One Year Anniversary of the Nashville DHT

Wow- I cannot believe that this weekend is the one year anniversary of the Nashville Do Hard Things conference!!

Check out some of my posts from last year about the conference here...

Here is a very happy post from a few weeks before the conference.

In applying for Lipscomb, I had to write an essay. I decided to write it about the conference! As I wrote it, all of the memories were coming back. It was SO amazing to see God working on our behalf!! My friends, we serve a FAITHFUL God.

Here is a little recap of the days leading up to the conference and several days after!

A few weeks before the conference, only 300 people were registered.

July 27th- the count was 452.

August 9th- here is part of an email from Rich, the national conference coordinator.

"Awesome numbers came through the weekend!!

Over 300 registrations came in.

We are now at 1025 pre-registrations + Scholarships = over 1040.

Our estimate at this time could be 1400 to 1700."

I definitely remember screaming with joy when I read this on one of the Greystone Kitchen computers :) It was stressful being in North Carolina during the last two crunch weeks!

We had been praying and really pushing all of our publicity efforts. God heard our prayers!

August 13th- part of an email I sent to my publicity team:

Hey friends!

We are home! Whoo hoo! We had two very intense and amazing weeks at camp!

WOW!!! I cannot believe that tomorrow is the big day! Y'all- God is SO amazing! He has done so many mind-blowing things! The last registration count (this past Monday) was over 1040! WOW!

PLEASE READ THE FOLLOWING EMAILS!!

I am looking forward to seeing y'all tomorrow!!! (and p.s. I am exhausted... ~:-)

See you bright and early tomorrow!

If you have any questions/comments/problems/thoughts please let me know!

Blessings!!!!

Lily :o)

Three important emails about tomorrow:

From Christina- the prayer coordinator

Hey Everybody!

We are REALLY close! The finish line is in sight. God is on the move! To God be the glory!

Alright, now down to business. I have decided to volunteer all of you and all of your teams. :) We need volunteers to pray in the prayer room and I need to know when people are available. PLEASE let me know when you are going to have people to spare at various times in the day AND when you are available. We're hoping for even just 15 minutes of time - but we will take 5 if need be! Alot of the Captains are preparing schedules of their team's assignments. Feel free to pass those along. :)

Thank you,
Christina

From Meagan

Below is the updated plan for Friday and Saturday. Don't forget to pray at 6:00 today!

Please print this out and show it to your parents and your ride!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Side Note:

An interview went out on Channel 4 today at 1:15 and just to let y'all know how amazing God is: Less than an hour later Alex Harris got an email from a woman saying that she and her daughter saw me on Better Nashville and signed up for the conference!

Here's the link:

http://www.wsmv.com/video/24581389/index.html

Thank you for all y'alls prayers!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Revised in Red:

The Plan

FRIDAY:

Arrive at the church at 3:30; come into the main entrance -- building #2 (opposite side of the highway)

Work, work, work and pick out t-shirt. Caution: the pink shirts and the blue with the wheat are smaller than normal t-shirts. Get at least one size larger (I got two sizes larger).

Eat dinner: We'll be brown bagging this one. So bring your dinner and we'll have cookies and waters for y'all

Work till it's all set up!

Out by 9:00

SATURDAY: (wear DHT t-shirt)

Arrive at 7:30am (Yea! 1/2 hour more sleep!)

Doors open at 8:00

Conference starts at 9:00 (Y'all should be able to hear every talk, missing maybe the first and last 10 minutes.)

Lunch: You will have to eat as you can. The Bookstore, the Refreshments, the Touch Team, the Prayer, and the Hospitality Team will still be operating; most of the teams. Yea for shifts!

We have Bluecoast Burritos donating (hopefully 38; at least 25) meals and Chick-fil-a donating 38...be praying! Any meals we don't have donated will be provided for by Sholeen (my wonderful mother!)

Last lecture ends at 4:45

Sanctuary doors at 5:00

All doors close at 5:30

We break down

When everything is back to normal we can head out and go to bed! Should be out of the building by 6:30-7. It depends on how fast y'all move!

SUNDAY AND MONDAY:

SLEEP!!!!!! AND PRAISE GOD THAT EVERYTHING RAN SMOOTHLY!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

We did it! Set-up is tomorrow and we are going to have a conference!! Thank you all for all you help! There would be no conference (definitely no calm conference) with out each one of y'all.

~Meagan

August 14th- the big day! We had just gotten home from two weeks of hard work at camp the night before and I was SO EXHAUSTED. The day was kind of a blur! We got over to Two Rivers and I could not believe that after a year of planning and work, the conference was about to happen!! We had a team prayer and then it was time to start registration! It was AMAZING to see people start flooding in- we were praising the Lord! There were SO many people! We even had to open up the balcony!

Pictures!

Conference!

Sweet friends!

One of Jared's cool book displays
Tshirts! (I remember at one point I went under the tshirts table to find more tshirts in boxes. It was quiet under there, very unlike the madness in the church's foyer :)

Johnna, Brett, and Lily after dinner with the coordinators and Rebelution team

August 16th- email from Meagan:

Thank you, thank you, thank you! Y'all were amazing this weekend! The set up on Friday went smoothly and Saturday was astounding.

God is so good! Everything that had issues was resolved in a matter of minutes! We give Him all the glory!

We had so many complicates from Joseph, the speakers, the Two Rivers Facility, and the attendees. They all told us how wonderful the volunteers were!

It was such a blessing to be able to bless others and have God work through us! God was everywhere and people could tell!

May God bless you for your work,
~Meagan Wuest

Coordinator for "Do Hard Things" Nashville Conference

When we got the final count I could NOT believe it. Actually, I could! :) --> God is so good!

August 19th- here is part of an email from Meagan, the head Nashville coordinator:

"Rich said that the numbers at the conference were close to 1500! Can you believe that just 2 weeks before the conference there were only 360!

God is amazing!"

Some thoughts and thanks... :)

I was (and still am!) SO incredibly thankful for my AMAZING publicity team! They helped spread the word, came to meetings, helped find a facility, gave up their time, handed out brochures and posters, talked to churches, called restaurants, made PR statements, got us interviews, kept going when pastors and secretaries hung up on them, did not get discouraged, came from another state, worked on their birthday, prayed, and more. They were willing to do whatever! They helped with registration, the bookstore, refreshments on the day of the conference- guys, you were amazing. I could not have asked for a better publicity team! Thank you thank you thank you!!!!

Ashley Rogers, with the Rebelution in Oregon! Ashley was WONDERFUL. She encouraged me and gave me great ideas for publicity! After every call I had with her I felt 100x better and ready to get back to publicizing :) She prayed for us and was always willing to help. Thank you so much, Ashley, for everything you did for us (and me)!!!

The whole Rebelution team from Oregon- thank you all so much for coming to Nashville!! It was such an awesome conference! I am so thankful that you guys came to Nashville!! Thank you!!

The other Nashville coordinators!! Guys- I am so blessed that I got to work with you all! You guys are FANTASTIC. Registration, bookstore, refreshments, prayer, facility, hospitality, and touch teams- you rocked!! I so enjoyed getting to know you guys and planning this conference together!! Thank you so much!!

To my dear family and friends- who always were cheerful and encouraging! Thanks to everyone who was supportive and positive when I was overwhelmed and stressed (sorry to the people I freaked out on... :). Thank you for praying for me, encouraging me when I was upset about negative responses from churches, getting excited with me, giving me ice cream... :) Thank you so much for helping me! I love you all!!

And, most importantly, a thousand thanks to God- our faithful, loving, and merciful King!!! Thank you for using us to bring this conference to Nashville!! To You be ALL the glory!!!

There is SO much more I could blog about!! I could go on and on! It was one of the best experiences of my life! This was something I will never forget! I am so blessed that I got to be part of the Nashville Do Hard Things Conference!!

I just want to remind you that God is FAITHFUL! He will provide! He is in full control of everything! He hears the cries and prayers of His people!

Be blessed today!

In awe of our King,

Lily

The Rebelution- 2011 Tour!

Also check out the website here.

~coming this afternoon, a special Mother's Day post!

Wednesday Love

Time for some Wednesday Lovin'!

~A New Dress a Day- this adorable gal made a challenge a few years back to make 365 items of clothing, $365, 365 days! So fun! I love seeing what she makes! :) (I especially liked this one)

~this painting by Monet. One of my friends posted it on Tumblr and it brought back many memories! We used to have a print of it in our house. I remember one time Dad and I painted our own version :)

~ The Rebelution! Registration is open for the conferences this year! This may be their last year of conferences- so I HIGHLY recommend going to one!

• OFFICIAL TOUR 2011
• - Winter Park, FL :: June 18
• - Williamsport, PA :: June 25
• - San Diego, CA :: July 9
• - Portland, OR :: July 30
• - Lenexa, KS :: August 6
• - Greenwood, IN :: August 27
• - Baton Rouge, LA :: Oct. 15

From the registration site (see link above)

TO REGISTER BY MAIL:
Download registration form above.

Simply fill out the form with the names of those in your party and mail it in with your check to:

Noble Institute/DHT
P.O. Box 2491
Gresham, OR 97030

CONFERENCE REGISTRATION DEADLINES:
Pay attention to the pricing deadlines below to save up to $10 per person. Prices begin at $30 and jump $5 at each deadline.

Early Bird Preregistration ends 28 days prior to the seminar - $30 per person

Preregistration ends 14 days before the conference - $35 per person

Standard Registration ends on the day of the conference - $40 per person

*Prices are subject to change without notice.

Orlando - June 18th
Early Bird ends May 21 - $30 / person
Pre-Reg ends June 4 - $35 / person
Standard ends June 18 - $40 / person

Williamsport - June 25th
Early Bird ends May 28 - $30 / person
Pre-Reg ends June 11 - $35 / person
Standard ends June 25 - $40 / person

San Diego - July 9th
Early Bird ends June 11 - $30 / person
Pre-Reg ends June 25 - $35 / person
Standard ends July 9 - $40 / person

Portland - July 30th
Early Bird ends July 2 - $30 / person
Pre-Reg ends July 16 - $35 / person
Standard ends July 30 - $40 / person

Lenexa, KS - Aug 6th
Early Bird ends July 9 - $30 / person
Pre-Reg ends July 23 - $35 / person
Standard ends Aug 6 - $40 / person

Greenwood, IN - Aug 27th
Early Bird ends July 30 - $30 / person
Pre-Reg ends Aug 13 - $35 / person
Standard ends Aug 27 - $40 / person

Baton Rouge, LA - Oct 15th
Early Bird ends Sep 17 - $30 / person
Pre-Reg ends Oct 1 - $35 / person
Standard ends Oct 15 - $40 / person

GROUP DISCOUNTS & FREE PASSES FOR GROUP CHAMPIONS:
The Do Hard Things conference is designed to be acted upon by clusters of three or more families willing to walk together in the adventures of life. Therefore, to get the most out of your weekend, try to recruit a few like-minded friends of your family to attend with you. Group Discounts are available.

GROUP PRICING:
For groups of 10 or more, register together and receive 10% off conference registrations.

For groups of 10 or less, please enter individual names and add them to your cart. For groups of 10 or larger, you may adjust the quantity of your order, this option will not allow you to enter individual names. On the day of the event you will check in at the "Group Registration" table and you will be given the number of entry passes you registered for. It will be the group leader's responsibility to keep track of the entry passes.

REFUND POLICY:
If you need to cancel your registration prior to the conference you will get a full refund to your credit card minus a $10 processing fee. But you must cancel at least three weeks prior to event date. If after attending the conference you are unsatisfied for any reason, your registration fees will be refunded in full (minus a $10 processing fee) with no questions asked.

PAY-WHAT-YOU-CAN POLICY:
The Rebelution Tour will never turn anyone away for lack of funds. Email usfor more information. Please include (1) sufficient details to demonstrate eligibility for scholarship, (2) the number of registrants in your family, and (3) the amount you can afford to pay.

Wednesday Love :: Very Belated

Hey friends!

Hope you are having a lovely weekend! Wow! I cannot believe the weather! It is glorious! I think it's in the 60s! It is craziness that we had snow this past week!

Yesterday was the regional meet! Makos got third overall! Whoo hoo! My cut for the 100 breaststroke was a 1:29:99. When I got the cut it was 1:28:?. I really wanted to swim under the cut! I was so excited when my time was a 1:27:99! I was at the pool from 10-5:45. A very long but good day! It was nice to chat with lots of fun friends :o)

This past Thursday was my last January swim lesson. The kids had to go to the deep end, which was a pretty big deal! Everyone did it and did a great job! I am so proud of my munchkins!

Wow- I have not posted my Wednesday Lovin for two weeks! Whoops!

So here it is :o)

1. PluggedIn

PluggedIn is a ministry of Focus on the Family! It has fabulous media reviews- movies, videos, tv shows, music, and even games- that are from a Christian perspective! I always check PluggedIn before watching a movie I don't know a lot about! Check it out! Also see their FamilyRoom!

2. RBCN on Vimeo

Check out the videos of the preaching and teaching at my awesome church!

3. Etsy

Wow. Etsy is an amazing site with everything homemade you can think of! So fun!

4. Pandora!

Free Internet radio!

5. Do Hard Things Tour 2011- from here

The Rebelution Tour 2011

Many of you have emailed us to ask about locations for the 2011 conference tour. Well, the wait is over! Below is the official (tentative) list of dates and locations:

Orlando, FL — June 18, 2011

Philadelphia Williamsport, PA — June 25, 2011

San Diego, CA — July 9, 2011

Portland, OR — July 30, 2011

Kansas City, KS — August 6, 2011

Indianapolis, IN — August 27, 2011

Baton Rouge, LA — September 17, 2011

We think the 2011 conferences will be amazing. We’re excited to return to two cities where we had incredible conferences in past years, and we’re excited to bring the tour to five new cities — including Orlando and Philadelphia Central PA!

Of course, all of these dates and cities are subject to change. We’re hard at work to nail down details, sign contracts with facilities, and recruit local teams. If you’d like to help out, please email us at info [at] therebelution [dot] com.

Keep checking back over the next several weeks for confirmed dates and locations, as well as registration. We’ll update the website as soon as we have those details.

2011 and Beyond

Since the first conference in 2006, over 50,000 teens, parents, and youth workers have gathered to be inspired by a message and a movement that is so much bigger than any of us. This year marks our fifth annual tour — possibly the last.

This is not to say that the Rebelution is coming to an end. Doing conferences has been an incredible privilege for both of us. We’ve been able to work with rebelutionaries across the country, spread the “do hard things” message to thousands of our peers, and see God change hundreds and hundreds of lives.

But we always knew that the day would come when God would call us to step into new seasons and new challenges — continuing to “do hard things” and live out the message of the Rebelution by building on the foundation we laid in the teen years.

But the Rebelution isn’t over. At each of the conferences this year, we’re going take some time to talk about the future, for us and you. Whether you’re entering the teen years or leaving them behind, we hope you’ll join us as we strategize about the future of the movement — and the future of our generation.

Do Hard Things Conference Nashville!!

Johnna, Brett, and Lily after dinner at Chilis
Makala, Sarah, Brett, Maddie, and Kay
Lily, Hannah, Brett, Mom, Cara, Julia, and Jessie Rae
Alex and Jared
With Alex and Courtney

Megan, Hannah, Mara, and Lily
Conference!

One of Jared's cool book towers
tshirts! Ahh good times chucking tshirts across the table, me going under the table to find more shirts.... :o)
Yeahhh bookstore!!

We had 1500 people at the conference!!! God is so good!!

DHT

Here is a great email (one you could send to your friends!) from Ms. Lana Thornton!

Hello Friends and Fellow Parents,

On Saturday, August 14th, Alex & Brett Harris, home schooled, 21 year old twin
brothers from Washington state, creators of the Rebelution are bringing their Do Hard Things Conference for Christian teens to Nashville at the Two Rivers Baptist Church across from Opryland. http://www.tworivers.org/im-new/map---directions

This is an amazing, powerful one day Conference for teens that we want to be sure you know about, with the hope that you will encourage your youth to attend or even organize a group and bring them! You won't be sorry!

As parents of a teen, we attended a Conference last year and found it to be so awesome we wanted to tell you about it. We are not a part of the Do Hard Things ministry nor do we receive any thing from them for doing this. We just want you to know about this great Conference for teens coming to Nashville!

Here is an explanation of the Rebelution and Do Hard Things copied from the website:

The official definition of the 'rebelution' is "a teenage rebellion against low expectations." When you look around today, our culture does not expect much of us young people. We are not only expected to do very little that is wise or good, but we're expected to do the opposite. Our media-saturated youth culture is constantly reinforcing lower and lower standards and expectations. Read more about the Conference here: www.therebelution.com/conference

Do Hard Things Conference is led by dynamic Christian twin brothers, Alex & Brett Harris, who have authored a best-selling book by the same title,

http://www.dohardthings.com, and also have a web site and blog called The Rebelution. www.therebelution.com.

Their oldest brother, Joshua Harris, author of "I Kissed Dating Good-bye", pastor of Covenant Life Church in Gaithersburg, Maryland will be joining them in Nashville and speaking at this Conference as well.

Their next older brother, Joel, is the worship leader of the Conference. Joel has a music studio near Portland, Oregon called the Northwest Worship Academy: http://www.therebelution.com/conference/worship_10.htm.

The Conference is not sponsored by Two Rivers Baptist, it is just the site of the Conference. Alex & Brett's presentations are non-denominational and thoroughly Biblical!

We'd very much like to encourage you to make plans to attend this Conference! Consider bringing your family and friends, bring your Church's youth group to the Conference! Why are we suggesting this? Because we attended a Do Hard Things Conference and experienced the presence of the LORD and a powerful outpouring of the Holy Spirit which impacted all the teens we were with!

These guys are Biblical, sharp, engaging, and challenging to Christian teens. Their presentation is also evangelistic and many young people have come to Christ through these Conferences.

They're high tech, too. Everyone attending the Conference is given an electronic keypad to record answers to questions within their presentations and the results are flashed on the big screens. It was like nothing most of us had ever attended and was very intriguing to all the young people there who are so technologically savvy.

But most important of all, it was powerfully Christ-honoring, spiritually challenging and encouraging for teens. And that is why we want to make sure you know of this opportunity right here in Nashville!

Please read what Alex & Brett's Dad, pastor, author, & speaker, Gregg Harris, has to say to parents in his Letter to Parents from the Rebelution web site:

This conference may be one of the most effective things you will ever do to motivate and inspire your teen to grow up and live competently for the glory of God. If you check out the Rebelution website and blog you will see what I mean. This is no teen pizza feed. It is a revival.

Here is a little more from the web site about the Conference:

The Do Hard Things Tour invites you to explore some radical questions:

• Is it possible that even though teens today have more freedom than any other generation in history, we're actually missing out on some of the best years of our lives?
• Is it possible that what our culture says about the purpose and potential of the teen years is a lie, and that we are its victims?
  
• Is it possible that our teen years give us a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for huge accomplishments -- as individuals and as a generation?
  
• And finally, what would our lives look like if we set out on a different path entirely -- a path that required more effort but promised a lot more reward?

We describe that alternative path with three simple words: Do Hard Things.

The pre-registration ends on August 7th and the registration fee will increase, but the Conference has a pay-what-you-can policy. So if you can not afford the fee, they do not want you to miss the Conference.

Here's the info on this:

Pay-What-You-Can Policy: Nobody is turned away for lack of funds. If finances are the barrier for someone let them know about our pay-what-you-can policy. Have them email us at info@therebelution.com and explain their situation. We'll take it from there.

They also have a discount for groups of 10 or more which register together. The Group discount allows you to receive 10% off conference registrations.

Parents, we hope you will encourage the youth you are training and shepherding, in your family, in your co-op and support group, in your church, to attend the Do Hard Things Conference! Why not organize a group and attend together?

What a GREAT way to launch into this up-coming school year!!

Thanks for reading this! Hope you & your young people, your youth group will come to Do Hard Things!

If going to the Conference isn't possible for you, perhaps you would forward this e-mail to your friends and fellow parents, your Youth Pastor or Youth group? Thank you for considering this request!

Blessings,
Claiborne & Lana Thornton
(a Dad & Mom excited about the Do Hard Things Conference coming to Nashville!!)

Thankful- He is faithful!!

Hey friends!

Well, wow! I am so thankful! God is really working on our behalf for the conference! We have had lots of good news today! I would like to share some of that with you and also a shout out to several amazing people!

1. We are working to get interviews!!

2. Joy told me that both Trevecca radio stations want to promote! She is also getting in touch with Baja Burrito regarding food! She also wrote us press releases and has done so much more!

3. Johnna gave me the contact info of a lady at the Fish whom I will be calling tomorrow!

4. The registration count as of yesterday was 452! It went up almost a 100 from last week!

5. We have made a prayer time- we all pray for at least one minute for the conference at 6 PM central time. This evening we were out shopping but I stopped to pray at 6. God really heard His people! I got calls/texts from Ms. Pam about the interview, Joy about the radio stations and food, and Johnna about the Fish all after that time! Prayer is very powerful!

I could thank SO many more people! My whole team has been so amazing! Bless all of you!!!

Everything is beginning to fall into place!

My friends- we serve an AMAZING and FAITHFUL God! Wow! He is so wonderful! Praise Him!

God is good. :D

Feeling very encouraged and awed at the amazing God we serve,

Lily :o)

DHT Nashville!

Have you registered for the DHT Nashville conference? If not, go to:http://www.noblebooks.org/rebelution_store/rebelution_conference_10.html

Also, we are very excited to announce that Joshua Harris will be at three DHT conferences this year, including the Nashville conference! http://www.therebelution.com/blog/2010/07/josh-harris-at-atlanta-nashville-and-dc/

The current registration price is $35. More on pricing:

GROUP PRICING:
For groups of 10 or more, register together and receive 10% off conference registrations.

PAY-WHAT-YOU-CAN POLICY:
The Rebelution Tour will never turn anyone away for lack of funds. Email us for more information. Please include (1) sufficient details to demonstrate eligibility for scholarship, (2) the number of registrants in your family, and (3) the amount you can afford to pay.

Are you already signed up for the conference? Are you interested in helping with the altar call? Email me!

Also, check out the spread the word page! http://www.therebelution.com/conference/promote_10.htm

Hope to see you at the conference!

Please feel free to contact me with any questions!

Blessings!

Lily Scott
DHT Nashville Publicity Coordinator

Update!

Hey friends!

Whoops! I have not blogged in a while! We have been very busy!

This past weekend, Friday-Monday, we went with the Dodds to the lake! It was so.much.fun!!!!! We went to Dale Hollow Lake, about 2 1/2 hours away, and near the KY line. We went tubing, went swimming in the lake, drove around in the boat, hung out at the lake house, did fireworks and sparklers... Pictures to come! I need to upload them! :o)

My dear mother and darling Ms. Kathy threw me a surprise party last week on Monday night! I was totally out of it and very much surprised! It was so much fun!!!! :D Ms. Kathy did an AMAZING job and it was so incredibly lovely!! The food was delicious and everything looked amazing! It was so wonderful and fun!!

Yesterday I had SO.MUCH.FUN with my dear friends Jenny, Mimi, Elaina Joy, Anna, Sarah Beth, and Julia (Cara has been a little under the weather). Anna is leaving for camp for a month tomorrow and gets back while we are at camp. Sarah Beth is also starting a camp tomorrow! Anyway, we went to the Frist to see the Chihuly and Couture exhibits! Ahhhhmazing!! We LOVED both!! If you have not seen them, do so!! The Frist is free for guests 18&under! http://www.fristcenter.org/site/visit/admission.aspx . And of course we spent like an hour in ArtQuest! :D

Well, conference work is going well! I emailed 20 churches the other day and will do a follow-up on Monday!

I am so excited to share that you can now order free brochures, download the flyer, and watch the new promo video on the website! Check it out!

I am also so excited to share with you some news about the conference! Joshua Harris will be at three DHT conferences this year, including the Nashville one! From his site: (http://www.joshharris.com/2010/05/the_do_hard_things_tour_2010.php)

The Do Hard Things Tour 2010

5 Comments

My brothers Alex and Brett have invited me to participate in three stops of their Do Hard Things Conference tour this summer. These events, designed for teens and their parents, call young adults to reject our culture's expectations for the teen years and to get serious about faith, family, and future. Alex and Brett both share challenging messages. My brother Joel leads worship. In my session I'll be sharing the message ofDug Down Deep and exhorting teens to build their lives on truth about God.

Here are the conferences that I'll be part of:

• Atlanta, GA - July 24, 2010
• Nashville, TN - August 14, 2010
• Washington, DC - September 25, 2010

I also have some sad news. :'( Please be in prayer for the Harris family! Here is the blog post from the Rebelution Blog.

Goodbye, Mama

Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live, and everyone who lives and believes in me shall never die.” — John 11:24-26

At 8:00pm (PDT) this evening our mother, Sono Sato Harris, went to be with her Savior. She went peacefully and painlessly. We all grieve, but we have hope. We rejoice with her — and we eagerly anticipate our reunion with her someday.

Fourth of July represents something even greater to us now, true freedom for our dearest mother — from a body wracked by cancer and life in a broken world.

Tonight, as fireworks lit up the sky, we like to think that they celebrated a life well-lived — and a recognition that it is not death to die, that we can still rejoice.

Our older brother Joel, who leads worship for the Rebelution Tour, wrote a song for mom yesterday called “Goodnight, Mama.” The lyrics beautifully capture our last several months with her — and are included below.

GOODNIGHT, MAMA
Written July 3, 2010

Walking through your door, sitting on your bed
Talking about everything together
We’ll talk into the night, till everything seems clear again
And there’s only one thing left to say…

Goodnight, mama, I’m so glad that you’re here to talk to
Sleep well, I’ll see you soon
Thank you, Jesus, for a mother who pours herself out
Always something more to do

Walking through you door, bringing you your food
Talking about how you slept last night
We only have a little while, till you need to rest again
And there’s only one thing left to say…

Goodnight, mama, I’m so glad that I got to see you
Sleep well, I’ll be back soon
Thank you, Jesus, for a mother who poured her life out
Please fill her anew

Walking through your door, to see you one more time
Thinking about all the times we’ve shared
Not much longer now, because He’s calling you home
And there’s only one thing left to say…

Goodbye, mama, I’m so glad that I got to know you
Farewell, I’ll see you soon
Take her, Jesus, to a place with no pain or sickness
To heaven with you

Copyright © 2010 Joel Harris