Good morning folks. Here’s my musical life, abridged version.

I was born early on a Tuesday morning, August 15, 1969 in the Netherlands. The birds sang and there was much rejoicing. Soon afterwards we began our long treacherous journey as a family across the Atlantic Ocean, hanging onto our logs and kicking. Actually we flew over to the U.S. when I was 8 months old. My dad’s family is Dutch. They had immigrated to the U.S. when he was 15 years old (just in case you’re confused, my dad ended up back in Holland for business in the 60’s). Music was always a huge part of the Dutch tradition. I remember sitting around at family get-togethers while my uncles and aunt played guitars, ukuleles, mandolins, harmonicas, and sang. My Mom has always been a good pianist and cello player and often played in the home.

Because of this, music has always been a very important part of my life. It’s an intricate part of me. I started playing guitar when I was 8 years old. I joined a folk band by the time I was 9 and we traveled throughout the U.S., Argentina, Pakistan, and Antarctica. Ok, that last part wasn’t true. I did sing and play a folk song with my sisters in a talent show in elementary school though.

I was involved in music throughout my middle school and high school years. Music was my world in high school. I lived for singing in concerts under director Phil Buch and performing in the Pop Concerts. I learned so much from “Mr. Buch” about going beyond mediocre, about discipline and the joy of getting lost in the music and sharing that with others. Rich, Perry, And Jeff were 3 years ahead of me in school and I remember watching them as they sang in the Pop Concert. My bedroom walls were plastered with their pictures. I would have never imagined that I’d be able to sing with them some day.

And now, the rest of the story…

I didn’t do a lot of singing over the next few years, but God had a plan for me. He led me to Highland Community Church in 1996. I was soon asked to play guitar and sing on praise team. He was really instilling within me a passion for worship. He allowed me to gain a deeper understanding of praise and worship. Eventually I started leading worship. After taking over those responsibilities for a year, God gave us a new worship pastor and we now share the responsibilities of lead worshipper.

I got a call in 1999 that Living River would be needing a new baritone, for theirs would be retiring. I joined and have been amazed at how God has taken this group and is directing us in so many different paths, reaching so many different people with His message of love. Since Jeff has joined the group, it’s like being in high school all over again. We’re having more and more fun. Who said being a Christian is boring. It’s a blast and God is challenging us to step out and do what He is calling us to do. I know I am trying hard to give in to His will, in this group and through being a lead worshipper at Highland, as well as teaching my 5^th graders in elementary school. I’m learning that God is awesome and good and desires for us to respond in worship to Him for who He is and for what He has done… in all parts of our lives. That’s real worship. I couldn’t see it at the time, but throughout all those years God was preparing me to worship and to sing with Living River for this time in my life.

You may have wanted to hear about my favorite this and my favorite that. Well… too bad… I’ve rambled on long enough.

But here are a few:

My favorite quote from a movie comes from Tombstone.

Doc Holiday says to Wyatt Earp, “There’s no normal life. There’s just life. Get on with it.”

My life verse is 1 Corinthians 15 :58

“My dear friends, stand firm and don’t be shaken. Always keep busy working for the Lord. You know that everything you do for Him is worthwhile.”

Thank you and good night.