Galaxy by Matt Dietz

If you haven't downloaded Matt's album yet, I hope you will.  You can go here and get it at iTunes.  Or you can go to Amazon or Google Play and find it.

Of course, as Matt's mom, I'm proud.  Matt has always been a gifted song writer (he wrote each of these songs) and I've blogged about that before here and here.  But it's so much more than that.  I'd like to tell you what this album means to me.  My son is back...and he's walking with God like never before.  This album has REDEMPTION written all over it.  It's a story of a son who ran from God at full-speed but came back.  It's the story of a mom who needed to learn about grace and incorporate it in her life.  It's the story of a family restored who came in unity and brought it to the table for this album.  This album is all that and more.  It's full of worship, praise, love, longing and profound thought.

I'm asking God to put it in the hands of parents who need hope with their prodigals (and maybe need to learn about grace), in the hands of the prodigals themselves, in the hands of families needing forgiveness and restoration, and in the hands of those who have come out of the pit and need to be washed in grace.

This album is about love, grace, mercy and hope.  And it's so needed right now.  I encourage you to download it for you--hear what God wants to speak to your heart.  Parents, please download this album on your kids' phones so they listen to it over and over.  I'm asking God to anoint it to encourage kids spiritually.  Your kids live in a drought-filled world and need the message of Let It Rain. They need to know God's love is a Galaxy.  We all do.

And...it's just good music.

Thanks to all who have purchased it.  Please pray God uses it for His glory!

My mother-heart is full.

Galaxy by Matt Dietz

Cover by artist Randy Friemel

Our oldest son, Matt, is releasing his newest CD in May.  I'm so excited about it!  You can go here and listen to a sneak peek! Just click on the little red arrow at the top left corner of the page to listen.  This Friday, May 2, he will release his title song.  For a $5 donation to ru4children, you'll be able to download the song, Galaxy.  You'll be able to do it here on this website.

Matt has written the songs and sings them.  He's always been a gifted song writer.  But I believe God has brought a new depth and strength to his songs.  I've asked Matt to tell us how this album came into being and why he chose to use the men he did on this album.  These are his words:

_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ 

In 2004, I gave up on music and in doing so, I essentially gave up on me; my passion. Through a series of life events, I made a very conscious decision to run from God. 
In June of 2010, God began to make it very evident, that He was in pursuit of me. A month later, my life forever changed when I gave up running and allowed God to show me that He was not religion. His grace covered so much shame and regret, His mercies became very real and I fell in love with Him for it.  

 Shortly after God captured my heart, He began to redeem a gift I had thrown aside and counted lost, worthless and certainly disqualified. God began to speak in a tangible way. Within a period of two months, he prophetically released His vision for this gift. He spoke to me through faithful and random servants, who released 10 or more consistent prophetic words, making it absolutely undeniable that He was far from through with the passion He created me to pursue.  

 I began to write, and write, and write some more. A year later, I had more than 50 songs or parts of songs written. Again, God spoke saying, "Display this musical gift, Matt." This word came from an absolute stranger, who knew nothing about a gift, except that God had spoken.  

 In December of 2012, I began to round up the necessary equipment to create a modest record. My brother Zach, has been a part of this album every step of the way. I bounced every song idea off of him, determined the necessary equipment through him, he engineered the record, co-produced, created samples and sounds, mixed and mastered this album. His talent is immense and he is the biggest reason this album exists.  

 I began to pray, "God who would you have me involve in this project?" As I prayed, I looked for those whose gifts were greater than mine, and whose hearts were sewn to the Father. My brother David, is the best acoustic guitarist I know. Not only that, he has the character of an elder and I aspire to be more like him. I love that he is laced through this album.  

 Jay Wright, my brother by marriage to Amy, is my favorite pianist in the world. He loves my sister and their children in a way that makes me proud.  

 Marco Gonzalez is a guy who I've loved like a brother since he was 12 and began playing with me in college. God moved Marco back to Amarillo, and I knew he had to be a part.  

Clint McKinney, is a personal friend and brother, who has a special gift to not only play acoustic, but is a great song writer. I pulled him in to play on the record, and it turned into a songwriting session. Let It Rain was written in 30 minutes, and I knew it was essential to this project.  

 Steven Ronk is probably the best bassist I've personally had the privilege of watching. He has the heart of a servant and I'm proud to involve him.  

 Mark Morgan is a genius on the guitar, you'll see. Humility emanates from his core, and I love it!  

 Kuhrt Cowan walked into our makeshift studio, and in 8 hours, tracked and produced every single drum section of every song, with ZERO pre-production. He's also one of the kindest people I know.  

 I am so proud to show off the great talents of these special men! Their talents and especially their hearts are the absolute core of this record! 

This project, is more than just songs, or even just songs of worship. 

This project is birthed from ashes. It is the very heart of God, displaying His will for all of humanity. Restoring hope to the hopeless, raising the dead and giving us a reason to dance. He is forever Faithful. His mercies are new every single morning and are as long as the day. 

_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ 

I hope you'll listen with an open, expectant heart to these songs.  Purchase them for friends who need to hear God.  Buy them for your children who are running from God.  I believe God has a much higher purpose for this album than we know--than even Matt knows.  You'll be blessed.   

Matt's proud mom.

Worshiping

I've had unique experiences in my adult life.  I've had the privilege of worshiping the God I love while either my husband or one of my three sons or my son-in-law lead worship.  You may have no idea what that's like.  It's a multi-layered encounter.  Your heart is at once drawn to the throne and heart  of God.  But you can't help but be conscious of the fact that it's coming through the skill of someone you love.  It's a double love experience.  Your worship is directed toward God all while your heart swells with love for the person leading you in that worship and a sincere appreciation for the gift God has given them to lead that worship.  Of course, I've experienced it for years with Andy.  But I'll never forget the first time I experienced it with one of my sons.  Matt had written a song and he and the band were singing it in a worship service at West Texas A&M.  I was overwhelmed as we all sang and worshiped, lifting our hands in praise to God.  In the midst of that, I became cognizant of the fact that I was worshiping God with a song my son had written and watched in wonder as a crowd of college students exuberantly lifted their voices in praise.  I can't even describe what that was like.  I've since experienced the same thing with each of my sons and my son-in-law.   I know...I am abundantly blessed.

Tonight, I was in Dalhart at New Life Church.  Zach is worship leader there.  Several churches are cooperating in having activities for their youth during spring break and they had asked Andy to come speak on missions.  They had a band made up from their worship leaders--which not only included Zach, but also one of our former youth.  They led us in worship.  I was moved once again. And I couldn't help but fall to my knees in worship of the God I love.

)

A Road Less Traveled the 2nd

This is what you've all been waiting for....a band photo of A Road Less Traveled the 2nd.  They're hot...they're amazing...they're loved!  You can tell they're good just by the photo.

Left to Right:  Ryan, Olivia, Isaac, Addie, Josiah

A Road Less Traveled the 2nd

Our Thanksgiving was so much fun.  As most of you know, Andy & I don't have a house.  We're living in the basement of our old house which David & Lindsey have purchased from us.  And they were gracious and asked the family to join them for Thanksgiving this year.  It was different for all of us.  Amy's family stayed with my mom because it was the half-way point between us and Jay's mom and dad in Briscoe.  Zach & Shanna stayed with Shanna's parents and Matt was at Andy's mom's house.  So it all worked!  We were all together on Thanksgiving day which was lots of fun and filled with good food.  Matt fried 2 turkeys and everyone else brought their specialties.  It was great.  It's always so much fun catching up with each other.  But one of the greatest blessings for a grandmother is watching the cousins play.  Eight of our ten grandkids were here and they all had someone close to their age to play with.

Everyone came back Saturday so that the guys could all record on Matt's new album.  So while they were in Fritch recording together, the cousins formed their own band (which includes dancers) and named it A Road Less Traveled the 2nd.  (In case you don't know, their Uncle Zach was in the band A Road Less Traveled.)  It was so cute.  And it's so fun to see their musical talents and to see the love of music perpetuated in the next generation.  So I thought I'd share their music with you.  I think you'll be surprised at how good they are!  I can't wait to share their band photos with you later.

Break My Fall

First...watch Zach Dietz singing Break My Fall



Then watch his son, Dax, sing Break My Fall

Dietz Brothers

Andy Dietz on left and his twin brother, Phil Dietz, on right.
Singing at Living Water, Borger, TX

And the music keeps on comin'....

The Wright boys wrote this song and this is a video of Isaac, Josiah & Olivia performing it.  I'm so proud of them!!  What an amazing first song.  Below are the words of each child and what they're singing.  I'm so impressed, Wright Kids!!

Isaac:  I forgot where I am, I'm lost in outer space.  I am lost in outer space, yeah!  Someone give me a map or a GPS!  I am lost in outer space.  I see Jupiter and the moon, all so far away!

Josiah:  I see Jupiter and Earth and sun and other stars too.  I don't know the rest so you can tell the rest.

Olivia:  I don't know where I am.  I don't know where I am!

For Your Viewing Pleasure

Ryan & Addie's latest Youtube recording.
Little hams!  (They take after their Pops)

Olivia's Version of Old McDonald--2nd Post

She just couldn't get away from the tune of Twinkle, Twinkle!  She's a hoot!!  (And beautiful!)

Olivia & Twinkle, Twinkle...

This is Miss Olivia performing for me.  I love when she gets to the part, "Up above the world so high..."

Dax Sings with Daddy

Dax is the 6-month-old baby of our youngest son, Zach, and his wife, Shanna.

ARLT

Third Generation Male

Deja Vu. Ryan & Addie were here tonight (while their dad led worship for the youth) and Ryan was walking into the bathroom, getting ready to go home with his dad, singing "O Sole Mio." Andy has sung this song ever since I've known him. My kids grew up hearing it all the time. But here's how he sings it:
O Solo Mio
O Mio My-o
O Costa Rico
O Gorvadio.

(Don't waste your time trying to figure it out!)
So now...Ryan is growing up hearing his daddy singing the same version.
And now Ryan is continuing this male tradition.
I just wish I'd filmed it. As the guys realized what he was doing, we had the full-blown version from the first two generation males once again.

This Little Light of Mine

Ryan & Addie's Cubbies' group was singing at our church this morning. And it just so happened that they were spending the weekend with us---so they "got to sing on stage," as they put it. (They kind of like the stage)

Here they are in the middle of the group.

This is their pose. For some reason, Ryan started posing with his hands like this each time! ha!

I had to include this photo. Not just because they were laughing hysterically, but because Ivy is next to them crying. Poor kid...she was having a bad morning.

Bryson stole the show last time he was on stage...I was hoping to catch him on video...

But alas...his dad was giving him a big "talking-to" before the performance. Dadgumit!

I was careful of which panties I put on Addie---I thought this might happen. When we got home, I realized her mom had packed tights that I had missed somehow! ha!

The kids (except my 2) were getting ready to watch the baptism. (I doubt Ms. Georgia or Ms. Amber would appreciate this photo.)

And this was how they watched the baptism....you'll see the importance of this later...

Ryan & Addie clapping for the baptisms

Ahhhh....some kids never recovered from watching the baptism...ever!

I didn't think my camera was recording....



...finishing up This Little Light of Mine



And the Grand Finale---The B-I-B-L-E!

After they finished singing, our pastor told them what a GREAT job they did. And then he compared the kids to our church---some dance to the worship, some cross their arms and hardly sing....and some just sleep right through it! LOL!

Of a Captive Heart Releases Today!

A Road Less Traveled releases their new CD today! I'm really excited about it. For the 2 people who may not know, the guy in the center is our youngest son, Zach. He's the lead singer for the band. We claim the rest of them, too, though.
I'm really proud of these guys. They walk the talk. They're all involved in their local church, hold down a full-time job, and sing/play at every opportunity. If you'd like to purchase a CD for a measly $5, go here. You might consider buying them as Christmas gifts or give them to your local youth minister to give away as prizes. You can go here and take a listen! Please be praying for them---it looks like some awesome opportunities are peeking over the horizon.