Published May 5th, 2023

Being the thorough person that I am, I recall reading “What to Expect When You’re Expecting” from cover to cover while my firstborn was still in-utero.  But the emotions I’ve experienced this week as we close in on the final days of “normal life at home with 4 children”… yeah, they didn’t cover that.  (For my own health, I need to release this video and move past this week!)  As my children grew and grew (my eldest now towering over me!), I’ve had a growing desire to write a song dedicated just to them.  Kinda like a mother’s last sermon :).  Something from me to them.  Something from my heart to theirs.  But mostly from God’s heart to theirs… (click picture above to keep reading!)

Published April 27th, 2023

We are encouraged by the interest in the recent release of our “Forever Solo Collection”… 10 FBS Solo Favorites!  Check it out if you haven’t already!  So, in addition to that, we’ve been at work putting together FIVE Digital Choral Collections to be slow-released over the course of a few months… and our first one is released TODAY!  We trust this will prove to be a helpful / convenient resource for you all… (click picture above to keep reading!)

Published April 20th, 2023

It’s been a wild ride these past few weeks!  Thank you to all who prayed on our behalf!  Very thankful for the 2 sweetest, “all-in” ladies, Jessica Dexter & Andrea Pabody (our pinch-hitter!), and our awesome video team, Isaiah & Hannah Kazarovich (+Hannah’s parents!).  They all expended themselves so that we could share our ministry in music with YOU in the coming weeks/months!  Throughout the whole weekend, I was reminded that God provided “just enough” … (click picture above to keep reading!)

Published April 5th, 2023

New Sheet Music on the Web!  Traveling with our mixed-quartet group always give me a good deadline for formatting more “newer” songs into the SATB format, and this past March tour was no different.  After hearing these new songs sung (and recorded) in the more common all-ladies format, it is fun to hear them with the mix of male & female voices.  It presents a fun challenge for my composition skills too!  … (click picture above to keep reading!)

Published March 29th, 2023

After a bit of YouTube hibernation, I thought I’d throw out a personal-touch vlog video as a stopgap before our next music video release.  I’m basking in thankfulness for some very helpful FBS “tools” I’ve acquired in these past weeks that have been making my work-life a whole lot easier!  I also LOVE me some life hacks, so why not share them with YOU??  You’re welcome! 🙂  In addition to the random info in Vlog #2, I’m super excited to begin wrapping up a brand new song entitled, “Let Nothing Move You”.  While I sure wish I had this ready in time for Resurrection Sunday this year (!), the truths are year-round gems to hold on to… (click picture above to keep reading!)

Published March 22nd, 2023

So, Eau Claire doesn’t exactly look like the above picture yet… ( actually, it’s pothole season currently, LOL! )  BUT, beautiful weather is so absolutely around the corner that I’m here to wish you a Very Happy Spring!  In fact, it’s Spring Break this week and my house is very, very quiet for a few days while my boys are at the cousins (thanks, Sis!), so I’m doing a LOTTA catch-up after some busy weeks of travel!  And catch-up I must, because we have some exciting projects ahead… (click picture above to keep reading!)

Published February 23rd, 2023

We want to hear from YOU again!  We have appreciated (and acted on) the “general” consensus” of past surveys… thank you!  And we have a few more questions that could help as we continue our music production.  Based on a survey we took back in January 2022, we were intrigued by some helpful statistics:  >> 66% of you (those who responded) listen to FBS music frequently via our YouTube channel, >> 42% of you have attended a “live” FBS concert, >> 20% of you first discovered FBS on YouTube… (click picture above to keep reading!)

Published February 15th, 2023

Do your eyes of faith grow weary at times?  Do you find it hard to hold on to the hope of promised, final victory when all you feel is a sense of belittlement and scorn by our culture? Well, friend, you’re not alone.  The Psalmist also confessed intense, internal battles when his eyes of faith stopped gazing at His God, and rather spent too much time gazing at the fleeting prosperity of the wicked (remember Psalm 73?). Enter one of our most-loved, most-quoted Psalms — Psalm 37. … (click picture above to keep reading!)

Published February 1st, 2023

We’ve been busy bundling!… creating new “bunches” of FBS products that our customers just might find useful!  For those of you who use our Accompaniment Tracks (available with most non-accapella FBS songs), our New Digital Instrumental Albums just might be the perfect product for you!  Bundle and Save with these Instrumental/Accompaniment CDs!  Perhaps you just enjoy instrumental-only music?  Here too, we’ve got you covered!  Our New Instrumental Albums might prove to be great “background music” playing the sounds of Forever Be Sure that you’ve come to enjoy!… (click picture above to keep reading!)

Published January 25th, 2023

Just this past week, I received this note from someone embarking on another journey through a dark valley: “Just a quick note to thank you for your song, “Settle My Unsettledness”.  Your text and victorious-sounding music is so powerful!… your song has been a balm to my soul and a reflection of my own heart’s desire.  Yet, I feel so far from experiencing what you are singing about… my anxiety and fear have taken off and upward.  This is why I’m playing your song over and over again as a prayer to cast down the efforts of the enemy.”  This note held similar sentiments I had received a few months ago, highlighting the same song.  As I reflected, I too needed to revisit this prayer-song.  Recently, it has been no small challenge to “beat down” the army of small anxieties that daily, quickly tramp in and take over… (click picture above to keep reading!)

Published January 12th, 2023

I remember it well… When I was at my lowest, my husband would remind me often, “Heather, surrender to the process.”  If there’s one thing I’ve been learning about myself recently, it is this: I am a finisher. (aka, I don’t like “process”)  I know God can use & redeem this “finisher” trait, but rest assured, it is sometimes a wild animal that needs to be lassoed and tamed.  Hence, “surrendering to the process” when my head is in upheaval is an incredible challenge.  Just wait?  Wait for what?  How long, for Pete’s sake!?  When will I emerge and be done, finished, and on to the next chapter??  Even our kind Father doesn’t give us immediate answers… (click picture above to keep reading!)

Published January 1st, 2023

My God has done “exceedingly, abundantly above” in the Year 2022! (Eph. 3:20)  My faith has been stretched and strengthened, specifically in the financial department, but really in so many way.  Below are some of the many personal & FBS Tokens of Praise from 2022 … (click picture above to keep reading!)

Published December 6th, 2022

Brand New Solo Collection + More Digital Products!  The digital wave is sweeping us all into its current in some way or another… so here at Forever Be Sure we want to provide helpful digital products!  We have more digital collections planned to be released in the coming weeks/months, but for now, check out these great DIGITAL GIFTS below… (click picture above to keep reading!)

Published December 1st, 2022

Christin Kieckhafer has poured out her heart in the composition of this beautiful new FBS piece, “You Will Pray for Me”… When hope turns hopeless, my weary heart grows worn // My pillow drenched in tears for each desire torn // The goodness that I gripped, Your goodness stripped away // Empty hands I lift to You, I don’t know how to pray // The torment in my soul, I struggle to convey // I fear my heart’s deceit; I don’t know how to pray // But You will pray for me!… (click picture above to keep reading!)

Published November 18th, 2022

Need a great sound system?  We are looking for a buyer!  We have a 5-year-old Top-of-the-Line Bose Sound System that is looking for a new home… Church? School? Traveling Ministry?  We have great carrying cases for the system so it is fully portable, though it could also be perfectly adequate as a stand-still system in a chapel, auditorium, or even gymnasium (believe me, it will be loud enough!)… (click picture above to keep reading!)

Published November 11th, 2022

We are making progress, praise the Lord!  Remember, all donations are DOUBLED and Tax Exempt!  LEFT TO RAISE:  Only $4,241 

As for our Congregational Hymns Initiave… I’ve been bit.  Out of the blue, a few weeks ago God brought a hymn-writing webinar to my attention.  We decided this would surely be of benefit to me as a songwriter, so I quickly signed up and dove in.  I’ve been regularly praying this year for the Lord to help shape a vision for the next chapter of Forever Be Sure… (click picture above to keep reading!)

Published November 7th, 2022

The time has begun… The Big Bad Budget Planning Time.  And we are hoping to do some BIG (not bad) things in 2023!  But we need help!  2022 has us behind.  When we “Look Over Our Shoulder” we are both befuddled & blessed.  Befuddled, because who could have guessed the inflation BOOM of 2022 (or the addition of Project Vision God clearly led us to) when we set our budget in January?  Yet, we have also been hugely BLESSED because we have seen more contribution money from more sources than any previous year to date!… (click picture above to keep reading!)

Published November 1st, 2022

I feel like I’ve been on repeat recently.  After probably 2 decades (to my shame!), I dived full hard into a read-it-through-in-a-year of the most precious treasure I own – my Bible.  (I’m a slow reader, but I was sold on the 5-day-a-week plan.  I need those 2 days of grace!)  And I keep repeating… it’s been so. SO. RICH!  And not surprisingly, at least 3 song compositions this year have resulted from this deep dive.  My imagination got the best of me upon reading Exodus 15 as I began picturing what it would have been like after Moses and his band stepped securely on the other side of the Red Sea… (click picture above to keep reading!)

Published October 19th, 2022

From a Mama on bedrest (written a few weeks ago)… “So far we have made it to almost 24 weeks and all seems calm and stable for now. We are praising God for every day and week we stay pregnant giving Baby the best chance at life. Right now I see my situation of hospital bedrest as similar to a deployment with NICU being the front line.  As I wait I am trying to prepare my soul and spirit for the difficult battle ahead.  I wanted to let you know how much “When I Am Home” has meant to me at this time.  Every song is a truth bolus for my heart.  I “Ran To The Refuge” when I was admitted to my hospital room which is on the 8th floor of a literal medical tower.) … (click picture above to keep reading!)

Published October 7th, 2022

I was feeling a little heart-tug to write a little heart-bleed in prose, rather than lyrical poetry.  I hope you get to know the Forever Be Sure ministry just a little better with each “Heart of FBS” article (check out the “About Us” link for more articles)!  Since beginning in May of 2006, here are some things I’ve been learning on this 16-year musical journey so far: It is always profitable to meditate on Scripture.  For years, I would often feel guilty after spending another devotional time “distracted” by lyric writing (often prompted by what I just read!) … (click picture above to keep reading!)

Published October 1st, 2022

Just today (when I began composing this email), I stopped in to visit a sweet lady from my church.  Her body may be showing the effects of cancer, but she is beaming.  And she is beautiful.  She has spent decades, following her young adult conversion, gazing on the beauty and glory of the Lord.  She is harvesting the ripened fruit of a life committed to Scripture memory, faithful church attendance & service, and day by day walking with the Lord of Light.  No wonder she’s beaming!  While life here on Earth is looking bleaker, her “inner man” is being renewed.  Her greatest affections are not tied to this earth … (click picture above to keep reading!)

Published September 23rd, 2022

I waited a good many years, limping along creating our own orchestrations (with lots of help in post-production and grateful contributions from others along the way).  I had only “taught myself” how to play the flute in college, so I basically had no true instrumental experience… and so I wrote what “sounded good” (tee-hee!)  BUT for the past few years, we’ve had an orchestrator! (I feel so cool when I say that) AND a sequencer! (a fancy name for the guy who takes the digital orchestral composition and makes it sound “real”) … (click picture above to keep reading!)

 

Published September 3rd, 2022

Word just in… We have a MATCHING DONOR!  For the duration of our 10-Day Sale, all sales from this event (or even donations) will be MATCHED up to $2000!  We are looking to the Lord as our Great Provider, to help give all necessary funds to continue producing music at our heightened pace!  While a 2023 CD wasn’t in the plans… it looks like that’s where we are headed!  And YOU can help us, simply by hopping on our BIGGEST SALE of the YEAR!… (click picture above to keep reading!)

 

Published August 22nd, 2022

ATTENTION FBS PRAYER WARRIORS! We are embarking on our next Big Project this week: the recording of 6 brand new FBS songs & filming 4 music videos.  The Lord has been guiding the MANY details of this project together (even faster than I had originally thought!).  I’ve planned a good many trips throughout the years, and I’ll be honest, this one takes the cake for details (and my *sad* propensity toward anxiety!).  True confessions… I’m currently in the middle of writing a song called, “Carry Me, Father” (albeit, not stemming from this project :D).  As hard as I try to keep all my ducks in a row, there are times when all I can do is lift my hands and say, “Carry me, Father!”  I’m seeing GOD align the details for this project and I’m grateful that He can be trusted with Big Things!… (click picture above to keep reading!)

 

Published August 16th, 2022

Numbers certainly aren’t everything (believe me, a Christian, Heaven-seeking entrepreneur battles this regularly!), but for what it’s worth, our YouTube Channel has reached a million+ lifetime views!  At a minimum, this “number” tells me that over and over again, people have been listening, watching, and being enriched by Bible truths a whole lot in the past 5+ years we’ve been utilizing this platform!… (click picture above to keep reading!)

 

Published July 31st, 2022

Now the works begins, filling all those pre-order mailing enveloped!  THANK YOU for your support of our ministry and your enthusiasm for the completion of our “When I Am Home” CD!  Though I can’t say for certain when each of the streaming platforms will “go live” with our new CD, August 1st is our official launch date and I assume many will follow this timeline.  Check out our newest album on your streaming platform of choice!… (click picture above to keep reading!)

 

Published July 22nd, 2022

I love book recommendations! With so little extra time, who likes to waste it on a so-so read?  I was tickled to be able to be among the first to pre-read Chris Anderson’s new book, “Theology That Sticks”, then offer this hearty recommendation tucked into the first few pages of his new release: “This book has filled me up with refreshing reminders of Christian essentials needing to be passed on to the next generation… (click picture above to keep reading!)

 

Published July 12th, 2022

Our “When I Am Home” physical CD albums are in production and are expected to arrive at our “warehouse” between July 19th and August 5th.  For now, we are inviting you to Pre-Order “When I Am Home”!  And here’s the incentive… with every New CD order through July, we’ll send you a link to your own FREE DIGITAL ALBUM (1 download per customer/order, regardless of quantity)… so you can LISTEN TODAY!! … (click picture above to keep reading!)

 

Published June 26th, 2022

It was the middle of the night.  I woke in the dark, early morning hours with an unusual weight on my spirit.  We are frail, clay pots in our work for the Lord and sometimes we feel that easy-break frailty more keenly.  Those midnight monsters of childhood just morph into adult-size big-bad-burdens.  Then, as clear as day, I heard the living words in my spirit, “IN DUE SEASON” from Galatians 6:9.... (click picture above to keep reading!)

 

Published June 5th, 2022

Christin Kieckhafer has really put a “beautiful shine” on this well-loved song with a heart-warming message!  Her arrangement of “His Eye Is On The Sparrow” is Christin’s first contribution to the Forever Be Sure collection and I’m so very glad to finally “give it wings” and release it to you all!... (click picture above to keep reading!)

 

Published June 1st, 2022

I think it’s high time to acknowledge who just might be one of the greatest contributors to the Forever Be Sure ministry, and whaddya know, it’s also his 20th Wedding Anniversary!  To me!  (We disembarked from a celebratory Alaskan cruise 3 days ago… pictures to follow on Facebook!)  Yep, we’re celebrating all manner of benchmarks here in 2022!... (click picture above to keep reading!)

 

Published May 17th, 2022

The seed of this vision was planted during our 12-hour drive back from Christmas vacay in Kansas… lots of time on the open road dreaming of 2022!  It became clear that the timing wasn’t quite right at the beginning of the year, but now in May as “spring has sprung” here in Wisconsin, FBS’s PROJECT VISION is also springing to life after much asking and seeking (Matthew 7:7-8)!... (click picture above to keep reading!)

 

Published May 8th, 2022

Though children’s music isn’t the main thrust of our ministry, we DO have a handful in our collection that we’d like to highlight this week!  I can’t believe I’m saying this, but I’m a mom to a SENIOR!  Yes, my kids and my nephews/niece have grown like weeds… the oldest 4 cousins were the little chipmunk voices on our earlier CDs :D.  Over the years, some of the kid-song favorites keep getting picked up, so we’d like to make YOU aware of the few treasures in our collection for those who may be interested!  Below are all our youth-version songs, with one fitting “duet” addition... (click picture above to keep reading!)

 

Published May 1st, 2022

This song is among my most personal.  Forty years is a long time to get acquainted with yourself and your journey, and it’s taken at least 3/4 of that time to fully gain assurance of my salvation.  In one respect, I say this to my shame, for faith is just that… simple belief (upon mountains of divinely revealed truth in God’s Word).  I resonate with the concept of “progressive” sanctification, as much as I firmly believe in a moment-in-time spiritual birth.  Growth in our knowledge, growth in our faith, and a keener ear to the Holy Spirit Who undeniably tells His own, “You are Mine”, is a process, some longer than others.  After 4 decades, the message of this song is undoubtedly my testimony, as well as Peter’s... (click picture above to keep reading!)

 

Published April 19th, 2022

Life is so funny.  Last week I checked “colonoscopy” off my bucket list and this week, BAM! I turn 40!  COULD LIFE GET ANY MORE EXCITING?!?!?!  I guess this means I’ve crested the hill and am slowly “going over”.  I’ve had loads of time to let this reality sink in and, though I don’t consider myself to be a huge party animal, listen here, I made it to the BIG 4-0 and IT’S TIME TO CELEBRATE!  Would you believe it if I said that I’m spending a good chunk of my big day doing what I love… recording music for our New Album!!  Yep, me in my little cubicle singing my little heart out!… ahhh!   I can’t wait to release our brand new CD in a few months, Lord-willing! ... (click picture above to keep reading!)

 

Published April 12th, 2022

It’s been a rough month.  And, no, it wasn’t because of the lack of donuts.  Shockingly, this gluten-free month+ has been so, so much easier than I would have originally thought!  I have simply shifted focus to other foods that have brought near-equal delight :).  And beyond that, I’ve experienced the undeniable benefit of ridding myself of gluten, making travel much more tolerable on my gut, and consequently my mind & emotions.  (I’ll take any help I can get with my emotions, donuts or no donuts!)  So, imagine my surprise when the second doctor (the specialist) told me I was indeed not celiac ... (click picture above to keep reading!)

 

Published April 1st, 2022

Listen up, Ladies!  Buckle up, Brides!  Now the MEN have some words for their quarrelsome wives!!  I’m trying to decide whether today’s video release is mistimed… or perhaps perfect for April Fool’s Day?  It does seem oddly fitting to highlight foolishness today, though the contents of this short little film are no joke!  Ready or not (…and believe me, I’M READY to wash my hands
of filming this much snarkiness…) today, we serve up to you the sequel to the beloved, “Drip Drip Song”.  For your audio and visual pleasure (and hopeful exhortation) we present, “The Men Speak Back”... (click picture above to keep reading!)

 

Published March 16th, 2022

A Fitting Song for Wartime… It has been so emboldening to hear the steady faith of our brothers and sisters in Ukraine.  I’ve been getting regular, forwarded updates written from a missionary living in the heart of the war.  My own church’s missionaries have family over there as well, evoking obvious and great concern for their welfare.  A mutual friend sent the song, “Take Up This Battle With Me” to our sweet missionaries to help strengthen their hearts, as they support their family from afar.  They were so touched by the fitting, urgent message of that song that this video resulted — a compilation of pictures and videos right from Ukraine.  We’ve just released it on our YouTube channel ... (click picture above to keep reading!)

 

Published March 10th, 2022

Well, we are taking a sharp turn from our most recent video release a few weeks ago to announce an upcoming New Release you may find quite enjoyable.  But be warned:  contents of the upcoming video may be a bit “unsettling” :D.  Friends, I cannot E.V.E.N. tell you…  This project has been so long in the making.  My whole heart in making these funny videos is so that they can be shared so that more people can discover our “serious” music collection, ha!  Please help me not be disappointed, LOL!!... (click picture above to keep reading!)

 

Published March 2nd, 2022

Farewell, Sweet Treats.  The phone call came mid-donut consumption.  After 4+ years of worsening joint flare-ups, I finally scheduled an appointment to get the skinny on this very discouraging (debilitating?) occurrence.  Long story short, it turns out I have celiac disease (gluten allergy).  This was the one thing in the back of my mind that would be worthy of closing the donut era for.  I still have a follow-up appointment in a few weeks to figure out exactly what this means for me (after all, I DID finish my 2 donuts yesterday, and I’m still alive to tell about it) ... (click picture above to keep reading!)