More than Emotion

I recently returned from a trip to Boise for the Idaho Catholic Youth Conference.  Here’s a photo of David and me with Chris Kreslins, the Director of Youth and Young Adult Ministry for the Diocese of Boise.

Chris and his wife Rose have been long-time friends of my family.  Chris invited me to give my first-ever concert of original music, in Grand Rapids, over a decade ago.  

While we were out in Idaho, I presented a breakout session to a group of about 800 young women about the dignity of femininity.  Talk about girl time, to the extreme.  We even started the session with a Taylor Swift music video.

As part of the message, I taught my original song, “More Than Emotion.”  I wrote the song when I was 16.  If my 16-year-old self could have seen nearly a thousand young women singing those words, I would have been shocked!

You’re more than emotion

You’re deeper than tears

You’re wider than happiness

Stronger than my fears 

Although I don’t always feel like everything is going to be okay, my trust in God goes beyond what I feel or the outcomes that I imagine.

Living my dreams and trying to walk with integrity can be really fun.  Other times it can be really challenging.

At the end of the day, my music and my identity as a woman is based on a love that reaches farther than mere emotions.  I began this discovery at a young age, and I try to relearn it daily.

Peace,

Amanda

P.S. Today marks the birthday of Deacon Ken Baldwin and the 10th anniversary of my first-ever CD release.  Deacon Ken Baldwin was my high school youth group director, and he initiated my first CD.  Thanks and happy birthday, Deacon Ken!