Timely Manner

Feeding off the urge to write for my blog this evening and not quite sure what I wanted to say, I log onto my blog only to see that exactly one year ago today I had that same urge brewing inside. I had a desire to tell the world what I was destined for. Looking back I see that it was a time of awakening. A time that’s arrival could not have been more on cue.

I remember that night all too well. Standing behind the counter of a hotel front desk, hearing the clock tick as I watched an empty building sit in silence, I wrestled with my heart to keep quite a little while longer until my shift ended. A desire to write music, play instruments, and sing began to roar uncontrollably in my belly. At that moment the only thing that would tame it was to make this desire known to the world. I felt the Lord say to me, “Make it known; write it out for all to see.”

 Reflecting on this memory, I am reminded of every feeling from that night. I don’t think it is a coincidence that the exact same emotions welled up in my belly again this evening before realizing that this night took place precisely one year ago today. Why is it that I was in need of being reminded of this? As I ponder on a few possible answers to that question, I have to declare once more that I will one day find myself conquering that dream, the dream I wrote about on November 19, 2011. Although not every detail was wrote out, my heart was shown that day and I know without a doubt that I was created just for this. It shall come.

In this year I have walked a journey that has pushed me to grow. Since that night, I began writing music again and I have not stopped. I constantly find myself writing a chorus here, a verse there and at times finishing a whole song. I have braved performing my songs in front small crowds at open mics (I am not a fan of small crowds. I love performing to large crowds. The bigger, the better!) and have learned to allow myself to be raw when writing. I did not see then where I would be a year later, but what I see from looking back is the opportunities that knocked and I answered.

I hope that a year from today I am able to look back once again and see that I grew even more in many ways. I hope that new opportunities knock and I answer. I pray that this feeling of excitement never leaves and that you experience the great joys of your desire. Write it out, make it know.

“Write the vision and make it plain on tables, that he may run who reads it. For the vision is yet for an appointed time; But at the end it will speak, and it will not lie. Though it tarries, wait for it; because it will surely come, it will not tarry.” Habakkuk 2:2-3 (NKJV)

All the Small Steps

March 20. 1:29am. Today is just a normal day, with me going about my normal business. Work. Sleep. Work again. In this moment I’m running the night audit here at the hotel, so I have absolutely nothing better to do than think while I wait. In the mix of all my random thoughts, I get stuck on one in particular….. I’ve come such a long way since this time last year.

            It was then I had not touched my guitar in about five or six months. One sentence changed my life so drastically that I laid down my gift as if it was never meant to be. I was in this place where it seemed like I had nothing to live for. Music came so naturally, there was nothing else I thought about being, nothing else I’d rather do.  I saw the vision for my life and was running hard after it until then. I was so hard on myself. Believing that I sucked at everything to do with music; I couldn’t sing, I couldn’t play guitar, I just sucked at it all so why bother.

            Man. I look back and I can see it. I see the hurt and the pain. It’s heartbreaking to bring back to mind what I felt then when I see where I’m at now. I wish I could speak life into myself then, from the future of today that I am strong, fearless and aint nothin’ gonna stop me from reaching my dream. I recall something urged me to begin playing again around May-ish and I slowly wrote some music in the summer. Then In November at the Taylor Swift concert is when I was truly awoken to my dream again. (You can read about that in one of my earlier blogs.) It’s been said that “Every seed dies before it grows” and that is exactly what took place.

            Here I am. A YEAR later and I’m wrapped up in so much music its crazy! Two weeks ago I got my new guitar! I have been waiting forever for it! And I am in love. Last week I played in a bar at my first Open Mic and was asked to come back! Haha. It was amazing. I sang two of my own original songs, straight from the heart. I’m destined to play in front of the secular crowd! There is this energy, this rush I feel that is different from when I play in a church setting. There is something about it that I am so drawn too. Where I’ve always felt like I would be in the “world” singing; it’s true.  I LOVED every second of playing in that bar, I could’ve sung all night. I had the best time, and I can’t wait for more opportunities to open for me in that way.

            I am currently still leading worship at an all women’s home group every week. Love doing that and I love interacting with the ladies. I have grown so much since I started that in November.
           

            I am writing so much! Every time I turn around a new chorus just flows out. I keep trying to finish one song, get distracted in the middle of that and out comes a new catchy song! It’s crazy! Ha. I love every step of the process. If it comes to mind, please pray that creativity just flows out. That I am able to finish all of my songs I have going on here; that the right melodies and lyrics and chords come out. Most importantly that Papa just shows up pouring out His heart in the whole song. That He speaks the deisres of His heart for His children into my spirit. (:

            My excitement is just building up! There is so much happening. I’ve come such a long way in one year. These doors may seem small… but they all lead to where I’m headed. All the small steps add up. I am so thankful and grateful for all of my friends and family who support me in every way possible. You make this adventure more fun and exciting. Thank you for all of your prayers and encouragement.  You are loved beyond measure!

Much Love xoxo,
Morgan Rayshell

The Beauty of it All

Day 11.

Three hundred and fifty-five.

The number of days left in this leap year.

That’s plenty of enough time…

for you to be you.

When the world tries to make

you something you’re not

…simply say no.

Stand up for who you are.

Fight for what you believe.

Chase after the things you love.

Never pass up the chance to be YOU.

-------

Around a month ago the Lord began to tell me about the victories His people would be walking through in the New Year. Victory is here for those who have continuously walked through many trials in the previous years.  Victory is here for those who want it. He then went deeper to explain that the victory for me will come when I am my true self, when I walk in the person He has created me to be.

He began to tell me that a rose is victorious because it blooms into the magnificence He fashioned it to be. The beauty of a rose stands out because it simply does not try to take on the form of any other flower. I then see the image of Him relating that rose to me. My beauty stands out when I am myself. Trying to be someone I’m not takes away from His creativity; the thought He put behind perfecting me in my mother’s womb. When I know who I am, I begin to walk in His confidence. His confidence allows me to concur anything, becoming victorious.  

My resolution for the year: Be me.

Victory is here and I won’t let it pass by.

"To be yourself in a World that is constantly trying to make

you something else is the greatest accomplishment."

Ralph Waldo Emerson

A Thousand Horses

          With passion of a thousand horses pawing the ground, fervently waiting to be set free, I remain patient to hear the soft spoken words of the chief who will lose the reins without delay. I sit here almost unable to contain all this zeal inside of me. I see the endless possibilities all around, the freedom to roam in the territory He has placed me in.  It’s almost as if His grip has become tighter, amplifying the anticipation so that when the time is right, I will jolt full force into this new area of freedom. 

Many thoughts cross my mind as I am consumed by all of this. I’m no longer just thinking about the big picture of it all but now taking notice of the smaller details. I’m following my heart to ask you to pray with me on some of them. Here’s what I’m seeking after…

1. The name I want to be known as

2. The genre of music to go into

3.  Wisdom and discernment

4. Songs to come forth

5. Vocal lessons

6.  Finances

7. Anything else He leads you to pray

            I can’t thank you enough for taking the time to say a prayer or two for me. I thank all of those who spend time praying already, for sowing so much into my dream. Prayer is more valuable than anything else to me. Thank you for always lifting me up and encouraging me whenever I come to mind. I pray that Papa blesses you in every way possible. I speak that you will prosper in every area of your life. I speak existence into your dreams and visions! May you never lose hope nor lack passion or the determination to see it through. Blessings, blessings, blessings!

 Much love xoxo,
Morgan

Sticks and Stones

I’ll never understand how a negative remark can shatter a person’s world, no matter the amount of people cheering one on. Sure it may not happen to some people and it doesn’t have to happen; but for some of us it has. It was around this time last year that I had not picked up my guitar in nearly three months. I didn’t play, sing or write any songs; I purposely laid them down and walked away.

            It all dates back last year to a day in September when I was told the songs I’ve written did not meet a certain standard. Maybe it was stated in the wrong way, or I took it differently than what they intended; fact of the matter is, I took it hard. Suddenly I felt like I wasn’t accepted, that I’d never go far with music and that in all honestly, I should just hang it up. Why pursue my heart when I’m told what I do is not good enough? I held tight to this for months. When friends asked how my music was going and if I was still writing, I’d say it’s going great and that I am writing a lot. Truth was, I hid this hurt so well they never questioned my response. It wasn’t until around the end of April that a mentor of mine asked me how I let a single blow knock me to the ground; when in reality this was nothing and I could have brushed it off and kept walking. I stopped in mid-tracks to the thought of this… Wow, she was right. I choose to take an offence and let it get to the point where I walked away from everything I believed in, dreamed of.


                Time went on and I began to walk in excitement of my dream again, throughout the summer I was writing songs and leading worship for different churches. By the time October came around just two months ago, I was becoming more and more excited about my music career. I had this feeling of knowing something big and life changing was coming my way. November hit and a friend of mine bought me two tickets to a Taylor Swift concert coming to Charlotte! I remember specifically praying that morning asking that God would bless me in a way that I never saw coming. And sure enough, He did! I decided to take my little sister and another amazing friend of mine bought a ticket as well to join the party. The day finally came for her concert and the moment Taylor came out on stage to sing her opening song, I became emotional. I was thinking, “What the heck Morgan?! One, you never cry. And two, this is a Taylor Swift concert for cryin’ out loud.” Haha. But there was a reason behind it all. I was in an arena, surrounded by 14,500 fans. This was my dream. When Taylor took the stage, I saw myself. I knew that it would not be long until I was where she is at; where my favorite sound is screaming fans and I’d travel the world to play at sold out shows; where the songs I’ve written would be sung throughout the day and be played over the radio. I turned with teary eyes towards my sister and said, “I’m crying,” only to hear that she was as well. My other friend turned to us and said the very same thing. They both began to tell me that they too saw me up on that stage, and that it wouldn’t be long. This stirring I had been feeling in my belly was my dream awakening up inside of me, but this time it was no longer a dream…. It was becoming reality. Three days later is where the writing of my first blog takes place.


                This story leads to a few things I’ve had heavily on my heart recently. To begin with, never let anyone or anything stop you from accomplishing your dreams, no exceptions. When you believe so strong what’s in your heart, use this passion as determination to see it through and never give up. If you fall, there’s always a chance to get back on your feet and pick up where you left off. Which leads me to what I feel is most important in this story. Forgiveness. Had I not been reminded of this from my mentor back in April, I would have never been able to move on. I would have stayed in that same place of hurt, swimming in stagnant water. However, I got before the Lord and chose to truly forgive this person. Love entered in and I was set free. The waters started to stir once more inside of my belly and I began to write and sing for the first time since September 2010. The waters never stopped stirring and here I am, walking through doors the Lord has begun to open for me. Scriptures say, “For if you forgive other people when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you.” -Matthew 6:14. I believe that right now we are in a season of forgiveness. It has been coming to my mind for the past month and I’ve heard several others talk about this subject as well. It is important to release those who you have held offences or bitterness against in your heart. In order to obtain liberty and walk in the fullness of God, you must truly forgive and release. The freedom you receive from this will allow you to walk through the doors you have been waiting for to open. I leave you with this…

I dare you to forgive.

Much Love XOXO,

Morgan

Run Baby, Run

Write this. Write what you see. Write it out in big block letters so that it can be read on the run. This vision-message is a witness pointing to what’s coming. It aches for the coming- it can hardly wait! And it doesn’t lie. If it seems slow in coming, wait. It’s on its way. It will come right on time. – Habakkuk 2:2-3 (The Message Bible) 

            I was given this reference the instant I clicked “post” to make my new blog public. A women who I had not met before spoke to me and quoted this verse. I was blown away by what was taking place in that instant. The desires of my heart, the dreams I have and the places I see myself going was just written out for all to see. Never had I shared so much detail with anyone, I just had this urge to write out the personal details of my dream that I only spoke about with God. My heart came out in that first blog. I didn’t know why I had that feeling; the only thing I knew is that it was time to share it with the world, not knowing who was going to read it. As I kept talking with this woman, it turned out to be a divine appointment. Doors began to open for me and music! 
 

Continuing on with my week, I lead worship at an all women’s home group and this happened to be my first time leading at this particular one. Before I began, the leader had everyone pray over me and give prophetic words. Everything, I mean everything was spot on. I had just shaken these ladies hands for the first time, they didn’t know me from Adam, and here they were prophesying about the very same things that had happened two days before. Giving me words like, “Doors have been opened for you; You have just witnessed a breakthrough for yourself; Songs are now being downloaded to you through dreams; Your time of preparation is now over, be ready to run.” God is moving, I know! I can so feel it!

Since then I am now in the process of perfecting songs I’ve written and writing new ones. Whether it is a full CD or just a demo CD to start off with, I have plans to begin some sort of recording in the coming months. This may begin as early as January or wait a little bit until around May or something. It all depends on the Lords timing, and so far, judging by how fast He was with music when I posted that blog, it may be sooner than later! Literally, I didn’t see this coming, nor had I expected it; I simply wanted to write about the journey I was beginning to walk on.

I have seen myself reach a breakthrough this week. I hold tight to that verse, believing every word to be true. I know this is just the beginning of what is to come for me. The timing could not have been any more perfect… I've taken the time to stretch and warm up, now it is time to Run.

Much Love xoxo,
Morgan

There's a First for Everything...

Well... I've never had a desire to have a blog.... nor did I have a desire to write in a journal, but I started one a year ago that I write in almost daily. So heck. Why not? Here goes to trying something new. I feel like this is a more convenient way of telling tales about my life. So welcome and enjoy. (:

The names Morgan. Grew up in a small town in Michigan and I currently reside in South Carolina. My favorite color is red. I want a jeep... and a big dog to take on rides. I’ve been alive for 20 years. Family means the world to me. I’m very much a home body, there’s no place like it. I’m always up for an adventure; especially with my close friends… it’s where memories are made. I’m an early bird, I love the mornings, but that also means I fade after 10pm, not a good thing when you have night owls as friends. Not sure what my favorite genre is but right now I’m currently in love with Taylor Swift and The Civil Wars. Taylor pretty much inspires me in every area possible. My dream house would be in the country surrounded by nothing but farm land and hard woods with a lake and mountains in the backyard. I love everything about farms, the horses… cows… I would like to pet a long horned cow; it’s on my bucket list. I work at a hotel and also on the side, I am an RA for the girl’s college dorm at the University I attended and graduated from this past June. Looking through my phone I know many Josh’s, Julies and Elizabeth’s… if one of them is you, feel awesome because I just thought about you. I fully believe in everything about Sunday afternoon naps, they are and always will be the best. I love them. Speaking of love, I've been in love once. Greatest feeling one could have; to love and to be loved. I’m no expert at it but I know what I felt was real. Fall is my favorite time of year, the best part about it is leaves changing colors and drinking hot chocolate by bon fires creating the perfect s’more. My life dream is pretty big. I dream of being a singer and traveling the world. I love everything about music. I wish one day to win Grammy’s and other music awards. I dream one day to be a CoverGirl and be interviewed by talk shows like Ellen; she’s one of my favorites. I dream of walking the famous Red Carpet. I dream of being a new voice for society, one that brings life and encouragement. I feel called to be this kind of influence. And right now… I’m just on the journey that will take me there. I will one day see all of this happen. I’m just in the beginning steps of walkin’ it out…

I like knowing that you were interested enough in what I had to say to keep reading, which in the long run wasn’t really a whole heck of a lot. Someday I will enjoy laughing at myself as I read my first blog. Haha.  Thanks for reading! Love you guys.