Happy 15th Birthday to “A Reminisce”!

Happy 15h Birthday to “A Reminisce” - my “firstborn”, my debut CD, released May 25, 2011! A simple, self-produced, 4-song CD, with no additional musicians and instruments, in what I could afford to create at the time.

Growing up, I dreamed of being a singer (whatever that meant), but was discouraged and persuaded from pursuing that dream. I continued taking piano lessons (struggling to learn the required Royal Conservatory curriculum and performing for annual recitals and exams), writing poetry, experimenting with musical hooks on the piano, learning to play by ear, and practicing. I prayed, asking God to help me keep going through my physical and emotional challenges. He provided everything I needed for every time.

I had the opportunity to tour in my high school tour choir then my Bible school tour choir, and loved everything about it - the traveling, long road trips, early departure mornings, seeing new places, meeting new people, performing…even the work of unloading, setting up, duct-taping cords to church floors, stage setting, sound check, performing, mingling with guests, take-down, re-loading our tour bus, … and repeating the same routine for days.

I wrote “A Reminisce” in October 1991 during my freshman year of Bible School, at the age of eighteen. I wrote it entirely by muscle memory (by memory without creating any physical documentation) and performed it for our Fall Talent Show. It was then performed at our wedding in June 1993, and it later became the title of my debut album in May 2011 - “A Reminisce”.

I graduated Bible school April 1993, married Peter in June 1993, and continued life with work and building our future. Having a nagging urge to record and pursue music, I frequently recalled what my friend Lionel told me in April 1991 - “When you do it, don’t do it to say ‘I told you so’ - do it to make them proud.”

In February 1998, choosing to ignore the negative responses of the past, and feeling the urge to record, I recorded a song I’d recently written called “Simple Woman”. I loved everything about the result, but without a team of professionals for guidance, nor the money to record, I felt stuck and didn’t know what to do with it. “Simple Woman” was never released and has been sitting on a disc in my collection ever since.

I became a mom to Lee in September 1998, then Adam in September 2001. A busy mom to two boys with medical needs, having medical needs of my own, being a wife, taking care of our home, leading worship music and playing piano in our church worship services, and living through phases of life, I was kept busy with not much time and energy to even think of pursuing my dream. I continued to write and pray, asking God for his grace and strength in every season. As he did before, he provided everything I needed.

A car accident in 2004 injured me enough that I was unable to drive, cook, carry laundry, and anything else that came with being a wife and mom. Lying on my couch in recovery, with my ice packs or heating pads, I considered how my life could have been altered - “That could’ve been a lot worse. I could either no longer be here or injured enough that I’d never be able to play again.” In a spontaneous moment of daring myself, I grabbed our Calgary Yellow Pages and searched “recording studios”. I found a studio, called them up, and said, “I’m just a housewife and mom - I’ve just always wanted to do this.” The studio’s manager and engineer said “No you’re not - get in here!”

Recording demos of my songs became my therapy and I was surprised to learn that the studio fees were half the cost of the counseling I’d been receiving. Throughout the following years, I met musicians and engineers (some who I am still close with today), and had the opportunity to learn about the music industry. I was also encouraged by my friends and my confidence grew. Every few months, I’d go into the studio and record, learn and grow as a musician, get my fix, and carry on as a wife and mom.

In June 2010, Peter and I and our boys began attending a new church. Soon after, one of the youth, a high school boy named Jesse, took his own life. I didn’t know Jesse or his family, but had empathy especially for his mom, and wrote “In Jesus’ Arms (Jesse’s Song)” and was asked to perform it at his memorial service. It was special to our church family, and after receiving requests for copies of the song, I wanted to record a CD and feature it on the album.

Terrified of the idea of recording a CD and all of the unknowns, but desperately wanting to, I prayed for God’s guidance and provision. I didn’t have my own touring portable piano or the money, just a borrowed acoustic upright piano and a very small bank account. Lying in bed with my husband Peter one night, in the dark, I finally worked up the courage and said “I just really need to do this.” Peter’s immediate response was “Yea, you do.” I was now out of excuses and began the process.

Sitting at the piano, with pencil and music script, and using our CD player to play the demos, I spent hours writing lyrics, piano arrangements, vocal arrangements, and string arrangements. I chose four songs for my CD - “Overwhelmed” (written for a friend, June 25, 2009), “In Jesus’ Arms (Jesse’s Song)” (written for Jesse’s mom, July 20, 2009), and “A Servant’s Heart” (by request, to recognize and thank our church’s volunteers, May 3, 2010). I also included my song “A Reminisce”, and it became the title of my debut album.

We recorded my album “A Reminisce” between July and December 22, 2010, and by May 25, 2011, at the age of 38, I released my first record. June 4, 2011, I hosted my CD release concert. I was able to perform for but also thank Peter, Lee, and Adam, and the dozens of friends that came to celebrate with me this massive and courageous milestone in my life.

I’ve seen God’s hand throughout my entire life. He’s provided physical and emotional healing, courage, hope, and strength to keep going, the right friends for the right time, learning opportunities, employment and paychecks, but also his perfect grace, mercy, and love. He’s lifted me out of numerous pits, most of which I dug myself. He’s guided me through the disappointments and discouragement. And, he’s given me my identity - his child that he loves. Jesus has been not only my Savior of my soul, but also my Everyday Savior.

If you haven’t yet recognized God as the one true GOD, and Jesus as your Savior, you must. Without him, there is no eternal hope, only eternal condemnation. Ask him for forgiveness, to be your Savior, and for guidance as you learn to live in obedience. Immerse yourself in a church with mature like-minded Christians to learn from God’s Word, to grow, and to stay accountable with fellow believers. God will then lead you and take you to where you never thought possible. You’ll begin to see God’s work in your life and know his love for yourself.

Thank you for your support these past fifteen years! Here’s to everything that’s ahead!

This isn’t the end - keep going…

Rhonda Louise

“I waited patiently for the Lord to help me, and he turned to me and heard my cry. He lifted me out of the pit of despair, out of the mud and the mire. He set my feet on solid ground and steadied me as I walked along. He has given me a new song to sing, a hymn of praise to our God. Many will see what he has done and be amazed. They will put their trust in the Lord.” Psalm 40:1-3.

“For this is how God loved the world: He gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life. God sent his Son into the world not to judge the world, but to save the world through him. John 3:16-17

“Seek God while he's here to be found, pray to him while he's close at hand. Let the wicked abandon their way of life and the evil their way of thinking. Let them come back to God, who is merciful, come back to our God, who is lavish with forgiveness.” Isaiah 55:6-7

“Trust in the Lord with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding. Seek his will in all you do, and he will show you which path to take.” Proverbs 3:5-6