First Day of School

Ok..technically the first day of school was last Monday, Aug. 18th. However, I'm just now getting around to posting about it:) Typical, I know. But I was kinda proud that it's only been a little over a week! Janae and Cameron started kindergarten, and they are loving it so far! Jared started 2nd grade and seems to be adjusting. He wasn't as excited as the other two. On the first day he said "It was boring. They just told us a bunch of rules." Ok. I agree with him, first days aren't always the best. But he seems fine now. Here are a couple of pics for your viewing pleasure:)




Are those not the cutest kids you ever saw? Well, I think they are:) In the top picture, Patrick decided to get in on the action, even though it will be 3 more years before he joins them. Since school dismissed early the first day, we took the kids to lunch at Asian Pearl. Yum!!

Anyway, school is definitely underway. I didn't have any music classes the first week, but I did listen to 39 choir auditions. That took what seemed to be an eternity, and I was ready to bite on something to steady my nerves by the time it was over :) I also spent some time putting things away, and shopping for a few last minute things. Below are a couple pics of the decor in my band room.





I don't normally consider myself a very creative person, so I was thankful for the Lord's help with decorating. I also had to decorate my general music room, but don't have any pictures of that. On the shelves, you may see some instruments. I had an old violin, flute, and clarinet that don't work and cost too much to repair. So I added them as decor, and some lovely little percussion toys. A little greenery and flowers, and we were good to go. I am excited about the new white board! Yeah!

Well, this week I have listened to band auditions, and started general music classes K-4th grade. The upper grades will start next week, and that will include 5th and 6th grade music, Jr. High/Sr. High Choir, Chime Choir, Beginning Band(may the Lord have mercy on my soul,) and Intermediate Band. The rest of my week will involve getting my piano students started, and preparing for band and choir. I will also have to make a trip to Bloomington to buy some essentials, such as timpani mallets and books for band. Our school just purchased a used set of timpani, and they seem to be in great shape! So that's exciting. I just need to get brushed up on how to use them :) I have never tried to start a beginning band before, so I would appreciate prayer. If my hair is totally gray by the end of the school year, you will understand why. Those of you who have listened to any beginning band will already understand :) Bless their hearts...we all have to start somewhere. I just hope my nerves can take it!

Well, that's about it on school for now. Just wanted to post once more about something I read in my devotions. I am plowing my way through a wonderful book by Beth Moore, "90 Days with Jesus the One and Only." The reason I say "plowing" is because it's taking me a lot longer than 90 days. But I'm also reading a companion book, and I don't get it read every day like I should. But it's a great book, and I highly recommend it! If you read my last post, you know that I struggle with an inferiority complex, etc. I think that I have so little to offer God, just a fragmented life. It puzzles me why He would even want to use me. But I read this in Beth's book. She was telling the story of the feeding of the 5,000. One of her points was as follows: " Christ can perform astounding wonders when we bring Him all we have. Matthew 14:17 records the disciples saying 'We have here only five loaves of bread and two fish.' Christ responded, 'Bring them here to me.' Beloved, I want you to hear something loud and clear:no matter what your "only" is, when you bring all of your "only" to Jesus, it's huge! When we bring Him everything we have, He multiplies it beyond our wildest imagination. On the other hand, we can surrender Him "some" of our lot, and it can dwindle to virtually nothing." I don't know about you, but that hits me right where I live. So many times I have offered some of what I have, desperately clinging to 1-2 pieces. I guess I think "He couldn't possibly want or use that part of me." But I know that He wants everything, and that when we give it to Him, He makes all the difference. That means giving Him not just talents, but also hopes and dreams. That's the hard part. I don't struggle to give Him my talents. I really don't. I figure that He gave them to me, so He should have them. But in reality, He also gave me my hopes and dreams. And He wants those, just as much as He wants my talents. While it can be scary to give those things to God, I also know that He is able to do so much more that I can even ask or imagine. God is not in Heaven just "waiting to lower the boom" on me...but sometimes that has been my attitude. I have been afraid that He won't fulfill my dreams, that my hopes will be dashed to pieces. But God isn't like that. If He witholds something from me, it is because He sees that it would not be in my best interest, or would not give Him the most glory. But He isn't just wanting to see how miserable He can make me. His plans for me are exciting, not something to be dreaded. So I'm choosing to trust Him with everything. How about you?

Well, I need to go for now. I'm celebrating with Steve tonight. My cousin is having a birthday on Thursday, so we're going out to eat to celebrate. I wish you much joy and peace!