Joy

It's the third week of Advent and i just have to share some joy with you. I may ramble on, so if you're busy, tuck it away for later. 

You're probably going to get sick of hear this, but I just have to share again what a blessing the new organ is and music in general. Sunday was recital day for my students. Since not all of my students and their families celebrate Christmas, the last couple of years I came up with "Family Recital" and invited all family members to take part as many of my students come from talented families; Christmas/holiday music is optional. This year we had a mother/son piano duet and one of the mothers sang for us...acapella...GORGEOUS! She even found a way to combine it with the piece her daughter played, which had nothing to do with the Christmas song she sang, but complimented it very nicely. She was quite creative with it and it was great! Her father installed organs for a living and she was quite impressed with our new organ, she said it sounds amazing. 

One of my young students that seemed quite taken with the organ when I gave my little organ tour this fall was planning to play a piece called Bells. I told her if she wanted to, she could play her piece on the organ using the carillon stop. She said she'd think about it and I told her mom my idea. She arrived a little early, came up to me and said "I want to play my piece on the organ". I was rather surprised because I felt she was so hesitant at her lesson. We tried it out so she knew what to expect and she was fine with it and did quite well! Later her mom told me the reason she was hesitant was because she felt badly for the other students...that it wasn't fair that she was the only one that got to play the organ! I didn't realize she had considered it such an honor. 

Hubby and I played our rendition The God of Abraham Praise for them and I consented to do a duet with one of my students fathers. He is our neighbor and the new pastor at the church down the street. He wanted to do Bring A Torch Jeanette Isabella by Mannheim Steamroller. It was fun putting it together with him at the piano and me on the organ. He wanted to take it much faster, but I won out. :) It was still a fast waltz tempo and even at that I had to leave out a lot of the notes. Hubby said it sounded good and I'm trusting his judgement more and more. 

Speaking of Hubby - after everyone was gone and everything was cleaned up, he requested a "private concert", so I practiced a bit while he listened. I'm having trouble with the In Dulci Jubilo I want to play next Sunday morning...it's falling apart. I slowed it down and that seems to help some. Hubby decided the final chord needed a boost, so he pulled out the 32' sub bass and I think he's right. He loves that stop LOL! He now boasts of his new job at church - "I'm the 32' stop puller". Since my hands are rather busy at that point, I'm letting him step up and pull it for me and he seems tickled to do so. He cracks me up...I'm really not sure who's enjoying this organ more, me or him! 

Little things like this are happening and it's just so exciting to see. So many things are possible now that never were before. I love seeing the students test the waters and I hope that more will want to give it a try. I am feeling so blessed today. I'm blessed to work with a great bunch of students and some wonderful families, blessed to have a supportive husband, blessed to finally have an organ at church and blessed to have a mentor working with me who really cares about me and what is going on in my life...he's a true friend and brother.  

Oh...one more...I made some cards to sell, all proceeds to benefit the organ fund. Several women expressed wanting to see them, so I took them to church, had an announcement made and only one woman actually came over to look at them, but...she bought $30.00 worth! I had hoped there would be more  people interested...oh well, I tried. 

Today is cleaning, laundry, working out, teaching and card making day. Hubby will be gone for the evening, so I'll put on some music and see if I can get some cards made for me to give out! 

I'm sorry I have no photos today to break up this rambling prose, but thanks for "listening" to me bubble over! :D I pray you too are having a day filled with joy!