Last time we updated you, we were enjoying the sunny skies of California. Today we find ourselves winding through the mountains of eastern Kentucky. Beautiful to be sure. Also dark and melancholy, as the early morning fog greets you with a wet kiss at the door. So what happened between then and now?

After setting off on an early morning from CA we watched the sun beat down the deserts of Arizona. Our expectation was to allow the monotonous hours of sand roll on by, but a happy surprise awaited us. About lunch time, Scott, our jazz loving sound engineer received news that his mom, Joanne, and her hiking partner and friend, Bob were but a few hours away at the Grand Canyon. Now here I must admit, shameless though it be, that despite many trips from the east to west coast, we had never stopped to see the Grand Canyon, though it is only an hour off the interstate. Discovering friends close at hand, we threw our schedule to the wind and headed off road, excited to be headed to one of the greatest natural wonders of the world.

Now here I must pause. Thinking back, I am, once again, struck by the beauty and wonder of all we have seen. And yet I would like to point out the oddity of much of our modern vocabulary when we use terms like “natural wonder” or even “natural disaster” A natural wonder? Meaning something miraculous happened naturally. The term smacks to me of some propagandized sugar coated vitamin, fed my elementary-schooled mind while watching Bill Nie – The Science Guy. Instead I recognize that we were blessed to witness creation – the specific intention of our Creator.

That being said, a few hours later, we found ourselves shivering under our jackets and snapping pictures that seemed destined never to grasp the awesome spectacle we beheld.  The Grand Canyon is truly beyond words, pictures, or even my own two eyes. I was able to take in the drop off beside me, and the rock formations on either side, but the cliffs on the other side of the canyon seemed about as real as a painting. Or, though coarse to say, a fake backdrop from an old movie.  The sun was going down, and we watched the colors change from sand to salmon, from rust to red, and from smoke to sable.

As darkness enveloped us, we headed down the road to meet up with Joanne and Bob. Their day had been spent hiking around the Canyon and we were all hungry. With stomachs full of corn chowder and apple pie, we lumbered around enjoying our companionship, the happiness of the day, and talking, talking, talking.

Now we are always talking, but in the days prior to the election we talked till we were sick of our own talking. We talked to God. We talked while we listened to talk radio. My Grandpa would have said we, “Cussed and discussed.” Don’t worry now. It’s an expression, no reality in the former, only in the latter.

I have always been aware of the feeling given by something that is imminent. To anyone who has experienced the hovering sensation one feels while watching High Noon, counting down the days till Christmas, or praising God that the baby is finally coming, you know what I am talking about. To be imminent insinuates an underlying power, whether for evil or for good. Election day is the ultimate culmination of that reality.

So on November 4, driving along those barren highways, wondering at the irony of welfare dumps pressed up against some of God’s most amazing creations, we felt the full effect of the clash in heaven and our own impotence in the struggle. Futility was the word of the day.

As darkness covered the sky, and night rested upon our hearts, we were unable to handle the barrage of radio commentators and, like hobbits, we searched for songs to remind us of the times of old.

Praise Him all His mighty works
There is no language where He can’t be heard
Our song goes out to all the earth
Hallelujah
Hallelujah
came the soft voice of Chris Rice. A comforting thought.

Paradise has up and flown away for now
But hope still breathes and truth is always true
And just when we think it’s almost over
Love has the final move
Love has he final move
“You hope love has the final move.” I thought. Only to hear the spirit within me reprimand my cynicism. But of course we had just come from Sacramento, ironically crowned the town of “Sacrament”, only to see the sacrament of marriage defaced on every street corner by those whose militant ill-will taunted behind signs for equality in love. Love? Somehow Forrest Gump’s declaration to his childhood love, Jenny, found my thoughts “ I know what love is.” Definitions can be tricky, but I guess love isn’t defined by what it is but Who it is.

So I thought back to all the churches, school, and conferences, all the faces and stages I have visited over the last 7 years, and asked God if we were really as weak as it seemed. Then another song came over the speaker, Who am I that the Lord of all the earth would choose to know my name … I wondered what it mattered if He knew our names if we didn’t know His. Then, as a new track flowed, Casting Crowns came belted out,

What if His people prayed?
 And turned from their own ways
And they would to seek His face…
At that moment I didn’t want to know what would happen if we prayed, I wanted to know if we were really His people at all.

With the election sting still fresh, we found compassion in the living room of our Grandma and Grandpa’s home in Oklahoma City. While we made pumpkin pie and ate pumpkin pie, we  watched Camille exercise and wished we had her discipline. Family served to cheer us up, and  gratitude brushed away our melancholy. The words of Mr. Bennet in Pride and Prejudice come to mind. “For once in my life I am heartily ashamed of myself. I am not afraid of being overwhelmed by the impression. It will pass soon enough, and probably faster than it should.” Pass it did and within a day or two we were on our way to cowboy country.

Dallas is the home of the Daystar Network, and we were expected there bright and early for an all day taping of a Christmas special. The stage was setup beautifully. We performed music from our new album This Glorious Christmas, laughed over the interview segment, and geared up for our newest adventure, a cooking segment three generations deep with my Grandma Jane, Mama, and the three Wolaver girls.

In retrospect, I see God’s mighty hand preparing me with all those hours of Food Network programming I have watched We were making 2 family recipes, Pecan Pie, and Annie Moses’ famous Angel Food cake. We were all a little nervous going in, but once we got going it was just like cooking in the kitchen. The producers of the show said we were naturals and should consider a cooking show. We were all relieved and happy to be so lauded. So watch out Paula Dean! Look out Rachael Ray! And ya’ll keep an eye out for the special to be aired the Monday before Christmas.

We made our way home for a day and then headed up to North Carolina. I’ve been thinking about what to cook for Thanksgiving dinner, and enjoying the fall colors. We are in the throws of planning for next years FASA, and there are more details to come on that subject! But overall we are enjoying each other and trying to keep our heads above a busy schedule.

In our southern terminology, one would say over the past few weeks I have been figurin’ and fixin’ and frettin’. And though I don’t know what forces are at work, I see that much is at stake, and I am not so naive as to believe that Sauron will never come after the Shire. So, like the hobbits, I am off on an adventure! Happy to walk in the Light. Happy to know the Truth. Happy to know He is love. Happy to sing His songs and to gather round His table. Happy to love and be loved in return.

On October the 7th the Annie Moses Band’s newest Christmas album, This Glorious Christmas will be available in retail stores all across the US. This Glorious Christmas is the first album to be released from the AMB’s new partnership with Reunion Records, a division of Sony. The project features a bonus 30 minute version of the AMB’s new Christmas DVD.

For those of you who are waiting with bated breathe for a new AMB DVD, your wait is almost over. Beginning the middle of October the newest DVD from the Annie Moses Band, This Glorious Christmas Live, will be available at www.anniemosesband.com.

Currently the band is in the studio working on a new spring release, Make His Praise Glorious. Along with albums and DVDs, plans for FASA 2009 are in the works, along with Robin’s new book Moonshine and Manhattan, which reveals the story of the Annie Moses Band…so far……

Christmas Bright and Beautiful added a spark to our show, and we enjoyed every chance to perform Dad’s incredible arrangements, so full of sacred celebration.The Annie Moses Band is truly burgeoning as we head into 2008. First on our plate is preparations for our two – that’s right – TWO Fine Arts Summer Academies. The first in Raleigh, NC June 22 – 28, and the second in Bartlett, TN, July 13 – 19. Keep an eye glued on our website for details and registration, which will be heading your way very soon. For those who are not familiar with our Arts Academies for youth, click here to read about the music and the make up of these two opportunities.

Building upon the base of our Fine Arts Summer Academies, we are planning, writing, and creating a string curriculum for young violinists. It is to be offered in a complete package in DVD, CD, and book formats. Our goal is to create a curriculum that aids parents, teachers, students, schools, and churches in their desire to build strong artistic skills in their children in order to glorify God. What a challenge!

In addition to the academies, we are preparing for our first major national album release. Thanks to our new agreements with The Roster Management and Provident Sony/BMG Records there will be forthcoming releases due in stores in fall of 2008. We would appreciate your prayers as we jump head long into this uncharted territory.

More than ever, we feel God’s immense call on our lives. At times the opposition is great, and in that way we covet your prayers, but Jesus is faithful to fulfill His purposes. Hard work is ahead, but with it comes the deepest joy and the sweetest fruit.

Many blessings to you all in the coming year.

Annie

Maid Joan of Arc, compelled by God
To wield her sword and fight
And thus reclaim her country’s sod
From England’s ruthless might

Turn back the years to Domrémy town
The passion of her youth
Was loyalty to Charles’ crown
And love of God and truth

She mourns for France’s broken soul
And lives to heal their sin
This girl would live as righteous coal
Resisting Satan’s kin

In solitude she meditates
With fervent, pious awe
Her faith derides the lie of fate
Her will’s the will of God

Hear voices, visions, heaven’s cry
The holy cry of war
She’ll mount the steed, command the prize
Her country’s land restore

“She’s mad,” they mocked in pitious tones
“This strange young girl can’t lead
The men of France to overthrow
The siege of old Orleans.”

But soon she stood before her King
Whose crown was almost lost
And vowed to end the suffering
She bravely faced the cost

Ten thousand men courageously
Fought with the fearless maid
With God empowered sword and steed
They marched into the fray

Now Joan of Arc victorious
Returns from old Orleans
For France’s honor glorious
She stands beside her King

Let all of France again be free
Give sweat and blood and breath
She rode with God courageously
The English sought her death

By Burgundy, one dreadful day
This maid, so undefiled
Was sold to England’s deathly clay
And made to stand for trial

“A godless witch” the English courts
With poisoned hearts abused
We must destroy this wicked sort
Their hateful tongues accused

Her martyrdom emblazened
On the conscience of the crowd
“Let’s burn the witch,” their brutal song
With vengeance crowed aloud

Now smouldering in England’s haze
With cinders black and stark
The ashes of her charred remains
Brave martyr, Joan of Arc

Her ashes to the wind were tossed
And scattered o’er the Seine
Fearlessly she paid the cost
Of destiny divine

Uncowed, undaunted by the fray
She died of holy cause
Declared by men to be a saint
And glorified by God