What A Year!

2011 has truly been a year to remember.  In all honestly, I feel like I was just sitting here recapping 2010!  This year has flown by, but has not been without event.  I have to say that it has been one of the most growing years for me spiritually.  God has grown me through the valleys as well as on top of the many mountains of 2011.  Looking back, I had no idea that this year would hold so much for me.  We never do predict these things well. :-) 

~Major Events of 2011~

**Started school at Skagit Valley College.  Big change for me after taking several years off after highschool.  I am thoroughly enjoying the challenge musically and academically. 

**Began new ministries, primarily that of working in our church print shop.  I absolutely LOVE this ministry! 

**Embarked on my first missions trip.  Staying in Thailand for three months was an experience I'll never forget.  I learned so much in that little amount of time. God opened my eyes to so many needs!  It didn't take long after being there for me to fall in love with the people and the culture.

**Saw a dear friend married and another close friend join the military.  Miss you guys!!! :-)  Meanwhile, God has provided given me new friends throughout the year and I'm so grateful for them. God is so good to me.

This really just scratches the surface.  Knowing what I do now about this past year makes me so curious about 2012.  What changes will ensue?  I know that whatever happens, God's plan is perfect. 

May your 2012 be filled with God's blessings!

Blessings ~ Friends

Can I just say that God is so good to me?! As I said in my last post, I've been a little lean with my blogging.  Part of it is just not feeling inspired to write.  But the truth is, I've been blessed with SO much!  I really do have a lot to write about. 

God has really blessed me in the area of friends.  Lately I've had several friends leave for various reasons (moving away, military, etc.) yet I still find myself surrounded by a group of Godly people with the same desire to serve Him.  There is nothing like a friendship that is grounded in God's Word and service to Him.  I feel abundantly blessed in this area with those who are close and those who are thousands of miles away. 

It's very easy to get our eyes focused on what we have lost or what we don't have.  Why not open our eyes to what's right in front of us?!  How has God blessed you today?

Slacker

Yes, I've been slacker of a blogger as of late.  I don't even really have a good excuse.  School is out. Life has slowed down.  I guess I just haven't felt like writing.  Not that things haven't been exciting.  :-)

Usually I convey my excitement for Christmas much sooner.  I have to say, being so busy with school, Christmas really snuck (sneaked?) up me! Usually I have nearly all my shopping done before Thanksgiving.  This year I hadn't remotely thought of gifts by Thanksgiving.  In fact, I just finished yesterday.  BUT....I finished. :-)  I guess it's a good thing that I'm starting to get excited about Christmas since it's in less than a week.  I have all sorts of goodies I plan to make this week and get this. I actually have time!! :-D I sincerely miss baking so I look forward to spending some quality time with my apron. haha

It's a relief to be done with school, but I have to say that was the most fun quarter so far!  It's so much fun to take classes that are actually practical.  I mean, ok, when I took Biology I will admit that I dumped all of it out of my brain the minute my final was over.  But the music classes, I soak it all up and can apply it to my playing and teaching.  I wish I could do MORE music classes. There's so much I want to do that SVC doesn't offer. Kind of disappointing but oh well.  I have quite the load this next quarter (17 credits but worth 21) but I think it will be equally fun.

On my break I've resumed my work in the print shop.  I have missed that place!  Every time I print a book I think about who will be reading it later and I pray for them.  I pray that God will use these books to strengthen their walk with Him.  I just love this ministry.

Last Friday, our SPG (Singles Pleasing God) group went to Seattle to see Handel's Messiah. It was incredible, as usual.  I don't know if Skagit has a part in this, but I enjoyed it much more this year.  I noticed more of the techniques and musicality that I hadn't noticed before.  Utterly delightful!

My list of things to accomplish on Christmas break is getting shorter.  There's nothing like crossing things off a list!  One of the things on my list is to read.  So which book should I read?

Our Mutual Friend  by Charles Dickens
Wives and Daughters   by Elizabeth Gaskell
North and South   by Elizabeth Gaskell
or any other suggestions?

Fall 2011 SVC Recital

A Day of Thanks

Today is one of my favorite days out of the year.  Not because school is on break.  Not because we can stuff ourselves in addition to the turkey and eat shameful amounts of pie. I L.O.V.E. this day because it is a time that is dedicated to giving thanks to our God.  And what an amazing God He is!  Granted, giving thanks is to be done daily.  But I love having it as a main focus. 

Now, can I just tell you that I serve a God who deserves more thanks than we give Him?!  How many of us sit down on a regular basis and give thanks to God for creating us. For even giving us existance.  And how often do we thank Him for giving us spiritual existance?  The opportunity to have a relationship with Him.  When I think of all that God is and what He does, it still baffles my mind that He would want to have a relationship with me.  I am soo grateful for it.

Because we don't have extended family living anywhere close by, we chose to spend Thanksgiving with our church family.  The house was packed and we had way more food than we knew what to do with.  The time was spent laughing and encouraging each other.  I love my church family SO much and nothing beats that bond we have in Christ.  Giving of thanks is not over.  It will continue through the rest of the night and throughout the rest of my days.


Food preparations last night started out right with Whidbey Coffeeeeeeeee :-)

Getting started on the pies. Pumpkin Pies...YES!

Dad was the Turkey Guardian

Awaiting guests

Trying to squeeze in for a group picture

I love these crazy girls. :-D

Food lined the whole kitchen!!

Student Recital

Yesterday I took my students to Regency Retirement Home to play for the residents as a sort of recital. It seemed to come really fast and, I have to say, came faster than I was ready for. :-) But all of my students worked really hard and pulled it off so well!

Originally we were going to have the recital in the large formal dining room immediately following dinner.  I thought it was perfect, only maybe a little intimidating for the students since it's such a large space.  When we got there, I saw they had moved the grand piano into one of the side social rooms! It was such a cozy space and just a lovely setup! I am not exaggerating when I say it was standing room only.  Not only were friends and family of the students there, but there were probably 30-40 residents! Most of the family stood in the back allowing room for the older folks to sit and listen. So kind of them. :-)

The folks at Regency just LOVED listening to the kids play!  After each piece there were loud exclamations of joy and ardent clapping. When it was over they all filed by giving their thanks and appreciation to the kids for their lovely playing.  After seeing what a blessing it was to these older folks and how it made their day, I just can't see myself going back to a formal recital like we've had before.  Why keep the music to ourselves?! I love the idea of sharing with others who can't get out to hear it.  Not to mention the encouragement it was to the students to have their music appreciated so much.

All in all, it was such a lovely experience.  Yes, I was nervous. I have discovered that I get more nervous as the teacher than as a student at my own recitals.  It's definitely a whole new perspective!  But this is not the last time I will experience this nervousness. I look forward to many more recitals in the future!!

Sad to see one of my students, Jazmyne, leaving. It's been so much fun to teach her!

Warming up beforehand.

A Beautiful Day

Today I had the honor of playing the piano and singing at the wedding of my two friends.  What a blessing to see the Lord work in their lives over the last few years and to finally see them united in marriage.  We certainly serve a mighty God who knows just what He's doing when he chooses life partners.  The weatherman forcasted a typical Whidbey day.  Rainy and gray.  But, praise God, the sun was out and it was even slightly warm.  You couldn't have asked for a more beautiful fall day for a wedding!  As far as the ceremony goes, it went smooth as silk. I love things that are simple and stress-free.  This fit the bill for sure!  While I am sad to see my good friend Anna move away, I am SO happy for the new stage of her life that she is moving into.  Now I have an excuse to go to the midwest. :-)

If you wish to see more pictures, let me know and I will email them to you.