A La Mode (In the Fashion)

Hello everyone!

I've got something of a rant here which will lead me into the next post regarding security/identity.  For tonight, however, ranting is the name of the game....kind of. 

First off, if you've known me for any length of time, you'll know I'm odd.  I have a view of the world that is rather unique and I rarely color inside the lines.  My music depicts this, my words depict this, my thoughts depict this and my clothes also depict this.  The latter is today's source of contention.
During the past week I have been practically bullied because of wearing the "wrong" things and I just think it's pretty ridiculous.  I am not indecent; only different and I find it crazy that I, a 30 year old woman, have managed to be the focal point for a kind of "teasing" that most often happens in middle school.
I don't want to devote much time to this topic as it really isn't worth it, but I have these things to say:
        1.  The fact that fashion should be SUCH a big deal that it gives anybody the "right" to put someone else down is something that, I think, displays the sickness of our society.  That this thing should be so important that we are all under scrutiny about it tells me that we have a serious malfunction in our list of priorities.
        2.  Truthfully, I have been thinking about what I wear lately and have added different types of things to my wardrobe because I find that I am in certain situations where my normal attire may offend a particular culture/community.  I will wear a skirt instead of pants so as not to offend, but I refuse to change because converse with a skirt is a faux pas.
        3.  I am aware that there are people in the world who's passion it is to design clothing.  That's great...it's artistic and sounds like it could be fun.  I have no issues with such a profession.  I DO have a big issue with the label "fashion designer" being synonymous with the term "dictator".
        4.  I am so bored with this post and with this topic and with this ridiculous issue.  I really don't care what people around me are wearing and my own clothes are mainly utilitarian.  I do have my likes and dislikes and I am actually quite picky, but my tastes are simple and likely to remain so.  Can we just drop it already??
        5.  "Once you can accept the universe as matter expanding into nothing that is something, wearing stripes with plaid comes easy" - Albert Einstein

The end...moving right along....

Come Let Us Return

I joined a fast that my big brother started on FB.  LOADS of people were invited to join in and lots of people did! During the fast I've had this Kevin Prosch song in my head.  I love this song and I felt like singing. :) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mpfrPpkKXb4&feature=youtu.be

AMF12

Hello everyone!  I've just returned from a wonderful weekend at the Asheville Music Festival in NC.  It was a weekend full or great new music, good friends and deep worship.  I've gotten so many messages from friends at home who want to know all about the weekend.  So, rather than telling the story many times over, I'll post it here for the world to see. :)

THURSDAY: Mother, Shirah and I left KY around 7:30am and began our drive to NC.  We were all pumped for AMF, but for some reason, we ended up making far too many unnecessary stops along the way, turning our 5 hour trip into a 7 hour trip.  It was, however, a pleasant drive with fun conversation.  Skipping the minor details, the only thing I will note regarding the trip is this:  We stopped at a Starbucks somewhere along the way and my bladder was really talking to me a lot.  So, I went straight for the restroom, but it was a one person restroom and someone was in there.  So, I decided to go to the men's room instead.  It was still just a one person room and I figured they surely wouldn't deny me coffee for being the wrong gender.  ...Unfortunately, while I was in there, a man tried to get in.  I decided I'd make light of the situation when I exited.  I had decided to make a joke and tell him I was sorry my bladder couldn't read the sign.  Instead, I opened the door, surprised him by being female, and immediately got my purse caught on a large sign which came tumbling to the floor, making lots of noise and blocking his path to the restroom.  So, not only was a a girl coming out of the men's restroom, but I was also causing a scene.  Oh well...what can I say? I picked up the sign, got in line and tried to contain my laughter.
When we finally got to AMF, it was raining and had been raining there for quite a while. In fact, we had missed a storm which had flooded several tents and ripped another in half.  Still, everyone seemed happy to be there as we parked in the grass/mud and hopped on the bus to get to the camp site. The mountain was just beautiful and it was refreshing to be among the trees, hearing the babbling brooks and breathing the fresh mountain air.  Thursday night started a bit late because of the rain, but it was an exciting time and everyone was full of anticipation for what the weekend would bring.  I didn't get to hear everyone that night, but I really enjoyed Troy Mitchell.  http://www.bethimmanuel.org/videos/messianic-music-troy-mitchell  I also enjoyed seeing some friends, old and new and spending time with my sister-in-law and my niece, (little) Shira.
(Thursday artists:  Boneh, Troy Mitchell, Downpour, Judah & Jen Morrison, Dan & Melissa David, Jordan Elias, Carlos Perdomo)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W1NNKq8MYl4
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LixtrwFl3-o&feature=related
http://www.dandavidmusic.com/Videos.php
http://www.carlosperdomoministries.com/

FRIDAY:  Friday morning was a very quiet one for me.  It was the morning I was to share my music at AMF and I could not help being near silent and contemplative until that was done.  We arrived at the campsite at around 10am.  We (Mother, Shirah, Shelly, Dara, little Shira and I) picked our spot in the grass by the lake stage and listened to more excellent music.  Eventually, I headed down to the "artists area" behind the stage where I sat quietly waiting for my turn.  Behind the stage, I was soon joined by the members of Blue Mosaic, who were to go on after I.  Each of them was delightful to meet and I was glad to share those moments with them.  Just before I was to take the stage, I was looking out over the lake when a beautiful blue and black butterfly landed on the back of my hand and it stayed there for a good 2-3 minutes as I walked around smiling like a giddy child and showing the butterfly to everyone backstage.
Soon, Matt Rosenberg (who was also lots of fun to hang out with), said it was time.  So, together we climbed the stairs and Matt introduced me.  It's no surprise that I was nervous, but was also thrilled to have made it to this point in my life.  Lately, I am always in awe of how my life has turned around... I started the set with my newest song, Heart of the Lion.  I messed up the chords many times and I definitely could have done better.  Live and learn! The next song was Kumi Yisrael, followed by Dark Glass and then Your People Love You. During my last song, the rain really started coming down and, from the vantage of the covered stage, it was beautiful.  After my set, Blue Mosaic took the stage and they were really a blessing.  Very good music and loads of talent.  http://blog.jforj.com/bluemosaic  I also really enjoyed the music of Kerah Oliveira http://www.keraholiveira.com/#!/the-latest-works/, Daniel Rosenfarb and Britta K, among others.
The artists that really stood out for me on Friday evening were 3B4JHoy (beautiful harmonies!) http://official3b4jhoy.wix.com/home#!music, Teshuva http://www.teshuvamusic.com/music/ and Min Hama'ayan (!!!) http://soundcloud.com/yossi238/min-hamaayan-from-the-fountain (please listen to Kol Haneshama)
It was so fantastic to worship Adonai on Erev Shabbat with hundreds of other Messianic believers.  That sense of community is sometimes difficult to find when we align ourselves with Judaism and belief in Yeshua as the only Messiah.  It's wonderful to share my beliefs with those who are just curious and tell them the reasons behind my faith, but it is always a delight to be among those who already understand and just want to worship G-d together.
(Friday artists Aspiring to Glow, Kes Evens, Kyle Orth, Kerah Oliveira, Daniel Rosenfarb, Julia Vidito, Blue Mosaic, Navi, Brandon Chustz, Britta K, Ron Cline, B'racha, Jeremiah, Avanim Chavot, 3B4JHoy, Roman & Alaina, YAShaar, Generation: Hope, Teshuva, Min Hama'ayan, Greg Silverman)
http://www.reverbnation.com/aspiringtoglow
http://www.kyleorth.com/
http://www.brachamusic.com/Playlist.html
http://www.myspace.com/romanandalaina
http://www.gregsilverman.com/

SATURDAY:  To me, Saturday was, by far, the best day of the festival.  Again, I was thrilled to be with this community on Shabbat.  In the camp that morning, I heard worship and prayers coming from all around as smaller groups from many different congregations met together to share Shabbat morning with each other in the ways that are customary to them, yet each united in familiar Jewish customs and all united in worshiping Echad.  At 10am we all gathered around the main stage for our community Torah service.  Several leaders who have had a large influence in Messianic music were called to the platform to carry the Torah and we sang and praised as they followed a path through the crowd and gave us all a chance to show our love for the Torah, as is customary.  I so enjoy this custom; the devotion it shows to the Word of G-d and the joy it brings to our hearts that we can see, touch and read His own Word.  It was also a blessing to hear the Torah read aloud by several people and to hear a motivating message by Seth Klayman.  My favorite part was at the end of the service when they invited all the AMF musicians to come to the stage and sing a revamped version of He Shall Reign together.  It was so moving and wonderful to be there with so many musicians, and standing next to my brother and his wife.  I could not help feeling the power of praise that was going forth at that moment.  I don't know that I will ever experience something like that again before I see the other side of eternity.  Whether I do or not, I will NEVER forget that time of worship.
After the service we heard more fantastic music.  :) For me, the highlights of the day were Naomi Miller, Giselle + the Compass http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I64dinamIk4, Toby & Brooke Manolis http://www.rtbot.net/brooke_manolis, HaShir (Duh! the tribe of Vidito has to stick together ;) ...but they're really great regardless) http://www.hashirworship.com/cm/, Jeff Koch, and Hazakimhttp://www.youtube.com/user/Hazakim (whether you like hip hop or not, they are fantastic for their hard hitting and truthful lyrics).
Another one of the moments that really blessed me on Saturday was when I got to share the stage with my brother, Marc, as we each played drums to back up Toby and Brooke Manolis.  I had not met  Toby & Brooke until moments before getting on stage with them and I had no heard any of their wonderful music, but...hey, I know how to hit a drum! Toby & Brooke are beautiful people and I can't remember the last time my brother and I got to do anything like this together.  It was truly a touching time for me.  I can't remember word for word, but one of the songs Brooke sang was about G-d bringing us through things to where we are now.  I felt G-d's presence so strongly as I thought of how many times the enemy had tried to rip my family apart forever.  He tried to break our spirits.  He tried to kill us and most of all, he tried to get us to walk away from the path G-d has set before us.  My brother and I have each had very difficult times in our lives and times when each of us walked away from G-d's plans, but Baruch HaShem, He has always called us to return to Him and we have always followed, eventually.  I can't say how full my heart was as I thought of all these things and, once again, stood next to my brother and praised Adonai our Redeemer.  There is simply no end to the blessing of His Redemption on our lives.
(Saturday artists: Naomi Miller, David Wein, Jeremiah and Hannah Zaretsky, Lawra Elizabeth, Giselle + the Compass, Toby & Brooke Manolis, Joshua Aaron, Justin Hutcher, The Pear Republic, Messy!, HaShir, Jeff Koch, Beckah Shae, Judah & Jen Morrison, Roman & Alaina, Sharon Wilbur, Michah Mahoney)
http://soundcloud.com/jeremiahandhannah
http://www.myspace.com/lawraelizabeth
http://worshipinisrael.com/joshua-aaron/
http://www.myspace.com/justinmhutcher
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qv3L8lPoMyk
http://www.beckahshae.com/
http://grooveshark.com/#!/artist/Judah+and+Jennifer+Morrison/1095830
http://www.sharonwilbur.com/intro.cfm
http://vimeo.com/46761074
Late Saturday night, AMF was at its end... We had a blessed time of worship led by Micah Mahoney.  We had prayer for this next generation of Messianic believers and artists and then it was time to close.  The music stopped as Seth Klayman came to the front of the stage, sat down and began praying without a mic.  I'm not sure if that was planned, but it ended up being perfect.  All of us who were scattered about the field, slowly and silently walked to the front where we stood to pray.  It was absolutely silent except for Seth's prayer.  Then, one by one, others began to pray and someone led us in singing "Thou, O  L-rd, art high above all the earth.  Thou art exalted far above all god's..." It was a tender and meaningful closing to a weekend that, truly, was beyond belief.  I can only imagine the amount of work, sweat and prayer that went into making AMF happen.  I know that it was 2 years in the making and that it will probably never happen again.  I have no doubt that everyone who had any hand in this was blessed.  It was wonderful to hear such fresh sounds coming from the Messianic community and to know that there are young people in this movement who are serious about their walk with G-d and about reaching G-d's people and the world with the message of Yeshua, our Messiah.  I can't begin to imagine all that will take place as a result of this event, but I am so excited to hear about things that wouldn't have happened without it.  AMF was something that has never been done before and is certain to have a lasting effect on the lives of those who participated and in the Messianic community.
Thank you to EVERYONE who did anything to make this possible.  You are too numerous to count! And most of all thank you, Adonai, for bringing us to such a blessed time with You.  Baruch HaShem!

Love and Shalom,
Julia

AIRPORTS

BEHIND THE MUSIC 

"Airports" is one of the first in a long string of songs that I began writing three years ago on the cusp of my divorce.  While the wound was still fresh, I wrote this song about my marriage and about the end of my marriage.  The first time I met my ex-husband we were in an airport and the last time I saw him we were in an airport.  That is the memory that lead me to this thought of a personified airport and how that idea felt a lot like me... An airport has thousands upon thousands of people continuously pouring through it.  Each person comes from a different place and has a different history and sees the world through different lenses.  If an airport were personified it would have to feel confused by the rush of thoughts that flow in and out constantly.  

So it is that I likened myself to an airport.  I was so conflicted about the end of my marriage and the end of that era.  I felt like there were a thousand conflicting thoughts pouring through my mind constantly.  I felt like they were all creating one big knot inside me that I could never untie.  I could never fully understand even what was in my own heart.  As the song says, "In the dark parts of me are secrets I don't even know on my own..." ...a tangled cord I can't unwind.  

Still, the prevailing thought in all of this is that I am thankful for all that I have learned.  I'm thankful for the time I had with him and I would not take it back.  The kind of love has changed, but I know that I will love him all my life and he will always be a part of me.  "woven through this heart of mine; the threads of you I won't unwind..."
With this song, I hope to soothe a broken heart.

Love and Shalom,
Julia