Focus Up!

2011 Year in Review

2012-01-11T15:37:00.009-05:00

I love watching HGTV. As I ponder the events of the past year, I wonder how they would pass a “Holmes Inspection”? Do you watch it? Mike Holmes comes in to a home that may look nice on the surface, but usually there’s a problem that may not be evident until you start peeling back the layers of the drywall and look at the structure underneath. I’m thinking in terms of Matthew 6:19-21: “Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys, and where thieves do not break in or steal; for where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.”

I enjoy hearing from many of you (especially at Christmas and New Year) with what has transpired in your life this year, but sometimes I wonder, what would happen if we did a “Holmes Inspection”? What’s going on underneath the surface? So I would encourage you to challenge ME in this endeavor. I make it my goal this year in 2012 to “Go Deeper.”

In 2011 I was encouraged by my church family to “Live Life Together.” This challenged me to grow in my relationships with others. I tried to be intentional in spending time with others (which I still need to work on), because if you know me at all you know that I love to spend time alone with a good book—or House Hunters, White Collar, Psych, Amazing Race, the Sing-Off, or Chopped.

In “small group” fashion I enjoy spending quality time with my church’s worship team as we prepare music for each Sunday. This involves quality time in rehearsals on Wednesday nights and four (yes, 4) services on Sunday mornings. You really get to know people in close quarters for about 5 hours every Sunday! I am thankful for the godly examples these people are to me and the ways we encourage each other to really be having a true heart for worship and the Lord. We even got to take some members of our worship team on the road for 4 days in September as we packed a van and headed to Pennsylvania to help lead music for some special chapels with Pastor Viars at Baptist Bible College & Seminary. We had a lot of fun on our #FaithPA trip (as it was known on Twitter--& the DVD I created from the pictures & videos). By the way, our church decided to be known as Faith Church this year (instead of Faith Baptist Church)—still Baptistic in nature and constitutionally, just a name change.

Another way to develop relationships with others has been my Tuesday night ladies’ Bible study with some of the women from the Career Class ABF (Adult Bible Fellowship), who are a real encouragement to me. This led to my being asked to travel with 3 other gals from this class in August on a week-long vacation in Collingwood, Ontario. So I renewed my passport and was able to visit some good friends in Toronto (and see their month-old baby) along the way, too. We enjoyed the local beaches, hiking, grilling on the patio, and a 3-hour cruise of the Georgian Bay. It was very relaxing.

I traveled a lot in 2011. I was able to spend time in Michigan with my family in July. I am really inspired to grow closer to my family as I see my nephews growing up: Reagan (3) & Grant (1) Eliason along with Micah (3) and Wesley (1) Hill. (And baby Hill coming in April 2012.) They encourage me to visit home as often as I can so I can be “Auntie Beth.” Of course, if you tell Reagan I’m coming, he’ll want to know if it’s “Auntie Beth AND Juju”? Juju is a big hit with the nephews. She is now a very mellow 5-year-old, although if there’s food or a walk (or a squirrel or bunny) involved she really perks up!

I’m still working at Faith Christian School in Lafayette, IN. I have about 43 piano students (grades K-12), 60-some in Kindergarten general music (split up into 3 classes), and over 100 little preschoolers when we combine K3 & K4 for our Preschool programs! In October our school’s Faith Ministry Team (whom I accompany) traveled to my parents’ church in Ishpeming, MI and my brother’s church in Crivitz, WI, along with a few other stops along with the way of our 4-day tour. I enjoyed showing the 22 high schoolers my old “stomping ground.”

I got to see family again in November when some ladies (including my mom & sister-in-law Kristen & Aunt Elaine) attended the True Woman ’11 Conference in Indianapolis. We got to hear Nancy Leigh DeMoss & Crawford Loritts & pianist Fernando Ortega. It was great to be encouraged with other ladies—many of whom were pastor’s wives or ministry leaders. While I am not technically a “ministry leader,” my heart is definitely in full-time service, currently in a Christian school. But I like to consider myself as a “missionary” to greater Lafayette and am willing to be used of God wherever He may take me. I enjoy keeping in touch (& desire to grow in praying for) my friends who are missionaries around the world, and I like to keep in touch with them via Facebook and/or Twitter.

For Thanksgiving I visited my friend Jackie in Chicago and enjoyed a relaxing break before the Christmas craziness started (Christmas Parade, Career Class Party, Preschool Program, K-12 Christmas Spectacular, 2 Christmas Piano Recitals, Talent Show, & Church Musical).

I am also looking for ways to be involved in my community that would help me reach out and show love to others. I volunteer twice a month at our church’s Community Center front desk. I was elected this year to be Co-President of the Tippecanoe Music Teacher’s Association. And along with that I was chairman of the June 2011 Monster Piano Concert in Lafayette. Area piano teachers combined students and 10 pianos on stage at the Long Center downtown.

I am content with my house and haven’t really done anything exciting there this year, although in April I had a fence built in the backyard. This allowed my roommate Sara Denny to get a dog, too. We found one at the Humane Society that they thought was part Australian shepherd and about 1 year old. She is bigger than Juju. Maddy has a leopard-like blue merle coat, and we think now that she is (at least in part) a Catahoula. Google it; that’s what she looks and acts like. She & Juju love to chase around the house.

It seems like I hardly see my sister Sarah who also lives with me since our work schedules don’t line up, but we enjoy Thursday night “family” nights and the opportunity to watch a movie or have a meal together when we can. We were all home for Christmas Eve & Christmas, which was very nice.

Our FCS family is trying to broaden our horizons, going outside our own little world and this year partnering with a school/orphanage in Uganda. Two teachers and 2 students visited it last summer. We were able to raise $1,000 for them for Christmas—which they planned to primarily spend on rice and beans. When I think of how much we take for granted here in America it reminds to me very thankful for how much I already have. I am reminded that life is not about WHAT we have; it’s about WHO we have and WHOSE we are.

I was tested in this on December 15 when my “new” (April 2011) aluminum MacBook Pro was stolen from my office at school. I had left it unattended for about an hour, charging on my piano bench, and when I came back the charger and the case were there but no laptop. So I reported it to the Sheriff and am currently exploring insurance options, but bottom line is that it’s gone and I will have to buy a new one. I am thankful I had given my white MacBook to my brother and he was kind enough to let me have it back until I find a replacement so I didn’t have to rush into a purchase. I just know God is doing something good from this and am so relieved to find that I was able to react correctly (I think)! These are just “first world problems” that cause me to remember not to hold too tightly to things of this world!

So in this new year, as God brings me to mind, would you pray that I would “grow deeper” in my love for the Lord and that this would be evidenced to those I come in contact with?

We cannot scratch the surface of Who God is and what He’s done for us. “Oh, the depth of the riches and wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are his judgments and how inscrutable his ways!” Romans 11:33

Going Deeper in 2012!

Dog Ownership 101

2011-10-04T19:18:00.005-04:00

Here is a compilation of a few things I've learned in the last 5+ years of dog ownership:

Dogs destroy things.
Dogs like to eat/chew.
Dogs love to rip the stuffing out of stuffed animals.
If you leave the garbage in a reachable place, it will be gotten into.
Dogs will chew anything plastic, including coffee cans and tupperware.
Powdered sugar, chocolate, muffins, cakes, cocoa powder, cookies--all should be kept out of a dog's reach.
Taller dogs can reach higher up on the counter.
Don't leave treats in a reachable location; they can chew through the box.
Dogs can chew the plastic lids off gallon bottles--even if they're full.
Dogs can find the gum in your purse.
Dogs can sniff out the granola bars in your purse, even if you forgot they were there.
Dogs are no respecter of purses: Coach tastes just as good as the next.
Dogs are expensive.
Heels taste good.
Pens taste good.
Plastic letter magnets taste good.
Checks taste good.
Bills taste good.
Napkins are meant to be eaten.
The favorite time to destroy things in the house is 2 AM.
& Dogs stink.

Yet I still love my dog! Having a dog has definitely taught me the importance of not setting your affections on things on this earth. (Col. 3:2) Material things are only that--material and temporary. Dogs also have a way of showing you what's in your heart and allowing God to change and mold you. "Only the Word of God and the souls of men are eternal."

Purdue Band Day

2011-09-22T08:36:00.004-04:00

(this is a guest article by FCS Junior Natalie Henderson.)

Sun + Football + Music + Fun=A great day!

Many FCS band students look forward to Purdue Band Day, which occurred on Saturday, September 17, 2011. They enjoy the excitement and privilege of observing the impressive Purdue All-American Marching Band up close and personal—not to mention free admission into a Purdue football game!

Practice with the Purdue band and 27 other bands from around Indiana started off the day. The FCS band knew their three songs backwards and forwards. By the time they reached the final song, one they had been practicing since before school even started, they realized NONE of their notes corresponded with anyone else’s! Apparently they had memorized the wrong version of the song! Oops.

All the bands walked to Ross-Aide Stadium to watch the game and perform. The half-time show commenced and the FCS band learned the meaning of the saying “Fake it ‘til you make it!”

Overall the experience was very fun and enjoyable. And a win by the Purdue football team made the day even better.

Perfection

2011-09-03T17:14:00.003-04:00

I remember the day that I realized my mom was not perfect. I was probably about 9 years old. Until that day I think I believed my mom could do no wrong. She could answer all my questions and teach me everything. If she didn't know it, it wasn't worth knowing. I probably idolized her. But one day I shared a fact with her. A fact I had read in the scientific journal "Reader's Digest." The little blurb had to do with some scientific evidence that warm water actually freezes quicker than cold water. I shared this interesting article with my mother as I filled up the ice cube tray for the freezer with hot water, rather than cold. She did not appreciate this; in fact, she made me use cold water instead of warm. I was stunned. And confused. And disappointed. My mom, who could do no wrong, did not believe the "Reader's Digest"!??

No one is perfect. Although I have to admit that I have (and probably still do) strive for perfection, whether overtly or subconsciously. In my life it's been easy to come across as being "perfect." I was my mom's helper. I wanted to please my parents, so I was happy to do whatever they wanted me to do. I did want to please God with my life. Grades came easily. Music came easily. Loving God was easy. I had it easy. But I never claimed to be perfect. Yes, I can tend to be a perfectionist. (I think I share that in common with my mom--also a hazzard of the music occupation.) And I think to some extent that I grew up thinking that there was a standard of perfection that I was being held to. After all, Jesus lived a perfect life, so shouldn't I strive for that? But I am not Jesus. I am a created human being. And no person is perfect. If we put our faith in anyone or anything other than the Lord Jesus Christ (even ourselves), we are doomed to disappointment.

Yet there is a point to be made for striving for excellence and wanting to grow in the Christian life. If someone points out a fault I want to be doing what I can to make that better (with the help of the Holy Spirit). I think that's the point I struggle with: I want everyone else to be wanting to grow in the same way that I do. If I see a fellow Christian who doesn't seem to want to change their actions, I want to HELP that person want to change. But if that is coming only as a result of changing behavior and not the heart, I can be setting them up to fail. God's goal is always to reach the HEART before the ACTIONS.

I have only recently come to realize that this goal of perfection may become an idol which may cause me to live in such a way that I am not extending God's mercy and grace to others. Subconsciously I may have been thinking this: "I have it all together." After all, I'm trying to live a "perfect" life, so shouldn't I expect that of others? Hang on a second! I know that even though I have been blessed to have had some good habits in place for a long time, I am definitely not perfect--especially in my thoughts. We are all flawed human beings, and we won't be perfect until we reach our glorified bodies in heaven because of the shed blood of Christ. Any good thing I have is only because of God's grace in my life. I fail to love others as Christ does. I sin daily. Yet the more I come to know God, I see how forgiving and gracious He is.

Because I've done things right in many areas of my life I can tend to be proud--and like the prodigal son's older brother, I can think I deserve more. But God loves us equally. I should not be expecting other Christians in this sanctification process to be "perfect." We are not called to be perfect; we are called to be growing. I need to focus on doing my best with what God has given me, but exhibit lots of God's sacrificial, forgiving love and grace to others. And that's an issue of the heart.

Phil. 3:12-14 (NASB) "Not that I have already obtained it or have already become perfect, but I press on so that I may lay hold of that for which also I was laid hold of by Christ Jesus. Brethren, I do not regard myself as having laid hold of it yet; but one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and reaching forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus."

Men are from...?

2011-08-23T22:32:00.002-04:00

So here's another post I've been thinking about for a while...the differences between men and women. Please take this in the humorous spirit with which it is intended.

In my profession I work with a variety of men: the head of the fine arts department, school principal, school administrator, and co-teachers are men. Also in the music ministry at church I'm surrounded by...well, guys. And I do a lot of work for the school in the sound room, again, with men. But I also have quite a few fellow teachers who are women.

So over the years I've noticed a few differences that have helped me to relate, especially when big events like program days come around.

Men=military. They understand chain of command. You are only required to do something if you are assigned to do it. If it doesn't get done it is not your fault because it wasn't assigned to you. When the big event comes (like program day), you do just what you are assigned to do--nothing more. If something goes wrong we will evaluate the timeline and see what needs to be revamped for the next time around.

Women=nurturing. We want to do our jobs and help everyone else do theirs too. Not only do I want to know where I'm supposed to be and when but also where everyone else needs to be so I can help them get there. I require lots of information. I have a hard time trusting that all the details have been covered unless I can see it for myself.

In coming to understand this, it has helped me to relate to co-workers in a (hopefully) helpful manner. I try to find that fine line between asking helpful questions to see if a task will be taken care of and where I need to butt out and say "this is being taken care of and it's not my responsibility." There's a balance between overstepping my bounds as a teacher and not overruling the authority in place. Hopefully in figuring this out I can be more helpful to those around me and find out what I need to know to make sure things happen...and what I don't.

Summer Vacation Part #2

2011-08-20T14:15:00.004-04:00

I renewed my passport this summer so I could take an international trip! At the end of July I took a 9-day trip with 3 friends around Lake Erie to New York then Ontario, Canada.

We drove in my car, and an hour down the rode one of the brand new brakes I had put on the day before fell off (apparently it hadn't been installed correctly, thank you Bob Rohrman Hyundai), but God provided a mechanic in Gas City to fix it, and it only delayed us about 2 hours.

My friend Melissa Eikenberry was in a friend's wedding in NY, so while she attended to wedding duties, Brittany Bowser & Beth Hopper & I stayed with a family from the bride's church: the Fillions, who were very hospitable to us and even made us personalized pancakes for breakfast!

We then made our way to Canada, stopping at Niagara Falls and Niagara-on-the-Lake on the way.

We spent the first night in Canada in Toronto with one of my best friends in the whole wide world: Jeannie Schafer & her husband Markus. We were also introduced to their 2-week-old baby Ferguson. They gave us the grand tour of the city that night. We even rode all major forms of public transportation: the streetcar, the bus, and the subway. And we experienced the wonder that is Ed's ice cream & gelato.

Then we headed to our main destination: Collingwood, Ontario and our Mountain View Villa Resort. Melissa had a time share that she was willing to share with us, so we had our own little room, kitchen, 2 bathrooms, cable TV, fireplace, and pool/grill access for 6 days.

We spent quite a few hours at Wasaga Beach, the longest freshwater lakeshore in the world on the Georgian Bay of Lake Huron. The water was great! (So much warmer than Lake Superior.)

One day we drove up to Parry Sound and took a 3-hour cruise on the water.

We spent one morning exploring and hiking in the woods near Old Baldy.

And our last evening was spent at Village at Blue with a free movie under the stars.

Well, this is just the brief overview. (There are quite a few more pics on Facebook.) I could keep going on and on about how the people in Canada were very friendly, how their milk comes in bags, and how no one drives the speed limit (which is in km). But I will refrain. I had never taken a vacation with friends before, but it was very relaxing, and I really enjoyed getting to know these friends better!

Summer Vacation Part #1

2011-08-18T17:46:00.003-04:00

Part of my summer was spent visiting the beautiful Upper Peninsula of Michigan. I've decided to share the Top Ten reasons why I love the U.P.

10. The nature/woods/wildlife
9. The weather--not too hot
8. Water (lakes/rivers)
7. Relaxing atmosphere/more slow-paced life
6. Red necks (like Da Yoopers Tourist Trap)
5. It feels like home/good memories
4. Hiking trails galore
3. People I get to see at Bible Baptist Church
2. Did I mention the nice, fresh water (& scenery)?
1. My family is there!

I really enjoyed getting to spend time with my nephews being Auntie Beth--and getting to sleep in!

"Playing" with Grant on the playground

Lake Superior at Presque Isle

Chapel Rock, Pictured Rocks

Pictured Rocks Lakeshore, Munising

Family Together on the 4th of July

Understanding My Role

2011-08-17T17:37:00.002-04:00

(I decided it was finally time to start blogging again, so you're going to start being bombarded with a few journal posts I've been mulling over for quite a while. This is a good place to start.)

Who am I? What is my purpose for existence? I'm sure we've all thought this as we've matured. But those of us who are older (30s) and single sometimes have a harder time finding our places in the world.

Since I was little I've dreamed of being a wife and mom (and teacher, which I am), but when you find those roles in life unfulfilled you start to question everything. It's easy to think you don't matter since there's no one special that would truly miss you if you were gone. You start to think maybe you aren't smart enough or attractive enough or put-together enough or there's something wrong with you. Who am I? What is my identity?

I am a church pianist. I was at my parents' church from age 13-22. But when I moved away they found someone to replace me. I eventually found a niche in Lafayette, but even then there were times when it seemed that if I stepped away from it no one would miss me. What am I wanting? I'm wanting to feel needed. This is not who I am.

I am a sibling. My sister & brother found spouses and are now parenting, and, sure, it's great to be an Aunt, but I'm not necessarily NEEDED in their lives. This is not who I am.

I am a piano teacher. I love my students and I think some of them love me, but if I moved away from the area they could find another teacher. I'm not NEEDED. This is not who I am.

I am a daughter. But I live 10 hours from my parents, so they are able to manage on their own without me (at least for now!) just fine. This is not who I am.

So who am I? Does God have a role for me? I can share this now because I've struggled through it, and have come to the realization that I AM needed. No, God Himself doesn't NEED me, but He wants me. He has created me and put me on this earth for a special reason. I have a role to fulfill; I am an instrument in His hands. Just as a composer orchestrates a piece of music and hands out the different sections, God has assigned me a part to play. If He has assigned me the percussion role, I don't have to know what the trumpets are playing at all times. I don't have to know why the flutes or violins play and I don't. I just have to do what He has assigned me to do.

"My role is not to question why, it's but to do or die." I just need to do whatever it is He has made me for. My role is to love others, be a help to those around me, do my job to the best of my ability, and be a witness to Christ's name so they can see Jesus in me. "For such a time as this." I am a believer and therefore a child of God. That's who I am.

Micah & Wesley Visit Indiana

2011-02-17T21:24:00.002-05:00

While their parents attended the February 2011 Biblical Counseling Training Conference here in Lafayette, Micah & Wesley hung out with me. We made a little video...Link to YouTube Video

Dissonance & Resolution

2011-01-25T11:24:00.003-05:00

The last two days in piano I've tried to teach a piano student or two about dissonance and resolution. You know, dissonance: the part of music that seems to clash and not make sense--especially when you are playing it slowly. I tell my students that that is a "dissonant" part of the music; it may not sound good at that particular moment, but if you look ahead you see where the chord progression is going, and it will all make sense eventually. Sometimes we just need to look ahead to the point of "resolution," where the music resolves and it doesn't clash anymore.

God reminded me of a spiritual application I can draw from this. Sometimes God gives us trials in life, where the "bad things" tend to happen--the "dissonant" parts of life. In the middle of it we can wonder why God is allowing this bad thing to happen. But He knows the big picture. He can see where it's going. And he promises that He will work out all things for good, that we will become more like Christ (Rom. 8:28-29).

"For the moment all discipline seems painful rather than pleasant, but later it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it." Hebrews 12:11

Christmas Letter 2010

2010-12-18T17:53:00.004-05:00

December 16, 2010

Dear Friends & Family,

Merry Christmas! “And Jesus increased in wisdom and in stature and in favor with God and man” (Luke 2:52). Looking back on the past year, I trust we can all say we have looked for ways to grow: physically, emotionally, and spiritually, and of course in the most important way: our relationship with Christ.

This year has brought to me an increased awareness of my place in the world, and just how content and satisfied I can be in serving God. It really isn’t about me, it’s just about who I am in Christ. And God’s Word truly has all the truth and answers to all of life’s issues. I have seen evidence of that this year.

Physical
My dog Juju, who is now 4 years old, keeps me active with “making” me take her for a walk every evening. I’m getting older, as we all are, but I am thankful to be in good health, although I had to make my first visit to a chiropractor this month after some severe lower back pain. He fixed that, but also told me that apparently I look down a lot (imagine that for a piano player!) so I need to work on making my neck straighter by looking up more! Oddly enough, the title of my blog is “Focus up!” Which is a great thing for me to remember, as it is very easy for me to get caught up in daily activities and neglect the really important things: like worshiping God. I think I can relate with Martha, busy serving the Lord, but often forgetful of spending time at Jesus’ feet.

Emotional
I attended a piano workshop at Butler University in September and the speaker was talking about motivating our piano students by teaching to body, mind, and heart. I thought this was especially interesting from a non-Christian perspective. It has made me continue to meditate on how all the parts of us are tied together, and especially how God keeps bringing my heart/desires into focus. Our Faith Christian School theme this year is “Desiring God,” so I am continually reminded how the “desires and intents of our hearts” affect me and my students. As I teach I want to try to motivate the DESIRES of my students, and I continue to realize how I need to keep my own desires focused on God (Psalm 37:4).

This is my 11th year at Faith Christian School. I have 50 piano students (5 home schooled, 5 public school or college, rest in Kindergarten through 12th from Faith) this year. Our music department has undergone some changes this year as the head of our music department (Jack Heim) changed jobs and moved to NC. I have enjoyed getting to work with the new elementary music teacher (Camden Mullis) and trying to help Joe Wright transition into his job as he was promoted from elementary to high school and head of the music dept. I continue to teach Preschool & K5 music classes. I also still accompany for the FaithMinistry Team and Jr/Sr High choirs (traveled with the FMT to SC this year for fall tour), and run sound for the Praise Team and chapels. I guess I’m supposedly one of the resident tech experts, even though I apparently have been in denial, since I just realized I was probably a “techie” a few months ago when a friend of mine was looking for an HDMI cable, and I knew what that was and I had an extra one at home. I make the PowerPoint presentations (and occasional videos) for our school programs and help others put their presentations together for weekly chapels. This summer I upgraded to a Smartphone too (a Motorola Android), and I find myself joining the ranks of those who are becoming dependent on their phones for their contacts, emails, and calendar. I didn’t think I would use it for all those things but I am starting to really like it. (I’m also becoming addicted to Twitter.)

As I get older I find that I am getting more comfortable in my routines and schedules, thus I’ve felt comfortable branching out to new things, like refinancing my home. I just signed papers to start the process to refinance my home at 4% interest for a 15-year loan with my local bank. Closing should be at the end of January. I continue to have my sister Sarah and our friend Sara Denny living with me in my home, although Sara D will probably be leaving us sometime in the following year to pursue her Mrs. degree.

Spiritual
I have learned in the past year how important it is to be connected with the body of Christ, as I discovered that I can easily sink into an “Elijah mentality,” getting discouraged and thinking that I’m the only person making the choice to live for God (which may seem silly in a church of over 1,500), but connecting with the accountability of my Tuesday night Bible study has helped to keep me focused on God’s purpose and not on myself. I need to be around others who encourage me, and I don’t want to be just “going through the motions” either.

My prayer this year has been to grow in my love for others. I have realized (again) how selfish I am. As Elyse Fitzpatrick says, “I am more sinful and flawed then I ever dared believe, yet more loved and accepted than I ever dared hope.” And thankfully I have seen progress in that area, especially in having a genuine loving attitude toward those who may be different than I am. This reminds me, that to be more in tune with others and the people in my community I also volunteer twice a month at the Faith Community Center, working at the cafe.

I am very thankful for my church family and am privileged to have the opportunity to serve on the Worship Team every Sunday, which makes for a long morning with 3 services, but has also given me some great close friends; I also got some custom-molded earphones out of the deal this year! Our choir Christmas cantata this year also included orchestra, video (MediaShout), and new LED lights.

For our school Christmas program season, my sister and I made an actual figgy pudding (which Juju did NOT eat this year) for the Preschool program, and FCS had our first combined K5-12th grade program: a Christmas Spectacular.
As I’ve grown more comfortable in my responsibilities, I have taken on some extra things in my local music teachers’ association as well, so I am the chairman of the biannual Monster Concert (which I also did in 2009). We are in the planning stages for our June 9, 2011 concert at the Long Center downtown Lafayette. If you are in the area I hope you can support us by attending this program, a grand piano recital with 10 pianos on stage and students of all ages playing.

I’ve discovered that I love spending as much time with my family as much as possible, but that is hard with my work schedule and the distance from Indiana to Wisconsin/Michigan (about 7 hours to Tim & Kristen’s & 9-and-a-half to Rachel/Matt’s and Mom & Dad’s). I now have 4 nephews: Reagan (2 yrs) & Grant (2 mos.) Eliason and Micah (2 yrs) & Wesley (7 mos.) Hill. I enjoyed spending a few days in June with my brother’s family just a few weeks after Wesley was born, and I spent some good quality time in June with my parents (and helping with their Vacation Bible School). And I also look forward to having time at Christmas break to spend with everyone in Ishpeming. For the first time in a long time we will all be together for Christmas! If I still live the same distance away in a few years I think I will definitely be figuring out a way to Skype piano lessons with my nephews!

For more regular updates from me, follow me on Twitter (INDIANABETH) or Facebook, as I enjoy keeping in touch with many of you that way.

Merry Christmas & a Happy New Year,
Beth Hill

FMT TOUR '10

2010-10-06T14:27:00.003-04:00

Dear FMT Member,

What a great tour we shared this year, but I am burdened to try to express what is in my heart now as I pray that this experience continues for you. You have been on the mountaintop, but the valley is coming. How will you allow what God has taught you on this trip to continue? I have been where you have been. I come from a Christian family, surrounded by Christian things all my life, but there will come a time when you are going to have to decide for yourself if you are truly going to live and take a stand for Christ.

We have some wonderful memories of this trip, including our stay with the youth at Jones Avenue Baptist Church in Easley, SC and the wonderful home cooking and Southern hospitality! You will remember our trip on the bus, playing games, talking to people you never might have gotten the opportunity to otherwise, sleeping, playing Euchre or Kemps, or teaching me how to play Texas hold 'em. You will remember playing volleyball or basketball or round robin in the gym and having to get cancer ball down from being stuck on the beam. You will remember the ginormous amount of ice cream we were given and staying up until midnight, laughing and playing games. You will remember Kum-Cha & Asay no-no (sp?) and singing on the bus. You will remember meeting the men in Anderson, SC at the Haven of Rest farm & mission and hearing their stories of God has changed their lives. You will remember the Miracle Hills Rescue Mission in Greenville, SC and of course the unforgettable Knoxville Area Rescue Mission, and how we could never make it through "The Room" or "The Power of the Cross" without crying...ever.

But just a word of caution. You can't depend on your feelings. I felt it too this trip--the Spirit moving in hearts and lives, the "connection of souls," and God's marvelous power. But feelings don't last. After this great emotional high you will probably feel a let down. On this trip you were exposed to the "other path." As a Christian, sometimes I tend to remember only my chosen path, but there are others in the world who have chosen a different path for their lives. Even other Christians have different views and "interpretations" of God's Word. One of the men at Haven of Rest told me that he had just come from a funeral of a senior saint, and then to come hear our program gave him hope for the next generation of followers of Christ. He said he could see that your faith was genuine, and he said to tell you that he had tried the other way and it wasn't worth it. I'd always thought my faith was genuine too, but after a while it's easy to get complacent in our Christianity, and I've been there. I've wondered if what I was doing was just because that's the way I'd always done it, and whether worshiping God was just a futile activity. I mean, look at all the fun that is out there that I am missing because I'm supposed to have some sort of morals or ethics or "religion." Does God really know what He's doing? Is the Bible really true? Are my parents hypocrites? But if you are just going through the motions, you will get discouraged and depressed...UNLESS you keep your focus on Christ and HIS work in your lives. That is one of the reasons I love taking pictures, because then I can look back and see and remember what God has done in the past. This gives me hope for the future. This is why I think it is so important that I will give YOU a copy of all these pictures and videos, because I want you to REMEMBER. Never forget what you have learned here.

I also used to think that as long as I read the Bible and prayed and depended on God I could go through life without the help of others. I have learned even in just the last few years the importance of GOOD CHRISTIAN FRIENDS and accountability and the TRUE importance of WEEKLY church attendance and church family to help me stay on track spiritually. Don't ever think that it is not imporant to go to church EVERY week. I know so many friends or former students who have let the world creep into their thinking. Oh, the LITTLE THINGS are so important. If you can start making good godly choices in the LITTLE, daily decisions in life: how to treat a friend at school, how to spend time with God, how to turn in assignments on time, how to do your chores with excellence, how to obey your parents, you will be keeping yourself on the right path. Little choices will pile up and have a big effect.

I am concerned for you. I wonder that in a few years, a few months, a few days, or even in a few hours the "experience" will wear off. We coast along, thinking we'll always love God and always desire Him. But we won't. Sometimes we'll want other things, thinking God has gypped us of something important, something that would be more fun. But our thinking gets warped. "Our hearts are deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked." (Jer. 17:9) We can't trust ourselves, but we CAN trust God. Our priorities get out of whack, and my devotions and time with godly influences don't seem to take priority--after all, I know how to "do" the Christian life by now, right? But even now, when I WORK in a Christian environment, I still get drawn away by the things of the world. I find myself thinking, "it's okay to watch this program, after all, it's not THAT bad." But I'm just deceiving myself. I wonder if I'm missing out on the "fun" things in life. But the longer I live (and I'm getting old) the more I am convinced that NOTHING else matters but the things of eternity. This life is only the beginning.

So how do we keep our faith genuine? Here is what I've learned from observation and personal experience. We must CHOSE to put God first, especially in the little things, even when we don't necessarily feel like it. Every little decision matters. If you know something is wrong, DON'T DO IT, even if someone else is doing it. You may take flack for this. I know I have. I like to surround myself as much as possible with good Christian music, or even Christian radio (like Moody or KLOV). Why listen to something that will not encourage you in your Christian walk? Get a group of good Christian friends and make yourself spend time with them. Sometimes we will just be going through the motions, but these choices will eventually influence our feelings. Will you choose to wear something you might think is questionable, just because "everyone else gets away with it." Choose to take a stand for what's right.

I'm uploading a video to Facebook of just a short portion of our spontaneous worship time, so you can REMEMBER. My heart is burdened for you and your future choices. I will pray for you, and you pray for me, that we can continue to grow in our love for God, and our love for others. "Love the Lord your God with all your heart, mind, and soul...and love your neighbor as yourself." I love you. But God loves you more. Never forget.

Accompanying Tips

2010-08-10T18:52:00.002-04:00

I have been playing the piano, accompanying for choirs, soloists, and ensembles full-time for over 11 years, longer if you count accompanying specials for church. I thought I would take a minute to share some tips that I have learned. Maybe these will be useful for my students and any others who are or have been accompanying. This is especially geared to four-part choir accompanying in a school setting, but may be applicable for other situations, too. Some of these might seem basic, but here goes:

1. Play out. The choir tends to sing stronger when they have strong support.
2. Be confident. If you're going to make a mistake, make a big one.
3. Learn to keep a steady beat. At many times you are the only metronome they will have. Practice with a metronome and imagine a drumbeat in your head.
4. Follow the director for certain cues, but don't depend on him/her. Be a conductor/director yourself from the piano.
5. Younger kids need to hear more melody, even during performances, so don't be afraid to add more of the melody line.
6. If you hear a part struggling, try to play that part out (especially in rehearsals).
7. Four-part harmony can be difficult to read and play. If necessary, play just the tenor & alto lines since they tend to be the hardest to find. Add the bass if possible, too, but it's usually ok to leave out the soprano.
8. Learn what your director likes. Some like you to play just the parts while others prefer you to play as much accompaniment as possible.
9. Try to guess what the director is thinking. Guess where he's going to start and be ready.
10. Learn to play either parts or accompaniment, or a mixture of both. Practice!
11. You will tend to perform the way you practice, so practice the performance.
12. Practice an hour before a concert so the music is fresh in your mind.
13. Match the style of the singers, and lead them with the way you play. If they are supposed to be sining soft, play quieter. If they are supposed to be singing smoothly, play as smoothly as you can. The singers will tend to emulate you.
14. Be a leader.
15. The introduction is important. You are setting the mood for the piece.
16. Sight read lots of music.
17. Before a concert, get lots of rest so you have a clear mind.
18. Try to help the choir in its entrances, especially if they are staggered. Try to play out at least the first phrase of an entrance.
19. Keep your music organized. Minimize page turns by making copies and keeping your music in a binder.
20. Use a pencil. Write notes to yourself (maybe come up with your own shorthand system). Don't think you will remember something in the middle of a performance. You just might blank!
21. Listen listen listen.
22. Work on facial expression. Try to have a pleasant expression on your face, no matter WHAT happens!
23. Support your director, even if you don't necessarily agree.
24. If you have a disagreement with or suggestion for the director, try to discuss this away from the students. Present the director perfect in public!
25. Enjoy making music!

End of Summer

2010-08-09T21:10:00.003-04:00

Me & Nephew Reagan

Me & Nephews Micah & Wesley

I enjoyed my summer with my family, but summer is over now. :( Even though I'm doing basically the same job at Faith Christian School this year, it will be different because of working alongside some new people this year. Joe Wright is taking over the music jobs of Jack Heim, who "retired" and moved to NC. And Camden Mullis has been hired to take over Joe Wright's former elementary music responsibilities. I am thankful that I have already collaborated with Joe so am already familiar with his style. Last week we had Faith Ministry Team camp, and while it's not EXACTLY the same, it really made me excited for this coming year. After today's Team-Building Retreat, I am looking forward to the new opportunities this school year will have to bring and the new students and teachers to work alongside.

I am hoping to spend more time in prayer for my students this year and take advantage of the mission field that is before me. Let the school year commence!

Summer Up North 2010

2010-07-09T17:44:00.004-04:00

Since my mom said I should update my blog, I thought I'd journal a bit about the recent weeks I spent up north in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan. All of my pictures are on my facebook page, which most of you have access to, so I'll only include 1 or 2 here, because I have over 200!

So what did I do, you wonder? Well, I don't want to bore you with all the details, so I'll scroll through the "highlight reel."

I first got to spend an amazing 4 days with my brother (Tim) and his wife (Kristen) and their 2 boys in Crivitz, WI: Micah (about 1 1/2) and Wesley, who was only about 2 weeks old! I really enjoyed getting to help Kristen take care of the house and the boys and just get to visit. (I'm sure Kristen was tired but it was kind of relaxing for me, actually, with not as strict of a schedule--just meal times, nap times, and play times!) I also helped out with Sunday services at Timberland Bible Chapel, where my brother is "Pastor Tim."

Then I headed to my parents' house in Ishpeming, Michigan where my dad is "Pastor Hill" at Bible Baptist Church. I got to be VBS director the next week, so it was a busy time of getting songs & skits organized, PowerPoint presentations put together, and prizes in order. But I do have to say that the body of Christ at Bible Baptist is AWESOME at serving! If something needed to be done, we had people just waiting to jump in and help, whether it was bringing snacks, helping to decorate, filling water balloons for water day, counting pennies for the offering, or vacuuming the floor, people there are WILLING TO SERVE! ("I thank my God upon every remembrance of you.") What a joy to work with the folks there! We had about 15-20 helpers every evening and about 41 kids every night, so we thought the attendance was great! One very fun thing for me was having my nephew Reagan (even though he was only 1) attending VBS, and my other 1-year-old nephew Micah was there for Friday night, too. We had a blast!

The next week I took care of my parents' house for them while they attended a conference in Illinois. This involved picking strawberries from their garden, mowing their lawn & the neighbors, and watering the plants. And since I had the house to myself, I spread out to do some scrapbooking (got my pictures from Thanksgiving-Graduation done).

Then my former youth group leaders (John & Kathy Kantola), said the Youth Group was taking a trip the Noah's Ark waterpark in Wisconsin Dells and they had extra room (and an extra ticket) and that I was willing to join them. So I worked that into my schedule! :) (My dad was going too). So I had a great time getting some sun and going on some water park rides. Even tried the new Scorpion's Tail ride, where you have to be weighed then get into a little "glass box" where (after a "3-2-1" count) the bottom drops out, plunging you down about 50 feet so you have enough speed to get up & around the chute. Hey, I can at least say I did it once.

Other than that, I was just able to relax and enjoy my time in the U.P.in a more laid-back fashion: sleeping in, reading fiction books, watching TV/movies, & hiking with Juju. I was able to do a couple of hikes with friends: up Hogsback "Mountain" in Marquette, walk the Little Presque Isle beach, and hike up the bluff in Ishpeming. My parents & I were invited out to visit friends who were camping, too, so we were able to enjoy sharing their campfire food with them!I really enjoyed the time with my parents, too, just chatting and playing games. I was also able to make a DVD for my sister Rachel of the last few months of pictures & videos of Reagan.

I am very content with my job in Lafayette, but I have to say I really enjoyed being back in the U.P. and didn't really miss anything in Lafayette while I was there. In fact, I didn't really want to come back to Lafayette when July 6 rolled around, but now that I'm back in Lafayette I'm very content with being here too. I am very blessed to have a group of family & friends in both locations.

Practice Like Evan

2010-04-09T08:36:00.002-04:00

I try to give out a newsletter to my piano students every couple of months, and I had started writing this article for that back in February, while the Olympics were on. Even though the Olympics are over now, I thought I'd share this article that I have given out to my piano students.

I enjoy watching the Olympics, and for whatever reason I especially like figure skating.

What can we learn from the Olympics? Many of these athletes, like figure skater Evan Lysacek, are very disciplined in their practice times. They train and train and practice and practice—just for their 2 or 4 minute programs! I’m sure they don’t want to go to the gym every day. They may not like what they have to do, what they have to eat, or what they can’t do because they are practicing. Some people would say that it’s too much work. Yet a lot of the lessons we learn are formed by the habits we practice. If we do something over and over again we are training ourselves to be disciplined in that action.

Sometimes they are practicing things they may already be “good” at. By doing a little research on the internet, I acquired the following information.

Lysacek has focused this offseason on improving his spins, even though they were marked high at worlds, and posture. He has trained more with choreographers and has worked on the ice with a prima ballerina, "which for me," he says, "is not the stuff I like to do. I like to jump, jump, jump, spin, spin, spin," he says. "I want to sweat. I want to work. This has been a little more of a stretch. But I have been so sore from doing this kind of work that, obviously, it's difficult, and I have so much respect for what they do." "He's been working a lot on the emotion and bringing out his feelings — rather than just doing a program that's a bunch of unconnected elements — and really interpreting the music," says Lysacek's coach, Frank Carroll.
"Evan's consistency is something I admire," said Jeremy Abbott, U.S. champion the past two seasons, who fell apart to finish 15th in the short program. "It takes a very strong mind to focus that intently and keep things on track all the time."

Whether it’s figure skating or piano, what are you practicing? Many things in life take practice—sometimes YEARS of practice. Yet our times of training are also our times of learning. No practice time is wasted time. Training yourself takes devoted TIME and effort.

But the most important TIME of our life should be the time we devote to being disciplined in the practice of godliness. (I Tim 4:8.) Whether we’re practicing piano for our spring recital, doing homework, playing sports, or helping a friend in need, do “all to the glory of God” (1 Cor. 10:31). Having the right attitude and mindset is vital to our spiritual discipline.

February Conference

2010-02-14T13:37:00.004-05:00

BCTC. That was a logo that I have seen quite a few times this week as my church hosted the Biblical Counseling Training Conference here at Faith Baptist in Lafayette, IN. (You can find the tag #bctc on Twitter, too!)

My parents have come every year that I've been here, so I think that makes this their 10th time at the conference. They decided to do Track 4 this year, as many of the topics in that track change every year. Of course, school for us is canceled this week to enable the conference flexibility in using the entire campus--church building and community center, too. Since I didn't end up having any nephews to come and babysit this time around, I decided to use my time in serving at the conference. I thought I might have some extra time to get some things done at home, too. Well...didn't end up having much time at home, but it was a good week. This is basically how the week went:

Saturday, Feb. 6: the Solo & Ensemble event I was supposed to spend all morning at accompanying got postponed to next Saturday due to a snowstorm on Friday night. So I had time to do some grocery shopping and cleaning before Mom & Dad arrive around 9:00 p.m.

Sunday, Feb. 7: Church in the morning, Cracker Barrel with mom & dad for lunch, then music rehearsal and the evening session from about 3-6:30. Got home in time to watch most of the Super Bowl and see the Colts LOSE. :( We got out a 2000 piece puzzle to work on this week.

Monday, Feb. 8: The Community Center Cafe was hurting for workers for the conference, so I offered to work from 7am-noon every day. Got up bright and early ready to spend the day serving! Ate lunch with mom & dad around 12:15, then went home. Heard a loud bang in the garage; discovered the spring broke. Muscled the car out of the garage to squeeze in a dentist appointment at 3:00 before music rehearsals in the evening. Made a trip to Meijer to buy chicken & noodle soup for supper. Discovered a 2000 piece puzzle does not fit on a regular sized folding table. But at least we found all the edge pieces.

Tuesday, Feb. 9: Got up again to work at the cafe at 7. Had lunch with Mom & Dad again, then headed home to call a company to fix the garage door. Even though it is snowing they manage to come right over and replace the spring and make it work even better than before--for a fee, of course. Garage door fixed. Check. Squeezed in a piano lesson at 3:00 before running an errand for my friend Norma. Great evening session with James MacDonald.

Wednesday, Feb. 10: Getting harder to get up in the morning, but made it to the cafe to make some coffee! Took mom at lunch time to get her hair cut with my hair stylist. Time at home to get papers organized for doing taxes. Get a call to practice with a student for Saturday. Had time to fix beef stroganoff for supper. Supper ready for mom and dad when they came home at 6:30 while I left for normal Wed. evening Worship Team rehearsal. Still have not found solution to fitting the puzzle on the folding table. Not making much progress.

Thursday, Feb. 11: Manage to roll off the couch and get up. At the cafe today from 7-2. At least I get a free lunch. Run some errands for Sarah, then need to get taxes done, so I head over to my friends' house to use their Turbo Tax. I love Turbo Tax. 45 minutes later the taxes are done. Mom & Dad and I go to Texas Roadhouse for dinner. Have time to stop at the dollar store and find 2 foam boards--a perfect solution to the puzzle dilemma. Make it back in time for the evening service with Paul Tripp. Puzzle edge now all in one piece--fitting on top of the "table"!

Friday, Feb. 12: Really hard to get up today, but push through. Only work at the cafe from 7-8 since I have an opportunity to help out in the sound room today from 9-11. Conference over. Time to practice with students who are playing THIS Saturday, now. Practice from 12-2. Go home to crash and stay in for supper (chicken enchiladas). Have an exciting game of Scattergories--all 12 rounds--while watching the Olympics Opening Ceremony. Need to sleep. ZZzzzz. Hmmm, don't think we'll finish the puzzle.

Saturday, Feb. 13: Leave the house at 8 to accompany at Solo & Ensemble. Say goodbye to Mom & Dad. Puzzle not QUITE complete (see below).

February Conference is always a busy but fun week as we are reminded of God's truth from God's word.

Merry Christmas 2009

2009-12-16T14:10:00.003-05:00

In the form of a Christmas letter, allow me to reflect on what has changed in the past 10 years. 10 years. Has it already been ten years since I moved to Lafayette, IN? Well, technically it's only been a little over 9 years, but at the end of this school year I will have been teaching here for 10 years.

If you had told me during my senior year of college 10 years ago that I would be teaching at a Christian school for the next 10 years I would have laughed. But as Jeremiah says, God's ways are higher than our ways, and His thoughts than our thoughts. I am so thankful that I believe in a God who is sovereign.

In my freshman year of college, I dedicated my life to God for full-time Christian service, thinking I would possibly be a missionary or a pastor's wife. But obviously God wanted me to be a piano teacher in a Christian school. I have learned so much over the last few years, but ultimately God has used all of it to draw me closer to Himself. I have learned a lot about teaching preschoolers and kindergarteners and about classroom control! I have played a lot of music and taught a lot of songs. I have learned to play off of chord charts and notate music. I have had some students for years and some for only a few weeks. The third grade class to whom I taught a general music class in my first year will be graduating in May! (That makes me feel old!) My views of some aspects of Christianity and Christian liberty have been broadened and refined. My church's worship styles have changed. My hairstyle has changed--multiple times! My living arrangements have changed: apartment to house to roommates and a dog! The color of paint on my walls has changed.

But some things don't change. God is the same God of the Bible that He has always been. He still causes all to work together for God to those who love Him. He is still orchestrating every insignificant detail of my life to bring glory to Himself. And as I learn to delight in him, He brings the desires of my heart into accord with His desires (Psalm 37:4). And, of course, in my finite wisdom, I couldn't have planned it any better.

I truly do love my job and the school-age people I am privileged to be around. Yes, there are some days when I don't want to go to work and I would love to stay at home, but I am thankful that God has provided this position for me at this time.

My love for God and His people has grown. And as you pray for me, pray that I would continue to grown in Godly love of the people around me, in my church and in my community. And pray that I would continue to stay faithful to God and to His Word. This year I reached a low point where I struggled with unbelief. I learned to surround myself with the truth of God's Word and with encouraging friends. Pastor Viars' Sunday sermons have been a necessity. My Tuesday night Bible study (that I originally didn't have time for) has really been an encouragement to me, especially in fellowshipping with other people working on the same issues. (I really enjoyed one book we did: Jerry Bridges' "Respectable Sins." Now we are doing "Spiritual Disciplines of the Christian Life" by Donald S. Whitney.) And I am still working on reading through the New Testament, as I didn't quite make that goal this year! I still struggle with keeping my "appointments with God" each day, but am striving to keep my focus up on what is eternal.

It's a great comfort to know that the God who set His plan in motion for redeeming the world over 2000 years ago is the same God who is coordinating events in the present time.

Merry Christmas!
Beth Hill (& Juju)

Juju and the Christmas Pudding

2009-12-11T08:13:00.002-05:00

I taught my Preschool kids this year to sing "We Wish You a Merry Christmas" for their Christmas program. We also sang the subsequent verses: "Oh bring us some figgy pudding," "We all love our figgy pudding," and "We won't go until we get some." So in music class I would "pretend" to give them their imaginary "figgy pudding" and they would say please and thank you. I thought it would be fun for the actual program if we had a real live figgy pudding! I looked up a recipe, and figgy pudding is a very dense cake (sometimes made with a spice cake mix) with figs, raisins, and almonds. So my sister Sarah graciously offered to make it the day before the program. So the day of the program dawned and the figgy pudding sat on our stove cooling. At lunch time I turned it out onto a platter and thought I'd put it someplace Juju couldn't reach it--I mean she hadn't touched it all night, right? Of course I should know better by now. I didn't lock Juju up in her kennel...and obviously I should have. Yup. She ate the WHOLE THING. Apparently Juju likes figgy pudding.

So we have been paying the consequences: Juju and I have been up throughout the night throwing up and cleaning up figgy pudding! I have a very sick dog now. I think she is determined to eat herself to death...

The Discipline of Godliness

2009-10-27T16:57:00.002-04:00

I usually consider myself a fairly disciplined person. I like my routine, my schedule, and my fairly rigid school schedule keeps me aware of every minute on the clock during the day. Even when I was young I enjoyed sticking to a schedule and being very disciplined and organized in the way I spent my time--and even in the way I spent my money. I guess I thought my spiritual life would be like that, too. Just something I naturally fell into, was able to organize, and accomplish just with the simple stroke of a pen in my planner. But it hasn't turned out that way at all. I still struggle with making a plan and sticking to my quiet time alone with God. Why is that so hard to do?

This book my Bible study group has just started--"Spiritual Disciplines for the Christian Life" by Donald S. Whitney--has really been an eye-opener in the first chapter. My spiritual life is a DISCIPLINE. Duh! I really enjoyed his illustration about the discipline of learning a musical instrument. Now there's something I can relate to. I don't really have a daily "practice schedule" for piano anymore for myself, but I did for all of my grade school years that I can remember. I remember having to practice the piano 10 hours a week in college. And I deal with students practically every day who struggle with finding time in their schedules to practice. Now when it comes to piano practice, I can tell a student straight up, "Can you find just 5 or 10 minutes in your day to sit down and even do a LITTLE practice? I'd much rather you did 10 minutes for 6 days than 60 minutes for 1 day. Piano is a discipline; you are training your finger muscles, and a little bit every day goes a long way." Haha, maybe I should follow my own advice! "Even if you don't feel like it, make yourself practice. You will see the results!"

What are some of the pitfalls that make this hard to do in my spiritual life? 1) I don't see the results. When I practice a piece of music, in a few days I can usually see some improvement. I need to keep my focus on the goal of godliness. 2) I don't surround myself with encouragers. Do I have people around me who will keep me accountable? Am I spending time with fellow believers who are helping me to see the areas of growth I need to work on? 3) I don't have a plan. Just like learning a musical instrument, it's not going to be easy at first--or maybe even years later. I think I've been waiting for the "instant change" that's never going to happen. I'm not going to get struck with lightning and find, "Oh, now it's easy for me to make time for God's Word every day." I need to DISCIPLINE myself for godliness. 4) I think I'm okay the way I am. If I am focusing on the people around me, I can get complacent in my spiritual life. But if I am living a cross-centered life, I am far from being perfect in this journey of sanctification.

So I am making a new commitment to being in God's Word EVERY day this week--even if it's just 5 minutes, because I want my focus and my discipline to be helping me to become more like Christ.

1 Tim. 4:8 "For bodily discipline is only of little profit, but godliness is profitable for all things, since it holds promise for the present life and also for the life to come."

The Shack

2009-09-18T13:15:00.002-04:00

Another book review!

I just finished reading "The Shack" by William Paul Young. From my understanding it's a fairly controversial book right now because some Christians are endorsing it while others are condemning it. So I thought I'd read it for myself.

So if you haven't gotten the chance to read it yet (or even if you have)here's what I thought. SPOILER WARNING: If you are anticipating reading it soon and don't want to know what happens, then don't read this, because I'm planning on giving the entire plot.

The story is about Mack and his family, his wife and 5 children. It's kind of a book in two sections. The first section is the part of the story that tells what has shaped Mack's thinking up to the point where he meets God at the shack. The second half of the book is where Mack gets a greater understanding of God's love and his thinking is changed.

I didn't enjoy the first part of the book as I found it a little hard to get into. It tells the story of how Mack's father, although externally religious and a church elder, was a closet drunkard and beat his wife and son and how Mack had run away from home at age 13 and harbored serious bitterness toward God because of his father. Then came the story of the "Great Sadness." Mack's family was camping in Oregon and his 6-old daughter was kidnapped and brually murdered. They tracked her killer to a "shack" out in the wilderness. Four years later Mack is still bitter and his family is still struggling with the loss of Missy.

Then Mack gets a note from "Papa" (his wife's affectionate name for God): "It's been a while. I've missed you. I'll be at the shack next weekend if you want to get together."

So he heads to the shack where Missy was taken to confront whatever he will find there. When he arrives he is met by "God" in three persons: Papa (an affectionate black woman), Jesus (the carpenter), and Sarayu (a wispy Asian woman). This is where it gets a little weird. Obviously it's a work of fiction and not a work of theology, although theologically God could manifest Himself however He needed to at the time. And really how DO we as finite humans understand the Trinity? I believe what the author is trying to convey here is that Mack needed God to manifest His love for him. Along the lines of "why do bad things happen to good people," Mack did not believe that God loved him and really knew what was best for him. By the affectionate greeting of Papa, Mack was stunned that God really cared for him and was not like his own father. Now whether we agree that God would manifest himself as a woman is debatable, but He could, I suppose, if that's what it would take for Mack to comprehend His love. (And later on after Mack forgives his father Papa does manifest himself as a man.) This book does not delve into the balance of wrath versus love and instead focuses on God's love, which in 248 pages still can only just skim the surface. And this book does not cover how sinful we are or how undeserving we are or what we face apart from God, it just focuses on how much God loves of us. Now of course we want to read everything through the filter of the Word of God. Not everything in this book may line up with how we may understand the Trinity to work, but I thought that it was actually fairly theologically sound for trying to split the Trinity up into three fictional people and how they might relate to each other. It's not something we'll ever truly understand until we get to heaven. And I think he's also pointing out that Mack had a lot of preconceived notions when it came to God that weren't Biblical.

Some sentences I wasn't sure were accurate: "Papa: 'There's no easy answer that will take your pain away. Believe me, If I had one, I'd use it now.'" (p. 92) I didn't like that sentence because it makes it sound as if God is not omnipotent.
(p. 96) "Regardless of what [Jesus] felt at that moment [on the cross], I never left Him." I don't know. I always thought there was some sort of separation there, but can God separate from Himself?
(p. 96) "He found his way through it [the cross] to put Himself completely into my hands." I don't know; it just sounds a little touchy-feely to me.

But there were parts of it that I really liked. Sarayu (the Holy Spirit) was the garden tender and Mack thought her garden looked like a mess. But it only looked like a mess when you were in it; it was really a "fractal" (from above it had a pattern to it). Our lives might look like messes to us but God is really in control of it all. We don't understand what God is doing--and that's why He is God and we are not! God does love us and wants what's best for us--or maybe not what's best for us but what is best for His purpose and plan to be complete--which is conforming us to the image of His Son. And just as Mack was a dynamic character, learning to forgive his father and even the man who had murdered Misy and trust God's wisdom, we can learn to trust God and believe in his great love for us.

So depending on where you are in your spiritual journey, this book COULD help you understand God's love (or His "special fondness") for you a tiny bit better, if you are in a place where you need to hear it.

But don't let books take the place of the only one True and Living Word in which there is no error!

Twilight

2009-08-22T17:44:00.003-04:00

I just finished reading the fourth and final book in Stephanie Meyers' "Twilight Series" (Twilight, New Moon, Eclipse, & Breaking Dawn). Ok, ok, ok, I know what you're thinking. Before you start in on me about getting caught up in the "vampire hype," don't worry, I'm not going to be plastering Twilight posters in my room or writing Edward Cullen's name in calligraphy on scrap paper or drinking out of a Twilight mug or anything. In fact, the first time I saw some high school girls reading the Twilight series I told myself that I wasn't going to read them...ever. That it was a complete waste of time. But my morbid curiosity kicked in, and this summer I caved. So here's my review.

I can't say it wasn't possibly a waste of time, but I did find it very entertaining and enjoyable. I do love to read, especially good stories, and this was a very well-written and well-thought out story line and plot. I generally don't enjoy stories written in first person tense, but from the first page of Twilight I was hooked. As a fantasy, I would liken it to a cross between Harry Potter and X-Men. Whereas Harry Potter (which incidentally I also enjoyed reading) is all about witchcraft and wizardry, Twilight is all about vampires and werewolves (in some Christian circles maybe not as controversial). But I also liken it to X-Men because of the special powers and fighting.

If you are not familiar with the plot of Twilight at all, Bella is an ordinary high school girl who falls in love with a vampire: Edward Cullen, whom she meets in high school. This was the only part of the plot that I didn't really like. I mean, can you really have a real, true "love of your life" when you're 17 years old? But for some reason in this case it works. And the book was surprisingly moral and family-friendly, although I wouldn't recommend it for any really young readers as there are sexual elements, although surprisingly again no premarital sex. And I'd have to say that Bella's morals and view of marriage were not very Biblical, although I'm sure the author was just giving an insight into how her parents' split-up had affected her. But she really did seem to have an agape, self-sacrificing love, not only for Edward, but also for her parents. Another thing that I enjoyed from a Biblical perspective was that it was very creationist. The flood was even alluded to, and no evolutionary theory slipped in at all. It might be a little gory for kids--what with the blood drinking and all. But at first I couldn't imagine how the plot could expand into approximately 2,000 pages, but things continue to change and happen (don't worry, I won't spoil anything for you if you want to read it) and you keep reading to find out if Bella becomes a vampire, if Victoria will have her revenge, if Edward can protect her, what Jacob's role is, if the Volturi will ruin everything, if they can really survive, and if Bella can protect the ones she loves. So if you are looking for a idealistic, happy-ever-after fairy tale, this is the series for you!

I'm actually glad that I read the series, especially since it seems to be all the craze in high schools now--even FCS! We're only 1 week into the year and it's already been referenced quite a few times. So at least I can speak knowledgeably!

P.S. The Twilight MOVIE, however, is not worth watching, unlike Harry Potter films. Because so much of Twilight takes place in Bella's head it is really hard to capture on film. And I don't really even want to see the New Moon movie. I'm sure it just can't even compare to the book.

Going Green

2009-08-09T19:04:00.006-04:00

My summer project for my house this summer was painting my kitchen, a feat which thankfully we DID accomplish! Sarah and I spent a day painting and I had fun spending all of my money on a low-budget "update" of my kitchen.
No one had painted in the kitchen before so it was the plain, boring, off-white.
BEFORE:

With advice from my roommates, I decided to go with "Brush Meadow" green:

Yeah, Sarah had fun with the wall that is behind the stove.

Sunflower accents

I'm still trying to decide on curtains, but this is what I've found so far. And notice that I put knobs on all the cupboards! Hmm? Pretty snazzy, eh?

AFTER:

I think we're close to done.
Thank you HGTV and Food Network!

Helping Out Dad

2009-06-14T22:20:00.003-04:00

Rototilling the garden. One new project I was able to help my dad with this week while I'm at their house. My dad has been sick. He got a disease from a Virginian tick: human ehrlichiosis. Before they figured out what it was, he spent many days tired and feverish before finally being admitted to the hospital--for 5 days. Now he's rehydrated but still on antibiotics and other medicine and still very weak. The doctor says it will probably be 6-8 weeks before he really feels back to "normal." So I'm glad I'm able to be around to help out with some chores while I'm home. Dad helped me get the rototiller (from the neighbor's shed) and helped me get started. Then he supervised.

This week the chores are mowing the lawn and PLANTING the garden...

Music Teacher Purchases Sonata

2009-05-15T22:19:00.004-04:00

Lafayette, IN--Beth Hill, a local piano teacher, recently acquired a new vehicle. Jon Hubner, Inc., a used car dealership in Otterbein, had a 2009 Hyundai Sonata with only 16,000 miles available for sale. In a timely turn of events, Miss Hill was able to sell her 1999 Dodge Stratus and purchase the new, sleek Sonata for a reasonable price, as it was a repossession from the Chicago area. Further information can be obtained from the owner.

Happy 3rd Birthday, Juju!

2009-04-20T21:54:00.003-04:00

Today Juju turned 3, so I took her to PetSmart. She was very excited because she LOVES shopping!

Did we find anything good?

She is enjoying her peanut butter marrow-filled bone.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, JUJU!!

MWSmith/SCChapman Concert

2009-03-31T22:07:00.003-04:00

I was so excited to attend my first Christian artist concert on Sunday with not one but TWO of my favorite singers: Michael W. Smith and Steven Curtis Chapman! It was everything I expected and more. Their United tour came to Purdue University's Elliot Hall of Music Sunday night. It was a SPECTACULAR concert. What I loved about it most was that it was a very worshipful experience. They started off singing some praise songs together (Smith on the piano and Chapman on guitar--with Chapman's band, including his 19-year old son on electric guitar). Then Steven Curtis Chapman sang some of his most popular songs, including "I Will Be Here," "Cinderella," "Dive," and one of my favorites "Live Out Loud"! Smith and Chapman even had a short segment in the middle where they sang portions of each others songs! Michael W. Smith sang some of his favorite hits through the years too, including "Friends," "Thy Word," and "Go West, Young Man." He even played a piano selection from Freedom. The staging, lights, and sound were all done very excellently. I'm glad it went 3 hours!! I was super impressed. What great examples!

Kristopher Kessler, Sara Denny, Sarah Hill, Beth Hill

The Struggle of Unbelief

2009-03-31T21:46:00.002-04:00

Here's what I learned from my recent struggle with unbelief and doubt. Thank you to those of you have encouraged me by emailing or commenting!!

The Christian life is definitely a battle. There is a war going on in my heart, and we "wrestle not against flesh and blood." I need to be on my guard by a daily walk in the Word and the accountability of a good church family. A friend encouraged me to make a list from John 10:10 "The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly." What does the thief steal? And conversely what does God's abundant life provide?

Joy--The thief wants to steal my joy, but Romans 15:13 tells me that there is "joy and hope" in believing. Also Gal. 5:22--one of the fruits of the Spirit is joy.

Passion for God--The thief wants to steal my passion for God. "But seek ye first the kingdom of God..." (Matt. 6:33)

Treasure--My treasure should not be found in earthly things, but I need to be laying up "treasures in heaven." (Matt. 6:20)

Energy--The thief wants to steal my energy, but God's Word tells me to "not grow weary in well doing, for in due season we will reap, if we do not lose heart." (Gal. 6:9)

Faith--The thief wants to rob me of my faith, but "without faith it is impossible to please God." (Heb. 11:6). I need to take up the "shield of faith" daily from Eph. 6.

Unbelief is a sin and a struggle, but I am thankful that the "crisis" has passed.

Doubt

2009-02-24T18:33:00.002-05:00

I hesitate to post this, not because I am ashamed of or troubled by people reading my private thoughts, but just because I'm not sure I'm going to express this well, and it may be somewhat scattered, as it is something I'd usually write in my personal diary. But I do post it, thinking that in doing so I may be an encouragement to those of you who have struggled, are struggling, or will struggle with some of the same thoughts.

Lately (I can't pinpoint a time frame, it has most likely been a downward spiral that has probably been building for months, even years, although it has been more consuming the last week or so) I have been harboring doubts in my mind about the Christian faith, how we can know the Bible is true, and why we do what we do. How do we know that Jesus is the only way to God? Do I really believe that the Bible is the inspired Word of God? How do I know that God is interested in my life? Even more general questions, like what is the purpose of music? Why do we sing in church? Do we just do these church activities because that is what we've always done? Is "church" just a tradition that has been passed through the years and now has no real purpose? I guess my real question has been: Am I just doing this church thing because that's what I'm "supposed" to do and because it's what everyone in my family has always done? Am I just an old fuddy-duddy because I believe it is important to be active in the local church--actually, basically my whole LIFE revolves around church! Do I really "believe" in it? I teach children to sing church songs--am I just brainwashing them into believing what I've always believed just because that's what I've been taught? Just because it makes them behave? I've always been the "good girl." Sometimes you just get tired of it! (Issues: fear of man, pride!)

Now I must confess these thoughts never left my head (until now) and had no real affect on my daily life. I still tried to get my heart right to worship God in church, I still went to work every day and have still been the "good" girl, doing the right things (but admittedly not always for the right reasons).

I think I've just been struggling with the daily-ness of it all. As someone has said, the problem with life is that it is so daily! I am expected to go to church because that is what I've always done. I am expected to be a good example because I am a teacher. Wouldn't it shock people if I just turned my back on the Christian life and went and did what "I" wanted to for a change? Maybe "they" DO have more fun! Maybe this Christianity stuff is false and the world is right. I can see how easy it can be for someone to turn their back on God and just totally "give it up." But then I started going down that path logically and realized how different my life would be away from Christianity. But would it be for the better or for the worse? How do I KNOW that it isn't more fun on the "broad" way? I also saw that this is exactly how Satan would want me to think if he wanted to influence me (thank you C.S. Lewis' Screwtape Letters).

Then I wondered, why am I having these thoughts? I think we all have thoughts similar to these at some point in my life. My problem was that I began to dwell on them a little too much. And instead of casting these thoughts aside and filling my mind with God-honoring thoughts, I allowed myself to think about them. Then I realized I hadn't been having my devotions regularly. Instead, I'd allowed things like other people (wanting to be liked--fear of man) and television (am I careful in what I allow into my mind?) to influence my thinking about what was really important in life. After all, how do I know that Christianity isn't the one "brainwashing" me?

There are examples of those who went before us that we can follow. If I'm wrong about Christianity, then Pastor Viars is wrong! That seems ludicrous! :) All these missionaries and people I've known throughout my life who would die for their faith: they'd be wrong, too, if Christianity is misleading. So I turned my gaze to the Word: "Set your affections on things above; not on things on the earth." (Col. 3:2) Jesus is our high priest who has "been tempted in all things like as we are, yet without sin. Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may find mercy and grace to help in time of need." (Heb. 7)

Pastor Viars said something in church Sunday that really helped me to get clearer in my thinking. He was talking about how Jesus is the better way (and I was questioning howe we KNOW that), and then he said a statement that I can't recall verbatim, but something to the effect that we have to DECIDE to follow Christ. Then it struck me. I've heard many proofs for the validity of Christianity throughout my life, but ultimately there is no one that can PROVE Christianity is "the religion" to follow. I need to make the CHOICE to believe in Jesus. And I need to keep making that choice every day, choosing to spend time in God's Word because I know I need to, not because I'm ever going to feel like it. I will CHOOSE to go to church because that's where the body of Christ meets. I DO believe the Bible is true. And, yes, some of this will be done somewhat perfunctorily (and I will be praying for God to change my heart). Sometimes I'm only going to go to church because I have to play the piano, and sometimes I'm going to choose to do something because it's the right thing to do, but I'm going to keep making that choice. Not because I feel like it, but because "I have decided to follow Jesus. No turning back. No turning back."

Snow Day!

2009-01-28T09:47:00.003-05:00

NO SCHOOL TODAY!!!!

Preschool Quote

2009-01-28T09:39:00.002-05:00

One of the preschool teachers shared this with me the other week. There is a little 3 or 4 year old boy that I teach in music class who goes by the name of J.C. However, this teacher couldn't remember his name, so she just asked him: "What's your name?"

He responded (as young boys are wont to do at times), "SPIDERMAN!"

"No, no," said the teacher, "I mean, what's your REAL name?"

The boy responded, "Peter Parker!"

Christmas in Virginia

2009-01-28T09:07:00.004-05:00

So...I'm a little behind on my blog! I've been meaning to post pictures since...well, since Christmas! So here goes...in a lovely RANDOM order:

I went with my mom and dad out east to Virginia Beach the day after Christmas to visit my brother and his wife Kristen--but mainly to see my nephew Micah! No, we did not travel completely by boat--but we DID take a ferry while sightseeing in the area:

Here are some pictures of Tim & Kristen with 2 month old Micah:

We enjoyed celebrating Christmas with them as Tim was able to take a couple of days off of work as well.

Mom and Dad and I took one day to sight-see and visited Colonial Williamsburg at night:

One of my favorite parts of the trip was the ferry from Scotland-Jamestown. And it was FREE!

A picturesque colonial town (whose name I cannot recall):

Micah's first piano lesson!

I enjoyed having some time to kick back, relax, and read the latest Karen Kingsbury book as well!

Historic St. Luke's Church:

"Historic" Yankee Candle store in Williamsburg (it's HUGE):

It got colder throughout the week, but at the beginning of the week we took a Sunday drive to the beach--the temperature was 70 degrees!! It was an odd Christmas from what I'm generally used to.

Me hogging Micah

Road trip with Mom & Dad! (Dad, watch out for those Virginia patrolmen!)

BACK HOME AGAIN IN INDIANA...

Christmas Letter 2008

2008-12-23T21:10:00.002-05:00

Merry Christmas 2008!

Same old, same old. That’s basically my report on the last year.

Basically my personal life hasn’t changed at all. Concerning my job, my house, my dog, there’s nothing really new to report. But there HAVE been some changes in the lives of those around me this year.

I found out this spring that I was going to be Aunt—twice!—this year. My sister Rachel and her husband Mathew had a baby boy (Reagan Mathew) October 10, and my brother Tim and his wife Kristen had a baby boy (Micah James) on November 11! I got to hold Reagan at Thanksgiving when I went home to Michigan, and I’m looking forward to holding Micah when I go with my parents to Virginia Beach for New Year’s!

For spring break I flew out to Virginia to visit Tim & Kristen. We got to visit historic Jamestown and see some of the Naval sites while I was there.

This summer we had a great family get-together over the 4th of July where all four of us kids could be together. I did the same old Vacation Bible School routine—one time at my parents’ church in Michigan and again in Lafayette.

This summer I guess I did start one new thing. I started volunteering at the Faith Community Center where I learned to check people in at the front desk and also got trained in at the café—learning the espresso machine, the ice cream machine, and the grill for paninis and wraps! I have enjoyed volunteering at the Community Center so I continue to volunteer there every other Friday night and on breaks as time allows.

My sister Sarah and I also added a new housemate in August—Sara Denny, who was one of Sarah’s roommates in college. She coaches for Faith Christian School but also has some other jobs in Lafayette. Since she came we did add one new home feature—cable television!

I continue to be involved in playing the piano for school and church activities. I am also active in the local piano teachers’ association. In fact, I am heading up the “Monster Concert 2009,” which will be held June 4 and will involve a big recital with ten grand pianos on the Long Center stage and probably over 200 students from the area.

Our church’s musical this year was called “Shine On Us,” and was a good reminder that in this dark world Jesus Christ is the light. “Thy Word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path.” May we all continue to depend on the only truth that is found in God’s Word.

Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

My Nephew Micah

2008-11-14T21:29:00.005-05:00

It's another nephew!!

Micah James Hill was born to my brother Tim and his wife Kristen on November 11! They're making it easy on us aunts for date remembering: Reagan was born 10/10 and Micah was born 11/11.

Micah weighed 8 pounds, 4 oz. and was 21" long--a healthy baby boy. Kudos to Kristen for having a totally natural birth! Someday I want to be like you; you're my hero, Kristen!

Unfortunately little Micah lives a long way away in Virginia Beach, but I can't wait to meet him someday--hopefully around the New Year, Lord willing!

My Nephew Reagan

2008-10-16T12:49:00.004-04:00

YAY! I'm an aunt now! My sister Rachel and her husband Mathew had their first baby--a boy! Reagan Mathew Eliason was born on Friday, October 10, weighing 7 pounds, 3 ounces, and 20 inches long.

Congratulations Rachel & Mat! I can't wait to hold little Reagan (probably at Thanksgiving time)!

La Cocina sin Microwave

2008-10-14T19:01:00.002-04:00

It was an interesting week in the kitchen at home. We Americans get so used to the amenities we have readily on hand: electricity, running water, freezers, microwaves. For instance, can you imagine life without a microwave? I can! It's really easy after this week!

We get so used to throwing something into the microwave to heat up for a meal. But last week I had something going in the microwave for a couple of minutes when suddenly the microwave started making this buzzing sound, smelling bad, and not heating anymore. Astute as I am, I realized that the microwave was not supposed to be doing that. So I gave it the quick fix test: unplug it and plug it back in; maybe it will reset itself. Didn't work. So I hoped leaving it unplugged overnight might be the remedy. Nope. That didn't work either. So, after a phone consultation with my dad, I realized my final recourse must be to buy a new microwave. So we went for a whole week without a working microwave in the house: no quickly reheating food, no microwave dinners, and, horror of horrors, no microwave popcorn. We had to either eat cold macaroni and cheese (which I did--but I do that anyway, so that was no big deal) or figure out a way to reheat something in the oven (or bring it to work and use the microwave there).

I am very thankful for good church friends who were able to install my new over-the-range microwave yesterday (I didn't want to pay H.H. Gregg the $119 installation fee).

I know people in other countries or in times past have gone without microwaves, and it IS possible, but I am very thankful to have a working microwave!

Chapel Monday

2008-09-08T20:46:00.002-04:00

Monday is chapel day at FCS.

First was Kindergarten-2nd grade chapel at 8:15. I was greeting kids as they came in, asking some first graders about their weekends. It went from trampolines to playing with airplanes to playing soccer, until one little girl, surprisingly cheerful, said, "I got to come here Saturday because my parents got divorced." She also told me her mom's going to have another baby. Please be praying for this family.

But then we had some great chapel times today. Our chapel speakers today were pastors from our church. It is great to be a part of a ministry where you get Trey Garner speaking about Idols of the Heart to your Kindergarten-2nd graders and Doug Gray speaking to 7th-12th graders about the Heart of Change. "We do what we do because we want what we want." It all serves to enhance our school's theme this year "From the Inside Out."

I am thankful for my church.

Juju Goes Hiking

2008-09-01T18:54:00.006-04:00

This afternoon Mommy took me on a hike along the Wabash Heritage Trail. We parked at someplace called Davis Ferry and I hopped out of the car, excited to go for a W-A-L-K!

I'm good at posing for pictures on the trail.

Mom said I couldn't ride my bike or my horse. Or drive the car.

I liked climbing on the bridges; even the pieces of old bridges that didn't go anywhere.

I didn't use the stepping stones to cross Burnett's creek; I just waded through the water. The water was FUN!

Mom took a long time taking pictures of butterflies so I laid down underneath the bush where there was some shade to take a nap.

I didn't get why Mom liked looking at the flowers. The water was much more exciting!! (And chasing deer and chipmunks and birds.)

I decided to try a new black mud treatment on my paws; I hope it soothes the sore spots I've been itching because of my allergies.

I was able to take a little nap when we got to the Battlefield Museum. The shade was nice but Mom made me get in the sun for this pic.

When we got back to the car I got right in so I could go home and sleep!

The Donning of the Watch

2008-08-12T21:25:00.003-04:00

Summer is officially over. I put my wristwatch back on this morning. I take it off at the beginning of the summer and don't wear it (usually) until school starts. So, this is it. I'm wearing my watch. School's starting!

Butler University...

2008-07-19T21:22:00.002-04:00

...is my new favorite place. LOVED the piano pedagogy symposium yesterday and today. Makes me want to go back and get my masters of some sort in piano...

Mondog Park

2008-07-19T20:55:00.004-04:00

So on my way home from my vacation in Michigan on Tuesday I passed through Chicago. It was a beautiful day so I decided to drive right along Lake Michigan on Lake Shore Drive (and Sheridan Road). It was close to suppertime for Juju (5:00) and on a whim I decided to stop off at the lake and feed Juju her supper. After I made this decision, I then had to find a spot to park. I passed a few places where I could have just pulled off on to the street, but I didn't. Eventually I got to the divided highway section of Lake Shore Drive and just picked an exit and found a place to park. I pulled off on Montrose Street. It ended up being further from the beach than I had planned, but as long as we were stopped I decided to walk Juju the few blocks all the way to the beach. As I got closer and noticed how many people were around, I wasn't sure if it was okay for me to have a dog on the beach. Aren't there some regulations about no dogs on the beach? But as long as I was that close I wasn't stopping until I got to the beach. Was I surprised, when I got to the beach, to notice DOZENS of dogs on the beach--off-leash and playing in the water!! Then I realized that they were in a fenced-in area with their owners. Whaddya know? I ended up at Mondog park--a city dog park! So I let Juju off her leash for a few minutes and we enjoyed the beautiful weather.

Limber Tail Syndrome

2008-07-07T14:03:00.004-04:00

I thought Juju had a broken tail. Thursday night (July 3rd) we had a fun time out at Lake Superior and the beach at Little Presque Isle, then time at the Carpenter's house in Marquette. Juju had a VERY fun time in the water (she'd never really swam before) and playing with Zoey, the Carpenter's German shepherd. That night her tail was very sore and was hanging limp. She would try to bite me when I touched her tail and had a very hard time sitting down. Since it was Friday, the fourth of July, we thought of taking her to the vet, but they probably wouldn't be open until Monday. So we thought she'd just have to tough it out--after all, what can you do for a broken tail anyway? But it was kind of weird because no one remembered stepping on it, slamming it in the door, or setting a chair on it or anything.

Saturday Kristen talked to her dad, who is a large animal vet, and he suggested "limber tail syndrome," which is actually a fairly common condition in larger sporting dogs. So I looked it up online (see AKC Labrador Retriever Club's page on "Cold Water Tail.").

Another name for it is "cold water tail," which some dogs can get after an extended time swimming in cold water and lots of activity--both of which Juju did on Thursday night!! Most of the information I've seen says it's more common in labs--yes, Juju is part lab/retriever! Thankfully it's a condition which rights itself (after rest and possibly anti-inflammatory medication) in a few days to 2 weeks at the most. Now, after 4 days, Juju's tail is getting back to its upright perkiness and she's a little more back to her active self. Who ever heard of such a thing as limber tail syndrome??

Moolatte

2008-06-20T21:17:00.004-04:00

A couple of weeks ago I went to the local DQ Grill and Chill and decided to order a Mocha Moolatte, an amazing frozen blended drink made from ice cream, coffee, and who knows what else. The cashier did something naughty. She handed me a Moolatte Free-quency card with one punch in it. I only had to buy 4 more moolattes to get one free. Of course, you know me and coupons. I had to make good on this deal. So the last couple of weeks I've taken the opportunity to indulge on these cool drinks--which I think are a much better deal than a Starbucks Frappucino. My favorite is the mocha, but the French Vanilla is also good. Cappucino is okay. And I don't think I've tried the Caramel yet. I guess that will be next one; after all, it's free!

Community Center Volunteering

2008-06-20T21:05:00.003-04:00

This is Main Street of the Faith Community Center where I've been spending some time volunteering this summer. When my church decided to build a Community Center, I thought it would be a neat place to spend some time volunteering. So...it opened last year, and guess what? I didn't make it over there to volunteer at all during the school year. This summer I was encouraged/invited to spend a few hours working at the Front Desk and the Cup of Faith Cafe, especially since I have the summer "off" of work. I decided to make the plunge and sign up for a few hours each week. It is REALLY FUN to work at the Community Center--whether it's doing laundry, checking people in to the Fitness Center or pool, or even doing daycare. Today I learned how to make sandwiches, ice cream orders, and espresso drinks. It has been a blast! It is a good chance to be able to visit and talk with people, too. If you go to Faith, I would encourage you to consider volunteering a few hours of your time to serving at the Community Center. I have enjoyed it so much and I look forward to spending more time there this summer!

On Being 30 and Single

2008-05-21T22:19:00.002-04:00

An excerpt from my diary...
I hesitate to share from this portion of my life, because I don't think marital status is what defines one as a person, and too many people in my season of life seem to be all too focused on the opposite sex. I don't want to sound like this is my main focus in life or that I'm getting desperate now. (My God is so much bigger than eharmony.com!) There's more to life than marital status. But, yes, I am human, so I do wonder sometimes about why I'm not married--or even dating. (Or maybe I've been reading too many Christian romance novels.) So allow me a brief post to indulge myself and get it out of my system. When I thought about this part of my life when I was younger, I always pictured myself as being a wife and mother by now (I'd definitely have at least 2 kids by 30, right?), but obviously that wasn't God's plan. Sometimes I wonder if there's something wrong with me, if I'm not good enough, not friendly enough, too solitary, too independent, or whatever.

BUT THEN I work on getting my focus UP--where it needs to be. I believe God has guided me through my decisions this far in my life--college, job in Indiana. I believe I am where God wants me to be, and that's all I need to be focused on. I only want to be married if my husband and I can serve God more effectively together than we could separately, and apparently God's plan for me to serve Him involves my time as a single person. Apparently God has things He wants me to continue to learn in this portion of my life, or He has tasks He wants me to perform. I have so much more freedom now to be a servant at church than I would if I had a spouse or a family. I am enjoying my life where God has put me, and sometimes I wonder if I could be any more happier in life than I already am. I'm okay if God wants me to serve Him singly for the rest of my life. This life on earth is so short anyway--why waste time on trivial earthly matters? And if I can keep my focus on serving God and spending my time in church activities, I won't be sidetracked by the desires of the world. I've always prayed that God would make it extremely obvious to me when the man he wanted for me crossed my path, because I'm not planning to be sidetracked from serving God and working on desiring what God wants for me. Psalm 37:4 "Delight thyself also in the Lord and He shall give thee the desires of thine heart."

The Big 3-0

2008-05-18T21:22:00.003-04:00

Yup. I've finally reached a new decade. I had a great day, starting with Saturday when I received 4 birthday cards in the mail!! Pretty good timing, guys! Sunday morning a quartet of girls sang very loudly to me in the hallway before church. Another friend from church came up to me at the piano after church and handed me a card and gift. Then there were the random birthday wishes from random people (thanks in part to Facebook for spreading the birthday word)! I had a piano recital that afternoon, and toward the end, before they played their duet, two sisters had everyone sing to me, so I had more birthday wishes. And after church that night Sarah and I walked to Dairy Queen and I got a Strawberry Cheesequake blizzard. Yummy! I just had a smile on my face all day. I love birthdays!! (Even if it does mean that you're getting old...)

Landscaping Pics

2008-05-05T22:42:00.009-04:00

Here's some pics of the new mulching I did on Saturday and the Common Purple Lilac bush!

Juju and my blooming apple tree in the backyard--and the grass she's killed! :)

The digging and raking I did on Saturday gave me a big blister on my hand that's given me a little bit of grief the last couple of days. I'll be glad to be able to reach an octave again without the pain of stretching my right hand!

Star Wars and Gardening

2008-05-03T21:35:00.002-04:00

It was a crazy week--with a Preschool program Thursday night and 2 programs Friday night--K5-3rd and 4th-6th back-to-back. I got to direct the Preschool program and play the piano for the other two--as well as make PowerPoint Programs for all three. Of course, I'm really good at waiting until the last minute to get these things done! ;) And we had rehearsals all week for all of them, too, so my teaching schedule was all messed up. And throw in accompanying a violin recital Tuesday night and a couple of extra hours Thursday morning for the National Day of Prayer breakfast. All good activities, but kind of crazy when it all happens in one week.

So what got me through the week was looking forward to the weekend--today--because I could work in my yard. I finally got the lawn mowed and even some flowers planted. When I got stressed during the week I would start to plan some new landscaping, and nothing could stop me from working in the yard today--not even cooling temperatures and the threat of rain. Thankfully it never did actually rain so I spent a good solid 5 hours straight doing some new landscaping.

I've also been enjoying watching the first 3 Star Wars episodes again. I've only seen them once before, and this time I'm enjoying them a lot more. I finished "Attack of the Clones" at the beginning of the week and today the library had in "Revenge of the Sith" so I'm looking forward to watching that soon!

Only 3 more weeks until school's out!

Happy 2nd Birthday, Juju!

2008-04-21T16:33:00.002-04:00

April 20 is the day I celebrate Juju's birthday, so she is now 2 years old! She got a new "monkey" (i.e. toy--this one was a green frog) from PetSmart.

Spring Break in Virginia

2008-04-10T16:03:00.003-04:00

I thought it was time I posted a few pictures of my spring break trip to Virginia for those of you who don't have access to Facebook!

I flew from Indy to Norfolk (via Detroit) on Tuesday, March 25 and flew back on Friday, March 28, so I only got to spend a couple of days with Tim & Kristen, but we had a great time. And the weather was terrific with highs warming up to the 70's and near 80 Thursday and Friday!

Tim & Kristen hospitably opened their apartment to me and even got me an air mattress to sleep on! We enjoyed walking around their neighborhood at the "swamplands" of the Elizabeth River...don't get Tim started on that! ;) Kristen and I enjoyed going to the mall that evening while Tim was at work.

Wednesday we enjoyed seeing the Nauticus Museum in Norfolk and touring the U.S.S. Wisconsin, both free and open to the public. We enjoyed chatting with one of the guides about the ironclads Monitor & Merrimac (C.S.S. Virginia). Kristen & I went to church at Colonial without Tim since he had to work.

I enjoyed seeing the green grass, flowering trees, and flowers because we haven't seen much of that in Indiana yet...although it's coming! We enjoyed walking along Chesapeake Bay enjoying the sun!

Thursday Tim took the day off and we drove to Jamestown--after we had a great breakfast and chapel time at Tim's seminary. We enjoyed the great museum there and all the great exhibits.

Tim & Kristen enjoyed trying on the 17th century armor.

I enjoyed touring the ships Susan Constance, Godspeed, and Discovery.

Kristen made us some great food, including the lunch we packed.

In Williamsburg (after having been at Jamestown) we stopped at this HUGE Yankee Candle store--it was HUGE! It was so big it even had a fudge shop inside! That evening we ate out at Cracker Barrel and rented "I Am Legend"--which was scarier than we had thought!--and enjoyed a movie night.

Friday we were able to get in a game of Settlers of Cataan before I had to head to the airport. And another episode or so of the Cosby show, which they had borrowed from the library. Those were some good ol' episodes!

It was a blast seeing Tim & Kristen!

I Do Believe

2008-03-21T12:27:00.002-04:00

Have you ever caught yourself doubting whether all the Bible stories you've heard since you were a child are true? Lately I've found myself becoming more cynical and just lacking that child-like faith. I would start talking to someone, or teaching preschoolers a Bible lesson, and as I was hearing myself speak I would catch myself thinking that it sounded so unreal. Am I confident in my belief in Jesus Christ? Is there really a God?

We all get plagued by doubts at some point. I've been through this before. I grew up in a Pastor's home, raised to believe the Bible was true; I almost didn't have any other option growing up. But at some point you have to make your faith real; you can't depend on others to believe for you. I became a Christian at a young age (4 years old) and sometimes I wonder if it was only due to the godly influences at my life at that time. Do I act like a Christian just because it's the only thing I've ever known?

I don't know lately what has triggered these doubts. Who can figure out the workings of our minds? (mine especially...I can think some of the most random thoughts...) Maybe it's been just the nitty-gritties of day-to-day life, trying to "work" God into my schedule--when I should be doing the opposite. Shouldn't God be the focal point? But I do know that I haven't "felt" as confident in speaking up for the Lord. For instance, I might be talking to my next door neighbor about how he's struggling to get along with his dad, and my first instinct (since I've been well-trained) will be to know that Christ and the Bible have all the answers for our daily problems, BUT then I will start to wonder if that's really true and how it applies in each situation. I would be lacking confidence in God's truth.

So how do I remedy this? Do I truly believe that Jesus Christ came in human form and literally died on the cross over 2000 years ago? How can I refute all the historical evidence for this? And if Jesus actually lived, then the Bible must be true. And if the Bible is true, God really does care about every aspect of my life. Yes, the Bible is true. Yes, Jesus did come. Yes, Jesus did die. Yes, Jesus did rise from the dead. Yes, Jesus is still alive today preparing a place for us. It's incomprehensible, but I step out in child-like faith. Yes, I do believe.

Spring is Springing!

2008-03-17T10:42:00.004-04:00

I was very excited to look in my garden last week and see the tulips and daffodils making their appearance!

A Tribute to Grandma Helfinstine

2008-03-12T08:43:00.005-04:00

Jeannette Grace Lang Helfinstine
October 16, 1925 - March 5, 2008

Grandma is home with Jesus now. I was able to spend time with her at Christmas and visit her in the nursing home (where this picture was taken). I was thankful she still recognized me at that time. She had been deteriorating in health for the last couple of years (cancer, strokes, etc.), but the last few months were especially hard on the family as dymensia set in and she really had a hard time knowing where she was or recognizing anyone. She pretty much stopped eating, too. So we are thankful we don't have to worry about her health any more; she is much better off in her glorified body now! One of her last phrases was "I have a new home," and we are so glad she does.

At her funeral on Monday her children shared some memories of her, many of which I didn't know. She was a great mom. And a good cook! My memories of Grandma include traveling to Minnesota at Christmas and during the summer. I would help Grandma set the table or do the dishes. (We loved having a special treat of Jello-Pops!) We enjoyed talking about books we were reading, because Grandma really encouraged my love for reading. She and I were kindred spirits in a lot of ways, I think. One time I remember I needed to help Grandma with some chores at her house, and I wanted to wait until some other family members had left to run an errand (or something). She told me that she was like that too--she preferred to get work down around the house when it was quiet. That made me feel especially close to Grandma. She loved to listen to Christian radio around the house--the love of which she passed down to my mother and me, too! Grandma's love for the Lord was a real testimony to me and has continued to pass down to future generations, as all of her 4 children and 9 grandchildren are walking with the Lord now. She was a prayer warrior! One of my earliest memories of Grandma was when she and Grandpa were visiting us in Michigan, and mom and Grandma were doing dishes while I was folding clothes in the living room. Apparently I was singing, because I overheard Grandma tell Mom that it sounded like I would have a nice soprano voice when I got older. I still remember being pleased that Grandma thought that. She has always loved music and encouraged us to love music, and to love the Lord.

We will miss not having her around, but we are thankful she is enjoying the presence of the Lord. She was 82 years old, and she and Grandpa had been married for 57 years! Things will be different in our family now, but we are thankful we will see Grandma again someday!

Melody Bober

2008-02-19T08:45:00.002-05:00

One of my favorite piano arrangers is a lady named Melody Bober, who has published lots of hymn arrangements and lots of neat sheet music pieces that are fun for students to play. I played one of her arrangements in church at the beginning of January, and the new home ec teacher at Faith Christian came up to me afterward, very excited, and told me that Melody Bober was her MOTHER! I didn't quite believe her at first, but she was telling the truth. So I was pleasantly surprised a few weeks later when Melody called me, telling me she would be in town visiting President's Day weekend, and wondered if we might play one of her duets in church! How could I pass up that opportunity? The date got closer, and I wasn't sure if it was going to work out because I had forgotten to get a hold of the music, and I had not confirmed if we would be able to play with the music pastor, but in the last few days it all came together! Saturday I was able to get the music and we were able to rehearse and Sunday morning (just for the 9:30 service) I played a duet with Melody Bober in church! What an exciting experience!

February Conference

2008-02-18T12:26:00.004-05:00

We enjoyed having 5 ladies stay with us for a week while they attended the Biblical Counseling Conference at our church. We had Lynn Kenny (from Ishpeming, MI), Aunt Louise Helfinstine (Des Moines, IA), Aunt Elaine Kari (Ishpeming, MI), Mom (Ishpeming, MI), and Marcia Karvonen (Negaunee, MI). We were able to house them all (thankfully they didn't mind sharing beds)--and Lynn brought a wonderful air mattress, too.

In our free moments at home we enjoyed putting together a 1,000 piece jigsaw puzzle, although Juju must have eaten one of the pieces--or else it fell on the floor and is lost.

We celebrated Valentine's Day while they were here, so these are the flowers that Dad sent Mom (Dad, this is what they looked like). He also got her a balloon and a card. And Marcia got a teddy bear!

We enjoyed fellowshipping together around food. Sarah and I made some meals for them (tacos, split pea soup, lasagna, and chef salad--and cheescake!) but we also went out to eat. This is at our final destination Saturday morning--IHOP!

We had a great time. Too bad they couldn't stay longer, but we did still make it to the mall (twice)!

Juju enjoyed the extra attention and made herself quite at home with the company!

They left Saturday morning. Hope to see you soon!

TK & Rachel

2008-01-22T19:03:00.000-05:00

Yay! Congratulations to TK & Rachel, winners of the 12th season of the CBS show "The Amazing Race," which I am addicted to. There was a group of us watching the finale on Sunday night (Sarah, Leah Miller, Courtney Blake, and Sarah Denny) and we were SO HAPPY when Rachel solved the puzzle first, because we were really rooting for this young couple. They were just so calm and nice on the whole race--both to each other and to the other racers. Yes, nice guys CAN finish first! I am excited that Phi Koegan said during the interview on the Early Show Monday morning that they are planning for Season 13! I can't wait until it starts again!

Spirit Week 2008

2008-01-20T17:22:00.000-05:00

Spirit Week at FCS is over for another year. It's always a great time of dressing up in weird costumes, culminating in the Homecoming Game Friday night. I had fun video taping the parade of costumes again this year and look forward into turning into a DVD for the school.
POLAR DAY--Monday was polar day. I dressed as hot chocolate!

Tuesday was Ag Day (supposedly standing for Agriculture, but of course there are other interpretations...like silver, etc.)

CIRCUS/ZOO DAY was the theme for Wednesday. I went as a zoo tourist.

Thursday I didn't have Sarah take a picture of me because I just dressed in black to accompany the Junior class skit.

Friday was school colors--Maroon & Gold!
Unfortunately we lost both our girls' and boys' homecoming games--the girls lost by 1 point with a shot right before the buzzer, and the guys lost by 4. But they were both very competitive games!

What's Up?

2008-01-12T11:22:00.000-05:00

I figured since I hadn't posted in a while I should take a minute to update. I had such a good break at Christmas--AWAY from the computer! I had a nice time being with family and friends for the holidays. I enjoyed a wonderful time in Minnesota for a couple of days after Christmas with my aunts and uncles and cousins and grandparents. If you think of it, pray for my grandma who has dymensia and other ailments and just had to be moved to a nursing home. She is not dealing well with the adjustment and has a hard time remembering the daily routines. She does better when my grandpa can spend time with her there.

I also enjoyed a wonderful time in Michigan with my parents (and getting to see my sister Rachel and her husband and their dogs). I love the U.P. weather with cold and lots of snow! (No, really, I do.) We got to play a lot of games like Apples to Apples, Balderdash, Rook, Pictionary, Dutch Blitz, and Boggle. I love playing games! We also got to relax, watch movies late into the night, and sleep in! I also got to read a couple of the latest Karen Kingsbury books: Just Beyond the Clouds and Between Sundays. So it was a very nice break from the routine. Juju and I logged in quite a few miles on the odometer, too! (Mapquest says we drove about 1420 miles.)

I must admit that I was not looking forward to the start of school again, but this past week back has caused me to realize that I DO enjoy my school routine, and I can actually say now that I am glad to be back to work!

Beth's Christmas Letter 2007

2007-12-21T11:36:00.000-05:00

(To save on paper, this is only being sent electronically. For a free, printed copy of this Christmas letter, just click “print” and enjoy!)

Friday, December 21, 2007
Dear Family & Friends,

A Christmas letter is generally a synopsis of the previous year, so I’m opening my calendar to see what went on this year. Oh boy, where do I start?

January—hmm, normal school stuff, making a DVD of Spirit Week, accompanying for Solo & Ensemble…

February—Colts win the Super Bowl! A week off for the Counseling Conference hosted by my church, during which we had the biggest blizzard in 30 years with 17 inches of snow. Thankfully my mom and dad came with a lady from their church in a 4-wheel drive truck, otherwise we would have never made it in because they barely plow these Indiana roads! And we only had to get out of my subdivision and across the street!

March—more school Fine Arts competitions, spring choir tour to lower Michigan

April— church Passion Play, Juju’s 1st birthday!

May—normal spring programs and graduation stuff, open houses, oh, and Mom & Rachel come for the weekend to surprise me for my birthday!

June—yay! Summer vacation starts! I do some piano things like the Monster Concert and teaching summer lessons. I hiked the Wabash Heritage Trail (about 15 miles round trip) with Juju. Vacation Bible School in Lafayette, during which we host 4 girls for the week during their Summer Missions Trip to help with VBS—and get TP’ed by the boys. My brother Tim gets married to Kristen Ahtila on June 23 in Portage, MI. Good family times!

July—Grand Opening of the Faith Community Center in Lafayette! Travel home to the U.P. for the 4th of July and for Vacation Bible School in Ishpeming. Back to Lafayette to run “hotel service” out of home: lots of friends traveling through: Stacy Quayle, Jeff & Debbie Parks & family, Warren Powers with my sister Rachel and her husband Matt who came to visit for the Brickyard 400 in Indianapolis. We all went to the race then celebrated Matt’s birthday!

August—back to school! Start teaching piano lessons again (42 students), teaching Preschool music, accompanying for school functions, and doing PowerPoint. Buy new LCD HDTV for home.

September—busy school and church schedule with City-Wide Night of Worship, friends’ weddings, and a Teacher’s Conference in South Bend, IN.

October—Grandparents’ Day at school, more weddings, travel to U.P. to surprise parents for celebrating 30 years in Ishpeming, Fall Concert at school, school accreditation committee works very hard to get FCS ready for AACS accreditation, get a dining room table, and more company when Uncle Alan and Aunt Nancy come for the weekend!

November— Amazing Race (on CBS) starts and our regular AR company comes over on Sunday nights (Jeannie Wetzel). We take 22 high schoolers on a 4-day choir tour (to the U.P. so get to go home again), big piano stuff going on with the Elementary Fine Arts Festival and the Achievement in Music Festival, big Stewardship Banquet at church, celebrate Thanksgiving in Chicago with my friend Jackie and her family, another wedding, AND go to Chicago with Sarah to see Phantom of the Opera!

December—hmm, that just about brings us up to date! Three school Christmas programs, one choir sing at the mall, one church musical (that gets to be repeated once more next week because of the 10 inches of snow we got the day of), a 2-hour delay, a 1-hour delay of school, two piano recitals for my students, Living Nativity at church, and CHRISTMAS VACATION (which will mean traveling and getting to see family in Minnesota and Michigan)!

I am still enjoying my job at Faith Christian School, teaching piano, accompanying, and doing various and sundry tech/computer jobs. I also enjoy playing the piano with the Worship Team for church. My dog Juju (shepherd/chow/etc. mix ), who will be 2 in April, makes sure that I take time to come home for lunch and am home by 5:00 or 6:00 in the evening—and also that I get my nightly walk in! In my at-home time I enjoy watching movies (some favorites this year are Pirates of the Caribbean 3, Ocean’s 13, Ratatouille, & Bourne Ultimatum), reading, taking pictures, scrapbooking, or making DVDs or blogging on my Mac. Or taking the Never-ending movie quiz on Facebook.

For more highlights of the year, check out former blog posts--complete with pictures!

In the new year, Sarah and I look forward to housing a student teacher for about 9 weeks (Sarah Denney was one of Sarah’s roommates at Northland so she’s especially excited)! We like to have people over to the house, so we look forward to having more company in February and for whatever kinds of parties Sarah wants to throw again this year! Just give us a call before you come—we’ll put Juju on the welcoming committee, so be ready to receive lots of wet kisses and 55 pounds of loving sitting on your lap!

Sometimes it is so busy that we (I) neglect to remember that nothing is possible without the grace of God. Everything (our time and talents) truly is His and we are to be faithful stewards of what He has given. I am so thankful that Sunday comes once a week so I can be regularly reminded to keep my focus up on Christ. Pastor Viars spoke recently on heaven and there are so many trivial things in life that often take us off of that focus. I am so thankful for all that God has allowed me to have—including family and friends like you!

Hope your holiday season is truly amazing as we honor Christ’s birth.

Merry Christmas!

Beth Hill & Juju
www.fcslafayette.org

SNOW!

2007-12-18T10:46:00.000-05:00

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas (or like it did in February).

We had 10 inches of snow Saturday into Sunday. I had time to shovel out Sunday morning since we cancelled the 8 AM service, but the 9:30 and 11:00 still went on as scheduled. Thankfully most of the choir and orchestra made it in since it was our presentation of the church musical on Sunday. The audience wasn't all that big, but apparently we may get the chance to do it for one more service this next weekend...

Juju & Donkey

2007-12-18T10:39:00.001-05:00

Juju made some new friends the past couple weekends. Our church holds its annual Living Nativity for a couple of weekends before Christmas. Even though the weather wasn't the greatest (lots of rain the first weekend and snow the next) we still had 5 out of 6 nights as regularly scheduled. Since I had to take Juju for a walk anyway those nights, I made it a goal of walking through the 12 scenes every night it was open--which I accomplished! I was one of the first ones through the 1st night and saw them tearing it down the last night!

Juju loved the live donkeys and the sheep. In fact, on the Monday night after we had gone the last 3 consecutive nights she STILL pulled to go see the donkeys--even though they weren't there, of course! The picture is of Juju licking a donkey's face (apparently the donkey was named "Titus").

Worst Case Scenario Weather Weekend

2007-12-03T19:14:00.001-05:00

It was the best of times. It was the worst of times. Sarah and I had an amazing time getting to see Phantom of the Opera in Chicago Friday night! We were able to make such good time getting to Chicago after work on Friday that we were able to check into our hotel before the show...yes, that's right. We actually got a hotel DOWNTOWN Chicago! That was because our original plans of staying with our friend Jackie fell through... I talked to Jackie Friday morning and she said that everyone in her house was down sick with the flu, so it probably would not be the best idea for us to stay there. Because we really wanted to spend some time downtown, we ended up splurging and getting a hotel room for the night. So Friday night was FANTASTIC.

Saturday morning was great, too, as Sarah enjoyed the workout equipment and I enjoyed the cable TV (gotta love TLC)! I had heard that there was supposed to be some severe weather (snow/freezing rain) that afternoon, but, hey, we're used to winter weather from being from the U.P., so why ruin a perfect Chicago day by leaving early?? We had a good time window shopping and trying Thai food from Wow Bao before it starting REALLY snowing! So we thought we'd head home. Worst case scenario? It might take an extra hour to get home, but since we were leaving at 3:00 p.m., we should be home by 6:00 or 7:00, right? I mean, how bad can the roads be? Ha ha ha. Ok, so we made it to I-65 in 2 hours (not too bad) and had about 7 miles to go until our normal exit for gas. Then traffic completely stopped. I mean, put-the-car-in-park-get-out-a-book stopped! So, 4 hours later, we made it past the icy spot and made it to the gas station. Then thankfully we had mostly clear (at least only wet instead of icy) roads for the next 2 hours home!

The next weather event took place Sunday afternoon at the Lafayette Christmas parade. I had been looking forward to taking Juju and my little friend 2nd grader Carter Knolhoff to the parade for a few weeks. So when they predicted warm weather but the possibility of rain, I thought, worst case scenario: it will be pouring. What's the chance of that? Okay, so it WAS pouring down rain, but they still had the parade and we still sat through most of it, although we had to leave early to be at church on time. The poor people with floats in the parade had to make do the best they could! Oh, and as I was getting up I forgot that the camera was loose in my lap, so I dropped my camera--uh, my SISTER'S camera--into a puddle of water (sorry, Sarah--it still works fine!) but everything dried out fine (I think). (It was hardly raining when our school marching band came through, thankfully.)
So despite all of these weather scenarios, I still had a fabulous time seeing Phantom of the Opera, staying in a hotel, being downtown Chicago, and adventurously attending the Lafayette Christmas parade!

Pastor Viars was traveling back from O'Hare on Saturday as well and it also took him 8 hours to get home. He made a good point in his sermon on heaven that, humanly speaking, in any big event or tragedy, from a human perspective, we tend to think of the worst case scenario as being death. But even in this worst case scenario, we as Christians can know that this isn't really all that bad, because we'll just be going to heaven! Is that the worst that can happen?

Cyber Monday

2007-11-26T16:26:00.001-05:00

I dont know if it's true or not, but a friend told me that today is "Cyber Monday," the largest INTERNET shopping day of the year. So I decided to celebrate the holiday and checked out my shopping cart at amazon.com. The prices were lower on the new digital camera I've been considering, along with a 2G memory card, so I decided to just get it for myself for Christmas (thanks Mom & Dad for the extra money)! It's a Canon PowerShot A720 IS. Since I ordered it today, it should arrive in 5-9 days with FREE Super Saver shipping!

Top 5 Things For Which I'm Thankful

2007-11-26T16:18:00.000-05:00

1. Sanctification. God doesn't just leave us where we are; He gives us the opportunity to grow and change. (And plenty of opportunities to practice it.)
2. The Bible. Although I don't open it as often as I should, God gives us His Word as a tool to help us in our quest for personal holiness. He didn't just leave us empty-handed.
3. My amazing family. I am SO thankful that I have a wonderful Christian family that is always there for me and has given me such a good foundation. This includes my parents, my brother Tim, my sisters Rachel & Sarah, my grandparents, aunts, uncles, and cousins!
4. My church family & friends (including those with whom I work), without whom I would be tempted to remain nice and cozy in my own little personal bubble. They keep me accountable to grow and change.
5. My dog Juju...of COURSE she made the list!

Congratulations to the Boysens!

2007-11-14T09:25:00.001-05:00

Congratulations to cousin Kristen Helfinstine (now Boysen) on her gorgeous October 5 wedding!! Here's the Helfinstine family that was able to attend.

FMT Tour Fall 2007

2007-11-12T21:22:00.000-05:00

Here's a write-up I did for the school newsletter about tour...I'm finally getting around to posting!

The Faith Ministry Team enjoyed a great time of fellowship and ministry on our annual Tour. This year tour was held in the fall instead of the spring. We left Thursday morning, November 1st, with 13 girls and 11 boys (9th-12th grade), Pastor Leffew (bus driver) and Joan, Jack (director) and Joy Heim, and Beth Hill (accompanist). Our first stop was Covenant Christian School in Demotte, IN where we did our program, which includes singing, testimonies, and instrumental music for their chapel time. We then crawled through Chicago traffic to get to Union Grove, WI, home of the Shepherds Home, an institution for the mentally disabled. We really enjoyed our chapel time with them, getting to meet quite a few of the residents afterward. Then we traveled another 2 hours or so north to Green Bay, WI where our host church (Bay City Baptist) had supper ready for us. Bob & Joan Leffew enjoyed getting to spend the night with their daughter Michelle and her family!

Friday morning we sang for Bay City Christian School’s chapel, then got to visit Lambeau Field, home of the Green Bay Packers, before driving another couple of hours up to Northland Baptist Bible College, near Pembine, WI. We sang at Pioneer Christian School, a K-12 grade school run by the college, before bunking at the college for the night. That evening we enjoyed a memorable tour of the campus and a time of fellowship with some of the college students.

After brunch on Saturday we traveled our last leg of the tour, reaching our farthest point north, Ishpeming, MI—which is located in Michigan’s beautiful Upper Peninsula! Our host church, Bible Baptist Church in Ishpeming, arranged some activities for us to enjoy. Pastor & Mrs. Hill (Miss Hill’s parents) took care of us. Pastor accompanied us on a tour of some of the scenic spots in the Marquette area, including a climb up “Sugarloaf Mountain,” which gives you a great view of Lake Superior! We then spent some time at Presque Isle point trekking out to the lighthouse there on the breakwall and catching sight of an ore boat as it was docking. Saturday evening we enjoyed a time of fellowship with the church family at their annual Harvest Party, then split up into homes for the night. Sunday morning we shared in Sunday School (probably quadrupling their entire Sunday School attendance!) then did our whole program for the morning service. After a lasagna dinner, we said goodbye and headed home to Lafayette. We pulled into the school parking lot around 10:45 Sunday night, November 4th.

Happy Anniversary!

2007-11-05T21:16:00.001-05:00

Happy 2nd Anniversary, Mr. & Mrs. Mathew Eliason!

Happy Halloween

2007-10-31T23:00:00.000-04:00

Sarah & I carved pumpkins Tuesday night. I would NOT recommend trying to carve a pumpkin designated as a "pumpkin pie" pumpkin--at least one that has been sitting out for a month or so, as they happen to be thick and VERY hard!

Juju loved all the Trick or Treaters--and then she realized that they had candy in their bags, which of course she thought they were bringing to her. So while I was doling out candy to the taller members of the family, Juju would be sticking her nose in the bags of the smaller visitors and stealing their candy. In fact, she took one kid's bag of animal crackers right out of his bag. The mom thought it was hilarious as she explained to her son, "See, the dog knew they were ANIMAL crackers, not PEOPLE crackers!" I also fished Smarties and jawbreakers out of her mouth!

Aunt & Uncle Break In

2007-10-29T21:23:00.000-04:00

...the new dining room table. Unc A and Aunt Nan visited from Minnesota (on their way down to visit their son Mark stationed in Georgia) and we were able to break in the "new" table by having the first meal there: breakfast Saturday morning!

We were able to share a lovely Saturday lounging around in the morning (well, Sarah worked out at the Community Center), enjoying chicken noodle soup for lunch (also at the table), then touring the area: Community Center, Purdue University, Riehle Plaza & the Pedestrian Bridge, Tippecanoe Battlefield Museum, and the whole Faith Baptist Church complex!

We ordered Papa John's pizza for supper then had fun playing games: Apples to Apples, Scattergories, and Fargle!

Alan & Nancy came to church with us in the morning then took us out to Fazoli's before they had to head off to their next stop on the way down to Georgia!

New Dining Room Table

2007-10-29T20:23:00.001-04:00

Woo-Hoo!! I'm so excited to have finally found a good deal on a dining room table! And it only took 2 years!
For posterity's sake, I am going to record the whole story here. So grab that cup of hot chocolate and settle in...
I have been keeping my eye out for an oak dining room table and chairs with removable leaves for a good price. I wasn't ACTIVELY pursuing every garage sale ad, but if I saw one I'd look to see if they happend to have a table. But nothing popped out at me. Then they started including items for sale in the church emails. A couple of weeks ago someone was selling a table and chairs, so I thought I'd at least email and see what it looked like. But it wasn't quite what I was looking for. Then another email came out Thursday afternoon at 3:00 saying an OAK table and chairs were available for $250 OBO. So, since I was still at work teaching piano lessons, in between lessons I emailed for a picture--it was exactly what I was looking for, but it looked really big in the picture and I couldn't tell if there were leaves that came out to make the table smaller, and the lady said she was also sending the picture on to 7 other people, so if I wanted it I'd better act soon. So I emailed back ASAP that if there were leaves in it I'd be interested in making an offer. She said that I was in luck, because there were 2 removable leaves, and the bids were up to $190 by that time. So I offered $200. Then she wondered if I wanted to see it before making the offer because there were other people planning to stop by to see it. (When I got home around 5:00 I even held up the picture on my laptop in the kitchen and thought it looked wonderful!) I figured by that time there probably wasn't a chance of my getting it if there were so many other people interested, and it didn't really fit into my evening plans of grocery shopping and cleaning to make an extra trip. However, I said I definitely wanted it for $200 and I could even get help to pick it up as early as Friday night because I could use the table right away for my company coming this weekend! I was so excited when (around 7:30) she said that I could have it!!

So I called some friends from church that have a truck and made arrangements to pick up the table after their family's birthday party and after I played for a recital at 7:00 (around 8:30 Friday night). This would HOPEFULLY be before my aunt and uncle arrived for the weekend (or even after they arrived would work--more help to move it)!

When we went to pick it up (it was only a few blocks away in the next neighborhood), the lady said she could have sold it 40 times over. I am so thankful I was able to be the "early bird" on this deal! The couple had had the table for about 15 years (apparently it was made in Pennsylvania) but she was getting a new country-looking table. So we picked up the table--David and the truck arrived just about the same time as Uncle Alan and Nancy. It is so wonderful to have an actual table now!

Jehovah-Jireh!

Quotables

2007-10-25T15:30:00.000-04:00

I've amassed a few quotables to share.

Choir Member, referring to a Coda in the piece: "I ain't never heard of a quota before I got here. [aside] Is it a quota or a coda?"
Choir Director's Response: "No, a quota is what you put in the pop machine."

Me: "You know how sometimes you just have those 'bad piano days'?"
Student: "Yeah, I have one of those every Wednesday at my piano lesson!"

I was getting ready to make sure I had the Christmas song written down correctly for one of my precocious 2nd grade piano students and started to ask her what she was playing. I said, "You are...?" and she readily filled in "Beautiful!"

Is That Your Mother?

2007-10-25T10:53:00.000-04:00

So, my SISTER was asked after church on Sunday (by a couple sitting nearby), "So is that lady playing the piano your mother?"

LOL

30 Years of Ministry

2007-10-19T09:39:00.000-04:00

Donna Carpenter gave Sarah and I a good excuse to go home last weekend when she told us that the church was planning a SURPRISE party during Pastor Appreciation month to honor Mom & Dad for having served at Bible Baptist in Ishpeming for 30 years!

So when Mom & Dad arrived at church Sunday morning they learned that we were having a special service to commemorate their 30 years at Bible Baptist, including a fellowship dinner after the service. We had come up with an entirely new order of service, so Mom & Dad had the "fake" bulletin with what they THOUGHT was the order of service, when in fact the deacons had staged a coup and had printed off entirely new bulletins which changed the songs, Scripture reading, and even the speaker! We had a guest with us from Continental Baptist Missions, Tom Logsdon, so Dad didn't even have to preach!

We sang songs of God's faithfulness, had a moving time of testimony where several members shared what the ministry had meant in their lives through the years, and I put together a PowerPoint slideshow a "Walk Down Memory Lane" that Rachel & Sarah narrated with pictures of the last 30 years (thanks to Rachel for raiding mom and dad's photo albums). We sang a song as a family, Sarah sang a special, and we even had a special "virtual Tim" visit with a video testimony that he had mailed to us!

It was a special day for the whole family. During dessert we even pulled out some slides on the actual SLIDE PROJECTOR (thanks again, Rachel!).

I think it is good to have "stones of remembrance" of how God has showed Himself to be faithful in the past and will continue to show Himself faithful. It was a nice time to celebrate our ministry in Ishpeming!

Ephesians 4:11-12 "And He gave some as apostles, and some as prophets, and some as evangelists, and some as pastors and teachers, for the equipping of the saints for the work of service, to the building up of the body of Christ..."

Mom & Dad during testimonies:
Singing as a family:
A prayer time and also a special presentation of a plaque:

Rachel & Sarah during the PowerPoint presentation:

Little Dog Lost

2007-10-19T09:09:00.000-04:00

So much has gone on in the last week or so it will take me a couple of blog posts to catch up, but I'll try to make multiple short entries out of it.

Sarah and I were able to go home (to Ishpeming, MI) this last weekend and surprise my parents. We left around 3:30 on Friday and I called Dad just before we pulled into the driveway around 1:30 AM (someone asked if that was to make sure he didn't answer the door with the shotgun...). So we surprised them! :)

Saturday we were able to go to a friend's (Melissa Hedberg's) wedding in the morning, and the afternoon was so gorgeous that I decided to get outdoors and take the dogs for a hike through the woods. Since my sister Rachel and her husband Matt were at the wedding reception with Mom & Dad, we also had their dogs at the house, so I had 4 dogs to take: Mom & Dad's Tippy, my Juju, and Rachel & Matt's 2 dachshunds Reeses and Baruch.

You might notice in the picture, however, that there are only 3 dogs in the picture. When I took the dogs off of their leashes as we reached the trail (around Baby Lake) the girls were pretty good at waiting for me to catch up, but Baruch (the littlest at just barely a year old) apparently just likes to run as fast as he can without looking back. I put him back on a leash but then decided to give him a second chance and see if he would stay closer...nope. So when he had run on ahead I thought I'd teach him a lesson by "disappearing" so I turned a corner (the rest of the dogs followed me) and hiked a different way for a while. However, Baruch never did join us. So when 10 minutes went by and he still hadn't rejoined the group I began to worry. I retraced our whole path, calling his name, then circled back to the next lake, thinking maybe he had continued on ahead after all. Then I thought maybe he had followed Sarah (since she had been jogging the same direction) so I tried calling her on her cell phone. I really didn't want to go home before doing my best to locate the puppy, as I really didn't want to have to explain to my sister how I had lost one of her dogs! When I was running out of options (probably at least a half an hour later), my cell phone rang, and it was Sarah. She asked, "Did you lose one of the family?" Thankfully Baruch had found his way all the way back home and was waiting for us there when we returned. But at least the "girls" and I had a nice long walk!

Grandparents' Day 2007

2007-10-05T12:42:00.000-04:00

Whew. (Big sigh of relief.)

We've made it through another Grandparents' Day at FCS. It's quite a production! I'm not generally involved in the picture taking, food preparation, registration, or any of that stuff that goes on, my "baby" is the Grandparents' Day Program! We had a packed auditorium for our program this morning. The theme was "Raised to Praise," and each class is given an opportunity to present a song or skit or whatever else their class (i.e., teacher) wants to come up with. Then I get to make up the PowerPoint, help run the sound, and play the piano for it! Oh, and I found out about 2 weeks ago that we were bussing the preschool kids over from the Community Center across the parking lot so we had to have a song for them, too! (They're the only music class I DO teach now.) (In case you're wondering we sang "The Butterfly Song"--that a lot of them knew from last year--and did "Grandma's Glasses.")

The program went quite well, and thankfully I had an aide (thankfully) to help run sound. I was able to find the right pictures for the PowerPoints and all, too. And find enough piano kids (of mine and other teachers') to play for a 15-minute piano prelude. Before the prelude, I put a few pictures together for a presentation and threw in some quotes from a forwarded email. I'll share some of these with you.

These are on the theme "What is a Grandparen?"--taken from papers written by a class of 8-year-olds:
1. Grandparents are a lady and a man who have no little children of her own. They like other people's.
2. A grandfather is a man and a grandmother is a lady!
3. Grandparents don't have to do anything except be there when we come to see them. They are so old they shouldn't play hard or run. It is good if they drive us to the shops and give us money.
4. When they take us for walks, they slow down past things like pretty leaves and caterpillars.
5. Usually grandmothers are fat but not too fat to tie your shoes.
6. They wear glasses and funny underwear.
7. They can take their teeth and gums out.
8. Grandparents don't have to be smart.
9. They have to answer questions like "why isn't God married?" and "How come dogs chase cats?"
10. Everybody should try to have a grandmother, especially if you don't have television because they are the only grown ups who lke to spend time with us.

Stay Away from the Edge!

2007-10-01T21:03:00.000-04:00

So last week I was asked to speak in 3rd-6th grade chapel today. We've had a couple of chapels where each teacher was asked to give a brief testimony of her life and her salvation testimony. So when the original speaker fell through for today I was given the opportunity to share some of my life! I was excited to get to show pictures of my growing up years, my family, my summer, and my dog! I started with Proverbs 22:6, saying how I was thankful for the training I had as a young child (related a little to training my puppy). I came up with an object lesson on "A Lesson from Juju," too. I told a story from this summer of when Juju came really close to falling down a steep slope into the Wabash, and then again when I was afraid she would fall off a cliff. So that was my example for how we should "Stay Away from the Edge," imagining our Christian walk as an uphill trail, and as we climb the Mountain of Godliness we can be tempted to walk (or stand or sit--Psalm 1) near the edge and fall into sin. So we should stay as far away from the edge as possible (from temptations with friends, TV, drugs, drinking, gambling, purity)--and "If it's doubtful, don't do it." So we should stay as close to the "mountain" of godliness in church attendance, reading the Bible, and friendships as possible. That was basically the gist, although of course I made it go longer and more in depth, which I'm sure you don't want to read about. But I have a PowerPoint of about 70 slides if anyone's interested, although sharing with kids is a whole lot easier than talking to adults! It was fun...but I would be ok with waiting another year or so to do it again.

Happy Fall!

2007-09-24T12:13:00.000-04:00

Yeah, right. With temperatures forecast for 91 degrees today, it sure doesn't feel like the start of autumn!

An Open Invitation

2007-09-19T09:28:00.000-04:00

If you live anywhere near the Greater Lafayette area, I want to personally invite you (well, I guess this is as only as personal as a blog post, but consider yourself personally invited) to a City-Wide Night of Worship at the Long Center THIS Sunday from 7:00-9:00.

It will be a night of praising God with singing, and even though you might not know all of the songs at first (as I didn't but I've learned them now), I'm sure there will be quite a few that you do know and can sing out heartily on. (It will be very similar to the format of the June 10 N.O.W.)

If you are hesitating because you want to know what songs we'll be singing and who else will be there, let me better inform you. Titus Curtis will again be leading, and vocal members from FBC include the talented Annette Benson and our very own Steven Sturm. The bass player (Kurt) from ECC is amazing, and with Steve Mellema on drums how can we go wrong? There are also other extrememly talented people (from our church and others) involved in making music in praise to our great God. We have been in rehearsals for this over the past week or so (some nice long rehearsals, in fact we will have probably spent about 12-15 hours in rehearsing for this before all is said and done) trying to make these songs sound like they do on the CD recordings.

The songs include (but are not limited to):
"Did You Feel the Mountains Tremble"
"I Am Free"
"Matchless"
"Nothing But the Blood"
"I Will Sing of My Redeemer"
"Grace Like Rain"
"Strong Tower"
"Jesus, I Am Resting, Resting"
"In the Secret"
"Take it All"
"From the Inside Out"
"Fairest Lord Jesus"
"Alive Forever Amen"
"My Savior My God"

Hope to see you Sunday night at the Long Center from 7:00-9:00. Come ready to sing!! (And hey, if you are not a singer, you can come and listen anyway!)

Overheard in the Girls' Restroom

2007-09-18T08:04:00.000-04:00

Some days I finish getting ready for school after I've already taught a piano lesson or two (translation: I sometimes get up too late to put on my make-up at home). So this morning found me in the women's restroom putting my make-up on right around 8:00 AM, right when the kindergarten students are using the facilities before school begins. There were about five 5 year-olds with me in the bathroom and I overheard them as they debated whether to use a particular toilet or not.

"We have trouble with that one."
"You might get locked in." Then she proceeded to demonstrate (quite a few times in much detail) to her fellow student how to turn and then shake the handle once and that should free you from imprisonment in the stall.
"But sometimes I have to kick the door."
"Yeah, I think I have to kick it."

Then they started talking to me. As one little girl talked to me and watched me put on my eye shadow, she told me how she has make-up at home, but that it's only for dress up. "My mother says that only big people are allowed to wear it outside the house like to school and stuff."
"Yes," I told her, "your mother is right. She taught you well."
The reply: "My mother doesn't teach me ANYTHING."

Tom Clancy

2007-09-05T20:25:00.000-04:00

This summer I decided to branch out into a new reading material: Tom Clancy. Even though it took working at it most of the summer (reading it off and on) I finally finished "The Sum of All Fears" by Tom Clancy. My cousin Mark was actually the impetus behind this, because if you will remember this spring that Sarah and I went to Chicago to visit my Sailor cousin, and while we were in Borders he said that he loved to read Tom Clancy, so I thought I'd give it a try. I like the action movies, and I know I'd seen the movie "The Sum of All Fears" at some point, so I got the book from the library. I did enjoy the story line, although I wasn't used to all of the swear words that could have been omitted. I ended up getting the movie after I read the book, and I have to say that the book WAS better than the movie. I can't believe they changed so many characters in the movie--and that Tom Clancy let them do that! Anyway, I'm always looking for a good read and have to thank my cousin Mark for getting me started on Tom Clancy.

Juju's Friends

2007-09-04T20:27:00.000-04:00

The neighbors behind me got a puppy this summer--Chi (short for Malachi). Juju missed Chi as he was gone with his family camping this weekend. I went over to their house to feed their cat each day over the weekend and Ju came with me, still looking for Chi. At home, she would stare out the door, hoping to see him out in his backyard. When he's out they can usually greet each other at the ends of their ropes. At the end of last week, as Juju was playing with Chi, another neighbor dog Odie wandered over and all 3 of them were in the backyard romping around. Juju loves spending time with her "friends"!

Harry Potter

2007-09-04T12:14:00.001-04:00

I had big plans to do yardwork and cleaning on Labor Day, really I did. However, on Friday, a book I had put on hold came in to the library for me to pick up--the final installment of Harry Potter: Book #7, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows. So, although I did spend some time this weekend going to the mall, enjoying the Golden Corral with my sis, doing laundry, and changing some decorations for fall, the majority of my time was spent in bed or on the couch--reading. If you are a Harry Potter fan, and you haven't followed the series all the way through yet, I would highly recommend the last book. (I know, most of you have probably already read it, since I go through the library instead of the bookstore, I'm usually a little behind--or else you are just waiting for the movie to come out.) It was vaguely reminiscent of The Last Battle from the Chronicles of Narnia. I was thoroughly satisfied with it. The best Harry Potter book ever, in my opinion. Without spoiling anything, I believe I can say that all the loose ends are finally tied up. 759 pages. Three days. Great read.

Juju's Allergies

2007-08-22T09:07:00.001-04:00

A Juju Update
I took Juju to the vet last week to get her annual vaccinations and heartworm medication--and also to ask about her scratching, which had seemed to escalate in the last week. For the most part she is in great shape as a full-grown, 55.6 pound 1 year old shepherd mix. Just sick with allergies. The vet said she almost hoped it were fleas or mites because those are treatable--unfortunately, it's just allergies ('tis the time of year, I guess) for which there is no cure-all. So she gave me a spray for the severely itchy areas--like her paws, which she has chewed bare spots on almost all of. I gave her an oatmeal bath. Then she suggested some various over-the-counter medicines to try (like benadryl).

If you know me then you may know that I am not big on taking medicine. I very RARELY take even an aspirin for anything. In fact, I have to be feeling pretty miserable indeed to try something other than drinking water or sleeping to cure a headache. So I felt out of my element in the drug aisle at Wal-Mart trying to figure out where the allergy medicines were. I was looking for things like diphenhydramine and chlorpheniramine--I even feel more intelligent just writing those words! Did you know that there are a lot of different types of medicine out there? Thankfully I was able to find Equate brands of each of these different drugs and have been trying them with Juju. The "benadryl" (diphenhydramine) seems to possibly be working, but Juju's still scratching. I guess we have to wait for the weather to turn colder for the final "cure." I guess it's good practice for being a mother??

Power Outage

2007-08-21T16:21:00.000-04:00

We survived about 6 and a half hours of school today without electricity! About 8:40 this morning all of a sudden all of the lights in the building blinked then went out...and didn't come back on and didn't come back on and didn't come back on. It didn't take us long to figure out that an excavator working on the road construction on State Road 26 had somehow severed our power line...whoops! They originally said we should have power restored by 11:30. Whatever. We had some mighty creative teaching going on in the building as teachers found ways to have light in their classrooms. All the candles came out of hiding for those who didn't have windows, or else class was moved to an area of the building where there were windows (like the MRC or church foyer). For myself, thankfully I only had about 3 piano students during this time--and there was no way to actually teach in my room, because even if I'd had a candle it would hardly have been enough light. So for 2 lessons we just sat by the outside door and talked through what to do. For my third, beginning student I used the music suite (with the door open to let in light). It was HUMID outside, too. I noticed this because Mr. Heim had FMT, Junior high choir, and Senior high choir in the music suite with the door open to let in light, which also let in all of the humid air, of course! My music pages were starting to get all soggy and the piano bench was sticky! Thankfully, though, it wasn't pouring down rain like yesterday so P.E. classes could be outdoors. And since there was no way to prepare lunch without electricity we ended up with a hot dog cookout outside for lunch, which I'm told went fairly well. (I went home for lunch and enjoyed the comfort of air conditioning.) My sister and other secretaries were left with not much to do as most of their work revolves around the computer, which doesn't work so well without electricity. The phones worked on battery backup for about 4 hours but then died as well. Thankfully the power came back on--just as school was being dismissed at 3:15!

As a spiritual illustration, I was reminded how much I try to do on my "battery backup" power without plugging into the source of daily renewal of God's Word! I was reminded again of my dependence on Him as the Source of all power. Just as I am extrememly thankful for the electric power I often take for granted, I need to spend time plugging into my Source of spiritual power. Okay, I need to go read my Bible now and have my "God and I" time for the day!

For Mom

2007-08-15T09:52:00.000-04:00

Mom, here are the pictures of Tim & Kristen's apartment (and one of the ring and one of the honeymoon hot air balloon) that you wanted to print off!

The Windy City

2007-08-08T17:53:00.001-04:00

My "last hurrah" before in-service started on Monday was a day in Chicago on Saturday! Sarah and I left around 7:00 a.m. and drove up north and picked up my friend Jackie Maronic (who lives in the suburbs) for a day downtown!

The first thing we did was take an 11:00 a.m.-12:00 architectural boat tour from Navy Pier. (Well, actually we ate breakfast at McDonald's at Navy Pier first.) Then we walked up and down Michigan Avenue, just looking at various shops on our way to lunch. The above picture is Centennial Fountain, which shoots out over the Chicago River for 10 minutes at the top of every hour. (It shut off before we reached it so we didn't get wet.)

For lunch we splurged at the Grand Lux Cafe, where we had a pretty nice view from the second story.

Then we walked up to the Water Tower place and had dessert at the Cheescake Factory, which is at the base of the John Hancock building. We decided to go ahead and go up to the top and see the view. So we paid our fee and waited in line to get on an elevator to the 94th floor. It was worth the trip--it was an amazing view!

Looking North

East

South (Sears Tower in the background)

West
By the time we got back to the car it was almost raining, but we decided to make one more detour: Gross Pointe Lighthouse in North Chicago. We visited the beach briefly (that's when it really started raining) then walked around the grounds of the lighthouse before driving back to Jackie's house. Jackie said she had never been close enough to TOUCH a lighthouse before so we had to get a picture of that!

We had a quick bite of pizza and a visit with Jackie's mom Kathy before driving the 2 and a half hours home to Lafayette. We didn't get home until past midnight but it was worth it!

Brickyard 400

2007-07-30T14:35:00.000-04:00

No matter what they try to call it ("Allstate 400 at the Brickyard")--it will always be the Brickyard 400! I'm not a huge NASCAR fan, but I know a few people who are (Jack Heim, Justin Brownfield, Mathew Eliason...) so by default I have learned a few things about it and caught a few hours (here and there) of races on TV, but my brother-in-law and sister (Matt & Rachel) came to visit and go to the race (which happened Sunday), and they invited me to go with them.

Let me tell you, watching a race in person is SO MUCH better than watching it on TV--although you probably know what's going on more from home! I had heard that the cars whiz by so fast that I didn't think I'd even be able to see them and that it was super loud at the track. Matt and our friend Warren Powers got seats in the Paddock and Rachel and I had the cheap seats in the First Turn Terrace, but it was so much better than what I'd thought, actually! Since Rachel and I were on the first turn the cars came by "slowly" enough that you could make out who each one was clearly and get a good view--even though we couldn't see the Jumbotron (unless you got a peek through the bleachers behind you) and seldom heard the announcer, we had a good idea of what was going on. And Matt's recommendations of ear plugs was a great one, even though it wasn't as loud as I had expected it to be.

We didn't leave Lafayette until after church Sunday morning (we got out of town around 11:45), then we stopped at Subway (Thanks, Warren!) for a quick bite for the road, and we found the same free parking spot Matt & Rach had found last year. We were inside the gates by about 1:15 probably, but by the time we picked up our drinks (lots of walking) and got to our seats it was about 2:00 and the race was on! I was honestly expecting to be somewhat bored but found myself not wanting to leave my seat for the next 4 hours until the race was over, so Rach and I both ended up with some nice sunburns to show for it! :) Our seats on the first turn ended up being quite good for seeing the 2 crashes that happened on that turn. We enjoyed cheering for Jeff Gordon and were pleased with his 3rd place finish. I'm sure the people behind us were quite disappointed when Dale Jr.'s engine blew near the end of the race (they were pretty loud at first!)--but we got to see that firsthand because that happened on our turn, too! Rachel and I got pretty good communicating with gestures, pointing, and lip reading--and by pointing to my "cheat sheet" of driver information.

All in all, it was a great day. The weather was perfect--not too hot, a perfect day to sit out in the sun, Jeff Gordon finished in the top 3, we got 2 free cokes, and we had fun! We met up and wandered around the infield for a little after the race then ventured out into traffic around 7:00 p.m. It took about 3 hours to make the normally one-hour trip home because of traffic and a semi with a blow-out (we think) backing up the already busy interstate. But we still made it to Cracker Barrel before it closed and had a meal there (we didn't exactly get what we ordered, but that's a different story...I guess you're stuck with what they have left at the end of the day)! Then we had cupcakes back at home to celebrate Matt's 24th birthday! Happy Birthday, Matt!

I would highly recommend going to a race if you get the opportunity. I learned more about racing and really enjoyed it!Rachel & Matt, Warren Powers, and me at the track.

The Price is Right

2007-07-27T11:05:00.000-04:00

I love watching the Price is Right when I have the time, and I've enjoyed the summer reruns, but I can't imagine the Price is Right without game show host Bob Barker! I remember growing up, helping mom fold laundry while we watched the Price is Right. Of course, Bob Barker was still the host even then. I don't know how it will be with Drew Carey as host...at least his name has the same amount of syllables, so when Rich introduces, "and now, the star of the Price is Right: DREEEW CAREY" it can at least sound somewhat similar. I just hope Mr. Carey keeps it as family-friendly of a show. But I just can't imagine it being the same.

Vacation: Part 5

2007-07-23T19:36:00.000-04:00

JUJU & FRIENDS
For my last vacation post I wanted to share a few cute photos of the dogs! In this first one, Juju and her dashchund cousins are playing with a balloon while Zack & Jackie Parks look on. The dachshunds had never seen a balloon before but they all had fun chasing and popping them. It was quite amusing!

Tippy & Juju sleeping on the couch:

Here are all of the dogs: Tippy, Baruch, Reeses, and Juju! (Reeses and Baruch of course belong to Rachel & Matt--my sister and her husband).

Vacation: Part 4

2007-07-20T17:59:00.001-04:00

THE PARKS

I am dedicating this post to the Jeff & Debbie Parks and family. It was so good to see them after all of their world travels in the Air Force. It will good to be able to see them when they make their permanent move to the U.P. next year, too! We had fun at their campsite at Van Riper State Park (making pudgie pies and s'mores) and also enjoyed spending time with them at our house, looking at pictures, playing Apples to Apples, etc.

Jeff & Debbie, Jackie, Brianna, Zack, and Daniel

We had to say goodbye to them on Wednesday, but they had their coffee and soda so they could stay awake for the trip as they continued on to South Dakota to see their other daughter Lisa and her new husband.

See you later!

Vacation: Part 3

2007-07-19T16:38:00.000-04:00

WATERFALLS

Black River Falls, Ishpeming, MI
My dad and I were reading a tourist brochure about sights to see in the Ishpeming area and read about Black River Falls, which neither of us had seen before. So we thought we'd take a little time and check it out. They were okay--probably not on my list of things I HAVE to see again, but not a bad little jaunt if you want to drive way out into the woods and check it out.

Dave's Falls, Amberg, WI Driving back to Lafayette on Monday I wasn't in a hurry, so I made a stop in WI to see some falls I had heard of but never visited before. Right by Northland Baptist Bible College in the northern woods of Wisconsin are some county falls called Dave's Falls, that I found out are just off of the highway. I decided to stop and check them out. It was only about 275 yards to the falls, so there was hardly any kind of hike involved, which I was a little disappointed in (and the $3 entrance fee was a little disappointing), but the falls were spectacular. A really nice place to visit. I would recommend these to any future tourists!

Vacation: Part 2

2007-07-18T13:03:00.001-04:00

FUN TIMES

My first day back in the U.P. I enjoyed taking my dog and my parents' dog Tippy on a hike up the Bluff. Here in Indiana I can walk for 45 minutes from my house and just see cornfields and more houses. At my parents' house I can walk for 45 minutes and have been hiking through the woods, climb up the bluff, eat fresh blueberries, and go down to the lake! Which is exactly what I did that first morning back. (I do have to admit that while I was looking forward to this treat, I had conveniently forgotten all the mosquitoes they have up there!) Juju & Tippy LOVED it and also enjoyed splashing in the lake and running around.

One day that week my mom and I went downtown Ishpeming to visit my sister Rachel on her lunch hour from work and to visit a little festival set up for the holiday on Main Street. One of my favorite things to see was the Butler Theatre turned into an antique museum. My favorite thing to look at wasn't the antiques inside but at the original walls, ceiling, balcony, and imagine it back a few decades as the theatre it had once been. We had fun window shopping and enjoying fresh elephant ears, too!

We took one day to go downtown Marquette to the Lower Harbor of Lake Superior and visit Columbus' ship La Nina, an exact replica of the original vessel which had been built by hand in Brazil and happened to be in port that week. It was cool to get a tour of the ship and imagine what it would have been like coming over with Columbus.

I also enjoyed spending time with my brother Tim and his new wife Kristen as they were home on the tale end of their honeymoon. We had fun playing Rook with Mom & Dad and Apples to Apples with everybody.
Stay tuned for more...

Vacation: Part 1

2007-07-17T13:37:00.000-04:00

VACATION BIBLE SCHOOL

A big part of my summer vacations is spent in Vacation Bible School, and this summer was no exception. I didn't capture any pictures from VBS here in Lafayette, but it was June 18-22. I was involved with music and powerpoint help with that (and working behind the scenes helping to organize it, come up with songs, etc.). But then I brought a lot of decorations from our VBS here in Lafayette up to MI July 2 when I went up to the U.P. because they were doing the same Rescue Zone Bible School July 9-13. So we had a truck in the 4th of July Parade and Juju and I walked in that, passing out flyers and candy--Ju helped eat the candy too. ("Did you know your dog is eating candy?? Your dog has a wrapper! Your dog has gum stuck to its paw!" Thankfully that gum came off quite readily!) Then we decorated for VBS and I helped organize it and get the prizes put together and songs and orders put together. Thankfully we had quite a good crew of helpers for everything. We were a little disappointed in the attendance because our high day was only 27. But it was an easy number of kids to work with and once things were planned out it seemed to run quite smoothly. We had a good attendance for the closing program on Friday night, too. VBS just seems to tire me out, though. So I enjoyed sleeping when I could. I enjoyed doing a few other things while I was home, too, but I'll write more about those next time. I traveled for about 11 hours yesterday coming back to Lafayette, so I need to unpack today, get the mail read, etc., etc.!

Of Errands and Fixes

2007-06-27T14:51:00.000-04:00

On Monday I felt like a Techie. In the morning I figured out how to re-import sound and copy Tim & Kristen's "love story" onto DVD, so made 10 copies of that. I had bought a DVD recorder last week, so was unplugging my old VCR and DVD player and hooking up the new one when I realized I either had to buy a DVD converter box for my old TV..or buy a new TV. So I decided to splurge and look at the new LCD TVs. So I started this project around 1:00 p.m. Approximately 4 hours and 6 stores later, I returned to Wal-Mart and bought the first TV that I had considered--a 26" Sanyo LCD HDTV. So I had fun setting that up. (Next upgrade in 2 years: Surround Sound!) The picture is so much clearer! I haven't tried recording DVDs yet, but that project will follow soon.

On Tuesday I was running errands when I noticed a screw in my increasingly-flat tire. Unsure of what to do, I did the first thing that came to mind: I called my dad. Through the process of our conversation, as I pondered whether I should try to take off the tire and bring it somewhere, patch it myself, call a friend, borrow Sarah's car...he asked if I had the tire protection plan at Wal-Mart, since that was where I bought the tires. Sure enough, it covers flat. So I put more air in the tire and was able to have it fixed for FREE at Wal-Mart (in about 15 minutes, coincidentally enough)! Praise the Lord!

On Wednesday I woke to 2 houseplants that had decided they needed to be repotted and had unceremoniously leaped off the shelf of their own accord and made quite a mess on the kitchen floor. So besides giving piano lessons today, I have repotted plants, made a trip to Menards and fixed Juju's collar, and used free food coupons at Chic-Fil-A and Dairy Queen!

So, with these projects, besides additional phone calls and practices that have sprung up this week, I feel as if the days are flying by and I'm getting nothing accomplished. What is that old saying? "Man proposes and God disposes." I'm so thankful that a sovereign God is in charge and not me!

Tim's Wedding!

2007-06-25T08:42:00.001-04:00

Friday Sarah and I drove up to Portage, MI (near Kalamazoo--just 3 hours away) for my brother's rehearsal and wedding. We got into the area about 2:00 p.m., with time to practice music and get things ready for the rehearsal at 4:30. Afterwards we had dinner at Old Country Buffet then chilled at Kristen's parents' house (with most of the family that was there), watching a video that Tim made and playing Apples to Apples.

New friends: Kelly, Korie, and Michelle

Dave Wetzel and Ben Stiemsma

Photographs were supposed to begin at 11:30 (the wedding was at 1:30)...most people were there by 11:30.

Matt & Rachel Eliason

Mom and the Bride :)

Here's proof that Les & Dave arrived AFTER 11:30, with suits in hand, but not quite ready to go... ;) (Don't tell Kristen or Tim, I'm not sure they know this yet...)

We had quite a good crew of the Helfinstine/Hill clan there so here's an extended family picture--Uncle Dave & Aunt Karen Helfinstine (the MN connection), Aunt Elaine & Uncle Doug Kari (from MI), Aunt Marlene Edwards (CT), Brian & Amy Pentti (MN), Becky Beckman, and Dave Pentti (AZ)! It was so good to see everyone and get caught up.

Here's the siblings. Now half of us are married!

The Beautiful Bride & Handsome Groom

After the wedding we met family for supper at Texas Roadhouse and then Sarah and I headed back to Lafayette.

The wedding was absolutely gorgeous. I played the piano for the ceremony and the reception, but from what I could see it seemed to go well! I love Kristen and her family. I think she is the perfect help meet for Tim, and I look forward to seeing how God blesses their new household. They went to Arizona (Grand Canyon) for a week for their honeymoon, but they will continue to live in Virginia Beach, VA. Tim has another year of seminary, and Kristen will continue teaching 2nd grade (I believe) next year. I guess they'll have to follow the Lord's leading from there! I might get to see them when they make a trip to the U.P. next week, because I'll be going up there, too. CONGRATULATIONS, MR. & MRS. TIMOTHY HILL!

Wabash Heritage Trail

2007-06-12T12:07:00.001-04:00

I guess I haven't posted in a while...sorry, I've been on summer vacation AWAY from my computer! And I know I owe a post about 8 weirdo facts about myself (thanks to a tag from Carrie)!

But this post is about a great hike that I was able to take yesterday--the Wabash Heritage Trail. It's a one-way trail that stretches about 8-9 miles from West Lafayette up the Wabash to the Tippecanoe Battlefield Museum up in Battleground. I've always wanted to hike this trail but couldn't figure out how to get back to my car once I had walked the 9 miles one way. So I finally decided to just make a day out of it and hike the WHOLE thing round trip (16-18 miles)!

Juju & I started hiking the trail about 10:00 a.m. I thought it would be about 3 hours one way. We started off great and enjoyed the great trail. Parts of it were paved but there were other parts that were just trails in the woods. We startled a deer which thrashed about as it got up about 20 feet in front of us, and Juju had fun chasing squirrels and birds--robins, goldfinches, cardinals, bluebirds, and even orioles! It was great to be in God's wonderful creation.

One interesting sight along the trail was these old cars, too. Go figure.
One of my favorite parts was crossing Burnett's Creek on the stepping stones. On the way up I ran into the trail manager (and her dog Yeager) and she warned me that I might run into trouble on the way back because they were needing to work on a well and the trail was going to be flooded for a little while. I made it up to the Battlefield Museum by 1:00 and stopped to eat lunch: peaches, banana, and PB & J!

The trail manager lady said that they WERE going to be flooding the trail, so she offered me a ride back to the Davis Ferry bridge, which I was happy to take by then. So I shaved off the hardest 3 miles of the trail that way. On the way back I stopped to rest more frequently but still made it back to the car by 4:30. Juju and I had a great adventure but were tired out! After stopping for ice cream (for both of us) at Culver's we crashed at home. I've never seen Ju so tired...she basically slept from 5:00 last night until 8:00 this morning!

A Good Surprise

2007-05-27T22:44:00.000-04:00

My mom and my sister Rachel surprised me by coming to visit us this weekend!!!! Sarah knew about it and helped plan it all. It was kind of for my birthday (and to help celebrate my mom's and Rachel's birthdays, too)! Sarah took me out to Texas Roadhouse for my birthday Friday night. Before we ordered, she sent me out to fetch something from the car, and--and, lo and behold--there were Mom and Rachel standing out around the corner! I was completely surprised. I don't remember what exactly I said, but Rachel says that I said "Are you serious?" So they ate with us too and we enjoyed a nice meal together. Rachel and Sarah went to Indy yesterday (Saturday) while Mom and I did Faith's graduation and the open house thing. We hit 9 open houses!

Today (Sunday) we did church (of course) then Moe's, then 2 more open houses before we had a sisters outing to Pirates 3! I really liked the movie.

Mom and Rachel have to leave in the morning, but I'm thankful they were able to come down and Rachel took the time off of work to visit!

Right Place, Right Time

2007-05-23T10:11:00.000-04:00

So I was walking in the hallway at school today and saw Pastor Dutton come out of the gym with a Starbucks coffee in his hand. I jokingly asked, "Is that for me?" He replied, "Do you drink coffee?" I said I did. "I was just looking for someone to give this vanilla latte to!" Free Starbucks vanilla latte for me! As Mark left, he said, "Right place. Right time!" :)

Bloody Noses & Overflowing Toilets

2007-05-22T14:23:00.000-04:00

Ever have one of those interesting days? Today I ended up in the bathroom with a kindergartener with a bloody nose. The Shout wipes I have in my purse came in handy to try to get the blood off of his shirt. But I haven't had to deal with that kind of problem in a while. Then I got called upon to find a custodian to come take care of an overflowing toilet. Talk about being a little bit out of the norm.

A Yearly Ritual

2007-05-22T14:03:00.000-04:00

Besides turning a year older at the end of the school year, May is a very busy time of year for me. Every year I promise myself that I will get started on things earlier the next year and won't procrastinate so much...but every year it happens again!

But I have now successfully made it through 4 Spring Programs for Faith Christian School, both accompanying and making PowerPoint presentations for all. I am in the midst of rehearsals for Kindergarten graduation (Thursday night) and high school graduation (Saturday). Then somehow I take on extra responsibilities...some of my own projects and some for others. I somehow end up taking pictures for classrooms, bringing my accordian into 3rd grade and singing camp songs, having a piano recital, doing piano progress reports, spending COUNTLESS hours putting together a 72-minute DVD (and of course recording background music for it, adding sound effects, making a gag reel, and making a nice picture cover for it--and making 25 copies of it and 25 copies of a 361-picture CD). And of course when the DVD doesn't save (when I've been up until 2:30 AM working on finalizing it) troubleshooting it over the next 2 days trying to get it to save (and THEN duplicating it)! Oh, and cleaning my house, making a cake, helping with the Cakewalk for EagleFair, etc.

So I've been on the computer a lot lately but every spare minute was spent on this crazy DVD project, which is a lot of fun but a BIG time-eater. So sorry I haven't updated my blog or even read email lately. I didn't get on Facebook to read my birthday messages until 2 days later!

I WAS going to do some scrapbooking too, but of course that hasn't happened...that can wait until next week when school's out now!

I think, however, that down deep I thrive on the thrill of the last-minute crunch. But now I'm so exhausted I think it will take me all summer to recover!

Sorry, gotta go make graduation cards and work on the powerpoint for Kindergarten graduation!