Adriel's Music Notes

This site is dedicated to chronicling my music writing journey. Posts include personal thoughts, stories behind songs with links to listen and download these songs for free.

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Goodbye, Old Woman!

December 7, 2015 by Adriel 1 Comment

Retreat Snow 02I had the privilege of going away, up to the beautiful mountains, for our church’s women’s retreat early November. I wasn’t even sure I would be able to go, but through the prayers of faithful saints and by God’s grace, I was able to attend. I’m so
thankful that I did!! I will treasure that time for as long as I can remember. It was one of the most special and significant events in my life. And yes, there was SNOW!!!!

As I shared early this year with you all, the word God gave me for 2014 was “hope”, but to beRetreat Snow 01 quite honest, 2014 has been a very difficult year for me emotionally and spiritually, and I had not felt very hopeful. I’d been looking for it, searching for that hope, but as November approached, I wondered where the “hope” I was supposed to have found was. With just two months left in the year, I wondered if I would even find this “hope” before the year was over … I began to think perhaps it wouldn’t happen.

The theme for retreat was “Shine”, which, more specifically, related to our identity in Christ. God anointed each of the speakers and the message that each one had to share. It was a truly transforming time and God moved in mighty ways in the hearts of the ladies there.

During our very first night’s session, God spoke very clearly to me as I searched my heart in response to what had been shared. He told me that I was to leave the “old woman” behind and not take her home with me. It was one of those crystal clear moments between me and the Lord and the moment He spoke to my heart, my heart was pierced through, because I knew exactly what He was talking about.

You may remember THIS POST where I shared about “The Other Woman”. As much as I had grown in the Lord and found some freedom from the oppression of living in her shadow, I was still comparing myself to how I used to be, still wishing I was better, that I was different. I wasn’t content with how I was. Throughout the year, I’ve struggled with giving up the ideal that I had in my mind for myself. I hadn’t completely let go of the “old woman” and I knew it.

Retreat Lake 04So when God said that I had to leave her up there on that mountain and not take her back home with me, I knew I had some serious business to do with Him, because this decision was so wrapped around my emotions and feelings. I began praying for the strength and grace to say “goodbye” to her, because part of that was hard. I felt like by saying “goodbye” to her, I was losing part of myself.

Retreat Lake 01

The next day, during our free time in the afternoon, I spent that hour at a picnic bench by a pond, praying and journaling. I wrote a farewell letter to the “old woman” and officially said “goodbye” and ended our relationship. I took pictures of that spot, wanting to remember where I left her and the fact that I did. I like to say that I left her at the bottom of the pond.

Retreat Lake 02

Retreat Lake 03

The freedom that came with completely letting her go has been incredible! The burden that was keeping me down is gone. My heart was filled with HOPE as I came away more aware of who I was in Christ, how God saw me, how He was using all my circumstances to create the woman He wants me to be. There is joy in surrender. There is freedom in letting go and fully embracing God’s will for my life, whatever it looks like. In my letter, I told the “old woman” to not come looking for me, because I didn’t want to be her anymore. I want to be who God wants me to be. That is the most important identity I need to focus on. Any other identity is settling for less than God’s best and I’m not willing to settle for less anymore.

Fall Leaves Col 3 11

HOPEful,
Adriel

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“To You O My Strength”

September 4, 2015 by Adriel Leave a Comment

Sun & Trees FinalToday’s song has a very simple story behind it. Written back in 2007, I wrote it right after we opened our restaurant. A few songs came out of that experience, some I’ve shared with you already and this is just another one of them. A little background … I was dealing with similar, but not nearly as severe, health problems before opening our store. Weakness and fatigue were constant companions of mine following the birth of our 2nd child.

Journal entry, 2/17/2007:
“I am pondering the amazing peace I have had through the past 2 weeks with the opening of our store and the tremendous stress. It is completely unexplainable that I am doing so well. I am not getting nearly as much sleep or rest as I was getting. There is no moment of leisure. I am constantly working. Somehow, I don’t feel the strain the way I imagined I would. I know this is the Lord. He has carried me. He is still carrying me. I am so amazed by Him.”

I then include the following verses, which this song is based on:

But as for me, I shall sing of Your strength; yes, I shall joyfully sing of Your lovingkindness in the morning, for You have been my stronghold and a refuge in the day of my distress. O my strength, I will sing praises to You; for God is my stronghold, the God who shows me lovingkindness. Psalm 59:16-17

I hope this song is an encouragement to your heart today to sing praises to the Lord for all that He has done for you. Song and lyrics are below. Have a very blessed day! =)

Singing to Jesus,
Adriel

“To You, O My Strength”
Words & music by Adriel Hong

To You, O my strength
I will sing praises, I will sing praises
For You are my defense
My God of mercy, my God of mercy

(chorus)
I will sing of Your power
Yes, I will sing aloud of Your mercy
In the morning, in the morning
For You have been my defense
You have been my refuge
In the day of my trouble

(bridge)
I will sing, I will sing
I will sing to You, God
I will sing to You

© 2015 Adriel Hong Music

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I'm Adriel Hong and I am a child of God and believer in Jesus Christ. I'm also a wife, a homeschool mom, and a Christian singer/songwriter.

I'd like to welcome you to my music notes, a little corner of cyberspace where I share my songwriting journey, which includes free music, stories behind the songs, personal testimonies, music videos, and my musings. I pray that God would bless you and encourage you through this site and the songs that I am privileged to write down for Him. Check out my blog posts, listen to music, watch a video, or just poke around to make your own discoveries! Thanks for visiting and have a very blessed day! =)

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