Summer 2010

June 29,2010~ School starts next month??? Am I just getting old or is life just passing by even faster than ever before? I don't know but this summer has been a whirlwind for our family.

Last week was a transformational week for me and I believe our family is forever changed for the better bc of a Spirit led "Road to Renewal" campmeeting at our church. Dan Bohi was the speaker sent by God and what an anointed man with a burden to wake up the church! It's so true that our churches have been asleep and we have been gradually losing the anointing of the Holy Spirit. Scary~ God plainly showed me that I can no longer try to lead worship or live life without Him saturating my entire being with His anointing. He showed me some areas in my life that I had been slacking in and can no longer allow or the anointing will leave me. I LONG for His anointing in every minute area of my life and I will do anything to have His blessing on me. This is my heart's cry for every single person on this earth and I know that through the power of His Word and through diligent prayer every man/woman can obtain His anointing. Anyhow, I believe that God is pouring out His spirit on His people one more time before His return and I am praying for a worldwide revival. That's why we are here~ To expand His Kingdom~

One thing I've learned this past year is that when you pray for His will-you can end up anywhere. Literally!!! Yakima Washington is a place that I had never seen or been to but in less than 3 weeks our family is moving there to serve at West Valley Nazarene church and lead worship there. Doran will be the worship pastor and together, he and I will be leading the people in music. It is so awesome to be ministering together once again and it just feels right. The peace that we feel in knowing that this is God's divine plan for our family makes this transition so much easier. It is difficult to tell our friends goodbye and know that we won't get to see them every week, but knowing the drive is less than 6 hrs helps ease that ALOT~ I plan on taking frequent trips to the Treasure Valley:)

An exciting event this past week for me has been being able to record in the studio working on my first EVER solo recording! It has been LONG hours and very tiring but what a joy to do what I'm called to do. Singing is not work for me bc I LOVE it so much so the long hours have been rewarding. We are finishing up on August 7th then the next week my amazing hubby is producing along with Randy Jahn getting the finishing touches complete. Last night, I called Doran "Simon Cowell"-LOL~ He is pretty intense and quite the perfectionist but I wouldn't have it any other way bc he knows my voice better than anyone and can get more out of me than anyone can. So, kudos to my honey for being tough on me. The marriage stays at the door and when we go into the studio it is all about business!!!

Remember us in prayer as we start this new chapter of our lives and especially for Courtney and Taylor.....remember those days of walking through the doors of a brand new school and feeling pretty insecure? I'm praying that God brings friends our way so that the kids feel more at home there and will do well in their new school.

Happy Summer all~Enjoy the sunshine:)

March 2010

Is it SERIOUSLY almost April??? I do believe that April is my favorite month of the year along with December of course. Why is that? Spring is the BEST season of the year because there is life, growth, color, birds singing, and we can be outside as much as we want without freezing. It's not too hot and not too cold-it's just right! "Three Little Bears anyone?" Taylor turns 6 on April 19th-Wow! My little kindergartner will soon be a 1st grader and is growing up a little too quickly for this momma:( He's my last baby so I feel a little bit sad when his birthday comes around each year. "Mom, I really wanna go to Chuckee Cheese for my birthday!" "Why Taylor?" "Because you get coins, a crown, and a Chuckee Cheese cake!" How could I say no? We will be going to Chuckee Cheese for his 6th birthday! In 1 week my parents will be flying in to spend Easter with us and we Can't wait til they get here! We have to squeeze a lot of celebrating in to 1 week but we WILL make it happen. Somehow we will be celebrating Easter complete with egg hunts, and easter baskets and of course No Greater Love. Then we are celebrating Taylor and Courtney's birthdays at once. Unfortunately my parents live in Kentucky and can't always make it for both of their special days so it was decided that we would have a joint birthday celebration and it doesn't matter that Court's birthday isn't until July. It's about time together:) Good times! Courtney and Doran have been super busy with No Greater Love and have been at practices about 4x a week so it's pretty intense but the important thing is that lives are being touched for Christ and hearts are impacted for the Kingdom. Doran loves playing the apostle John and he is doing a fabulous job!

On a deeper note, as a child I remember having a hard time wrapping my mind around a comment I would hear periodically....."It is through giving of ourselves that we experience true joy and happiness." I remember thinking and wondering how that could be possible? Isn't it by filling our lives with things, fun and toys that makes us happy? I understood that a life without Christ was a miserable way to live but I just thought that giving to others was a bit overrated. I've learned that those comments were absolutely, without a doubt 100% true! Our world teaches us to be calloused and hardened and it is when we allow ourselves to soften and show our hearts to others that we experience true joy and peace. God help me to show my open, vulnerable side more without being afraid of being rejected or hurt. It is thru much practice and effort that we can achieve this and I strive for this daily. It is way too easy to become negative and cynical about life because let's face it.....It's truly a tough world out there! How do we make it? By leaning on the Maker of all things first and foremost, but then learning to lean on our family and friends. By making ourselves vulnerable and open and who knows? We might just help someone in the process. There are so many hurting people that need us to be real with them.

God is blessing our ministry through giving us opportunities, financial support and most importantly.....the prayers for us. It is exciting to see how God is forging a pathway for us. To be able to do this along side of my family is a dream come true and I love it! Not to say it hasn't been challenging at times. We soon will be moving again(in nampa) and have no idea where our new house is. Sometimes that freaks me out! We are just hoping that everything goes through with the offer on our house and it looks like we will be moving in June. Transition, transition , transition!!!! Don't we all love it? The unknown is what scares us the most. But, fortunately there are a lot of houses out there just dying for someone to live there so we shouldn't have too difficult a time finding us a place.

Happy Spring everybody!

"Surrender to Something Heavenly"

February is here!!!

February is here people!!! Brrrr......I so long for a warm beach somewhere exotic and tropical.... the waves making their peaceful sounds in the background and me drinking tropical juicy drinks. Aaaagh, but alas, I'm in Idaho where it is very cold and wintery. The kids are still outside daily tho all bundled to the hilt in their winter gear. Taylor just recently learned how to ride his bike without training wheels, so riding his bike is of upmost priority right now. Courtney likes having someone to ride bikes with so she is out everyday riding hers too, so it gives me some quiet time to update the blog, fanpage, or just listen to music. The workout hasn't happened yet today, so that is a MUST too.



Tonight is going to be a fun night for us 4~ We are doing a concert together as a family and it has been a while since we've done that. Doran is playing some piano arrangments, entertaining the people with some speaking and comedy, and Courtney and I will be singing as well. We aren't sure if Taylor is coming or not because tonight is his field trip for "Benson Buddies" at church and he can't decide what he would rather do.:) He has requested that we sing "Welcome to the Family" by the Booth Brothers if he does come. lol



Starting in May, we are available for concert bookings, retreats, revivals, camps, and Doran is available for speaking events. We are excited to anounce that we are starting our own business, Ritchey Music Group and can't wait to see where the road leads. God is our pilot and He knows the path He has for us and it's scary at times, but we are trusting in Him. We know we are called to full time music ministry and we are thrilled to be doing what we are passionate about, MUSIC!



This next paragraph is for "Homeschool Moms" out there! You guys ROCK!!! I cannot believe how much work it is to teach my kids. The program we use is not one in which my kids sit in front of the computer and watch their teacher. I am with them all day teaching. I won't lie and say its fun, wonderful and lovely, but rather it's tough and it does take alot out of me ,but I do love being with my kids. We are all adjusting and things are going much better. I NEVER thought I'd call myself a homeschool mom, but here I am:) With all of the transition in our lives this past year and with moving soon(locally), we thought it would be much easier on Courtney and Taylor to be homeschooled for the remainder of this school year.



For those that read my blog, please keep us in your prayers....We feel very overwhelmed at all of the responsibilities before us with starting Ritchey Music Group. The excitement is high, but we realize how difficult it is out there and bookings can be very challenging. So, if you could pray for us as we work hard for this ministry, we would really appreciate it.



Love to all

January 2010

January 2010? I can't even comprehend that I was born in the 70's and it is now 2010~~~ Court and Tay think I'm ancient:) I'm not a big New Year Resolution kind of a girl but I do have some goals and aspirations for this year and one of them is to embrace this new year with a positive outlook and strategy to obtain some dreams/visions. As the saying goes, "Dream Big".

I've decided that the purpose of having a blog isn't necessarily to enlighten or inspire others but rather to just share my heart and of course keep all of our far away fam and friends updated on the Ritchey life. Don't get me wrong, if someone is inspired by reading this blog, then GREAT! Just don't want anyone disappointed:)

As of late, Doran and I find ourselves in a really different world than we've been in for a really long time. We've been in full time ministry for over 15 yrs and now? Dor is working 2 jobs in the secular field and gone all day, but home every night and the best part? He's home every weekend and in church by my side:) It's been a REALLY long time since we've gone to church every week as a family, so it's been really nice. But, God is opening up doors and Dor is being asked to speak for many different events over the next year and at times I go along to help with worship. All of that to say that this kind of different is a good thing. We know God has things for us right around the corner and it's exciting!

With all the transition in our lives, we've decided to finish up the kid's schooling at home through "Virtual Academy", so I now call myself a "home school" mom. I never foresaw that in my future, but here we are..........its just for the remainder of the school year. Court and Tay are really social so homeschool wouldn't work for them longterm. They seem excited about it and ready to make it work. I'm so proud at how well our kids have done with all of the changes in their lives this past year.

I'm staying busy with the kids and getting more involved in worship leading, writing and such.....I'm excited to stretch and grow as a musician. I never thought of myself as a writer since I'm married to the KING of writing, but God is blessing me with music and a different style than my man writes. I hear "praise and worship" styles of songs and they are coming to me. It's a new phase and chapter and I'm really enjoying it. At first, I really struggled and balked at the thoughts of not traveling all over, but now? I'm really starting to relax in the day to day reality that God is working and preparing us for the next chapter of our lives. It's a good place to be.......

Taylor is anxiously awaiting his April 19th birthday and will be 6!!!! My Baby!!! He's the last Ritchey baby and it hits me at times:( He is full of energy, playfulness, orneryness, and sweet smiles that fills our house with lots of laughter. What would we do without our sweet Tay?

Courtney is my mature, responsible 9 year old that will someday be a teacher, leader, or involved in something where she is right at the forefront. She has always been a leader and as a toddler that got her into plenty of trial with her little friends, but it's to her benefit. I'm so glad she has a mind of her own but has chosen to give her heart to Jesus and makes good decisions. I realized a few months ago that she has reached the "age of accountability" and that hit me pretty hard. But, she is making wise choices and I know that God has something really amazing in her future. She is an amazing musician and I love her sweet voice.

Should I mention the 3rd member of the Ritchey household? Ok, let's not leave out Mia, our 7mo. old boxer.......What a sweet, little terror she is!!!!! She eats VERY well in this house and loves to steal the thawing meat off the counter. Last week she ate along with her dog food, raw hamburger and beef steaks!! She is a little sneak, but we all love her. Animals really do bring another dimension to life.

January 29 is my Bday folks!!!! 32 years of wonderful living.........

Peace out......

Thoughts in my head

Today I am thinking DEEP!!! I know......don't laugh:) I'm thinking about the future, dreams, life, music, my family, people's hurts, home, 3rd world countries, and even financial thoughts. Pretty random but all the same, I'm thinking of them all. What started me down this trail? My sweet friend Sheli......asked me to sing "Anyway" because she says it's my story. I listened to it and loved it but it wasn't until I focused on the words and sang them until it truly sunk in. So oftentimes I dream about something or think how wonderful it would be to attain a certain goal only to turn around and dout that it will ever come to fruition or Happen! I doubt my ability to carry through or achieve my dream of singing for LIFE! God has given me this burden to sing for HIS glory and I WILL do it! What that looks like I cannot tell you but I pray daily for enlarged territory and a mission field of opportunity. He wants to give us our hearts desire and I know that He cares. Give when you don't receive-Sing when everyone will forget you even sang-build even if it falls apart. It's easy to think and fall into the trap of holding back out of hurts, worries or the fear of potentially being hurt ,but the truth is? We aren't truly living until we give our ALL! When we give our all and our best we are giving as Christ wants us to give. That isn't easy to do when we are hurt by someone who seems to care less about us or whatever the case may be. But, God as my witness I will not let that hold me back and keep me from doing what it is that He has called me to do. That is where He placed me and the path hasn't been easy but it has been very rewarding. My eyes are on Heavenly, and not earthly things.

As Christmas approaches, I know and feel peace in knowing that He rules my life and will lead me where I should go. How comforting that is. How do people cope without Christ in their life? I would be utterly and completely lost without Him in my life and the air I breathe would be stagnant without Him.

"I will sing even if one forgets the song"
"I will forgive even if not forgiven"
"I will give even if I don't receive"
"I will serve my Master though no one go with me"
"I will obey His calling tho hard the way"
"I will listen to His still small voice"
"I will be the BEST I can be even if rejected by men"
"I will do what I'm good at regardless of men's opinions"
"I will be a servan heart by giving to others"

That is my heart and where God calls me to be. Therein I am at peace
"

Thanksgiving 2009

As Thanksgiving approaches......I am becoming very thoughtful and prayerful because my heart is SO full of the blessings that God has given me. My 2 fabulous kids and great husband are the dearest to me and not to leave out Mia-our 6 mo. old boxer who is incredibly spoiled rotten. We've gone through a lot of changes in the past year but through it all it has dawned on me that as long as we r together that is ALL that matters. I know.....it is very cliche but no apologies folks.......it's the dead on TRUTH! That is truly where God has me right now and trust me......it hasn't been easy to get here but now that I'm here? What a peace to know that He is ruling my life and I have given Him total control. I'm perfectly content letting my Heavenly Father rule my world. "Where He leads me,I will follow!"

The older I get the more that I realize it's SO not about me and my little agendas! It's about the Kingdom and going about the Father's business. I'm weary of the "petty" arguments and disagreements that people get all wrapped up in......I want to shout "Focus on what MATTERS!" Jesus wants us to tell the world about Him and the enemy has us wrapped around his little fingers when we fight against one another. "Our fight is not with flesh and blood but with principalities and the power of darkness" I forget the scripture reference for that verse. But, it's so true!!!! Oh God, help me keep my eyes fixed on You! That is the only way I will ever succeed.

I'm not on a soapbox today, but just passionate about what Christ is doing in my life and want to share. I hope it's an encouragement to someone that is reading........

This past week Dor's parents have been here and it's been such a treat to spend time with them and little Nadia-their "prison baby". What a ministry they have giving to hurting families. After saying goodbye to them today, we are heading up to my parent's house to spend a couple nights with them and then it's on to Idaho where we are spending Thanksgiving with Gartboy,Shel and family and Mitchells! I can't wait to see everybody! Thank God for my great family and friends. I don't care if we eat pizza.....as long we are together:)

I'm thankful for my little family of 4 and our puppy.....my dad who is dedicated, genuine, and a great positive role model in my life. my mom who is funny, loving, kind and a good grandma. my sister who I wish I could see more.....is giving, kind, great nurse and a nice auntie. my inlaws who are considerate, sweet, giving, and prayer warriors. my friends who give to me and love whatever i give in return. Most of all.....My Saviour Jesus Christ who loves me so much and cares about my life. That is mind boggling to me!

Taylor's latest statements? They are never ceasing.....the latest was a couple weeks ago at the ER when they swiped his nose to check him for the flu. He stated,"Ouch, they hurt my boogers!" One statement I have to share is when he said that "Jesus died on the cross in his boxers!" He watched "No Greater Love" at our church and saw Jesus with just a garment on and I guess he thought they looked like boxers..... He always has us laughing!

Courtney's latest? She is once again on the Honor Roll and made straight A's for her 4th year in a row. She has never had a B on her report card . Moms can Brag!!! She's definitely more serious minded than Taylor, but she has her crazy moments too:) I love her wit, charm and quick mind. She keeps us on our toes, that's for sure! I always tell her she will be the president of some corporation or in charge of something! She's always been a leader, from the young age of 2.

Gotta run! HAPPY THANKSGIVING EVERYBODY!

My Loves

My loves are many but my Babe and my babies are my 1st loves! I know, I know it's cliche but "My Family is 1st!" We took a walk last night after dinner and just being together was super!!!! Mia got a little carried away when she saw any furry animal that could be a potential threat to her territory, but she didn't get too vicious:) At 1 point, we were running and Mia darts in front of me and I find myself flat on my face. Other than, 2 scraped elbows, 2 scraped knees, a damaged ego and later on a very sore body, I'm OK! Definitely felt all of my "almost" 32 years of age.

I'm lovin lit candles all over my townhouse, my puppy who's full of loves, Fall weather, beautiful TN scenery, my new friends, new church and new life! Im lovin singing with my honey and being back 2gether in music ministry-this is IT God!

I am sad too bc I greatly miss my girls in Idaho:( No one can ever replace you Shel, Melissa.......I hate that we are so far apart and my heart aches. Come see me SOON!

You enlarged my territory and increased my influence so I pray that I'm worthy and capable of the calling you've placed on me. Thank you!

More unpacking awaits! More later..........