Jeff Arrandale Gallery – Laos

Candid photos from Jeff Arrandale’s trip to Laos.

View other Jeff Arrandale photo galleries HERE.

Jeff Arrandale Gallery – Promo Shoot 2

Photos from Jeff Arrandale’s second promo photo shoot.

Jeff Arrandale Gallery – A Night To Remember

Photos from the A Night To Remember event on Sept. 12, 2010.

Jeff Arrandale Gallery – Live Promo

Jeff Arrandale live performance promo photos.

Jeff Arrandale Gallery – Promo Shoot 1

Photos from Jeff’s first Promo Shoot.

Jeff Arrandale Blog – Review & Song

Happy New Year everyone!

Wonderful night back in mid-November doing our report on SE Asia at FCC. It was a night of music as played in-country along with heartfelt stories and testimonies of Certainty’s trek. I shared a little bit of my perspective on the trip and had debriefed with the others before the performance, but actually being there, hearing it again, talking about the photos in conjunction with what the Spirit was doing was pretty amazing. And it was cool to have one of the MIFs (members in the field, aka missionary) in the audience who will soon be taking his family to serve there.

Except for December Sundays and Christmas Eve, I decided to shut it down after a busy second half of the year from a performance standpoint. I needed a rest. It was a blessed time with family, friends, and reflecting on God’s gift to the world. I hope yours was even better!

I did get some time between the holidays to do the catalog recording I mentioned in my last blog. It was kinda fun to just set up a couple of mics and play and sing songs I’ve written over the last several years for no one but God and me, plus Steve (the engineer) pushing the record button. Not sure what will come out of this except a discussion about what songs would be good for an upcoming 5-song EP that I’m hopeful will be produced in 2011. Nothing happens unless God permits it, so my prayer is that I am in His perfect will.

Over the years I’ve had people come up to me and ask how I write a song. I’ve been doing it for a long time now, but since about 1998 it’s been all inspired by God’s Word and good teaching. Yesterday a very close and long-time friend sent an email about his mother who is battling Alzheimer’s from a nursing home in North Central Missouri.

My friend says that since his father died a few years ago he and his two brothers were able to keep her in the home she shared with her husband nearly all their married life. They were able to do this despite her deteriorating condition via part-time in-home day-care during the week and by the brothers taking turns staying with her on the weekends for many months.

When her husband died, she wanted to go with him, but he said, “not yet.” She claims she actually saw her husband shortly after his death and talked to him about many things. The conversation with him gave her peace and helped her through the difficult time. Eventually the brothers had to put her in a home where she has progressively gone downhill.

This week my friend shared that she recognizes few people and she’s not eating, only sleeping, which means it might be time for some pretty tough decisions. My friend and his family weighed heavy on my mind and heart, and I woke up the next morning with a new lyric about a simple, god-fearing, faith-filled, dignified life and the circumstances that may bring it to an end. Here’s what flowed out.

She’s Lived a Good Life – ©2011 Jeff Arrandale

She’s lived a good life, sometimes was kinda hard
With a good, good man, who caught her off her guard
She had her three sons, filled her house when they were young
She says she’s ready to go, ‘cause her time is almost done

She lived a simple life, first her faith, then family
Trusted Jesus since barely passed her father’s knee
She shared His love, accepted grace as it would come
It’s been a faith filled life, and it’s time is almost done

She used to laugh a lot, like a child in the rain
Until her husband died, God had taken, she didn’t blame
Just ached to be with him, but he said it wasn’t time
Now it’s so good again, ‘cause her time is almost done.

She’s lived a long life, some now say it’s been too long
So many people blessed, by her heart – most now gone
O she waits now, for the sweet time to come along
It’s been a good life, the long race is almost run

Today her boys are there, as good and faithful sons
Rememb’ring how she cared, how she watched them when they’d run
Each day is hard on them, they’re the ones now to decide
Wisdom, peace and strength, are what they need to do what’s right

He sat alone with her, not sure if she knew his name
He said, “I love you mom,” She said, “I love you, son, just the same.”
She said, “I’m ready just to go and be with Dad.
It’s been the best life a little girl could ever have.”

The melody came just as easy as the words, which isn’t always the case. The song actually wrote itself backwards from the way I normally write. I tend to fiddle with a chord progression then wait for the words. Well all that is trivial compared to what my friend and his family are going through. I pray daily for the wisdom, peace and strength mentioned above that they will need over the coming weeks and months. I lost my dear grandmother about ten years ago to the same disease and it was hard watching that saintly, similar woman pass. But we can take peace in that God has a plan and is in control and I know I’ll see her someday again.

Whew. Emotional.

For Christ.

Jeff

New Jeff Arrandale podcast series

Jeff Arrandale begins his new regularly updated podcast series which allows you to have a behind the scenes view of what is going on in his world and what is keeping him busy. Be sure to check back often for this podcast series.

In this first episode, Jeff discusses his recent trip to Laos, working on new songs for an upcoming recording project, new additions to the website, and much more.

You can check out this new podcast series here. Jeff’s latest podcast episode is always available for streaming on the front page of his website here.