“Story is what connects us as human beings, and Frances Drost draws you into speculating about your own life stories. How does one dream up a song, a piece of art, a cure for disease? What is the story behind an event, a moment of joy or grief? Frances has a gift for story that marinates spiritual, philosophical, and experiential ingredients and creates a musical concoction of miracles. You will enjoy reading how her music was birthed and how each birth created new life within her.”–Joanne F. Miller, Author of Creating a Haven of Peace, Artist, Speaker

How does one dream up a song? Joanne asks a great question. For me, it wasn’t just about the ‘how’ of songwriting, but the ‘why.’

Why write a song? Because it helps me solve emotional mysteries—and maybe it can help others do the same. It took me decades to fully grasp how powerful that process can be.

Introduction to Portraits of White: Hope and Inspiration for Those Who Struggle with the Holidays

In the stillness of my music-filled sanctuary, I find myself drawn to the ancient words of Psalm 49:4. The verse speaks of listening carefully to many proverbs and solving riddles with inspiration from a harp. The words offer me an intriguing hint. My heart harbors many complex unsolved riddles. The notion of music serving as a remedy for these intricate dilemmas fascinates me. Awaiting resolution, I am ripe for the embrace of inspiration.

As a songwriter and musician, I am increasingly intrigued by the power of music to uncover wisdom and solve mysteries. When I sit at the piano, it’s as if I play the role of a musical detective, piecing together clues and finding answers to the questions that linger inside me. The authors of Psalm 49, the sons of Korah, seem to have observed this truth long before I started to recognize it in myself. They were on to something.

In the secret realms of my spirit (and music studio), I am gradually beginning to understand the powerful key music holds for unlocking the mysteries that plague me. With each note played, I am not just learning how to improve my technique: I am learning how to solve riddles, emotional riddles. In my quiet times, the piano becomes my faithful companion, guiding me through the complicated maze of my emotions. I am training my heart to pay attention to the musical patterns I play, guided by the Holy Spirit’s nudges.

Holidays hold a certain sadness for me, but I can’t quite grasp why. It’s one riddle that often consumes my thoughts. At the age of 33, I made a daring decision to confront this enigma head-on, even though I had no idea where the journey would lead.

With resolute determination, I set out on a mission to decipher the cryptic truths behind the melancholy that overshadowed the holiday season. Along the way, I noted the twists and turns, the moments of revelation, and the whispers of divine guidance that would ultimately lead me to the answers I was seeking. The notes revealed them- selves in the form of songs. Unbeknownst to me at the time, the songs would become an album—Portraits of White—an audio journal of my courage to confront the riddles of Christmas.

My book, Portraits of White: Hope and Inspiration for Those Who Struggle with the Holidays, unveils the twists, revelations, and divine guidance that shaped my path toward understanding. It is a collection of stories, reflections, and song lyrics that emerged from my intimate moments at the piano, inviting you to witness the culmination of years of struggle, reflection, joy, pain, and revelation. With each twist and revelation, I found answers I didn’t know I was seeking, and now, I invite you to witness how those discoveries unfolded through songs that became part of my journey—and maybe part of yours too.

To receive a free download of Miracles, the song that started me on my journey of solving my own holiday puzzle, click here.

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