GOSPEL SINGING + JAPANESE CHOIR= ????

So yesterday I was feeling well enough to head out to church and since my girl Joice is in town visiting and doing her best "nurse Maduaka" impersonation:-), I really wanted to take her to my church so she could see where I spend my Sunday mornings and so I could go to the House of The Lord myself and give thanks to Him for bringing me through my surgery safe and sound. It was a bit of struggle - picture wearing heels on my left leg, a super heavy/thick temporary cast/splint on my right leg, trying to keep my purse on my shoulder and not look too crazy while crutching down the aisle to my seat:-( but it was definitely worth it!

It was a great service as usual at First AME Los Angeles but we had a special treat by a 100 Voice choir from Tokyo, Japan. Who knew they got down like that in Tokyo?? They sang two songs and I THOROUGHLY enjoyed their performances, so much so that I stood up on my crutches throughout their songs just so that I could see better and fully appreciated their talent.

I just checked on Youtube and luckily someone has posted some personal video clips of them singing yesterday. It's not the best quality but I just wanted to give you an idea of what they sounded and looked like. Try to watch it all the way through so you can see them work.it.out. lol! I'm sure it will bring a smile to your face because they were fantastic. Enjoy!

NEVER WOULD HAVE MADE IT.....

So last night I decided to go to the Ash Wednesday gospel concert that was being held at my church featuring singers Marvin Sapp and Kim Burrell. Suffice to say, I had an OUTSTANDING time!!

First of all the concert was free so that's always a bonus:) and then second, you really can't go wrong with those two singers. Plus, anyone who knows me well, knows that I love gospel music. I don't buy very many CDs but I have quite a few gospel albums including Donald Lawrence, Mary Mary, Smokie Norful and Donny McClurkin to name a few.

Marvin Sapp's rendition of "Never Would Have Made It" brought the house down, let me tell you and there have definitely been times in my life when no truer words were ever said. It's just an awesome song.



And one of my favorite Kim Burrell songs is "Have Faith In Me". If you haven't heard either of these two songs you should really check them out.



And then since it was Ash Wednesday, everyone had to process up to the altar to get anointed with ashes in the sign of the cross on your forehead.

Exhibit A



Ash Wednesday is the first day of Lent and occurs forty days before Easter. It is a period of time marked by fasting and prayer and you're supposed to give up something you really like during that period. I'm still not so sure what that should be, lol. I'd have to say though, whenever I'm in church, it's the one place where I feel that everything is alright with me and who can complain about that?!