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Musician Anna Wolfe met Sean and Anne Ferrell five years ago when she performed at their wedding reception in Jemez Pueblo.

They hit it off and formed a close friendship. When the Ferrells' daughter, Eva, was born in July 2004, Wolfe became "her own personal folk singer."

Eva has cerebral palsy, a condition diagnosed at birth. She can't sit, walk or talk.

Wolfe was touched by Eva and grew to admire the girl's spirit and her family's devotion.

She wrote a song called "Little Mustard Seed" that became the name of a trust that helps pay Eva's medical expenses.

" `Little Mustard Seed' is a song about faith, overcoming obstacles and carrying challenges," Wolfe says.

Wolfe, who lived in Albuquerque for seven years before moving to Nashville to pursue her career, has written three songs for Eva.

Now, she's taking it a step further.

Wolfe returns to Albuquerque on Sunday for a benefit concert titled "Planting a Dream," at the South Broadway Cultural Center, with proceeds going to the Little Mustard Seed Trust.

Wolfe says she believes in playing music as a service.

"It inspires me so much that I can use music in such a way that I can help others," she says.

Sean Ferrell says his daughter "is doing great."

"She has such great personality, great charm and takes the best of every day," he says.

Cerebral palsy is a neurological disorder that appears in infancy or early childhood and permanently affects body movement and muscle coordination. It cannot be cured, but treatment can improve a child's capabilities.

Eva received therapy through an early intervention program funded by the state for children under age 3. Starting in July, her medical care must be paid by her parents.

The Ferrells believe therapy is better at treating Eva's condition than the "medical world."

"The therapy world really believes Eva can achieve," Sean Ferrell says. "The medical world believes she can only improve 10 percent."

Wolfe says the family has influenced her music.

"The kindness, patience and love of her parents really touched me," she says.

And Eva appears to love Wolfe's songs, and the ring of bells, which inspired the singer to compose "Jingle While I Jingle" for Eva.

Wolfe has earned a reputation as a songwriter with moving, original lyrics.

She's recorded five albums, including solos, duos and performances with other bands.

"She puts a lot of herself and her own experience in her songs, bringing hope to people," says her sister, Kirsten Tradowsky, a San Francisco painter who donated artwork to the Little Mustard Seed Trust.

Wolfe's songs deal with spirituality and nature.

"She has been a real role model," Tradowsky says. "She never gave up her dream of becoming a musician since she was eight years old."

At Sunday's concert, Wolfe will play the songs she has written for Eva, and songs from albums including her latest, "My Treasure." A multimedia presentation will play along.

Wolfe also plans to introduce new material and play old songs from her years with the Albuquerque band the Hounds of Carlisle, who will also perform Sunday.

Other special guests include the Grammy Award-winning band Black Eagle, of Jemez Pueblo, and poet Esme Vaandrager of Albuquerque.

"What is going to happen is that people will learn more about Eva and also about cerebral palsy," Sean Ferrell says. "The one thing we want to gain from everybody is hope for our daughter."