30 EP + Turning 30 + Livestream Album Release!

Hi! For those of you who don’t know this, I turned 30 on October 21! That being said, let me tell you a cool little story about some of the amazing gifts God gave me for my birthday…

After I released the full-length Cloud of Witnesses album in June, I was not planning on releasing music again anytime soon. I was happy with what I had done and felt I had accomplished all He had asked of me up to that point, but almost exactly a month later, I felt the Lord whisper to me:

The last four songs you wrote could be an EP.

I was genuinely surprised and excited! I made a note of it in my journal as a really cool idea and felt I’d revisit it when I got more clarity.

Almost exactly a month later AGAIN, (random, but after being really inspired by a Joan of Arc movie) it was like this idea was illuminated clear across my mind by the Holy Spirit:

The last four songs you wrote could be an EP, you could call it 30, and you could release it on your 30th birthday.

I was SHOOK and in immediate agreement. Again, this was not on my radar at all!

I decided to strip the songs back and release them just like I wrote them – in order, with just my vocal and guitar.

Four songs, written in 2020, 2021, and 2022 and recorded at Church St. Studios in McKinney, TX by Caleb Connaway:

Sense of Direction (2020) – Based on how 2020 felt, as well as most of my 20s. Wondering where I was going and how I was going to get there, but knowing that the Lord was not cruel and didn’t have me on pause, even when I felt like it. We’re constantly moving forward and gaining maturity in Him as we seek Him. No time spent with Him is wasted or in vain.

Fragile (2021) – This song came out of a conversation with my mom in which she told me, “If it’s God, it’s not fragile. You can’t mess it up.” I felt the Lord speaking to me that His glory is not fragile and He’s going to have it ALL in my life. He wants it more than I do and He is GOING to have it. I cannot mess that up – especially when my heart is to honor Him in all I do.

Laughing Again (2022) – Written out of Psalm 126 when I was in a really discouraged spot. The Lord began to speak to me – “This is not where your story ends. You’re going to laugh again.” Just like the Proverbs 31 woman, our inheritance is getting to laugh at our future with Jesus because He is the One who laughs at the plans of the enemy and will truly redeem all things.

Sweeping Me off My Feet (2022) – This is a long story, but if you listen to the song, you’ll hear the synopsis. 🙂 Seven years ago I learned that God’s healing sometimes looks different than we think it will. Just like T.D. Jakes says in his INCREDIBLE book Crushing, going through surgery may feel the exact same as being stabbed by a knife, but the reality is, one is hurting you and one is healing you. It’s all about our perspective. When it feels like we’re falling, the Lord is actually sweeping us off our feet and into His love. 🙂

So, that’s what became the 30 EP – a 4-song acoustic EP about how it has felt to transition from my 20s to my 30s – and how it was released on my birthday! A gift from God to me, and I pray to you as well. 🙂

Apple Music

Amazon Music

Spotify

YouTube

I also was able to do a REALLY special worship night/album release party that doubled (or tripled?) as a 30th birthday party at my home church of 5 years, UPPERROOM Frisco! 🙂

I shared the stories and songs from my Cloud of Witnesses album (plus a couple from the 30 EP) and worshiped the Lord through them with my family and friends!

I loved being able to honor Him on my birthday. Livestream of the night below! I hope you enjoy it. 🙂

God bless you!

Amanda