"Before that I had two miscarriages," Jessie says. "I've found out that it is a lot more common than I had thought. I was devastated because I was not emotionally prepared for something like that. I think as women we need to share experiences, to prepare our minds."

The experience deepened her appreciation of Janessa, she says.

"I always loved the time I spend with Janessa," she says. "But she was my medicine. She was the rock that helped make it better."

And it taught her another lesson: "It's easy to get busy, to be ambitious." And that is good, she says, "but that's not everything. You also need to appreciate the simple pleasures of life."

The CD contains other songs that contain that message and help put our lives into perspective.

"I think we've chosen really great songs that will appeal to everyone," she says. "I hope it will take people on a journey where they will be inspired, edified and encouraged."

Working with her husband was a special experience, she says: "Luckily, he functions well in chaos. We usually have Janessa here while we're working, so it can get crazy."

For Jim, too, it has been a fun project.

"She's easy to produce," he says. "She knows how to sing so that makes my job easier. And we've gathered an 'A' list of arrangers, which makes the work less stressful."

Jim knows what makes a good song (after all, he co-wrote "Buy Me A Rose," a huge hit for country singer Kenny Rogers), and he's pleased with this collection.

Another favorite on the CD is a duet with Don Beck of "The Prayer," the David Frost, Carol Bayer Sager song.

That's a beautiful song, says Doyl Peck, executive producer for the album and owner of Sounds of Zion, who has worked with Jessie for six years now. "She's a great talent. She's great to work with. She's passionate about music, but she's focused in other areas of her life as well."

It's been fun to watch Jessie develop, adds Earl Madsen, who works with artistic development and album coordination at Sounds of Zion. "She's really found a sense of who she is and what she wants to say."

And that message is about as far away from Britney Spears as you can get.

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If you go . . .

What: Jessie Clark Funk and Alex Boye
When: Saturday, 7 p.m.
Where: Woods Cross High School
How much: $11 in advance; $15 at the door
Web: www.jessieclarkmusic.com

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E-mail: carma@desnews.com