We're back ...

[buddiesorg]

I guess all you guys have noticed that the TaylorStock attendees are back on Forum again ... sure, we got on the Forum during the event as much as we could, but those sure were long days, weren't they? And it sure feels weird that we're communicating like this again after a weekend of real talking.

You're a great bunch of people. Like I said Saturday night, you guys feel like family and friends to me. Before Friday happened, I sure wasn't going to get up at open mic night and stumble through a song in front of everyone. I haven't performed solo for at least 15 years (just worship team stuff up to about four years ago). On top of that, I was still revising the words at 11 a.m. Saturday morning (which was why I had to have the words with me because I really didn't know them yet) and had done the last revision on the music Thursday morning (last chance I had since I was trying to write it without my husband hearing it since it was a surprise anniversary present) ... man, I was afraid I was going to revert back to a different revision since it had been around 60 hours since I played it last.

BTW, no, I didn't get roses ... I haven't gotten flowers from my husband since we got married and only a couple times before. I'm not a flowers or diamonds sort of girl. But seven years ago, for our anniversary, he did get me that beautiful guitar I played on Saturday (which is why I composed and performed the song on that guitar ... I don't think I'll ever play the song on any other guitar).

[Lisa]

Mary,
I know it was a challenge for you to step out and do a song that had so much emotion behind it in front of all of us. Thank you for doing it, your heart shone through the song in a way that words could never do justice for. I'll bet your husband was very pleased.
You and your husband are very blessed to have each other, it is easy to see you love one another and these days that is rare.

Thanks again for sharing your special moment with all of us. :)

[Mike Carter]

Mary,

You filled the room with Love. Everyone there could feel it in your voice.

I know first hand what that kind of love really is. I hope I can show it as well as you.

[W5BLT]

I enjoyed you're song. It was very heartfelt. I'm glad I got all the TGF performers on tape. Now I can relive the moment.

[J.R. Rogers]

Agreed! Mary, that was a beautiful song and very personal. Thanks for sharing it with us. I really enjoyed it.

J.R.

[buddiesorg]

Well, all I can say is I think I'm a better lyricist than composer, singer, or guitar player. Though I haven't written songs for over 16 years, so I'm quite rusty.

Another thing I forgot to mention before my song (man I was so nervous) was that one of my older brothers (the last bachelor) finally got married this summer ... and he played his guitar and sang a song expressing his vows for his bride. My other older brother and my younger brother also played their guitars and sang their vows at their weddings. I was the only guitar player in my family that didn't (my sister didn't either, but she doesn't play guitar) ... I thought about it, but since I was wearing my mother's wedding dress with hoops, I couldn't figure out how to hold the guitar.

Anyway, I'm the only one that didn't sing their vows, so I figured the day before our 12th anniversary would be a good time to make up for it. And since you guys are like family and friends, I thought you'd be a good audience.

Anyway, here are the words to the song as I was supposed to sing them (not sure I did since my last revision was Saturday morning).

The Rest of My Life

The rest of my life I want to share with you
All my dreams, my hopes, and my desires
And I want to give you a life that's worth living
With a Servant's heart that never tires

The day to day life brings trials of its own
That bogs us down in the seeds we have sown
But we go on together down the same road
And it's not quite so hard when we carry the same load

The rest of my life I want to give to you
All your dreams, your hopes, and your desires
And I want to give you a life that's fulfilling
With a Servant's heart that never tires

I'm not the same as when we said our vows
But we are both here in the now
I'll give to you; you'll give to me
For in our Love we are free

The rest of my life I want to live with you
All our dreams, our hopes, and our desires
Our lives have joined, never to part
From a Servant's heart that never tires
From a Servant's heart that never tires