God's Leading: A Testimony

God is amazing--in so many ways! Tonight I’m thinking in particular of the way He leads when we can’t see clearly to make out the path ahead. I want to share the following testimony on how God has lead in a particular area in my life with the hope that it can be an encouragement to others who might be facing something similar. This was God’s answer for me and the way He worked in my life. The details of your story won’t be the same, but God does have a plan for you and He will work it out if you wait on Him!

It was about two years ago that I wasn’t sure what I was supposed to do with violin. Should I continue taking lessons? Should I stop playing altogether and move on to something else? Were there any opportunities for me to use my playing to bless others? Should I teach? Should I form a little group to play with? I faced a lot of confusion and uncertainty whenever I tried to seek God's will in this area. What did God want me to do?

Fast forward two years . . .

I’ve officially been teaching violin (and piano) for a year and a half now and I’m planning to get certified as a Suzuki violin teacher next summer if things continue to unfold for that. I’m taking ten of my sixteen students to two nursing homes next weekend to do a Thanksgiving program. I feel so blessed and fulfilled in being the one to help these children discover the beauty of music. My life has been bettered in so many ways through the experience of being a teacher!

Two and a half years ago, I found out about Anabaptist Orchestra Camp through a friend. That is part of what set my course concerning the violin. I knew I wasn’t stopping after I went there the first year! So many of my dreams have been fulfilled through AOC and I’m grateful for those who birthed that vision and those who have helped to carry it out!

My older sister plays harp, and she and I have been working toward a goal of going to a nursing home once a month to play. Our desire is that we will be able to be a bit of hope and light in some hopeless and dark lives. It is more blessed to give than to receive, so we want to share what we've been given through the gift of music.

Two months ago, my violin teacher asked me to play in a concert that she does with friends every December. We’ve been practicing for just over a month now, and it’s been wonderful to play with other musicians who enjoy music as much as I do and are committed to practicing, rehearsals, and whatever it takes to make the concert a success!

My teacher is also working with some of her younger students in an ensemble setting, and she invited my younger sister (who I’ve been teaching) to participate and asked me to help lead one of the little groups within the ensemble. The experience has combined three of my favorite things when it comes to music: playing with others, sight reading, and . . . the simple joy of making music!

In December, I’ll be playing Christmas music at a local church on Christmas Eve. My teacher told me about the opportunity and said that she couldn’t do it and asked if I would like to. I was nervous as I’ve never done anything like that before, but I went and met with them and they said they’d like to have me. So . . . I’m going to do it!

Several of the things I’m involved in right now are short term, and I don’t know what (if anything) will take their place in the coming months. However, I do know how God has directed me for now, and I know that He will continue to lead and unfold my path before me as I follow Him!

So how did I get from A to B, from confusion and uncertainty to certainty, fulfillment, and joy? One big thing that happened is that God used my parents to answer questions, give input, and help guide me. I know I wouldn't be at where I am today if it weren't for my wonderful parents! God also tested my faith during this journey. Often I would step out, not knowing exactly where I was going, but God was always there to confirm my direction or shut the doors. As long as I stayed closely connected to Him, I knew I could trust Him to do that!

AOC 2015

Orchestra Camp just gets better every year! This past week two of my sisters and I traveled to Indiana for that and on the way we stopped in Kentucky to see some friends. We made a lot of special memories together as sisters and with the other musicians at camp. One of my sisters and I played violin and my other sister helped prepare food for all of us. Once again the weekend inspired me musically, so I’m looking forward to putting some things in place that have only been dreams before now!

Practicing

I liked these little name tags on our chairs :)

When I saw this I just felt like it deserved a picture . . .

Sisters, best friends, violinists . . . it couldn't get better!

Between songs during the final concert

Reflections on Music

Between teaching twelve music students, practicing for orchestra camp at the beginning of September, practicing to fiddle at the farmer’s market, and taking an online course on string quartets, I practically live music these days. I wouldn’t have it any other way. Music is a gift! That reminds me of a quote that I really like:

Bach gave us God's Word.

Mozart gave us God's laughter.

Beethoven gave us God's fire.

God gave us Music that we might pray without words.

As I ponder the beautiful gift of music, I often marvel. God created music in all of its perfection and grandeur, and He chose to share it with us. Can you imagine how it will be to sing in heaven with the angels? I don’t think that the most beautiful music here on earth even begins to compare!

Yet I also marvel at how, like with many other things, man has corrupted this God-created, God-given gift. Music influences people in profound ways, either for good or bad, like little else does. Be vigilant in your music selection—it can be a tool of God or a tool of the enemy of your soul!

“I waited patiently for the Lord; And He inclined to me and heard my cry. He brought me up out of the pit of destruction, out of the miry clay, And He set my feet upon a rock making my footsteps firm. He put a new song in my mouth, a song of praise to our God; Many will see and fear And will trust in the Lord.” ~ Psalm 40:1-3

“Therefore be careful how you walk, not as unwise men but as wise, making the most of your time, because the days are evil. So then do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is. And do not get drunk with wine, for that is dissipation, but be filled with the Spirit, speaking to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody with your heart to the Lord; always giving thanks for all things in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ to God, even the Father; and be subject to one another in the fear of Christ.” ~ Ephesians 5:15-21

“O come, let us sing for joy to the Lord, Let us shout joyfully to the rock of our salvation.” ~ Psalm 95:1

A Reminder

Tonight, God gave me a reminder. It was painful in some ways, but beautiful in others. This reminder came in the form of a person who had no idea that they were being God’s messenger to me. (Ever have one of those?)

Tonight I was at the dress rehearsal of my violin teacher’s end of the year student recital. It was one of the students there that God used to remind me of something very important—thankfulness. She is an adult student and is learning to play the piano, but I discovered something about her that wasn’t true of any of the rest of the students there: she is blind.

When she was introducing herself, she said that she felt like it was her mission in life to show people that handicapped people (her wording) could do things just like everyone else. I almost started to cry. How beautiful that this woman didn’t settle for what people told her was possible. She didn’t give in to the mentality that only certain people whom we think are “normal” can do certain things. She tackled the impossible and it became possible!

That was the beautiful part. Then there was the painful part. How many times have I looked at the circumstances in my life and complained or thought that life wasn’t being fair to me? And yet nothing that I have faced in my life is anything even close to being unable to see. Right then and there I thanked God for my eyesight, which I think I need to do much more often. But I also wondered if this woman isn’t better off than I am. She played her piece beautifully and seemed to have such a positive attitude. She didn’t show any sign of complaint about her situation. Maybe she has learned a secret that I have yet to learn.

I Am a . . .

. . . Teacher Student.

A teacher is supposed to teach, but I feel like I have learned so much more from my students than I have taught them. I have been a music teacher for two years now, and I’m still learning. And I hope I’ll keep learning from my students for as long as I am their teacher.

I’m currently preparing for my second music student recital at the beginning of July. As I plan out the music, location, date, time, rehearsals, and other details of the program, I think about my students and take into consideration each of their unique personalities, gifts, strengths, and weaknesses.

Sometimes I feel more like a mother than a teacher. I only see each student for half an hour a week (except for two of them, whom I am privileged to see every day!), but I find myself thinking about them often. I wrestle with answers to their questions and solutions to their problems. I dream of ways to make them blossom and thrive. I am intrigued by the vast differences in their learning styles and preferences. I inquire about their interests and activities. They share their joys and sorrows. I count it a privilege to know each one of these children and to be involved in their lives.

I don’t know what God has in store for me: whether I’ll be a music teacher for the rest of my life, or whether this is just a brief window that will soon close. But I am thankful for this opportunity that I’ve had. Thank you, students, for letting me be you teacher. Thank you for letting me touch your lives. And thank you for teaching me and touching my life, too.

What Song Is This?

I originally wrote the following description to fit a particular piece of music, but realized that it could describe a number of songs. I am curious to hear what song(s) it brings to your minds. Please comment with your thoughts!

“The slow pace and dreamy harmony of this piece invoke sweet reflections of fiddles and mountain cottages.”

Videos from Orchestra Camp

The final concert at orchestra camp was held at two on Sunday afternoon. The whole orchestra played nine pieces, the brass and woodwinds played four, and the strings played four. Here is the program in the order that it was played:

Whole Orchestra

God of Our Fathers arr. David Winkler

Sleepers Wake J. S. Bach, arr. Jerry Brubaker

Finale from Symphony No. 5 Ludwig van Beethoven, arr. Vernon Leidig

Hansel and Gretel E. Humperdinck, Arr. Merle J. Isaac

Hungarian Dance No. 5 Johannes Brahms, arr. Robert Bauernschmidt

Brass and Woodwinds

A Sacred Suite for Concert Band Alfred Reed

A Mighty Fortress Martin Luther, arr. James D. Ployhar

Rock-a My Soul Traditional Spiritual, arr. Andrew Balent

Brass

Look, Ye Saints John Hughes, arr. Joan Pinkston

Strings

The Morning Trumpet, B. F. White, arr. J. Martin Pinner

Christmas Concerto Arcangelo Corelli

Gauntlet Doug Spata

Strings and Choir

The Lord Bless You and Keep You John Rutter

Whole Orchestra

Farandole George Bizet, arr. Merle J. Isaac

Chopstix Variations Jerry Brubaker

Grace Greater Than Our Sin arr. David Shipps

The Majesty and Glory of Your Name Tom Fettke, arr. Michael Lawrence

I really liked the selection of pieces this year! My favorites were Hungarian Dance, Christmas Concerto, Gauntlet, and Farandole. I also discovered new words to a familiar hymn tune that we sing (the tune is called National Hymn and we usually sing it with the words “Heralds of Christ who bear the King’s command . . .”). And I thought that the hymn arrangement was well done and fit very nicely with these words:

God of our fathers, whose almighty hand
Leads forth in beauty all the starry band
Of shining worlds in splendor through the skies
Our grateful songs before Thy throne arise.

Thy love divine hath led us in the past,
In this free land by Thee our lot is cast,
Be Thou our Ruler, Guardian, Guide and Stay,
Thy Word our law, Thy paths our chosen way.

From war’s alarms, from deadly pestilence,
Be Thy strong arm our ever sure defense;
Thy true religion in our hearts increase,
Thy bounteous goodness nourish us in peace.

Refresh Thy people on their toilsome way,
Lead us from night to never ending day;
Fill all our lives with love and grace divine,
And glory, laud, and praise be ever Thine.

            And here at last are the videos! (My family and friends who were watching the live streaming were disappointed that the one taking the video seemed to have an aversion to pointing the camera toward some of us violinists who were in the back rows ;-), but at least you’ll get to see us some!) You can click in the lower right of the video below to view it on YouTube where you can select specific songs to listen to. Enjoy!