What Fans Are Saying

As you can see this is Francesca Battistelli. I had never heard of her before, but I was in a store and I saw her CD and I really liked the cover and how it was designed so I bought it. The cover of this CD was what got my attention to buy it. When I opened it, the inside was cut into hearts because the name of the CD is "My Paper Heart". I thought that was very creative.

http://marybethgd1.blogspot.com/2008/09/cd-sleeve.html

Just the other day I was talking with someone that has turned their life around and is walking with Christ in amazing ways. However, they struggle with guilt from their life before coming to Christ and some of the decisions they made. I heard this song just after having that conversation and I love how it talks about letting go of the past.

Personally, I have experienced what Francesca Battistelli talks about in this song with having my plans, dreams and destiny all figured out. Then going through the process of surrendering all these things to God and having Him turn them all upside down. I'm glad He did though as things have turned out MUCH better then if I had kept control. It always works this way with God. This song speaks to that journey I've gone through in my life.

http://lifechange.typepad.com/lifechange/2008/09/music---im-letting-go-b...

I've found a couple phenomenal quotes over the past couple weeks and wanted to throw them up here.

The first one is part of a Francesca Battistelli song:

"Now there's a joy inside I can't contain. But even perfect days can end in rain. And though it's pouring down, I see You through the clouds, shining on my face."

This is a good quote for the up-and-downs of life. Good bit of motivation.

I can't remember where the second one came from, but it's awesome:

"...and to believe You, I have to come as a child. So help me to rest in the mystery of what I can't understand."

I at first wanted to put my own thoughts along with this last quote, but I think it's best just left alone. So there it is!

http://likeapieinthefreezer.blogspot.com/2008/09/pictures-quotes-quotes-...

... Okay – the other thing I want to share with you is a new-to-me-music-artist that I am just really enjoying. Francesca Battistelli. She is a Christian artist and her lyrics are SO relatable. The sound is I don’t know…I just really like it. You can listen to 4 of her songs right on her My Space page. The one I fell in love with is Letting Go. But really they are all great. Okay this is all I’m gonna share for now. But I will be back soon (as in tomorrow or the next day) so do stay tuned…

http://artfullysaid.typepad.com/artfully_said/2008/09/i-am-not-dead.html

I've been listening to 94.9 KLTY a lot more lately. They play this song by a new artist named, Francesca Battistelli. Her debut album, "My Paper Heart" has a great song on it entitled, "I'm Letting Go". It's a great song! It talks about letting go of the life that I planned in order to accept the one that Christ has for me. It's soooooo......... powerful. It is exactly the place that I find myself these days. As I look back on the struggles and challenges I've faced, I often imagine what my life may have been like had I made some different choices. Then I realize that I am in exactly the place that God wants me to be. I decided a long time ago that God's plan was better than anything that I could dream up and I surrendered my plan for His. It's the least I could do, right? After all, He gave His son for me. This song just encourages me and helps me go a little further. Even though I don't completely understand the plan God has for me, I TRUST Him. When things get tough and I want God to just fix things, He always asks, "Do you trust me?" Each time I tell Him that I do trust Him and the fire gets just a little bit hotter but my faith grows that much more.

Lately, I have found myself having to "let go" of expectations. After getting married, I remember wanting so bad to be a mom and have a daughter, one just like me. Until having children of my own, I didn't realize that when they get here, they are already who God wants them to be. I had this romanticized notion that parents were the ones who shaped their children and that their personalities arose from that. Boy, was I wrong! God did give me that daughter, however, she turned out to be so different from the little girl I always imagined. She wasn't a "mini-me" at all. She is full of life and joy, has a quick wit, and will melt your heart in an instant. I'm still trying to "let go" of those expectations that I had. It's a daily thing that I have to do. Sometimes, I feel like I yell too much or that I'm not getting this parenting thing right. How can I be the kind of mom to my kids that my mom was to me? How can I shape them into being what God has destined them to be? Then, a song comes on the radio and reminds me to "let go" of the plans I had for me and my kids. After all, He chose me to be their mom. I know that I won't get everything right. I just have to accept His plan and do my best to teach them to do the same. Today, Trinity helped me put things into perspective. Even though she got into trouble today and I had to discipline her, she still told me that she loved me and that I was "The Best Mommy Ever". That just made my day. I really needed to hear that. I was feeling guilty for not spending as much time with her as I'd like to because I have to take care of Madison too. Inspite of it all, my kids know that I am doing my best and the truth is, they don't know any different.

I just wanted to share with you today that yes, sometimes it does feel like we're falling, but as long as we stay in God's will and "let go" of our own agenda, there is never a need to worry or to fear. His Word is true. He will never leave us or forsake us. We just have to be willing to "let go".

http://kendiking.blogspot.com/2008/08/im-letting-go.html