Adventures with Heather

Wednesday, November 13, 2013

"Until the Day I Can Hold You in my Arms"

Last night I got my 1st tattoo.

I'll probably get 1,000 hits on this post because I'm sure people thought I'd never get one or would want to get one! Haha! But I didn't do it for anyone or to rebel or to be "cool" or anything.. It's been a long time coming :)

Ever since we lost our 1st babe Lily (we believed she was a girl b/c of dreams we had) in a Miscarriage at 12-13 weeks on Easter Sunday, I wanted one. I had a REALLY rough miscarriage. I was OVER the moon excited when I found out I was pregnant and had no idea miscarrying was a possibility for me, until one fateful Friday (good friday) it began. They told me on Easter Sunday in the ER I was in fact losing my baby I had so hoped and planned for. I was in excruciating pain for over two weeks, and the doctors finally had to do a surgery to remove the baby. It was emotionally draining knowing over those two weeks I was losing my child and there was nothing we could do. It was all too much. We never had a memorial service, gravestone or anything BUT we planted a beautiful, pink lily at my parents house, that blooms just in time for Mother's Day every year. My heart skips a beat when I see it. I also smile on Easter Sunday when I see all the lilies that fill the church. I think of her so often.

I wanted something tangible to remember her, to hold on to her until the day I can hold her in my arms.

I asked around and found a great Tattoo artist named Jeff that many of my friends have gone to over the years. I didn't hear anything for a while, then one day he texted me out of the blue and said he had an opening for the next night. I was nervous, so I asked my friend Shannon if she could come with me. She had a free night, so I set the plan in motion.

We got to Jeff's tattoo shop and met Jeff and he showed me the design for the lily with the colors. Crazily enough, it looked exactly like the lily we planted at my parents house, colors and everything!! What in the world?!?! I wanted it on my left arm to go along with the lyric I wrote in a song on my latest EP called "Heaven Come Soon" that says "Until then I will hold you in my heart, Until the day I can hold you in my arms, you're in good hands there, no more sorrows no more tears.."

We got to talking and were talking about kids and whatnot and I told him I had a 3 year old and he asked what his name was so I told him "His name is Trust". He was like "that is a really cool name! How did you guys come up with that?" Perfect convo for a long sit, So as I sat there getting my lily tattoo, I told him the whole story about how we got to have Trust. How we lost our 1st baby on Easter Sunday and thought we'd lose Trust many times, but knew we had to trust God with his life. I realized in that moment... Even though lily never got a chance to live here, her story lives on and continues to touch peoples lives. I'm  excited to be able to have a topic of conversation to talk about with people when they ask about my tattoo and what it means. I am not afraid to go deep and I hope it helps other women open up and share with me about their losses.



I'm taking him a CD of the "Songs for Healing" EP I wrote for parents grieving the loss of a child to go along with the Tattoo he gave me! Check it out on iTunes, Amazon etc or CDbaby: http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/heatherevans4

A Pic of me wearing my tattoo naturally around town. :)

I'm so glad I got to get this tattoo and keep a piece of Lily with me always.

Saturday, October 5, 2013

Wrapping up "Songs For Healing"- Songs for Grieving Parents

Last night was an emotional, magical experience wrapping up the vocals for the "Songs For Healing" CD I've been working on with amazingly talented producer/musician Chris Gatton. We've been working on the CD off and on over the summer and it was sad/happy to finish the songs last night.

We worked on an anthemic song called "Heaven Come Soon" first. When Chris played the song for me to hear with just the instrumentation, I had goose bumps and felt moved & inspired! I dove into the vocals and we kept the 1st vocal take because it sounded as it should, raw and emotion filled. I felt my throat tighten up while singing the 2nd verse "I saw you once in my dreams, hand in hand with Jesus you turned and waved to me.." the way it does when I'm about ready to cry, but it translated well into the feeling of the song. Toward the end of the song, we added a cool spontaneous vocal part that goes "This is not our home" that me and Chris sang together at the end of the song and doubled that sounds like a bunch of people singing together at a house show. Chris added some awesome harmonies on some key parts of the song too. It was seriously magical!

We also worked on an instrumental song with just oo's and ah's. Chris said when he recorded it, it reminded him of a balloon floating away. I was inspired by what he said and came up with the only lyrics in the song that is sort of a repeat that me and Chris alternate..Me:"Let it go.." Chris:"Time to let it go.." It's a hopeful piece that will hopefully give listeners a time to think and even blank out for a second.

My hope for this CD was to be able to GIVE it away to parents and families who have lost babies. I wasn't sure how it was going to happen, but I prayed and I just started making the CD and hoped the opportunity would present itself. Sure enough, I am helping put together a Memorial Service at Vineyard Sawmill Campus on November 3rd at 3pm for families that have lost children and we will be able to hand out the CD to each family to hopefully help the grieving process! So amazing to see this come about.. And obviously it has helped me work through a lot of my own grief of losing our first babe and process through a lot of the emotions again.

Though it is hard, I am thankful I get to do this and that I get to give away something meaningful that will be a support to people going through similar things.


Monday, June 17, 2013

The Sweet Princess Project Fallout- a Call to Action


So the Fallout of the Sweet Princess Project has been pretty cool!!! It's reach is going farther than what I ever thought possible and it's so amazing to see.

My heart is SO full and I feel a bit like I could burst with how this whole project has shown me that little people working together can make a BIG impact! My creative mind can't even contain the possibilities that lie ahead. This project has shown me that when you dream big, don't be afraid to step out if it is TRULY something you should be doing, the right doors will open.

But I'm left asking questions.. My wrestlings are: where do I go from here? How do I and can I continue to raise awareness with this tool and not just let it fizzle out? What can I do personally to reach out to women at risk?

I LOVE coming to these crossroads in my life because it feels like narrowing my focus down a bit and clearing out the clutter in my life.. if that makes sense.

I realized I want to get involved HERE in my hometown with a local organization called Central Ohio Rescue and Restore Coalition and get all the training I need to speak about Human Trafficking and also training to do the street outreaches to women on the streets and who are at risk of being trafficked. 

As I gain wisdom and training here, I'd love to be able to go out, possibly to reach kids in other countries.

I also realized I love to write short stories. I see this story being like a comic or illustrated somehow.. I recently wrote a short story/analogy about a girl with a hole in her heart who doesn't know her worth. She is lured into the deep dark underground world where she finds hundreds of thousands of others just like her. They don't know who they are. They don't know their worth. At the end, Her Father (who represents God) comes and rescues her and tells her who she is and that she is worth more than anything that He'd give everything to get her back. 

I think that is the 1st thing I want all women to know, their great worth. And that foundation is taken from so many women and people who have been abused, mistreated, told they are less than, trafficked. We need to re-instill worth back into people. That we aren't just robots that can be controlled and used for personal gain. We are PRECIOUS in God's sight. 

So... as the ripples of the fallout of the Sweet Princess Project keep going out, I hope it inspires many, like it did me. That we don't just see the hurting as literal "Projects" but as people who deserve love, respect and who are worth everything to rescue, even if it's just one. :)

Sunday, June 16, 2013

The Sweet Princess Project Launch Event at Gateway Film Center

It's taken me a while to process the events of this past week. I'm overwhelmed by the response to the Sweet Princess Project Launch. Thank you to the countless people who were involved (Post House folks you know who you are) in this project and who have shared the videos on facebook and through email, you are helping people become aware of Human Trafficking! That was our main goal.

200+ Friends, Family, Local Abolitionists, Film-makers, Musicians, Gov Officials, News Crews came to the Sweet Princess Project Launch Event last Tuesday evening at the Gateway Film Center. It was a heavy, yet hopeful evening Hosted by Johnny DiLoretto with Music by Heather Evans (me) and Cellist Andrew Gordon-Seifert & Jason Turner. We heard from Speakers Connie Anderson (Intervarsity) & Nicole Bromley (OneVOICE) and watched the videos produced by the Sweet Princess team including a moving Documentary Short: 'This Nightmare Will End', Behind the Scenes 'Making Of' video and the 'Sweet Princess' Music Video. Director Rick Green and I also shared about the project and why we wanted to do it. Just an incredible evening!









One of the most wonderful feelings was seeing this 'Passion Project' that everyone had been working on TIRELESSLY for the last few months blown up on a 40ft screen and to look around and see the reactions on the faces of the people watching. Seeing tears stream down faces and anger in people's eyes as they watched the saddening and frightful reality of millions of women, men and children being trafficked, to see hearts breaking and being moved to hopefully be moved enough to action. That was our hope.



We are excited to see The Sweet Princess Project has gotten a bit of Media attention over the last few weeks. Here are the links to the stories:



We will be showing the Sweet Princess Music Video at the Central Ohio Rescue and Restore Coalition's Annual Conference at the end of June and more exciting things are in motion for the Sweet Princess Project!

This Nightmare WILL end, but it takes us being heart broken enough to DO something! To realize she/he is someone's daughter or son and that in reality it could be our daughter or son.

Sweet Princess Project Videos:








LINKS:
Go to www.sweetprincessproject.com to find out MORE about the Sweet Princess Project

Follow us on Twitter: @SweetPrincessPr


Watch the Videos on Vimeo & YouTube https://www.youtube.com/user/SweetPrincessProject

Email us at: sweetprincessproject@gmail.com

Monday, April 15, 2013

The Sweet Princess Project

2 weeks ago I had the honor and the privilege to work with some of the most talented, good hearted people to make a music video to raise awareness about Human Trafficking.

Let me start from the beginning.

In December of 2012, I posted a picture of my goals for 2013 on my Facebook and my old friend Rick Green messaged me shortly after I posted the picture. Rick said he wanted to help me with #5 on my goals list: "Make a human trafficking awareness video". My jaw dropped with amazement. I wasn't sure how it would happen, but I knew Rick would get it done!


From there, I sent Rick a song I had been working on called "Sweet Princess". It was inspired by pictures my friend Nicole Bromley (www.onevoice.org) was taking of her time making a Documentary about young girls working in Brothels in Cambodia. I saw the faces of these sweet young girls who's innocents was taken from them and I just wanted to tell them their worth, who they are. That they are princesses no matter what has happened to them and that there is hope!! There is a movie called "A Little Princess" that inspired this notion that "All girls are princesses, Hasn't your father ever told you that?". Every girl has worth and is precious in the eyes of God!!

After sending Rick a VERY rough version of the song (the second verse wasn't even written yet!), he emailed me back a very organized, very visual PDF of the idea he had for the music video. Again, my jaw hit the desk and I was inspired by his vision to write the 2nd verse of the song, and I got it recorded professionally by my producer Rick May and things started to get set in motion!

I met with Rick Green and some of the Video Crew from a production company called The Post House (www.posthouse.tv).  Rick Green, Tim Flaherty, John Massarella, Justin Dabney, and Scott Baldner all talked about aspects about the upcoming shoot and I tried to play it cool as these really talented dudes "talked shop" about shots, locations, equipment and logistics. My mind was blown that these really awesome video guys were willing to donate their time, energy, MORE OF THEIR TIME, their equipment and more to help with this project. I think I was a bit awkward, because how do you thank someone or show gratitude for something so HUGE?!

Here is part of the PDF of the details for the Sweet Princess video and inspiration:


‘Sweet Princess’ is hopeful ballad that speaks to the unimaginable-yet-rampant scourge of human trafficking afflicting millions around the world. From the tragic cries of young children, to the faint hopes of adult women all trapped in a nightmare - singer/songwriter Heather Evans begs these victims to ‘hold on’ - to know that they have not been forgotten - and that someday they can - and will - find their worth, or their ‘kingdom’ - that they will step into the light of freedom and be treated like a Princess - after all, ‘...all girls are princesses...hasn’t Your Father ever told you that?’ The song is analogy, mixed with a dose of reality - swathed lightly with a bit of underlying spirituality.*
Verse 1
They don't know who you are
You're a princess but your Kingdom was stolen
"Please don't hurt me again" as she cries in her waking nightmare

Chorus:
Your Kingdom is coming hold on sweet princess, You're the heir to the kingdom come
This nightmare will end you'll see sweet princess, Your kingdom is coming

So just hold on
((guitar interlude - Human Trafficking Stats/Facts))
Verse 2
Fear - Grips your heart
As you lie in wait, for footsteps approaching

Hoping for someone to save you As you despair in your waking nightmare
Bridge:
So let the kingdom come, let it dethrone the wicked and elevate the broken (x2)

THE STORY:

The Story: We open on our young woman - worn and a bit tattered - nervously moving towards the door of her stale room - the door is cracked open and she leans hard on it as evil leans hard from the outside - we see only his mouth, his eyes and his dirty hands trying to push his way in - with all she’s got she closes him out and returns to the safety of her loneliness - as she moves about her dull chamber - moving from the mirror where she searches for herself; to the bed where buries her face in tears; to the chair where she pulls her knees to her chest as if to protect her heart - you (the viewer) catch glimpses of lights/twinkles - little bits of light - in the mirror, on the floor and out-of-focus in her background. During the guitar break between verses - we leave the room and cut to the hallway - multiple doors line this hallway - in the foreground we cut to multiple people - one at a time (maybe as many as 8-10) who represent the faces of human trafficking - young, old, black, white - everyone - and each is holding a tattered piece of paper with a staggering human trafficking fact scribbled (legibly) on it - the messages hit hard (“27 million victims” - “80% victims of sexual slavery” - “average cost of human slave is $90” - “2 out of 3 are girls” - etc - think of Sarah McLachlan’s ‘World On Fire’ video) - after the guitar interlude - the source of the ‘light’ is revealed - as the woman continues to lament her situation - a small girl, wearing a simple princess’ tiara and a simple, plain ‘princess dress’ is dancing (slow motion) in the room - she’s dancing amongst the dank room with a smile, laughing eyes and a twinkling princess wand giving off bright glimmers of hope. Eventually, the woman notices and acknowledges her princess - takes her hand and leads her out the door and down the hall to freedom - holding hands with her newly-found princess, our ragged woman looks back down the hallway over her shoulder - where she sees the bad guy, from behind, pounding on one of the other doors with his fist - trying to fight his way into another room as she slips out to freedom - finding her princess and her kingdom of freedom - and she gives a slight but hopeful smile... 


MOVING ON TO THE MAKING OF THE "SWEET PRINCESS" MUSIC VIDEO, MINI DOC & BEHIND THE SCENES PIECE...


We arrived on Friday on location at a HUGE, old, 2 story warehouse to set up for the Music Video Shoot on Saturday. Rick took me upstairs to take a look at the space we were going to shoot in and I was amazed at the scale of the place. He showed me where the "apartment" scene was going to be shot and I felt an eerie feeling as we peeked into the dilapidated room. It was so realistic and such a sad room it creeped me out a little, but it was perfect for the video. We had some great helping hands on set up day Susan Little, Rick Green, Tim Flaherty, Ruth Payne, Robbie Davidson, Anthony and Diana Tambini and some other folks.





I met the Production Coordinator Susan Little and she is small but MIGHTY! She had all of the logistics for the food, drinks, release forms and all the ins and outs of the day organized. I am so glad I got to work alongside of her and that she was there to keep things running smoothly.

This project was truly a "Passion Project". Everything we used was donated to the project from the Warehouse (that rents for $2,000 A DAY), from the furniture from goodwill for the sets, to the food & drinks, the Rent-A-John, the talent, the set up, the behind the scenes photography, the equipment, the christmas lights for the performance piece, to the hair and make up artists. Rick estimated the Budget would easily be a $100,000 budget, but all of it was donated to push the cause forward!





The day of the shoot was electric. There was a buzz in the air of people working and getting prepared to shoot. Everyone was working together so well and you could sense the camaraderie and common goal. It was fun, yet serious.



Actress Elizabeth McPherson played the main actress portraying a woman being trafficked. She is such a beautiful woman and when the make up artist Abi finished her makeup, she looked so worn, so beat up and downtrodden.. Her beauty was still there but just transformed into someone sad and broken. Elizabeth was fabulous at portraying her role and was steadfast all day long despite the freezing temperature in the warehouse.



The Little Princess Ellie Maetzold arrived and lit up the set with her child like joy and sweetness. She was beyond perfect for the role as the symbol of HOPE and innocence that was taken from the older version of herself, Elizabeth. I made her a princess wand that she carried with her the whole day and the crew fell in love with her. Thank you mom and dad Kristen and Dave Maetzold for allowing her to be in the video!!

There was a small crowd watching the footage the crew was shooting in the apartment room and when they started the song "Sweet Princess" and saw Ellie and Elizabeth together, There was an emotion that swept over everyone. Even Rick peeked out of the room with wide eyes and said "Phew". Saying with his eyes how emotional it was. I, along with a few others had streams of tears running down my cheeks. It was powerful.

The "Bad Guy" Chris Apfelstadt also did an outstanding job at his role. He is a funny, fun guy, in real life and Rick directed him and helped him channel his angry side, and sure enough he delivered. It was completely dark except for the monitor and the lit up set and his angry, explosive performance sent chills down the audience's spines. I had my hands up to my mouth and felt a little bit afraid myself. Even Elizabeth the actress in the room was shaken up a bit. He also donated some of the Christmas lights for the performance part of the video. :)


At 4pm or so some people where arriving for the behind the Scenes Mini Documentary about human trafficking that Scott Baldner and Matt Shedenhelm were shooting. They did interviews with Nicole Bromley: Author of "Hush" and founder of OneVoice, Marlene Carson: Survivor and founder of Rahab's Hideaway, Connie Anderson of Intervarsity Christian Fellowship & Human Trafficking Awareness on College Campuses, and Kendra a survivor. I asked Scott at one point "How are you doing?" He answered "I am wore out! The content is so heavy.." I think even the crew were affected by being exposed to the stats and true stories of victims this crime affects.


There were about 8-10 extras of all ages & ethnicities that held stats about Human Trafficking for one of the shots for the video.


Lindsey Turner came later in the day to help me with my wardrobe and Make Up for the Performance part of the video. She has a blog called http://www.thriftandshout.blogspot.com and she donated some clothes for the set and also found me the most amazing Vintage 1950's dress that went perfectly with the performance set! 

There were 5,000+ white lights hung from the rafter beams and wrapped around columns over a big space with rustic wood floors. It was magical to say the least. We started filming the performance part of the video around 10:30pm but amazingly I still had plenty of energy for the shoot. Tim, John, Justin, Andrew and others set up the lights and the track for the "Jib" for the camera to roll on. It looked like a real movie set!! Jordan Green worked the ipod playback for the performance too.




Lorie Williams was shooting behind the scenes photos the whole day too. She is such a wonderful lady!! check out her photos at her website: http://www.studiowilliams.com

We were all exhausted and exhilarated when the shoot was over. We are hoping to do a pretty fun release party when the videos are released in June sometime! After the release, we are hoping to give the videos to organizations that can use them as a media piece to raise awareness for human trafficking. Not just locally, but nationally and maybe internationally. My hope is that this video is passed around and that young and old can learn more about this issue and help people who are stuck in similar situations. One by one we can play a small part. But together we can END SLAVERY!


Thursday, March 28, 2013

All things new

I've been keeping quite busy these days. Exciting things are on the horizon!

I've been recording a vulnerable, acoustic-y project with a friend of mine Chris Gatton in his home studio. We've done 2 songs already and I am thrilled with what is happening with each song! He just had Chris Westra lay down viola and Andrew Seifert lay down Cello. My plans for this project are to give it to women who have lost babies, people wrestling through grief & depression and to counseling centers to give to people to heal. It's really a CD that I hope can be the soundtrack for healing in a lot of people's lives. When I was going through some of the hardest times of my life I wished I had music to get me through, so I wrote my own music :)



I've also had some wonderful opportunities to lead worship at my church Vineyard Columbus, alongside some very talented folks & I am learning a lot. I have come a long way and have much farther to go, but I'm having a blast working with some cool people!! I'm apart of Joshua House's (the 20 somethings ministry) Worship team, I help with Fusion Middle School's worship (my husband is the youth pastor there), I led at the Women's Conference alongside of Noelle Shearer and Carrie Mitchell & I lead once a month at my Mom's Group. My heart is geared in such a way that worship really connects me to God. I am really feeling in my element these days!




Me and a buddy of mine Jason Turner have been writing some super fun songs for the last couple years and we are going to be playing them out for the 1st time at a Benefit show at Kafe Kerouac on Saturday, April 20th! Our duo act is called "Fine Citizens" and I seriously can't wait to start showing people some of the stuff we've written!



I am also sharing the stage with singer/songwriter Jane Marczewski at Scarlet and Grey Cafe on Friday, April 19th. Amazing Celloist Andrew Seifert will be playing with me that night. SO pumped!



Next Saturday is the Official Music Video shoot for "Sweet Princess" a song I wrote to raise awareness about Human Trafficking. An old friend of mine, Rick Green has been INCREDIBLE at putting together the storyline, actors, film crew, and more! It is going to be a legit professional video and will definitely do the cause justice!! I've been gathering props this week to prepare for the shoot and my good friend Lindsey Turner, stylist from the blog Thriftandshout.blogspot.com loaned me tons of awesome clothes for the shoot including an amazing Vintage Dress for my performance piece of the video! I'm looking forward to letting organizations use the video as a media piece to take with them places. Sometimes hearing a stat just doesn't move the heart like hearing music and visually seeing someone affected by Human Trafficking you know?




I am also apart of 2 different Compilation CD's to raise awareness about Human Trafficking! It is so great to see the vision of using the songs I've written to help organizations & people to come into reality. No dream is too big! Seriously, I'm learning that time and time again. I feel so inadequate sometimes but if the Lord calls you to do something, you can't worry about it! He will make a way for it to happen if it is supposed to happen :)


^All of these things above are a miracle considering where I was a year or so ago. I had no vision, no dreams.. Stuck in Post Traumatic Stress, depression and Sickness that made it almost impossible for me to leave the house. I am beginning to see the awfulness & mess of those days turn into my mess-age if you will. My past doesn't have to grip its hold on me anymore. The Lord is turning the awful winter into spring. The broken fragments of my heart into a beautiful masterpiece. He is making All Things New!!

Wednesday, March 6, 2013

Trust's Food Allergies & Allergen Free Lasagna Recipe

We recently had quite the ordeal taking my son Trust back & fourth to the doctor for various ailments. He kept complaining about his tummy hurting, was acting SUPER whinny, was not eating very much & had chronic diarrhea. After a few blood tests the doctor figured out that Trust has low iron AND Allergies to Gluten, Egg and Milk (and possibly other things). 

My jaw dropped to the floor as I realized many of his favorite foods contain these items. I cried for a day, then got myself together and went into fix-it mode.

If you've ever been in fix-it mode you'll know what it's like. Researching at all hours of the night, asking questions to people who have allergen free diets, obsessively inspecting every label before anything touches your grocery cart... it is exhausting!!

I have since found some REALLY good alternatives to Milk & Cheese. Almond milk & Almond Cheese are our favorites so far! The almond cheese is tricky to find, but my husband Brett found Mozzarella Almond Cheese (in a block) at Whole Foods. It is mild and very much like Mozzarella to my surprise.

We also found some killer Pretzels (Glutino Brand) at Giant Eagle that taste better than real pretzels in my opinion! And Amy's Graham Bunnies has allergen free bunnies at Whole Foods that Trust loves too. Trust also loves yogurt and cried when he couldn't have any, but I found some Soy Yogurt at Giant Eagle that he gulped down. SCORE.

To be honest, we are a LOT healthier these days. I am eating the same things Trust is eating and most of our diet is, meat, fruits, & Veggies. So maybe the verse that I cling to "All things work together for good" really does stand to be true! 

I am slowly noticing a difference in Trust's overall mood (although it will take some time for him to get all the bad stuff in his system). I still suspect he is allergic to some other things though because he had some diarrhea today, but we are taking it a day at a time you know?


I adventurously made some DELICIOUS Organic milk free, gluten free, egg free, soy free Lasagna the other night and want to share the recipe with whoever can use it!! The sad part about having so many allergies is not being able to enjoy comfort foods, but now you can!

Ingredients:
Brown Rice Lasagna Noodles (Tinkyada Pasta Joy-Giant Eagle)

Pasta Sauce (I used the kind with Basil in it from Trader Joe's)
**Optional- I added Diced Red Peppers, Spinach & Onion to the Pasta Sauce
-Splash of Almond milk (or soy) 
Ground Turkey or Ground Beef (All Natural, hormone free is best)

Almond Mozzarella Cheese (Lisanatti Foods- The Original Almond-Mozzarella Style)
Lasagna Glass Pan (Long Brownie pan)
-------------------------------------

-PRE Heat oven to 375 degrees
-Shred Almond Mozzarella Cheese with Cheese Grater (do the whole block or more if you like lots of cheese) & set to the side
-Boil Brown Rice Noodles for 12-15 Minutes- add Olive oil so they down stick
-Brown Ground meat in Deep Pan (deep enough to add sauce later)
-Once Meat is cooked through, add Pasta Sauce, Splash of Almond Milk & desired Chopped Veggies to Meat
-Strain Brown Rice Noodles when they are done 

-Spray Olive Oil (or desired oil) on Glass Lasagna Pan (Long brownie one)
-Put thin layer of Pasta Sauce Mixture on bottom of Glass Lasagna Pan
-Layer Noodles on top of Sauce (3 long ways on the Long Brownie/Lasagna Pan work great)
-Add Sauce Mixture on top of Noodles (thin layer so you have enough)
-Add Almond Cheese on top of sauce 
-Repeat Noodles, Sauce, Almond Cheese until noodles or sauce is gone.
-Add Almond Cheese to the top
-Place Lasagna in preheated (375 degrees) Oven for 20-25 minutes.
-Check to see if it is bubbling and hot in the middle
**EAT IT!**

*Yummy to serve with Rice Bread (Whole Foods) with Olive oil, sea salt & Garlic powder on top. place in already preheated oven for 5-7 minutes and you are good to go!




Friday, January 25, 2013

Songs for Healing

I've started work on a new music project called "songs for healing".

I wrote a few songs after I had a miscarriage on Easter Sunday 5 years ago, and more after the crazy life threatening pregnancy & delivery I had with my son Trust. I never thought anyone should ever hear the songs, that maybe they were just for me to process through my emotions.

Well, this isn't the case now.

I meet with a counselor to work through the depression, post traumatic stress and the emotional wreckage these past 5 years have brought.

One session I was talking with my counselor about the songs I've written during the healing process and she simply said "Heather, I need these songs! Do you have a recording of them anywhere?" I'm sure I looked flustered when I answered "Well, I have some rough recordings and could lay down the rest of the songs for you I suppose.." She went on to explain there was a woman she meets with that had still births and that she wanted to give my music to her. The next couple weeks I got all of my rough recordings of the songs together and gave the CD to her to give to the woman.

Weeks went by and I didn't hear anything and I thought nothing of it.

I went to see my counselor one day and she greeted me at the door and said, "heather, there is someone I want you to meet." She continued to say "this is the woman I gave your music to." Me and the woman locked eyes and both started to cry. We hugged and cried together because we knew what the other had suffered through and she thanked me.

This CD is super vulnerable and touches the deepest hurts in my heart and I love it. I think people need to know that it is ok to not be happy all the time. That it is ok to grieve when you've lost someone. It's ok to crumble and not have to put on an act that you are doing fine. It's ok to cry and it's not a weakness but a tool.

We tend to wear masks in front of each other and I think it's time to start taking them off and being real. No matter what you are going through, we should be able to bear with each other and not judge how far on the journey to recovery each person is at. Instead, embrace the place on the journey you are in and walk it out and grow through it. There is no sense in jumping ahead if you aren't ready yet.. Walk at a pace that is good for you, and walk it with Jesus.

Saturday, January 5, 2013

Dream a little (Or Big) Dream

I am not a sucker for doing New Years Resolutions or anything, but this year I wanted to dream a little and set goals to make them happen.
That's something you've gotta know about me... When I dream about doing something, it's not good enough to just dream/think about it, I have to put legs to my dreams to make them happen! I am (usually) pretty prayerful about what dreams I should pick up off my brain shelf and which ones I know I will have to grow a little bit more to be able to reach.

Here are some of my dreams/goals for 2013:


I added a few more, but that gives you an idea :)

I'm Excited to say that only a few days into January I already have plans in motion to complete #1, 3,4,5,6, & 8.. Plus a few extra things like writing/recording for the Mercy in Action Documentary Rachel Baransi just shot in the Philippines!! 

Me and My husband Brett are also really focusing on being healthier eaters. We both struggle with having lack of energy, so I think eating and sleeping better will be transformational to our physical health! 

I can't wait to see what 2013 brings. It's the 1st year in many years I haven't been severely sick and unable to do things I love to do, so the possibilities are endless with the Lords direction and help!

**DON'T BE AFRAID TO DREAM!**