The Big Apple 2013

My little taste of the Big Apple - January 2013

Having way too much fun at 7:00am. Business flights are quiet from Calgary to Toronto...

unless Mik and I are on them.

Times Square

More Times.

 Divas...after going to the opera at The Metropolitan Opera House - AMAZING!

 The bull!

 Walking the Brooklyn Bridge. Chilly, chilly day! But oh, so beautiful.

Off for a little Wicked fun in a limo...

 Post Carnegie concert. All dolled up!

My beautiful mom!

What a blessing to play. Words can't even describe it. 

So thankful to the Lord for His direction in my life.

And for granting me just huge opportunities to experience joy.

Overtake. Complete.

February 26, 2013

Why do I wait so long to run to You? 

Why wait for moments of desperation? 

Lord, I am weak, but You are strong. 

I fail, but You have won. 

You've already won.

You've fought the battle.

Jesus, be present in my life. 

Make a difference in my actions. 

Show me the right attitude. 

TAKE OVER.

Flood my life. 

May my cup run over with Your blessings.

Overtake. Complete.

Day 7 - From a Low Angle

February Photo Challenge Day 7 - From a Low Angle

These roses hang in my room. 

A reminder that I am a daughter of the King. 

I am loved.

Day 6 - From a Distance

February Photo Challenge Day 6 - From a Distance

Late night drive home after a fantastic night with friends.

Lights, highway, and hospital.

Day 5 - Faceless Self Portrait

February Photo Challenge Day 5 - Faceless Self Portrait

I always enjoy the days that I can get out of the office to run errands, 

and enjoy the sun.

Day 4 - Favourite Colour

February Photo Challenge Day 4 - Favourite Colour

Love this! Purple has been my favourite colour forever - seriously forever. 

Thus, welcome to my room.

 Top: My beautiful walls - Cinnamon Slate

Bottom: My newest sweater from Anthropology in NYC. 

Left: The necklace holder that my aunt made and painted for me years ago.

Right: Dress. Purple. Ruffles. How can it get better? 

The Frontenac, Quebec City - Part of my wall art.

So excited about my NYC Central Park coasters!

Teacup from Butchart Gardens in Victoria.

It's all about the accessories.

More art - a cross stitch from my Grandma.

Love books!

My dear girl Emily - an American Girl Doll that I bought in NYC in 2008.

I absolutely love my room. 

I love that it is my two favourite colours, purple and green. 

I love all memories that it includes!

Day 3 - Flavour

February Photo Challenge Day #3 - Flavour

What's your favourite?

Baking on Sunday...and loving it! It had been too long.

(The spice on the left, Star of Anise, is used only at Christmas in our house - for peppernuts, my absolute favourite Christmas baking)

February 2 - Fuzzy

Photo Challenge Day #2 - Fuzzy

Today is Saturday. A Saturday with very little scheduled. So I'm cuddled up on my couch, with some comfy, cozy, fuzzy things.

I plan on staying here until guilt over takes me and I start my Saturday list of thing to do!

A few other fuzzy items that have been in my life recently:

So blessed by my trip to NYC this year, but also so full of fun, especially at Dylan's Candy Bar and the massive M&M's store!

"The Spreadsheet"

Last summer I realized I needed some lessons in a healthy lifestyle. I was at a point where I felt like all areas of life were unhealthy. I knew it would be a long process to journey back to health, probably one that continues through-out life.

I decided that the first task I was going to tackle was the "physical" aspect. It seems to be the most tangible (compared to emotional and spiritual).

One of the blogs I follow is Colourful Palate. My friend, Charissa, is a huge inspiration in many areas. I appreciate her love for life, her desire for healthy living, and her love for Jesus. Back in July she had a "Smoothie Challenge" in which she challenged us to have a smoothie a day. We had to document what we had each, and she tracked our "points". This was of course to encourage a healthy lifestyle, but also a side goal was to loose 5 vanity pounds. :)

This made me smile, and I shared it with my other blogging buddy, Jocelyn. We started to brain-storm some ways we could loose our vanity pounds, but most of all, spur each other on in living a healthy lifestyle.

Thus, "the spreadsheet" was born. If you're friends with me on Facebook, you will have heard of the spreadsheet. Everything I do or don't do seems to relate back to the spreadsheet. Being an office woman, any time I can create a fantastic spreadsheet I do a little happy dance, so that's exactly what happened...

It's all about the friendly competition. We track our daily activities, and the spreadsheet (with some fantasticlly awesome formulas) tracks our weekly totals, and then each monthly total. That's the ultimate "winner" so to speak. It is all in fun, but someone else knowing my every day movements spurs me on! Each day we track:

~ Excerise (walking, running, ringette, hiking, etc)

~ Work outs (sit-ups, push-ups, crunches, planks, etc)

~ Treat Eating (Dessert and Starbucks!)

~ Healthy Eating (Fruits and Veggies)

~ Water Intake (8 cups/day)

Our vanity pounds have indeed shed themselves, but more importantly, we do truly lead a healthier lifestyle. We're conscious of what we eat, and of the exercise we do - or don't do. We've had another friend join us as extra inspiration (she's killing me this month! Gah!).

It's all apart of the process. The long process of building a healthier me. Thankful for Jocelyn and Meghan who daily inspire me to keep doing my sit-ups. Thankful that HE gives me the strength and energy to keep going.

February 1 - Friend

Photo Challenge Day #1 - Friend

There is no way that I could pick one photo. Do you know me?

Rachel & Erin

These are my working buddies. 

It is seriously so much fun to work with your friends. Rachel is married a good friend of mine growing up, and has become a great friend of mine in the last 2 years (and we're unstoppable together at work!). I've known Erin since we were 13 and we have many the boy-drama stories to swamp from Junior High. ;)

Mikayla and Kristin

These two are the greatest. Knowing Mik since I was 9 years old, there is more history there than I sometimes care to admit. Kris and I are pretty much the same person but different too - So much inspriation and passion that I admire in her. I love seeing these two on the best night of the week - choir Tuesdays.

Jocelyn, Nessa, Gina, Jess, Bev, and Laura

 My life wouldn't be the same without my girls. What a blessing they are in my life. This year we've switched up our prayer schedule, and committed to prayer for each one of us on a specific day. What a special to bound with each other and with the Lord.

February Photo Challenge

I know. *Everyone* is doing a photo challenge. You're probably shaking your head at me right now. But well, to be honest, I don't care! ;) I like 'em, for a few different reasons. 

~ They require discipline. It's something that needs to be done every day. This is a good thing in my life. Keeps me focused.

~ You need to "search" for your photo. Either by looking through your photos for an old photo, or by looking through your every-day life to take the perfect photo. You start to see things from a different perspective.

~ They help you notice people, places, tastes, colour, or anything that is already a part of your life! 

So, here is my Feburary Photo Challenge - borrowed from marvelousthingsphotoblog.com

Enjoy - or ignore if you really are sick of photo challenges! ;)

Overwhelmed

My heart is overwhelmed. I just finished a weekend of four concerts, and my heart is full, 

to overflowing.

Overwhelmed by grace.

It is only by His grace that I can worship...and I know I can't do it in my own strength. I'm overwhelmed that He has given me this skill (feeble as it often is). But in truth, it means nothing if it isn't for Him. It's moments like this that I recognize my own broken-ness even more and revel in His gift of grace.

Full of joy.

There is nothing that gives me more joy then worshipping the Lord through song. I can't help but smile as I play, and my heart can't help but soar.

Pulled into His embrace.

There is never a sweeter feeling than being pulled into His embrace. Reaching my arms to Him to be comforted and filled with contentment.

Surrounded by peace.

Realizing that peace is something that only comes through Christ. Through Jesus. It creeps into to messy situations, to heartbreak, to loneliness; there is stillness. Recognizing that life is okay, because God is with us. Emmanuel. (Thank you, Aimee!)

I literally sobbed my way home tonight. Overwhelmed by these realizations. 

So full of joy, wonder, contentment, and love. 

Psalm 34, vs. 3 "Glorify the Lord with me; let us exalt His name together."

vs. 8 "Taste and see that the Lord is good; blessed is the one who takes refuge in Him."

The Journey Continues...

Mind, body, and soul. 

Emotional, physical, and spiritual.

All three are connected, intertwined so they can't be separated. And all, when neglected, leave one exhausted.

Life seems to take on a new form of busyness. A busyness of the mind. Where reality seems to cave in and collide all at the same time. The emotions can't cope, and they slowly turn off -- And you sink into a place of unfeeling.

This leaves the physical realm much to be desired. When unable to handle the cartwheels going through your mind, the last thing you feel like doing is real cartwheels. Life seems easier from the desk chair and from the couch.

And while you know that the Comforter is always ready to hear from you, it's all your little soul can do to indeed remember that He is there. You're holding on by a thread.

Coping.

Facing choices.

Little choices. Daily choices. Hourly choices. Perspective choices. Learning that when your perspective changes, your life, year, day, and minute can change.

When overwhelmed, look for the little task that you can accomplish. 

When upset, find one small area that brings you joy. Find a reason to smile

When sad, look out the window and find beauty. Revel in it.

When lonely, call a friend. Don't wait for them to call you.

When exhausted, either take a nap or do some push-ups.

And in all things, give thanks. To Him. The Giver of Life. The Healer of Dreams. The Prince of Peace. The One True Rest.

"Bless the Lord, O my soul: and all that is within me, bless his holy name. Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits: Who forgives all your iniquities; who heals all your diseases; Who redeems, who satisfies your mouth with good things; so that your youth is renewed like the eagle's. The Lord executes righteousness and judgement for all that are oppressed." Psalm 103:1-6

NWSC - Singing Praises

"Sing praises to God, sing praises: sing praises unto our King, sing praises."

Psalm 47:6

"Sing unto the Lord, O ye saints of his, and give thanks at the 

remembrance of his holiness."

Psalm 30:4

"Sing praises to the Lord, which dwelleth in Zion: declare among 

the people his doings."

Psalm 9:11

"Praise him with the timbrel and dance: praise him with 

stringed instruments and organs."

Psalm 150:4

And that is why I do what I do. I do it to praise the One who gave me these gifts. 

That is why I love these people. I love that we can proclaim His name. Together. As a single voice testifing to His power, love, and grace. Immeasurable grace.

Dad

I've been posting about my dad a lot this last year. I don't exactly know why. For some reason this past year has been a "hard" one, or at least one where I've thought about Dad a lot.

I think one reason has been that all male relationships that I have/had in my life have taken a drastic turn, in this last year. My boss, boyfriend, brother, pastor, etc; All have changed. Not necessarily in a terrible way, but I 100% know that any sort of male loss, however small, affects me in a much deeper why than the average person, specifically because of the loss of my dad.

Anyways, all that to say that this day, 11 years ago, is the day that my dad went to share Jesus' home. Part of me can't believe that it has been that long, and another part of me thinks that it was just yesterday. There are so many details that I remember about those first few days and him:

I very distinctly remember my sister coming into my room to tell me about Dad. I was still sleeping and Lisa came and woke me up. She was about to head to school when Mom had called her from the hospital. I remember Pastor Dave coming to pick all three of us kids up and my grandma to take us to the hospital. And of course, I remember what I wore (please, how is that helpful to remember? Why do I remember that?!)

At the hospital Pastor Murray and Lorrie were already there to be with Mom and meet us (I also remember what Lorrie was wearing. Again, why??). Pastor Murray told me this year that when talking to my mom that morning she had said "We'll never laugh again". Murray and Lorrie tried to encourage her that life would be okay and we would be okay. To which she replied, "No, no. Al was the funny one. I'm not the funny one. We'll never laugh again." :) I can so hear my mom saying that. And on that note, Mom does provide us with many moments of laugher.

I do so remember the support we got from people. I can't even say what people "did" for us, but just that we never, ever felt alone. People from North Vancouver, our neighbors, friends, and especially our church. That is one of the reasons I love my church, in the massive amounts of love that have poured from them to our family. 

Looking back at Dad's life, I'm always astounded at his listening ears to the ways of the Lord. The simple fact that he became a Christian by feeling called to pick the Bible up and read it, with no frame of reference to it's meaning. The courage it took Mom and him to step out in faith and home-school us, because the Lord called them too. His huge example of Godly character in working at Kellogg's for 25 years. And so many other ways. 

I remember so clearly his desire for us kids to do well. Providing us with great education, example of good character, and amazing opportunities to do well.

I remember the love he had for Mom. So evident in their marriage and home. I miss seeing my mom loved. 

I love that I don't feel like I grew up without a dad. At age 14, he made a big enough impact for me to feel like I grew up and was raised by him. 

I love knowing people who knew Dad. It really does mean a lot for them to have a further understanding of our family because they saw the influence he had on us. I love hearing how he impacted other people's lives, and even still impacts them. 

I don't like that he isn't here to see me perform, and jealous that he is listening to better music in heaven. 

I'm sad that most people in my life don't know him. I'm sad that my future husband and family missed that part of my life. And for my poor husband having to live up to my dad's reputation. :)

I miss him. For my sake. For my mom's sake. For my sister and her family. He would have been the greatest grandpa. I miss him for my brother who has to figure out life without a dad. For his sister's who no longer have a big brother. For his parents who miss their oldest child and shouldn't have to deal with the loss of a child. I miss him for all the people who never got to meet him.

But, I'm grateful that I did have him as my dad. And beyond grateful that I have my Heavenly Father who has been faithful through the last 11 years. For He is faithful, and worthy to be called Father.

Love you, Dad.

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