…waking up early Saturday morning to my Little One’s sparkling eyes

…spending time in prayer with my Father, asking for peace and grace and strength for the day and evening; I can’t do this without Him.

…warming up my voice with my Little One singing along

…prayer time again, this time as a whole family: me, my husband and Little One…these are the most precious times ever…

…finish packing for the evening and begin the drive up to Black Mountain; the scenery is gorgeous…I love the drive!  We are listening to some of our favourite Armenian music on the way

…get a call from the venue; they are nearly sold out for my show through online reservations!  We are so thrilled!!

…get another call from the venue: this time they are officially sold out for the show! This has never happened to them before through online reservations.  This time I am overwhelmed and my eyes fill up with tears… wow.  Thank you for all the support everyone!!  But I wish the venue didn’t have to turn people away at the door… I wish there had been more room!!

…so lovely to see my musicians at White Horse…Chris, River and Eliot making sure the sound is perfect

…we see Don Talley who has worked so hard in helping to promote the show; he has become a dear friend to us; Bob and Kim are there and I respect them so much

…sound check takes a bit longer than expected, but I have come to expect that!  This time, however, we were really cutting it close to show time and I still have to eat

…go back to the home where we are staying for the night… ah, that view!!  The mountains are right in front of me!  Oh, it was so beautiful and calming.  Cyndy and Ron were the most hospitable, kind, generous hosts… their home is a peaceful, serene hideaway from everything… just loved being there

…we arrive just before show time… I have a peak at the crowd – the place is packed!!  And you can just feel the energy in the room…there is an enthusiasm and a buzz… wow… I am smiling!

…show time… I love the rush… my heart is beating wildly, and I tell Chris…this is a good thing…I am excited to be on stage for everyone

…Chris, River and Eliot start the show and the music is beautiful… I am standing at the back listening to them…oh, they are so good!

…it is my turn to come up on stage and sing Armenian folk songs for everyone and all the emotions are racing through my bones: excitement, wonder, joy, delight… each time before and during a show, I think of Grandma…do you see this all?  I ask her.  Do you see how amazing this is?  We are singing your songs here, Grandma… telling your story… about the Armenian  Genocide…talking about your faith…

…I think of my Father; after all, this is all for Him.

…our first set goes by so fast, too fast… I relish every minute of it!  I love this audience, I love singing for them so very much!

…before the set is over, I teach them an Armenian dance.. we are all dancing away; this is such fun!  I am dancing with them, then on stage on my own, then with my husband, then I am back to singing for them all… I love watching the audience do the steps with such enthusiasm!

…at intermission, I talk to people in the crowd; people are so kind, so generous with their comments… I am deeply touched by everything they are telling me

…one lady tells me about an African tradition in which the couple decides on a song to sing for their unborn child months ahead of time while the mother is expecting, and constantly sing that song for the child.. and on the day of his/her arrival, they sing the same song, which has now become the child’s song, as he/she is born – I love it!!  I have tears in my eyes as she tells me about this tradition.  Mariam, you already have an array of songs to choose from, she tells me.

…another woman tells me how special it is for her to be there as she is expecting her first child in February; I am excited for her!

…people share such good things from their hearts…

I love this. So much.

Tags: Armenian dance, Armenian folk music, Armenian folk songs, Armenian Genocide, audience, Mariam, Musicians, performing, singing, songs, stage, White Horse Black Mountain