January 10, 2022

Most of you, who are familiar with country music, know the artist Brad Paisley. His most famous songs consist of Whiskey Lullaby, Waiting on a Woman, and Online. Although I no longer listen to country music on a consistent basis there was one song of his that engrained itself in my head. It was called “Letter to Me”. 

In that song, he sings about writing a letter to himself when he was seventeen offering hope that everything would turn out fine. When I had first heard the song, it reached way down in my soul to the area of regret and pointed out the things I would wish to change. I have always thought that if I could just change my past, everything today would be better. I would have all that I longed for and everything that is wrong with me today would magically go away. I would tell myself to listen to my mom and take better care of my appearance. I would tell myself to not take out my frustrations in eating. I would tell myself to not go to Florida for college but go to Crown. I would tell myself to not worry about what someone else thinks of me just be myself. I also would tell myself to invest more time in music and to seek advice from whoever you can.

Yet my past has made me into who I am today. Where would I be without the memories of college life in Florida with the 90% humidity and the friends that I made? I would miss out on some great times and friendships. Where would I be if I had not struggled and worked through building my confidence? I probably would believe that everything would need to be handed to me on a silver platter. Where would I be if I invested so much time into music that I forgot about everything else in pursuit of a dream? I would have just that music and nothing else. Although that doesn’t sound bad, I realize I would have to give up many memories in exchange for it. My past is scattered with things I regret (I guess everyone’s is) but I have come to embrace it. In my mind, I know I can never write and send a letter to me in the past but I can write and send one to me in the future. So here is my letter to me in the year 2022, when I am 34 years old.

Dear Christa 2022,

Today is Monday, January 10, 2012. The President is Barack Obama and it is election year. It’s time for all the political ads to come out and annoy the fire out of you and everyone else. Hope you enjoy them! At this point in time, you still work at CCCS/Apprisen and are still trying to find another job. Hopefully, we will find one soon that will help us gain more experience in the working world. I hope this letter finds you well and that you are still alive.

My greatest hope is that you are no longer alone in the world but are married and have (or on the way to having) children. Remember all those tear filled nights crying out to God on where your Mr. Right was? I do and I hope he is wonderful and treats you like a queen. Anything less and he doesn’t deserve you at all. I wonder if he is as handsome as he is in my dreams. I hope he is interested in music because we both know your passion is music. I hope that you met your goal of losing 100 pounds. I know you will look so much better if you did. Losing weight does wonders for confidence.

It’s only 102 days to the SNC concert that you, Miranda, Kristen, and Amanda are going to. I can’t wait for it. Are they still around? You should buy their newest CD if they are. They are wonderful! Did you move out on your own or did you find Mr. Right before then? I’ve always said I wanted to live on my own before Mr. Right came. I regret making that statement some times but look at all that I have accomplished being single.

Do you still play piano at church? Remember the times you would watch Melissa and Deb play while you in the congregation wishing you were up there. Remember the time you played I Surrender All in the wrong key. Haha!! Just got to laugh at yourself. You were so ready to give up playing in church at that point. I am so glad that you stuck with it. Knowing you, your house is decorated in the 1950’s style with lots of color. I hope you got that black and white room you always wanted.

Are you still friends with the whole gang? Oh what times we had playing Mafia and Loaded Questions. Say hi to Melissa for me! She’s a wonderful friend and has helped me through a lot. Oh and remind Kristen about that time you went to Noodles and Company and she made you eat macaroni and cheese with chopsticks. You’ve never had to work so hard for your food. Say hi to them from me in the past. I hope you’ve kept up with that new hairstyle I just got. It looks so nice on you! I feel the need to end this letter on a good note so I wanted to end with your new favorite quote this month. It’s from Shakespeare Twelfth Night “If music be the food of love, then play on.”

Love,

Christa 2012

Auld Lang Syne

Please accept my apologies for the extended time between posts as I have been frantically busy with Christmas shopping, Christmas parties, Christmas cookies, etc. I am also at a loss and have been considering what direction to take this blog. I, at first, thought I would talk about the simple things in life, but that became too general of a topic. Then, I thought I could talk about my favorite things, but I actually don’t have a lot of favorites. My favorites can depend on what mood I am in, what the circumstances are, and other miscellaneous things we won’t talk about now so that wouldn’t work out either. As of this point in time, I’m still a little confused as to where to take this blog. No worries though as I do have some ideas for the future. What are they? I guess you’ll just have to keep reading to find out.

Today, I wanted to combine a Christmas and New Years into one post because what I have to say about each is basically the same. If you know me at all, you’ll know that I am a Christmas lover. I can listen to Christmas music any time in the year and I absolutely love Christmas colors. In fact, I hope I can plan my wedding around Christmas time because I love it so much. I never used to be this enthusiastic about Christmas until I moved away from home to attend The Crown College of the Bible. I realized that Christmas was a time to spend with my family. The excitement of those last few days of the winter semester realizing that after the stress of finals, I could go home and relax. (Big sigh) I didn’t have much money for gifts but I tried my best to get my family what they wanted. After I graduated and came back home to live, I started making friends at church and started building relationships. Fast forward to today and I’ll be the first to tell you that I am one of the most blessed people on earth when it comes to friends. I thank God every day for the network of people I have to rely on and the freedom I feel with them to be me. I can act a little crazy at times and even say some stupid things but I know that they’ll love me anyways (At least I hope so…) Christmas reminds me of the love and friendships I have and I hope that through the years all of us will become even closer.

This year has been a very exciting year for me. I had the opportunity to meet one of my heroes, inspirations, mentor, or whatever you would like to call him. He was the one who inspired my style of piano playing and inspired me to sing. His name is Brian Free and he is one of the most humble men I have ever met. God has used him and his music greatly in my life and I was able to tell him that in May of this year. I have also become closer with a girl I know that God has placed in my life for a time such as this. She encourages me with every step and helps me when I am a little down in the dumps. Thanks Kristen!!

This year I have also seen a part of my “dream” fulfilled in that I have been playing piano in church regularly and am amazed at the growth I have seen in myself these past few months. I still can’t believe that I get to serve God by playing the piano and I can’t wait to see what doors He will open next year.

What else have I done this year? I have rekindled an old friendship with a good friend from years ago. The more we talk, the more we realize that we are both in the same boat on many things. I am so excited that she will be traveling down to see me in April and we will be going to (you guessed it) a Straight No Chaser concert! Speaking of them, one of my fond memories from this year is actually getting to meet and talk to them. I still can’t believe that I went and watched them perform. Wow!! What a thrill! Also for the concert in April, I was able to purchase front row seat tickets for 4. Yea it’s going to be a good time. Can’t wait to go!

I know this blog is long and I will try my best at condensing my posts in the future but I wanted to give you a glimpse into what God has done in my life this year. I am very excited for 2012 as it will be a year of change and I hope by this time next year I will have more exciting things to tell you about.

Until then I leave you with the lyrics from one of my favorite Christmas/New Year’s songs Auld Lang Syne:

 “Should old acquaintance be forget and never be brought to mind?

Should old acquaintance be forgot and the days of auld lang syne.

For auld lang syne my dear,

For auld lang syne,

We’ll take a cup of kindness yet for the auld lang syne.”

The Day of My Birth

November 30^th is a special day in my life because you see it was the day that I entered to the world. Yes many moons ago, I was born in a Syracuse hospital. I don’t remember much about that day in fact, I don’t remember anything about it. My parents can tell a story or two of the wonderful day their only daughter was born and how they narrowly avoided having me in the back of their car. I was a born late in November right before the cut-off date for school. In New York, the cut-off date was December 1^st. I made it just in time (as usual). My mom had a doctor’s appointment that day and the doctor told her if I wasn’t born within the next couple of days they would induce. Well, when I heard that I decided I would surprise my parents with a gift that night. My parents went home from the doctor’s appointment not knowing that they would soon see him again. A couple of hours later, I decided I wanted to be born and my parents rushed to the hospital where I was born at 7:06pm. My mom will tell you that she was too far gone for them to help with the pain so she had to have me naturally. What a joy that must have been for her!

Next came the question on what would they name me…My mom and dad had agreed to name me Colleen awhile back, but my mom changed her mind (hey, it’s a woman’s prerogative) and wanted to name me Christa. My dad was dead set on Colleen so my mom dropped the subject. When I was born, the nurse asked my mom what my name was. My mom (the saintly soul she is) told her Christa. Surprise!! Oh what I would have given to be there…wait, I was there, um…Oh, what I would have given to remember the look my dad gave my mom. There that’s better. So to commemorate my special day, here are some fun facts about the day November 30^th!

Famous Births:

®    Mark Twain was born in 1835

®    Winston Churchill was born in 1874

®    Dick Clark was born in 1929

®    Colin Mochrie was born in 1957

®    Ben Stiller was born in 1965

Historical Events:

®    On November 30^th, 1782, Britain signed an agreement recognizing U.S. Independence.

®    On November 30^th, 1938, Germany banned Jews from being lawyers.

®    On November 30^th, 1940, Lucille Ball weds Desi Arnez.

®    On November 30^th, 1982, Michael Jackson’s new album Thriller is released.

®    On November 30^th, 1993, the NFL announced a new team-The Jacksonville Jaguars.

Famous Deaths:

®    Oscar Wilde died in 1900

®    Zeppo Marx died in 1979

®    Evil Knievel died in 2007

Holidays:

®    November 30^th is “Stay at Home because You are Well” Day

®    November 30^th is National Mousse Day

There you have it! As you can see November 30^th is a special day and I am glad that I was born on it. After all there can’t be that many people who can claim that they were born on the day Winston Churchill was. So to wrap up this blog (I know that was corny) I will end with a quote “Birthday’s are nature’s way of telling us to eat more cake.”

Counting My Blessings

When you’re worried and you can’t sleep just count your blessings instead of sheep and you’ll fall asleep counting your blessings.

When my bankroll is getting low, I think of when I had none at all and I fall asleep counting my blessings.

Anyone remember what song those lyrics are from? Bing Crosby sings them so effortlessly in the movie White Christmas, co-starring Danny Kaye. It’s a good Christmas movie in case anyone is wondering. I have had that song in my head all day long and because of that I began to think about my blessings. I started to name them one by one and I realized how much God has blessed me and how fast it is to fall asleep counting your blessings. So I thought I would write about Thanksgiving to you, my readers.

I at first thought I would name my material possessions one by one but that thought was quickly dismissed as the list but be short and boring. I then got the idea that I would tell you how much having food to eat and clothes to wear is a blessing that so many of us overlook and (although they are very essential items) there are things that are more important than food and clothing. After all throughout my 23 years of living, I have come to realize that friends and family don’t care what you dress like (as long as you bathe) or what you eat (as long as you brush your teeth sometimes) but care about what YOU are. You as a person and as an individual. Most people equate being an individual by being like everyone else. I have never understood that mentality but that’s another blog post. I have struggled many times with confidence and self-esteem especially since I am not as thin as other women. I have compared myself with other women many times and wonder if men find me attractive if I looked like the other women. My family says I’m pretty but they’re supposed to say that aren’t they? Since I am single, the doubts and the self-esteem issues seem to build up at a faster pace. I used to think if I had a boyfriend, I would be as confident as her (points to other woman). I have to come realize that it is a childish effort and a boyfriend can’t really give you confidence. You need confidence in yourself and that’s how I came to the idea for this blog.

One of the things I am thankful for is…(Drum roll please)…that I am me! I am thankful that I am Christa and I am thankful I am a woman. I am thankful that I can wake up every day and see curly blonde hair, blue eyes, and a “more to love” body. I am thankful that I am a Christian and can use my talents as a way to serve the Lord. I am thankful that I have a passion for music and can clunk around on the piano to make somewhat of a good sound. I am thankful that I have a weirder than normal sense of humor and have learned that sarcasm is one of my most trusted weapons (It’s a joke I’m being sarcastic. HAHA!! I crack myself up!) I am thankful that I am a very competitive girl who loves sports especially football (Packers all the way). I am thankful that I have found so many good Christian friends who I can be myself around because I have been known to create many awkward silence moments (you know the ones where you hear the crickets). I am thankful that I love Christmas so much that I start listening to Christmas music in July and have already decorated my cubicle with Christmas stuff one week ago. I even have a tree! I am thankful that I have this blog to talk about what I am thankful for. I am thankful that when I go to sleep at night I can fall asleep without finishing my blessings list. This year I am thankful, most of all, for being me!

So my fellow readers-to end this blog I bring you a quote and a video. The quote is from an Anonymous Person who I think has the right idea about Thanksgiving “It isn’t what you have in your pockets that make you thankful, but what you have in your heart.” The song is from Josh Groban called “There’s so Much to Be Thankful For”

Till next week, Happy Thanksgiving to all and to all a good night!

(I know, I know the last sentence was from a Charles Dickens book. What did I tell you I have a weird sense of humor. Bye!)

These Are My Reflections

As the holiday time moves closer towards us, I begin to reflect upon the memories of times past. Some have been tucked away for safe-keeping and some are kept out in the open for everyone to see. For me, long forgotten memories can surface with a sound, a smell, or a picture. For instance, the smell of concrete reminds me of the time I went to the Bill Rice Ranch in Tennessee. It was unbelievably hot that time of year and the only air conditioned buildings were the cafeteria and the auditorium. The camp itself held a number of music competitions which were taking place all throughout the day so we had to make a choice: suffer through the heat outside or suffer through some horrible off key singers. We chose the latter and made our way into the auditorium and even though our ears protested, our bodies enjoyed every moment of the cool air. The building was made of concrete and it smelled cool and sandy. Ah what memories! The sound of metal scraping a chalkboard (OUCH!) can transport me back to the time in my College Freshman Music Theory class when my classmate dragged a metal chalk holder across the board. It was horrendous but I’m glad to say that the teacher never called on him again. A picture of me with my college roommate reminds me of the good times we had in our room talking about dreams, the meaning of life, and Diner Dash. Yes I got her hooked on Diner Dash and I’m proud of it.

But all memories aren't good. Seeing a cemetery reminds me of the time my Poppy died. It was the first time I was confronted with death and the first time I had been to a cemetery. I had no idea what was going on and all I knew was that I wouldn’t see him anymore. Many people tried to paint happy faces on but I could see inside that it hurt them to. I’ll never forget being there beside his casket and my Grandma bursting into tears. My dad just wrapped his arms around her and tried to comfort her as much as possible. Other memories cause regret and pain. Sometimes I imagine myself in an ocean and I feel a tug. At first I am complacent to let it drag me under until I realize I am going to drown. Its icy grasp won’t let me go until I resolve that I won’t let it beat this time so I fight it. It’s a long hard battle up to the top but I somehow make it. Gasping, I look around and nothing is there but a calm sea, bright sun, and birds. Then I feel the tug and plunge into the cold ocean again and again.

Regret is not something that I wish to battle and I wish I could say that I am strong and that I don’t let it get the best of me but I am human. There have been times that I can’t stand it anymore and just break down crying but then I feel God’s loving arms around me saying “It’s ok. It’s ok. I still love you.” I am reminded of the Legacy Five song Take it to the Cross. The first verse is me through and through.

Another song that helps me is Somebody’s Praying for Me. I know that I got through the tough times because people were praying for me.

Memories can be good and bad even funny or serious. They can be triggered by sights, smells, and sounds. They transport you back to the place where it all happened. How wonderful our minds work. So to end this reflective blog I leave you with a quote from Thomas Fuller: “Leftovers in their less visible form are called memories. Stored in the refrigerator of the mind and the cupboard of the heart.”

On Cloud Straight No Chaser

Earlier this year, I wrote a blog about my bucket list. Can anyone guess what item was next on my list? That’s right! It was going to see Straight No Chaser live. You win the prize **Clap Clap Clap** What is the prize? A hearty pat on the back is all this poor person can afford.

Moving on to better things, I went to see Straight No Chaser on November 3rd at the Palace Theater with a good friend of mine Kristen. She had never heard of Straight No Chaser (what?) and came along so I didn’t have to go by myself. I would have gone solo (if I had too) but that would have been awkward. After all, who would take pictures of me and the guys? I was not going to have that awkward moment of asking “Hey, can I take a picture with you?” and then searching the crowd for some poor unfortunate soul who might decide that taking a picture of their thumb was far more interesting than what I had in mind. No sir, I brought a capable individual who was familiar with my phone camera and could point and click like a pro. No mistakes made here.

We ended up arriving at the concert at 7:15 pm (it started at 7:30pm). Yes, it was close but after all I had the tickets and no one would take our seats. I had purchased tickets for front row balcony so I could see everything. The place was so beautiful until I looked down and realized how high I was off the ground. However, my fear of heights was quickly forgotten as Straight No Chaser sang their opening song “Get Ready ‘Cause Here I Come.” Oh boy was I ready. I screamed like a 13 year old teenage girl seeing Justin Beiber for the first time. I had waited 3 years for this moment and I wanted to savor every second. Now, I can’t remember every song they sang but I knew that I liked, no loved, all of them. Yes, all of them. I have always been that one person to go to a concert and hear that one song that just irks me. It kind of ruins the experience. With Straight No Chaser, I loved every single song they sang and so did the crowd. The audience was on a Straight No Chaser high by intermission and by the end of the concert we would die for them if needed. There was this likability about all 10 of the guys. I felt so comfortable with them and felt like I knew everyone of them personally. It was like I was sitting in their living room watching them goof off and sing. Not all artists have likability like they do.

They sang a multitude of songs: I’m Yours/Somewhere Over the Rainbow, Big Girls Don’t Cry/Walk Like A Man, Billie Jean/Poison, You Make Me Wanna Shout, and my all-time favorite song Fix You. Fix You was so overwhelming. The emotion that all 10 of the guys put into it must be draining. As the tune sweeps over the audience, you begin to feel like they are the Pied Piper and we are the children. The coolest thing about this song is the end. You forget for a moment that they’ve stopped singing because you are so entranced. Sadly, I didn’t record them singing it but I did record Bridge Over Troubled Water, 12 Days Of Christmas, Stayin’ Alive/Superstition, So Sick of Love Songs, I’m Yours/Somewhere Over The Rainbow, and the Buddy Holly Tribute Song. Those are all on my YouTube channel minus most of the screaming (sorry). 

Two songs into the concert, my friend turned to me and said “I’m in love!!” I said, “I told you so.” I told my friend that it was on my bucket list to see them and she said it was on hers but she just didn’t know it. I laughed. I took great pride in pointing out all the guys, introducing them to her (last names included), and letting her know if they were single or married. What? I am not a stalker. If I am, may lightning strike me down, right now. What are you backing away for?

After the concert, we stayed for the Meet and Greet with SNC. This is where I lost my head and all common sense bestowed upon me. I wanted to get my picture taken with Jerome and Mike (Remember, this is where my friend came in) and I had a purse and jacket that I needed to dispose of. After all, no one wants to make a bad impression by leaving someone with a headache after your purse decides it doesn’t like staying on your shoulder and wants to move to your elbow which just happens to be near someone’s head. So, instead of me leaving my purse and jacket with my friend who I trusted, I left it with a complete stranger who I had never seen before. What a dumb blonde! After the picture was taken, I walked away to meet Seggie. Thankfully, Charlie and Ryan pointed out the fact a complete stranger still had my belongings. After almost turning 10 shades of red, I thanked the stranger and moved on down the line. The guys were signing t-shirts and CDs. Since I have their CDs but forgot to bring them, I had them sign my ticket. The only thing is I forgot my ticket had my name on it and Seggie turned to me and said “Hi, (name).” I replied “Hi Seggie Isho (pronounced E-show).” He looked puzzled and said “You got it right.” Inside I sang “Victory is mine, Victory is mine, Victory, today is mine.” My friend looked directly at him and said “She’s obsessed with you guys.” If looks could silence… However, I still wanted my picture with Ryan (see below) so I was nice to her until we got back to the car. Thankfully, at this point, my face had returned to a normal color and my common sense was restored in order to have a normal picture taken with Ryan.

I know I have rambled on and on and on and on about this concert but I can’t believe how good these guys actually are. YouTube cannot touch the awesome power of hearing them live. I have caught the SNC bug/spell and it doesn’t look like I will ever recover. It doesn’t matter though I’m okay with that. They have inspired me in ways I can’t even begin to talk about it because it’s the end of the blog. So I leave you today with a line from one of their songs Don’t Dream It’s Over “Hey now, hey now don’t dream it’s over.” Oh it’s not over….

To The Wonderful World of Books

“I’ve traveled the world twice over,

Met the famous saints and sinners

Poets and artists

Kings and queens

Old stars and hopeful beginners

I’ve been where no one’s been before

Learned secrets from writers and cooks

All with one library ticket

To the wonderful world of books”

~Anonymous~

Books have been around since languages have been spoken. One of the simple things in life is to curl up with a good book, a hot beverage, and a blanket on a rainy day and stay there forever. With today’s technology, the paper books have become somewhat a thing of the past. I dread the day when all the paper books are replaced with their electronic counterparts in the name of being green. Someday our children won’t be able to hold a hardbound book in their hands, smell the musty paper, and have the thrill of turning the page when the hero is about to save his lover. But since that day has not come, there is no reason for me to lament any longer on the subject.

Without authors, we would have no books and without any books, we would have no escape from our sometimes dreary world. Reading is enjoyable pastime in which you can escape reality and become Black Beauty running in the pasture. You can become Prince Charming who saves Cinderella from the evil stepmother or you can be Ben Hur in that famous chariot race. You can become Sherlock Holmes and use your wit to solve the crime or you can become Batman fighting the evil in Gotham City. Books can take you anywhere. A good book can make everything in reality disappear and help you build a world out of your own imagination. Just like the song in Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory, Pure Imagination. Oh what enjoyment comes from reading a book!

I tend to gravitate more to the books that blur the lines between what is real and what is not. Jane Austen’s book Pride and Prejudice is a great example of that style. Every word drips with sarcasm and wit as she makes fun of then society’s rules that people cannot marry out of their class. A more modern day author, Ted Dekker, twists reality into something unusual. His scenarios seem so far fetched but once you read his books they become real. Another author, Frank Peretti, opens your eyes with symbolism. His book, The Oath, shows a clear picture of sin and what it can do. It seems so obvious what he is talking about yet it becomes clearer with every page turn. Stephen King is a good author as well. Although, I must admit I have not read any of his books, his following alone is enough to convince me that he is a great author.

Romantic novels are an attraction for every woman no matter the age or personality. Although I had my stint at these when I was a teenager, at this point in time, romantic novels have no attraction for me. Why? The honest truth is they are so far from reality it would never be true. One author I read had the same guy crying on every page. No guy cries that much. You may like them but for me I can’t stand them.

So tell me who is your favorite author and what books do you recommend I read? I would love to “try” a new book after all “Books are the blessed chloroform of the mind ~ Robert Chambers