This is Estella Fowles, 7 lbs. 12 oz 19 in.
My daughter, Breeann and her husband Chad have a new baby girl (their second)born Monday,Oct. 6. Britney and I were visiting her, playing games, (while in labor ) and got to be there for the birth and 4:04 pm! We LOVE her!
Last spring I happened upon a book I’d had around for a few years that I originally found in my choir box in the tabernacle as the kind author had gifted every choir member with a copy. I began reading and could not put it down. I had always made an attempt at gardening through the years but never really excelled at it. I can’t say that I have now either but at least I’ve had a rebirth. Barry constructed us two 4x4 6 inch tall boxes. We put tarp on the bottom and set them right on our cement driveway. We bought the specified soil mixtures for the boxes and then measured off 16 divided squares in each one. I actually sprouted cherry tomatoes, cucumbers,watermelons,and marigolds back in the early spring. I really enjoyed tending them each day or so. In May I transplanted these and also planted lettuce, beets, zucchini and yellow squash , cilantro, carrots, onions, peas,peppers and beans. I have worked hard but have to say that the box planting is SO much easier and makes more sense than long rows and large spaces that are harder to care for. The garden is right out my back door and I have pulled very few weeds! Not everything worked well but I am pleased with the bounty. I am still harvesting lettuce,cucumbers, squash,tomatoes,beans,beets,and chard, I planted peas and spinach in late July for a fall harvest. The boxes have taken more watering than I expected…almost every day. I recommend this method to anyone who has little space to garden, even just a patio!
Saturday is the marathon day because we report by 9 am and are tired from the night before and the whole week as well. This is when I totally rely on the strength of the Lord to bless us physically and mentally to finish. By this point too, I don't even need to warm up, I'm just conserving what voice I have left. We started with "How Bright is the day". It reminds me of a Scottish folk song. Its message is so reassuring and faith building! They speak of the restoration of the gospel, the building of zion, and our family in heaven where we can "be there forever at home". We then recorded again "Bound for the Promised land" which is Britney's and Brian's favorite. Hopefully it is even better than our past recording of it. Amazing Grace was next with bagpipe guests. They played out in the middle of the tabernacle floor and the sound echoed throughout beautifully. This is such a powerful tune I believe the recording of it will reach many many Christian people and speak truth to them of the restored gospel. We broke for lunch at 12:45. We all walked over to the church office building cafeteria where we were served "chicken surprise" and fruit pies. Its always good food. We had an hour break and then moved on to "Old Time Religion" I felt to raise my hands and sway to the spirit! Then our last piece was "Battle of Jericho" These last two were accapella . We ended at 4:00 but knew we had to go home and rest up for the early morning 7:15 call for the relentless broadcast schedule. We would put it together in the morning and it would be pieces from the recording sessions. This CD is scheduled to come out in the spring of 2009.
By Friday I was really conserving my energy and not doing much other than singing in the evenings. My throat was a little sore and my sinuses throbbing now and then. Mack asks us constantly to use the head voice and put the sound in our molars. Our first number tonight was "My God My Portion and My Love" Its a little like "Come Thou Fount" and just as moving. "Down to the River to Pray" is one of my favorites of this CD. I was really feeling the emotions of the need for repentance and being born again . Than on to "His Voice as the Sound" which has amazing words! ...His lips as a fountain of righteousness flow that waters the garden of grace....It is a subdued melody and exquisitely beautiful. We had the traditional "Cowboy Cookies" that a sister organized to be made and served to everyone. Food, books, sudoku, Ipods are always around during recording sessions. I have to say though that to me there did not seem like very much down time; just 10 or 15 minutes here and there.
This night the men got to come later after the women recorded "Softly and Tenderly Jesus is Calling" The interesting thing about this piece (and many others) is that Mack wants all the women to sound like sopranos in an alto range. Just when we thought we could belt out our low notes, he wants us to lighten up for a more unified soprano sound. go figure...its a little disheartening but I do what he says! "My Song in the Night" was next up. Its really a beautiful song. "Oh Jesus, my savior, my song in the night. Come to us with thy tender love my soul's delight. Unto Thee in affliction I call. My shadow by day and my song in the night...". Then on to "I Want Jesus to Walk with me" which is mostly a solo by Alex Boye. At the end of it Alex sings a really high note. After recording this part for the first time, most of us heard an enthusiastic "Wow" come from down the stairs in the recording room. We all laughed. When this piece was done, Alex grinned widely and gave a leap of joy. He's got a great ,friendly personality.
