Back in Commission... Dents and All.

    

                    

  In September of 2012, I purchased a used piano keyboard, practically giddy that my producer and co-writer in Nashville (Robert Jason) had found me just the right one. It was a professional keyboard, the brand and model we wanted, and at one-fourth of the new price! It even came with a like-new rolling case, which sells for $150 and up by itself. Robert meticulously packed it with care and lots of bubble wrap and shipped it via a well-known carrier (whom I will not name here). 

      When I opened the large box and unzipped the case, I was horrified to discover that the keyboard had a large DENT in the front, which explained the seven keys in a row that were in a stuck down position and therefore un-playable. I called Robert, who was livid at the obvious negligence of the shipping company, but thankful that he'd ordered $500 insurance on the large package, "just in case". (I had paid him $625 to buy it, box it, & ship to me, but at least most of my money would be recovered.) To our shock (and further dismay), the shipping company claimed that a "computer glitch had apparently erased the insurance" that Robert had ordered on their computer screen at the shipping store location. The company only returned $157 to Robert (which he sent to me, along with $200 of his own money, feeling awful that I was out $625 and still had no useable keyboard)... so I got half my money returned, but still had a broken, un-useable instrument.

     The damaged keyboard remained in the beaten-up box, leaning against the wall of my home recording studio for 16 months. We were in the process of remodeling and building onto our house for much of that time, so I rationalized that I didn't have time to mess with it, feeling helpless and disgusted about the whole matter.
    
    A few weeks ago in late January, my husband said, "Why don't you get that keyboard out, and let's see if we can do anything.... what have we got to lose??"  A keyboard repairman suggested we at least try to turn it on, and see if the motherboard was even operational (evidenced by the digital screen lighting up & coming on). Well, it DID come on! And EVERY key (except the ones smashed down by the dent) PLAYED!!! I hooped and hollered and thanked my Jesus, for sure!! Then, Hank offered to take it apart and "hammer out the dent", just to see...

     Every key popped up (with only the slightest visible evidence of the damaging dent remaining), and my living room was filled with heavenly sounds from all 88 keys for the next two hours!!  To think I'd given up on that keyboard!?  Even the rolling case (which was partially shredded on the back, likely from getting caught on a conveyer belt) was still useable, just not so pretty.

      I sensed in that moment that God was speaking to me, gently teaching me a valuable lesson. It was if Jesus said, "Becky, Heaven is a perfect place, but I still have holes in my hands and feet."  He was reminding me that everyone has scars, baggage, hurts, "reasons" why we think we can't be of use to God, or do anything good to impact and change the world. We give up on ourselves, we judge and give up on others--- for reasons we justify from our own human standards. But GOD uses everything that happens... good or otherwise... to mold us into the unique person we are, with unique gifts and perspectives (including the pain of our past) to help others! 2nd Corinthians 1:3-4 says: 

 ³ Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, ⁴ who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God.  

      Almost 10 years ago, my family still reeling from the shock of my sister's drowning and leaving behind five young children, my husband spoke (by faith) again to me. Hank said, "Honey, I think you're supposed to start singing again, and not just send your songs to other people to sing. It's your story, your testimony." It was God's plan, as well as a few years later (while on an extensive 4,000 mile concert tour) meeting our soon-to-be new children. We adopted Jeffery and Jaycie five years ago last month, and have since started an orphan & adoption ministry in our town, becoming a voice for orphans & foster kids through my websites and other online social outlets. I've even recorded another album--  all about adoption and orphans. NONE of these things would have transpired if we hadn't suffered tragedy and pain in our family.

         What seems senseless and even insurmountable in our lives, God can use for His redemptive purposes, if we'll trust Him and surrender our lives.  So here we are, "dented" and damaged, but "back in commission", ON commission, to walk in God's plan for our lives.

     I think I'll go write a song.... on my dented keyboard:))  

Mixed feelings about my kids' new Birth Certificates

I received my (newly adopted) children's new birth certificates today, with mixed emotions. Jeffery is now 10, and little Jaycie just turned 4. (The children came to live with us 15 months ago, a foster-adoption. Kinship for Jeffery [my biological cousin] but no biological relation for his baby half-sister.)
Once again, I felt their pain, their loss-- of the birth family who "should have" loved them and raised them, of the future that they "should have" had with the birth mother who bore them-- in a perfect world. Terribly addicted to drugs and alcohol, however, she could not continue to be their mother, at least not in a parenting role. What a terrible LOSS for (now, my) children. Their extended birth family (most from West Virginia, some from Georgia) did (and does) love them, however, and I am forever grateful for the efforts they DID show to care for my babies-- until they were mine (we live in Oklahoma).

I've made 3 different DVD's for my children's birth families, sent photos, etc., and email and call the one relative (an aunt) who still has a telephone, and internet. (Most of them have neither... which many of us cannot fathom living without.) I see the TREASURES I have in this precious boy and darling little girl, and I grieve for their birth family's great loss... it must tear at their hearts that these babies are so far away, from their hugs, their familiar ways, their kisses and laughter.

All adoption (whether a newborn, from foster care, or an orphanage- or from direct relinquishment by a family you know) involves LOSS-- on the part of many parties. What is GAIN for the new parents (and "gain" for the newly adopted children- who have a future, a hope, security, provisions, LOVE in their new home) is also a loss for the children, and for their birth families.

Believe me, my children are MINE, and before the world was created, God knew that they were MEANT to be MINE. Because He also knew the choices that their birth family would make, the addictions, the neglect, and the abuse that my children would suffer before being "plucked out of the fire" and brought to a safe place... their "forever home", our home--- their home. We are all SO BLESSED to be a family, and to have each other. NO DOUBT... only compassion and empathy for my children's losses, and that of their original family.

I've been working on Life Books for each child-- a work in progress. I'd saved a page for the new birth certificates (which, as I shared, just arrived an hour ago in my mailbox). Before that page, however, are 3-4 other pages about their birth mother, fathers (different for each child), their grandmother, cousins, and aunts that I'm aware of, and with whom most of whom I deliberately still keep contact. This is for my children... they've lost enough, hurt enough, had enough "broken connections"--- I don't want their whole history to "disappear". I just want to give them as much love -- and help for healing and understanding (and forgiving)-- as I can.

May healing come... God help us all. (I know He will, and is!)

Blessings to you all. Becky Wright

WHY on earth would you vote for me?

Hello-- Becky Wright here. I've been contacted a few times from some "industry folk" that I should be "inviting my fans" to VOTE for me for some music awards I'm up for. Now, honestly, I'd rather pluck my eyebrows or clean toilets than hound my fans & friends to spend 5 minutes to jump through a few hoops for me, for which they receive no "tangible return". Know what I mean?


However, I got an email from a young woman this morning, who had attended a recent concert of mine, at a tiny church of only about 30 people in attendance. After the concert, she tearfully confided in me some things about her life (concerning child abuse she'd suffered, adoption, finding Christ), and that she KNEW that she was supposed to be there that night to hear my songs and my testimony. Her email today said:

"I hope you remember me from [church name]. I was going to send you my "story" of my adoption and what happened after... I think writing it down will even touch my own mind and heart as well, but am excited that someone is interested in "me" as I have never really "belonged" anywhere; and now someone says "I want to hear your story"! Thank you, that made me feel of worth. I will be in touch soon. You take care and God bless you!!!"


A life CHANGED... HOPE restored... a heart beginning to HEAL. THAT'S why I do what I do. God taking my "mess" and making it into a "message" of hope and restoration. Reason enough.


That being said, awards tend to "open doors", like something nice on a resume. People tend to believe you might actually have something to say or share, if thousands of "fans" believe that about you. SO, I'm asking YOU to VOTE in the Agape Fest Awards, by the April 15th deadline (7 days from when I'm writing this!), and would certainly appreciate your consideration. Here's the link to sign up: (Free, of course): http://www.kingcountryagapefest.com/vote2010.html

Below is the "Official" press release, FYI. Also, if you live in north Texas or anywhere nearby, I would LOVE to meet you at the festival! (FREE for fans.) Let me know! Becky


OFFICIAL PRESS RELEASE:

The 9th Annual King Country Agape Fest, this year to be held in Granbury, Texas, announces its Top 5 Finalists for various awards in music and media. Becky Wright, Oklahoma singer/songwriter and 2008 Agape Fest Female Songwriter of the Year, is among the Finalists for Female Vocalist of the Year, and Female Songwriter. Christian Artists, radio & TV personnel and others are nominated. The public is urged to cast their vote for their favorites, before the April 15th deadline. Go to: www.kingcountryagapefest.com/vote2010.html to see the list of finalists and sign up to vote (online, and FREE).

The 2010 Agape Fest, sponsored by KNGR King Country Radio, takes place in downtown Granbury, TX, an hour south of Ft. Worth/ Dallas, from Wed.-Sat. June 23rd - 26th. Over 100 Christian/gospel and positive country artists from across the USA & Canada will perform at 10 restaurants and other venues around the city. The festival includes a Talent Competition, Songwriting Competition, Top 5 Awards Show (open to the public), and culminates with the Awards Show on Sat. June 26th. The festival is FREE and open to the public, and a great chance for fans to get to know the artists "up close and personal". Those wishing to enter the Talent or Songwriting Competition may do so through the website, with fantastic prizes and opportunities (radio airplay, album production, etc.) available for the winners. For more info, see http://www.kingcountryagapefest.com/ . Listen 24/7 to KNGR online at www.kingcountry.org.

Becky Wright is a Staff Missionary of Artists in Christian Testimony, International, with home offices in Brentwood, TN. She's recorded five albums, and is currently touring the USA speaking and singing for women's ministry events, and adoption/orphan and crisis pregnancy ministry events. She resides in northeastern Oklahoma with her husband and youngest 4 children (of nine), a Cocker Spaniel and a very old cat. www.beckywrightsongs.com

New Kids Here 6 Months- What Change!

Jeffery turned 10 on Monday, just two days shy of our first six months together as an "adoptive family". We were already a "blended family" with seven children, the oldest five grown and out of the house, and only our two "babies" (which we thought would be our last!) left at home. This adoption of 9-year-old Jeffery and 2-year-old baby (half) sister Jaycie came as a surprise... but since Jeffery lmy cousin, we knew we couldn't let them go to strangers, nor separate them.

Jeffery has gone from failing grades (and a school system that thought it was "hopeless" and that Jeff should be retained... AGAIN), to now making A's and B's, and he DID promote to the 4th grade, after all! Since he's been with us, he's learned to do things that should have happened long ago (as happens with many children who've been abused and/or neglected), like tying his shoes, and even blowing his nose. His self-esteem (which was non-existent before) is slowly building, and he feels LOVED and SAFE. He and Jaycie seem to find great comfort in simple routines that my other children take for granted... like family dinner at the table every night, after school and bedtime snacks every day, church on Sundays, consistent bedtimes, and even household chores and responsibilities that they never had.

Jaycie has brought us SO much joy, as well! Last night, for example, she put on her daddy's shoes, picked up the basket of silk flowers from the coffee table and put them over her left arm, with her baby doll in the right, clomping across the living room! We laughed ourselves to joyful tears, as happens almost daily with her adorable antics and creative personality and imagination. We SO often say, "What did we do to deserve this joy!??" God has blessed us immeasureably!

The waiting period of having these (foster) children in our home before we can finalize is six months. We're still waiting on WV to talk to OK and send all the necessary paperwork so we can go to court and "make this offiicial". In our hearts, it IS official! Both children use their new names with pride, Jaycie having never known her birth (last) name, anyway. I'm making "life books" for both of them, to know where they came from, who has been a part of their lives at various times (birth family, original- and eventually amended- birth certificates, etc.), how they got here, and to help them deal with all the inevitable questions and issues that we're already facing. Why did my birth mom continue using drugs, instead of taking care of me? Didn't she love me enough? Will I ever see her again? Does she think about me? All the counseling and play therapy won't undo all the pain, but we are doing all we can to help our precious children. We pray that God will heal the innermost parts of their hearts and emotions, in ways that we cannot.

Is adoption a risk? You bet . So is marriage, so is having birth children, so is driving your car to the grocery store. Is it worth it? YOU BET. A million times over. I DARE you to consider it. There are 129,000 children in the USA alone who are in foster care AND in need of a permanent, loving "forever home". Could that be your home? Check my website for more information, adoption links, foster care information, GREAT books (which I'm reading and benefiting from myself), and more. http://www.beckywrightsongscom .

Becky Wright is a Singer/Songwriter and Speaker for Adoption & Foster Care events across the USA. Her newest album, "Heart of Adoption" is being recorded in Nashville, and the first two songs are OUT on several hundred radio stations. Hear or download music at: http://www.indieheaven.com/artists/becky_wright