Britt Nicole- Headphones

Another new music discovery for you all! As I said in my last post, one of the reasons for this blog is to help others discover new, uplifting music! After discovering Rachael Lampa I started looking for some more, fun, upbeat, uplifting music in the same genre...and discovered a few great music artists!

The next one I'd like to share is Britt Nicole. After looking around on YouTube I found this FUN song, it is totally going on my workout play list! I LOVE it, and think it is SO perfect for teenagers in the world today. I love the message it gives to be yourself, and remember to look UP and remember the love our Father above has for YOU. I love that it teaches that music can uplift you and help you remember who you are and that things are going to be okay.

"Headphones" by Britt Nicole

"Keep your head up, dust off your shoulder, It's alright, no it's not over

Anytime you feel alone, put on your headphones,

Love, Love's coming through your headphones!"

If you are reading this in an email or reader click HERE and it will take you to my

blog to watch the video.

Thanks for stopping by and as always, please leave a comment if you liked the video or if you have any song or music artist suggestions for me to check out!

Rachael Lampa

Have you heard of Rachael Lampa? Me neither, until a few weeks ago. A friend of mine from highschool (Nicole Broome...I blogged about one of her songs HERE) was doing a "giveaway" for tickets to a Rachael Lampa house concert she was hosting. I was curious, so I googled her...and WOW, I am SO glad I did! I wish I lived in NC so I could have entered to win some tickets!
She has an AMAZING, unique, fun, soulful voice. I LOVE it! And sheesh, she is gorgeous too! Rachel was in the music scene a few years back when she was younger, and was exploding with success, but decided to stop. You can really tell that the time off taught her many things and helped her mature and realize the true purpose of music, to uplift others. I'm so grateful for fresh, new music artists that truly LOVE the talent God has given them! Some of my favorite songs that  I've discovered are "Remedy", and "When I Fall". She has both "secular" and "christian" music, which I love.
One of my purposes for this blog is to introduce others to music artists, as well as force myself to look outside my normal favorite few, I hope you take some time to check out her WEBSITE, I think you'll like what you find! On her website, under Media, she has a few videos you can watch. In the meantime, check out this acoustic performance of "Remedy"!

(*Update...I thought she looked familiar, and now I now why, I just discovered she was in the group called "The Collective" on last season of "The Sing Off"!)

*If you are reading this in a reader or through an email CLICK HERE to take you to my full website*

Do you have a favorite music artist/song that uplifts you that I might like too? Please leave a comment or email me so I can check it out!!!

She Put the Music in Me

Sorry it's been such a long break from me posting. My grandfather passed away at the end of March, and I got off track for a while after that. I will miss him so much, but am so thankful for the memories I have with him and for the knowledge that I will see him again someday.

I came across a new video released today by a new music artist, Calee Reed. Her voice is magnificent! I'm sure I will post about her again soon! (I've also come across a few more music artists that I'm excited to share with you soon!). Calee released this music video today in honor of Mother's Day on Sunday. She lost her mother to cancer last year and this song is a tribute to her, and to all mothers.

 As I was watching and listening to the song, my thoughts, of course, turned to my own mother, and to who I am as a mother. I love the title of the song, "She Put the Music In me". My mother truly put my love of music in me. My parents always taught us the importance of music and it played a huge part in our family growing up. I was taught how important music is in feeling and teaching by the spirit. How it can bring peace and inspiration. Each child in my family played an instrument. On any given day you could hear the many sounds of music coming from our windows- from Chopin and Beethoven, to Michael McClean, to Celine Dion, to Brittany Spears, to Louie Armstrong, to Garth Brooks...I could go on. You could hear flute, piano, viola, cello, violin, trombone, trumpet, a little guitar, and of course voice. That's a lot of music! My mother has a beautiful voice, I have fond memories of her singing to us at night before bed her french lullabies when we were young. I can hear them now as I think about it. My parents also sang together sometimes, we loved hearing them sing duets!


My parents and I last November

I am so thankful for the many things I have learned from my parents, as the song says, they were sent to me by my Heavenly Father. I share this music video for her, and for every women out there who has loved, taught, and cared for another....all women are mothers.

Happy Mother's Day!

Better than a Hallelujah

A cell phone camera and a fun app provides lots
of entertainment some days.



I'm not sure I can say it enough, the group Mercy River is AMAZING. When I heard months ago that they were getting ready to release a new album I was SO excited! Mercy River is made up of three down to earth moms who have a passion for music. (I have posted about them previously) Maybe that's one reason why I have been so drawn to them, I can relate, and dream to be in their position one day, inspiring others with music! I was so excited when I found their album on iTunes the night before it was officially released, if we still listened to cassette tapes mine would be totally worn out because of how much I have listened to it. I have had a hard time picking just one song on the album that has inspired me, that I wanted to write about- they ALL have inspired me in some way.

After listening to the album, I don't know how many times, the song Better than a Hallelujah caused me to stop what I was doing, restart the song and really LISTEN, and feel the words. I know the spirit was telling me to stop being busy and take in the message of the song. Here are the words:

Better than a Hallelujah

by Mercy River, from the album Higher

God loves a lullaby
In a mother’s tears in the dead of night
Better than a Hallelujah sometimes

God loves the drunkard’s cry
The soldier’s plea not to let him die
Better than a Hallelujah sometimes

We pour out our miseries
God just hears a melody
Beautiful, the mess we are
The honest cries of breaking hearts
Are better than a Hallelujah

The woman holding on for life
The dying man giving up the fight
Are better than a Hallelujah sometimes

The tears of shame for what’s been done
The silence when the words won’t come
Are better than a Hallelujah sometimes

We pour out our miseries
God just hears a melody
Beautiful, the mess we are
The honest cries of breaking hearts
Are better than a Hallelujah

Better than a church bell ringing
Better than a choir singing out, singing out

We pour out our miseries
God just hears a melody
Beautiful, the mess we are
The honest cries of breaking hearts
Are better than a Hallelujah

I grew up in the south, and in the south there are many "Hallelujahs"! It was fun to sing the "clap your hands, sway back and forth, shout hallelujah " songs in highschool choir and the youth city choir. Those kinds of songs can uplift and inspire just as much as the more quiet, reverent songs. So, I really felt I understood what they meant when the said "Better than a hallelujah". As I began thinking about the words of this song, it made me think about the counsel we are given to pray always. I love the first phrase of the song because I can relate to them most, "God loves a lullaby, in a mother's tears in the dead of night." SO many times in my life in the past 6 years I have cried holding my crying baby that just won't go to sleep. My tears truly were a prayer, pleading for help with my sweet child, for help keeping my patience and showing them love, when I all I wanted was for them to sleep so I could sleep. The last 6 years of my life have taught me more about having a constant prayer in my heart than the previous 22 years. God wants us to turn to him, he wants to hear the honest cries of our breaking hearts.  Not that he enjoys seeing us this way, but more because he is there waiting with open arms to comfort and direct us. He wants to hear our honest cries more than he wants to hear our loud "Hallelujahs". He wants to hear our thoughts turn to him, He wants to bless us with peace. He wants us to turn to him in prayer as a family, and in the quiet peace of our bedrooms. I hope the words of the song can inspire you as much as they have inspired me!

"Then shall ye call upon me, and ye shall go and pray unto me, and I will hearken unto you. And ye shall seek me, and find me, when ye shall search for me with all your heart." Jeremiah 29:12-13

"Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock and it shall be opened unto you" Matthew 7:7

"Prayer is the provider of spiritual strength. It is the passport to peace. Prayer is the means by which we approach our Father in Heaven"- Thomas S. Monson



A recent family picture taken at the Denver LDS Temple



Guess what?! If you don't already have the new Mercy River album, Higher, you can go enter for a  chance to win a copy of your own! Mercy River is on a blog tour and will be stopping by TODAY  to guest post on my sisters blog, Moments! So head on over and check out her fun blog and enter to win!

Somewhere Over the Rainbow

Isn't it amazing how the simple word "sunlight" can evoke such wonderful, happy, joyous feelings? Say it out loud....it makes you feel good doesn't it? I just came across this video from the oh so amazing Piano Guys. "Somewhere Over the Rainbow"- yes I know, the song title doesn't have the word sunlight in it, but rainbows happen because of sunlight. How can you not look at a rainbow and smile and instantly want to show someone else? I also felt it appropriate with St. Patrick's day (or as my boys call it "Leprechaun day") around the corner I post something about Rainbows.

Enjoy this video, what thoughts of peace and joy come to you when you listen to and look at the beautiful scenery in it?

Walking in Sunlight by Stephanie Mabry

I am SO excited to have recently found this song! How could you not get in a good mood just from reading the title of the song, let alone the fun beat it has!? The message of this song is so simple.  So often I teach the youth (girls ages 12-13) in my Sunday class that if they live righteously, and strive to be like Jesus Christ, they will have the Light of Christ shining with in them. Not only is it the way our Heavenly Father wants us to live, but it is the way that will help us to feel good about ourselves. It truly is a beautiful feeling. It truly is like walking in sunlight. You know that feeling you have when you've been stuck inside all day and you walk outside to the warmth of the sun? That's what it feels like to have the Light of Christ, warmth, happiness, love. If we live the right way, others will notice it in us, and want us to show them how they can have the same thing. I know there is a reason I have always LOVED sunrise and sunsets. They fill me with so much joy, and remind me of the love my Heavenly Father has for me. I want to shine with that light and be a window to others of that light. It is human nature to long to be happy, feel loved, and show love to others. WE can walk in that sunlight, and help push the rain clouds away from others and share the light.

Walking in Sunlight by Stephanie Mabry 

(EFY, 2010)

It's a beautiful day, even though its dark out there

You've got sun on your face take it with you everywhere

And it warms your heart that's beating, it comes from believing

And it's a beautiful, a beautiful feeling

It's like walking in sunlight, when the whole world is covered in rain clouds

Your walkin' in sunlight, find the whole truth and living it out loud

Yeah when you know whats right, it's light walking in, Sunlight sunlight

Its amazing to me, how someone else can find

The light that they need, radiating in your eyes

Then it warms their heart that's beating

And suddenly your leading them to that beautiful,  beautiful feeling

It's like walking in sunlight, when the whole world is covered in rain clouds

Your walking in sunlight, finding the truth and living it out loud

Yeah when you know whats right, it's like walking in sunlight, sunlight

It's easy to forget how blessed we are

but life's better, when we remember, when we remember

It's like walking in sunlight, when the whole world is covered in rain clouds

We're walking in sunlight, finding the truth and living it out loud

Yeah when you know whats right, it's like walking in sunlight, sunlight

Sunlight, sunlight

Sunlight, sunlight

(the words to this song were transcribed by me, I apologize if they are not entirely correct)

New Eyes by Nichole Broome

I love how in the past 5 years social media has just exploded. It is amazing how simple services like Facebook, Google +, LinkedIn and others can bring lost friends and family together as if they were never apart! Among the hundreds of friends/acquaintances I have come across and reconnected with is a friend I had in 7th and 8th grade, Nichole Crook Broome. We were in choir together at Northwest School of the Arts. She was among the many, many talented kids at my school that have become successful in the arts. I remember she was someone I looked up to because she had such an amazing voice, she also had similar values and beliefs as me, so I was comfortable around her. Anyhow, we didn't stay in touch as we changed schools and grew up, until Facebook came along. We became friends on FB, haven't talked a ton, but its been fun to see her family grow and follow her career as well! 

Last year she released her first solo album called New Eyes. Ever since I bought it on iTunes I have listened to it at least once a day. As I've said before, I am always listening to music, and her album is fun, inspiring, and uplifting, it helps me get things done with enjoyment! It was unexpected to hear the jazzy undertones to the album, but I love it! Every song has a unique message. 

New Eyes

You say don't worry about it, just stop thinking about it, try to get some sleep

I've been tossing and turning, it feels like my soul is burning, I'm crying way down deep.

When I try to forget all the ghosts in my head, I feel so week,

that is when I let in the sweet words that you said

and fall asleep,

So rescue me, give me new eyes to see

I'll follow you're lead, just rescue me

Sometimes I feel so defeated,

So incomplete and my spirits beating me down

But then I'll stop breathing, the promise of your victory,

that's when I fall to the ground and cry,

When I try to forget all the ghosts in my head, I feel so week,

 that is when I let in the sweet words that you said,

and fall asleep,

So rescue me, give me new eyes to see

I'll follow your lead, and rescue me

Fall Holy spirit, fall down, fall down

Fall Holy spirit, fall

And rescue me, give me new eyes to see

I'll follow your lead, just rescue me

I'll follow your lead, and rescue me

(I transposed the words to this song by listening to it, so I apologize if it's not 100% accurate

song written and sung by Nichole Broome)

I love every single song on this album, so it was hard to pick one specific that particularly inspired me, they all do! I have fallen in love with the words of the title song, New Eyes. How often do we all worry about things in our life and try to figure them out on our own?  It is something we should all constantly work on to humble ourselves, fall to our knees and ask our Father in heaven for the help he is waiting to give us. He sends the holy spirit down to comfort us, help us forget the "ghosts in our head" and fall asleep, that is, to leave it all to him to take care of. He wants to give us new eyes to see things in His way, and the way we can do that is by following Him, and the example our Savior Jesus Christ gave us.

I love finding new music artists that can inspire me to be better, and it was an extra bonus that I knew Nichole! I wish her the best with her music career and family, and hope that you will check out her album!

I Believe In Christ

I Believe in Christ. Such a simple phrase, yet SO full of meaning. A few months back my belief in Christ as our Savior and Redeemer was challenged by someone. This was the first time in my life someone was blatantly telling me what I "believed", and that, I, as a member of the LDS church did not believe in Jesus Christ as our Savior and Redeemer. I was told I should "go back and read my Book of Mormon and bible, and learn about what Jo Smith taught" It stung. But I held strong to my testimony and told them what I know is true, and that I know, as a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, that WE BELIEVE in Christ. He is God's son. He suffered in the Garden of Gethsemane and died on the cross to save me from my sin. He knows my pain and suffering, because he has felt it. I know that He died, that I might live again. (If you are not of my faith, and would like to know more of what we believe you can visit THIS website
I love the song "I Believe in Christ", written by Bruce R. McConkie. The words are so powerful and piercing to the soul. Here are the words, and my testimony, my belief, in our Savior of the World, Jesus Christ.

I Believe in Christ

I believe in Christ; he is my King!

With all my heart to him I'll sing; I'll raise my voice in praise and joy,

In grand amens my tongue employ.

I believe in Christ' he is God's Son. On earth to dwell his soul did come.

He health the sick; the dead he raised.

Good works were his; his name be praised

I believe in Christ; oh, blessed name!

As Mary's son he came to reign 'mid mortal men, his earthly kin,

To save them from the woes of sin.

I believe in Christ; who marked the path, who did gain all his Father hath,

Who said to men: "Come, follow me, that ye my friends, with God may be."

I believe in Christ- my Lord, my God!

My feet he plants on gospel sod. I'll worship him with all my might;

He is the source of truth and light.

I believe in Christ; he ransoms me. From Satan's grasp he sets me free,

And I shall live with joy and love In his eternal courts above

I believe in Christ; he stands supreme!

From hi I'll gain my fondest dream; And while I strive through grief and pain,

His voice is heard: "He shall obtain."

I believe in Christ; so come what may. With him I'll stand in that great day.

When on this earth he comes again

To rule among the sons of men.

If you are looking for some wonderful renditions of this song check out Michael Dowdle's version, he is a truly remarkable guitarist. The Mormon Tabernacle Choir also has many beautiful recordings of this song.

Arise

We all need to Arise! Our world is in turmoil and needs each of us to reach out to all places, call to all nations. Now's our time to shine. Arise.

"Echoes" by Mercy River

A few months back I had a conversation with someone about if I, and they, believed in life before this life. They did not believe we existed before we were born and wanted to know why I thought we did. I didn't have much scriptural "proof" for them, but I did have my testimony. I had my firm belief that I know I have a Heavenly Father, and I was with him before I gained my body here on earth. After this conversation the subject has been on my mind a lot. I continue to find more scriptural references, but also continue to gain more of a testimony of the subject. I have had this song on my iPod for at least a year and have always loved the sweet, calming influence it had on me. One day not long ago I actually listened very intently on the words. I felt the spirit so strong knowing that this song is SO true. There are so many "Heavenly echoes" in my life that remind me of that far away place we call Heaven. My children's little giggles, the beautiful sunrise and sunset, MUSIC, the scriptures. All these things and more are constant heavenly echoes in my life reminding me of the life and family I had, and have, in heaven.

It wasn't until today that I actually realized that this song is somewhat of a lullaby. It is speaking to a baby. It says "Soon you won't recall his voice or his face, but baby sometimes if you're still, you will hear echoes..." I know that all those sweet, tender, absolutely beautiful babies we see all around and in our own homes are so close to our Heavenly "pre-earth" life. They still remember our Heavenly Father's face, and voice. As they grow each day that moves further and further from their memories, and soon they won't remember it, which is why He sends us Heavenly angels whispering echoes. They are wanting and waiting, to send us Heavenly echoes, if we let them.

Echoes

long ago and far away

you were in held in another place

and you were whispered words of sweet grace

and you were wrapped in the arms of mercy

soon you won't remember those days

soon you won't recall his voice or his face

but baby sometimes if you're still...

you will hear echoes

heavenly echoes

reminding you of another time and place

like waking from an old familiar dream

you will hear echoes

you may have feelings hard to understand

like you're a stranger in a foreign land

when your homesick spirit feels alone

remember, remember

this was not your first home

you will hear echoes

heavenly echoes

reminding you of another time and place

like waking from an old familiar dream

you will hear echoes

there may be times it seems

heaven never happened

but baby there will be angels,

wanting to send you,

waiting to send you

echoes, heavenly echoes

reminding you of another time and place

like waking from an old familiar dream

you will hear echoes

If you haven't heard this group or song before, take a minute to look up their website Mercy River, or look it up on iTunes! Their music is all amazing. They have such beautiful voices and unbelievable tight harmonies.