There were parts of celebrating Christmas that may just have been perfect! I love it when Christmas Eve or Christmas Day actually falls on a Sunday. What better way to celebrate Christ's birth than in a church service? I know that I can remember real purpose of Christmas any day, but going to a church service right in the middle of your preparation or celebration draws the whole purpose for celebrating into focus.
Here is a quick rundown of the Christmas events. Then, if I get some time, or feel ambitious, I'll post some pictures.
On Sunday, Christmas Eve, we had church in the morning and my worship team had to be ready to practice at 7:30am! Craziness...this chica got herself out of bed, showered, dressed, blow-dried, made-up, triple latte-ed, and to church ready to play by 7:26. BAM!
It was a great service and then, off to home to get some last minute preparations done for Christmas. Actually, I cleaned up the tornado that was my room, vacuumed the pit that was my car and ran a few errands to pick up the last few gifts (have I mentioned how much I love to buy presents?). Dinner was at the Black's house, which was so great because we didn't have to set tables, dust every nook and cranny, or wash floors before having dozens of people over.
Then NAP-time! Sunday afternoon nap on Christmas Eve...it doesn't get much better. Dinner was a-maz-ing, euchre with the cousins was so much fun, and did I mention that dinner was a-maz-ing?!?! (There was another great rendition of the Kirkegaard Doxology, see the Thanksgiving post) We sang "We Wish You a Merry Christmas" at midnight and then I went home and finished wrapping presents. Nothing like the last minute!
Christmas Day was awesome too! I'll give the short version. Stockings on my parents bed at 9:30am. Brunch (eggs, bacon, toast, fruit salad, German Apple Pancake) till noon then we cleaned up and moved to the tree. My dad put a fire in the fireplace and we sat and opened presents one by one for most of the afternoon. We took frequent breaks for things like latte's and cookies, a crossword puzzle, and an inter-continental phone call from my brother and sister-in-law (I wish they could have been here, but can't wait to visit!).
The day ended with my friends Beth, Dave, and Kira coming to the house to play Speed Scrabble and then we went to see the Pursuit of Happyness at the new Marcus Theater. That, is a quick summary of an amazing couple of days. I must say that this Christmas season has been so joyful! I was surrounded by so many of the people that I love. I have such a strong connection with so many of them because of the common bond we share through Christ. I am continually reminded of God's love and provision for us in sending his son to earth, to save us from our sins. He lowered himself to be one of us, yet fully God and perfectly holy! Christ was born, then grew up to die on a Roman cross in our place and then he rose again, thereby conquering death and giving us a way to be saved from our sins! That, my friends, is why I love to celebrate Christmas, because of what Christ has done for me!
Tuesday, December 26, 2006
Saturday, December 23, 2006
Worst Test Ever!
It's been five days since my music history exam. One of the worst studying experiences of my life! I don't think I've ever spent so much time studying for one test, only to feel completely unprepared as I walked into the classroom to actually take the test. Over the course of one semester we whipped through nearly a millennium and a half of musical progress. The final, being completely comprehensive for the whole semester, was a bear. The class was responsible for being able to identify over a hundred pieces of music by title, composer, genre, and date. So basically, the professor played a piece and we have to say what it is. Not only that, we also had to know why they were important, how they fit together, and how they effected the pieces that came after them. Scary! But, as the saying goes, all's well that ends well. It was hard, but I'm glad I studied as much as I did and I think I did alright. It feels so good to be done, I can't even stand it!
Monday, December 18, 2006
Beware, the wierdness!
Don't say I didn't warn you!
Do you ever have those moments that are so incredibly hysterical, yet if you tried to explain them to an outsider they sound completely dumb? They happen all of the time in my life. Take tonight for example. I'm fried, which always leads to a little punchiness. I was standing at the kitchen counter eating a clementine and these amazing Belgian chocolate chips. An interesting little snack, to be sure. Well, my mom came and was eating them too. I then proceeded to steal some chocolate and then some clementine. My mom, unhappy about her disappearing stash, built a small wall (out of clementine sections) in front of her chocolate. My chocolate attacked and absconded with a section of clementine wall. Then in an effort to fortify her wall, she choose to build another layer of wall, using a squash. Well, my clementine soldiers quickly marched around the squash seven times and then yelled very loudly as the wall came crashing down. All of this to great tears of laughter and raucous yelling. If that doesn't scream "wierdness gene" I don't know what does!
As I read over my story, it sounds ridiculous to the tenth degree, not even really funny. But, isn't that the joy of families and close friends. Things that would normally be mundane and ordinary can turn into fun and unexpected moments of joy! I am so thankful that I have a family with which I can laugh so hard that I cry. It is moments like these I know that I am blessed beyond measure for the love and support that they freely pour into my life. My parents, and brothers too, have shown me what it means to be beloved. So often, they paint a picture of what Christ's love looks like for me!
Do you ever have those moments that are so incredibly hysterical, yet if you tried to explain them to an outsider they sound completely dumb? They happen all of the time in my life. Take tonight for example. I'm fried, which always leads to a little punchiness. I was standing at the kitchen counter eating a clementine and these amazing Belgian chocolate chips. An interesting little snack, to be sure. Well, my mom came and was eating them too. I then proceeded to steal some chocolate and then some clementine. My mom, unhappy about her disappearing stash, built a small wall (out of clementine sections) in front of her chocolate. My chocolate attacked and absconded with a section of clementine wall. Then in an effort to fortify her wall, she choose to build another layer of wall, using a squash. Well, my clementine soldiers quickly marched around the squash seven times and then yelled very loudly as the wall came crashing down. All of this to great tears of laughter and raucous yelling. If that doesn't scream "wierdness gene" I don't know what does!
As I read over my story, it sounds ridiculous to the tenth degree, not even really funny. But, isn't that the joy of families and close friends. Things that would normally be mundane and ordinary can turn into fun and unexpected moments of joy! I am so thankful that I have a family with which I can laugh so hard that I cry. It is moments like these I know that I am blessed beyond measure for the love and support that they freely pour into my life. My parents, and brothers too, have shown me what it means to be beloved. So often, they paint a picture of what Christ's love looks like for me!
Wednesday, December 13, 2006
Three Cheers for Twinkle!
I was just thinking that it may be time for another post. I feel like saying "everything is just so busy," but I also think that I use that excuse all of the time, so it isn't really even an excuse anymore. I think that every time I make that comment I need to pay myself a fine, you know have a 'busy jar.' I feel like it sounds lame too, because really, everyone is busy and we are all understanding of one another. I guess I'll just have to think of more creative excuses!
Anyways, my fifth grade students, at Heritage Christian School, played their first strings concert today; all four of them. Three violins, Samantha, Abigail, and Ellen, and one viola, Lance. They did so well. You know, when I decided to start teaching I wondered if I would soon grow tired of hearing Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star. I'm happy to say that I LOVE Twinkle, even more than when I first started teaching. It represents so much accomplishment and dedication and practice. When my students play Twinkle from start to finish, in tune, with the correct bowing for the first time I almost get a little teary. Shocking, I know, especially coming from me. What can I say?! Maybe the ice is melting and I'm going to turn into a softie after all!
Anyways, my fifth grade students, at Heritage Christian School, played their first strings concert today; all four of them. Three violins, Samantha, Abigail, and Ellen, and one viola, Lance. They did so well. You know, when I decided to start teaching I wondered if I would soon grow tired of hearing Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star. I'm happy to say that I LOVE Twinkle, even more than when I first started teaching. It represents so much accomplishment and dedication and practice. When my students play Twinkle from start to finish, in tune, with the correct bowing for the first time I almost get a little teary. Shocking, I know, especially coming from me. What can I say?! Maybe the ice is melting and I'm going to turn into a softie after all!
Thursday, December 07, 2006
Notification
Be sure to check out my new feature!
The Daily Haiku - http://haikus365.blogspot.com
It can be found to the right-hand side of the page, under my links. I am excited to share my poetry with you:) You never know what you will find...goofy, informative, or contemplative. It just depends on my mood!
Enjoy!
The Daily Haiku - http://haikus365.blogspot.com
It can be found to the right-hand side of the page, under my links. I am excited to share my poetry with you:) You never know what you will find...goofy, informative, or contemplative. It just depends on my mood!
Enjoy!
A Retrospective on Thanksgiving
Thirty-seven people gathered in our house to eat, nap, watch football, and have a good time! We circled up, or rather joined hands, (in an attempt to make a circle) for prayer before dinner. As I looked around the room at the little ones who are barely three to the octogenarian sitting on the sofa, I had that feeling of such overwhelming blessing. You know, my cup runneth over! God has been so faithful to my family over many generations. I am thankful for the prayers of my parents, grandparents, and great-grandparents, and that is to say nothing of my slightly more extended family too!
I woke up to the smell of two huge turkeys in the ovens and hustle and bustle of getting the tables set and the last cleaning done. At one, as I said we prayed for the meal and thanked the Lord for the blessings of the year. At the final Amen our whole family spontaneously sang the Doxology, "Praise God from whom all blessings flow", a tradition that has been around for as long as I can remember. I don't think I could get a recording of that hymn that sounds better, or more joyful, than the Kirkegaard clan!
The day that ensued brought Thanksgiving dinner, then 'touch' football at the park (with about forty people the youngest being seven or so and the oldest in his 60s), home for pumpkin or apple pie, turkey sandwiches for seven o'clock supper, and finally lots of goofing around and speed scrabble. The sound of laughing echoed through the house all day long! I love my family and am so thankful for the close relationships that I have with so many of them...even the shirt-tail cousins. It was a fabulous day!
I woke up to the smell of two huge turkeys in the ovens and hustle and bustle of getting the tables set and the last cleaning done. At one, as I said we prayed for the meal and thanked the Lord for the blessings of the year. At the final Amen our whole family spontaneously sang the Doxology, "Praise God from whom all blessings flow", a tradition that has been around for as long as I can remember. I don't think I could get a recording of that hymn that sounds better, or more joyful, than the Kirkegaard clan!
The day that ensued brought Thanksgiving dinner, then 'touch' football at the park (with about forty people the youngest being seven or so and the oldest in his 60s), home for pumpkin or apple pie, turkey sandwiches for seven o'clock supper, and finally lots of goofing around and speed scrabble. The sound of laughing echoed through the house all day long! I love my family and am so thankful for the close relationships that I have with so many of them...even the shirt-tail cousins. It was a fabulous day!
Thursday, November 30, 2006
Does Passion Breed Discontent?
I believe with all of my heart that the Lord places talents and gifts and desires that lead to passions in our life for a purpose, but recently I was having a conversation with a good friend and the idea of being a passionate person came up. She asked me if I thought that I was a passionate person. She'd always thought that she was a passionate person, but recently she was wondering if she was, or what it meant to be passionate.
So, first off, what does it mean to be passionate? Well, the dictionary defines passionate as 'capable of, affected by, or expressing intense feeling. So, in our case, being passionate should be thought of as the singular desire to be physically, mentally, and even spiritually driven by an idea, a goal, or a person. This is where the question comes in, "does passion breed discontent?"
Is true contentedness possible in our lives as Christians? If in no other area of my life, I am called to be in a passionate relationship with Jesus Christ. The goal and hope in this relationship is that, in my passion for Christ, I will earnestly seek to know Him more all of the time. As Christ is unknowable, in his entirety, this should be a relentless pursuit, with every discovery of truth and fulfilled promise sparking in me a desire to learn more, to love more, and to know more of my Savior. Therefore, my passionate love for Christ will, or should, always create in me a desire for a more vibrant and dynamic relationship. I should never settle with how much I know, but rather push on to know more.
When it comes down to it, when it comes to spiritual things, maybe contentedness is the wrong word. I believe that I am able to be content in where the Lord has me on any given day. If I am seeking after the Lord and His will for my life, I need to trust the Lord and rest in the truth that he has a plan for my life, to prosper me, and give me a hope and a future. The danger grows when we begin to be complacent in our walk with the Lord. Complacency lets us stagnate in the spot where we were, to rely on past lessons, our church involvement and the knowledge we have, rather than the pursuit of Christ-likeness. Passionate love of Jesus Christ should put us in a place where we want Christ's best for our lives and we are actively seeking after that best (Matt 6:25-34)!
I argue that feelings of passion toward an earthly goal or the development of a talent or love are always going to disappoint in the end. It may even be a way to avoid where our passions should truly lie. If we are passionate about Christ, then our earthly pursuits should always be tied to our spiritual pursuits. Passionate diligence in reaching an earthly goal will not be fulfilling in the end, however, that same pursuit, of the same goal with a heavenly perspective will always be fulfilling. A love of some thing or talent or goal needs to be informed by our love of Jesus Christ and what He wants us to do with it. Only then, will our passions leave us in a place that we can be completely content, and only because Christ is the fulfilling presence in our lives.
So, first off, what does it mean to be passionate? Well, the dictionary defines passionate as 'capable of, affected by, or expressing intense feeling. So, in our case, being passionate should be thought of as the singular desire to be physically, mentally, and even spiritually driven by an idea, a goal, or a person. This is where the question comes in, "does passion breed discontent?"
Is true contentedness possible in our lives as Christians? If in no other area of my life, I am called to be in a passionate relationship with Jesus Christ. The goal and hope in this relationship is that, in my passion for Christ, I will earnestly seek to know Him more all of the time. As Christ is unknowable, in his entirety, this should be a relentless pursuit, with every discovery of truth and fulfilled promise sparking in me a desire to learn more, to love more, and to know more of my Savior. Therefore, my passionate love for Christ will, or should, always create in me a desire for a more vibrant and dynamic relationship. I should never settle with how much I know, but rather push on to know more.
When it comes down to it, when it comes to spiritual things, maybe contentedness is the wrong word. I believe that I am able to be content in where the Lord has me on any given day. If I am seeking after the Lord and His will for my life, I need to trust the Lord and rest in the truth that he has a plan for my life, to prosper me, and give me a hope and a future. The danger grows when we begin to be complacent in our walk with the Lord. Complacency lets us stagnate in the spot where we were, to rely on past lessons, our church involvement and the knowledge we have, rather than the pursuit of Christ-likeness. Passionate love of Jesus Christ should put us in a place where we want Christ's best for our lives and we are actively seeking after that best (Matt 6:25-34)!
I argue that feelings of passion toward an earthly goal or the development of a talent or love are always going to disappoint in the end. It may even be a way to avoid where our passions should truly lie. If we are passionate about Christ, then our earthly pursuits should always be tied to our spiritual pursuits. Passionate diligence in reaching an earthly goal will not be fulfilling in the end, however, that same pursuit, of the same goal with a heavenly perspective will always be fulfilling. A love of some thing or talent or goal needs to be informed by our love of Jesus Christ and what He wants us to do with it. Only then, will our passions leave us in a place that we can be completely content, and only because Christ is the fulfilling presence in our lives.
Saturday, November 25, 2006
Mr. P's Discount Tires
What do a Buzz Lightyear look-alike, a crazy lady, a man in a Jagermeister jacket, two women carrying identically hideous Dooney and Burke purses all have in common? Well, let me tell you. They all lost precious hours of their life waiting with Beth and me in the "lobby" of Mr. P's Discount Tires. Hours never to be retrieved.
I spent a portion of Black Friday (the day after Thanksgiving) with my friend Beth getting a new rim and tire put on her beloved Mercury Tracer station wagon, otherwise known as Gustavus (with the emphasis on the goose). We will never be recommending Mr. P's Discount Tires to our friends. It was a horrible experience made better only by the composition of haikus as we sat and observed the crazy cacophony going on around us.
Let the haiku's speak for the experience:
Beth's car got some flats
Mr. P's is frightening
I'm scared for my life
Jagermeister's mad
I'm smelling like an ash tray
Thank you, Mr. P's
Shady, Shady place
Mr. P's needs a face-lift
People keep coming
Whole foods sounds yummy
Mr. P's makes me pensive
Odd man keeps cursing
Eye Candy walks in
We were getting discouraged
He brightened our day
There you go...they speak for themselves. Hope you enjoyed.
I spent a portion of Black Friday (the day after Thanksgiving) with my friend Beth getting a new rim and tire put on her beloved Mercury Tracer station wagon, otherwise known as Gustavus (with the emphasis on the goose). We will never be recommending Mr. P's Discount Tires to our friends. It was a horrible experience made better only by the composition of haikus as we sat and observed the crazy cacophony going on around us.
Let the haiku's speak for the experience:
Beth's car got some flats
Mr. P's is frightening
I'm scared for my life
Jagermeister's mad
I'm smelling like an ash tray
Thank you, Mr. P's
Shady, Shady place
Mr. P's needs a face-lift
People keep coming
Whole foods sounds yummy
Mr. P's makes me pensive
Odd man keeps cursing
Eye Candy walks in
We were getting discouraged
He brightened our day
There you go...they speak for themselves. Hope you enjoyed.
Monday, November 20, 2006
My friends are having babies!
Top: This is Amara Daub. Jake and Heidi (Kiehlbauch) Daub's little girl. She is a spitting image of her momma.
Middle: We were all at a baby shower for Jeremy and Ruth (Plagemann) Sohre's new baby, Connor Andrew.
Bottom: This is Connor Andrew Sohre, Eva Talley, RJ Smalkowski, and Amara Daub!
Sunday, November 19, 2006
The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly
Where should I start?
Maybe with the bad. Today, in church, the team that I am on was supposed to lead worship. Rehearsal usually begins at 7:45am, before the service. This is not usually a problem for me. True, sometimes I get there with no make-up on or my hair just out of rollers, but I'm usually punctual.
Not so this morning. Do you ever have one of those mornings where, you have no idea how it was that the alarm didn't wake you up? This was one of those. The alarm was set for 6:25am and I got a call at 8:25 waking me up! That is one of the worst feelings for a musician. Needless to say, I flew out to church with hair askew and morning breath. I did not play for the congregational singing, which is what I usually do, but there was an ensemble piece that I had to be there for. I feel like an idiot. And I still haven't figured out what happened with the alarm (it was set for the right time in the am and it was still on when I got up), I don't know. There you have the bad. Oh, and I killed a rabbit with my car yesterday.
Now this, this is good news. Maybe not for all of you, but definitely for me. I went bowling with some friends last night and I scored my highest score of my life. Bowling, for me, is generally a social occasion. I don't make it a priority to learn the technique or lingo or whatnot. Don't laugh...promise me you won't...I bowled a 120! That was exciting for me, truly exciting.
More good...I went to a new church tonight. Now, now, don't worry. I'm not planning on leaving or switching churches, but I've been curious about this church for a while. They meet on Sunday evenings and are located on the east side of Milwaukee...I love the east side! Epikos is a small church and young in a lot of ways, but I truly enjoyed the service. The congregation seemed quite young, the worship leaders were young, and the head pastor was super young (for a head pastor). The music was good, the preaching was solid, straight from the Word of God, and people were warm and friendly.
Now the ugly, but have no fear there is a happy ending. You know how little kids drool when they are teething and if it is winter their chins get all chapped up? Well, this weekend I had an allergic reaction (I think to the wool in a new sweater) and my chin ended up chap city! It made me feel very self conscious, very. However, I have to make a product endorsement right here. Andra Sina, a skin care company from California that is owned by a friend of my aunt, developed an aloe based healing cream that I am 100% sold on! My chin, in a matter of 24 hours went from super painful to almost gone. Simply amazing!
There you have it...the good, the bad, and the ugly. All wrapped up in one neat and tidy blog.
*This blog is dedicated to my brother and sister-in-law in Italy, here's to the details!*
Maybe with the bad. Today, in church, the team that I am on was supposed to lead worship. Rehearsal usually begins at 7:45am, before the service. This is not usually a problem for me. True, sometimes I get there with no make-up on or my hair just out of rollers, but I'm usually punctual.
Not so this morning. Do you ever have one of those mornings where, you have no idea how it was that the alarm didn't wake you up? This was one of those. The alarm was set for 6:25am and I got a call at 8:25 waking me up! That is one of the worst feelings for a musician. Needless to say, I flew out to church with hair askew and morning breath. I did not play for the congregational singing, which is what I usually do, but there was an ensemble piece that I had to be there for. I feel like an idiot. And I still haven't figured out what happened with the alarm (it was set for the right time in the am and it was still on when I got up), I don't know. There you have the bad. Oh, and I killed a rabbit with my car yesterday.
Now this, this is good news. Maybe not for all of you, but definitely for me. I went bowling with some friends last night and I scored my highest score of my life. Bowling, for me, is generally a social occasion. I don't make it a priority to learn the technique or lingo or whatnot. Don't laugh...promise me you won't...I bowled a 120! That was exciting for me, truly exciting.
More good...I went to a new church tonight. Now, now, don't worry. I'm not planning on leaving or switching churches, but I've been curious about this church for a while. They meet on Sunday evenings and are located on the east side of Milwaukee...I love the east side! Epikos is a small church and young in a lot of ways, but I truly enjoyed the service. The congregation seemed quite young, the worship leaders were young, and the head pastor was super young (for a head pastor). The music was good, the preaching was solid, straight from the Word of God, and people were warm and friendly.
Now the ugly, but have no fear there is a happy ending. You know how little kids drool when they are teething and if it is winter their chins get all chapped up? Well, this weekend I had an allergic reaction (I think to the wool in a new sweater) and my chin ended up chap city! It made me feel very self conscious, very. However, I have to make a product endorsement right here. Andra Sina, a skin care company from California that is owned by a friend of my aunt, developed an aloe based healing cream that I am 100% sold on! My chin, in a matter of 24 hours went from super painful to almost gone. Simply amazing!
There you have it...the good, the bad, and the ugly. All wrapped up in one neat and tidy blog.
*This blog is dedicated to my brother and sister-in-law in Italy, here's to the details!*
Thursday, November 16, 2006
The "!"
I think I've fallen victim to the monster of exclamation over-use. I was looking at my past blogs and I realized that I'd ended all but one of my blogs with exclamation points. If you had to make a judgment about who I am by reading my blog, I think you would come away with the wrong picture, all because of those exclamation points. If we talked, I mean had a real face-to-face conversation, all of said conversations would not end with a "WA-HOO!" kind of sentiment. Don't get me wrong, I get involved and invested in my interactions, I'm just not one of those "super" excited types. I think I was using them because I was enthused about the subject matter, (or maybe to be finishing the blog), but not because I'm feeling and exuberant yell inside. Is it proper to use them if you are excited, or does it have be an actual exclamation? Maybe a healthy dose of enthusiasm is all that is needed for a well placed exclamation point. Any thoughts?
Sunday, November 12, 2006
The Packers beat who? Oh yeah, the Vikings!
I'm sure that this was one of the very best Sundays of the season. Church this morning was a pleasure and an encouragement to live my life as is pleasing unto the Lord. Because I am fighting a bit of a head cold, I came home and curled up back in bed. I had a glorious hour and a half of napping, followed by a tasty dinner and the second half of a fantastic Packers-Vikings game. After the game we had celebratory caffe mochas and some time reading the paper. Fellowship time with some of the church family came next and my day ended with some friends at Starbucks playing the beloved game of Speed Scrabble.
I have just a small tribute to the Packers after their exciting victory over the Vikings. A haiku:
Favre and the Packers
Defeated the Viking clan
In their house you won
Way to go Packers, it was a fun game to watch. I always like the ones that are nailbiters. Well, that or run-away victories! Between the Packers (who seem to be improving, knock-on-wood) and the Badgers (who are doing fantastic) football has been fun this fall.
The week in review seems pretty routine, but it was a good week, overall (If we ignore the cold). Impact on Wednesday night was good. The team that I am on lead worship this week. I was a little nervous because we had minimal rehearsal time for this week, but we played with a very scaled back group and I thought it went well. It was just Beth and Pete singing, Pete on guitar, Greg on drums, and my violin. Really chilled out and laid back. We sang some of our team's favorites and I really felt like I got to worship with the whole congregation. We've revived an older song recently and have played it a few times lately. Wonderful, Merciful Saviour, just speaks truth about who God is and what he has done for us.
It is songs like that one that make me love music as a form of worship so much. Because music is such an emotional tool, it is a great way to intersect the truths that we can find in the text with the emotional connection we get because the text is set with music. The integration of knowledge and emotion is something that I've been learning a lot about in many different areas of my life and I think one of the most important is in the way I worship. As a musician, up in front of people, leading people into a spirit of worship, I have such a responsibility to bring the best text, the best music and most importantly a right view of God to the people I'm trying to help lead.
Anyways, that was one of the highlights of the week. I also taught lots of lessons (I love my job), had class (talked about Bach and Handel), played a 10pm soccer game (we lost, but I had a ton of fun), went to a birthday party (made a fantastic cheesecake), and went to the Heritage play (Beth was Asst. Director). Overall, a good week!
I have just a small tribute to the Packers after their exciting victory over the Vikings. A haiku:
Favre and the Packers
Defeated the Viking clan
In their house you won
Way to go Packers, it was a fun game to watch. I always like the ones that are nailbiters. Well, that or run-away victories! Between the Packers (who seem to be improving, knock-on-wood) and the Badgers (who are doing fantastic) football has been fun this fall.
The week in review seems pretty routine, but it was a good week, overall (If we ignore the cold). Impact on Wednesday night was good. The team that I am on lead worship this week. I was a little nervous because we had minimal rehearsal time for this week, but we played with a very scaled back group and I thought it went well. It was just Beth and Pete singing, Pete on guitar, Greg on drums, and my violin. Really chilled out and laid back. We sang some of our team's favorites and I really felt like I got to worship with the whole congregation. We've revived an older song recently and have played it a few times lately. Wonderful, Merciful Saviour, just speaks truth about who God is and what he has done for us.
It is songs like that one that make me love music as a form of worship so much. Because music is such an emotional tool, it is a great way to intersect the truths that we can find in the text with the emotional connection we get because the text is set with music. The integration of knowledge and emotion is something that I've been learning a lot about in many different areas of my life and I think one of the most important is in the way I worship. As a musician, up in front of people, leading people into a spirit of worship, I have such a responsibility to bring the best text, the best music and most importantly a right view of God to the people I'm trying to help lead.
Anyways, that was one of the highlights of the week. I also taught lots of lessons (I love my job), had class (talked about Bach and Handel), played a 10pm soccer game (we lost, but I had a ton of fun), went to a birthday party (made a fantastic cheesecake), and went to the Heritage play (Beth was Asst. Director). Overall, a good week!
Hilton Head, SC
So, I really like it when people put pictures in their blogs. I haven't taken many pictures lately, but here is one from September. I joined Beth at a pastor's conference, on Hilton Head island, where she was helping lead worship. It was rough work, five days in a beach front resort, but somebody had to do it! This was the night the whole band went out for dinner by the marina. Great fellowship, great scenery, great week!
Monday, November 06, 2006
This is just a fun picture. We were on our way to go camping and our friend Quinn had a GPS. We were almost there and the next instruction was "In 500 feet, board the ferry." He said he had never heard the GPS say that before. Kinda fun. Beth and I thought that we should document the trip across the river.
Count 'em...ten!
I got ten, count them, ten hours of sleep last night. To put it simply, amazing! After three really short nights and a lot of miles on my car, I was spent. So, Saturday night I went to see a band play up in Milwaukee and I slipped my driver's license and credit card into my back pocket so I wouldn't have to keep track of a purse, smart move, right? After the ensuing late night, I had to be up and in the car at the crack of dawn to play a church gig in Chicago.
I had my trip all planned. First, I would eat my mug of oatmeal then I would pull off the freeway into the Lake Forest Oasis for a very large, very caffeinated, very hot, very wonderful jolt of liquid energy. And oh, was I looking forward to that latte! But, for those of you who are good at reading between the lines, you know what comes next. As I was about to pull off, I realized that my cash, my credit card, as well as my license were all in the back pocket of last night's jeans. AAAHHHHH! How frustrating. I can't even stand it. So, not only no coffee, but no license which turned me into a very careful driver. I wanted there to be no excuse to get pulled over, and, what if I ran out of gas. Heaven forbid! Anyways, I got to the job, and back home in one piece.
Then a birthday party for my twin, nine year old, first cousins, once-removed. These two crack me up, they are the very definition of string beans! Oh, to be nine again. I think that might be the very zenith of childhood. Still a little girl, but old enough to have some independence from mom. Getting lost in the fun of reading books, loving anything pink and sparkly, having a secret world up in a tree, building forts out of furniture and sheets...so wonderful. Being 26 has its perks though too!
My next project on the world wide web is to figure out how to make my blog pretty. I may need some help, but we'll see. I'd like to think that I've got the brain power to figure it out on my own, but when I have EPKS, computer genius living in my house, it's hard not to ask for help.
Its Monday of a busy week, but a friend of mine recently told me that he is trying to have a better attitude towards Mondays. They get such a bad rap. Think this way, a new week, another chance, a fresh start, a whole week ahead of you, rested from your weekend, what could go wrong? Instead of wishing that it was still Saturday afternoon, revel in the beginning of a new week. Especially on ten hours of sleep!
I had my trip all planned. First, I would eat my mug of oatmeal then I would pull off the freeway into the Lake Forest Oasis for a very large, very caffeinated, very hot, very wonderful jolt of liquid energy. And oh, was I looking forward to that latte! But, for those of you who are good at reading between the lines, you know what comes next. As I was about to pull off, I realized that my cash, my credit card, as well as my license were all in the back pocket of last night's jeans. AAAHHHHH! How frustrating. I can't even stand it. So, not only no coffee, but no license which turned me into a very careful driver. I wanted there to be no excuse to get pulled over, and, what if I ran out of gas. Heaven forbid! Anyways, I got to the job, and back home in one piece.
Then a birthday party for my twin, nine year old, first cousins, once-removed. These two crack me up, they are the very definition of string beans! Oh, to be nine again. I think that might be the very zenith of childhood. Still a little girl, but old enough to have some independence from mom. Getting lost in the fun of reading books, loving anything pink and sparkly, having a secret world up in a tree, building forts out of furniture and sheets...so wonderful. Being 26 has its perks though too!
My next project on the world wide web is to figure out how to make my blog pretty. I may need some help, but we'll see. I'd like to think that I've got the brain power to figure it out on my own, but when I have EPKS, computer genius living in my house, it's hard not to ask for help.
Its Monday of a busy week, but a friend of mine recently told me that he is trying to have a better attitude towards Mondays. They get such a bad rap. Think this way, a new week, another chance, a fresh start, a whole week ahead of you, rested from your weekend, what could go wrong? Instead of wishing that it was still Saturday afternoon, revel in the beginning of a new week. Especially on ten hours of sleep!
Sunday, October 29, 2006
Success
So, the procrastinator strikes again. I took that excrutiating midterm and once again I was rewarded for the fabulous cramming techniques I have honed over the past eight years of higher education. Not only was I able to identify all three listenings (out of 60 possibilities) but I also knew the musical score that needed identifying and I rocked out on an essay question about the music of the Reformation and the Counter-Reformation. Not to toot my own horn or anything, but I'm pretty proud of that test.
I talked to my brother and sister-in-law the other day and they were bugging me to blog more and just talk about what is going on. They were the whole inspiration for this blog so I guess I should take their advice and give them what they want to hear. First off, it was so good to talk with them! I miss them both. I know that Liz has only been (technically) family for a few months now, but, even though we've never lived close I wish I could just call them up and go and hang out. Too bad they live in Italy... So, here is to details.
I played my violin in church this morning. Recently, we've formed what they call the YAWT, Young Adults Worship Team. I think we could come up with something better than that. If you have any good ideas, just leave a comment. I really appreciate this group of people, all ready and willing to give their time and talents to serve the Lord. I think that it is such a privilege to be able to lead others in musical worship, even as you yourself are able to worship. Its kind of a unique position.
My mom made a bet with me the reward was a great white shirt from Banana Republic, if, of course, I followed through. She is such a softie...I think she wanted to eat her words as soon as she said them, but I won the bet and I am now the proud owner of a brand new, white, button down blouse. She should know better than to make a bet that involves shopping, especially at a place like Banana. I'll do all I can to win!
I don't know, I guess there aren't a ton of details, but I'm out of things to write. Maybe more before next Sunday, maybe not, we'll see!
I talked to my brother and sister-in-law the other day and they were bugging me to blog more and just talk about what is going on. They were the whole inspiration for this blog so I guess I should take their advice and give them what they want to hear. First off, it was so good to talk with them! I miss them both. I know that Liz has only been (technically) family for a few months now, but, even though we've never lived close I wish I could just call them up and go and hang out. Too bad they live in Italy... So, here is to details.
I played my violin in church this morning. Recently, we've formed what they call the YAWT, Young Adults Worship Team. I think we could come up with something better than that. If you have any good ideas, just leave a comment. I really appreciate this group of people, all ready and willing to give their time and talents to serve the Lord. I think that it is such a privilege to be able to lead others in musical worship, even as you yourself are able to worship. Its kind of a unique position.
My mom made a bet with me the reward was a great white shirt from Banana Republic, if, of course, I followed through. She is such a softie...I think she wanted to eat her words as soon as she said them, but I won the bet and I am now the proud owner of a brand new, white, button down blouse. She should know better than to make a bet that involves shopping, especially at a place like Banana. I'll do all I can to win!
I don't know, I guess there aren't a ton of details, but I'm out of things to write. Maybe more before next Sunday, maybe not, we'll see!
Wednesday, October 18, 2006
The Consummate Procrastinator
I know that it isn't Sunday afternoon, but as I think about how to go about blogging I've decided that Sunday afternoons are a perfect time to blog. I have this vision of family dinner, leisurely nap under the mink, or in front of the fireplace, then, with steaming mocha in hand, let the creative juices flow.
I know this girl who made a New Year's resolution to blog everyday. Admirable, to be sure, but practical? I think not, not for me anyways. Sunday afternoons seem perfectly suited to a small summary of the previous week's events and some deeply insightful reflections about them.
You know what the real beauty of this blog is? It is going to give me yet another reason to procrastinate. That is one verb I am very good at. As the matter of fact, I am in the thick of a major bout of procrastination right now. I mean, this Thursday brings the midterm of the one class that I am taking this smemster. I neeeed to study, but everything that is in me just wants to fritter away my time.
One little lesson I was reminded of today and then I need to sign off. My friend lost her purse and I was worried that it might have been my fault. I was driving, and I thought I locked the car, but who really knows? I felt horrible! So, for the rest of the night and most of today I was thinking about it. I was thinking how much time it would take to replace everything in the purse and how much money it would take to replace it all (the wallet, the credit cards, the drivers license, the cash, the ipod). I don't always do this, but every time I thought about it, I remembered to pray about it. Guess what? She found it, at a coffee shop in Delafield that we went to! Praise the Lord, I love it that I serve a God that still cares about the little things that I am concerned about. Yes, it was just stuff, but stuff that would have caused major headaches to have missing. Anyways, I was blessed by this little reminder of God's presence in our lives, ALL of the time!
I know this girl who made a New Year's resolution to blog everyday. Admirable, to be sure, but practical? I think not, not for me anyways. Sunday afternoons seem perfectly suited to a small summary of the previous week's events and some deeply insightful reflections about them.
You know what the real beauty of this blog is? It is going to give me yet another reason to procrastinate. That is one verb I am very good at. As the matter of fact, I am in the thick of a major bout of procrastination right now. I mean, this Thursday brings the midterm of the one class that I am taking this smemster. I neeeed to study, but everything that is in me just wants to fritter away my time.
One little lesson I was reminded of today and then I need to sign off. My friend lost her purse and I was worried that it might have been my fault. I was driving, and I thought I locked the car, but who really knows? I felt horrible! So, for the rest of the night and most of today I was thinking about it. I was thinking how much time it would take to replace everything in the purse and how much money it would take to replace it all (the wallet, the credit cards, the drivers license, the cash, the ipod). I don't always do this, but every time I thought about it, I remembered to pray about it. Guess what? She found it, at a coffee shop in Delafield that we went to! Praise the Lord, I love it that I serve a God that still cares about the little things that I am concerned about. Yes, it was just stuff, but stuff that would have caused major headaches to have missing. Anyways, I was blessed by this little reminder of God's presence in our lives, ALL of the time!
Friday, October 13, 2006
Finally...the weekend!
As of Friday evening, I still have not had time to figure out how to make my blog pretty or interesting. Ah, well, all in due time, in due time. The thought still comes to me that I have absolutely no idea what to actually blog about. When I think blog, I think interesting, thought provoking, and even a bit humorous at times. None of which I am feeling right now. Let's just say its been a long week!
Between a scary listening exam in my music history class and 5:30am alarms, I am utterly fried. I'm almost never the one to stay home on a Friday night, but the alluring call of my old Wheaton sweatshirt, my down comforter, and a stack of books from the library was so enticing, that the thought of getting in the car and actually going somewhere was almost sickening. A night in is just what I need and its a good night to be in too! I think that winter might be taking an early stab at us. Its been cold!
My little brother is on his way home from school to hang out with the family for the weekend. It's his first post-high school homecoming, so he wouldn't miss it. As much as our house is much calmer without him here, I miss having him around. Never a dull moment with Lars around.
In order to make this blog interesting, I promise to learn the ins and outs of maintaining and updating. I will even attempt some photographs, just be patient with me!
Between a scary listening exam in my music history class and 5:30am alarms, I am utterly fried. I'm almost never the one to stay home on a Friday night, but the alluring call of my old Wheaton sweatshirt, my down comforter, and a stack of books from the library was so enticing, that the thought of getting in the car and actually going somewhere was almost sickening. A night in is just what I need and its a good night to be in too! I think that winter might be taking an early stab at us. Its been cold!
My little brother is on his way home from school to hang out with the family for the weekend. It's his first post-high school homecoming, so he wouldn't miss it. As much as our house is much calmer without him here, I miss having him around. Never a dull moment with Lars around.
In order to make this blog interesting, I promise to learn the ins and outs of maintaining and updating. I will even attempt some photographs, just be patient with me!
Wednesday, October 11, 2006
Greetings!
To the world of the blogger, I'm not sure I quite fit in. However, in the effort to keep up with the Jones' or more specifically the Skoglund's a la Italy, I decided to start a bona fide blog! I'm not quite sure what, in my life, will be of much interest to others, but I'm sure I'll think of something. Well, here's to the fabulous new life of a blog. May it live long and entertain much!
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