Get Back

A while back, Donna and I watched a documentary produced by Peter Jackson, the director best known for his work with The Lord of the Rings series. The special, which streamed on The Disney Plus platform, was called "Get Back." It featured footage that had been shot in 1969 during The Beatles recording of their last record. The plan then was to create a television special that would air at the same time the record would be released. That plan never materialized and a large televised concert became Plan 'B.' That too was scraped and the closest thing they came to producing, in the way of film, was the now famous impromptu rooftop concert above their Apple Record Studios in London. Jackson took all that footage and created this new documentary and it is nothing less than fascinating. 

Much has been written about the infighting that was going on during those final weeks of the band and you certainly feel the tension to a degree. However, you also see the friendship, camaraderie and respect the boys had for one another. They were British, so even their squabbles are filled with good manners and self restraint. 

One of the most spectacular aspects of the documentary is watching the construction of these famous songs. While producers, engineers, attorneys and tech crews are sitting around discussing the television special, the album, the concert and the like - Paul McCartney is over in the corner writing "Let It Be" - arguably one of the greatest songs of all time. As the cameras roll, we see Paul come in with the early workings of "Get Back" where, originally the JoJo character in the song had a last name - JoJo Jackson! We watch George Harrison introduce his idea for "Something In the Way She Moves" and we hear him ask John for advise on writing the line "attracts me like no other lover." Since he doesn't have those words yet, John encourages him to just use words that fit until he gets it. Suggesting, "Moves me like a cauliflower!" Their writing process is mesmerizing! 

I've always enjoyed the Beatles music, although it was released much earlier than my impressionable years. There is no arguing the point that their music laid the foundation for modern popular music. Getting to see some of that music created in this way was a real treat! Thank you Mr. Jackson!

Celebrating Pastor Denny

This past week we had the privilege of participating in the celebration of Pastor Denny Duron's 70th birthday. We traveled north to Shreveport and attended the Sunday morning service at SCC where Pastor Denny's daughter, Dawn Cherie Wilkerson preached a message that needs to be heard in every church around the world called A Hill to Die On. The Katina's were there leading worship. I haven't heard the brothers in a long time. They still got it! So talented! We enjoyed the service and then got to hang out with the Duron family and their close friends at a luncheon held at the church. 

That evening the place was packed out as Pastor Denny's children and grandchildren all shared what this amazing man has meant to them and sang songs that Pastor Denny has written, along with some of his all time favorites. It was magical! Pastor Denny has led such an amazing life! Along with winning national championships and preaching around the world, he is a Grammy Award winning songwriter!

I love Pastor Denny so much and Donna and I are so thankful that he and Deanza are a part of our lives. Their friendship has meant so much to us and their leadership has helped shaped who we are, how we live and how we love. 

While trying to think of the right gift to give a man who has it all on his 70th birthday I thought of getting him a Mont Blanc pen. I thought a fine writing instrument was the perfect gift for him to use to begin writing his memoirs - but then I realized, no - he will be using this pen to journal all the amazing things God will continue to do in and through his life! 

I even got the commemorative T-shirt! 

Surrounded By The Word

Our house has been framed up and this week Donna and I took the opportunity to inscribed the Word of God on the framework of our new home.

We chose scriptures for each room of the house. In the garage, which is the first part of the house you get to on our property we wrote,

Psalm 91:10, No evil will befall thee and no plague shall come near your dwelling. 

In the foyer we wrote, 

Psalm 100:4, Enter His gates with thanksgiving. Come into His courts with praise.

In my office we wrote, 

2 Timothy 2:15, Study to show yourself approved unto God.

In our pantry we wrote,

Philippians 4:19, My God shall supply all your needs according to His riches in glory.

In the kitchen we wrote,

Matthew 6:11, Give us this day our daily bread.

In the laundry room we wrote,

Psalm 51:7, Wash me and I will be whiter than snow.

In our Master closet we wrote, 

Colossians 3:12, Clothe yourself with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. 

And,

Ephesians 6:11, Put on the whole armor of God that you may be able to stand against the devil's schemes.

In our bedroom we wrote, 

Proverbs 3:24, When you lie down you will not be afraid; when you lie down your sleep will be sweet.

In our living room we wrote,

Joshua 24:15, As for me and my house we will serve the Lord.

Also,

Philippians 4:19, And the peace of God that passes all understanding will keep your heart and mind in Christ Jesus.

Above the fireplace where our tv will be we wrote,

Psalm 101:3, I will set no evil thing before my eyes.

In our dining room we wrote,

Psalm 23:5, He prepares a table before me in the presence of my enemies. 

In our bathroom we wrote,

Exodus 23:25, I will take sickness from among you.

In our grandchildren's bedroom we wrote,

Proverbs 22:6, Tain up a child in the way he should go and when he is older he will not depart from it. 

Also in our grandchildren's area we wrote,

Acts 16:31, Believe in the Lord Jesus and you will be saved - you and your house.

In Donna's office,

Proverbs 31:27, She speaks with wisdom and faithful instruction is on her tongue. 

On our back porch we wrote,

Isaiah 26:3, You will keep them in perfect peace, those whose mind is stayed upon you.

I love that our home will be surrounded with the Word of God! 

Breaking Ground

It's finally here! We broke ground this week on our new home in the La Bon Vie neighborhood here in upper Lafayette. They should be pouring our slab on Tuesday and our builder says once the slab is poured we will be in the home within six months! We should be in before Christmas and maybe even before little Elsie Willow arrives! The attorney who handled the closing on our construction loan let us know our builder built his daughters home a couple of years ago and had her in within three months! That would be awesome! 

Our builder is Ali Malekian with AM Design Build and we have heard nothing but incredible things about him. It has been a pleasure going through the design phase with him and he has worked diligently to design the house we want within our budget. Kerry Emanis introduced us to Mr. Ali when we were looking at homes in the Couret Farms. He had just built a floor plan that we thought we might want to use in that neighborhood, but it didn't work out. However, we loved his work and when our lot became available in La Bon Vie we knew we wanted him to design and build our home. It has been a fun but challenging ordeal to get all our finishes, colors and materials picked out but we have it all selected and approved by our HOA. When it's completed it will look something like this...