I recently spoke at a Women’s conference on the book of Ruth. It has been called one of the greatest short stories ever written.I have been writing and speaking on living well through times of change, and this book has been a great source of inspiration for both song and story.

I have recently finished writing a song about the relationship between a mother and daughter, which is also a feature in the book of Ruth.

I am currently preparing for a music festival, a Christmas Event, the beginnings of a church consultancy which will flow onto next year. What an exciting and creative time this is!  I am thankful.

Blessings,

Katie

Saturday Night the 27th of August was the scene of the release of Katie’s new Album, “The Simple Life”.

Held at The Street Theatre in Canberra as part of their “Made in Canberra initiative”, the theatre was filled with supporters who had come to celebrate the release.

The ‘Simple Life’ offers beautifully crafted songs possessing confronting honest lyric married to a timeless acoustic framework. The result is an album that reflects both a deep intensity and sweet simplicity.

The “Simple Life” can be purchase directly at our store here.

In the midst of this there is a launch to plan, staging and set design to think through, lighting, set list, and media releases, to all be done. It has been an incredible couple of weeks.

I am so grateful for the team of people who support me and make this life possible…it really is a privilege to be able to do what you really believe in.

Over the past few days as I have been listening to the final mixes of the songs, my kids have drifted in and out of the room. It has brought a smile to my face to hear them singing along.

Blessings Katie

I have now finalised the final songs which was a difficult task. I had a head
cold thanks to three beautiful children coughing in my face for three
weeks.. So, my guide vocals sound strangely like Kermit the Frog.
Thankfully final vocals tracked in a couple of weeks.

It is deeply satisfying but also a little unsettling being new the completion of a
project that you have worked on for so long. I can’t wait to hear the
completed album…I will get a sneak preview this week. I hope you are
looking forward to it as much as I am.

Blessings,
Katie

Whatever the case may be, it makes me think that there are a lot of artists who aren’t easy to work with, or who appear to be but when push comes to shove, they shove! I was always told as a child how sensitive I was.

I am beginning to see that as a strength as an adult, not only in my songwriting, but also in assessing a situation and the people within it. Sometimes a smile can go a long way during a sound check, or thanking the stage manager, responding to emails, or introducing yourself to other artists involved in an event.

I am well aware I am not perfect – just ask my family who have to live with me every day. I am also well aware that some days are bad ones and we make mistakes…I make many and have had more than one bad hair day! But I hope that integrity is alive and well in the creative arts, especially creative ministry.

People are more important than a performance. I hope more than anything that if my children look back on my ministry when they are older, this will be the legacy they see and experience themselves. I will have to remember this next time I am performing and things don’t go my way…..

Blessings,
Katie .

I am waiting on lots of things at the moment. I am waiting for people to get back to me. I am waiting and preparing for upcoming events.

I feel like stomping my feet and folding my arms and having a good yell like a kid. Maybe I should..I will probably feel better.

I wrote a song called “Wait” which will be on my new album.I think I need to revisit the moment I was in when I wrote that! It’s funny how a song you write years before suddenly can connect with you in a new way in a different time of life.

Maybe I should write another one called “Impatience” or “Fed up”. Maybe I should just be quiet, and be still, and have a coffee, and get over it.

Waiting. Waiting. Waiting. I will sit and play and sing, and remember the essence of why I do what I do. Be strong, take heart, and wait.

Blessings, Katie

I love to sing and connect to God and people.  But my youngest daughter takes the love of singing to a deeper level I have yet to see or hear on earth…maybe only the angels could compete with her. She sings all day, even as she is going to sleep. Nothing holds her back, even her siblings!

She sings in the supermarket, elevators, paddocks, and even awkward quiet moments where silence is expected (recently, the moment in communion when everyone was silently reflecting was shattered by her singing very loudly “Kookaburra sits in the old gum tree…”)

Her singing is full of joy, full of freedom, and full of total abandonment. She doesn’t care what people think, and she doesn’t care if she gets the words wrong. There is one thing that has always happened when she sings, no matter where or when it  is – people smile. It’s like they can’t help themselves. There is something about listening to a child freely sing that reminds us that that is how we are meant to be. Free.

I have learned a great deal from watching my daughter sing. I have learned  how much I have to unlearn. I wrote a song called “Like a child” when I was about 18. It was the title track of my very first album. And as I come back from tucking my daughter into bed where she sang yet another song, her song of joy reminds me how much I have yet to learn.

Blessings Katie

My eldest daughter sobbed for about an hour when she found out. She cried,”It wont feel like Christmas without the carols!” Part of me felt the same way.

It has taken a while to get back into the focus of Christmas, preparing our hearts for the celebration of the arrival of the Christ child. On the night of the schedule Carols event, the kids and I put up the Christmas tree and danced in our pjs and sang for a solid hour to our favourite carols.

It probably annoyed our neighbours, but it certainly lifted our spirits and filled our hearts with joy. There is something about being in community and taking time to sing about the birth of Jesus at a time where everything  else is screaming,  “Hurry, buy, put it on the credit card!”.

It binds us together.

It takes us out of ourselves.

It makes us think.

It can bring us hope.

It reminds us of the source of  love.
May you know the peace and love of God this Christmas.
Blessings,
Katie

During the day we were taking photos at an old country church outside a small town. Suddenly, what seemed like out of nowhere, a very cute dog appeared.

He was well fed and looked after and was probably from one of the various farms nearby. He was very friendly, and very keen on being in nearly every shot. So he is. He ended up spending the day with us.

I think he gives the photos character and life, and a bit of a country dog smell.  I wonder if one day someone will pick up the album and think…”Why is my dog there???”

Sometimes surprise visitors are nice.

Blessings,
Katie

A couple of weeks ago I went to my school reunion, and connected with friends from years ago. In some ways, none of us had changed.

We slipped back into old relationships like we had never been apart. Yet we had been apart, for quite some time, and for many of us there were pieces missing and there wasn’t enough time to fill all the gaps.

For the most part, the weekend was filled with laughter and great memories and I loved it. At times, however, there was a hint of sadness. Sadness for those who are experiencing broken relationships with each other or family members. Sadness for those who don’t want to see each other again because of past hurts.

It has made me realise how much I love people, and how important relationships are. They are worth treasuring through the years. People are worth remembering. Taking time to connect is priceless.

I’m sure there’s a song in that…..

Blessings Katie