Title: Hi! Notes from the Holidays
Date: 11/13/08
Author: Sandi
Hi! Notes from the Holidays
It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas….
I have to say that I love this time of year. Any time after Labor Day is okay with me to put up the Christmas stuff. I love the sights and the smells…I love the sounds and the silence. I love it all.
It's funny because when you are in the entertainment industry, Christmas projects are usually done in the heat of the summer. It's an odd sort of feeling to be singing about White Christmas and know that it is 100 degrees outside. One year I was working on a Christmas project in the middle of July in Nashville, TN. We had a full orchestra coming in to record the project, The Gift Goes On. So I decided it needed to feel like Christmas. I sent word to the musicians to bring their hats, coats and gloves. We set up a Christmas Tree in the studio, turned the air conditioner down to the lowest it would go. I had little wrapped gifts for each of the players—and we truly had Christmas—in July. It was awesome.
Here in Indiana, the weather is beginning to have that chill in the air. I so anticipate, each year, the first snow. There is something very cleansing to me about the first snow of the season. When you see those big flakes begin to float down from the sky. All is calm, all is bright. It feels like when the snow falls, it cleanses the air and puts a blanket of safety upon the earth. I have always, to this day, loved the first snow. I hope it comes soon.
This is the first year that I have been smart, and we almost have our Christmas decorating done. I have realized the past few years that I work so much during the holidays, that when we get ready to put up Christmas it really becomes a stressful time. So, we almost have it done and now for the month of November we can enjoy it. And then when December comes we can lean into it and celebrate the season. I have to remember this for next year.
I was thinking today when I was sitting in the salon getting my hair colored—yeah, I said it outloud. I was thinking about that first Christmas. When everyone was rushing around trying to figure out their taxes. No one knew it was a special time, in fact it was probably a stress producing time. Taxes, finances, no place to stay, baby on the way, young girl pregnant, fiancé not the father. No one knew that right in the midst of this most difficult and stressful time, that The Savior Of The World would be born. Those who recognized Him, stopped what they were doing and celebrated. Those who didn't continued to fret and stew.
WOW—you could almost transport some 2000 years in the future and could maybe say the same thing. Stress filled days, worried about our taxes, difficult economy, people losing homes and the place to lay their head. How do we know that in the midst of this stress filled season that God isn't going to show up in an unexpected way just like He did 2000 years ago. And His love will blanket our soul with peace.
When-- and I mean WHEN He does, will we stop and celebrate? Or will we continue to fret and stew and miss the most precious gift of this or any season?
I pray that God will make Himself known to you in a richer and more meaningful way than He ever has before. Remember, Joseph and Mary didn't go to Bethlehem to give birth to the Savior. They went to Bethlehem to pay taxes—how crummy is that? They never realized what this stressfilled time would produce—The King of Kings, The Lord of Lords—and He is still the Prince of All Peace.
How will the Savior reveal Himself in this season of your life?
Peace on earth and good will toward all human kind—
Sandi
Title: HI! NOTES AND WORLD VISION
Date: 09/12/08
Author: Sandi
I had the most amazing experience a few weeks ago thanks to our friends at World Vision. I have been honored to be a partner with World Vision for many years. I went to Ethiopia on a World Vision trip about 14 years ago and it changed my life. We went to one area where World Vision was just beginning its work, and I saw children who were desperate. I saw mothers who wanted me to take their babies home with me so they would have a chance to live. The need was overwhelming and great.
Then we went to a village where World Vision had been for a while and the difference was astonishing. In the first village, I only saw raw survival in the eyes of the people. But in this World Vision village, I saw LIFE. There was laughter, and joy, and water, and education and little gardens.
When we talk about World Vision, we often talk about the children who are in need. But if you are like me, it is easy to forget that these children grow up. They become adults with families of their own. I got to meet one of these "grown up" children a few weeks ago.
Women of Faith was doing a conference in Washington, DC and Mary Graham (our boss ☺ ) said that she had a surprise for all of us. She then introduced a very handsome young man named Emmanuelle and said that Emmanuelle was from Uganda. When he was a young boy, he and his family lived in Rwanda, and he watched his father be killed in the genocide. Emmanuelle said that from that moment, he vowed that when he got old enough, he would join the army and seek out and kill those who had killed his father.
His mother and the other siblings ended up escaping to Uganda where they grew up. While in Uganda, the children became World Vision sponsored children. Emmanuelle was educated and taught music by a missionary. He loved music and began to also play the piano. The missionary had brought with him some VHS tapes with different American artists. The children enjoyed watching "the people in the box". They were so fascinated by this.
Emmanuelle shared that one of the "people in the box" was Sandi Patty. They used to listen and watch my VHS concerts all the time. They continued to learn other songs that I had recorded, especially from The Friendship Company. He learned to sing and play these songs on the piano and was invited by the first lady of Uganda to come and sing for her at the palace. She was so impressed that she asked Emmanuelle to teach her children how to play the piano.
One of the songs that Emmanuelle said really touched his life was In The Name Of The Lord. He said that he would often walk down the dusty roads of Africa singing the words to the verse—
When my plans have fallen through
And when my strength is nearly gone
When there's nothing left to do but just depend on You
And the power of your name
There is strength in the name of the Lord
There is power in the name of the Lord
There is hope in the name of the Lord
Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord
Emmanuelle attends graduate school at Georgetown University, and I know beyond a shadow of a doubt he will change the nations of Africa. And here is what I love—it's all because when he was a child, someone chose to sponsor him through World Vision.
We introduced him to the Women of Faith audience in Washington, DC (and then Dallas and Tampa), and the women were so touched. Mary Graham invited me up on the stage, and Emmanuelle and I sang In The Name Of The Lord together. It was one of the sweetest moments of my life.
I loved seeing, in the flesh, that these World Vision children do grow up and do great things. All because someone gave them a chance. How cool is our God?
--
Be encouraged--God is Good!
Sandi
Title: HI! Notes from Alaska Cruise
Date: 07/24/08
Author: Sandi
So, it seems I have much to catch you up on. It has been, as always, a really busy but wonderful time.
We had an awesome cruise to Alaska with Women of Faith. Don and I, along with Mollie and Sam (we took the two youngest members of our family) were part of the cruise and it was so fun. Sheila Walsh's son Christian also went along with Nicole C Mullen's two boys, Ryan and Max, so Sam had more buddies than he knew what to do with.
Mollie ran around with Nicole C Mullen's daughter, Jasmine, as well as some of the girls from the worship team. Allison Abbot (the beautiful blonde in the worship team) invited Mollie to be her "roomie" for the week, so that worked out great.
It is nice sometimes to just have a couple of the kids, cuz then we can really focus on them. Mollie and I had some beautiful visits over afternoon ice cream. She is a marvelous young lady. She still lives in Michigan and spends her days taking care of her little sister (same mother, different father) Sydney. Sydney just turned 9 and even though Mollie's mother has passed away, Mollie feels incredible protective and nurtures Sydney in such a beautiful way. But as we all know, any of us who have had kids, you sometimes need a break—doesn't mean you don't love your kids, just means you need some "personal" time. So the cruise was that for Mollie.
Then Mollie and Erin went to our church's International Youth Convention in San Antonio for a week, and that left Sydney without child care. So… Don and I took Sydney for the week and we had the best time with her. She and I had a "girl" day and got our toes and nails done, and we baked cookies at midnight and we hugged a lot. It was so sweet and such a picture of God's infinite Grace.
Sam went to church camp last week for the first time and to be honest, I had the worst time with that. Whenever I would come across a pair of socks, or one of his blankets, or whatever, I would smell it and start to cry. I felt abandoned and I actually texted Marilyn Meeberg and told her that I am so glad she has been talking about abandonment during the WOF conferences, because it helped me move through the week—feeling and healing.
When Sam came home he shared with me that he and his new friend, Landon, both dedicated their lives to Christ. How sweet is that. So… God is good, ain't He?
Our family is going on vacation next week and we cannot wait. It is so hard these days, with the kids working and in college, to get everyone together. But we have blocked out next week for a long time and we can't wait. We love the water, we love to all be in the same house, and we love to sleep in and eat and play cards. And we of course talk a lot. Laugh, cry, encourage, tease.. all the good things that make up a family dynamic.
It's interesting… our little family right now. During the school year, it is like a ghost town around here. Five kids will be enrolled this year at Anderson University. Anna is married and she and Collin live about 30 minutes from us. Mollie is still planning to be in Michigan during the school year. So that leaves, me Don and Sam. HELLOOOOOOOOO!!!!!
My father in love (Pop) describes our family happenings as a river. There are places in the river when it is calm and then there are places in the river where there are rapids and you hold on for dear life. Summer is kind of the life the fast flowing river. I love it, it's exciting. But you do look forward to the river calming down. Four more weeks and the river comes to a screeching halt. This is bitter sweet to me.
So I try to lean in and enjoy the river. When it's smooth, I take it all in. Knowing that it speeds up and I laugh and let myself enjoy the chaos of it. And then it slows again. What a ride—I wouldn't trade it for anything.
Thank you for all of your continued prayers and support! I couldn’t do it without you!
Be encouraged -- God is Good!
Sandi
Title: HI! NOTES FROM INDIA
Date: 05/14/08
Author: Sandi
My daughter Jenn is currently in India on a mission trip. She will be there for 2 weeks total. It was hard to say good bye to her because I knew that I wouldn't be able to just pick up the phone and call her. But today she sent me an email saying, yes she is alive and well. I thought you might like to hear about her trip so the following is the email Jenn sent from India.
On Wed, May 14, 2008 at 7:54 AM, Jenn Helvering
Hello mommy!
I AM ALIVE : )
We actually found an internet cafe on one of the streets, and so here I am!! : ) It has been a good few days...whirlwind, but so good. I am not sure how long I have on here, so I will give you the recap until I get kicked off!
The flights were good...Air India wasn't so bad...although we didn't really have TVs or anything but that was fine...oh, and the food was really good! It was a double decker plane, but the top was only for first class. We weren't sitting together on the plane, and I ended up sitting next to a man from India who did speak English, but would not stop talking to me! It was very odd...I will explain more when I get home. I didn't sleep from Chicago to London but slept well from London to Mumbai (Bombay). I don't remember much about customs and everything we had to do at that airport, but we had our last flight to Calcutta and got there around 9am Tuesday morning. After we got our bags and such, we got transportation to our hotel...and that was the SCARIEST ride of my life...seriously, words cannot express how crazy the traffic and driving is here...ask Aly how bad the driving was in Russia and than multiply that by 10 there aren't many rules or lines on the roads or concern for hitting other cars as long as you get to where you are going fast...and pedestrians do not have the right of way. We made it to our hotel, which has AC! and is really very nice comparatively.
We took a walk, and I don't even know if I have still been able to process the culture here. The smell and heat aren't as bad as I thought it would be...it doesn't smell great and it is very hot, but it isn't unbearable. The streets are lined with people everywhere, and the poverty is endless.
We ended up eating at the hotel restaurant which was fine and then went to bed at like 6...we were exhausted!!
We woke up at 5am this morning (Wednesday) and went to mass at Mother Teresa's Mother's Home at 6, which was incredible! All of the nuns were there and it was an hour long mass of singing (they sound so beautiful!!), prayers, communion, etc. I wish there was a way to capture the mass...honestly, words are not at all adequate.
We had breakfast (a banana and a piece of bread...for real) with the other volunteers...there are people from all over the world who come for weeks to months to work here. We met several Americans and a group from Indiana Wesleyan.
At 7:30, we headed to Prim Don...a hospital...and worked there until about 1. We went with a few volunteers who had been here for a while, and they helped show us the ropes. On the way there, after a crazy bus ride, we walked past a slum, which was so hard to see...and a little boy ran up to me and jumped onto a big water bottle I was carrying and wouldn't let it go until he stole it. The poverty is just so overwhelming and vast...and again, impossible to convey.
We started out doing laundry for 2 hours...all by hand...it was exhausting! There were 2 wash stations, 3 rinse stations, and a drying station...ALL BY HAND! Then we visited with the patients...which was really hard...most of them were very mentally handicapped or sick or very old or injured...and we hugged them and put lotion on them and held their hands and tried to listen-- it was so hard! Then, we had a briedf break with the volunteers, which was nice. Then it was lunch time, and we helped serve them and feed them. Then it was their nap time...and I had to carry several of them to their beds...one of them had only like a small hospital gown on. Honestly, I don't know how to convey the experience or the many emotions I felt...it was good and so difficult and challenging and stretching. But it truly makes you put flesh to the scripture "What you do to the least of these, you do to me." I just kept remembering that...and as Mother Teresa said "touch Him in His distressing disguise." Those thoughts kept coming into my mind as I was tired and drenched with sweat and just loving on these people...it is all Him...we are serving and loving Him.
Again, no words can do justice to any of this...and I still have yet to really process everything and let it sink in.
I have to go...but I am so glad I was able to come here and keep you updated! I'm not sure if we will be back here again, but at least you know that I am safe! Thank you so much for the support and encouragement...you have NO IDEA how much those letters and cards have meant to me...I read all the letters on the plane and couldn't hold back the tears.
I love you so much and I will see you soon!
Jenn
Okay, this is mom…I mean Sandi again. I had some of our friends and family write a letter to her and then I made a big "travel" packet for her and those are the letters she read on the plane. I would ask that you all continue to pray for her. What an amazing opportunity.
That's it for now. I'm sure I will be chatting with you all soon.
Much love-
Sandi
Title: HI! NOTES ABOUT MOTHER'S DAY
Date: 05/05/08
Author: Sandi
It's Mother's Day! How about that? I kind of find Mother's Day a very puzzling holiday. Not that I think it's bad or anything. I just think it's puzzling. Puzzling because, honestly I wish our family would notice more than just once a year how hard us Mother's work. You know what I mean. Not that I'm complaining—I guess I'm suggesting perhaps a Mother's Week!! Now how great would that be?
To be honest, there is no greater joy in my life than being a mom. To be honest, there is no greater source of frustration in my life than being a mom. Do I hear an "Amen"? I wouldn't trade being a mom for anything in the world. The greatest lessons in my life I have learned from my kids. And some of the greatest things I have learned have been from some of their teachers.
I remember when the kids were in nursery school and I would marvel at how calm the teachers would be as they dealt with 15 3 year olds. As I would "put in my time" as mother helper for the day, I would stand in awe as I would watch these teachers impart great wisdom on these little minds. During one particular play time, I remember there were two students (certainly not mine—ha!) who had gotten into an argument over whose turn it was on with a particular toy. This argument ended in lots of pushing and shoving.
I clearly remember the teacher calmly getting down on her knees so she could look the children in the eyes and she began to talk to the children. She said to them, "what would you like 'Joey' to know? Can you use your words to tell him instead of pushing him?" And these amazing children would begin to say in their 3 year old little voices, "I wanted to play with this toy and Joey took it from me". And then the other child would have a chance to use words to express his feelings. So simple and so brilliant.
I have used that so often with my own children as they were growing up and I find that I am trying desperately to use more words in my own life. I am someone who tends to "stuff" things and hold them inside. And then they usually "burp" up when I least expect them to. But I am learning that if I can use my words more—whether to my journal, or to a friend, or as a prayer to my heavenly Father—it so helps me to release the emotion along with the words.
There is a book that I love entitled "The Things I Learned in Kindergarten". The simple things like use your words, share your toys and your snacks, take a nap when you need one, and play often. If we could all learn how to do to those things again, I think our days would be fuller and richer. Jesus said we should all become like little children—maybe He went to nursery school too.
Many blessings to all my mother sisters out there. May your special day be as special as you are and may you know that you are loved and celebrated long before and after Mother's Day.
Be encouraged—
Sandi
Title: Notes from the studio in Alexandria, Indiana
Date: 03/19/08
Author: Sandi
Hi! Notes from the studio in Alexandria, Indiana
March 4, 2008
It is actually rather quiet at this moment in the studio. I am currently doing vocals for my new cd that should be out soon. I have worked at Gaither's Studio here in Alexandria, Indiana for at least 30 years. I first started working here when I attended Anderson University (then Anderson College) and did back up vocal work for several recording projects. Then as I began my own singing career, I still enjoyed doing vocals here. It was familiar…it was home. It felt like family.
So now some 30 years later, here I am still doing vocals at my favorite studio in the world…Bill and Gloria Gaither's studio in little old Alexandria, Indiana.
I just finished singing a remake of Andrae Crouch's song, "Through It All.". I have always loved that song and loved what it says. My favorite verse is the second verse:
I thank Him for the mountains, and I thank Him for the valleys
And I thank him for the storms He's brought me through
Cuz if I never had a problem I'd never know that He could solve them
I'd never know what faith in God could do.
Through It All…..
That pretty much sums up my life….He has been there…Through IT ALL!!!!!!! The project is called "Songs From The Journey" and I think it is appropriately named. These are songs that have impacted my life from childhood until now.
I also finished my book called "Layers" and it has been a "come to Jesus" book for me. All of us have layered the pain in our life in one way of another. Busy-ness, drugs, food, alcohol,…you name it. It is a constant and obsessive battle that I face every day as I attack the layers of my life. I have layered myself with food and with weight. And yet as God has brought such tremendous healing in my life, I want my "outside" to reflect the joy and freedom that I feel "inside".
Women of Faith begins the week after Easter. I truly look forward to sharing the weekends with my sisters and friends. This year is called Infinite Grace and most of us will be singing and talking about the grace we have experienced in our own lives. Come see us... www.womenoffaith.com It's one giant weekend slumber party.
Family has been full as usual. We have definitely had our share of family drama. It is a challenge as a parent to know when to step into your adult children's lives and interfere or let them fall on their own. Oh boy. I remember when the kids were really little and people would say "you think this is hard. Wait til they get older." And I remember thinking—when the kids were all 11 and under—it can't possibly get harder than this. But it is a different kind of harder. You can't be with them every second. You have to let go a little more every day. Each day and each night I once again entrust them into the hands of our heavenly Father. Sometimes, that's all we can do.
We've had some great moments too. Erin, who is a senior in high school this year, went with her show choir down to Walt Disney World to compete in the International Showstoppers Competition. It was a great honor to be invitied to compete but get this…they WON!!!!!!!!!! It was awesome. I tried to scream using good vocal technique—but it was truly a life time memory.
I know that I haven't been as faithful with these "Hi! Notes" but life has been really crazy. I always love it when I get to see you all at conferences and concerts. Thank you for the prayers and the love. They mean more than you know.
You'll hear more from me soon! :)
Be encouraged—God is good!
Sandi
Title: We're Back!
Date: 09/19/07
Author: Sandi
And as they say in show biz,...."and we're back". Yes, the long awaited for website is back up and running. I hope you like it. Take some time to tour around and see some of the new things. I always love to get your comments and I love it that you are interested in my tour schedule--even if you can't actually attend a show, i know you are praying and that means so much.
Lots has been going on in the home front. 4 kids (Jon, Jenn, Donnie, and Aly) in college--YIKES!!! It's so odd. They are all just down the road at Anderson University and yet knowing they are at college, makes me miss them. Don't get me wrong...when there is laundry that needs to be done, we are so happy to see their shining faces.
Jenn is traveling again this year with the Revolve tour. Last week was their first on in Columbus, Ohio and she said it was amazing.
Anna and her husband are doing great. Don and I are now the proud grandparents of.....wait for it....a NEW GRAND DOG!!!!! Basher is his name and he is adorable. Anna travels with me on my Women of Faith weekends, and that is so much fun.
Erin is a senior in highschool this year--my baby girl. She will be going to Anderson University next year so that makes 5 in college. You know how to pray! Erin just competed in her first ever scholarship pageant--Miss Anderson. She was first runnerup and we were and are so very proud of her.
Mollie is in Michigan continuing to care for her little sister, Sydney. Mollie is a sophmore in highschool which we absolutely cannot believe. We do miss her so much though.
Sammo is in junior high this year (6th grade) and has started the youth group at church. He is also playing football and his dad (my hubby, Don) is coaching.
I am loving each and every weekend with my Women of Faith girls. I feel like am a better woman when I am around these wise and wonderful ladies.
I will be doing the Yuletide Celebration again this year in December in Indianapolis. This runs the entire month of December, and I love getting to work with the amazing Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra. Not to mention the costumes!!!!
This is just a quick note to catch you up on life in the blender....and boy is it ever running at top speed these days.
Blessings--
Sandi