Winner, Winner, Chicken (Enchilada) Dinner

(because "chicken dinner" is just so common and, honestly, I just have Mexican food on the brain!)

So, CLEARLY, when I said I'd pick a winner "Saturday afternoon", what I meant was Saturday afternoon ... in, like, Hawaii or someplace. Or, ya know, something like that.

Cause I mean, come ON, I am never one to procrastinate or anything like that ... no ... uh huh ... not me.

Much.

So, that being said ... a winner has been chosen.

And here is how it was done:

Me: Honey, pick a number between one and nine.

Hubs: wha..? (he is very sleepy)

Me: Pick a number between one and nine ... please.

Hubs: why?

Me: It's for the blog.

Hubs: for MY blog? (who knew he even HAD a blog?!)

Me: No ... for MY blog.

Hubs: What are we doin here?

Me: Givin stuff away ... pick a number!

Hubs: Six ... how's that?

Me: That is super swell ... thanks.

Hubs: Anytime.

(and, with that, you get a look into the thrilling goings on of the fascinating lives here in B Manor!)

(I know you are excited!!)

Anyhoo - since the very technical choosing process chose number six, and the sixth comment was from the lovely J (AKA Amanda, or as I like to call her, SuperModel!), then SHE is the winner! Congratulations Girl!

And, since y'all asked, HERE is where you can order a CD - or one of her beautiful t-shirts. And, the really cool thing about the shirts is that it's part of the Got Your Back program and when you order one for yourself (for $15) you also get to send one to someone in Haiti that has a need. How cool is that? Yeah, I told you this girl has a heart for God like nobody's business. So does her mama ... or, as we affectionately call her, Momager!

OR, if you are the downloading type, you can down load the music HERE. But, then you would not get the BEAUTIFUL cover that her Mama created. And, really? Who does not wanna look at this:



(Her mama, Melissa - also one of my very best friends - is an AMAZING photographer and also makes some super cute crafts that she sells in the store on her sight. Got my eye on one of those bags!!!)

Thank you all for participating and, again, congratulations Amanda ... I will get you your disc as soon as possible! I KNOW you are gonna love it!

Radiant

Anyone who knows me well knows that I LOVE me some good worship music. GOOD, soul stirring, hands in the air, tears in your eyes, heart comin outta your chest, face down in reverence, glory revealed worship music ... nothing beats it! It can bring me to the throne of His Grace quicker than anything.

And I could not ever live without it.

Now, there are a few select CD's that take me there in a way that others cannot. I call these my "go to" CD's. And I keep these in a special place. A place where I can find them if I'm having one of "those" days. I'm SURE you know what I'm talkin about!

Most of my "go to" CD's have been around a while. The first couple One Day projects, a Third Day disc, a couple FFH CD's, a Vineyard collection and a compilation project from the RocketTown people. The "go to"'s have not changed much over the years - they are all around ten years old, if not more - it is (in my mind) an elite collection that very few pieces can touch.

Very few.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

I have a friend. She is young and beautiful - inside and out - and has a heart for God that is unique and pure and beautiful. She's one of those people that wear the Grace of God like a cozy blanket draped across their shoulders. Her words radiate with joy and peace and her smile lights a room. And, on top of all of that, she is talented.

Frankly, the girl can flat out SANG!

She lives in Nashville and could be takin that town by storm, if she chose to.

But, she chooses Him.

She knew at the age of 14 that God had placed a calling on her life. A call to worship. And now, at the age of 20, she is heeding that call. She follows His will and, in doing so, has seen doors open for her that she never even knocked on.

I LOVE how God works that way!

If you want to read her story you can find it HERE or, told in her own words, HERE. It is BEAUTIFUL, just like her heart.

(She's also on Facebook)

A couple months ago I got to spend some time with her in Nashville and she shared some music that she had been writing, as well as a few covers, for a women's conference series that she was asked to lead worship for. I am not even lying when I tell you that, right there in her mama's kitchen, with foil in my hair (she also does good hair!!), I was brought to my knees in worship. The power in her words and in her rendition of songs I already know well ... wow. All I can call it is anointed. She was in the process of creating a CD/EP of her own to share with the women who came to the conference. And, I knew right then, that my "go to" collection was gonna have a new piece soon.

SO, when it arrived at her mama's doorstep last week and she asked if anyone wanted to review it on their blog I JUMPED at the chance to get my hands on it.

But then I had a moment of panic. How could I give a fair and non biased review of music that I had already fallen in love with? Music made by a girl who already has my heart!?

So, last night when it arrived I decided to listen to it with a critical ear and put all my preconceived notions aside. So, I put the disc into my computer and hit play. The girls were watching one of their favorite shows but both stopped what they were doing to come over and listen. So I turned it up ... loud.

By the end of the first song we were all dancing and I was in full worship mode. Even Sophie had her eyes closed and her little hands up in the air with her face lifting toward the ceiling. And when it was over they asked for more. So, I wiped my tear filled eyes and hit play again. And again and again.

In fact, as I write this, I am listening to it yet again. And, yet again, I am wiping tears from my eyes and am blown away by the beauty of my King and the heart of my friend for HIM.

And, here is the best part ... I have an extra copy to give away!

So, friends, meet Kate Carlson



(I told you she was beautiful!)

Now, I am going to take comments on here until Saturday afternoon, at which time I will hold a drawing and the winner will receive their very own copy of this AMAZING disc. I am so excited to be able to share her with you!

So, what are you waiting for? Go on ... leave a comment!