Inside the Songwriter's Studio {it's terrifying}

I think writing songs is the most terrifying & freeing thing I've ever done.  It's so personal.  I'm terrified every time I sit down with the intent to make music.   It's an act of faith to trust the Lord with these gifts and know that He will make something beautiful.  To me, a song is a miracle.   I always have this sense of His working when a song comes.  It's always so clear that the task is impossible without His Spirit.

I've had people ask me how I write songs. You know, that's a really good question! Haha! I'm not really sure to be honest.  The only solid answer I can give, is that I show up, and God pours melodies into my heart.  Sometimes it feels as if the song chooses me, and not the other way around. 

Sometimes a melody comes pouring in like  a rushing river after a rainstorm.  I feel this urgency to collect it before it washes away forever.  Sometimes it's as if God is humming a sweet melody over me and I find I can't get it out of my head and my heart until I pluck out the chords and pen the lyrics.

That's not to say it's always easy.  There are many times I labor over a song.  Especially when I am in the middle of a really difficult season and I feel smothered by my circumstances.  I'm in too deep and I can't see clearly.

One thing I've struggled with as an artist, is sharing my art.  Since I have this struggle with wanting peoples' approval and being so fearful of rejection,  I have not shared very much of my music. (Over the last year or two, the Lord has been freeing me of this.)  But then there's this strange paradox that comes with that, because often I struggle feeling like a genuine artist because I'm not sharing my art...my art isn't out there for the world to experience...so does that mean it's not really art and I'm not really an artist?

I'm learning to trust the Lord with what He's given me.  Just to write, to be a good steward of these gifts He's given me by being obedient in the simple act of showing up to write. It's been so freeing for me to set aside expectations of what the end result will be, but to simply just come....just sit in His presence with my voice and my composition book and my instrument...and just START.

I'm excited to share this process with you and give you a glimpse into my creative process.  I'm not entirely sure how I'm going to go about it.  I know I'll be sharing songs with you and talking about what inspired them.  I'll share pieces of my creative process, what I do when I hit writers block, and what sparks inspiration.  I hope you'll enjoy being part of this journey with me.  And I'm so excited to be on the road to recording a project to share with you. 

What about you? Do you have a creative process?  

Donate for Diapers {the Oklahoma Tornado Devastation}

As a mama, I can't help but have a heavy heart for moms and dads waiting on missing children from the tornado devastation over the last 48 hours. For the families who have lost every material possession...photos, clothing, toys, books....their homes. Homes they worked hard to pay for.  Homes they built memories in.  For the families who have lost people they love.  I can hardly bare to even think about it.  I just can't imagine. 

I have a special place in my heart for Oklahoma. Its the place I was born.  It's the place my parents met and the place we spent the first part of our lives as a new family.  It is the place I returned to go to college.  It is a place where friends live and have built memories with their own families. 

I want to do something.  Will you join me in prayer?  And will you join me in helping spread the word to help my Okie friend, Kara-Kae (of The Mom Diggity), collect funds to purchase diapers for mamas who are without even their basic needs right now.  She's purchasing the diapers TODAY so we have to act quickly! Any amount you can give will be helpful!

You can send your donation via PayPal to  This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.  She lives only a few miles from the areas hit the hardest by these tornados. We can do something for these sweet families! Let's give out of our compassion & because of His mercy and love!

Be thankful today!

Love y'all
Nat

{The Mamahood} Jessi's Story

Friends of Nathalie!

My name is Jessi Cross, and I am so excited to have a chance to share a little bit of my heart, my story and how Motherhood has changed me. Before I start there are a few things you should know. I am writing this post 39+ weeks pregnant with our second baby girl. I am full of hormones and about ready to burst into tears at any moment. Its also Mother's Day which only adds to the emotion.

So if you are in the mood for a good cry, please join me!

{ You can get to know me and my sweet family a little more here. }

There is something so universal about the experience of Motherhood. It bonds us together over something that is greater than ourselves. Its pretty incredible when you think about it. I can read a story from a mom I have never met but through her story I know a part of her that runs so deep and is so central to who she is, my heart immediately connects to hers. She talks about love, and I know that love. She talks about pain and I have felt that pain. She talks about joy and I KNOW that joy. Our hearts are tied together.  Read more...

Whisper the Words

Jesus had just raised a man from the dead, Lazarus. A man that was a friend. Not just an acquaintance, but a close friend.  Not a man that had just died.  A man that had been dead for several days, four to be exact.  A body that lie in a tomb, beginning to decay.  Martha even pointed out the fact that he'd been lying dead long enough that there would now be an odor.  But Jesus called Lazarus by name, and he rose...bound with cloths and all. What a sight! Can you imagine? I think I would be both terrified and thrilled at the sight. My heart would have had a hard time catching up to the knowledge that this man who's death I had been grieving, a brother in Martha and Mary's case, is now alive. ALIVE!

I think I would have given Jesus a feast too.   

I can see Martha, scurrying about the kitchen.  Working hard to show Jesus her appreciation.  The Bible just says that Martha served, but I can see the whole thing--with apron on, chopping the vegetables and wiping her damp brow with the cuff of her sleeve. I can see her kneading the dough with tired hands determined to earn this gift she had just been given....her brother back.

And Mary, trying to be helpful but distracted from meal time prep as she gazed at the Miracle Worker reclining at the table with her living, breathing brother--whom she oddly felt herself still missing, though he was sitting there before her very eyes.  I can imagine her still pinching herself to make sure it was true.  Maybe she was even muttering to herself, telling her sad heart to be glad, because death had really  become life.

Overcome with emotion and gratitude, she quietly runs to get the pint of Nard the family had been saving.  The bottle that easily costs a year's wages. She goes to the table where Jesus and Lazarus where sitting.  She removes the cloth from her bound hair and long locks begin to fall upon her shoulders.  I can imagine what Martha must have thought when she noticed Mary had stepped away from her job in the kitchen, leaving her to do everything alone. She turns to see her on the floor with hair exposed and the most expensive possession they owned.  Maybe she called out to her "Mary what are you doing? I need help in here! Oh, NOT AGAIN! We've been saving that Nard for so long!".  (This wasn't the first time Mary had used costly oil to wash Jesus road worn feet.) Perhaps Lazarus was worried about  what their guests were thinking.  After all, no dignified woman would uncover and let down her hair in mixed company.  But Mary is unaware of it all.  She begins to pour the fragrant oil on Jesus feet.  She stoops down low and gathers her hair and begins to wipe the feet of the Life Giver.  I can imagine tears begin to trickle down her face.  Perhaps she's whispering softly, just loud enough for Jesus to hear, "Thank you Lord. Thank you Lord."  Those in the house begin to fill their lungs with the scent of the costly perfume.  All work stops and a silence filled the air along with the sweet aroma of the oil. 

I long to be like Mary, but I feel for Martha, because I am so like her.  I want to do good things.  I want to make something of myself.  I want people to see that I'm all about serving Jesus.  I want Jesus to look at my life and be proud of my hard work.  I want to earn my keep.  But all the while, as I wipe my weary sweaty brow, there's Mary...BEING WITH Jesus.

I want to be WITH JESUS!  I want to pour out my heart and my soul upon His beautiful pierced feet that walked the hill with the cross where He bore my sin. I want to thank Him. I want to be a worshiper, caught up in the moments of life that woo me to draw near and beckon me to praise.

Where are you today? Are you burdened by this earning of accomplished status.  Are you longing for the world to see that you've got your ducks in a row and you're working hard to make it happen?  Do think that the harder you work, the more you deserve His gifts?  Are you "in the kitchen" chopping & kneading with the stained apron to prove it?

Have you stopped once this week to sit at Jesus' feet and whisper words that only He can hear? What is He saying to you as you observe this act of worship. 

To all the Martha-girls like me...

Sit at His feet.
Whisper the words. 
Tip the bottle and let it spill out.  
Unbind your heart and let the it fall untamed upon your shoulders. 
Feel the hot tears trickle down your cheeks. 

 

{The Mamahood} Heather's Story

Hey there lovelies! My name is Heather, and I cannot begin to express how honored I am to share my story of motherhood here on Nathalie’s blog. Let me tell you a little bit about me first so you know who in the world is writing. I am the mother of an amazing little boy, wife to the best husband on the planet. I am a food and lifestyle blogger at Heather’s Dish and the coordinator of Faces of Beauty. Additionally I am a freelance recipe developer, writer, and really truly enjoy working out. I love this blogging and online community, and love to share my faith and the story of God’s grace in my life. I would love it if we could keep in touch - you can find me on Twitter, Facebook, Pinterest, and Instagram!

It’s hard to find just one thing that describes motherhood for me. See, I was never really around kids when I was growing up; my sister and I are 4.5 years apart, but I don’t remember her as a baby. Babies and toddlers have always been a mystery to me until I had one of my own.

I suppose the underlying theme, though, is the seriousness with which I take my new role as momma. When you become responsible for another life it does something to the way you approach that role. When I was pregnant I would read so many mommy blogs and books, yet never really heard a lot about how children create so much more purpose in life.
Read more...

Thank You (+ what's next)

Hello Friends,

How are all of you on this Friday?  How was your week? Was it hard? Was it great? Was it frustrating? Was is victorious?  Was it a little bit of everything? Mine kinda was. :)

First, I want to say thank you again for giving SO generously to The Recording Project--my Purpose Project with The Mocha Club.  Together, we raised enough to get 3 women off the streets, out of the sex industry, and into rehabilitation.  They've been given a new chance at life. They've been given hope.  Thank you for giving of your resources to change the lives of women just like us....moms, sisters, friends, daughters.

And extra bonus, this whole experience increased my faith & trust in the Lord like I never would have imagined. And now I'm embarking on the adventure of writing the songs to record on my EP. 

Here is my goal:

• Finish a song (already started) or write a new song every week until August 1st.
• Do a Kick Starter to raise funds for the album during the month of August.
• Begin recording in September/October.
• Be finished by Thanksgiving just in time to share it with the world for the Holidays!

Phew!

Can I be honest? I am so nervous about this! But I know God is at work.  I know that I am to be faithful to show up to write.  I am to seek Him first.  I am to trust His voice.  I am to walk in obedience.  And because I'm human and can't do it all...He'll have to handle the rest! Right?!

I'd LOVE it if you'd all stick with me on this journey.  I'm going to start a series in June called "Inside the Song Writers Studio".  Sometimes I'll share videos of songs I've written.  Sometimes I'll share my writing process or tell you the story behind what I working on or what is inspiring my lyrics.  It's going to be fun and I'm so excited to share it with you!!

Thanks again for sharing this experience with me.  Thanks for believing in the ministry of The Mocha Club! Thanks for your heart.  Thanks for being friends and not just readers.  

Love,
Nat

PS: I really would love your prayers. Prayers for Spirit-filled inspiration. Prayers for diligence and discipline as I commit to this daily. Prayers for the continued reminder to SEEK HIM FIRST. 

{The Mamahood} Rachel's Story

 Thanks Nathalie for allowing me to guest post and share a little bit of my heart as a mother.  I am Rachel, mother to four "after the belly"(Ellie, Sam, Henry and Nora Kate) and one still "in the belly,"(Charlie) due to be born next week sometime.  I have been blogging at www.make-something-beautiful.com  since the birth of my first child 6 and 1/2 years ago.  I started my blog as many mom's do to document my new baby and make it easy for relatives to see pictures of her cuteness but over time my blog has evolved into a place where I share my heart as a woman, wife, mother and child of God. I try to make it an honest place where I allow our MANY imperfections to show through while at the same time celebrating our MANY triumphs. Sometimes it wigs me out when I realize that I put parts of my heart on the "world wide web" for anyone to see but then I remember its not about me. If my story of an imperfect woman trusting in a perfect God can help one other person then it was worth putting myself out there. Also I am learning that I love to write(although my grammar and spelling are terrible), it is therapeutic for me. So I write this guest post today for both my own therapy and for that mysterious one person that it might help out. HERE WE GO...

Read more...

Little Worshipers

I've had several defining "ah ha" moments in my life. Moments that have been set up as living alters in my heart.  One in particular hit me pretty hard one day as a mom of an almost 2.5 year old who, by the way, was schooling us in perseverance and staying on our knees in prayer, and a new little baby girl who gave us a wiggling, giggling, swirly haired picture of grace.  I was thankful but tired.  I was bubbling over with love and empty of myself.  It was one of those moments I came to a humbling grips with the fact that motherhood meant getting up every morning and choosing to be broken bread and poured out wine for my family.  A sacrifice of praise.  An offering of worship.  A lifting of His name and not my own.

In the midst of the richness and awareness of what He was calling me to be, I was clasping tight to any nuggets of truth I could get my hands on, being more aware than ever of my neediness.  The Lord lead me to this scripture one day, and it changed me forever. Read more...

{The Mamahood} Mary's Story

Audience Participation

Hello Friends!

We're in recovery mode today. After a long hard winter full of sickness...repeated and passed around sickness (families are so sweet that way), I thought we had turned a corner to blissful sunny Spring time health. Instead, I awoke yesterday morning to my son bend over in pain with a tummy ache.  Hours later, he was hugging the porcelain throne.  Poor buddy. I'm seriously hoping, with everything in me, that this is the last of this sick-streak. He's looking to be on the mend today.

This picture has nothing to do with this post. I just love it, and had to share my joy!

As you know, I've spent this month working on The Recording Project in partnership with The Mocha Club.  It was so freeing and life giving for me to share a worship song with you Tuesday.  It's something I've been wanting to do, and feeling led to do for quite some time.  I'll be honest, I felt nervous about putting myself out there like that. But I've committed to giving up "seeking the approval of people" for the 40 Day Challenge with Overcome the Lie, so I knew I couldn't hold back any longer.  I just had to be faithful...to show up...to remember that the only approval that matters is my Father's. 

I'm feeling a little empowered. And so I thought I'd kick off the weekend with a little audience participation. You in? Awesome! (<--That's me pretending to hear you all say, "Yah I'm in!")

Ok, here goes! 

We have 5.5 days to raise 5 which will DOUBLE my original goal and help change the life of ONE MORE WOMAN!! WE CAN DO THIS!! I thought it would be fun to add a little motivation, perhaps some inspiration, get your voice involved in this whole shebang! And if you participate---I'm giving away an iTunes gift card so you can enjoy some new music, ON ME!  a Rafflecopter giveaway