Hi and welcome to the first podcast episode on To Lift and Inspire!  Early in 2003, out of the blue, I was awakened in the night with a strange and persisting thought: "Get up and write a Christ-centered talks, and do it now."  So I dragged my sleepy (and pregnant) body out of bed, downstairs to my computer in the living room, and embarked on a journey of reading, learning and then expressing what I have learned through writing. I haven't always been sure where I was exactly going on this journey, or how or what to share, but I have found the quiet of the night to be the perfect condition for my desire to learn that has never ceased and promptings to "get up and write" that have never stopped. In fact, "get up and write" is something I hear often in the still corners of my mind. And so that is what I have been doing. Sometimes it's music and sometimes a post or a blog article, but the restlessness only ceases after I create. Sixteen years later, after much pondering and with some trepidation, I have decided to organize some of my experiences, firesides, and stories behind my songs into some simple, candid podcasts. I hope that being authentic about my experiences will inspire you to find ways to also express  things that matter to you. We need more goodness in the world. I am only one of many who do podcasts/blogs/online sharing, but I know that I feel joy when I contribute. In a sea of voices, I hope my voice will always point to Christ and His gospel.  Thank you for joining me on my continued journey to hopefully lift and inspire others through music and testimony.