Songwriter's Retreat: the beginning

Instead of writing my own posts about this past week's Songwriter's Retreat, I've decided to concede to my dear friend Abbye, who is a much better writer, and repost what she back-blogged during the retreat (due to our lack of internets at that time).

What is a Songwriter's Retreat? Who put this together for you? Where are you going? And what are you doing again? (And why do you need a whole week to...write?)

These are some great questions we received in the weeks leading up to our getaway to the tippy-toes of the Appalachian Mountains. These questions led us into some great conversations about why we write songs, why it's good to write together and especially how this week would be much more than just writing. We would write, sing, record, and above all that, pray, listen, and worship together. We decided to stop settling for, "Wouldn't it be so great if we holed ourselves up in a cabin for a week and wrote songs?"

This time, we did it.

And over the next several days, you can step back into last week with us and catch a glimpse of what it was all about, living in the Bear Cub Cabin, cooking meals, singing songs, reading Scripture, and laughing at Matthew's ridiculous clapping routines.

We hope you'll share the journey with us!

co-labor-ation

Kicking off on Monday, Matthew Clark, Katie Heckel, Jeff and Abbye Pates, Brian Mulder, myself, and some friendlies will hole-up in a cabin for a week. "To eat, sing, pray, read, seek, write, worship, and record as a little family!" -MC. I have been dreaming, regardless of my sleep/wake cycle, about this worship songwriting retreat ever since I received the invite. I hope to come to the cabin with an open and unassuming heart, leaving room to marvel at what the Lord will accomplish. I'm excited to join together with these cherished friends. For a week we'll co-labor together in the family business...seeking and building The Kingdom. Join us in prayer this week asking God to come and impact us, to move and use us in such a way as to lift high the name of God.

exciting news:
I upgraded my camera body earlier today, driving from Ozark, MO to Hannibal, MO and then on to Columbia, MO. I couldn't be more excited to get this baby two days before heading to Mississippi. I had quite a time talking with the gentleman who sold me the d90. To my surprise, money was not at the center of our interaction, and it seemed merely a small part of our conversation. He showed me photos of his grandchildren, and we shot the breeze for a while. It warmed my soul today to have such a positive conversation with a complete stranger, even in the context of money passing hands.

I'll echo Matthew in saying that even if we get nothing done it will be a beautiful time together. But with all these great artists together you can expect some sweet new songs (a la Enter the Worship Circle) to show up soon.

sleepy sleepy

Yoga before bed may well be a blessing from God. Goodnight to all, and to all a good night.