God's Song

Dreams Really Do Come True

I've always dreamed of having a grand piano. Not because I'm a snobby, have to have the best of everything kind of gal....because if you know me you know that I'm more a trash to treasure country girl. But there is just something about that beautiful deep sound of a grand piano that fills a room and echoes through the hall that I have always always loved.

But they cost a lot of money....

Like 10,000 to the moon.

And last time I checked we didn't have that kind of funds....for anything....let alone a splurging purchase like a grand piano. And come to think of it...even if we did I'm pretty sure that's not how we'd be spending it at this stage in our lives....

Until Bruce heard about a steal of a deal that a church was selling their 6 year old Wurlitzer baby grand piano....for an unbelievably small amount of cash. And so Bruce inquired without my knowledge and the next thing I know he's grinning ear to ear telling me he bought me a little something. Be still my heart!

It took about 10 days for delivery ....but I sit here a very happy little lady....

And there's been some of this going on too....which I LOVE.....

I'm so excited to see how God uses this instrument to bless others. I envision nights of singalongs, holiday caroling, jam sessions with Tucker on the drums and duets with Savannah. Thanks to Bruce for thinking of all the music and fun this would bring into our lives. 

Saying Goodbye Is Never An Easy Thing....

So....today we loaded up the first real purchase of any great value that Bruce and I made as a married couple. A piano. A Mark Model Electric Kurzweil Piano cased in cherry wood. We paid $6000 and we thought we were in the big time.

I began teaching piano lessons almost immediately. We were living in College Station and Bruce was the youth pastor and we were both subbing in the public school system full-time. It was a crazy busy time in our lives, filled with ups and downs of young married life and trying to start a family and that piano helped to soothe some of our first sorrows as a married couple. Music will do that.

When we left College Station, Bruce became pastor of a small church in the town of Fannett, Texas. They had an old upright that I played on for a few years but when we built our new church building my piano was used as the main instrument...and for about 6 years it was parked on stage at the church. I taught another slew of kids and teenagers and even a few adults while we lived there. We had recitals and sing-a-longs and it's there that I learned to play off a chord sheet....at the ripe old age of 30.

After nearly 10 years in Fannett, we moved to Gunter, Texas. Bruce began pastoring a small group of people there and within a few months, the piano made it's way into the church building. Up until that time it had been all guitar and soundtracks. I began teaching another group of students...more recitals and worship.

When we moved to Sulphur Springs, I was able to keep my piano at home with me. It's been a real blessing to our family over the last five years. Savannah has taken lessons for 4 years and has been tickling those ivories on a regular basis ever since her first lesson. Good memories of singing with her  and having Tucker on the drums beside us with stay with me forever.

That piano served me well...and it's going to a sweet family that will love it as much as we did. It's paid for itself over and over ...not only financially but also through the fun we've had as a family with the music that has flowed freely around us these last 20 years.

Today as Bruce and a friend carried the piano out and loaded it up, I shed a few tears...sentimental of course...The journey of those keys has special memories wrapped with special people and places that are dear to my heart. I am so thankful for the ministry that it represented and the lives that have been brought to worship as a result.

$6000 well spent by two crazy newlyweds. 88 keys tickled by 100+ students and many many hours of practicing....weddings and funerals and church services and much much more! Special and sweet memories.

Stay tuned to see its replacement....

Days of Thanks #21

Day 21- Thankful that, as a kid, my mom tortured me by making me take and practice piano. Over the years it has provided an income, paid my way through college and brought me to Jesus feet through worship. Even through she had to wear earplugs for the first three years, I'm glad she MADE me do it!

Day #18 Beautiful Keys

At eleven years of age my mom enrolled me in piano lessons. I'm not sure if it was my incredible ability to play "Heart and Soul" or if it was her dream of personally playing the piano, that prompted this move but after school on Thursday afternoons, my brother, sister and I would walk to the piano teachers home just down the street from our school.

And what I learned over the next seven years has been invaluable to me over the years. By age thirteen I was playing in church and through college it paid the way for me to go tuition free. And as a church musician I have been playing in some sort of capacity for nearly 20 years. 

I tried to pick up other instruments. After a month of violin lessons, Bruce begged me to quit. I agree it was absolutely awful. I also tried the guitar---didn't work out. So, I finally gave up and just embraced the keys for all it was worth. I don't play by ear, my theory knowledge lacks, and I didn't learn to play by a chord sheet until my thirties...but one thing is for sure...all those hours of practicing, and God's orchestration have allowed for many years of piano playing. Sometimes God gives you an ability...to be developed. Sometimes it takes work. Sometimes patience. I'm thankful for a determined mother who ordered at least 30 minutes a day tickling the ivories. I'm thankful for some of the best teachers in the world pushing me...sometimes to tears...to work hard...harder and even harder. And I'm thankful most of all for the years God has allowed me to do this for His glory..for the joy it brings Him, others and even myself.

God's good that way. He allows us to worship Him in so many different ways. When we use our gifts, talents, ability to honor Him, it's worship. We are giving back some of what He's given to us. It's an offering of sorts. 

And over the years, I've listened to many great pianist. Here are a few of my favorites...some inspiration to play on...

Sunday's Reading

Here are a few articles/videos I stumbled on this past week that you might enjoy as you observe your Sabbath rest today:

12 Things Your Daughter Needs to Hear You Say

One thing Your Daughter Never Needs to Hear You Say

Clear the Stage

Truths to Hang on to when You're Barely Hanging on

Piano Guys