Reach High

Well, Spring Break is over (sniff, tear) and now it the last push until the summer! I got a lot done during Spring Break. But sadly, not nearly all that I wanted to do - of things from my to-do list, of practicing, or of fun things.  Isn't that how it always is though? I never quite get all done that I wanted or planned to do. I always make lists and plans that are nearly impossible to actually achieve, but I try with all my might to accomplish them nevertheless. And, despite repeated helpful suggestions from people that I should shorten my lists, or lower my goals, I think that just maybe I prefer to have such high plans that they may never actually get done. At least, then I have something to strive for. I was listening to Anne of Avonlea on audio book on my way to Macon on Saturday and a dialogue in there between Anne and the minister's wife, Mrs. Allan, expresses my thoughts perfectly. 
(Anne) "Oh I don't know. I've come so far short in so many things.....I haven't lived up to my ideals."

"None of us ever do," said Mrs. Allan with a sigh. "But then, Anne, you know what Lowell says, 'Not failure but low aim is crime.' We must have ideals and try to live up to them, even if we never quite succeed. Life would be a sorry business without them. With them it's grand and great. Hold fast to your ideals, Anne."

And that is just what I intend to do. So, I will keep setting high, if nearly impossible, goals for myself and keep on working just as hard as I can to meet them.

Life Lately and the Hiatus of the Warming Season

I know I have disappeared from the blogging scene for a while now. Life just seems to whirl faster, and faster. My life consists of: practicing, teaching all day, practicing, teaching my six piano students, practicing, exercising, practicing, driving to Macon for my piano lesson on Saturdays, practicing, going to church on Sundays (Sun. morning = job as church pianist), practicing. Get the picture? Seriously, though, piano is so time-consuming it does not leave much time for anything else. Especially when I also have a full time job and some part time jobs.

Highlights from the last few months have included: a visit from Abby, getting accepted into Brevard's summer music institute, Spirit week at school, and general random awesomeness like finally watching Phantom of the Opera (with Abby) which I LOVED, going out to dinner with the fam, and a day off from school to visit the ever delightful beach.

And now....drum roll please....it is ....SPRING BREAK!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! As usual, I have big plans....not of places to go but of to-do lists, projects, and things I always want to have time for but never do.

Plan for Spring Break:

1. LOTS of piano practice
           I plan to practice pretty much all day (think 8 hours) during Spring break. I have a lot to get done - repertoire to learn and perfect for a concert I'm giving at the end of April and repertoire to learn for grad school auditions in the fall. I'm hoping to accomplish a lot while I have some extra time to practice. (And, no, this is not excessive. Many people with the same goals I have practice 8 hours on school days and practice 10-12 hours on weekends and breaks. It just takes a LOT of time, hard work, and dedication to be a top-notch pianist. Think Olympic athlete.)

In the time that is left....

2. Fresh air and exercise
      Beach, long walks, bike rides to the Marina. Maybe some dancing and Zumba...

3. Random projects: get my hair cut, get Sofi's hair cut, go to the bank, my taxes, help Kristi with wedding prep, make and mail shower invitations, wash and vacuum my car, etc., etc.

4. Awesome times of funness such as..........games with the fam, movies, TV shows, shopping, crafts, and laughing hysterically with Hannah

Yes. So those are my plans. I never really seem to have time for all that I have planned BUT there is always a first time for everything!! To the best Spring Break EVER and finally doing everything on my list!!!!!! <3

Pathways

Each of our paths is so uniquely our own. Sometimes I wonder at the seperate journeys God has us on. They are all so different, His calling on our lives so individual. At times I hurt because people do not understand mine, but do I really understand theirs? We all are so quick to judge another's life because it is not our own.

A passage from  Jesus Calling says, " I have called each of My children to a different path, distinctly designed for that one. Do not let anyone convince you that his path is the only right way. And be careful not to extol your path as superior to another's way. What I require of you is to act justly, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with Me - wherever I lead."

I do not completely understand why our paths are all so different but I suppose it is because God has a special purpose in the world for each of us, and He only needs one person for that specific purpose - you or me or the lady down the street. We don't need to worry about why our story looks so much different from someone else's - we only need to keep our eyes on Jesus, trusting that He will complete the good work he has begun in us, and give our calling, our purpose, our path all we have to give.

For when I am weak...

"You need Me every moment. Your awareness of your constant need for me is your greatest strength. Your neediness, properly handled, is a link to My Presence. However, there are pitfalls that you must be on guard against: self-pity, self-preoccupation, giving up. Your inadequacy presents you with a continual choice - deep dependence on Me, or despair. The emptiness you feel within will be filled either with problems or with My Presence. Make Me central in your consciousness by praying continually: simple, short prayers flowing out of the present moment. Use My Name liberally, to remind you of My Presence. Keep on asking and you will receive, so that your gladness may be full and complete."

from Jesus Calling by Sarah Young

For when I am weak... 

           ~  Then is HE Strong. ~

Singleness Appreciation Day

Valentine's Day has come and gone yet another time. For many people who are without that special someone, it is a sad day full of regret, longing, and loneliness. "Singleness Awareness Day," as it is often called, reminds lonely hearts everywhere to be miserable and count the curses of singleness. BUT I am here to tell you - it doesn't have to be that way! Singleness can be and IS a blessing! Here are some reasons why:

1. Singleness gives you a chance to pursue your hobbies, dreams, and goals. You have the whole rest of your life to be married - you will most likely only be single for a relatively small portion of your life. So, live it up! Take classes in something you enjoy, travel to a place you have always wanted to visit, spend time developing a talent you have never had a chance to hone, find your dream job. Once you are married, time for these activities will be much more limited.

2. Singleness gives you freedom. You can pick up and move across the state - or to another country - if you wish. You can change jobs or go back to school. You can plan your own schedule. Once you are married, you and your spouse will have to plan together.

3. Singleness gives you a chance to focus on the most important relationship of all. If you are a Christian, being single allows you to pour all of your love into Christ. 1 Corinthians 7 says "He that is unmarried cares for the things that belong to the Lord, how he may please the Lord. But he that is married cares for the things that are of the world, how he may please his wife....The unmarried woman cares for the things of the Lord...but she that is married cares for the things of the world, how she may please her husband."

4. Singleness allows you to build other important relationships in your life. When you are married, much time will necessarily be spent with your spouse, developing your relationship with each other. While you are single is the perfect time to build strong, close-knit relationships with family and friends.

5. Singleness is simpler. This may seem like a silly reason, but think about it. How much stress, heartache, headaches, and mini-crises do you hear about every day just from relationships with significant others? It just goes with the territory. No relationship is easy, and dating/marriage is the most difficult of all. Men are complicated. Women are complicated. Men and women understanding each other's complexity = impossible. Seriously, though, having a boyfriend/ girlfriend/husband/wife does NOT fix everything and make all your dreams come true. This isn't Disney or a romance novel. Relationships are a lot of work and add their own problems and stresses to an already full and stressful life.

(Or women, if you are a guy!)

6. Singleness is really out of our control. Sure, you can go out looking for the perfect someone. And sure, if you just sit at home and twiddle your thumbs, your prince/princess is probably not going to appear. However, that being said, you can not MAKE the right person come along. When it is time, you will meet him or her. If you try to force a relationship to happen before it is time, chances are you will end up with the wrong person. Better to be single forever than to be trapped in a relationship that brings you nothing but sorrow and misery. Life.is.too.short. to waste it away bemoaning something we cannot change.

Soooooo....ENJOY your singleness! Celebrate it! For most of us, this is just one season of our lives, and one that will soon be over. So, treasure each moment as a single person and resolve to get the most out of this time in your life.

Happy Singleness Appreciation Day!

God's Measuring Stick

Ever feel like no matter how hard you try, you just don't measure up? I feel like that a lot. It is probably the perfectionist in me, but I just want to excel and exceed in all areas of life and when I don't and when others think I don't and when I think I don't, it can be very discouraging. I always try to do the right thing, and I think that others should be able to see that and not criticize what they do not understand. But, of course, life is not always like that, people don't understand and they do criticize and I don't understand them and I criticize. Sad but true. The good news? God doesn't expect me to be perfect. In fact, He knows I never can. And when God uses His measuring stick, He does look at my intent. God sees how hard I am trying and how badly I want to do right, and He is pleased. "Man looks on the outward appearance, but God looks on the heart." People may look at appearances and results, as they see them, and say I don't measure up, but God looks at my motives and intentions, as they really are, and He says through Christ I am perfect and complete. Now that is good to hear.

The Revenge of the Bridesmaids

So. About a week ago I got into a fight. I know those of you who know me are surprised - fights probably don't seem like what someone as charming, peaceable, sweet, and loveable (and don't forget humble!) as me normally participate in. But, when we went to try on bridesmaids dresses for Kristi's wedding, it happened. Or, supposedly it happened. Or at least we told Taylor it happened.

It all started innocently enough - Taylor texted Mom to see how the day had gone with trying on bridesmaids dresses and all, and since Mom was driving, Hannah texted for her. It seemed boring to just say the day had gone well so she said that everything had gone well EXCEPT that Kim and I had gotten into a fight. We expected Tay to be like, "Yeah, right," and that be that. One problem - Tay never did! The story kept growing - each time Tay texted back, we added a new preposterous (we thought) detail. It evolved to a final version in which Kim would not share the cheese at Olive Garden with me and said my dress was ugly and then punched me in the nose. Then, I refused to have her ride home with the rest of us because I was scared she would hurt me again, so she had to stay in Savannah at David's Bridal and wait for her mom to pick her up. We never thought Tay would believe it, but he did, called Joe to ask him about it, who then called me to see what had happened. Guess what? Joe believed it too. And as the story spread around, so did my dad and the rest of my family. It made for a VERY amusing car trip home as we spun our yarn and laughed incredulously at the trust of the rest of the family. We kept it going until we heard my dad was furious at Kim for hurting me. I figured I'd better call and tell him that actually she hadn't. But, we asked him to not tell the others, and I arrived home with makeup on my nose to make it look bruised and continued the act a bit longer. Finally, we told the truth and had a good laugh. So, moral of the story, do not rest assured that when you make up a preposterous story for a joke that others will automatically understand it is only a JOKE. People will actually believe some pretty outrageous things. At any rate, it makes for a good family story. Generations from now, we will still be talking about the time I got in a fight. Only maybe we won't tell our grandkids that it didn't actually happen. After all, they need a tough grandma, right?