So Proud!

I almost cried last night!

Oh no, they were tears of joy and excitement!

Remember how I was waiting for my student?! Well, she arrived a bit early, apologizing for being early! HA! In this world of late people, what a blessing!

She calmly set her books down, but I could tell she was in good spiritis.

"Can I tell you something" she asks.
"Of Course."
"Well, you see, I auditioned for a solo at school. I just decided last minute. Then I got a call for call backs. Then I found out today I get to do the solo in our Concert," she says.

I just stared. But I could not have been more proud! Tears filled my eyes.

She told me all about her audition. Told me she had told her teacher she was taking lessons and her teacher had seen improvement. And now she is seeing results of her hard work! I was so proud of her and happy for her. She could barely contain her excitement. Just the joy in her eyes was worth every step of the journey for the last few months. This is where I cannot help but love what I do---helping others make their own dreams come true!

The Right Perspective

I am sitting here on this Friday night waiting on my last student of the day to arrive for her hour lesson. She is a good student to end on that late at night, so I don't mind at all. But with the few minutes I have before she comes, I sit here, finding myself wanting to think. As that is a dangerous pastime for me, I thought I would write. I am a bit tired today from not sleeping well last night. I think it was the adrenalin from my rehearsal and audition last night. I am getting back into the process of singing and auditioning again, and I find that it really wires me. It's almost like I need to get use to it again. I am enjoying it, except for the not sleeping part. Finally about 12:15 I got up, fixed a snack, and sat down to read a book. I fell asleep after 1:00 AM, only to wake up at 4:00. Who knows, maybe it was the full moon!

Nonetheless. I sit here just thinking, amazed that I have found myself pretty upbeat the last few days, and dare I say, weeks. I am finding that it is a matter of perspective. I can choose to enjoy the aspects of life given to me, or not enjoy them if I so wish. Kinda like the book I read, The Alchemist. We can choose to be discouraged, or we can choose to be an adventurer. How many times I have come back to that statement! "Today I choose to be an adventurer." And I am amazed at how it is changing my perspective.

Oh, I still have bad days. But I find that the bad days aren't as hard to get through. And the next day is always fresh!

I am enjoying my Bible, my friends, my quiet times, my music, my students, my family, my outlets. HHMMMM. Kinda funny isn't it, when you really think about it. Things are always as bad as we think they are going to be or as they seem at the moment. I mean, how many times do we wake up the next day! Think about that!

I want to keep living like this. Not expecting things to be perfect. But just content with where they are at, knowing that in 5 years I should be a different person---for the better. Every day brings an opportunity for growth. Every day is an adventure. Sure it has its ups and downs. But how do we choose to see them. I am learning much in this phase I am in right now. I want to be able to solidify it and make it my way of approaching all situations---whether good or bad. I want to always start with "I need to pray about this." Then move to "ok, I can or can't do something right now." Then be ok with just going on and living, knowing details will follow through. That is just how life seems to keep moving along. But then, that is what makes it even more special that God is on the throne orchestrating it!

Oh To Be A Fly On The Wall

I wish everyone could be a fly on the wall during my student's lessons. What memories each one brings. Like the Asian lady and her diction---fwee, instead of three. Like the texts I got from two of my students away on a choral competition. Like the brilliance of the eyes at the prospect of a new book. Like the boundy personalities. Or even the look of disappointment at being chided! AH....what memories....what special individuals.

Oh to be a fly on the wall at my own lessons. Here recently I truly have wondered if my teacher feels the same way towards me that I feel towards some of my student---both the joy and the disappointment.

What Is This Day We Live In?

You know sometimes I honestly do not think that I recognize the world I live in. At my young age, I am starting to feel very old and in that bracket of one-of-a-very-few. We recently just came through our latest elections. I will admit that I felt very important and full of hope as I walked over to my polling location. I felt like a real American---doing my part, enjoying my freedom of stating my opinion. I have been a little behind on news lately, but felt somewhat prepared to vote for a bright future.

As I read the headlines the next day, my heart sank a little at the results. Not exactly my choice of president had one. I mean, McCain wasn't exactly the answer, but my sister was right, the socialism offered by Obama is not the answer either. Yet so many people---including CHRISTIANS---voted for this man---who supports values and principles that the Bible clearly defines as sin. Again, not that McCain was perfect, but he at least was headed in more of a, well, better direction. As I read reactions around the world of Obama's success, I felt a bit of apprehension as it all points toward hopes of the one-world government that the Bible talks about in the end times.

Yet my heart did not lack hope. For God is still on the throne. I did my part on November 4, God will have to do the rest. He can use even this man. I will just keep praying and plugging!

But I must say, what is wrong with our world. I am amazed at people's reasoning for voting---so shallow---looks, race, gender, women's rights, and get this one, better football games played. Now Come ON! What happened to voting for America's best interest. For principle. For Biblical Grounding as desired by our Forefathers. For freedom!

Wow, have we really come that far down...............?