So, tomorrow is the big day. I will give a final exam in the morning (I teach at a private school in town) and that will mark the end of the school year for me.

From there I’ll work a bit and then go straight to my friend Steven’s house where we will begin recording for the new album. The CD will have six hymns, a few with traditional and a few with non-traditional arrangements.

I’m really excited about this stage in the album’s progress. Please pray for Steven to have wisdom in the arrangements we create and for the Lord to bless the project as a whole.

Thanks!

-MB

I’ve been doing some work on the next album. I’m hoping to get a good working look for the whole thing. I like making the art go along with the feel of the music. So we’ll see what I decide.

So I’ve been getting quite a few people signing up for the email list. Thanks! It’s going to be awesome. I’m getting together some goodies for you guys.

If you have Twitter, you can follow me on there, http://www.twitter.com/melissabent

God bless,
Melissa

I was blessed this weekend to be able to sing at five, count ‘em, FIVE services at my home church, Calvary Chapel Boise. I was one of seven people on the stage. It was an awesome time of worship and it was equally fun to meet so many new people.

Something I did not expect was the amount of encouragement I received from the people I was blessed to meet. Thank you to all of you who talked with me and shared your experiences, thoughts, and ideas.

If you have not already done so, sign up for email updates from me. I will be sending out monthly (at least) emails with goodies (mp3s to download, polls for what should be on the new albums, etc) and I would love to allow for a lot of feedback!

For those of you who were at the service, you were able to hear from Brandon Bee, a singer/songwriter/PRODUCER from Tacoma, Washington. One of the main reasons I went on my little vacation with my sister and nieces last month was to visit his studio. He and I worked out a timeline for getting my first “all me” worship album out there. So far I’ve written four songs that I think will make it to the CD. There are two others that are real possibilities. I’m praying for the Lord’s guidance on the rest.

But to prepare for that, I need finances! I’ve used a lot of the money that I’ve received in the past for traveling, promotion, production, etc. of the old CD. It’s time to move along! So I’ve thought up an idea.

My friend Steven Harder has agreed to help me make a short EP of hymns. I’ve found a few really awesome obscure hymns for which I’ve rewritten the melodies. I’ve also included a few favorites (It is Well With My Soul is in there somewhere).

So that’s where I’m headed. The hymn EP is scheduled to finish production late in May and will (Lord willing) be available in early June.

Keep praying and thanks for your encouragement!

- MB