Listen To These Gorgeous Voices!

Well, tomorrow night we start talking choir.  Have I mentioned already that I love choirs?

I've been scoping out music - which is no simple feat, especially since I don't know who/what level we've got to work with quite yet.  But this University Choir is absolutely brilliant.  Be inspired!

Come on out to HMC tomorrow night at 7pm if you you wanna start a choir with other keeners like me.

Mini-J

We've spent a lot of time looking at this lately:

'cause Shawna is a good swimmer like her dad.  It's one of the few activities she genuinely seems to love.  I secretly think it's because I know nothing about swimming.  I've never had an aquatic lesson in my life and I loathe frolicking in public pools.  I suppose it's her affinity with her dad - 'cause let's face it: she sees enough of me.

So, a couple times a week she dons her cute little goggles and swim cap and becomes a mini-Jason.  A pretty one.  Kinda sweet.

Colossal meltdown by me this morning.  And, really, what else is new.  I have meltdowns on a regular basis these days.

All it took *this time* was looking at the weeds in the yard.  I couldn't handle it.  What the heck does a girl who grew up with a tiny, immaculate, fenced in yard in the city know about acreage?  NOTHING. Nothing people.

It makes me crazy because I like things to look pretty.  But I just...Can't. Make it. Beautiful.  Ughh, I don't want to care.  I don't even like the outdoors.  OK, there, I said it: give me four walls, a computer, a sewing machine and 10 hours by myself and I'll be happy as a lark.

I refuse to sweat and toil all spring and summer doing something I don't even enjoy.  'Cause if I hate it and it takes more than 10% of my life - I should probably just stop it.

I think I'll just let the kids and Jason have at it - and I'll try not to look.

Thanks Kristina for taking us to meet Ann Voskamp today, and leading us just a further along the path. It was lovely to be in a new gathering place to be fed, prayed for, loved and forgiven.

Here are my paraphrased take aways:

"The steel cages we put up to keep ourselves safe are the very things that keep us alone"

"If we can reach out past our hurt we get the best of evil by doing good"

"Christ in your own heart is weaker than Christ in the words of your sister"

Beautiful encouragements I needed.

I've been hiding out.  Protecting myself.  I know I need to gratefully receive the community around me.  I miss the girls.

We got our old beater car back on the road!!  (shhh, don't tell Jason I called it that - he loves it)

Not only does this mean I'm a free agent with my own wheels, it also means - TRAILER HITCH!!

So, ladies and gentlemen: The toilet is off our front lawn and has been re-located to the Bentick dump.

A couple from our congregation gave us a gift certificate to the nearby Scandinavian Spa (they thought we needed it or something - bless you!!). Well, we took the trip to Blue Mountain last weekend to give it a go - wow, it was so comfortable and soothing. We were able to sit in silence all afternoon and be still. And give thanks. Amazing.

What a great way to spend time and {other peoples} money. We didn't consume and complicate and come home with more 'stuff', rather, we were able to simplify our minds and gain clarity.

Recommend.

Since getting married and moving to Grey County I've grown nostalgic for many things.  Near the top of that list: choir.

I probably don't have to tell you: choir wasn't for the cool kids.  Oh no, it was filled with the Northern-Getaway'd-Penny-Loafing-French-Immersed-Goodie-Goodies.  We spoiled Waterloo kids had access to great chamber choirs, small ensembles, jazz choirs, university choirs, choral festivals, wonderful voice teachers and musical theatre programs.  Sigh, it was nerdy and dreamy all at once.

I didn't care about photography like Faith or Blaine, or, running like Anne or, being literary like Alanna and Rachel.  I just wanted that little black folder filled with 4-part harmony.

I desperately miss singing in big groups.  I need a project.  I think I'm gonna bust out the SATB scores and round up some vocally talented peeps. (I've noticed that HMC has many gifted singers ready to serve with no place to falala)  So, If you're reading this and you wanna get in on the ground floor of a choir start-up let me know!

Tomorrow I hunt for inspiring mu-zac.