Today I had a great opportunity to go to the old stomping grounds of my parents.  I was on the show “Focus 4″ at CTVN, which is just outside of Pittsburgh.  My parents met at U. of Pitt, and I went there a lot as a kid.  Young Life moved my dad to Columbus, OH, but it never took the Pittsburgh out of him, and my brothers latched onto that – in my house, not rooting for ANY Pittsburgh team meant getting beaten up by your brothers.  In a loving way, of course! 

So imagine my surprise when I get to the show and realize that the other guest is the owner of both the Pirates and the Penguins!!  My brothers would have loved to be there.  And, thanks to them, I didn’t have to look TOO stupid!

Had a great time with Ron and Cathy on the show, we had an interview and I did 3 songs.  Can’t wait to go back!  Just a very warm, friendly place there, and I love their heart for ministry.

I was the guest on Greg Bullen’s radio show “Off the Bookshelf” on WMPC in Lapeer, MI yesterday – he told me we should rename the show “Off the CD” just for the day in my honor. Great guy, really fun show, and such a heart for ministry. Thanks for having me!

A couple of nice reviews came in this week for Love Broke Through. Check them out here:

Three Different Directions

Shop With Me Mama

With the women of New Hope

Just finished an awesome weekend with the women from New Hope church. I am totally exhausted – we’ve been running like crazy for weeks now with the new album, and after this retreat Friday and Saturday, I led worship this morning, went to a baby shower and a soccer game, and am pretty much in total collapse mode. But it really was so wonderful to be with those women and watch the Lord moving.

We had the retreat at Cherry Valley Lodge and it’s so beautiful. Tammy Smith was the speaker, and I did a concert Friday night and led the worship for all the sessions. Tammy had great things to say. I was also so very touched by the women there – the ones who were working so hard to make it beautiful for the other women, and the ones who came with their hearts so open to what the Lord had for them on the weekend.

I was also touched because there were about 100 women there, and we still got 18 World Vision kids sponsored – that is incredible! And those kids lives are entirely changed. Altogether a great, great weekend.

With Chris Grinrod at WEEC

A live song in studio C

Had a great visit in Springfield, OH today. It’s home turf for me – only an hour or so from my house which was good because the weather was not! But I still got there and had a lovely time with Chris Grinrod and the other people at WEEC. I was on their request hour live show and did a couple of songs, as well as an interview. So fun to be with everyone there!

I can’t believe this turned into “news”! I’m laughing pretty hard about this one – check out this article.

For the background story, see the post “O Canada” a couple days ago. Too funny!

With Moira Brown at 100 Huntley Street

Mom getting a little touch-up before her interview

Mom and I with Jesse Pohl and Steve Napoli at WDCX

This morning we got up very early and headed over to Crossroads Studio to appear live on 100 Huntley Street, Canada’s longest running talk show. I was hear once before and it was really fun to go back. I have been interviewed both times by Moira Brown, and she is really excellent and a lovely person. My mom also filmed an interview about her book while we were there which will air sometime in May.

We left as quickly as we could, trying to stay ahead of a blizzard that was heading toward Toronto. Got through customs with no problem this time, and just on the other side of the border in Buffalo, we stopped for a station visit at WDCX. So fun to meet them – they’ve played my music for a couple of years, but I’ve never gotten to stop in and get to know them. Great station with a heart for God. For years it was illegal in Canada to have a full-time Christian station, so WDCX has essentially been that station to Toronto, with over 60% of their listeners on the Canada side. Very fun.

Then we drove home through some very wet, snowy weather, but the roads were still good. God has definitely kept us safe with all this winter travel up north!

Well, sometimes weird things happen.

This morning I guest-led the worship at Faith Covenant Church in Farmington Hills, MI – same church I had the concert at last night for Covenant Community Care. Great church, with an awesome name!! Okay, I confess, that’s the name of my church too.

Anyway, we left after services and headed for Toronto. I’m on the air tomorrow morning live on 100 Huntley Street, Canada’s longest running talk show.

We we got to the border, we had this enormous Canadian border guard, and he asked me where I was from and what I was going into Canada for. I told him I was doing a TV show and he asked if I was an actor.

Me: “No, I’m singing”

Him: “Hmmm. Well, you know we’re playing you guys tonight in the Olympics. Hockey.”

Me: “Yep, should be a good game. Hope we get to watch it when we get there.”

Him: “Well, I’m not letting you in until you sing O Canada.”

Me: “Ha ha! That’s funny.”

Him: “No, I’m serious.”

Uncomfortable pause. Big guy. Ohio girl who, let’s face it, only hears that song when the Olympics are on.

Me: “Um, Ohhhh, Canada!!! La, la, la, la, la, laaaahhh!!!!”

Him: “Good enough.”

O, Canada!!

With Paul Propson and Jim Cole of Covenant Community Care

Benefit concert

How’s this for a really neat example of the body of Christ? A bunch of churches in the Detroit area got together to try and address the issue of uninsured people without medical care in their area. They created Covenant Community Care, and last year they provided medical services to 4000 uninsured people in Detroit. I was so impressed by their heart for the people they serve!

They are starting a new effort to serve 10,000, and I did a benefit concert to kick off the campaign. Wonderful people, and the concert was at a church I’ve been to several times before, so it was fun to reconnect with them. Loved the evening, and so happy to help such a great cause!

The beautiful party room for the private concert Sunday

Some of our audience for Sanibel’s concert

Saturday night I did a concert at Sanibel Community Church for their “Love of Christ Banquet” which they have on Valentine’s weekend. Wonderful people with a wonderful message – that Christ loves us. We had dinner and then the concert. Then straight back to our friend’s place in Bonita Springs because I had to be at church early.

Sunday morning I sang at Naples Community Church. They are so excited about moving into their new building, so it was fun to see the plans for that coming together.

After the service, mom and I headed out across the state to Vero Beach, Florida, and I gave a concert tonight for a private event some of our friends were having. I tell you – they know how to throw a party! It was absolutely stunning, and I really respect their desire for everyone to know Christ. It’s pretty brave to invite everyone you know to a concert like that!

Today I am like a puddle of jello – just laying here in a lump. That was a lot all in one weekend. Headed home tomorrow, and can’t wait to see my kiddos.