Singing Songs All Day Long

It's FUN FRIDAY!



Whenever anyone says, “We’ll have fun.” Immediately through my head goes. “Fun! Fun! Now that Daddy took the T-Bird awa-aa-aay!” 

The declaration “I want to” brings to mind “Hold your ha—aa—aa-nd! I want to hold your hand.” Of course, from there, I just have to continue with, “And when you touch me, I feel happy…inside. It’s such a feeling that, my love, I can’t hide! I can’t hide! I can’t Hi—ii—ii—ide!”

I’ll sing the whole song if I’m by myself. My husband usually protests, and since he only has one ear AND I’m so submissive… J…I stop before it’s completion. Almost anything anyone can say will bring a song into my head. Matter of fact, there’s usually a song playing there all the time, and if asked, I can start singing it right in the middle of a stanza.

This led my daughter—when she was six or seven—to inform a little friend with her in the back seat—while I sang passionately to the radio behind the driver’s wheel, “My mama knows all the words to all the songs…even the ones she hasn’t heard.” She cracked me up, but I bit my tongue and didn’t laugh.

Yes. (think 12-Step Program)

Hello, my name’s Caryl, and I’m a singer.

I’ve always loved music and singing. Choir was my favorite high school class. I must have said a thousand times how much I’d love to get paid to sing, but I don’t have an outstanding voice. I used to wonder if I’d taken lessons…but the years flew by and grew me into a wife with three children. One shrugs and goes, “Oh, well.”

At a church we went to, the music director offered voice lessons, and my dear husband signed me up for a birthday present when we could barely buy groceries. I think I had three total, a grand time, and found out I have a five octave range—well not anymore, that was in my thirties. Brother Warren seemed impressed, so I figured it was cool.

My favorite singing is praise and worship. Oh, how I love to enter His gates with thanksgiving then go into His courts with praise. Because the curtain to the Holy of Holies was rent when Yahshuah died on the cross, I can go right into His throne room, bow there, and worship Him in song. There’ve been times at church I thought…if I peeked…I would see Him there—His presence so overwhelmed me.

And He’s been giving me new songs since the ’80s. Mostly praise and worship, but a song for each of my grandsugars—I have sixteen now—and songs to go with the children’s stories written with my husband. And not too long ago, God told me I was His “singing pray-er”. I so loved that. I’ve been singing my prayers for years at prayer group.

SO last November, my husband surprised me saying he wanted to get a nice camera to video me singing my songs. We ordered lights and the whole bit. And now I have a YouTube channel! That’s right! People around the world can hear my new songs! I have SO many more to put up, but there are five now and more coming…so click on over! Have some Friday fun! And if you enjoy the songs, subscribe so you won’t miss any new uploads!

My YouTube Channel! Scripture songs, songs He gave me to go with my books, special song for a very special Facebook group "Heart"wings" - a women's fellowship! (If you're a Christian lady, you need but ask, and I'm happy to add you!), and grandsugars' songs! Be sure to subscribe while you're there so you won't miss any of the new uploads!

And every day, “Sing…sing a song! Sing out loud! Sing out strong! Sing about happy, not sad…sing about good things, not bad!” And be blessed!   

Are you a singer, too?

Bio: Caryl McAdoo is all about loving the Lord and currently writes four series, praying each story gives God glory: the historical Christian ‘Texas Romance’; a contemporary ‘Red River Romance’; 'The Generations', her Biblical fiction, and the newest 'Days of Dread Trilogy' for mid-grade and young adult readers. The Singing Pray-er loves praising with new songs her Heavenly Father gives her. She counts four children and sixteen grandsugars life’s biggest blessings and believes all good things come from above. Caryl and her high school sweetheart-husband Ron live in the woods of Red River County in the far northeast corner of the Lone Star State with two grandsons.

I'd LOVE you to follow or 'like' or 'subscribe' at all of these! :)

Website   Amazon   YouTube   Facebook   BookBub   Twitter   Google+   Goodreads   LinkedIn   Pinterest   The Caryler (quarterly newsletter)

1963 - A Pivotal Year

I recently began research into the year 1963 for a Christmas novella. If you’re a student of history or like to read historical novels, you’ve probably noticed that some events stand out from others. And some world events may have changed your own life.

I was still in grammar school in 1963, but even then I recognized it to be a pivotal year. The year got off to a cultural shift. Even before their American tour, the Beatles’ popularity was skyrocketing all over the world. Maybe you can’t understand unless you lived through it, but Beatle mania changed teen culture in a way never seen before. The rather tame years of rock and roll gave way to pop music with artist after artist trying to outdo themselves.

 Another more subtle change affected youth. Instead of looking to parents and church, teens began to follow celebrities and peers. Since I lived in the country, this might not have affected me as much as urban youth, but I was aware the world was shifting. Yes, there were rebellious teens in the past, but this was different. This cultural change affects society today more than the average Christian realizes. It’s not only a matter of anything goes, it’s in your face.

 Another thing I remember about 1963. A newspaper article told of a child who was tortured to death while her family watched. Serial murders screamed from headlines. Suddenly, evil became real. The era when we never locked our doors until dark was over.

 Churches fell in membership. People seemed to have lost their reverence for God. Politically, the country sat on a powder keg of racial unrest, the cold war threatened to flare up. People stopped sitting on the fence, and many fell on the left, openly supporting communism and liberalism.

That was the state of the country when President John F. Kennedy was assassinated on this day fifty years ago. Only fifty years, but it seems like ancient history. As young as I was at the time, I noticed the age of innocence had died. Camelot was gone forever.

 

All of these memories brings to mind Jesus' words: Now when these things begin to happen, look up and lift up your heads, because your redemption draws near. Luke 21:28

 Can you recall a world event that changed you personally?

In honor of the season, I’m giving away a Christmas CD (various artists, classic carols) to one commenter today. Just leave your email address if you wish to be in the drawing.