Where sin abounds...

...grace abounds all the more."
This is especially true in Vegas. Just got back. I love, love love the shows there. Saw Phantom of the Opera and Cirque de Soliel "Le Reve". Great art, architecture, gardens, food and admired the excellence of human achievement. Even the cantor at Mass on Sunday was amazing and I'm very glad. It would be a horrible testimony to all the people who come from all over the world to experience great quality of everything, only to go to God's house to be subjected to the lowest levels of human ability (and even pain - as it is many times for me.) I only bought one pair of shoes and a Jacob's ladder rosary to replace the one that was stolen from me when I was singing at a church years ago. Viva Las Vegas!
...and since the Bible says only to "think on all things pure and lovely, true and excellent..." etc. we don't need to talk about the "sin" that abounds there. There is plenty of Grace. God be praised!

Finally, Some Pictures!

If I go to an area to give more than 2 concerts, I like to meet my mother there and we sightsee. Here we are visiting the Clydesdale horses at the Anheiser-Bush plant (I used to just LOVE those commercials as a kid.) the Gateway Arch and the Cathedral Basilica (Awesome!) No, I'm not pregnant, just bundled up. It was extremely cold there that week. A special "thank-you" to Co-Producers Sandy and Nancy Rogers for putting us up for the week and taking extremely good care of us.

Air Travel

I'm in the process of shopping for a travel projector for use in churches (and the right screen and player, etc.) I have to consider air travel as Winnebago travel tours originating in the far left corner of the US (Seattle) is just not practical. (How did this New Yorker ever get HERE again?) I really should live in St. Louis, MO or somewhere really central for a lifestyle like that, but that is not even an option ofor our family's situation. So, for me, flying is the only option. I hope it doesn't get MUCH worse than it is right now. I've already been "patted down" thoroughly and searched because I wouldn't be zapped in the "peep show" all body radiation scanner. Oh, heaven help us!

Does anybody out there read John Leary messages? http://www.johnleary.com/ What do you think of them, what do you know? When even Glen Beck from Fox TV news says to have a year's supply of food ready, things have to be getting close.

I'm Leaving Tomorrow...

...for 10 days in NY. But, actually, counting flying days, I will be gone 12 days. I have mixed emotions about it all. On one hand, the change in routine is always nice. I can have some complete thoughts, without interruption. There are a few days I can sleep in. There's the excitement of giving concerts and recording some new great songs. I'll have time for extended prayer, reading and songwriting - at least I think so. All in all, not bad really.

What I'm leaving at home, though, makes me a little uneasy: the uncertainty of what a few days with a new sitter will be like, school work schedules and lessons that will need to be postponed (I like to keep a regular routine), the baby really missing me (he was so depressed when I went to FL for 5 days and was very clingy for days afterwards, the messes I will have when I return and missing the sweet smiling faces and hugs of my beautiful children.

Please pray for me and my family for these intentions.
Thanks. God bless you all.
D

Southern Hospitality

What they say about southern hospitality certainly is true. I was just on the receiving end of it this weekend when I sang at the Greenville, SC Marian Conference, which by the way was lovely. My host was so attentive to every need and desire, and that of my son, Elijah's. He came with me because we are still breastfeeding and he is VERY attached to me. More so than any other child of mine so far. It is going to be SO hard to wean him and will probably break my heart as well as his. I think I'll go past the year mark with him, but not much.
I'm thinking of moving south. Seriously. My family is in Naples, FL and so is Ave Maria. Perhaps the place was created with me in mind. We'll see. Anything I should know about it?