Blog

Yesterday, my husband, Paco and Tim went to Chapman studio to master the music.  The final touches were made and voila!, the music was done!  We spent the evening at Paco’s house on his back porch eating hamburgers and hot dogs off the grill while our kids played in the yard.  After 8 months of the funnest work in the studio, we kept on saying, “I can’t believe we’re done.”

I must say, working at Paco’s studio (FJA Recording) has been so encouraging.  His love for Jesus and fear of the Lord has created a safe place for worshippers to record the precious gems of our hearts, our songs.  He is a faithful friend and has served us humbly.  Tim Cone, has an ear for tones and a happy spirit.  These guys are jewels!  I thoroughly recommend them to anyone looking to record a project.

So yes, WE ARE DONE!!  We will start posting about release dates and performances.  Aloha!

Aloha Friends and Family!

Yes, I am back on-line.  The past 3 months have brought much change… namely the release of the Little Songbirds EP.

But just that one event has brought so much pleasant change to our lives.  Hope deferred makes the heart sick, but desire fulfilled is a tree of life!  And our little world is full of life, and fruit everywhere :o)

It has been a life long dream to release my own music, but I never dreamed that I would have so much fun creating kids music.  It has been an a joy to hear so many great stories about how God has used our music to impact other families.

I am in the process of moving my blog over from blogger to wordpress.  I am getting used to the new platform.  Please have patience with me :o)

We are also in the studio recording the full length album.   It has been a blast!  We get to work with some of the coolest musicians in the world.   They are super skilled and they have HUGE hearts… thanks guys (and gals).

Stay tuned.  Keep your eyes peeled for more fun video and pic’s as we document the process of the making of Little Songbirds!

Aloha,

Rachel

I have played the unfinished tracks for some of my mommy friends in KC. Here is the feedback from the first mom, my friend Marisol…So.

It was a beautiful blue sky day here in Kansas City and I decided that I was going to head to the store to run an errand. I was planning on being quick and not being out of the house too long. Before heading into Wal-Mart, I figured it would be a good time to go through the car wash since my almost one year old son, Elisha, was sleeping so cozy in the back seat. Perfect time to get the truck cleaned and vacuumed out. I turn into the car wash, pay my 7 bucks, and head on through to get the truck the long over due bath time she so desperately needed. I figured I go the extra mile and vacuum the interior as well. All this and not a peep from Elisha mind you.There I am. Done and headed for Wal-mart, yes? Not a chance.

Keys are in the ignition, turned, and click-click. Nada. No juice left in the battery. Ugh! This is the second time in one week. I may have actually cussed in my head. I called my husband, Efrain, and didn’t even say hello when he answered. “I’m at the car wash and the car isn’t starting,” I said (or something to that effect). He called Uelese, for the second time this week, and asked for a jump.I felt horrible! I know how tight their schedule is already and here we are calling on them to come and help. But praise the Lamb, they are family. We love them so much. I remember when I called Uelese a few days ago to tell him that Efrain needed a jump and there was no hesitation from him to go and help. I love this family. While Uelese was doing his thing under the hood, I hopped in the car with Rachel and chatted and then listened to some of the songs from the cd they’re working on.

First, I have to say that I was super excited when I found out that they were working on this. As a mom, I am trying to find ways to get the Word into my boys in a way that is fun, but not corny. Now I’m not saying that all kids worship music is corny, but some of it is. Kids get more than we give them credit for. I definitely want music that is going to engage them but not lack the depth that is the Word of God. I mean, this cd has a lull-a-bye that is written from the perspective of Revelation 5 after Jesus opens the 7th seal and there is a 30 minute silence in heaven. Really? Who writes that for a kids cd? And it is beautiful.

I mean, I sat there in that car listening, and all three little Faagutus were in the back seat singing along–singing deep truths that most adults don’t even know exist in the Bible. This is something special people.I was sitting there listening to it and I seriously cannot wait for this to be played in my home. Not only is it chalked full of Truth, but it’s completely Rachel and Uelese–they brought themselves to this. It is kissed with Island groove and this mama is going to really appreciate that on those days where I wish I could be whisked away to an ocean getaway. Any remnant of the islands helps in those days so this will certainly do the trick:o)So all of this to say, it was a little kink in our day, but a a wonderful reminder that our Father is raising up musicians that love Him and are faithful to lay down their agendas and follow Him. This mama is so grateful.

Yoyoyoyoyoyo! (the faster you say it, the funner it sounds :o)  I am so excited!  My friend Mari gave me a huge tip for blogging – VIDEO BLOG!  So for those who don’t have time to read my mini-books, watch this video. (btw, I am neither the world’s greatest photographer or videographer, lol!  So please excuse the poor lighting, fuzzy sound and blurry pics.  I am doing the best I can just to remember to take the camera with me! Enjoy :o)

For those of who do have time :o)  This morning we went to Paco’s studio this morning and tracked the kids vocals for the EP.  EP means a 4 to 5 song snapshot of the full length album (8 or more songs).  It was three hours of recording mixed with mandatory play time on the swing set outside :o)  How else do you keep six year old’s focused for that long?  I wanna say thanks to Kahi, Bella, Lei, Noah, Kristine, Kala’i, Alyssa, Zoe, Mana, Francis, Kamealoha, and Keala.  You guys did such an awesome job today!

Devotional

After finishing at the studio, we ran over to the House of Prayer and got ready for the devo.  A little inside scoop… usually devo’s are 2 hours long.  That’s a long time to play the guitar by yourself!  But today it was only 1 hour, which is completely doable.  I think I was so excited from recording that all I wanted to do was praise praise praise! So as soon as my ears could get adjusted to the sound on the stage, I started in on declaring God’s goodness.

For those of you who are going to go back and watch it, make sure you watch till about minute 43. Side-Note – This is the fun part about our devo’s… everything is spontaneous. We never have a song list. We go on stage with a bunch of songs we could do, but we let Holy Spirit steer us into whatever melodies, rhythms or phrases. At 43 minutes in, my husband motioned to our children and our friends (that had just spent the morning singing for the album, another Hawaiian family here in KC), up onto the stage!! The kids sang with us and it was SO sweet. The prayer room felt like a giant living room for the family of God to rejoice in our Father’s love.

Click Here to Watch the Video