Because Hugging is Important

Three days ago, Jesse was cleaning up at the shop and managed to get a corrosive substance on his face and in one of his eyes. He immediately went to the bathroom and proceeded to wash it off. Amazingly, he didn't even have redness in the white of his eye, let alone any trouble with his vision. We are so thankful. Every time I see him, hug him, kiss him, I think it again. I am grateful that this incident was simply that: an incident.

Hug your people today. 

May Your Day Be Full of Pie

When you judge another,

 you do not define them,

 you define yourself as someone who needs to judge. 

--Wayne Dyer

Today I am thankful for people and the world. 

(And awesome quotes shared by the generous people in my wonderful life!!)

Happy Thanksgiving.

P.S. Banana Cream Pie and me do not agree.

Life & Caramel Apples

This morning is all about getting ready for the afternoon. You get up, get dressed, clean the house, practice the piano, research, study, run errands... For breakfast, I ate some apple pie leftover from Thanksgiving: the top is still crackly with sugar and cinnamon. I adore apple pie. If I were Snow White, the wicked step-mother of the fairy tale would have to slightly change her methods of poisoning. "Here, love. Have a slice of pie." "Is it apple?" "Yes, my dear, certainly is." "Is it poisoned?" "Yes, love, it is."

Who cares about little details like that when apple pie is involved? :-)

I am officially into my second week of teaching. The students arrive in good humor and less shy than they were last week. Yesterday, they were all trudging up the driveway through the mud and landed on our doorstep two inches taller in ruined shoes. Poor peoples! Megan made me laugh when she left... she kicked her shoe and mud flew everywhere. Some of it hit the house... some of it landed high in the trees... some of it ended up on her mother. (Which is why I stopped laughing as soon as I could.) 

This has to be the start of my favorite season. I know why they have so many holidays in the winter: we need a reason to celebrate. The cold here can be simply unbearable and dull.. I so enjoy having a reason to bake and cook and buy gifts for people. On Sunday, we had Thanksgiving dinner with Jesse's extended family. We had chicken. Chicken is definitely my favorite fowl. It's moist and has that lovely chicken taste that (despite the rumors) nothing else in the world has. 

Next along is Jesse's birthday, Halloween, Christmas, New Years... 

I bought cream today so I could make caramel apples. Any friend care to join us? :-)

You know, when I began teaching I never thought I would be pushed so hard and so far out of my comfort zone. No one person is the same. I prefer folk, hymns, celtic... music I consider gentle and beautiful. And yet, I am endeavoring to each musicals, rock, country. If I am to teach these genres, I must find something to appreciate in them. I must learn to love something in them. Thank goodness that there are elements in every genre that I am already comfortable with. It does not matter what type of music it is, there are certain qualities that are always the same in good music. The fundamentals, the love and passion the artists express into the songs/tunes, talent, effort/hard work... and we all need to understand these qualities before we can understand any type of music. 

Back to the subject! I love being pushed far beyond my limits. I love getting advice from my husband and other musicians. I love it when I have to wrack my brain in the middle of a lesson to find the best worded answer. I love hearing parents tell how much they like the motivation their children are expressing. And yes, before each lesson, I am scared. I pray and search my heart (soul) and mind (intelligence/knowledge) for the best means possible of teaching this individual who has come to me to learn. 

Without teaching or performing (or some other form of musical expression) it is very easy to let what you have sit and mold in the corner. Because of my job, I am forced to grow in ways I never would on my own. In this way alone, teaching is a life changer. 

And now, I shall get off my apple box and get on with my day. If there are any students or their parents reading, thanks for helping me become a better person.

I am wishing you all the best of Wednesdays. May you find some joy today!

Question with boldness even the existence of a God; because, if there be one, he must more approve of the homage of reason, than that of blind-folded fear. -- Thomas Jefferson

Dear Lord; we beg but one boon more: Peace in the hearts of all men living, peace in the whole world this Thanksgiving. -- Joseph Auslandler 

O come, let us sing unto the LORD: let us make a joyful noise to the rock of our salvation. Let us come before his presence with thanksgiving, and make a joyful noise unto him with psalms. For the LORD is a great God, and a great King above all gods. In his hand are the deep places of the earth: the strength of the hills is his also. The sea is his, and he made it: and his hands formed the dry land. O come, let us worship and bow down: let us kneel before the LORD our maker.  -- Psalm 95 : 1 - 6

To give thanks in solitude is enough. Thanksgiving has wings and goes where it must go. Your prayer knows much more about it than you do.  -- Victor Hugo

I love chicken. I would eat chicken fingers on Thanksgiving if it were socially acceptable. -- Toddy Barry

Best of all is it to preserve everything in a pure, still heart, and let there be for every pulse a thanksgiving, and for every breath a song.  -- Konrad von Gesner

A lot of Thanksgiving days have been ruined by not carving the turkey in the kitchen. -- Kin Hubbard

All our discontents about what we want appeared to spring from the want of thankfulness for what we have.  -- Daniel Defoe

Now, our God, we give you thanks, and praise your glorious name. -- 1 Chronicles 29:13

Thankfulness is the beginning of gratitude. Gratitude is the completion of thankfulness. Thankfulness may consist merely of words. Gratitude is shown in acts. -- Henri Frederic Amiel

Every heart that has beat strongly and cheerfully has left a hopeful impulse behind it in the world, and bettered the tradition of mankind. -- Robert Louis Stevenson

God has two dwellings; one in heaven, and the other in a meek and thankful heart. -- Izaak Walton

I am thankful for laughter, except when milk comes out of my nose. -- Woody Allen

I'm thankful for every moment.  -- Al Green

Forever is composed of nows. -- Emily Dickinson

Good Morning!

I have a wish for today:

That each moment, regardless of how happy or sad, joyful or annoying, be lived with appreciation for the life that has been given me. Think about it!


I can breathe.
I have health.
I have energy and strength to work a job.
My job is creative and wonderful.
I have great employers.
I am getting married to my best friend.
God's love is very evident in our lives.
I can talk with God.

I could go on. My point is, we can always find areas in our lives to complain about. And we can always find things to be thankful for. I want to be thankful today. :-)

May your weekend be glorious!! Any plans, peoples? 

Rivers

The following is not complete in any way. If you have any thoughts to add to this, I welcome them. :-)

Have you ever felt a need to prove something about yourself? Have you ever felt a need to assure to others that you're kind and pleasant? That you're trustworthy? What about spirituality? Have you ever felt a need to defend your relationship with God?

I believe that there is a certain place for proving yourself. In order for people to trust you, you must show them that you are worthy of it. Our reputation is important and something to not be taken lightly. There is another side, however and I have been finding it my entire life.

It is when my reputation takes place above my happiness and peace. When my questions and defensive thoughts take over my mind and effect my joy. The past few weeks have found me slowly wandering. My fingers want to write Bible verses all the day long and post long winded opinions about God and spirituality and how people's lives could be greatly bettered by finding Him. (Btw, I would not just be talking about non-Christians but everyone alike... our entire lives are effected by our faith and understanding of Him.) But I have felt this before, knew what it was so I resisted the urge. I knew I needed to get my focus back on God before I wrote anything. There is nothing I detest more than a stifling hypocritical pride and arrogance.

I don't have many wise words to say about this mindset but I wanted to share a few things about my thoughts lately because I feel there is such a need for true fellowship with God. It hurts my heart when I see the burdened hearts that could be lightened.

There is no need to prove anything to anyone. No. I don't have to prove how things are going with me and God. Neither do you. Yes, question me... yourself... others. Welcome the questions; they are necessary for growth. But it is what we do with the questions that matters. What should happen is the questions turn us back towards God.

I realized some things over the past weeks: what matters is right now. Is my heart seeking fellowship with God at this very moment in time? If I am in fellowship with God right now, who am I to worry about other opinions? My worries distract me and deprive me of the joy I have in God. That is when I become ineffective.

Faith and love are more than something I can talk about. I can embody them. They can be synonymous with my existence. But it must start with my fellowship... my prayers... my thoughts. When it begins there, my reputation will take care of itself. Actually, everything else falls into place. There are consequences for every action and every thought, good or evil. When I maintain my fellowship with God every day, the consequences are endless love and joy. :-)

It is so easy to become sidetracked from the Truth. Even with good things, like questioning my heart for Truth. But at the same time, how simple and easy it is to fall back into fellowship with God and abide in His love and Truth.

Have you ever been around someone who left you very depressed and anxious? I was recently around someone who left me literally gasping for comfort and peace. This person did not mean to be this way. In fact, this person is searching desperately for the very things that I found myself reaching for. Pain simply flowed from this heart like a river.

It made me realize that there is another river. Joy, peace, happiness. They are all just as contagious as fear and despair and they are all desperately needed in this world. What is your river made of? It can be transformed. But don't try to do it. God has marvelous transforming powers. All He wants from you right now is your heart to be open and willing. Your river... your reputation is already changed and changing other lives.

May joy be yours today. :-) Do things unto God.

Life's Goodness

 "Razor-sharp, serrated teeth that inject venom for pre-digestion, prefers ambush attack, and crushing its victims..."

This morning I watched "How To Train Your Dragon" at the Carlyle Theatre. It's an old story with a lot of new twists and some very entertaining dialog. Have any of you ever seen it? I really enjoyed myself. It's a clean story with action, sweetness, humor and phenomenal animation. :-) The reason the movie was shown today was because the elementary school brought all of their kids in for a free movie (right before the holidays). It was interesting to listen to all of the kids chattering before the movie began. Then, as they got into the story, silence pervaded the Hall. Well, mostly silence. :-) Occasionally, laughter and some whispering... but for the amount of children (well over a hundred, I believe), they did pretty well. 

Sidenote: Scottish Vikings in horned helmets (ahem!) make me giggle.

The good thing about the past two weeks is that I have been sick (therefore, able to spend time working on Christmas projects) and I've been keeping very busy.... thus keeping my mind busy. This is a good thing. :-) I got all of my gifts wrapped yesterday evening and have them packed in a box, ready to go. Going to enjoy celebrating Christmas in Saskatoon with friends and loved ones! Good food. Good company. Good conversations. 

Yesterday, I went to work. I had missed some days due to my thought processes of, "don't want to go work with a cold"... still learning stuff about commitments and what ways I can be the most helpful, etc. :-) Anyways, they had all the spaces for gel icing cakes filled up, so Donna put me to work making Blizzard Cakes. I think I made 14 or 16. I can't remember if I filled all the pans twice or not. I love working with the flavors. Somehow, when I am off sugar, my sweet tooth gets satisfied with simply smelling the ice-cream and chocolate and caramel... I made Strawberry CheeseQuake, Oreo, Reeses Pieces, Chocolate Covered Strawberry, Cookie Dough and Pecan Cluster.... and let me see. :thinks: Maybe that's all. Hm. 2 each, excepting the Oreo and Pecan Cluster.. so that means I made 16. Most of them ended up in the back freezer, awaiting their turn in the display freezer. My favorite cake to make is the Pecan Cluster. I have absolutely no idea how it tastes but it looks so pretty when I'm finished making it. ;-) I make swirly cones of icing on the top, sprinkle pecans over, then drizzle caramel and chocolate. Lol... sometimes customers can say the funniest things. I was just getting ready to drizzle on the caramel and I heard a voice behind me: "You're gonna make a mistake." I looked up and this old man was grinning at me from over by the coffee machine. ;-) ????

A storm blew in yesterday afternoon... rather like a blizzard and really nasty for awhile there. I am glad I didn't have to walk in it. People are so kind. Donna picked me up and Dianne drove me home. Actually, three people offered me rides home! :-) I am so thankful for the love people bestow upon me. :-) :-) It makes my heart glow. 

This afternoon? What did I do this afternoon... oh yes. After I watched the movie in the morning with Dianne (Jesse's mom), she drove me home and we sat in Michele's kitchen with Michele and had a long conversation about all things. After Dianne left, I sent Michele a song (Silver Spear) so she could jam with Gillian when we're in Saskatoon. Then, I cleaned the bathroom, cleaned up/tidied the kitchen and vacuumed. It feels soo good to get caught up on the cleaning. :-) 

So, that's an update on my little, sweet-filled life. :-) This is a happy post. :-) I am feeling rather that way these days. ;-) God bless you all. 

#5: God

I am thankful that I do not walk life's path alone and without purpose. I am thankful there is Someone that is bigger than my comprehension. I am thankful God does not allow me to use Him as a crutch (all the time... lol). I am thankful that He has healed me. I am thankful God wants me to question and seek and grow. I am thankful that He does not force us to believe in Him. I am thankful for His love. 

#4: Jesse

I am thankful for this man and all the joy that surrounds us. God is good. :-) Jesse's enjoying his trip, btw. I'm glad he's enjoying his trip. I'm also glad I'll be seeing him sometime around the 23rd. :-)

#3: Health

I am thankful to feel alive and to be able to breathe. I am thankful I am able to think and make plans and trust in God. I am thankful for when I am sick and when I am well. I am thankful that I am able to walk without pain. I am thankful that my nose isn't running. Only dripping. :-)

 Each step in my path has been a reason for a reason.

#2: Music

Music is emotion. I love listening and getting caught in it. I love playing and getting caught up in it. I love teaching others to get caught up in it. :-) Music is a gift that I am always grateful for.

Good morning, dear people. May your day be joyful... And if not joyful, then happy.... And if not happy, then for Heaven's sake, at least try learn something from your discomfort. :-) :-) 

Here is a challenge: think of five things today that you are truly grateful for. 

Here is my first: I am thankful for modern communication. Letters, the internet, telephones, etc. 

Rejoicings plus Odds and Ends

Though our feelings come and go, God's love for us does not. -- C.S. Lewis

My thoughts lately, "I can't believe I said that!" "I'm such a ditz." "I don't know how anyone could like me." It's interesting how sensible and correct they seem when they pop into my mind and I stow them away without examining them.

But when I do take them out and look at them, I see how destructive and wrong these thoughts are. Why are they wrong? They're proud thoughts. I have been taking pride in my "humility" and spirituality. That alone makes them proud thoughts. But there's another aspect, as well. God has promised us His love and power. While there is a time for guilt and repentance, there is no time for self pity and focusing on our weakness.

So, I am trying to establish a new habit: Whenever a negative thought comes to my head, instead of inwardly moaning about myself, I think of something to thank God for. When I think of something stupid I have done, I thank God that there are people who love me. When I think of something I am truly ashamed of, I thank God for His gift of forgiveness and love.

I watched Star Wars (both Trilogies) over the past few weeks and the character Yoda said something I found very thought provoking: "Fear is the path to the dark side. Fear leads to anger. Anger leads to hate. Hate leads to suffering." When I am thinking negative thoughts about myself, it ultimately leads me to thoughts of anger. Anger towards myself, God, people in my life, my past, situations... that anger then transfers itself to bitterness and hatred (or, at least, dislike). I have seen what these emotions have done to those around me... I have seen hate destroy the person and hurt others in his or her life. It is not a path I wish to travel. My greatest desire is to live with love. I wish love to become such a part of me that it is me.

This evening, take a moment and think about what it means for God to love you. I have been dwelling on that today and it fills me with such happiness. I am so blessed. Beyond words blessed. :-)

Today, my friend Jeanette sent me a link: http://listen.grooveshark.com/ ... I am now listening to the soundtrack from Howl's Moving Castle, one of my favorite anime films. I am excited to see what else they have available. :-) Thanks, Jeanette. You made my day. :-)

I finished my last day of teaching this week. It was amazing. I have some of the best students in the world. :-) I am so glad to have them. Rylan and Rese both came with face paint and in Rider shirts. The entire community goes green along with the team. Fun. :-) I'm not into sports that much but the spirit is undeniably contagious.

(At camp, there were some really athletic kids...)

Did you know the fingering for the Ab scale is really interesting? It works but honestly, it's not something I would have picked up on my own. Thank goodness for musically knowledgeable people and the internet. I hate the thought of teaching a student something that was an error. For those who are wondering, fingering for R.H. is: 23 123 1234 123 123 ; L.H. is: 321 4321 321 4321 2. 

Something else to think about: my timing stinks on the song "Just You Wait". I wish I could practice with the band a little more before the show. :-P Lol. Well, it's much better than it was. I just need to keep working at it. :-) I love the tune. The chord structure is so interesting and the colors are amazing.

Well, I'm off to eat my supper. You know, I made soup the other day. Then, Michele took my soup and made soup. I am always amazed at her culinary skills. She's amazing. Someday, I would like to cook like her. For now, I simply devour. ;-) May your day, regardless of country in which you may dwell, have been a happy thanksgiving. :-) :-)

Thankfulness

(My sister Cilla and I are pals. February 2009)

I am thankful to be loved. 

I am thankful to love. 

I am thankful to be lovable. (Depending on the day. :-))

Thanksgiving is here, once again. I remember blogging past thanksgivings with lists of things to be thankful for and I could do that again. I could. But as I asked a friend the other day, "is there any real originality left in the world?" ;-)

So I thought I would post the top three things I was incredibly grateful for... and as it turns out, they're all about love. Love begins and ends all things; so do I.

My life has taken some interesting turns the past few months. I am being forced to examine my beliefs, my life, my friends, my relationships... ultimately, myself. What do I want from life? My goals? Where do I feel God is leading me? Yesterday, as I was (finally!) admitting something to myself that I had known for a very long time, I was frightened. It seemed like without that one thing to hold on to, especially right now, I would waver and fall. But I realized that I was being forced to turn to God alone for comfort and courage and strength. This is where I should have been all along.

I am thankful for realizations like these. I am thankful for being buffeted by the winds of life and grasping at the only thing I can. He is my rock and fortress, my comfort in time of trouble. He loves me.

What has been happening in my life lately?

Teaching. This you know. But you know not how wonderful it has been! I have ten students and I feel like I'm  seeing progress in almost all of them. Not just in piano playing but confidence in themselves and our relationship as a teacher/student/friend. It is so exciting watching them realize something about music. :-) The more I teach, the more passionate I am. These are the moments I cannot wait for the future to teach me how to be the best piano teacher in the world. ;-)

Michele's kids made it home for Thanksgiving and we have been having a blast. :-) Firstly, we played this amazing game: The Settlers of Catan. Before which I was warned to not mind being annihilated because that was most likely going to be my fate. However, these people took pity on me and between all their brains, I managed to come in third. I think. It's a very complicated game but I liked it...

Yesterday evening, we volunteered at The Happy Nun. Michele and Brie waitressed tables; Gillian and I washed dishes; Aaron and Will did bar/sound/buffing glasses. This restaurant is the most amazing place in the entire world. I kid you not. Owned and run by Don and Shannon  Shakotko, who are friends and amazing people all around. :-) If you're ever in Forget, you simply must check them out. Anyways, we were there until midnight and I didn't get into bed until around 2 am this morning.

Well, I would write more but voice in the kitchen indicate that everyone has shown their face but me. :-) So I will prepare myself for visuals (you probably wouldn't want to lay eyes on me about now... let's just say my appearance indicates a good sleep ;-)). Lol.

Two practices at the theater today as well as my third celebration of the Canadian Thanksgiving. :-) Life is busy as well as good! Thanks for the thoughts and prayers.

P.S. http://www.happynuncafe.ca/ :-)

Thankfulness

There are days when it's easy to complain. And there are days when it's easy to be thankful. I know it is good to give thanks at all times but sometimes it seems that is it most important to give thanks when it is such a struggle to not to complain.

Not long ago, the National Holiday of Thanksgiving was celebrated through the United States. In light of that, many people made lists of what they were thankful for and posted them on the internet... some of them were pretty inspiring. So I decided to make my own list of things I'm thankful for. :-)

I'm thankful for...

my family

sarcasm

humor [ours is laced with the above listed]

books

snow [good neighbors, don't string me up for that... I'll explain :-P]

my health [not out of the woods yet, but my lungs are no longer congested. PTL!]

our church

friends [waves to Lindsey, Gabi & Peter,Klaus, Carol S. and the rest of you :-)]

happiness

trials

blessings

siblings [a little in the family category but not quite... ;-)]

food

music [a gift that can be given and shared, much like hugs]

Sara's baby talk and the way she smiles at me

laughter [today, Ellie came upstairs from where she'd been having a good conversation with Martha. She was obviously impressed with Martha's intellect because she said, “Guess what? Martha just discovered that the reason why they make guy's shoes bigger is because guy's have bigger feet.” I said, “And here I thought it was because they had bigger mouths!”] [my dad laughed the hardest :-P]

hair [there's nothing more beautiful than watching my sister's brush their hair and my mom braiding it]

Chocolate [Toblerone milk = best]

Internet

Good Neighbors

Cameras/photography

Jesus Christ

The Bible

There is much more that I'm thankful for, you must believe me. :-) Including that it hasn't hit -40* yet. It has been getting close to it but it hasn't quite gotten down there. :-) I hope that you have a wonderful week, full of joy and good things. Cheers!