We're Sorry Your Arm is Broken

Tweet

In honor of someone we love who recently broke her arm,

I thought I would share the sympathy I received when I broke my arm. 

The first time, anyway.  I was six. 

This is one of my treasured childhood possessions.

{Click a picture to see a larger image.}

 My brother's class at school took it upon themselves to make me a book,

from whence these photos come.  I smile to myself, picturing the adults these children have become, and their innocent and heartfelt expressions of sympathy.

                                                                                   

 If I had found it, I would also have included a photo of myself, triumphant with my very hard and brilliantly pink cast.  Or the numerous stickers from the doctor that filled my little sticker book.

"This is a chocolate chip cookie," he declairs, as if certain I will not otherwise know.  Next page over, they have me dreaming of ice cream.

In actuality, what I most desired {and delightedly received} was cinnamon toast.

But the blueberry pie in the hospital wasn't bad either.

{Sorry for the duplicate.  I'm having no success deleting one.}

 In these cases, the picture must be worth a thousand--

or at least the few they would have written--words.

And finally the teacher, who like my grandmother, wrote with pictures.  Which I loved, and still love.

When You're a Choir Family, Christmas Starts Now

Tweet

When you sing in choir, or play in band, Christmas comes in October.

When you're a choir director, Christmas comes in June. 

Or maybe July.  Or at the latest, August.  You've got to order.

So when you're not only a choir director but also a composer, and you're on summer break, or at least sort of on summer break, you clip videos and recordings and post them for the first time on youtube.  You reply to a question on choralnet, and hope they like your piece enough to buy it.  For all 100 choir members. 
Even 20 choir members would be exciting. 

{All self published, at this moment in time, like quite a few
composers do to get started these days.} 

Isn't it exciting?  I'm so proud of my husband for his talent and the way he uses it all for God's glory.  And I really like his music--fun, challenging, Biblical, beautiful. 
I hope you enjoy it as much as I do.

Your Value

Tweet

Are not two sparrows sold for a farthing? 

and one of them shall not fall on the ground without your Father. 

But the very hairs of your head are all numbered. 

Fear ye not, therefore; ye are of more value than many sparrows.  {or baby robins}

Matthew 10:29-31

Tweet

I meant to write something profound.  I meant to tap into the vast stores of blog posts I've been wanting to share with you even while I've lacked the time.  But I'm sleepy.  So I'll just wish you a happy, resting Sabbath, bright with all the joy-flowers of the soul, the ones that bloom under the Son of Righteousness.

Comps are Coming: I am Studying

Tweet

Urzatz, urlinie, bassbrechung, motivic cell, chorale, oratorio, klang.....

Ostinato:  {usually} a short, repeating motivic figure that does not develop.  Sometimes these little guys seem to go on forever and ever.  As our Professor TT says, "I don't think we have a statute of limitations on ostinato."

Bible Conference Sermons

Tweet

This evening, we've been listening to a sermon from a 1952 Bible Conference.  The Conference was eleven days long, and if all the sermons are as potent and Christ-centered as the first one, it must have been a wonderful experience for all who attended. 

The first sermon--and we'll be listening to more over the coming weeks--deals clearly and simply with the reason Christ came to earth (to deal with sin, uphold His law), and how His sacrifice can pay the price for my sin.  A beautiful message indeed.

You'll need your Bible handy as you listen, because every point is taken from Scripture, the speaker letting Scripture speak for itself.



Tweet

All of us sang--mom, in-laws, brother-in-law, sister-in-law, niece--as husband conducted his own piece during the worship service.  One friend thought fast and took this video. 

Other friends texted my parents:  "Are you in town??"

We sang longing words, for heaven.

"Heaven's gates are open wide!  May I enter in? 

Jesus has called me His child--may I enter in?

Lord this world is not my home, this dark and weary land. 

Though rough and heavy my trials; by my King I'll stand.

"Weary pilgrim, weary child, this world now revile.

Christ will come, for you are His,

Just hold on for a while.

"Precious is the promise now:

'I'll come back for you!'

Declared upon the olive mount to His faithful few.

"Weary pilgrim, weary child, this world now revile.

Christ will come, for you are His,

Just hold on for a while."

{Contact me--e-mail or leave a comment--if you'd like to buy a copy of the score.}