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What a wonderful day I've had today! 3 services, friends visiting, lots of birthday wishes and just a great time all together. Turning 35 is a pretty good thing I guess. :)

The day started with Caroline and Esther singing for me (Reuben was still sleeping...) and it continued the same way in the church. Both our Finnish and our English side of the congregation sang for me, and there was a surprise cake made. Thanks to all you precious people for the Facebook messages, cards, text messages, hugs and everything else. It is such a precious thing to know that you are loved.

One of the precious things was when the old people in the Finnish rest home sang for me. That was touching. Some are very, very old, but they stood up and wanted to sing for me. That was very humbling indeed.

Ok, and then a short update from my trip in Colorado. Let me just say it again - Colorado Springs was absolutely astounding. I loved the nature, and it was fun to see it snowing for the first time in a few years. One of the days there was more than 10 deer in the backyard of the Palonen's house. If I was a hunter I guess I would have been very happy!

The recording of my vocals was not as easy as I had hoped. The day before I left to Colorado, I could feel that my voice wasn't feeling OK. I know a lot of people prayed for me, and after drinking probably a million gallons of water, taking medicine, asking people to pray, and working hard I think we got it all together. Jukka (my producer) will start editing everything next week. The grand piano sounded amazing - and the background vocals too. I'm amazed at what God is doing, and for the privilege to be part of something like this.

I'll try not to write too much, but I have to share this one really cool thing, that I would like to call a God-thing. I wrote this song here in Florida, that is partially based on the Psalm that talks about us lifting our eyes to the hills/mountains, to see where our help comes from. For those who don't know Florida, there are no mountains here. It's super flat. Anyways, this was the first song we started recording. I could literally look at the Rocky Mountains as I sang that song. Not even in my wildest dreams could I have imagined that I will be looking at some of the most beautiful mountains in the USA recording that song that I felt the Lord give me in flat Florida. :) But that's just one of those "God-things".

God is good. And I love Him so much. Tomorrow is a day off. Will spend it with my wonderful and precious family. :)

Time to start blogging

Hi there!

Well, I decided it's time to start blogging! It was some maybe 6 months ago that I opened my Facebook account, and have enjoyed it ever since. My problem though is that I feel like I have more to say many times than what the status update allows me to! :) So I decided I must start blogging then. :)

One of the current reasons for me starting this blog is also because I'm in the middle of recording my next album. I'm so excited about this project, and I feel like I want to share with my friends and all who are interested how everything is developing. It's a CD that will be released mainly in Finland again with 9 songs in Finnish and 1 in English. But it is being produced here in the States, and I have some amazing people helping with this project. All I can say is that I'm truly blessed and thankful to the Lord for all that He is doing!

I'm writing this first post in Colorado Springs. I left warm Florida and the palms yesterday morning and a few hours later I was looking at Rocky Mountains and snow on the ground. Colorado Springs is absolutely stunning.

We will be recording my vocals and piano while I'm here. My producer, Jukka Palonen, (an absolutely amazing musician) has this beautifully sounding grand piano. My only concern has been my voice, but I know that many people are praying for me, and I know things will turn out well!

Thanks for visiting my blog! I'll try to update often.

Love and blessings,

Petri