I went to an Idina Menzel concert this afternoon. IT. WAS. AMAZING. Even though my fantasy of Taye Diggs joining her onstage for a duet did not happen. Nor did they spot me sitting in Row 112 Seat K and ask me to come down, sing a number with them, and then become a sisterwife. But unmet expectations aside, she put on a good show. When I got home I had several notifications on facebook. It seems that Kelly Clarkson gave Rage Against the Minivan a little shout-out today: 
I am beyond flattered. I am a huge fan of hers. (As you can see on her page, so is my husband). I even went to the American Idol Season 1 Finale just to root for her. I went with my friend/former roommie Chad, who is a fellow showchoir geek singer. I searched for a picture of us from that night, but couldn’t find it. But I did find a picture of us from around that time: 
That’s Mark, me, and Chad ringing in the New Year in New York City. But I think the bigger highlight of this photo is the guy on the right: 
This guy is having more fun than any of us. He is loving life. I think we can all learn something from this guy. Anyways, unfortunately I don’t have photos of the finale, but in my mind, it went a little something like this: 
So you can see why I was thrilled to hear that Kelly is a fan of my blog. Because I think she felt my support from my seat in Balcony 3 Row NN on the night of her big win. Even though she didn’t ask me to come down and sing backup. (Next time, Kelly! Also, how would you feel about being a sisterwife?) It also made me a little nervous. I mean, Kelly has over a million followers on her facebook page. What would people be saying about my little ole’ blog? Here is a sampling of the responses: 
So as you can see, my blog has had a profound impact on Kelly’s fans. *On a serious note, today was Orphan Sunday and many churches across the country spent the morning looking at how to get involved in the global orphan crisis. For ways you can help (yes, even you) visit here. I was reminded of our own journey today, as Idina sang the song For Good from Wicked. This was the lullaby I sang tor my first son when he was a baby. Jafta was our foster child for many years, and there were so many uncertain moments with him, not knowing if we would be his parents or simply a temporary home. But regardless, I knew that he and I were changing each other for good, and that neither of us would ever be the same. There are so many children waiting for families in fostercare today. Some need a forever family, and some need a safe and loving home while their birthparents recover. Maybe you can play a part in a waiting child’s story . . . and both be changed for the better.
For Good
I’ve heard it said
That people come into our lives for a reason Bringing something we must learn and we are led to those
Who help us most to grow if we let them
And we help them in return
Now I don’t know if I believe that’s true
But I know I’m who I am today because I knew you…
Like a comet pulled from orbit as it passes the sun
Like a stream that meets a boulder halfway through the wood
Who can say if I’ve been changed for the better
But because I knew you, I have been changed for good
It well may be that we will never meet again in this lifetime
So let me say before we part
So much of me is what I have learned from you
You’ll be with me, like a handprint on my heart
Now whatever way our stories may end
I know you have rewritten mine by being my friend…
Like a ship blown from its mooring by a wind off the sea
Like a seed dropped by a skybird in a distant wood
Who can say if I’ve been changed for the better
But because I knew you, I have been changed for good
