I just have to share it, write it, note it, keep it, remember it, love it, bottle it, and cherish it…  I just got back from night 2 of my choir practice.  It is the most amazing experience a mother of two, stay at home mom, not a master of fine arts, unaccomplished musician could hope for.  The director is incredible and has a huge vision.  I feel so blessed to be part of this choir.  When I thought it wasn’t going to work out (getting an audition), I put it in the Lord’s hands and figured if it was meant to be, it would work.  It worked at the very last millisecond of the moment-but I wasn’t surprised now that I know what this is going to be.  I am right where I need to be.  I need this probably more than I have needed something in a long while.  I am completely filled with the Holy Spirit when we sing, the music moves me, the words are prayerful and I am many times overcome at what I feel at our rehearsal.  We are about 120 strong and when he asks us to give it all we’ve got, we sound like gazillions strong.  These talented men running the show have skill, talent and gifts like no other music director/program that I have ever been part of.  The people are wonderful, the girls that sit next to me are awesome, funny and so kind.  We are listening to one another, sharing what we have with one another, working hard to blend with one another and the work that goes into the performance will be well worth it.

Our performance is on March 5th at the Mesa Arts Center and the tickets go on sale February 1st.  I am going to tell everyone I know about it.  If others are as inspired as I was at the Christmas concert then it will be a worthwhile experience. 

I acknowledge His hand in this, He lives.  I truly am humbled and blessed beyond measure to have music in my life-now weekly, at a level that I never thought I would have at this point in my life…

We learn best to listen to our own voices if we are listening at the same time to other women-whose stories, for all our differences, turn out, if we listen well, to be our stories also. ~Barbara Deming

When one’s own problems are unsolvable and all best efforts are frustrated, it is lifesaving to listen to other people’s problems.  ~Suzanne Massie

You can never be totally settled as an actor or artist or musician.  You have to keep the fire under you because that’s what makes you better.  ~Reese Withersppon

Don’t sit down and wait for the opportunities to come; you have to get up and make them.                      ~Madam C. J. Walker

P.S. one more great reason to be at choir… : ) I have had 4 compliments on this Monchichi hair.  What is happening?  Seriously, what is happening?  Here I am, so self conscious of my mangled head of hair and people are reaching out and sharing such kind words.  Tonight was the best one yet, “you have great hair!  It matches who you are, so sparkly (yep, he used that word), and your face…”  I turned red-how do you reply to that?  So embarrassed I said simply,  “thank you so much-I am struggling with growing it out and I’m not loving it so thanks for the boost.”  He said, “well, it is a great hair style.”  Last week when I sat down, the 3 girls in front of me one by one turned around and told me how they love my hair. (I am putting this small, like I am whispering (is it working?) because I am embarrassed but so ecstatic at the same time.  Who doesn’t love a compliment?  Maybe it was every member’s assignment to say something nice to a new member but I will take it any way and it definitely made my day!)  Needless to say, I was beaming from ear to ear.  I thought (for a brief moment) that maybe it wasn’t so bad afterall?  : )

I am completely baffled.  COMPLETELY BAFFLED.  Not only is choir a wonderful place to be, but it helps one who is growing out their hair do!  : ) See, I needed this (obviously in more ways than one) more than they will ever need me and my little voice.