Hello Again

As I look out the studio window I can hardly believe my eyes. The sky has turned to what I call "ominous  gray", the last few leaves on my little tree in the front yard fight to hold on by a tiny thread and the garden lettuces that weren't made into summer salads now wither and turn to seed. Summer is gone, fall is most definitely here and winter is rapidly knocking on the door. My thoughts have turned more inward lately and I long to make a steady habit of blogging again. 

There is so much on my mind to share; I don't dare attempt it all in one post. I have decided I will begin with the most current news because it's the most important, and work my way back until I'm all caught up. 

October 21st...11:14 p.m. Amelia Grace - my first granddaughter was born...just missed my birthday by one day!! Momma and baby are healthy but Momma isn't snapping back as quickly as she'd hoped. They are all trying to get used to being a family and are putting off visits with friends and family until they get rested up a bit...yeah...I'm thinking that's going to be a while! I was so hoping to get to hold her this weekend, but they're not yet ready for visitors. :( Gran is trying to accept it and stay busy...I certainly have enough to do. Fortunately for me I finally have a smart phone and can easily receive and share photos. I think I need to start a new scrapbook!

We have begun "small groups" at church. We meet on Sunday night in lieu of the traditional evening service which of course has a percentage of folks coming unglued. I see some positive things coming of our group, but I'm not as open as our Pastor would have me be. We usually discuss the sermon from the morning, making life applications, etc. He's been speaking on Nehemiah and spoke this week about 3 distractions that keep us from doing the work God has for us...other opportunities, criticism, and fear. At small group he wanted to know our passions, what we believe God has for us to do. I said as little as possible because I still feel God's call to be an organist. That truly is my heartbeat but I can't figure out how it fits in His plan if we move to the gym (because our attendance has been up so much we are outgrowing our sanctuary space) and/or move entirely into contemporary music. How is it God is calling me to this ministry and yet I see my church moving in a different direction? I'm confused. I just cannot imagine my life of serving Him without music in it. Hubby is feeling it too as one reason he bought his euphonium was so we could play things together for church. I have to admit, it has been good for us working together on music. I hate the thought of us not being able to do that anymore. Hubby keeps going back to getting an organ for home so I'll have something even if our church music dies. I just don't know how to get it to fit or how we'll afford it, but I have worked so hard and learned so much I just don't want to lose it. He hasn't practiced in a while but he's down there right now and it is nice to hear him playing again. So this is one thing I've been addressing in my life - just what God has for me in the future. I am trying to come to the point where I can cheerfully accept whatever happens to my ministry as a church organist and in my heart I know God has it all under control and if I yield to Him there will be great contentment and joy...it's all part of wearing that crown.