Music By Laurel Jean

Music By Laurel Jean
Music with a Message and a Mission

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

Saturday, August 14, 2010

August Homecoming

Laurel by Old Unione Church Sign



Here I am, outside of Old Union Missionary Baptist Church, Mt. Vernon, IL. On Sunday, August 8, This congregation celebrated Homecoming.

What a joy it was for Music By Laurel Jean to be part of this Sunday afternoon service, as the folks at Old Union marked over 60 years of fulfilling our Lord’s Great Commission in Mt. Vernon and beyond!

Laurel playing and singing for Old Union Homecoming



The Old Union Homecoming was just one of several Music Ministry stops on the schedule during my most recent trip to my home state of Illinois. I flew into Springfield on Saturday, July 31. An Access Springfield bus, a service of Springfield Mass-Transit, took me to my hotel.

On August First, I caught a cab to New Berlin, where I brought The Message In Music to God’s kids of all ages at New Salem United Methodist Church. My good friend, Carolyn who often drives for me, had brought my piano to the church ahead of time, so everything was all set! This day was extra special because it was the 90th birthday of Carolyn’s mom, Barb.

After Morning Worship, Carolyn took her mom out to lunch while many of us stayed behind, moving my piano down to the basement fellowship hall and getting ready for a surprise birthday party!

Laurel with Carolyn and Barb



I had a great time providing background music for the party. Here I am with Carolyn and her mom.

Other engagements included music for a special open house, and for the Dominican Sisters of Springfield, IL. Thanks to access Springfield, Lincoln Cab, and a couple of volunteers, I was also able to catch up with some of my long-time friends.

Laurel and long-time friend Millie

 


Millie, now 82, was responsible for both scheduling and driving me to my first ministry engagement, over 22 years ago! Though time and circumstances prevented us from staying in touch, we were reunited last year. Unbeknownst to me ahead of time, Millie attended my 2009 concert for the Lincolnland Chapter of Full Gospel Businessmen’s Fellowship International, where this picture was taken.

Due to several health complications, Millie doesn’t get out as much as she would like to. Still, God’s Spirit shines brightly within this beautiful Christian lady! Public transportation allowed me to visit Millie’s home on several occasions during my recent ten days spent in Illinois. I would also like to thank the pastor, whose prayers and blessings made it possible for me to bring Communion to Millie, sharing in the Sacraments with Millie and her daughter. Through tears, Millie told me afterwards, “Nothing in this world could have pleased me more. No one has ever done anything like this for me.”

On August 10, I was up early to catch another Access Springfield bus back to the airport for a very pleasant flight back to Charleston, SC. God still has more work for me to do, so stay tuned for more posts like this one.

Thank God, and thank you, for your ongoing prayers and support! Until next time, God bless you, and keep His Song in your heart!

© 2010 by Laurel Jean Walden

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A Little About Me

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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!