Yes, I am once again, as Dave puts it, being a helpless romantic. But you know what, it's not that bad! And it's kinda fun. Besides, this one is really sweet.
The internet is being weird so I hope this works...
I'm an aunt!!
I now have 3 nieces and 2 nephews!!!!
O.k. o.k. yes I know, technically I can't have any, none of my siblings are married. I just adopt :D
My best friend and her husband had their first baby today. His name is Benjamin James. 6lbs .10 oz. 20 inches long, lots of dark hair and long feet. He is so precious!!!! I'm totally melted! He has the sweetest little cry. Mommy and daddy are doing well, just very tired. I love having nephews and nieces!
No pictures yet, sorry....
O.k. o.k. yes I know, technically I can't have any, none of my siblings are married. I just adopt :D
My best friend and her husband had their first baby today. His name is Benjamin James. 6lbs .10 oz. 20 inches long, lots of dark hair and long feet. He is so precious!!!! I'm totally melted! He has the sweetest little cry. Mommy and daddy are doing well, just very tired. I love having nephews and nieces!
No pictures yet, sorry....
Isaac Stern believed that the making of music could bring countries together.
-If symphony orchestras would lead their lives as nations politically do today you'd never hear a concert. 'Come in together on the same beat! Play the same note at the same time! You're wrong, you're notes are wrong only my notes are right.' When would you ever hear a concert.
"In order to have music together they must think of 'we' not 'they'."
I wonder what would he think of the world today????
-If symphony orchestras would lead their lives as nations politically do today you'd never hear a concert. 'Come in together on the same beat! Play the same note at the same time! You're wrong, you're notes are wrong only my notes are right.' When would you ever hear a concert.
"In order to have music together they must think of 'we' not 'they'."
I wonder what would he think of the world today????
Praise the Lord!
So, since Tuesday afternoon I have felt at more peace and much more happy than I have in months! This past semester at school has been very rough. We got a new orchestra director and a new violin teacher. Well, I really enjoy working with the orchestra director but the violin teacher I wasn't sure about. You see, I've had 4 different teachers the past 4 years. That in itself was difficult. I only really learned from 2 of those teachers.
I've been very depressed this semester, I'm not at peace, really just miserable. I can't play very well anymore, all the confidence I had in my playing ability was gone. I don't know if this works with all musicians but without my confidence I am a nothing. The new teacher didn't suit very well. For some reason we didn't get along very well. I felt like my playing was getting worse not better. And I wasn't getting the help, with encouragement, that I need. I couldn't make myself not take lessons next semester, it didn't seem fair to not sign up for lessons.
I had been praying for about a month asking God what I should do, what do I do next semester, but I didn't have an answer...
So, after much anxiety I went in Tuesday morning for my jury; playing before a panel of music professors who judge your progress since last semester, it's part of your grade. Anyway I was playing something VERY simple. But I played it terribly, and I'm not just saying that, it was terrible. When I left I was very distraught and wanted to cry. I went to work and decided that I was done, I wasn't going to take lessons at the U next semester. I still wanted to cry, but I felt a little better. I finally had a chance to call mom and tell her what I had decided. She told me that she agreed with me and what God had been telling her about the situation. After I hung up with her I felt much, much better. I felt confident in my decision and that I had done the right thing.
Now, a little rabbit trail :) I had been listening to Timeless Treasures 2. Listening to the work I had done on it and wondering why I couldn't play like that anymore, what was wrong with me. It was a little hard to listen to, knowing I didn't sound like that anymore... now, mind you it's not perfect, nor was it easy to do, ask Dave, 100 and some takes on one song.... but it was possibly the best I've done and it was to God.
So, I went over to Mom and Dad's that evening for my hug :) I was telling Mom about my confidence and how it was gone and I needed it back. It's the one thing that I missed the most. And then she told me something that made a huge difference. She says that "the gifts and callings of God are without repentance". God doesn't take away a gift. And I realized that I had been scared, worried that it was gone, never to return. That maybe I had been brushed aside, not needed anymore. That God was done with my gift or just decided he didn't need it, and my ability to play was gone. But that's not true, it's still there, waiting for God's to use it. I just need to make it ready. It won't be easy, getting back the confidence I lost and once again having the ability to play, really play again. I miss it, I wasn't perfect, and I won't ever be perfect in my music. But as long as I am a ready and willing vessel God will use me, and the gift that he gave me is His to use as he sees fit.
So, with all that said, I just wanted to share the peace that God gave me and the story behind it. Hopefully now that I don't have all that on my mind, I'll have more time to post :)
For those of you who are wondering, yes I will still be doing orchestra at the U, I am also taking a conducting course, and possibly playing viola in a quartet, no I don't know how to play viola that's part of the fun of it :) As for lessons there is a lady that I took lessons from about 8 years ago and again this summer that said she would teach me again, at the expensive of her little time to herself. So, I am going to give her a call after the holidays and everything should be good again :)
It if you got through all that and understand what I was saying "bravo to you!"
I've been very depressed this semester, I'm not at peace, really just miserable. I can't play very well anymore, all the confidence I had in my playing ability was gone. I don't know if this works with all musicians but without my confidence I am a nothing. The new teacher didn't suit very well. For some reason we didn't get along very well. I felt like my playing was getting worse not better. And I wasn't getting the help, with encouragement, that I need. I couldn't make myself not take lessons next semester, it didn't seem fair to not sign up for lessons.
I had been praying for about a month asking God what I should do, what do I do next semester, but I didn't have an answer...
So, after much anxiety I went in Tuesday morning for my jury; playing before a panel of music professors who judge your progress since last semester, it's part of your grade. Anyway I was playing something VERY simple. But I played it terribly, and I'm not just saying that, it was terrible. When I left I was very distraught and wanted to cry. I went to work and decided that I was done, I wasn't going to take lessons at the U next semester. I still wanted to cry, but I felt a little better. I finally had a chance to call mom and tell her what I had decided. She told me that she agreed with me and what God had been telling her about the situation. After I hung up with her I felt much, much better. I felt confident in my decision and that I had done the right thing.
Now, a little rabbit trail :) I had been listening to Timeless Treasures 2. Listening to the work I had done on it and wondering why I couldn't play like that anymore, what was wrong with me. It was a little hard to listen to, knowing I didn't sound like that anymore... now, mind you it's not perfect, nor was it easy to do, ask Dave, 100 and some takes on one song.... but it was possibly the best I've done and it was to God.
So, I went over to Mom and Dad's that evening for my hug :) I was telling Mom about my confidence and how it was gone and I needed it back. It's the one thing that I missed the most. And then she told me something that made a huge difference. She says that "the gifts and callings of God are without repentance". God doesn't take away a gift. And I realized that I had been scared, worried that it was gone, never to return. That maybe I had been brushed aside, not needed anymore. That God was done with my gift or just decided he didn't need it, and my ability to play was gone. But that's not true, it's still there, waiting for God's to use it. I just need to make it ready. It won't be easy, getting back the confidence I lost and once again having the ability to play, really play again. I miss it, I wasn't perfect, and I won't ever be perfect in my music. But as long as I am a ready and willing vessel God will use me, and the gift that he gave me is His to use as he sees fit.
So, with all that said, I just wanted to share the peace that God gave me and the story behind it. Hopefully now that I don't have all that on my mind, I'll have more time to post :)
For those of you who are wondering, yes I will still be doing orchestra at the U, I am also taking a conducting course, and possibly playing viola in a quartet, no I don't know how to play viola that's part of the fun of it :) As for lessons there is a lady that I took lessons from about 8 years ago and again this summer that said she would teach me again, at the expensive of her little time to herself. So, I am going to give her a call after the holidays and everything should be good again :)
It if you got through all that and understand what I was saying "bravo to you!"
Winter Wonderland in Wisconsin
Sense we are sharing our winter pictures :)
Today is a dreary day outside:
Which is unusual, the last few days have been beautiful!! Sunny and above 30! YAY!!
Before that we had been getting snow every other day or so and we had to shovel all that everytime.... and yes I was complaining about it. But, I am overcoming!
Today I come home, climbed out of the car
and sighed at the dreary fog about me. But then I noticed something beautiful!
It was snowing just a tiny bit and the bare branches were covered with tiny bits of lace.
So, I went outside to take a picture....
and ended up playing with Steph camera instead!
If Ever I Would Leave You
If ever I would leave you
It wouldn't be in summer.
Seeing you in summer I never would go.
Your hair streaked with sun-light,
Your lips red as flame,
Your face witha lustre
that puts gold to shame!
But if I'd ever leave you,
It couldn't be in autumn.
How I'd leave in autumn I never will know.
I've seen how you sparkle
When fall nips the air.
I know you in autumn
And I must be there.
And could I leave you
running merrily through the snow?
Or on a wintry evening
when you catch the fire's glow?
If ever I would leave you,
How could it be in spring-time?
Knowing how in spring I'm bewitched by you so?
Oh, no! not in spring-time!
Summer, winter or fall!
No, never could I leave you at all!
Baby Shower Time!
So, the baby shower went well. Due to the nasty snow we got the day before there was not 80 people there, thankfully. Those that did show had fun!
I was in charge
of balloons...and punch...
Grandma-to-be brought the cake and flowers...
There were:
Prizes!
and presents
and games of course
and a few little ones for a taste of the joys to come!
And just cause, here's a picture of my last minute present :)
Baby shower
So, tomorrow (Sunday) I will be co-hosting a baby shower for a friend of mine. We are expecting 80 people. *gulp* I'll let you know how it all goes.
Oh, and I got snowed in today and didn't get out to buy a present.... hehehe... thankfully I remember a little something I made a few years ago and had stashed away for one of those whenever-we-need-a-baby-present-times. This was just one of those. Thank you Lord!
Oh, and I got snowed in today and didn't get out to buy a present.... hehehe... thankfully I remember a little something I made a few years ago and had stashed away for one of those whenever-we-need-a-baby-present-times. This was just one of those. Thank you Lord!
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About Me
- Katie
- I am a daughter of God who is striving to do and be all that God has for me. I'm a pretty normal person, kinda goofy at times, but I can be a dear. If I try :) I always try to be happy and I'm never lazy, I've tried, it doesn't agree with me. Once you meet me you'll never want for entertainment :)