Big week! Radiant You is out!

Well, I can officially say that my first record has been released. What a week! I can’t believe how far we have come and how wonderful this process has been. I just want to tell you all thank you again. It is because of my friends, family and new fans that I have a record to share. My heart longed to have a record so that people could grow closer to God and so that they could share the music with their communities and their churches. I have that now. And, I am so grateful to all of you. Thank you for sharing. Thank you for telling your friends and family. They can find me on iTunes here:

http://smarturl.it/rebekahme

And, on bandcamp you can hear every song : http://rebekahme.bandcamp.com/

Album Update…Summer is here!

Photos, songbooks, mastering, following the Way!

You have all been so very patient with me! Thank you for that. And, thank you for everything. Your support through all of this has been such a gift. I am constantly pinching myself.

Last week, we shot the cover photos for the album. I’m still trying to find the right fit for the design. And, am hoping one of my favorite designers will say yes and design the artwork. :-)

The above photo is from the photoshoot. It is not the album cover, but still one that I wanted to share with y’all.

Georgetown Masters in Nashville is mastering the record. They are amazing. And, they began working yesterday. The word is that everything sounds great. I can’t wait to hear the difference mastering makes.

T-shirt designs are still not chosen. I’m hoping the album designer will do this as well. I think having something that really fits the design on the record would be best. And, I would like 2 options for t-shirts.

I’m working on doing some local concerts to distribute the pre-ordered albums in person. Those are coming together well. I can’t wait to share when and where we will be.

And, it’s Summer and super hot here. So, we are trying to stay happy and cool. Hope you are all well. Blessings!

love,

Rebekah

www.facebook.com/rebekahme

What are the Els up to?

Summer 2012 is almost here and we have been super busy this Spring. The kids are all doing really well. We had a spell with a couple of them struggling with respiratory issues, but all seems to be much better now. Here is an update on all of the ELS.

 

Trinity is 3 and a half years old. She is just finishing preschool. And, she had her dance recital last week. She is a wonderful dancer, full of energy and ideas. She loves to make new friends, tell stories and learn about family history. She still has a very low and unique sounding speaking voice. It’s fun to hear her talk. And, she talks with those big brown eyes too.

Leeland will turn 2 this Summer. He is so much fun. He loves his siblings so very much and enjoys doing everything that they do. He really loves baseball and has mastered his swing along with sound effects. He’ll also say “homerun” or “strike” when he (pretend) hits the ball. He was on breathing treatments for several weeks and as I would hold him in my lap he would point to the television with the remote control saying “baseball, baseball, baseball.” I would (sometimes) let him watch part of a game if I could find one on tv. He is a joy!

Trinity’s dance recital

Moustapha and I attended a friend’s wedding at the Hyatt Lost Pines. This is a pic from the golf cart ride to the wedding ceremony.

Listening to my album mixes has become a regular occurance for all of us. Luckily, the kids all really like the music. I’m hoping they are a good test market for the target audience. :-) If so, we’re making a really popular cd.

Bakri is nearly finished with first grade. It has been a wonderful year of growth for him. He has made some great friends. And, his reading abilities have amazed us. He loves to read big books and will spend hours reading. He is also great at spelling and art. Here he is on “all art day” doing a chalk painting on the sidewalk of his interpretation of Boats at Saintes-Marie. He still loves baseball and he and Maddux have enjoyed another year of playing on the same team.

Maddux, second from the left, is five and a half years old. He is graduating from pre-k soon and he will officially be a kindergartener. He loves his school and friends. Maddux learned to read and write this year. It helps to have an older child working along side other children. So, while Bakri was working on reading, Maddux was picking it up too. Now he can read everything. He will tell me when I’m in a left turn only lane or that I’m not supposed to cross a double white line or read any sign on the side of the road. He keeps me on my toes and remembers everything!

Trinity at the water park

Leeland, Maddux and Bakri

We are looking forward to a fun Summer. My album will be finished soon, so I will have lots of work to do as far as marketing and delivering all the products to those that pre-ordered it. It’s an exciting time. We’ll try to swim a lot and play a lot this Summer too. Enjoy your Summer. Enjoy your life. It’s a gift. “Give thanks to the Lord. For He is good, so good to us!”

Many blessings,

-Rebekah

Inspiration and Encouragement everywhere

I was really encouraged by so many of you after my last post. Telling you that I’ve had doubts in my life, and that I’ve been discouraged, at times, by the words of others was difficult. It was humbling. But, it was honest. And, many of you said you have felt the same thing in your own lives and that it encouraged you to hear a little of my story.

So, that got me to thinking about the power that we have to encourage one another. When we see gifts in our friends, let’s tell them.

Do you have a friend who is an encourager? Tell him/her. Let them know what it means to you to see them encouraging others and how they are making a difference. Do you have a friend who has the gift of great counsel? Do they listen well and give great advice? Are they wise? Tell them. Are they a gifted photographer, artist, amazing mother or father, teacher, singer, community leader, blogger, friend, etc.? Tell them! I know that the negative words that are said can have such a powerful impact, almost crippling us from doing the things that we should do. But, I believe that we can overcome the negativity, and overcome those that just want to discourage us, by rising above and choosing to encourage others. I believe that God intends for us to do just that. Just a thought for this weekend.

Isaiah 40:28-31 says:

“Don’t you know? Haven’t you heard? The Lord is the everlasting God, the creator of the ends of the earth. He doesn’t grow tired or weary. His understanding is beyond human reach, giving power to the tired and reviving the exhausted. Youths will become tired and weary, young men will certainly stumble; but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength; they will fly up on wings like eagles; they will run and not be tired; they will walk and not be weary.”

And, below I share with you a photo of something I looked at everyday while in Nashville. It reminded me of several special ladies in my life who I love with all of my heart. Ladies that encouraged me every chance they got. I don’t believe this sign in this place was an accident. God is reminding me that He is with me. To wait. To be ready. To encourage others and to be encouraged. Be blessed, dear friends. Love, Rebekah

Thinking of Nannie
and Momma in Nashville

Songwriting

One of the most precious gifts I’ve been given is songwriting and having the time to write songs as a wife and busy momma of four young children can be challenging. Amazingly enough, some of the things that draw my attention away from where it needs to be (technology) have really helped me when writing. Years ago if I thought of a melody and lyrics while driving, it would soon be forgotten. But, now, I just hit “record” on my cell phone and listen back later when I have time. What a wonderful gift! It has definitely been a blessing to my work.

One of the songs I’ve written recently is a fun, lighthearted expression of how God is really our dream come true giving us hope in some of the most desperate of times. Last night, my dear husband (and creative inspiration) took me on a “date.” We had the best time. I spent most of our date sitting at the piano and we both sang and played and had the best time just being creative. I think we have a couple of really great songs that came out of last night’s writing session. And, hopefully they will make the cut for the record! Right now, I have more songs than space on the album. So, part of this process is narrowing things down and really letting the best songs be heard.

Hope you are having a great weekend and great start to your Spring Break (if, it’s happening now like here.) Happy Saturday and much love,

-Rebekah