Music By Laurel Jean

Music By Laurel Jean
Music with a Message and a Mission

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Laurel Jean's Scrapbook

Sharing God's Guiding Glimpses into my Life of Music and Ministry

Sunday, December 25, 2016

Holiday Greetings and Year-End Highlights.

"The people walking in darkness have seen a great light..." (Isaiah 9:2)

Greetings and Merry Christmas!

Christmas lights on the fence outside Laurel's house

Here is a shot of the Christmas lights on the fence outside my home in Charleston, SC. Audrey and I had a great time decorating the fence this year, and I'm sure that it was great fun for the neighbors to watch two blind ladies untangling and stringing Christmas lights! :) We pray that the light of Christ shines in all that we do every day.

From beginning to end, 2016 has been packed with God's blessings in my life, music and ministry! Since the January release of my latest album "Living That Story,"  this collection is now available on CD, as well as on iTunes and other popular download/streaming sites. Recording has changed a lot since I released my first cassette album back in 1993. Now, thanks to accessible computer technology, I can enjoy much more independence in recording and producing an album.  With this technology and the Internet, I can work on projects like this in collaboration with people all over the world! God's Light keeps shining in ways that I never would have dreamed to be possible!

The weekend of February 14 found me in my home state of Illinois, with musical engagements in the Champaign and Springfield areas. For me, the beautiful snowfall that greeted me while I was there felt like a personal Valentine from the good Lord Himself!  Seeing many old friends and meeting new ones made that weekend extra special!

Whether presenting in front of a church, or working behind the scenes to help folk feel welcome, wanted and loved in God's House, the subject of "The Church and People With Disabilities" continues to bee a priority. In the spring, Audrey, Jessie and I were called up the road to Goose Creek, SC for an "Able to Serve Sunday" presentation at St. James United Methodist Church. Amid the warm welcome and enthusiastic response from this congregation, we were inspired to meet a young lady named Donna. Having served in Afghanistan, Donna was awaiting a lung transplant. We were deeply moved as Donna looked beyond her own health challenges to pray with us and assist us in our presentation.

This year, more talking Bibles have been placed in the hands of people with blindness and other print disabilities, as well as others having mobility issues which make it difficult to hold a book. In the spring, we were contacted by a representative of Project Okurase, an organization based here in Charleston. Project Okurase works with the people of the rural West African village of Okurase in Ghana. We met with Francis, a twelve-year-old boy, blind from birth, who was brought to the United States for the diagnosis of his eye condition since proper evaluation was not available in Ghana. Francis has Leber Congenital Amaurosis (LCA). We were able to refer Francis and his guardian to an independent vision teacher who specializes in orientation and mobility. Francis and his family are Christian, and I found a solar powered talking Bible (The New Testament) in his native tribal language of "Ewe" (pronounced "Ay-way).

This past summer, I assisted with coordination and participation in presenting for area day camps, collaborating with others from the Charleston area's blindness community.  Here I am with friend and fellow Dixie Lander Kimberly and her guide dog "Fonzie."

Laurel and Kimberly presenting for day campers

Together, we educated sighted children--ages seven thru fifteen--on the subjects of Braille, proper etiquette when meeting a blind person--with or without a service dog--, accessible technology and much more.

We also assisted area Girl Scouts in earning their merit badges relating to disabilities and service animals. Here, Audrey, her guide Jessie and I posed with scouts, their leaders and our puppy raiser friends Mike and Peggy who joined us for this presentation.

Laurel and Audrey with puppy raisers and girl scouts

On July 31st, I truly felt the impact--and was able to serve as a witness--of God's Grace and mercy. I was walking my pet Lab, Sonny, around my neighborhood as I do every day. I approached a driveway with which I am very familiar. A car was idling in the driveway. I stopped for a moment to listen to the car. Then, I continued across the driveway behind the car, just as the driver punched it in reverse. The right rear of the car caught my right hip and I fell. The driver was absolutely beside herself. Her sister had just been taken to the hospital and she confessed that she wasn't even looking as she backed out of the driveway. I was fine, just stiff and sore with a few bruises, scrapes on my knee and hand, and torn jeans. The driver helped me retrieve Sonny, who is soooooo not a guide dog and had occupied himself with some cat food on the porch. Then, she asked me if I needed anything.

As I stood talking to this lady, I kept hearing the words "Grace" and "mercy" in my heart. We live in such a litigious society. One can't watch a single program on TV without hearing the advertisement for an attorney to call if one has been in an accident. I gave the driver a hug, asked her sister's name and promised to pray for both of them. Then, after admonishing her to please be more careful, I finished our walk (torn pants and all) and headed home. I was stiff and sore for four days, but never missed a day of walking my dog. By the end of that week, we were back to our regular brisk pace. Praise God!

In the fall, we here in Charleston battened down the hatches to prepare for an unwelcome visitor named Hurricane Matthew.  While many people evacuated, a lot of us (myself included) stayed put and hunkered down in place to wait out the storm. Damage in my immediate neighborhood was minimal and we lost power for less than 24 hours. Others in the greater metro area of Charleston and throughout the state were not so fortunate. The storm was quite unnerving to say the least. Fierce winds roared thru the night and all the next day. Transformers exploded all around, and mature trees were snapped as if they were little twigs. Thru it all, we were kept informed by realtime radio/television coverage and alerts from some of the top meteorologists in the nation who happen to live  and work here in Charleston. It was truly a blessing also to  have such a supportive network of friends and neighbors. Those victory shouts of "We made it!" really meant a lot as we all began to venture out of our homes again.

Every day, we pray that God will put us where He wants us, and use us where He puts us. Guide Dog Users of Florida will be hosting Top Dog-2017 in Orlando this coming January, and we South Carolina affiliate members have been providing administrative and promotional assistance as needed. Once again, we have been asked to participate in "The Blessing of the Guides," one of the highlights of Top Dog since that first workshop was held in 2006. I have also been providing technical support for the Not Alone Internet Ministry. This ministry reaches out from St. Louis, Missouri to blind people all over the world with an accessible Bible study and weekly devotionals featuring Pastor Dave Andrus and colleague Cecilia Lee, both totally blind. Earlier this year, I was commissioned to write a song for the "Heart and Soul" choir of Central Christian Church in Decatur, Illinois for their annual concert in June, 2017. I am currently working on that project, and preparing for music and ministry in Georgia next spring.

We continue to be available to serve as peer mentors for our blind brothers and sisters, and those who are in the process of losing their sight. Most of this mentoring takes place via phone or Internet. We consider it an honor and a gift to hear someone's confidence growing as they speak and to witness them learning to solve many of their own problems. I personally find that I am most often the one who is mentored, and I thank God for every opportunity that He gives me to shine His Light.

I also thank God for you. Your prayers and support help keep my ministry and me going and growing in God. Stay tuned for more posts in the coming year. Until next time, God bless you and keep His Song in your heart!


Saturday, April 30, 2016

The Shepherd's Gift

"I am the good shepherd; I know my sheep and my sheep know me—" John 10:14

"Make yourself at home." That's what my paternal grandfather used to say whenever I would visit my grandparents' farm. Then, he would laugh and say, "Have a chair and sit down beside it."

 My parents divorced when I was very small and my dad was killed on his job when I was just seven years old. As the years have passed, I've been blessed to meet and become better acquainted with many of my dad's close friends and distant relatives. Though I spent a rather small amount of time with my paternal grandparents as a child, I have also come to treasure some really precious memories of them.

Throughout his life, Grandpa Walden was a farmer by profession. In addition to planting and tending the fields, he raised sheep and also raised and trained border collies to herd sheep. One of my favorite childhood memories is of Grandpa allowing me to stand in the sheep pen while one of his dogs brought the sheep from the pasture. Grandpa would give his dog special commands to herd the flock of sheep all around me.   The dog would then hold them in one place so that I could walk among them and touch them.

My grandpa even had his own shepherd's staffs which he had hand-whittled from large tree saplings. Sadly, to my knowledge, those staffs were lost in a fire.

Fast forward a few years on my journey of music and ministry. I was in Lincoln, IL one Sunday morning presenting for the Lincoln Church of the Nazarene. Orienting myself with the church, I stood in the pastor's office prior to the service. I reached out to touch the wall beside me as I often do, when what should I find but a beautifully hand-carved shepherd's staff! I couldn't stop admiring that staff and told Pastor Greg about my Grandpa Walden who had since passed away.

Weeks later, I received a call from Pastor Greg asking when I would again be in the Lincoln area. We made arrangements to meet and he surprised me with my very own shepherd's staff!

picture of Laurel's staff on wall

Unbeknownst to me, this generous, discerning pastor had contacted the man who carved his shepherd's staff and had told him about me. The two then contacted Rev. Bill Dolan, Lincoln's Christian radio WLLM station manager who is also blind, and asked him to give them a sample of the words "Grandpa Walden" spelled out in Braille. On the shank of my shepherd's staff, fasteners similar to upholstery pins serve as simulated Braille dots to form my grandfather's name.

Laurel's staff, showing the words Grandpa Walden in Braille

This shepherd's staff is one of my most valued possessions.  It made the journey with me when I came to Charleston, SC where I currently live. In addition to bringing back precious childhood memories, it serves as a reminder that—whatever our geographical location or life circumstances may be—we can always "make ourselves at home" as part of the family of God.

Our Good Shepherd has laid down His life for us. He is risen and has ascended to prepare a place for us!  What a magnificent gift!

Has another member of the Body of Christ  gone out of their way to make you feel "at home?" What can we do to make others feel the same? Leave a comment to share your thoughts.

Until next time, God bless you and keep His Song in your heart.

© 2016 by Laurel Jean Walden

Friday, February 5, 2016

New CD, Living That Story!

Living That Story CD cover

"…The  free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord." (Romans 6:23, World English Bible)

As I write, the earthly lights of Christmas are safely tucked away for another season. Our churches and our lives are wrapped in the garment of "Ordinary Time." Still, child of God that I am, I want to hear that story, just one more time! I want to live that story always! Don't you?

"Oh, won't you tell me one more time? It brings me so much joy
To hear of Mary, and of Joseph, and that Baby Boy…"*

One more time…won't you join me on this journey of joyful mysteries, to visit once again the people and places surrounding our Lord, Jesus Christ as He came into this world?

Wait with me in the temple courtyard with the crowds to greet a speechless Zacharias who has just been told by the angel Gabriel that he and his wife Elizabeth will be blessed in their old age with a son (John the Baptist.)

Let us reminisce together with Mary, the mother of Jesus, of the time when she, too, was visited by that angel Gabriel. We'll follow her as she hurries away to the hill country of Judea to the house of her cousin Elizabeth. Can you hear their emotional greetings and praises to God as they spend time together, preparing for that truly awesome work which God is doing in their lives, and ours?

Come with me to weep and pray with Mary as she is found to be with child after returning home. Witness her unwavering trust in God as she prays for Joseph and surrenders completely to God's Will.

Pause with me a while at the Bethlehem manger to praise and worship God for the gift of His only Son. We'll sit with the innkeeper as he beholds this wondrous Love of God, exclaiming, "The Child for Whom I had no room came to prepare a place for me!"*

Let us follow Mary and Joseph to the temple in Jerusalem as they present their firstborn son in accordance with the law of the Lord. Can you hear the tearful praises of Simeon and Anna as each takes their turn, gathering the Child Jesus into their arms and blessing Him for His journey?

Then we'll return with Mary and Joseph to the temple years later to find that the young boy Jesus, presumed to be lost, has been about His Father's business all along. Hear that gentle reminder for us to "take His hand. Let's make every day Christmas..."* a celebration of His Love, "…living that story He lives in you and me."*

"Living That Story" is available on CD thru my Web site. You can purchase online with PayPal, call me with your credit card order, or print my order form to purchase by mail using check/money order. If you buy any three items directly thru my Web site, shipping is free. Check it out and hear samples on my "Albums, Etcetera" Page.

The download version of this album can be purchased currently thru my  outstanding digital distributor CDBaby, here.

"Living That Story" will also soon be available on your favorite download and streaming sites such as iTunes and Amazon. Just do an artist search for "Laurel Jean" to bring up my music. Currently, two singles "Whatever" and "The Blessing of Your Love," as well as my "Journey Home" collection are available on these sites. If you purchase and like what you hear, please take time to write a review and use the sharing features on these sites to tell your friends. That really means a lot!

Who from the Scriptures would you like to speak with? Of course, we look forward to seeing Jesus, but who else do you look forward to meeting face to face, and what would you like to ask them? Feel welcome to share your comments below.

Stay tuned for more posts like this one. Until next time, thank you for your ongoing prayer support! God bless you, and keep His Song in your heart!

*Lyrics from "Living That Story," © 2016 by Laurel Jean Walden.

A Little About Me

My photo
God continues to bless me with a busy and fulfilling life. Even after thirty-plus years, my music and ministry keep going and growing. Blind from birth, I am n avid user of Braille and the long, white cane, in addition to a variety of mainstream and access technology. While my blindness does not define me, I consider it to be a unique gift from God. With this gift comes my opportunity to serve as an advocate on behalf of my fellow members of the Blindness community, living and serving among blind and sighted folks of all ages, on all walks of life. To learn more about my music, ministry and outreach, please visit my Web site, and be sure to stay tuned to my Blog!