Struggles and Maturity

^"2 Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, ³ because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. ⁴ Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything." James 1:2-4

If there were a list of "over-used" Bible verses, this would be on it, I know. But, honestly, can Scripture really be overused (when in the right context!)?

We are all faced with trials. Some big, and some little. I guess I've always known that and recognize that this is just a "part of life".

But these verses hit me hard. What we choose to do with our struggles is completely up to us. We know that God is faithful within our struggles. But we always have the choice to make these struggles worth something. It's not enough to simply say that God will help us through. He will, but we still have a choice. A choice to mature and persevere, or to let the struggle go by and no change us.

How do I react to my struggles? The big ones and the little ones. Who do I call on when I have an issue? Is there maturity and love in my words, actions, and reactions? Do I choose to "lack nothing", or do I get caught up in my judgements and feelings?

How do your struggles change you?

Third Time's A Charm

So, about two weeks ago I got this email:

"Hello Leanne,
Hope you are doing well.
Would you be interested in going back to Carnegie Hall and playing this time with MIchael W Smith?
We are hosting Michael at Carnegie in Jan 2013.
I've attached the detail sheet below. I'd love to have you in the orchestra again if you think you could come.
Let me know what questions you may have.
Blessings.
Roy"

I was sitting in a meeting at work when I read this, and I think my eyes nearly did popped out of my head. Shock. I love the "just let me know if you have questions". Of course I have questions. Gah! A few e-mails followed back and forth and I got this one:

"The choir is about to fill up in the next 2-3 weeks then we will start building our orchestra.

90% of the players will be union professionals from NY, so it will be a really fine orchestra directed by David Hamilton.

Several of the pieces will be from Michael's new instrumental CD which is awesome and was recorded by the London Philharmonic."

Wait. What? David Hamilton, the man I secretly curse because of the impossibility of some of his string orchestrations? The man who orchestrates all of MWS's work? The man who is a genius?

Wait? What? NYC union players? Me? Play? With them? At Carnegie?

So all that to say, I'm headed back to New York, New York. For the third time. To take in more 5th Avenue, to see more Broadway shows, to travel and hang out with one of my oldest friends (who gets to sing with us too!) and to play at Carnegie Hall. Again. 

Carnegie Hall. January 2012. Annie Moses Band.

I'm in awe. I don't know how this is happening to me. I feel like it shouldn't happen to me. But it is. I feel like the luckiest most blessed girl in the world. 

Thank you Lord for this talent. Thank you Lord for parents who saw the value in musical education. Thank you Lord for this opportunity. ALL glory be to Him.

Central Park. August 2008

Empire State Building. January 2012

Yellowstone, Bison, and Co.

So, back in May I went on a little road trip. 

Down to Wyoming. To Yellowstone National Park. With two special people.

Here are a few highlights. 

Me, being me.

This was a lovely little road side stop in Montana.

Finally at Yellowstone. Reading the warning about the goring bisions.

My Penny and Nessa. With the geysers.

Walking the boardwalks.

My favourite series of pictures.

I decided to join the Chinese tour group.

It's always a good time for a photo shoot.

Old Faithful

Another favourite...and a long run for Penny to get to that sign

after setting the timer for this shot.

The beautiful sisters.

Another timer opp.

A beautiful moment in the Lord's creation.

My favourite moment. So breath-taking.

Geysers are not the most pleasant smelling forces of nature.

"Get me out of this stinkin' fresh air!"

Another favourite sequence.

This bision caused a slight delay while leaving, but did bring out

Jocelyn's feelings toward these beasts.

"I love bison!"

Oh, well, that group shoot didn't work.

Me and the photographer herself. I love her.

Some photo fun while waiting at a road construction site.

 Just another look.

Why make a good photo, when it can be a funny one?

And a little spelunking to end our weekend.

What a joy to spend a solid four days with these two. I love that we can chat, be silient, laugh, be hyper, be sad and down, be high on sugar, and create amazing memories together.

Majority of photos are compliments of Jocelyn Dawn Photography - www.jocelyndawnphotography.blogspot.ca

If you have made it to the end of this post, congratulations. 

Rest

clinging to His promises

"Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light." 

Matthew 11: 28-30

craving rest. joy. peace. sleep. space.

praising the Lord. learning from the Master

still so thankful for the life He has blessed me with 

Dearest Leanne

August 27, 2001

Dearest Leanne,

If you are reading this, then I am already in heaven, but I can still see if your room is a mess, so tidy it up! I want you to know that you were a wonderful daughter to me. God blessed me by bringing a beautiful, curly-haired little girl into our family. From the day she was born, a spark of life and fun came into our home. What a treat when you got us all giggling at the table. You just have a way of seeing things from a funny way and making the rest of us see it along with you. Thank you for what you mean to our family as a special ray of sunshine that only you can bring to it.

I want you to know that it is clear that God has His hand on your life that has a sensitive, tender way with people. You know how to be a good friend, and you're already showing signs to say "no" to wrong things.

The reason God put you in this family is because He is desiring something very special for it, not just for now but also for many generations into the future. He is starting with us. He gave Mommy and I the vision to raise you to be one mighty in character and spirit, and certainly not just to be an "average Christian". God's desire for you is that your life will be completely dedicated to Him so that you can make significant impact for Him with your life. If you have a family, and I pray you will, then the spiritual heritage that you received will be your responsibility to pass onto your children. God has no "average Christians" in this family. For every generation, what you received will be your privilege to pass on to your children and grandchildren and theirs to pass on down the generations. You are part of something much bigger than you can imagine. The world is going to become a much more difficult place for Christians to be in God has chosen you to be one of His mighty warriors.

Leanne, I can hardly wait to greet you at heaven's door. In the mean time, just know that I love you dearly and am so proud of you. God bless you.

~Dad

It's the Littlest Things

It's the littlest things that can make an evening so thoughtful, pensive, relaxing, nourishing, and enjoyable, all at the same time:

Ridding my room of all the little (and big) things that it has collected over the last few weeks.

The anticipation of Friday, just because it's Friday.

Pondering memories. Remembering.

Choosing to see the beauty: photos, flowers, books, purple, presents, dolls.

My cows.

The sweet sounds of new music echoing through my room.

The anticipation of a strawberry milkshake.

Loving my evening at home.

This Week

Monday

• Start work at 8:00am
• 5 customer appointments
• Shop for concert apparel (there has to be something out there!)
• Civic Symphony

Tuesday

• Start work at 8:00am
• Meeting with marketing/IT who isn't following up on their contract
• New West Creative Team Meeting
• Last New West rehearsal for the year

Wednesday

• Start work at 8:00am
• Remaining 3 customer appointments
• Spend an evening at home with my Grandma (who is flying for my concert on Friday)

Thursday

• Start work at 8:00am (can you tell that I think this is a big deal?)
• Request afternoon off to set up for New West 
• Set up for New West Concert
• Dress rehearsal for said concert

Friday

• Prepare hair and make-up for concert
• Start work at 8:00am
• Die of exhaustion
• Make final concert preparations
• CONCERT @ 7:30pm!!!!!!!

Saturday

• Birthday party for friend <3
• Afternoon "off"?????
• Prep for concert
• More concert prep
• CONCERT @ 7:30pm

Work is mingled into this mix, as well as visiting with Grandma, as well as all final concert prep (tickets, sponsors, guest musicians info, and so much more).

It'll be an epic week. A busy week. An exhausting week. A great, great, great, great, great week. I'm so excited!