About 4 weeks ago, I attended an amazing conference called "Hope's Alive" and my hope was definitely renewed from the conference. This conference is just another memory for me because I got to experience it with my mom. Anytime I can go somewhere with my mom, is a cherished moment for me. The conference with put on my a Christian music artist named Kathy Troccoli. Kathy was extremely successful in the 1990's. She gave a concert on Friday night which was upbeat and energetic. Then on Saturday Morning she gave her testimony and explained that no matter what we are going through, Jesus Christ is our Hope and He is alive today for us. Kathy had a musical accompanist that helped her with the concert and led worship Saturday morning and her name is Michelle Margiotta. Michelle is one of the worship leader's for a mega church called Time Square Church in New York. She was fantastic. I was literally mesmerized by who she played both the piano and acoustic guitar. She truly has a heart for the Lord that she puts into her music. She has three CD's out and it shouldn't be a surprise that bought all three of them and it's what I have been listening to nonstop since the conference. The Lord has used her music to encourage me in ways that I need to be encouraged. The best thing about the conference is that both Kathy and Michelle want to know the people that come out for the conference. Before, after, and during the breaks, they both made time to meet each and every lady that showed up. I love when speakers do that. It makes at least me feel special.
For those who don't know, God gave me a gifting/talent to play the drums that I got from my dad. I never had a formal listen, but got rhythm in bones. So 10 years ago I joined my church's worship team. I can't believe it has been 10 years. It still feels like I had joined yesterday. It is worth getting up on the early mornings so that I can be apart of the team that God's has lead the congregation in worship on the Sunday mornings that I played. This past year, I have felt dry when it comes to playing drums. There have been times that I have just wanted to stop, but I don't because I made a commitment and I always keep my commitments. When I met Michelle Margiotta, I told her that I played drums. She asked me what type of music I played and I told her mainly praise and worship music because I was on my church's worship team. Michelle then gave me the best advice I have heard in a long time. That is "Just Keep Playing". Those words help renewed my worship spirit and give me a new desire to want to play the drums that I hadn't had in a long time. Those words told me that I need to push through this dry desert because there is a Promise Land on the other side. The line reminded me of the line from the movie Finding Nemo, "Just Keep Swimming, Just Keep Swimming!" So when I heard "Just Keep Playing" I was really encouraged. Made my day.
So a new item just got added to my bucket list and that is to one day play drums with/for Michelle Margiotta. I also pray continually for Kathy, Michelle and their team to touch the lives of women all over the country with their gifts, talents, and the Power of God through their conference "Hope's Alive".
Here are photos from the conference:
Michelle Margiotta and I
Kathy Troccoli, My Mom & I
Kathy Troccoli & Michelle Margiotta
My prayer for all of you is that whatever you are going through right now that you would "Just Keep Playing" and The Holy Spirit will help you through it. He never leaves us nor forsakes us.
God Bless (T~Money)
