Once in a Lifetime....

So I know I'm a little late on the gratitude thing... but as Thanksgiving ends and we head into Christmas this is my favorite time of year. It finally gets a little cool here in Arizona, and the Christmas lights start popping up all over the place!  I have sooooo many things that I am grateful for that it would bore you to list them all, and you might get a little jealous.... Just kidding! But the number one thing on my mind today (as I work off those extra 3 pounds I gained from turkey day) is how grateful I am to be me!

I saw this quote and I just had to share!
                                         

GIRL!!!

I love this because today I am so thankful for the unique talents and gifts I have been given that make me... me. This is so true, there never has been nor ever will be again on this earth a me or for that matter a you! Often we find ourselves in the business of comparing, from body sizes and features, to clothes, to homes and cars, to attributes; and we don't often enough take the time to recognize what makes us different than those around us is actually a GOOD thing! Everyone has a unique set of gifts and skills that only you can offer the world in a way that only you were meant to in order to change the world. It starts with you being great at who you are and spreads from there!

                               

I love this picture (maybe it's because this looks a lot like my daughter's dance class!) and not quite sure why it cut off the Th in the first word, but you get the point!

Marianne Williamson said:

"Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. We ask ourselves "who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented and fabulous?" Actually, who are you not to be? You are a child of God. Your playing small does not serve the world. We are all meant to shine as children do. We were born to make manifest the glory of God that is within us. It's not just in some of us, it's in everyone."

 I love focusing on my unique gifts to the world. I'm grateful that I have been given the talents I have. There is a place for them and I will be as big of an influence on the world as I can dream I will be. And so can you, and as you pursue your dreams whatever they are for you, and as you pursue your greatness you will awaken within others the desire to tap into their unique gifts and talents, to arouse their passion for life and unleash their greatness on the world.  Oliver Demill, a great advocate for freedom said in a recent address I heard that each of us was sent here with a specific mission and purpose, and the purpose of life is to discover what that purpose is and then work at it. Imagine what the world would look like if each person here on earth was discovering their own mission and then working hard to fulfill it. Some may be drawn to feed the hungry, others educate, heal the sick,  others to spread beauty. Can you imagine a world full of purpose driven people! That's my purpose, to spread beauty and awaken the greatness within those around me as I strive to achieve the greatness within me! What's your purpose and mission? And how would you like to pursue it?


Life is good! This time of year we get to be grateful for what we have and who we are, give of ourselves to those in need and appreciate the greatness in those around us.

Creating Awareness: My Journey

Join me as I embark on a goal to take the message of  adoption with my song A Better Plan 

to 1 million people!

Consider Adoption: A Better Plan

The other day I was at the mall and stopped to let my daughter play in the children’s area for a while. I was surprised at the number of teen mothers I saw playing in there with their babies. I was proud of them for choosing to give that child life yet I was struck with sadness that they were missing out on things that were essential not only for their own growth but for the well- being of their child. This is true for any young woman of any age that finds herself pregnant and alone. I wondered why these girls chose to parent over adoption and wondered if there is really that much education about the benefits of adoption.

When my daughter was first placed in my arms I imagined a life of constant laughter, sweet kisses and hugs, dressing her up, having an instant friend that loved me unconditionally, fun play dates at the park, and cute pictures and crafts that covered my fridge. Everyone around me was so excited for my new life and all the joys it would bring. I was so excited for all of these moments. And I’ve had them and each memory is cherished and loved and I look forward to creating more of them. But what people seem to fail to mention was the sleepless nights, endless poopy diapers, what to do when the crying never seemed to stop, and as they grow older, still sleepless nights, new messes of toys, picky eaters, the constant demand of my attention, no privacy in the bathroom, and I don’t think I’ve ever been able to sit and enjoy a meal without having to get up 10 times to get one more thing demanded by a sweet 3 year old. Even as I write this I am having things placed on my head and being barraged with questions, and demanded that I come and get breakfast for her RIGHT now!

Don’t get me wrong, I absolutely LOVE being a mother, but there is no way I could do this without the help of her dad, one amazing husband. With his help in raising our vibrant and beautiful daughter I have still been able to get some me time, continue my education and pursue my music career. Without him I would not be able to function as the loving mother my daughter needs me to be. I would not be able to still be me! Every woman and mother deserves that. Every mother needs a break, a time to rejuvenate, and pursue their hobbies and passion that allows them to continue their own growth and development. It’s not selfish, it’s essential! I am a better wife and mother because I am able to take this time and despite the daily demands still feel like a sexy, vibrant, beautiful girl. Not only do I deserve this, but so does my daughter, in fact it is essential to her well-being. Her happiness is increased by the security of the home we offer, both of us being able to give her love and meet the demands of a growing child. Now I recognize that this is not always possible and I honor and respect those single parents out there. I honestly don’t know how they do it.

I’m not about condemning or judging those who have chosen to parent or even those that chose abortion. For me it’s about creating the awareness of the positives of adoption for those currently still making the decision. Helping them to make an educated decision what is right for their life and their baby. My hope is that by listening to my song A Better Plan people will truly come to understand that adoption really is about love; A truly heroic act.  And that while the pain of giving up your child for adoption is heart wrenching and excruciating in the moment, there is great healing in the selfless act of giving your child to a loving couple that can give your baby more than you can at this given moment in your life. And though abortion may appear to solve the perceived immediate problem providing instant relief, it brings with it a burden you alone carry for the rest of your life.

Curtis J Young of the Family Research Council says, “Rarely does an unmarried pregnant woman stop to consider the tremendous cost and responsibility of choosing single motherhood. Successful child-rearing, while greatly rewarding, is also very demanding, even for two-parent families. It requires a great deal of time, self-sacrifice and financial expense.”  In her book For the Love of a Child, social worker Monica L. Blume points out, “Almost every birth mother I have ever seen who is choosing to single parent believes she will be one of the very few who beat the odds.”  Many of these unwed mothers count on the father remaining fully involved or on having their own father help raise the child. And many single mothers hope to eventually get married. Unfortunately, such hopes are not often realized. And many unwed mothers find that single parenthood is much more challenging than they expected. Studies have shown that single mothers have higher rates of illness, have less social involvement, and, if they are teenagers, are less likely to eventually marry than those who place their babies for adoption.”

Some may view placing a child for adoption as “abandoning” that child. But adoption is not abandoning your responsibility. It’s taking more responsibility. It is truly taking care of your own, because you’re saying, ‘I can’t give this child what he or she needs, but someone else can.’

To echo Curtis Young, “Adoption is not a breaking of trust but a keeping of faith, not an abdication of responsibility but an act of redemption, not the abandonment of a baby but an abandonment of self for a baby’s sake.” As I wrote in the song A Better Plan, ‘Sometimes love comes at a cost we don’t understand, and you have to trust someway, somehow, it’s part of a better plan.’

Taking this song to 1 million Listeners

http://lundynrae.com/?albums=lundyn-rae-a-better-plan

Don't Think you are Making a Difference?

Saw this today and fell in love with it! It took me back to when I spent time in Japan as a missionary. The mosquitoes there are green and huge and can leave scars when they bite so I was EXTRA paranoid, especially when I would lay down at night  on my futon exhausted, just about to fall asleep and here a distinct whine in my ear! Many times I kept my roommate up searching that little bugger down so I could get some sleep!

Last weekend I attended a seminar by Darrell Knoch (www.truewealthuniversity.com) when someone asked the question if they could really make a difference in this world with just their own small actions.  He emphatically course corrected that thinking! One of the things he said that I really related with was "the way you think of yourself is the way you impact the world." So if you want to increase the way you impact the world increase the way you think about yourself, or improve your self esteem and belief in yourself. (For great tips how to improve your self esteem check out Darrell's book , Mastering a Healthy Self Image)

 I saw this image on my friends facebook page and I had to steal it!

Sometimes you are the only one that has a firm belief in who you are and what you can accomplish. But as long as you keep focused on who you see yourself to be you will bring about mighty change in this world! I love this image because even though many may see me as a cat I KNOW I am a lion! And its no one's job to prove it to them but mine!

Just remember, if you don't think that your actions are making any kind of difference in the world, think back to that night when you were just about asleep only to sit upright from a tiny buzzing by your ear! Your impact is greater than you think and just like the ripple effect in still water, you never know how far your actions are being carried.

Stand for Something

For the last week I have been researching and contacting some of the biggest pro-life advocates and adoption supporters I can find to help me spread the word about my Option Adoption project, (see previous blog post!) http://www.gofundme.com/Save-a-Life (If any come to mind as you read this send the names my way ;0)!

I have to say I am so impressed by what these people have accomplished and the supporters they've gained along the way. They have also accumulated quite a few enemies as well! I read the quote earlier " you've got enemies? Good that means you stood up for something in your life!" So many of them are women that are just passionate about a cause. They are wives, mothers, sisters, students, yet still find time to speak, write and blog about a cause dear to them... and they are making a difference.

As I start working in my own projects, promoting and asking for help to get the music video done for my adoption song, A Better Plan, I feel so passionate about it that it is sometimes frustrating when nobody seems to respond with the same passion! But I have to remind myself that's OK, because I have a vision and it just takes the right person in tune with my vision to help it move forward. It's not in alignment with every one's purpose, but there will be those so moved to take action with me!

I love the quote I posted at the top, it's a great reminder to me that if it were easy everyone would be doing it. That's why I just keep pushing forward. The more obstacles the sweeter the reward of achieving my goal. That being said I'm sending up prayers for as few obstacles as possible and the strength to climb over the ones in my way!

Yet I find as I pursue moving my music forward my life is fuller. I know that the messages in each song uplift, inspire, motivate and heal. The message of A Better Plan is only the first of many that I will stand and create a movement for. Search your heart, find your purpose and stand for something. It will cause you to walk a little taller and strive to be better in all aspects of your life besides fill you with peace and joy knowing you are making a difference and walking with God here on earth!

Option Adoption!

So you may have noticed I added a little something to my sidebar! Its my new focus! Last week I was able to attend a powerful personal development seminar. I was able to examine my purpose and how I was aligning myself with God's purpose for my life.  I truly believe we are each given a unique set of talents and skillsets to help eachother make it through this life successfully. I understand that my music is just one of the many things I have been given. That said I'm super excited about my project.

Over a year ago I read several articles on adoption in a Christian magazine, each written from a different perspective, the mother who gave up a child, the grandparents of the child adopted out, as well as the father, the deserving couple that received a child and from an adopted child. It moved me and as I was in the shower lyrics for a song just seemed to come into my mind. So I hopped out and wrote them all down, created a melody and viola, my very first song!!! So of course when I went to Nashville it was number one that I wanted recorded. Well with a little help from co-writer Jeff Pearson, a few tweaks here and there the finished product was even better than I could have imagined!
If you haven't heard it yet click on #3 on my playlist,  'A Better Plan'.

I have a vision for this song that has unfolded over the last month or so what I need to do with it.  I know that 3500 abortions are performed across the country each day. While thousands of couples wait for years waiting to adopt. Ialso know thousands of young girls and woman will get pregnant this year,probably next month alone and many of them will struggle with the choice they now have to make. 
My vision is this:  I want this song to have so much exposure, airplay, and coverage that when a young girl is faced with the choice of what to do the choice of adoption is triggered as a possibility and reality, even in those that may be more heavily influenced by those in their lives that advocate an abortion as the easy way out.
 I am currently raising funds to do a music video and marketing.  I am looking to be as creative as possible to touch lives and save lives. I am also looking into what it takes to set up a foundation to have all the proceeds of the song go towards helping families in the adoption process with the expense.

If you would like to be a part of this awesome movement and help save lives and raise awareness for the option of adoption please forward this message with the link to the donation page to everyone you know, and if you are able to donate every little bit helps!

http://www.gofundme.com/Save-a-Life

The Power of Music

I love this quote. It explains exactly what I'm about! Touching hearts and bringing people back to a place that draws up emotions giving them the power and courage to move forward in life! Even when things seem so hard!