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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. :)