listening through the shuffle selection of my music, the song, Move Along by All American Rejects began playing.  I don’t know if this happens with you or not, but certain songs can take me back to specific time periods of my life in a flash.  The moment I hear the beginning of the song, I am immediately whisked back in time.

This happens to be one of those particular songs….

Some years ago I went through an awful situation in my personal life, probably one of the darkest times in my life.  If there were ever a rock-bottom for me, that was it. I lost all will to do anything: eat, get out of bed, talk, etc. It was full-fledged depression and heartache.

Like I said…I had hit rock bottom!

I remember I would play that song over and over again, just to remind me to motivate myself to keep going.  There’s a line in the song that says,  

And even when your hope is gone, move along, move along just to make it through. Move Along.

That summed it up perfectly for me at that time.  I had completely lost all sight of hope, and I was only moving along to make it through.  Whether it was one hour, one day, or one week….it was to just keep moving along.

Years later, and here I am…I did make it through.  As I was walking and listening, I was once again taken back to that time in my life; but this time it was a new sort of remembrance.  It was a reminder of a time when I didn’t think I would ever have hope again, yet now I have hope.  It was a reminder of a time when I didn’t think I would make it through, yet I somehow managed.  It was a reminder of God’s faithfulness in my life, and how He never lets me go.

Yes, once in a while we have to keep moving, even when we don’t want to, or don’t seem to have the strength to. When we can’t see the light at the end of the tunnel, we have to keep moving, because eventually we will reach it. Sometimes you arrive quickly, and sometimes it takes forever to get there, but I am living proof that if you keep moving along, you will get there!

Saddened but not surprised.

I wasn’t going to, but here I am jumping on the MJ band-wagon to give my 2¢ about his life and death.  

It has been inescapable… the news, radio, internet, magazines, and even on twitter its the #1 topic.  No matter how you feel about him as a person, his impact on music and pop culture is unarguable, especially with the generations growing up with him.  I can honestly say that there is not one of his songs that I do not like.  I mean come on…Thriller!  Billie Jean! Beat It! Man in the Mirror! Scream! (I love that one with Janet)

I remember watching a documentary about MJ years ago when he was going through all those child molestation trials, and after seeing what he endured throughout his childhood and adolescence, my heart seriously ached for him. He went from this innocent, extremely talented child to a music icon, who was sucked in, chewed around and spit out by the world he was now living in.  It happens to oh, so many people, not just celebrities.  We start out as these cute, adorable children, we grow up, and the world literally engulfs us and leads us into disaster.  I have seen it in my own life, as well as the lives of friends, family members, and too many celebs.

Fortunately for many, we get out of it and move forward.  Unfortunately for MJ, he did not.  I am completely saddened by this fact, but I am not surprised.  

So, in memory of the King of Pop…what is your favorite Michael Jackson song(s)???

My Slump

For the past couple of days, I’ve been in a gym slump.  The honeymoon stage is officially over, and I’m having to push myself to go now.  My heart is in it, but my body isn’t.  I know all the rules about starting a routine, keeping it going etc. but I need more motivation……

So, today I made a new playlist on my ipod called, Workout, in hopes that a revival will come along.  I have 4.2 hours of fast-paced, high energy music that I am hoping will get me back on track. Here is just a glimpse into a few of my selections:

What do you think?? Any songs you just have to tell me about for my playlist?

A Prayer Under Fire

This was a song written by an Israeli musician about the war here with Gaza. The pictures and words are pretty powerful….

The Christmas Channel

One thing I love about the holiday season is all the Christmas music.  Back home, they start playing it after Thanksgiving, and some stations turn into 24/7 Christmas music stations.  Ohhhh, how I miss that!  

I have some Christmas albums on my Itunes, but not enough variety for my liking. Well, the beauty of Itunes happens to be the radio streaming.  I found one station that I absolutely adore! ‘Christmas Channel- SKY.fm’ has now become my favorite. They play such a wide-spread range, its incredible.  It doesn’t matter what type you like, you can find it there.

I have particularily enjoyed:

• Santa Baby by Miss Piggy, herself
• Rudolph, the Red-Nosed Reindeer by Dean Martin (and he calls him Rudy in the song)
• I’ll be Home for Christmas by Frank Sinatra
• Christmas Time is Here by Vince Guaraldi Trio (A Charlie Brown Christmas song)
• Feliz Navidad by Jose Feliciano
• God Rest Ye, Merry Gentlemen by Mannheim Steamroller
• ….and the list could seriously go on forever, there’s just too many I like

If you live outside the US and are missing Christmas music as much as I am, check it out.  It will help lessen the sting of being away for the holidays. 

Seasons Greetings!!!

Jonas Brothers vs The Beatles

My nephew, Micheal, was singing these lyrics the other day, “Hello, hello.  I don’t know why you say goodbye and I say hello.”   And I was like, I love that song, how do you know it?  And his reply was, “Its the Jonas Brothers song for that commercial.  Everyone knows it!” 

Ummmmmmmm.  Yeah.  That was pretty much my response.  What’s the world coming to when kids are singing Beatles songs, thinking they are by the Jonas Brothers.  Oi vey.  (FYI: its a Target Commercial)

Toot your horn

Keeping with the theme of yesterday’s post (Nostalgia), comes todays blog.  At Micheal’s middle school all the 6th graders are required to take either Band, Choir, or Orchestra.  Micheal decided to sign up for band giving the following reason, “Orchestra has to meet in the morning before school starts at like 6:30 am, so there was no way I was doing that, and choir is singing.”  As you can see, he chose band by default.  In 5th grade the middle school band teacher came to the schools and let the kids try different instruments to see what they liked and/or were good at.  Following in the footsteps of his aunt, he chose the trumpet. (Yes, I played the trumpet while I was younger for those of you who had no idea.)

If you are still shocked by this last revelation, let me elaborate.  When I was in elementary school we started playing instruments in 4th grade. I originally wanted to play the flute (a girls instrument), but with the suggestion of my music teacher I ended up playing the trumpet (a boys instrument, in my mind).  But here’s the thing… I was really good.  I’m not just exaggerating; I was always 1st chair all the way through middle school.  Then in high school we had to choose between band and playing sports, and of course I chose sports.  I love music, but I also love playing volleyball and softball. (I also grew up in the school where band was for geeks and I’m sure that had something to do with my choice as well.)

Anyways, now that I’m older and wiser, I can look back and realize what a mistake it was to quit playing. Though I didn’t play in the band in high school, I wish I would have kept playing on my own.  I miss playing an instrument and having that aspect of music in my life.  Even in Brasil I started playing violin and flute and taught Music classes at the school I worked at; its a passion inside me that just won’t die…….

We are going to go pick up Micheal’s trumpet this week.  I’ve decided to pass on my wisdom and help him learn how to play while I am still here.  It’s funny how life goes full circle and here I am returning to my trumpet roots.  Now I’m getting a second chance on an opportunity missed the first time ’round.

New Music

I need some help!  I only have a limited supply of worship songs, and I really need some new ones.  I have been recycling the ones I have over and over again; the time has come for a new batch to spring up.  Now, you know that I cannot just turn on the radio and hear the newest songs or go to the bookstore and see what’s up in the music world, so I must depend on ITunes and you.  (For some reason the village of Maun doesn’t come equipped with the latest in these areas) Please, if you have any suggestions on what is really good….please…I’m begging you…share the wealth!  Give me your top choices!!!