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

Monday, March 17, 2014

In Memory...

“If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal.” – I Corinthians 13:1 (NIV)


Laurel and Zettie on a sunny day in Charleston, SC

I am pictured enjoying a sunny January day here in SC with my beautiful black Labrador mix, Zettie. For the past almost-twelve years, God has used her unconditional love in my life to help keep my music from being, to paraphrase the above Scripture, “just a bunch of noise.”


I can't believe that it has been almost 12 years since I went to the Champaign County Humane Society in Illinois, in search of a furbaby. When I knelt down beside Zettie to feel her powerful, regal head and stroke the velvety softness of her ears, she wrapped her big, clumsy paw around my arm and around my heart. I knew then that this precious creature and I would be partners for life. I have been blessed to watch her grow from a rollicking young pup of two-ish years into a beautiful, faithful furry family member who was nonetheless rambunctious and filled with exuberance. She has been by my side through good times and bad, always there with her playful growl, a wave of her enormous paws and a smiling wag of her bigger-than-life tail to bring things into perspective.


Zettie grew to be as her devoted vet here in Charleston often called her, “a very nice, old lady.” She loved and was loved by many two- and four-legged souls of all ages. Even as she aged, she did so with a contagious, vivacious spirit which could never be ignored.


Laurel and Zettie on a snowy day in SC

Zettie was without question a housedog. I often joked that she lived in a large climate-controlled doghouse and allowed me to live in it with her. Still, with “her person” beside her, Zettie was good for an adventure outside anytime, in all seasons (though she never particularly cared for thunder.) Just a few weeks ago, God gave us the rare treasure of a snowy day here in Charleston, SC. I was blessed to enjoy that day with my Zettie as both of us are pictured here.


Last Wednesday, March 12, as I held her close to me, Zettie crossed the “Rainbow Bridge,” passing away at home on her day bed. She romps thru Heaven now, completely free from pain and filled with that joy which was such a unique part of her truly magnanimous personality.


My Zettie was definitely not a service dog, but has been honored by Dixie Land Guide Dog Users, Inc. with a special tribute article on their Web site. My thanks to all from across the country who have offered such a tremendous outpouring of love and support during this time. Most of all, thanks be to God for Zettie. I am so much the better for her being in my life!


"To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven…” – Ecclesiastes 3:1 (KJV)


”The wolf will live with the lamb, the leopard will lie down with the goat, the calf and the lion and the yearling together; and a little child will lead them.” – Isaiah 11:6 (NIV)

 

Wednesday, March 12, 2014

Serving With Grace

Laurel with Grace church Choir

Here I am pictured with the choir of Grace United Methodist Church, Charleston, SC and Grace's Music Director, Kim Harris.  I have often been blessed to collaborate on worship music with Kim and the Grace Church Choir When I am not traveling with my ministry.

When I first came to Charleston to offer mission and outreach work with and on behalf of others in the blindness community, my first priority was to find a local church home.  It is truly a joy to worship and serve with the Grace Church family!

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!