Sandra McCracken

House Shows with Derek Webb

We got home yesterday from our first batch of house shows this weekend...it has been so much fun.

We had four "living room" shows in this first run...Chattanooga, Atlanta (Decatur), Birmingham and Huntsville.  Each was a completely different set list with audience participation by way of song requests, some lively Q&A, and warm hospitality along the way. My favorite part is being with folks after the show, and of course, getting the best seat in the house for all the "Derek Webb" songs, many of which I haven't heard in ages. 

Here's a video of "Thy Mercy" from the Chattanooga show...hosted at the Salvation Army chapel (Thanks to Joel for uploading your video)

And a pic from Caleb and Bryan's photography studio in Birmingham.  

Feel free to send me other bootleg videos or photos you'd like for me to link to.  Sincere thanks to you each of you for being part.  This format is my new favorite.  Looking forward to more house shows!

ADDED Links:

Here is a beautifully done video of "Chattanooga" at the Salvation Army Chapel show that Scott made. 
And a Facebook photo album he made of our afternoon in Chattangooa. (Thanks so much!)

Published on August 15, 2011 at 4:46 pm | Permalink | 0 Comments

Rose Katuu

So, I'm packing up and washing clothes for our family, preparing for a few days of house shows and hotel room sharing with the little Webb's (which is fun like a slumber party, and not much sleep like a slumber party).   And I just got a progress update for one of our World Vision kids in Kenya.  Her name is Rose, and she drew us some pictures and sent a updated photo of her beautiful face since she is now in primary school.  It is such pure joy to hold in my hands the physical reminder of this real person.  

It does my heart good to share correspondence with a sister across the world that is somehow, in some small way linked by these letters to my family here.  I think about all the clothes I am packing in my bag, all the things we "own" here in our house, and all the things I hope for my future, and hers. The life force that sustains me is the same life force that sustains her.  Grace. Generosity. Love. Action. Grace.

Sending a monthly deposit to her village is like a signpost for this outward, circular motion of growth.  We give because we have been given so much.  Each time, each month, giving opens my heart up like a flower to receive the warmth and nourishment from the sun.  And each time, when I resist self-sacrifice, the grace to give finds me out, and the triumph of generosity is even more sweet.

So I'm thinking about Rose as I pack my clothes.  And I thank God for her, and how she is teaching me a little more about what it all means.

Published on August 9, 2011 at 3:37 pm | Permalink | 0 Comments

Filed under World Vision sponsorship