If you live in Edmonton, if you are a fan of gospel and/or the blue, and if you did not go see Ruthie Foster and her band at the Citadel today (or rather yesterday - it's late!), then you missed the boat, let me tell you.
They rocked. And I mean ROCKED.
Although Ruthie sings a variety of different styles -- gospel, blues, country-ish, folk, raggae -- personally, my favorites were in the gospel & blues arena. And I have to admit, particularly in the gospel area. As I listened to her sing "Walk On" and "Woke Up This Mornin", I felt certain I would be hearing these tunes again in heaven. But it was nice to experience a little bit of heaven on earth tonight. Her first encore song was a rendition of "Old Susannah" that brought the theatre to a complete silence with Ruthie's simple, pure voice accompanied by the guitar, taking a delicate tone.
I saw Ruthie on "Austin City Limits" on Detroit Public Television a few years ago - I heard this voice coming out of the television, and wondered who had such a heavenly voice. I remembered her name, and when I saw she was coming to Edmonton, had to get tickets. She was even better in person than I remembered her on television. Just incredible.
Ruthie's stories are completely engaging and give the audience insight into the source of her song-writing. As well, Ruthie doesn't seem to be caught off-guard by anything, including mishaps on the stage, handling all with a personal charm.
The all-female band was a phenomenal backup. Stephanie Blue (don't think I'll ever forget this name) played awesome organ and synth, Ruthie's cousin (sorry -- Stephanie's name is stuck in my head) provided flawless bass, and I don't remember the drummer's name, but I was completely enthralled with her talent and obvious passion for the music.
www.ruthiefoster.com
If I could do it all over again.....well, sign me up! Thank you, God, for this evening of uplifting and beautiful music, as well as good fellowship and catching up with Dawn-Marie.
Friday, February 23, 2007
Monday, February 19, 2007
Sometimes When It Rains, It Pours
There's no easy way to say this. My Aunt Ellie died last night. The first of my "blood" aunts/uncles to pass away, and the second overall (the first was her husband, Uncle Ben). Most likely, it was a stroke as she had already survived two strokes. She wasn't supposed to be climbing her fairly sizable driveway, but footsteps were found there, so there is some supposition that she did just that.
Aunt Ellie was an amazing woman. She was a strong Christian who prayed for my immediate family constantly, as well as her family, church and church staff, her nation, missionaries, my church and church staff, etc., etc., etc. I remember calling her a couple of years ago because I could not seem to find enough time to pray every day for all the people I was praying for, and she gave me an organizational tip for prayer -- Mondays -- family, Tuesdays - pastors & church staff, Wednesdays -- for the sick......something like that. I'll have to look up the particulars because frankly, I have not yet mastered the art of this particular organization.
She was married to a man who came to Christ in his late twenties or early thirties, I believe. Before that, he was a hooligan to be sure. After he came to Christ, he still was not the easiest of men, but his purpose was definitely for Christ.
As children, we loved to visit Aunt Ellie & Uncle Ben, and their children, on their farm in upstate New York. Of course, it was great to be around the barn animals -- cows, chickens, horses, even the barn kittens (my personal favorites). But it was doubly awesome to be around Aunt Ellie. She was inevitably in the kitchen, canning, jarring, cooking -- but even with all that activity, she was peaceful to be around. You know what I mean, don't you? In her house, you escaped from the rat race of city life, into the arms of a country housewife. I'm sure it was difficult -- busy from sun-up to sun-down on the farm.
Their house was a typical farmhouse -- I don't remember all the rooms -- most of our time was spent sitting at the table in the kitchen. I know they had a dining room and a living room on the main floor -- on chicken-killing day, I would pound on the piano in the living room so as not to hear the cries of the chickens. There was a bathroom as well. Upstairs was really neat, I believe, with two large rooms -- one for their son Eric, and the other for their daughters Dawn, Mary and Melissa. Her house was clean and smelled good, her laundry always smelled fresh from being hung out on the line. I remember pitting cherries and husking corn on their porch steps in the summer evenings when we visited. I remember walking through some fields to see ducks on a pond (I think). I remember playing with a brand new kitten in their living room. But most of all I remember the gentleness that was Ellie - you just wanted to be around the positive, gentle, easy person that Ellie was.
Despite being busy taking care of her own family, when her mother (my grandmother) was ill and lived with my Aunt Carol for a time, Ellie would go to her sister Carol's house and clean each week. Aunt Ellie understood family.
Not that she was boring -- her brothers, especially Larry, loved to tease her, and she always took it in good stride. She was the 6th (I think) of 8 children, and it is a surprise that she is the first of those children to go.
I'm sure I'll think of more to write about Aunt Ellie, but it is late, and my bed is calling out to me. Tonight, I'll hope to dream of being at Aunt Ellie's house again. For me, it was a little slice of heaven here on earth. She, however, is now in a place that is exponentially more beautiful than that -- I can hardly wait to see her again.
Aunt Ellie was an amazing woman. She was a strong Christian who prayed for my immediate family constantly, as well as her family, church and church staff, her nation, missionaries, my church and church staff, etc., etc., etc. I remember calling her a couple of years ago because I could not seem to find enough time to pray every day for all the people I was praying for, and she gave me an organizational tip for prayer -- Mondays -- family, Tuesdays - pastors & church staff, Wednesdays -- for the sick......something like that. I'll have to look up the particulars because frankly, I have not yet mastered the art of this particular organization.
She was married to a man who came to Christ in his late twenties or early thirties, I believe. Before that, he was a hooligan to be sure. After he came to Christ, he still was not the easiest of men, but his purpose was definitely for Christ.
As children, we loved to visit Aunt Ellie & Uncle Ben, and their children, on their farm in upstate New York. Of course, it was great to be around the barn animals -- cows, chickens, horses, even the barn kittens (my personal favorites). But it was doubly awesome to be around Aunt Ellie. She was inevitably in the kitchen, canning, jarring, cooking -- but even with all that activity, she was peaceful to be around. You know what I mean, don't you? In her house, you escaped from the rat race of city life, into the arms of a country housewife. I'm sure it was difficult -- busy from sun-up to sun-down on the farm.
Their house was a typical farmhouse -- I don't remember all the rooms -- most of our time was spent sitting at the table in the kitchen. I know they had a dining room and a living room on the main floor -- on chicken-killing day, I would pound on the piano in the living room so as not to hear the cries of the chickens. There was a bathroom as well. Upstairs was really neat, I believe, with two large rooms -- one for their son Eric, and the other for their daughters Dawn, Mary and Melissa. Her house was clean and smelled good, her laundry always smelled fresh from being hung out on the line. I remember pitting cherries and husking corn on their porch steps in the summer evenings when we visited. I remember walking through some fields to see ducks on a pond (I think). I remember playing with a brand new kitten in their living room. But most of all I remember the gentleness that was Ellie - you just wanted to be around the positive, gentle, easy person that Ellie was.
Despite being busy taking care of her own family, when her mother (my grandmother) was ill and lived with my Aunt Carol for a time, Ellie would go to her sister Carol's house and clean each week. Aunt Ellie understood family.
Not that she was boring -- her brothers, especially Larry, loved to tease her, and she always took it in good stride. She was the 6th (I think) of 8 children, and it is a surprise that she is the first of those children to go.
I'm sure I'll think of more to write about Aunt Ellie, but it is late, and my bed is calling out to me. Tonight, I'll hope to dream of being at Aunt Ellie's house again. For me, it was a little slice of heaven here on earth. She, however, is now in a place that is exponentially more beautiful than that -- I can hardly wait to see her again.
Wednesday, February 14, 2007
Valentine's Day 2007
Well, as I begin writing this blog entry, I notice there are exactly 2 minutes left of Valentine's Day 2007. Up until a few hours ago, it was a good Valentine's Day. I received a couple of e-valentine cards, there were good treats in the office and we had a fun day.
I've made a few friends in the past 4 or 5 years that have very special Valentine's Day stories. It appears that this day is often chosen by God to reveal himself to people! My friends Larry and Jim both accepted Christ on Valentine's Days in the past. Their stories are pretty awesome, let me tell you.
Ten years ago today, I was on my way to Florida to meet my mother and her family to travel to the Bahamas for a week. Mom's brother Mike was getting married and since my dad did not want to go, I convinced Mom to go with me and experience island life. It was a grand time indeed -- we danced the Macharena (sp?) on the beach, we para-sailed, we laughed, we ate, we reestablished relationships with family that we don't often get to see - and in a wonderful environment, too.
Today, my mom was diagnosed with Stage 3 Lung Cancer.
I can't express the grief I feel that one who has really and truly sacrificed her own life (she has degrees, but stayed home with the kids), and sacrificed so many things for her children (i.e., me and 4 others) and her husband so he could go after his dreams, and still sacrifices just to keep peace in the family, has now to be faced with this challenge. I'm sure you might have experienced the same thing, after all.
Other than this horrible cancer, she is in excellent physical condition, which is very important for her prognosis of recovery. She has lived a balanced life, other than the smoking in the old days. In fact, she is one of the most moderate and balanced people I know, getting daily exercise, eating healthy, etc.
Ah, Lord, I pray that my mother has a better Valentine's Day next year and for several more years after that.
If you would not mind saying a prayer for my mom, I would be very grateful. God hears each one, and each one matters to him in a significant way. If you don't know how to pray, you can try this one:
"God, thank you for Ann's presence in the lives of Kathy and so many others for nearly 70 years so far. There are many who never see their children grow, never see their grandchildren, never retire, and alot of other nevers. Thank you for your grace in Ann's life. As a father who sacrificed His only son so others would experience your love eternally, you understand the grief of her family as she goes through treatments and therapies, pain, tiredness, etc. I pray that you draw her close to you and that she experience the comfort that you bring on a day-by-day basis. Lord, I pray that she selects the right treatments, that you guide her doctors/therapists/etc. as they work on her condition, that you fill her with the strength she needs, and that you bless her in the upcoming months with support, comfort, attention, and a full return to good health. In Jesus' name, I pray these things. Amen."
I've made a few friends in the past 4 or 5 years that have very special Valentine's Day stories. It appears that this day is often chosen by God to reveal himself to people! My friends Larry and Jim both accepted Christ on Valentine's Days in the past. Their stories are pretty awesome, let me tell you.
Ten years ago today, I was on my way to Florida to meet my mother and her family to travel to the Bahamas for a week. Mom's brother Mike was getting married and since my dad did not want to go, I convinced Mom to go with me and experience island life. It was a grand time indeed -- we danced the Macharena (sp?) on the beach, we para-sailed, we laughed, we ate, we reestablished relationships with family that we don't often get to see - and in a wonderful environment, too.
Today, my mom was diagnosed with Stage 3 Lung Cancer.
I can't express the grief I feel that one who has really and truly sacrificed her own life (she has degrees, but stayed home with the kids), and sacrificed so many things for her children (i.e., me and 4 others) and her husband so he could go after his dreams, and still sacrifices just to keep peace in the family, has now to be faced with this challenge. I'm sure you might have experienced the same thing, after all.
Other than this horrible cancer, she is in excellent physical condition, which is very important for her prognosis of recovery. She has lived a balanced life, other than the smoking in the old days. In fact, she is one of the most moderate and balanced people I know, getting daily exercise, eating healthy, etc.
Ah, Lord, I pray that my mother has a better Valentine's Day next year and for several more years after that.
If you would not mind saying a prayer for my mom, I would be very grateful. God hears each one, and each one matters to him in a significant way. If you don't know how to pray, you can try this one:
"God, thank you for Ann's presence in the lives of Kathy and so many others for nearly 70 years so far. There are many who never see their children grow, never see their grandchildren, never retire, and alot of other nevers. Thank you for your grace in Ann's life. As a father who sacrificed His only son so others would experience your love eternally, you understand the grief of her family as she goes through treatments and therapies, pain, tiredness, etc. I pray that you draw her close to you and that she experience the comfort that you bring on a day-by-day basis. Lord, I pray that she selects the right treatments, that you guide her doctors/therapists/etc. as they work on her condition, that you fill her with the strength she needs, and that you bless her in the upcoming months with support, comfort, attention, and a full return to good health. In Jesus' name, I pray these things. Amen."
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