Behind the Song "Made To Shine"

By Becca

One of my favorite tracks on our new album is titled “Made to Shine”. It came about through hearing the story of a 12-year-old girl who showed up to one of our concerts.

Though we didn’t get to meet her, we were told of her struggle with bullying at school. It was so devastating that she starting hating herself, and harming herself. This grieved me. I couldn’t believe how low the bullying had brought her and the horrible things she was doing to herself.

In our song “Made to Shine” are the words I would say to her if I could sit down with her and be face to face.

I won’t repeat what they said

They tore you down and broke your heart

The words resound in your head and make you feel like nothing

I know you’re chosen for great things

A child of God, a work of art

Fancy clothes and diamond rings will never match what you are worth

Hold on to the beauty inside of you

No one can take that away

At some point in our lives I know we all struggle with believing lies told about us. Whether they’re subtle or not, they creep into our hearts like termites inside the walls of a home. Lies eat away at the truth that we are children of God, works of art by the Creator God Himself, and no one – not even ourselves – could stain our image.

“Everyone who is called by my name, whom I created for my glory, whom I formed and made.”…Isaiah 43:7

When I stopped at this verse one day...

Read More Here

Hey friends!
We just got back from Washington state, and we had a blast. We stopped in Sequim, famous for their fields of lavender, and then went to Chehalis, home of the Southwest Washington Fair. We met Ernie Haas & Signature Sound - those guys can SING.

New Song "By Faith" on iTunes!

Elissa shares about the latest tour, and how the new song was inspired.

NEW SINGLE AT ITUNES NOW

"Faith is the confidence that what we hope for will actually happen; it gives us assurance about things we cannot see.” Hebrews 11:1

I boarded a plane for Joplin, Missouri last week. The plane was too small for our carry-ons, the seats didn’t recline and the windows were dusty. The man next to me had traveled to Joplin a number of times over the last month to help the town recover from the devastating tornado that hit on May 22nd.

I’ve always believed that music can enter our hearts and bring refreshing even in the hardest times. Our mission in going to Joplin was to offer what we could; music that would bring hope in a dark hour.

After arriving, I met a pastor’s wife and her family. When the tornado hit, this family was in an IHOP having dinner. They survived by squeezing into the huge freezer in the back of the restaurant. She drove us to our lodging, past a main street of wreckage where many businesses such as Wal-Mart and Home Depot had been swept away.

The next morning we saw the work that was being accomplished at their church. Semi-trucks full of food and supplies filled a huge tent. Clothing and household items were available for those who lost homes.

I spoke to a teenage girl who said that 20 of her friends lost houses. At one point, the tornado path was about 4 miles wide. We drove to that spot, and as far as I could see the trees were stripped. Only the strong ones remained. Every house for miles was in rubble. It looked like the third world.

A music festival “Hope and Healing” was planned for that night. I saw such dedication by the volunteers preparing and serving meals for 2,000 people. If I could describe the Church in Joplin in one word, I would say “beautiful”.

All the believers there were joyfully and sacrificially caring for the broken. We were braving 100-degree temperatures, but it was worth it!

Becca and I took the stage and started with “My Adoration” as people came to the front to receive prayer. I was most encouraged by the stories I heard throughout the day of how people saw God’s hand delivering them through this storm. Many lives were saved.

Joplin will carry on, by faith. It’s in times like these that our faith can grow stronger, when we can’t see the healing, but we believe for the healing. As I read Hebrews 11, I see a list of patriarchs of the “Bible days” and all of the accomplishments they have made ‘by faith’. It’s too easy to close the book and imagine that those people are special, more gifted, or more deserving of mention than maybe my story will be. But this is not the case. Each one of us has a place in God’s history book and we are important to the work He is doing today. My story is unfolding and I can only walk it out by faith. All of us have a ‘by faith’ story.

Some times I feel physically tired from traveling, sleeping in different beds, adjusting to inconveniences, for the purpose of singing our songs and encouraging others. This is when I silently call on the Lord and believe for renewed strength. I determine that I will go forward by faith. Not by my strength, but believing for His.

So is our new album, “By Faith”. When we were in the studio, my voice was nearing complete exhaustion. Becca and I knew it wasn’t going to be easy to press to the end of the recording. It was a total of 8 months and endless hours of purposeful work believing that these songs are going to make a difference, and change lives, by faith. I am seeing God do what we felt was impossible at times, with the release of the first song.

What is your ‘by faith’ story?

-Elissa

DOWNLOAD THE NEW SINGLE HERE

Lessons from London

After flying 5,000 miles across the Atlantic, we arrived at the Heathrow airport. I love coming back to my second home in England. Being in charge of planning this trip, I admit to being a little anxious. Two guys should be waiting at the airport exit to pick us up. But would they show up?

I was familiar with planning an overseas tour, this being our 5^th one. We waited about 15 minutes by the doors, smelling the petrol and damp city air as the automatic doors opened and closed. It seemed like an hour had gone by when finally the pastor and elder from a London church found our travel-weary group. They piled our luggage and gear in two minivans and drove us down the narrow roads to a small village in London.

As we were driven around, we heard the church's story. The pastor and his family had left Africa to plant a church in London. They described how difficult it was to leave everything, and suddenly my 8-hour journey and jet-lag seemed minuscule. They had given up much. Though the size of the church wouldn’t put them in the paper, and it didn’t have the sound and lights of a mega-church production, I learned so much from this generous church and pastor’s family. They were faithful. They simply did whatever it took to keep it alive and growing.

I was reminded of Philippians 3:12-14 that says: “I'm not saying that I have this all together, that I have it made. But I am well on my way, reaching out for Christ, who has so wondrously reached out for me. Friends, don't get me wrong: By no means do I count myself an expert in all of this, but I've got my eye on the goal, where God is beckoning us onward—to Jesus. I'm off and running, and I'm not turning back.”

This family did not turn back as they left the familiar and headed to England to start a church.

The weekend in London for me went by fast. We picked up our 85-year-old 2^nd cousin to bring her to our concert Saturday night. She has lived her whole life in a nearby suburb. Such a highlight for me to have relatives from my British mum’s side of the family there!

Our talented Welsh friend drove in from Cardiff to drum for us, teach us some Welsh in her spare time, and help lead worship for the Sunday service. We met a joyful, diverse congregation who sang incredibly loud to every song we played! I’ll never forget how their voices overpowered the monitors.

In the body of Christ we are challenged to live out the task, whatever it is, faithfully. So often we give in to the desire to see instant results. If we don’t, we move on to something else. I want to be faithful in my own life, ministry and anything God puts in front of me to do. I know it will mean sacrifice and courage, especially when the immediate results are not there.

It seems to me that Jesus was a great example of this. He could have started his ministry at 18, or even 25, but he wait until he was 30. Why? Or perhaps he had started his ministry at an early age, faithfully serving his parents, earning respect from those around him and growing in His relationship with His Father in Heaven.

Jesus’ public ministry got him attention, but he never sought attention. His entire life was about glorifying God.

In whatever you are called to, even if it seems small, pursue a faithful journey. Applause and popularity are less important than longevity. Know that God has given you the grace to see it through, however long it takes.

-Becca

I can see the finish line now...

We are six months into the creation of The Sonflowerz new record! After two flights to Nashville and countless trips to our studio here in Colorado, we are nearing the finish line. Mixing is under way. For all of you recording geeks like us, you know how intense this stage is!

Our two producers, Don Koch and Matthew Fallentine have really made the songs come alive. The album’s drummers Jared Henderson and Dan Needham, have brought the rhythm and rock with guitarist Chad Tipps (a.k.a. Elissa's husband). Our friend Jared Anderson puts his vocals on a song too. This has been an amazing group to work with.

This summer we're hitting the mid-west and ramping up the promotion of the new record, set to release in the Fall. We already have plans to be on tour from coast to coast once the record releases. You'll find dates in California and Texas so far, with much more in the planning process.

So what is this record going to be about? We are waiting to release the title of the project, but I will tell you it reflects where we are as people, artists, and followers of Christ who live each day by faith. Seeing the world and all the problems facing us everywhere, tells me this is the moment we really need to know what true hope is. It's not in our comforts, conveniences, wealth or fame. It's not even in people, as good as they can be. Our faith has to remain on the solid rock, which is Jesus Christ. I am challenged everyday to put my hope in Him alone.

On another note, I am loving life as a newly married lady and learning how to cook for the first time. And it hasn't been a Food Network show. If DIY's "Renovation Realities" had a cooking version, I would have been on it a few times. And this high altitude doesn't help!

Our pastor wrote a book recently called "Fear No Evil". It’s about our church's recent history. As I'm reading through it, I have been brought to tears several times. Other times I've had to shut the book and just let my mind and heart soak it in. Does that happen to anyone else when you read a really good book? The last book I tackled is a familiar one to most, "Radical", by David Platt. I love to read, and finishing a book is the best feeling ever.

Our coffee table is home to a small rotation of magazines. No fashion magazines (yuck) will be discovered here. Relevant, Christianity Today, NatGeo and the Economist-to name a few. Elissa comes over and borrows the magazines, but that’s what sisters are for.

Check back with us soon for a release date for the new album! -Becca

A Bird at the Studio

Check out this latest video of fun times at the studio! You just never know what will happen next.

See more videos at our YouTube Channel.

A Song From El Salvador and a Dutch-Inspired Breakfast

Hey friends,

This week we tracked vocals on a song inspired by our trip to El Salvador with Compassion International. Titled, "The Face of Jesus", the song talks about living a life that allows others to see Jesus through every thing we do. Particularly in reaching out to the poor and orphaned, which Compassion is all about.

A week ago we led worship for the You and Your Girl Simulcast. So incredible that over 60 churches in 3 countries were gathered at the same time! It blows me away to know that God's presence is not limited to time and space. He saw each heart worshiping individually, whether in Alberta, Texas, the Bahamas, Tennessee, and anywhere else. Thanks to all the churches who hosted this mother/daughter day.

This morning I had a one-of-a-kind breakfast. Our friends in Franklin, Don & Donna Schmidt, made us Dutch Babies (check out this pic!) It was perfect with maple syrup! See recipe below.

While in the studio, I do a lot of reading during down-times. This week I'm working through "Attributes of God" by A.W. Tozer. This book is rocking my world!

Keep following our journey making the new album at Twitter and Facebook, we're updating it daily! Check out Twitter @sonflowerz, along with our Facebook fan page. -Becca

How To Bake Big "Dutch Babies"

PAN SIZE // BUTTER // EGGS // MILK & FLOUR

2-3 qt.____ // 1/4C. //_ 3 // _____3/4C each

3-4 qt. ____// 1/3C. //__ 4 // ______1C each

4- 4 1/2 qt. // 1/2C. //_ 5 // _____1 1/4C each

4 ½ - 5 qt. // 1/2C. // _____6 // _____1 1/2C each

Put butter in pan and set into a 425 degree preheated oven. Then mix batter quickly while butter melts. Put eggs in blender and whirl at high speed for 1 minute. With motor running, gradually add milk, then slowly add flour; continue whirling for 30 sec.

Remove pan from oven and pour batter into melted bitter. Return to oven & bake till puffy & well-browned 20 – 25 minutes. Depending on your pan. Dust w/ nutmeg if you like & serve at once w/ any other the following toppings:

1. Sprinkle with powered sugar and squeeze lemon juice over serving
2. Any syrup or honey
3. Jam or marmelade