Whatever Takes Us Away

We made it through VBS! A challenge by all who participated as volunteers, myself included. As I talked with Tina about it afterwards I realized something. I hadn't sung in front of anyone in nearly fifteen years - by choice, but I managed to get through it. I also realized that I had less nervousness singing by myself than I normally have while playing with a group and throwing in a guitar solo. I have found this to be interesting. I always told myself I could control the notes coming out of an instrument, but had les than no control over the pitch of my voice; perhaps I have been wrong all these years. Maybe so, but I still don't like the sound of my own voice!

At any rate I made my way, thanks to a lot of help from above, through this past week. For those of you that kept me in thought and prayer I thank you as well. I know I don't have the abilities alone and need much support, thanks!

You know you're being well used if it hurts slightly.

The last two weeks have been busy, maybe a little too busy. I finally got around to getting mulch for the flower beds around the yard, a task I had been putting off for a few weeks. Not back breaking work, but work none-the-less. I still have to contend with mowing the grass at least once a week. Now, add in to that another piece - we got a small above ground pool - a little more work (setting up was much easier than expected, but there is still caring for this thing all summer). And then there was Vacation Bible School!

For those of you readers out there you may know that I have no problems playing instruments in front of people, and I don't have a problem talking in front of people, small groups or large. However, there is a completely different animal all together, singing, that I am not fond of. Well, here is another area where it hurts slightly, I get to be in charge of the music portion for VBS and that means singing with, too, and in front of people. Last night was the start of it - I know it could have gone better, it could have gone worse. The bright side to this, and I can find a bright side to this, is that I have an incredible helper there with me, standing and singing right along with me, my wonderful best friend Tina. I've been a guitar player, off and on, for twenty years now. That isn't the part I worry about each day, the skills needed for this gig are pretty easy, basic chords in simple patterns. The harder part is the singing (I may have stated already I am not a singer) and playing the guitar at the same time. I am used to playing, I am used to singing (alone in my car), but I am not accustomed to singing and playing guitar together. So there you have it. Me, a proposed non-singer, singing and playing in front of people. Keep that in thought and prayer, would ya?

Oh, and in amongst all this there is more chaos. Tina started back to school this week. She only has one class a week right now, through the summer, but is gone two mornings a week. Which brings me to let you know another known truth here, I have four kids - but wait that's not all folks! In addition to this we have my nephew David staying and visiting also. He's a good kids and is easier to have around than the other four - self sustaining for the most part and doesn't complain about anything. We like having him around, and wish we could have him a little more often, something we'll work on in the future.

I think that about wraps things up for me for now. I hope to start posting more often again, now that things are starting to settle a little bit. Keep us in your thoughts and prayers (what with five kids, school, VBS, pool, grass, flowers, etc.). Until next time . . .

Time is slipping away already this summer. The kids are done with school and are all ready to advance to the next level: Jake to second grade, Madison to first, Noah to kindergarten, Annika to potty (well, maybe!). As for me, the kids at the school I work at are done as well which brings or ushers in the summer-long process of tearing down, fixing, reparing, and re-beautifying the building. And before I know it, school will be back in session.

As for the rest of the story, here I go . . .

Sometimes we look at life through rose-colored glasses, seeing what we want, for good, bad or indifferent. Sometimes we listen to things and hear only what we want to hear. Sometimes we read, but don't truly understand what it is we are reading. Sometimes we do and do not know why, but it is just the way we've always done things. I understand that change can be and is mostly a hard thing to go through, I should know about change and how it can affect and effect the things around (take a look at the number of children I have, for example). However, change isn't always a bad thing if you look at it the right way. I adore my children and enjoy having the around me as much as possible. Not all parents feel the same. And currently we are transitioning to a new church family, the change is interesting and presents a number of new challenges; provoking new thoughts, ideas, ways of doing things, and change itself.

Throughout all of this change I have been reminded, yet again, of a project God led me towards a few years ago. I was given an understanding of worship through praise and music five years ago, and the project was and still is to help others understand that, using my gifts, talents and abilities to help others acquire a similar understanding. I know that not everyone worships in the same way; not all people can relate to the same song, not all people can relate to the same sermon, not all people can relate to the same person - but if guided properly, they can gain an understanding of how each can find that one thing that truly brings them closer to God (whether it be prayer, praise, fasting, study, action, etc.). Herein lies my challenge and my change.

If you think about it, let me know what brings you closer. Perhaps, events that have changed your lives can help me gain even more understanding and help lead others closer to the Lord.