a telescopic view

Breathtaking

I came to the Lodge with my mom and sister this weekend.  On the way here, we encountered this...

 

P1050621

 

P1050620

 

'Twas breathtaking, indeed.

Counting all the boxes...and the cost.

My last few posts on here have been the videos that I've taken during my days of sorting through all my stuff with my friend, Michelle.  A week from tomorrow, I will be having the yard sale of my life, and everything I own that I am not storing for sentimental reasons or taking with me to Germany will be displayed for all the world to see...and hopefully purchase.  So until next week at this time, I will be up to my neck in boxes and decisions about what is really valuable enough to me to keep.  It's been an interesting process--this sorting business.  The last time I sorted through all my "stuff", most of it was charred or covered in ash from the fire that swept through my little apartment while I was in Germany in August of '06.  As I sift through all my "stuff" again, two realizations come to mind. 

First of all, I wonder how much more "stuff" I'd have to go through if that fire hadn't happened!  Even two years ago, the Lord was already preparing me for this transition, and helping me to downsize in significant ways by essentially making some decisions for me about what needed to go and what I really didn't need.

Which leads me to the second realization.  When this process is over, I will hopefully have eliminated over two-thirds of all that I've accumulated over the years.  Granted, I'll be able to "re-stock" once I get over there, but for now, I will most likely be able to fit everything I own into a small SUV. :)  The realization that I've had is simply the fact that there is really nothing...nothing...in this world, save the relationships that we have with each other and especially with Christ, Himself, that is not expendable. 

Having said that, I will also say that that does not mean that going through all your stuff and getting rid of over two-thirds of it is an easy, emotionless task.  It is not.  In fact, in the past couple weeks of doing this I often find myself crying at the drop of a hat.  My little apartment, which I've had for the past 9 1/2 years, which has seen me in roughest of places, which has heard the birth of numerous songs, which has been a haven for me, which I love, and which has been destroyed and restored much like my life, will no longer be mine.  It will be simply a memory.  And I'm not ashamed to say that I'm grieving a bit through this process.  But with each tear that falls, comes the reminder...again...that it is worth it.  That Jesus is worth it.  That His calling on my life is real and I am committed to it.  The truth is, the price I pay--the loss of a cozy little apartment in "small-town-America" and two-thirds of my "junk"--is NOTHING compared to what thousands of our brothers and sisters give up in a day's time around the world for the sake of Christ and Truth.  My sacrifice is small in comparison. 

HAPPY EASTER!!

HE IS RISEN!!!

EMPTY

Sorting Day #2--The Living Room

Sorting Day #2

Meet the Courtneys

Probably one of the coolest families ever! :)  Steven Courtney is a local performing songwriter and recording artist.  He produced my song "Everybody Needs to Sing" for the Kid's Cookie Break last year, and THIS is his family...

The Courtneys

Sorting Day Number One

Well, the process of sorting through all my belongings in preparation for my move to Germany has begun!  On this side of it, it seems like such a daunting process, but it is a necessary one and so I have resolved to begin tackling it.
Today is Sorting Day One.  My friend, Michelle, who is as left brained as they come, is helping me go through EVERYTHING that I own and sort it into one of three catagories:  SELL, STORE, or PACK.

Here is Day One:

SORTING DAY ONE

Halfway through....

SORTING DAY ONE--UPDATE

We finally finshed going through everything in the bedroom and part of the attic.  At the end, we felt pretty good about everything we'd accomplished, so we took the time to celebrate with some Canadian Smarties.  You KNOW I'm grateful for Michelle's help if I let her eat my precious Smarties!! :)

SORTING DAY ONE--wrap up

Sanctity of Human Life

Sanctity of Human Life

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Sanctity of Human Life

Winter 08 Newsletter

**Below is my Winter Newsletter that I just sent out to my email list.  If you would like to receive my regular updates and Newsletters please let me know and I'll get you on the list.  Thanks!**

Winter 08
    Well, the holidays are over, and unless you’re the type that keeps the tree up until Valentines’ Day, then all the decorations are put away and the new year is in full swing!  I can hardly believe that we are already staring at the second month of 2008!  The past year has been a whirlwind for me--I think I spent more time living away from  my apartment, than I did living in it!  However, the past year has held many, many treasured blessings for me as I recall all the places I’ve visited and more importantly, all the people with whom I’ve had the privilege of interacting.  In truth, that is what I love the most about the life and ministry to which God has called me.  I certainly love having the opportunity to share the music of my heart, but what would be the point if not for the purpose of relating and connecting to other people in order to build up the Body of Christ and enjoy the Lord together.  Relating and connecting to people in a real and personal way was at the heart of Jesus’ ministry, and I believe it is the essence of what He calls us to do in our lives as well.  Of course, the Lord was also very good about knowing when to pull away from the crowds to rest, connect more intimately with His disciples and find solitude with the Father.  I’m so grateful for His example, and for the times I’ve been able to take some space, connect with my “core people” and find refreshment after those times of travel and ministry.  Those times have also been helpful for me in planning for the months ahead which are filled with more travel, more relating and connecting, and a lot of big changes.  I’ve noticed recently as I’ve been planning, that a shift is beginning to happen for me mentally and, in many ways, emotionally.  As I’m preparing to share about the ministry in Germany and Eastern Europe and recalling events and relationships that I’ve built there, I’m becoming more and more excited about returning and building on the foundation that has been laid.  I’m also starting to think about the process of going through all my belongings and deciding what goes, what stays and what gets sold--a daunting process, but a necessary one, nonetheless. However, as I anticipate the changes that await me in the coming months, I’m daily reminded of the fact that I belong to One Who does not change, and in that truth I find such comfort and security.  While there are many changes that I am looking forward to, there are certainly many that I dread as well.  The thought of putting so much physical distance between myself and my friends, and especially my family who I enjoy so much, causes my stomach to turn upside down.  And yet, I know that the Lord’s calling on my life...and indeed, the Lord Jesus Himself...is worth it, and so I welcome these changes--as painful as they may be--for the expansion of His Kingdom and for His glory

The team...
With that said, I want to thank you in advance for your prayers for me, and your support of the ministry to which God has called me.  I am watching Him assemble a wonderful team of people and churches to partner with me in this ministry, and I look forward to watching that team continue to grow in the months ahead.  Currently, 30% of my needed monthly support and 22% of the necessary out-going expenses have been raised.  I’m also looking for people who would be willing to pray daily for me and this ministry.  If the Lord is calling you to be a part of this team in any way, please contact me and I’ll make sure you get connected!  I would also love to come and share my plans and perhaps even some music at your church or small group, so let me know if that is something that interests you as well.

Other changes...
I’m in the process of having my website (www.mindyboyd.com) rebuilt, so in the weeks ahead it will reflect not only the music aspect of my life, but now also the ministry in Germany and the process of getting there.  Please keep checking back for regular updates, prayer requests, scheduled events and other information.
 
Thank you, again, for your prayers, encouragement, and support.  I’m honored to be partnering with you in this ministry.

Held by His grace,

Mindy

Wanna swap?

A couple weeks ago, Diana (my percussionist, for those of you who've not had the extreme privilege of meeting her) and I had a gig over in the grand state of New Jersey.  Safe Haven Cafe is an incredible ministry of New Covenant Community Church in Somers Point, and was born out of a vision Ruben Valez had to reach people in his community for Christ.  It's a beautiful facility that built entirely from materials and furniture that was donated from local business.  Just ask Ruben to tell you the story...He loves sharing how God provided for them!

This was our second time at the Cafe.  We were there in October 2007 and enjoyed "Fruit of the Spirit" smoothies and other cool drinks because the weather called for it.  This time I stuck with the hot beverages, again, because of the weather.

After we did our sound check, I stood in the back of the room and struck up a conversation with a woman who came in off the street with her shopping cart.  She had a hot beverage, too.  She told me about living on the street and about some of the people she meets.  She told me about some of the things she finds and some of the things people give her.  She talked about her children and how they don't have the best of relationships right now.  She told me that someone gave her a CD player that's actually an mp3 player, but that she doesn't know how to work that part.

Then it was time for me to sing.

We played for about 1 1/2 hours, and afterward we mingled some more.  As I made my way to the back of the room again, the lady with the shopping cart motioned for me to come over to her.

"I really like your music," she said.  "You know, the other day a lady gave me a CD.  I never heard this music before, but I played it and I don't really like it.  I only played it once though.  It's a new CD, still has the wrapper and everything.  I was thinking, though, maybe I could give you that CD and you could give me one of yours.  Maybe you would like this music.  I didn't really like it, but I like yours."

"That's a great idea," I said as I picked up one of my CDs for her.  "I'd love to switch with you."

As I handed her the CD, she reached in her bag and pulled out a CD, complete with plastic wrapper that was barely hanging on.

I never thought I'd own Britney Spears, "Oops, I Did It Again", but I can't say that I mind a whole lot.

Give me Jesus

It's been a while since I've sat down...since I've stopped long enough...to write a post.  Sometimes it's easier to post videos about creativity or talk about broken cell phones than it is to, well, stop.  Just stop...and be honest.  So I'm stopping.  And I'm gonna try to be honest because I think I need to be right now. 

You know sometimes...ok, most times...I have this idea--a bird-brained idea, but an idea nonetheless--that because I'm in ministry, or because I've been called to go to Germany as a "missionary", or whatever, I've got to keep it all together, and maintain the façade that I've created, and not let on that anything is any different than it appears to the everyday observer.  However, the reality is that (and some of you may need to brace yourselves for this one) I do NOT have it all together.  You can lift your jaw off the floor now and continue reading.

The reality is that sometimes, I'm really afraid of this move to Germany.  Sometimes, I think I don't have what it takes.  Sometimes, I don't feel like I love God enough.  Sometimes, I'd rather hide in my apartment than face people, and sometimes, I do.  Sometimes, when I come home after a full day...week...month...of holiday festivities, as much as I love her, my cat just doesn't cut it for companionship.  Sometimes, I'm just lonely.  Sometimes, I think that maybe God picked the wrong person.

I'm ok with admitting these things.  I think I need to (even at the risk of people thinking, "WHAT?!  She doesn't have it all together?!  And she's going to be a missionary?!").  Truth is, I'm a broken and fallen human being living in a broken and fallen world, and sometimes, sometimes just admitting that brings more freedom and gives more room to breathe and move forward.  It keeps me connected to the reality that I am completely and utterly dependent on Him.  It reminds me that I don't have what it takes.  But He does, and that's why I need Him.

Give Me Jesus