8/23/06
So
much has happened. My father passed away June 5th. Our whole
family, including my husband Joe, was there in the hospital
with him when he let go of this life. I feel so blessed to
have spent the past 1.5 years or so living with him and my
mother while our family lived through his illness and the
surrounding issues. God works in such strange ways. I miss
my dad a lot. Anyone who knows me knows that he's been such
a huge part of my life and owns a huge part of my heart. I
hadn't written anything about his death until now, and I have
to admit I am a little choked up talking/writing about it
now. We sang to him, all of his favorite hymns, while he was
fading over the last couple of days. Never had music been
more powerful in our lives, I think. He spoke his last words
June 2nd while being admitted to the hospital with pneumonia
and never really regained full consciousness after a procedure
to drain one of his lungs which had collapsed. Lots of family&
friends were there for the funeral. It was really beautiful.
The choir he and I had been singing in at church sang at his
funeral. So did my husband Joe; to have him go through this
with me was just... well, I have no words. He was there just
when I needed him most, and somehow always knew exactly what
I needed. My mother has been amazingly strong throughout everything.
Thank you so much for your prayers. I just moved back to Nashville
and re-united with my husband Joe. I'm thrilled to be back
at my home with my best friend. Been making some new friends
as well. (Do miss the great ones I made in FL, though. They
are irreplacable.) I'm getting some valuable recording lessons
from The Protools Guy himself. When he (joe) gets back from
his tour with John Michael Talbot we'll be finishing my country
CD. I know my dad is smiling down on us. I'll be doing some
songwriter nights and gigs around town. Also have tentative
plans to play in Dallas early next year. I continue to write
some praise & worship as well, and hope to record some of
that soon. And I'll also be compiling all of my God-specific
music on one CD sometime soon. Last night I went through some
of my older stuff and I was reminded how blessed I have been
to have had such amazing opportunities. I really want to continue
in ministry, but I'm praying about where I fit in now that
Joe is doing his own thing. Please keep me in your prayers.
Ooh!
And check it out! A couple of my songs are featured on a neat
new website: Http://www.creativecafe.com. I'm in some great
company there. Download some music, why don't you! Thanks
for checking in. See ya. j*a
3/22/06
Hi!
I've
kept this website going because you know it's where to find
me. You have been so good to me over this past year. I'm humbled
and overwhelmed with gratitude for the prayers and kindness
extended by so many of you, some who know me well, some who
hardly know me at all. You are in my prayers daily.
So
anyway, since this remains our meeting place, let me tell
you...
What
the heck have I been doing, you ask?
...
Let
me sum up (to quote Inigo Montoya):
Most of you know my dad is seriously ill. I've been with them
(my dad and mom) in south FL for the past year and it's been
a really special time. With such intense personal stuff going
on, I cut back a whole bunch on things I was so focused on
earlier. Not permanently, just now when it's what I feel called
to do. I kind of retreated into my Faith and learned (once
again) what a sublime gift God gives us when we hand ourselves
over to Him. Only God can give you the biggest something when
you're working from nothing.
Of
course, music is something that doesn't just leave you when
you ignore it; the creative voice begs to be satisfied and
I've had some great outlets for it along the way.
My
guitar and I have become intimate friends. I'm also singing
in one of the best gigs available: My dad has been a church
choir member, well, for as long as I can remember. Being here
in the same town with him now, I joined him in the choir.
What awesome experiences we've had sharing this activity together.
And the choir members have been wonderful too.
In
addition, I've been blessed with spending a few mornings playing
for an Senior Adult Daycare Center and Alzheimer's Day Care
Facility. There's no way you can spend a morning there and
not just be smiling ear-to-ear for the rest of the day.
After
a couple of years off, I just published a new issue of my
web magazine for girls. It has it's own domain now at Philomenagirl.com.
The concept is still evolving and will just keep getting better
with every issue.
I just got the mixes of the last 2 original country/rock songs
I recorded up in Nashville (Thanks, Joe!). I love them! Check
out my music
page on jeanannhand.com for some mp3 clips.
One
of the songs, "Unapologize," has just been added
to the rotation on Variety96.com,
an online streaming radio station out of Austin, TX. If you
stop by their site, request my song!
"Unapologize"
has also been selected to play on the FTM
(For the Masses) Podcast Network, a group of
podcasts that look to showcase the best in independent and
unsigned music from all over the world. Their programs are
available as both streaming media online and downloadable
to listener’s portable media player or computer. They'll let
me know when the song will be used. I will let you know!
It's
also been selected for the playlist on Thats
Country LIVE!, Canada's top online country radio station.
The station also airs on the US MBN Wireless Network, which
has 1.7 million listeners and rising. Visit their site here.
And, if you feel like it, request my song!
I'm
looking forward to recording some electronica versions of
some tradional old Catholic music. You'll be the first to
know when there's something to listen to there.
I'll
be playing for the March of Dimes WalkAmerica on April 22nd
in Boca Raton. See ya there!
Thank
you so much for your prayers and your friendship. Drop me
a line! And keep the prayers coming!
love,
J*A
July
2005
To the woman who came up to me
after the last Mass at the St. Louis Marian Conference this year
and delivered the message "This is going to be the
year.":
Boy, He wasn't kidding.
February
2005
Hey! Thanks for stopping by!
Joe & I
(and Scott Goudeau) had a wonderful weekend in St. Louis last
month playing at the annual Marian Conference. Big ole thanks to
everyone involved! Personally, I especially appreciate the
encouragement and continued prayers for my dad and mom while we
go through this challenging time. Through your generosity of
spirit, you've so clearly and beautifully shown to us the true
face of Jesus.
We're looking forward to seeing you all again
next year. (And hey W - take it easy! We want to see you
back next year too!)
While visiting Florida last week, we played
at the annual Run for Life banquet in Homestead, FL. Joe
Hellriegel and the team (runners and other supporters) remain a
true inspiration as we watch them put together this tremendous
event that works on so many levels to correct some serious
crises our contemporary culture faces. Combining their powerful
consistent prayers with physical pro-action and fundraising,
they too reveal to us the face of Christ in our everyday lives.
Our prayers are with the team and all they serve. And our
thanks. Especially encouraging at the banquet this year was the
participation of some fresh young workers from Ave Maria
University in Naples, FL. Thanks, Rich Dittus (for whom Joe is
producing one of the most exciting projects to ever hit Catholic
Christian music), Mary Anne LaHood and lovely emcee
Britney.
Joe's Psalms CD is just about ready,
although preview copies have found their way out the studio
already. It's really really awesome. For me, it's like an
intravenous prayer hookup. When I can't settle my mind enough,
the songs reach inside and draw my stubborn soul into the prayer
I so need.
My program
on Radio Free Nashville should begin in May. I'll keep you
posted on further details as I figure them out
myself.
You remain
in our daily prayers and we thank you so much for yours and for
all of the other ways you've supported us! God truly has spoiled
us!
Please mailto:joeandja@aol.com) with
any prayer requests. And/or let us know how you are doing and
what you've been up to.
Thanks for
stopping by. We're wishing and praying you and yours a most
blessed Lent and Easter season!
Your sis in
Christ,
Jeanann
Hand
P.S. And
while you're surfin' go visit dickcheneyfanclub.com. Spread the
love.
