MWSmith/SCChapman Concert

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

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

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!

NO SCHOOL TODAY!!!!

Preschool Quote

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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...

...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

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

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

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

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

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

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...)