Monday, September 26, 2011

"MY GOD IS" Concert

September 24, 2011

We had a wonderful time singing about Christ and ministering to the listeners who graciously attended this concert. Jen and Lexi worked so hard organizing everything... their labor was gratified by a superb evening as we all sang or played our hearts out. God gave us a beautiful evening and a fantastic spirit during the performance.

I didn't get the chance to take very many pictures and I missed the group shots that Jack took [jackmcdonnel.blogspot.com]. Head over to the his family blog for shots of the whole group (minus me) :).




Well, my computer is being dumb and won't let me upload edited versions of pictures, so that's it.


Friday, September 23, 2011

Good Friend, Good Time


Emmy and I rode with my mom to take Mrs. Skow to the airport... on the way back we shopped, stopped for a bite to eat, munched on gummies, and laughed our silly heads off. :) What a fun day we had!

Tuesday, August 16, 2011

Summer's Gold

The garden is a wonderful place to feel close to the Creator and soak up the happy sunshine.




Friday, July 22, 2011

Independance Day






We all had a great time setting off fireworks, licking marshmallowy fingers, and getting eaten up by mosquitoes.

Wednesday, March 23, 2011

St. Patty's and Practice

We are all excited about the upcoming concert in September. It's a great opportunity to serve God as well as sharpen our abilities He's blessed us with.

Happy St. Paddy's Day!!!

Studious Jack

Jenny shares a laugh with the members of the chorus

Jessie, Amanda (with her new, adorable hair), Breanna

A few members of Savos

The guys


Monday, March 21, 2011

Letter from Jesus

I was going through some college stuff last week and found alot of old assignments that I'd written for classes along with a few poems I'd written during my free time. I don't remember what the assignment was for this but I'm very glad I kept it. This letter was such an emncouragement to me as I re-read it and remembered my lifelong desire to write. I believe that God wants me to write; for you, He has planned something else. You can read this letter making adjustments so that it applies to the plan God has for your life, and it can be quite an encouragement. I hope you enjoy reading this as much as I do.

Dear Stephanie,
     Before I get down to the point, I want to thank you for giving my children a few minutes of your time at the basketball game the other night. They will not forget that for a long time.
     You asked me the last time we talked if you should write. You mentioned that the desire is strong and maybe it is there for a reason. Well, yes, I do think you should write. In fact, I know you should. That desire to communicate to the world moral and Biblical truths through fictional stories is in you for a specific purpose and should be acted upon. It will be hard going through college and writing, but you have access to the Power that can help. Character plays a big part in all this too. If you do not have any, the stories will not get written. Concentrate right now on building character by getting up in the morning and reading the Bible. That will help you tremendously. Also, talk to me when you have any questions or need some encouragement and let me know how you are getting along. Then, during any free time you have, put something down on paper: words, ideas, sentences, phrases, poems, dates, research--anything. Just write it down. And remember, I will be happy to help you if you just ask me.
     Lastly, the classes you are taking in school will benefit you not only in getting a degree but also in your writing interests. It is in those classes, such as English and math and history, that you can learn proper grammar, writing techniques, moderation, how to convey your thoughts to others, logic, and a lot of history for your historical fiction.
     Keep working hard to get good grades in the subjects you are taking, for they hold the same ideals that you will convey to others through your stories. Words are important; use them wisely. And do not be discouraged when you struggle, for you can do all things through Christ who strengthens you. I love you.

                                                                          Love,
                                                                          Jesus

Saturday, March 19, 2011

The Timepiece

by Stephi J Gilbert

World and Life sequester me                                       
As, pausing, I a timepiece see.


His never winking gaze implies
A time that time is not he spies.

He takes his time, tho not his own,
To tell me why he's here alone.


Tick by tock and silence 'tween,
I learn of all his eye has seen.


The Past of which he speaks I see:
Winsome tales of glory be.


Present comes and goes too soon;
Her locks, once golden, gray assume.


As Past and Present close their lids,
Seducing Future fancy bids.


My hand he clasps with luring hold
And guides thru visions bright and bold.


He shows me lives that yet may live;
The hope of good each has to give.


Away my steps are leading fast.
Behind me Timepiece lets time pass.


Present, Past, and Future still
Haunt me from Time's window sill--


The window thru which I have seen
What will be, is, and what has been.


The history held within each tock
Is kept on record by the clock,


And every time I catch his eye
The Future in the Past I spy.


Without a single word, I know
That Timepiece knew so long ago


The lesson I have yet to see:
I am not yet what I will be.

Thursday, March 10, 2011

Faces of my Children

Wherever I go, I'll always carry the faces of my children in my heart with a smile. It has been said that a person changes not except for the books he reads and people he meets. The little people God has allowed me to know and influence have influenced me in a way they will never understand. Each child has taught me a unique lesson about life and love, and with every lesson has come a new awareness of the blessings God grants every day without our knowing it. I love every step and stage I've witnessed, and I love the faces that go with them. I never become bored with the growing and learning little babies experience and I cherish every awed expression as they make new discoveries of the world around them.



CJ
Leoni
Alycia: Muffin
David
Andres: my litte buddy :)


Maliyah


Liana

Friday, February 4, 2011

My Little Woodwind Family



I am pleased to introduce to you the newest addition to my musical instrument collection: the Hall Crystal Flute in D. Always looking for a new challenge, I have thoroughly enjoyed learning to play this whimsical instrument.







The emboucher is very close to the end. This was awkward at first, but it is not difficult to adjust.

My entire Woodwind Family


Members include Concert Flute, Crystal Flute in D, Fife, and Piccolo.


I love my flute. The Lord gave it to me for a dirt cheap price from some people that didn't know what they had. In fact, the flute and piccolo came together for only $125! Practically a heist! AND the flute is a Gemeinhardt!!!



The piccolo is so adorable. :) I haven't played it much because the occasion to has not presented itself.




What's a fife? It is a high-pitched transverse flute used commonly in military and marching musical groups. In fact, this one is an authentic reproduction of the kind used in the Revolutionary War.

Following are a few videos that I've recorded of the Crystal Flute so you can hear what it sounds like. I don't play it well yet and the quality of the videos are awful, but you can still get the basic idea.

video featuring the song "I Wish My Love Was a Red, Red Rose"


video featuring the song "Since You and I Were True"


video featuring the song "Shenandoah"

check out http://www.hallflutes.com/ to see more crystal woodwinds.

Wednesday, January 19, 2011

New Addition

This is Piccolo! She's almost 3 months old and she arrived at her new home January 17, 2011. She is very lively (I almost named her Scherzo), hyper, and sociable. She loves to cuddle and eat vanilla ice cream.




Above is a humorous video clip of Piccolo trying to get a staticy baloon off of her back.

Monday, January 10, 2011

A Wild Time!

The Wild's Music Conference was incredible! It was my first time to attend, as was for many others in our group, and we all had a simply marvelous time.

The long treck to North Carolina...




Waiting in the Registration line...



An immediate game of Ultimate...



Lunch: Served by our sweet waitress Katrina Reed...




THE STAIRS (ugh!)


The Game Room....

The Sessions....



The Hike!



Beautiful!


Most of the group....