Yep! We are happy to announce the Portraits of White 2021 Christmas Show is ON!  Frances shares WHEN & WHERE this delightful event will take place, as well as the process behind choosing this year's venue. The scripture and journal entry for this week come from John 14, "Let not your heart be troubled." Life can be stressful, even when you're pursuing your dream. Choosing NOT to let your heart be troubled is an important part of living life!  

Brand New Me

Brand New Me # 118 Ding Dong the Show is ON!

 "Why did you start the show?" [Portraits of White] "You said you want it to be a personal experience. Why does that matter to you?" These two questions from a fan of Portraits of White are probably the most special to me of all the questions I've been asked. Beyond the fancy dresses, wonderful musicians, spotlights and set design, there IS a very passionate longing in my heart when it comes to this beloved Christmas show. Basically... How we experience Christmas matters to me. We all have a longing to find our "home," especially during the holidays.  "No matter how dreary and gray our homes are, we people of flesh and blood would rather live there than in any other country, be it ever so beautiful. There is no place like home." — L. Frank Baum (The Wonderful Wizard of Oz) For years, I struggled with the holidays, emotionally. Thankfully, I had a physical home, but there was a sadness that seemed to plague me at Christmas.  In fact, I almost gave up on Christmas. Frankly, I secretly dreaded the holidays. Fortunately, Christmas didn’t give up on me. The more I share my own story, the more I seem to encounter others who have felt this way too…or perhaps, still do. My solution to this “problem” was to create a grand Christmas concert experience where people could come together and enjoy a professional show with a home-town feel.    

Brand New Me # 117 What Really Matters?

You have an idea. You start to make plans. Suddenly...your idea seems to take over your life...like a tornado. That's how it has been for me. I'm still learning to find the balance between following through with an idea and not letting it run over me, especially when it comes to Portraits of White. While I was planning this incredible show, I was also working through some spiritual issues around my doubt of God's love for me. In this episode, I share more excerpts from my journal to give you hope and let you know you're not alone. We make plans, but God orders our steps. We take comfort in that!  

Brand New Me # 116 Blown Away by a Tornadic Idea

It all starts with a dream, as some say. Nashville says it all starts with a song. Either way, if it's a dream, you have to get out of bed and get dressed. If it's a song, you have to get out your pencil and paper, or at least your recorder. Then you might want to play it for other people, put it on an album, put it out on iTunes. You can't just lay around and "think" about these things. In this episode, Frances shares a few words of advice about following your dreams and continues sharing excerpts from past journal entries.  Read blog post here. View this week's YouTube video here.

Brand New Me # 115 It All Starts with a Dream

Kitchen renovations continue and Frances reminds us of how beautiful we become in the midst of soul renovation. Peek behind the curtains as Frances continues to share from her journal and her life about becoming a "Brand New Me".  Also, can you be a farm girl and musician all at the same time?   

Brand New Me # 114 Farm Girl Fascinations and Musical Fantasy

Kitchen renovation, journal entries and what it's like to travel with Frances and "Dorothy" from "Kansas" to their dream kingdom of the Emerald City, are all part of this fun episode. For Dorothy, it's the land of Oz. For Frances, it's Portraits of White. Join Frances (and Toto) as they let you peek behind the curtain and share how following your dreams can really bring about transformation from the inside out! Subscribe to Frances' YouTube channel to "see" the journey as she posts weekly updates. http://www.youtube.com/francesdrost  

Brand New Me # 113 Welcome to Kansas!

What is true love? Everyone craves it. Where do you get it? In this episode, we'll continue delving into what it would be like to feel loved for who you are, unconditionally. I'll be sharing a passage that I've been meditating on recently and give you some of my thoughts on what true love is and how it's changing my life. This episode also features the song "Don't Quit" from the album "Brand New Me." You can purchase the song here.  

Brand New Me # 112 What Is True Love?

How would you live and act if you believed you were loved unconditionally? I know I would live differently!! "The love of money is the root of all evil." I believe that the lack of love in our lives is the root of all offenses.   In this episode we'll tackle this question about feeling loved. It's the backdrop for my song "Inside Things" and you'll get to hear why I wrote that song in the first place. It all has to do with LOVE! This week you can vote for the song "Inside Things" on Global Rising Song - a contest that's been developed for songwriters to help raise money during COVID. If you vote for my song (giving $1 = 1 vote or you can give $1,000 and I'd get 1,000 votes), this will contribute toward the music I write and keeping the lights on during this season. Contest ends Sunday, 2.21.21 @ 9:00 PM CT. http://www.globalrisingsong.com - look for Frances Drost "Inside Things" and cast your votes.

Brand New Me # 111 If You Felt Loved!

Do you have a broken friendship? Can God mend it? Listen as we discuss the challenges of friendships and the background of the song "God Can Mend."

Brand New Me # 110 God Can Mend a Wounded Friend

If you could sum up your life in three words, what would you choose?  Hear the story behind the song "God is Faithful." Learn more about having a personalized song created for you or someone you love: http://www.francesdrost.com/musical-creations/ Subscribe to my YouTube channel: http://www.youtube.com/francesdrost

Brand New Me # 109 God is Faithful

Wearing red lipstick underneath a mask is problematic...and other things I'm learning about being a musician during COVID!

Brand New Me # 108 Half-Make-Up

You have been gifted with something special. It's unique to you. It's your "coin". Do you know what it is and are you using it?

Brand New Me # 107 Coins

Do you ever feel like you're NEVER enough? Me too!

Brand New Me # 106 Enough!

Special announcement on this episode!    

Brand New Me # 105 Break Time!

Dan Difava, photographer and founder of StigmaPeople.com was so discouraged with life that he attempted to end it, five times. But he was unsuccessful each time. After suffering a terrible car accident which left him with 2 broken legs and other serious injuries, he decided to give photography a try. Inspired by a program on Netflix (while he was laid up) his life began to take an interesting turn as he combined his story with his new-found love for film.  Your heart will be touched as you listen to this honest and hopeful story. It's a beautiful example of stirring up your creativity—which is exactly what we've been talking about in the most recent series. Be sure to visit Dan's website @ http://www.stigmapeople.com. You'll also hear a beautiful new song that you probably have never heard before. "Love Works Wonders" was written by professional songwriter Robert Sterling. If this podcast touches you somehow, please share it with a friend and let us know too! We love to hear from you @ brandnewmepodcast@gmail.com

Brand New Me # 104 Dan Difava "Stigma People"

Frances Drost and Pam Fleming feature stories of ordinary people who have lived through extraordinary hardships and challenges. These people have emerged a "brand new me" in spite of the circumstances and their stories will bring you hope for your own journey through life as we glean lessons they have learned along the way.

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Brand New Me

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