It seems like I’ve got a lot to say, so I guess I’ll just get right to it:
Last Saturday we drove down to Redmond to see our favorite band of all time: Jars of Clay, along with a couple other great artists: Sara Groves and Derek Webb. More about that in a minute. But, on the way down, we stopped in Edmonds to have dinner with Darin’s dad and step-mom. Darin had invited them to walk-on the ferry and come meet us. Those of you who know me, know that it is hard for me to spend any extended amounts of time with this set of Darin’s parents. I just never really feel comfortable. But on Saturday it was really different. I think meeting on neutral ground really helped. As did the fact that we were enjoying an “adult” activity: dinner with wine at a café. We laughed, eat, had great conversation, and I left with a smile on my face. It was a really enjoyable way to spend time with them. We’ll have to do it again sometime.
Now, on to the concert review. WOW!! I know Jars always puts on a spectacular show, but this one was exceptional. This is the third Jars concert we’ve seen, and all three have been really different. This was probably the most typical of a concert (rather than the acoustic and fair versions we’ve previously seen). And I’ve got to say that they picked two fabulous opening acts. Our seats were farther back than Darin would have liked (blame me and my procrastination on getting back to my sister about tickets and ordering them), so the pictures are a little shaky.
Derek Webb started the show. For those of you who are Christian music fans, he used to be a lead singer in the band Caedmon’s Call (he did most of their great ballads). Don’t really know the situation surrounding his going solo, but he is a great singer and writer. He was the man on the stage with a mic and his guitar. Let me tell you, this guy doesn’t shy away from some hard-hitting lyrics. For example,
Wedding Dress
if you could love me as a wife
and for my wedding gift, your life
should that be all i’ll ever need
or is there more i’m looking for
and should i read between the lines
and look for blessings in disguise
to make me handsome, rich, and wise
is that really what you want
(chorus)
i am a whore i do confess
but i put you on just like a wedding dress
and i run down the aisle
i’m a prodigal with no way home
but i put you on just like a ring of gold
and i run down the aisle to you
so could you love this bastard child
though i don’t trust you to provide
with one hand in a pot of gold
and with the other in your side
i am so easily satisfied
by the call of lovers less wild
that i would take a little cash
over your very flesh and blood
(chorus)
because money cannot buy
a husband’s jealous eye
when you have knowingly deceived his wife
Or this one, Rich Young Ruler
(vs. 1)
poverty is so hard to see
when it’s only on your tv and twenty miles across town
where we’re all living so good
that we moved out of Jesus’ neighborhood
where he’s hungry and not feeling so good
from going through our trash
he says, more than just your cash and coin
i want your time, i want your voice
i want the things you just can’t give me
(vs. 2)
so what must we do
here in the west we want to follow you
we speak the language and we keep all the rules
even a few we made up
come on and follow me
but sell your house, sell your suv
sell your stocks, sell your security
and give it to the poor
what is this, hey what’s the deal
i don’t sleep around and i don’t steal
i want the things you just can’t give me
(bridge)
because what you do to the least of these
my brother’s, you have done it to me
because i want the things you just can’t give me
Funny, though, the whole time he was on stage I kept seeing our friend Ben in him. There were some real similarities in their singing styles and in looks too I guess.
Next up was Sara Groves. When I saw her listed as an opening act I picked up her CD (on sale, nonetheless). I really liked the CD, but honestly, it has nothing on seeing this amazing woman live. She played the piano and sang while a guy on bass and her husband on drums played along. Her voice is pure and angelic and filled the room with such light. And her songs too—WOW! I can’t stop playing the CD since the show.
Here’s my current favorite, You are the Sun
You are the sun shining down on everyone
Light of the world giving light to everything I see
Beauty so brilliant I can hardly take it in
And everywhere you are is warmth and light
And I am the moon with no light of my own
Still you have made me to shine
And as I glow in this cold dark night
I know I canít be a light unless I turn my face to you
You are the sun shining down on everyone
Light of the world giving light to everything I see
Beauty so brilliant I can hardly take it in
And everywhere you are is warmth and light
And I am the moon with no light of my own
Still you have made me to shine
And as I glow in this cold dark night
I know I canít be a light unless I turn my face to you
Shine on me with your light
Without you Iím a cold dark stone
Shine on me I have no light of my own
You are the sun, you are the sun, you are the sun
And I am the moon
LOVED when Matt from Jars of Clay joined her on the album’s title track, “Add to the Beauty.” That song alone should make you go out and buy this work of art. Sara just really seems like a cool person, someone I’d like to have as a friend. To go out to coffee or walks with and just talk about life, and love, and God. Too bad she lives in Minnesota!
And what can I possibly say to express my joy at hearing the Jars boys again?! Their songs make my heart soar, and their harmonies touch a place deep inside me. They truly have a gift and are using it to do amazing things. I sung along with most the songs, and was thrilled (along with my shouting husband) to hear they’re working on a new album. (It’s hard knowing we have to wait until September!) Found myself in a place of worship and wonder of my creator, a place that I haven’t seen in a long time. And for that, I am very grateful.
And a couple got engaged at the show! The guy goes to the church where the concert was at, and pulled in some serious strings and favors to get invited on stage by lead singer Dan and handed the mic. Proposed, she cried and said yes, and then Jars serenaded with one of my all-time favorite love-songs, Only Alive.
i'm a fair-weather friend
i'm a colorless view
but i'm willin' to make a deal
if you think you can make some faith here inside
i'll drive off and marry you
Chorus:
i'm only alive with you
i can't get by and i won't get through
so put me in the river and let me say i do
i'm only alive with you
you're a sight for sore eyes
and a newborn cry
in a year where there are so few
if you throw me a line, i'll show you in time
i'm fallin' in love with you
[CHORUS]
though my heart has been torn
the loves i have worn
and i'm tempted by them ever still
i tremble inside when you walk in the room
you hold my affections and will
[CHORUS x 2]
And can I just say, any band that has a member who can rock out on the accordion has got to be cool! Here's us at the show. (I kept teasing Darin cuz he was looking at the screen rather than the camera :)
Monday night I did a page while watching the Olympics. Remember those Christmas pictures I was eager to scrap? Finally got one page done. How do you like it?
Last night we had some friends over for dinner. Ben (remember the Derek Webb look-a-like, that’s him) and Tina and their adorable daughter Chloe. It’s fun having them over since for the past year plus we’ve always been hanging out at their house (we’re the ones without a tag-a-long). Darin cooked up an amazing roast in the slow cooker and we enjoyed visiting and eating while Chloe played with the stickers I had culled from my scrapping stuff. Happy to see these friends again. Also happy because Tina and I set up a regular walk date on Fridays. I’m really looking forward to having a regular date with this friend.
A couple cute pictures I got last night.
And finally, wanted to share with you great blog-readers my new better-health strategy. I need to motivate myself to work out and it’s just not happening. I thought seriously about joining the gym near our house when they had a sale, but was worried I still wouldn’t go. So, I came up with a new theory. I will pay myself when I work out! That’s right, folks, cold hard quarters for working out. $1.00 per hour. Isn’t much, but for a girl who loves her little packages of doo-dads and what-nots for scrapbooking, this is perfect. So far, I’m doing well. Also decided to pay myself for a couple other habits I need to start: brushing, flossing and rinsing ($.25 every time I do all three) and washing off my makeup before bed ($.25 each time). This is working! Yipee! Good habits for me and new scrap supplies.
That’s all for now. Hope you enjoyed reading.
