Pianos, Strawberry Ice Cream, and Nostalgia.

Today I played the piano. I haven’t touched it since before Chile (and months before that), but I have been itching to do so all week. So today I finally did. It felt so wonderful and so right. I don’t know why I ever stopped. I guess I feel the same way about journaling and reading the Bible. I’ll go for a few days without doing so and it is always a chore to pick up my Bible or journal again, but once I do I realize how much I miss it. Things should change in that regard.
All worries faded away as I played Claude Debussy’s Moonlight Sonata. I flipped a few pages and flowed into Claire de Lune, one of my all time favorites. I could still play. What a wonderful feeling to be able to pick something back up that was such a passion and has been so neglected after all this time. I definitely struggled with parts, but I’ll work on it and get it back to where I was with that piece four years ago. The very last few measures are all giant chords that you roll into. Brilliant. They are a bit of a stretch when one is out of practice. As I hit those chords, memories of when I was first learning the piece flooded over me. Dianne-my piano teacher-taught me how to “properly” roll the chords. Visions of her long, skinny fingers with crazy long fingernails were so vivid. Those fingernails, longer than any pianist’s fingernails should be, were always painted bright red and would clack as she hit the keys. Those keys, from that old, beautiful piano, were cracked from where a little kid had gotten mad and slammed down his book, breaking and chipping every single one of the piano keys. It was quite sad, but for someone learning to play, the chips helped one to know which key was being hit without having to look. Ok, so maybe that was just handicapping them for playing on other pianos, but it seemed easier at the time. (;
It is interesting how many vivid memories can come back with just a strike of one chord. Puts a new light on the saying “that really struck a chord.” For me tonight, it literally did. Wonderful memories, mixed with a bit of nostalgia and some sadness for time past. So naturally, the only cure-all for a funky mood was luckily available to me in our freezer. Strawberry ice cream. “Pink-Stuff” as it has been called before by loved ones. To me, chocolate is not the go-to food; it’s strawberry ice cream. It has the ability to let me sit in my nostalgic moods for a time, but it is such a happy ice cream that it doesn’t allow me to wallow. I can’t help but leave the bowl with a smile.
So strike up the band, keep your chin up, and keep playing. Life continues through nostalgia and it is a beautiful thing.
[P.S. I plan to play the piano tomorrow too. I'm excited!]

Day After Day

“Look at a day when you are supremely satisfied at the end. It's not a day when you lounge around doing  nothing; it's when you had everything to do, and you've done it.” –Margaret Thatcher

I found this quote somewhere the other day and felt that it adequately sums up my past few weeks.  It has been a wonderful few weeks, but it's also been crazy! I've never had so many tests and projects and quizzes and papers in such a short time. At least that what it seems like.  However, if I had to trade it with three weeks of doing nothing, I'd probably opt not to.  ...Ok, so I'd really just rather have a happy balance of both.
I think that Margaret Thatcher's quote is pretty true. It's a much better feeling to have accomplished everything and conquered the day while being busy instead of doing nothing. There will be those days that seem to conquer us, but hopefully we'll survive and continue with the next day.

Today's Verse: 2 Corinthians 12.9-10

"But He [Jesus] said to me [Paul], 'My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.' Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weakness so that the power of Christ may rest upon me. For the sake of Christ, then, I am confident with weaknesses insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong."

Oh, and here's the song of the day:

Happy weekend!!

Need A Laugh?

...Yeah, me too! This is sure to put a smile on any face, no matter the stressful day that is happening! One of my friends posted it on Facebook, and it was definitely a smile-bringer (is that even a word??) in between my two crazy-hard Spanish tests this morning. Enjoy!



[Not really sure what the cookies have to do with anything, but it's funny!]

Happy almost Friday!!

Christian Focus Week

I have never fully understood why we have a week devoted to "focusing on Christianity" on a Christian campus until today. Every year at Ouachita, we have a week devoted to Christian focus. What the week consists of are worship services in the mornings, speakers, worship bands, breakout sessions, Q&A, etc. Well, I have always loved this week because it is a nice way to center my days around Jesus. But as each CFW (Christian Focus Week) comes along, I always wonder why, at a Baptist campus, do we need to focus on Christ this one week. Shouldn't we be doing that every week? Everyday?
Today, it was made clear to me that, while we do center daily Ouachita life around Christ, CFW serves as a revival of sorts. It is for a new perspective, a breather, a re-focusing if you will. It's a beautiful thing. This year, we have with us Brian Loritts as a speaker and Lindsay McCaul leading worship. They are amazing! 
We read tonight in the Bible study, which we hold weekly with my friends, about Paul being overwhelmingly encouraged by the Thessalonians' faith and all that they were doing.  How cool is it that Paul was refreshed and refueled simply by hearing what other Christians were doing in their faith?? It was as if Paul were sharing in the Thessalonians' work and sharing of the Gospel. He was moved by hearing of their actions. Why are we not more like that?  
This verse came to life to me as I was encouraged by the testamony, singing, and sharing of Lindsay McCaul's heart tonight. I wanted to share in her ministry, and know her more. It was a wonderful reminder of why CFW is so important and good for us Ouachitonians. We tend to live in a bubble here and get in a rut. Whether or not that's good is not really for me to say. I see both sides. However, this week is so that we can hear new perspectives on the same thing that we know and hear often.  It is to refuel us so that we can know the bigger, eternal, Kingdom picture.
I am so overwhelmingly blessed to be part of such a special place where not only is our education valued, but our spiritual health is cherished and encouraged.  It is put at top priority. It is strengthened, at a time that is so critical to the development of people, Jesus is constantly placed at the center and we are encouraged to "grow up in our salvation." 


A few highlights from sermons the past few days:
Monday, Brian Loritts:  Compassion: Seeing a need, feeling for that need, doing something about that need. We cannot be compassionate people if we do not expose ourselves to the suffering of this world! 
Tuesday, Brian Loritts:  1 Corinthians 9.24-27. Finish Well. "The Bible doesn't say that God will say at the end of your life, 'Well Start, my servant.' He says, 'Well Done.'" God is not finished with you yet! Despite bad starts or bad middles, God is still working in you so that you may finish well. Run the race: Give it your all. Be people marked by excellence, endurance, and integrity.
"There is a misnomer about Salvation that it's cheap. No. It's free. But it cost someone something so that it could be free for you. but it was not cheap. God is saying to us, "Because I've paid, you stay in this race. Don't come talking to me halfway through. Quit is not in the Christian's dictionary." 
Those who finish the race are those who push through the pain. It's not a sprint, but a marathon. There will be pain and suffering (i.e. Job, the teachings of Jesus). Take up your cross: identifying with Jesus and sharing in His death.

Tonight: Charlie Hall Band came in concert with Lindsay McCaul opening for him. It was such a great night!!
Here are my pictures for the week and a little video to let you semi-experience what my night looked like. [they're taken from my phone, so they may be a bit rough..]

When Life Slows Down...

Hello friend,
I apologize for the leave of absence... I've actually started this post three times in hopes of finishing it and now it's finally happening. 
I have an announcement! As of thirty minutes ago, marching season is officially over! My life can stop revolving around the marching field. I can take a sigh of relief as my life slows down for a brief moment in time.
I'm sitting in my living room with the TV on and my roommate curled up on the couch relishing this new-found freedom. I'm not sure if I'll know what to do with all my time. Well actually I do: school work, friend time, and I can finally fully focus on the youth group once again like i should. Bliss!
As I look back over the past month, I see a definite roller coaster. It's been full of fun, good times but there has also been tears and stress and tension. But through it all, I've learned so much.
The past month has been full of Fall Break, Homecoming weekend, Tiger Tunes, Mid-Terms, an Exegetical Paper, Fields of Faith, Battle of The Ravine, Middle School Youth Retreat, and normal social life/school responsibilities. [Each of the links goes to the pictures on the Picassa Web Album that corresponds, somewhat, to each word. :) ]
I wish I could tell you everything that's happened this month, but my feeble words won't be able to catch just what it's been like around here. Why don't I just list off some words and let them describe the month and then you can see pictures and visualize it? 

Sunshine. Spirit. Family. Rain. Prayer. Lots of Prayer. Band. Hillsong. Faithful. Exegetical Paper. Relationships Ended. Projects. Sadness. Conversations. Tears. Mr. Magorium's Wonder Emporium. Relationships. Healing. Packages. Trust. Stress. Loss. Beauty. Life. Forgiveness. Mended Relationships. Youth. Service. Home. Tiger Tunes. Learning. Battle of the Ravine. Rock Shops. Picnics. Refuge. Thankfulness. Music. Spanish. Games. Friendships. Bonds. Love. Laughter. Lots of Love and Laughter. Chocolate. Pictures. Tests. Romans. Scripture. Letters. Coffee. Star-Gazing. J.J. Heller. Journaling. Movies. Waffle House (For the first time ever!). Bible Study. Schedules. Future. Chai Tea. Lady Gaga. Peace. Meetings. Logos. Perspective Students. Sunrises. Best Thai.  Joy.

As I leave you, I want to share with you two of my current favorite songs. These have been a comfort and a help to me throughout the month. In the good times and the bad ones. They have helped me to re-focus and remind me of Psalm 62.8 says, "Trust in him at all times, you people; pour out your hearts to him, for God is our refuge." I know I can pour out my heart and praise God no matter what. I also know that God is faithful.  If there's one thing I've learned lately, it's that God is faithful through all things. And no matter what goes on, He's got a plan-a perfect plan-and although I may not see why something happened or is happening, God knows and is control of anything that will happen. And in the end, despite rainy days and sadness, Christ overcomes anything and the sun does come out and laughter happens once again.  There's a strong sense of peace that comes when I'm at the point where I can only completely trust God.
Anyway, I'm off my tangent now, here are my songs:


[Forever Reign, by Hillsong]



[Healing Is In Your Hands, by Christy Nockels]



I hope to update you on other things soon, and not wait so long to post things. :) Much Love to you all.

Now may the God of peace, who through the blood of the eternal covenant brought back from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great Shepherd of the sheep, equip you with everything good for doing his will, and may he work in us what is pleasing to him, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.

-Hebrews 13.20-21

J.J. Heller

I found the first video the other day on a friend's blog, and loved it! I've fallen in love with J.J. Heller's music last year, and have found lots of encouragement from her words. :)