Don We Now...

I didn't really mess with photos on my last post but here is a snap of the first concert of the season, the Lapeer County Community Chorus at Hunter's Creek Church. Then there's Ben (the shorty) playing the bell set and Fox with his Euphonium. Ben is quite diligent in his practicing and never has to be reminded to do it, which I love. He also goes beyond what they are working on during rehearsals and tries to figure out parts on his own, many times calling me in to play duets with him. Since we didn't rent the bell set he just practices on the piano and I think it's a good thing. Fox's run with band is coming to a close but he'll finish out this year. He did what I asked and tried it for middle school, it's not his thing and I'm ok with that, next year it will open up his schedule for more electives.

The past couple weeks have been a whirlwind of final preparations and performances. Although it was a bit crazy at times the Lord knew what he was doing in blessing me with these projects because it has really helped keep me going instead of wallowing around in grief. I know my mother would have appreciated and supported these endeavors and hope she's been looking over me through it all. Although our final dress/tech rehearsal for Star of Wonder left me wondering if this was truly going to minister. The annointing hit when the time finally came and the kids did a fantastic job, the shepherds rocked the house, actors delivered their lines well, the "wee" kings were too cute, and the vocal soloist touched my heart. One of our elders told me later he thought it was probably the best children's program the church had done. Glory to God! We even had a special moment at the end of the program, the second from the last song "Constellation Celebration" the kids come off the platform and dance around the aisles and when they came back up to the front a brother of one of girls danced up on stage with the rest of the cast. I was familiar with this boy and had him with us on Wednesday nights on a few occasions, he has some mental challenges but really comes alive when we work on music. Sister was concerned and tried to make him leave the stage but I intervened told her it was ok and invited him onto the risers with the group. He sang the final song "Look Up" (which he knew from being in with us) with the his face beaming and the biggest smile you've ever seen. It was truly precious and just that little moment made it all seem so worthwhile.

There were some other personal 'mini' miracles that happened surrounding my actors but I'll refrain from sharing them since they're personal, but as I started to get feedback and testimonies afterward it gave me a new understanding of why we were given this assignment. Pastor has also asked us back to do a couple selections from the program at the Christmas Eve service which was a bit of a surprise and a little last minute, but hey...I'm game.
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The school programs had a bit of a wrench thrown in due to snow days on Monday and Tuesday so we lost our 'dress' rehearsal for choir and two days of practice for the 4th grade skit. Then when we went to set the skit on the stage we had to change everything around because of miking issues. The kids did great and went with the revamp gracefully. I had to leave Mrs. Martin to finish things out because on top of everything else I was also running my daughter around because she totalled her car on an icy hill after the first snow fell. But it all worked out in the end, didn't they make for a cute cast!?

Friday night we went down to Rochester to drop off the band fruit at my in-laws and caught the light show on the way back. This is really a cool concept draping all the buildings and they've even added more down some side streets and further north of town.

Yesterday was the holiday choir program with the North Branch Schools. I had about 130 chairs set out initially and we had to pull out and set up another 100+ chairs there were so many people that came! I was floored. Unfortunately because of the trimester change, other commitments and some teenage blow-off the middle school and upper elementary group were not at their full capacity but they did well none-the-less. The NBE After School Chorus brought it full force and sang with all their hearts. Technical challenges aside it was wonderful. Afterward I had some positive feedback from several parents and grandparents plus had a father/son team with sound experience come up and offer to help me work out some kinks for the next program. What a blessing that will be. In all the excitment I didn't even take a picture even though I had the camera in my pocket the whole time. I emailed a few moms and hopefully they can send me some snaps.

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Well, even though this batch of musical activities has concluded I've already begun receiving the download for my next assignments....a choir pops concert on Valentine's Day, coordinating VBS (found one I'm really excited about), working the creative arts camp at Paint Creek Center for the Arts (already talked to the director about some theme ideas), and a future ministry of "Praise Rocks!: A Children's Musical Giving God the Glory" - hopefully put together in a Saturday Kid's Praise Club format. But for now I just need to get busy wrapping.

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I'll leave with a quote from Bill Rancic (I love the Bill & Guilliana show).

"Everything will work out alright in the end; and if it's not alright, then it's not the end."

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Have a blessed Christmas everyone!