More Estes Highlights
I got my workout today recording sessions. One of my wireless mics freaked out and I had to run up and down the hill to get another one as the class was starting. I think I'm still out of breath.
I finally got free to attend (and record) a couple of songwriting classes. Sue Smith's class on rewriting was so rich in practical ideas to help in the rewriting process. I've never known anyone who can recall lyric examples or songwriting quotes like Sue.
Buddy Green's (co-wrote “Mary, Did You Know“) class on melody writing was just plain fun as he journeyed through a series of great melodies that have shaped his writing. The man has an amazing repertoire to draw from. I'd love to sit in a writing room with that guy someday and pick his musical brain. His part of the concert with sidekick, Jeff Taylor was great tonight also. The audience was soon right with him. Bo played the shaker with them tonight on one song of the set. What a hoot! Kristie and Bo made the songwriting finals. Yea!!!
Today's highlight had to be hearing Nichole Nordeman's life journey and later, her songs in the concert. It moved me to tears so many times. At one point she talked about the people that surrounded her life. I was sitting behind John Mays when she spoke about when he first began to work with her. Thank God he did. It made me thankful for John's ministry to the Kingdom by finding gifted people and helping the Lord plug them into His work. I am so grateful those who have mentored and encouraged me throughout my life. Nichole is so transparent and her comments between the songs are like songs themselves-just the right words. What a communicator! Sorry, it wasn't recorded to because of the songs performed. It belongs to God now and those who were blessed to be there.
It was also cool to see Steven Curtis Chapman's two sons playing in his band on drums and guitar. Family night. They were so well rehearsed and so tight. I just sat there amazed. It reminded me of the joy I have when my children, Laura and Nathanael have helped me lead worship. It was great to have my niece and her friend there to share the concert. We had a great time.
It was great to talk to fellow WAJonian Kara Smith tonight at the concert. We both have kids on mission trips right now. I saw some pic of my girls in Taiwan's Taroko Gorge. They posted them on the web. I miss them a bunch.
I slipped into one of the classroom cabins to play the piano tonight. I needed the fix. Then I walked out under the Rocky Mountain stars.
This is a very moving week for me. The Lord has used so many people to speak things into my life. Sometimes when I hear great writers' songs I think. “I will never be able to write like that” and perhaps that isn't even God's goal for me. The biggest reminder to me this week was that His word and my relationship with Him is the source of my songs.
I wrote part of a song this morning after I read a chapter in Hebrews. I cried as I wrote it, the idea moved me so. It's sometimes hard to describe to anyone else how God is impacting you through the events of the day, little words here or there, tiny moment that reminds you He is has his hand on you and is guiding your life. It moves me to gratitude.
This is an amazing week.
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