On the way to school this morning I asked who wanted to go to the beach and Sophia’s hand shot up. I then asked who wants to go to Jackson Hole and my son raised his hand. Since we don’t do separate vacations we are now comparing our experiences in both places. The beach, my daughter says, has become a family tradition after spending several years renting the same house on the same week in Hilton Head, SC. I could probably walk through the beach house with my eyes shut. I know it well. And, the trip to the beach is just 75 short yards from the back door. I miss it already can you tell? So, you get the picture. Beautiful weather, a heated pool and great company with Kim’s oldest sister Annalisa, her husband Jack and their daughter Eva. Fun. Golf. Bicycles. Great sandwiches. It was a great way to unplug and just chill. I’d do it again.

Jackson Hole is another picture altogether. Last year we were there for a week in the summer and a week in the winter. Eli liked both seasons the same. In the summer we went fishing for trout, standing on a small wooden bridge just about 75 short yards from the back door of the cozy guest home of a much bigger home on 35 acres. For both those weeks we pretended it was ours. Actually we probably spent more time in the house last year than the people who own it. Glad they were paying the taxes. Anyway, surrounded by unbelievable beauty. Tetons. Wildlife. Horseback Riding. Fishing. Campfires. Yellowstone National Park. Old Faithful. Eagles. Buffalo. Elk. Winter time was filled with skiing, throwing snowballs, building lopsided snowmen, sledding until you hurt, wondering when it was really going to snow, tubing and so much more. Okay, so you get the picture. An amazing place with so much to do. Outside of relaxing, fishing and a campfire or strolling around on 35 acres you must drive to all the other destinations but the drive ain’t too bad. Everywhere you look it’s another beautiful picture. Last summer was truly a step away from the hustle and bustle and a true unplugging for our family. I’d do it again.

Hopefully we will be able to choose our trip soon. I’m anxious to know if I’ll be sitting by the pool or standing on a bridge hoping a fish jumps on my lure.

Just back from Amelia Island, FL where I led worship at Mike Silva International, Friends Conference during 4 days. My wife Kimberlee joined me along with Nick & Camille Perreault and Andrew Collins. Nick and Andrew both work in our office in Nashville where Nick is Art Director and Assistant Editor at Experience Worship and Andrew heads up our Customer Care Department at Belden Worship Resources. Camille is attending Watkins School of Design with a focus in photography. Kimberlee also works in our office as the Editor of Drama Ministry.

We were all so excited to get to the beach but were welcomed by a chilly 57 with a strong breeze blowing most of our time there. We were pretty spoiled during our stay as each morning brought a wonderful breakfast and ended with an amazing dinner and dessert. Throughout the mornings we joined a number of people at the Conference for devotions, worship through music and times of prayer and reflection. What an amazing time. Mike Silva’s devotions were passionate and Rick Rigsby brought powerful sermons ending with a message on Astonishing Faith on Saturday evening. Powerful!

Coming next is Alaska in April.

Regi

I took another trip to Atlanta last weekend to lead and talk about worship with the Mount Paran Central Worship & Arts ministry. What an amazing trip. Andrew Collins from our office joined me to play acoustic guitar. We had a wonderful time and even stopped in at Pappasito’s for some steak fajitas. If you ever pass a Pappasito’s do yourself a favor and pull in for dinner. The salsa is warm and the tortilla chips are thin and just perfect. Trust me.

I just love the opportunity to worship with a group of people who just bring it. I guess we had around 150 + in the chapel and I pretty much didn’t need to sing. The room was filled with beautiful sounds of praise. A special time.

Next up is Amelia Island for the Mike Silva Friends Conference.

I just returned from a Worship Weekend with Mount Paran North in Atlanta, GA. We talked about worship, sang a few songs, shared a few meals and laughed. These weekends are special to me as I have opportunity to talk about something that becomes more important to me each day. Worship. I’m not an expert that’s for sure but worship is becoming so much more than just a Sunday morning to me and has spilled over into my Monday’s and Saturday’s and the days in between. Sometimes I have found opportunity to worship sitting quietly at my piano and other times it’s during a drive to the office. Trust me, I take time for a medium, non-fat latte with extra foam and sushi with my wife at Peter’s not far from our home. But, I’m finding God in many places where I didn’t used to look for Him. His presence really is in my car. He is with me at the supermarket and while I’m doing push-ups. I can talk with Him and know he hears me. And, I don’t have to yell to get His attention. I don’t have to wonder if He hears me or worry about tomorrow because I trust Him. Really, that’s what this past weekend was about. A room full of people talking about how to walk out their worship every day. My prayer is for you to be encouraged. He is with you and He loves you more than you can imagine.

This week I’ve been recording a song that I wrote with Christy Sutherland a few months back. I typically wouldn’t post a lyric to something that I wrote but it was the first thing that I thought of when I sat down to write. In fact, it seems like this lyric has become my daily prayer. They say a song is successful if it fulfills its purpose in life. If for no one else this song was written to remind me that I can’t do it on my own. Everything I have is His. I hope it will connect with your heart and become your prayer. We will post an audio clip soon. Until then may you find your day filled with the presence of the Lord. 

Be my breath.
Be my voice.
Be my hands and be my feet.
be my heart.
Be my dreams.
Lord, be everything to me.

I can’t do this on my own.
I lay my life before Your throne.
I will follow You wherever You lead.
If I lose sight of the path, be the road that takes me back.
Lord, be everything to me.

Be my will.
Be my way.
Be my faith and be my peace.
Be my rock.
Be my strength.
Lord, be everything to me.

I can’t do this on my own.
I lay my life before Your throne.
I will follow You wherever You lead.
If I lose sight of the path, be the road that takes me back.
Lord, be everything to me.

If I lose sight of the path, be the road that takes me back.
Lord, be everything to me.

Regi Stone
Zephaniah 3:17