The Cathedral Of The Madeleine

This morning I woke up at 4 AM, not to feed my baby and change any diapers. I woke up to practice for a show I'm doing Sunday.  It was a great experience! For a while, I've taken a break from doing any concerts or gigs because of time. When my kids are involved in sports, plays, school, and music, I don't have any time to practice songs or write and play music like I used to, because my time is limited.

This morning while practicing for Sunday I had a sweet reminder that I am a daughter of God with gifts and talents that I need to develop and share.  I was reminded that being a mother is a gift from God, along with writing and singing music.

Before I got married someone once told me a few days before my wedding that my music wouldn't be as good after I got married because I wouldn't have any real life experiences to write about being a stay at home wife and mother, but I have to disagree.  My music and lyrics had gotten more meaningful and intimate. I no longer have a desire to write love songs about disagreements, heartaches or wishing love would come into my life. I no longer write music wishing it will be featured on every website in the world. I write songs to remind people of Christ, and that is the most powerful topic that any singer or songwriter could ever dream. 

Catch my show this Sunday at the beautiful Cathedral of the Madeleine where we can all feel God's love!

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The Sounds That Renew Our Soul

Recently I heard a story of a young girl who was abused from age 3 till she was old enough to leave her abuser and attend college.  After being away from her abuser for many years she was able to live a happy life, free from abuse, fear, and heartache. Later, her abuser died and she was reminded of all terror that he had caused her and she wondered if her thoughts and fears would ever leave her or if he would haunt her mind for the rest of her life.

Luckily she was able to find God and feel the peace of the Atonement of Jesus Christ in her life.  Her thoughts no longer haunted her and she was able to fully forgive her abuser even though no formal closure was reached before his death.  She was able to forgive him after years of waking up as a child wondering if she could live another day.  Because of the Atonement, and faith in Jesus Christ, she was able to live a life free from fear, hate, and shame.  She finally felt at peace.

But what happens during those times of recovery?  Years of heartache and days and nights of sadness, pain, and loneliness?  what about those times when one needs comfort?  We as individuals can't live on our knees all day and spend all our time meditating for 24 hours while putting our jobs, families, dreams, and people on hold or behind in order to fully recover. We have to go on living life.

What about those day to day minutes when one is sitting at their desk, cooking dinner, walking at the gym, driving in their car, etc trying their hardest to erase thoughts, abuse or failed actions on our part that have overtaken our lives, minds, and peace???

I believe that is where music can come into play.  One of the thousands of reasons why I do music is because of this story above and more stories of individuals who are facing trials or working towards positive and effective progression.

If for one moment I can help bring peace, recovery, help or inspiration to an individual through a song, then I have accomplished my dream.  Escaping a tragic past, strengthening a weak spirit, mourning with a heartbroken soul, or inspiring an achiever to keep going and not quitting is a dream I wish to accomplish.

Music fills the space of silence when we are alone. Music silences the noise and creates meditation. Music supports progression, it motivates a tired body, it brings peace to a mourning soul.  Music fills a room with peace when no words can be spoken.

For songwriters who know, we understand that music is not just entertainment, music is a gift from God to fill our souls with peace.

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Priesthood Ordination

My son Soakai was ordained the priesthood yesterday.  In my religion, one of his responsibilities will be to look over and care for people who attend my church. That is a big responsibility for a young 12-year-old boy. But I'm learning that God does NOT ask us to do things when we are strong, He'll ask us to do things when we are weak, that is how he makes us strong. 

Soakai's daily thoughts will now be directed towards the members of our church. "Who will need my help today? What can I do for this person? Who should I help with the 1-hour block I have? etc..." His thoughts will no longer be focused on himself, they will be focused on others, they will be focused on God. 

I do NOT want Soakai to spend all his time being obsessed with sports, money, music, video games, fame, fortune, women, cars, or worldly things. I want him to be obsessed with a Love for God, charity, and education. In a world that says put ourselves first, I pray he'll do the opposite because happiness has never come from what we have, it comes for what we do. 

Ofa Atu Son ❤️! Thank you for choosing God all day, every day! You are my gratitude post today & forever. #GodSpeed #SoakaiAston #MaxineSoakaiMusic #AaronicPriesthood#RestoredChurchOfJesusChrist 

#CharityNeverFaileth 

Learn more about the priesthood @  https://www.lds.org/topics/aaronic-priesthood?lang=eng

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Happy Thanksgiving! Gratitude Post 🧡

When Derek and I were engaged I remember getting into a big disagreement. I remember thinking I didn't want to deal will his issues, I didn't want to deal with his culture or his beliefs anymore. I was done.  I remember walking into his apartment (like I have always done) ready to break the news.  As I walked into the living room I saw him sitting on the couch reading his scriptures. Suddenly a thought came to me that said "when Derek is in trouble he turns to me.  What more could you ask for?" The "me" was referring to was Christ. I then knew that my issues, the culture I created, and my beliefs were more of a problem than he was, and if I were to marry him I'd be the lucky one.

Since then I have tried to keep up with Derek. My energy and efforts are spent following his great example.  Derek's quiet spirit is sharp and his heart is pure. If I could do half of the things he accomplishes in a day I'd consider my day a success! But that is not what keeps us together, it's the moments I don't want to pray or study my scriptures to find myself walking into a room seeing Derek kneeling in prayer with my 4 kids, or reading the good word to them. It's those moments I think "what more could I have asked for?" Derek believes in something greater than ourselves. He believes in a higher power and he knows it's real. Derek will never know the great work he does inside and outside our home but then again no great leader does. Today Derek Aston is my gratitude post because "what more could I have asked for?" Thank you for being who you are!  Forever mine @astonderek 🧡  #HappyThanksgiving #GratitudePost #DerekAston #MaxineSoakaiMusic #RestoredChurchofJesusChrist #TrustInGod

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Joseph Smith

Many people write in journals expressing their personal thoughts and feelings about life, love, etc.  I do the same, but instead of writing on paper my journals are written to music and recorded.  It's not an easy task!  Sometimes it's taken me years to document one event and other times a few minutes.  Either way, I have been able to express all my feelings into songs.

My recent journal is a story I hold very dear to my heart! It is my testimony of the true story of Joseph Smith, the prophet who restored The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints.

While many people may not believe that a 14-year-old boy could speak to God, I ask why not? If God can appear to Moses, Joseph of Egypt, Abraham, Isaac, Mary, Martha, Ester, and the list goes on, then why not Joseph Smith?  

The great thing about life's greatest questions is that we don't have to sit and wonder.  We can ask God.  So I ask you to ask God for yourself if this story is true.  I did, and ever since the day I found out, my life has profoundly changed.  

To me, my religion is my life.  If you were to take my religion away from me what would I have left? 

Please! Listen to the song! Read the story, and ask God to know for yourself if it is true.

Thanks for reading my blog! and please leave a comment or two!

Until Next Time,

Ofaz 💙

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Trust In God Song

Good and Bad News! After working hard on my church's young women's fundraiser, I've come to find out that my church leader canceled all fundraisers for the year. The good news is that I'm going to give away the song for free for a limited time only. Until then check out the music video "Trust In God" and leave a comment below. Thanks in advance for watching!!!

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Trust In God Song

Recently I wrote a song called "Trust In God."  I'm excited to release this Trust In God song because the youth in my church is singing it. I donated this song to the girls in my church to sell online. With the money, they raise they will use it for weekly activities and girls camp.

It's a fantastic feeling to hear other people sing my song.  I love hearing the youth on this song because you can feel their sweet spirits. A lot of these kids have committed their lives to God. They spend a lot of their time training for sports, studying for a school test, and helping people along their way. I feel so blessed to have these young men and women sing on this track.

Right now I'm finishing up the music video for them. I've been driving all around town filming people who have put their trust in God and have succeeded. I can't wait to share the music video and song!

If you've had an experience or story of when you've trusted God, and something amazing has happened, I'd love to hear about it!!! Post it below.

Until Next Time,
Ofas ;)

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