But the path of trust is not one easily trod, and my path toward a completed CD has been no different.

From the beginning, the project was decidedly of the underdog movie variety — small and independent with all the odds of the music business stacked against it, as well as the unfortunate reality of me as the largely incompetent main character.

The project also demanded I render myself essentially unemployed for a summer and hope for project grant funding that would perhaps never come — and all in the middle of my plans to transfer to a European graduate school this fall.

The only reason I began even considering such a task was due to a family connection that opened up the possibility of working with an amateur, though capable, producer.

While this project matched my abilities and desires and was within my reach, I resisted until I was convinced of one thing: it was something God was asking of me.

So I chose to record an independent album, in place of holding firmly onto what I am told are the plans of the wise: working to pay for your education and not biting off more than you can chew.

In May, when I officially began the project, I had no funding, no recording equipment, no business experience and no communications knowledge.

I would like to be able place myself among the Abrahams of Scripture and say that since making that decision, I have not looked back nor had reason to do so. But it wouldn’t be true. Abraham left his homeland at the age of 75 and, childless and married to an aging, barren wife, trusted that God would number his descendants like the stars; I was asked to record songs, and, while I chose trust, I also doubted much.

Funding didn’t materialize as I had hoped and the project timeline was no longer realistic.

But God is faithful, and strong in our weakness. Because of His love, creativity and wisdom, this originally ludicrous project has unfolded more beautifully than I could have planned. Not only have I a body work with which I am deeply satisfied and excited to share, but God has worked profoundly in me to mould my heart more perfectly into one of trust, hope and faithfulness.

And on Nov. 1, if the last pieces of the project come together, I will be happily releasing my debut album, Lyrics of a Woman.

(Wolfe, 22, will be pursuing a Master of Sacred Theology degree at the International Theological Institute in Trumau, Austria, this fall. Samples of her music and information about her summer project may be found at www.kathleenclairemusic.com.)