Hello all,
This will be a quick and short blog. I cannot believe how much time has passed, but my recital is in nearly 3-4 days! I finally had a chance to perform my whole program in front of an actual audience last Friday night. It actually went really well...I'm getting more and more excited for Saturday! My program probably won't be totally perfect, but I cannot believe how much I've done the past 2 months to get ready for this recital. I guess I don't realize it as much, but I've progressed a lot since I started the piece (well, obviously...if not, I think I would be in trouble!)...
Anyway, as the "big" day approaches, I find myself thinking at the whole purpose of this recital. Yes, it is because I love performing. Yes, it is because I want to "practice" for my actual junior recital in October. But, I realize that there is a greater purpose: to worship God while playing music on the piano. That is ultimately my goal and the one thing that is honestly keeping me sane with the practicing right now, in this last week of cramming. No, it doesn't mean that I'm going to be lazy in practicing for the next few days, but I'm also not going to kill myself over practicing. I'm going to do my best for Him and Him only...not for anyone else in this life, but for Him.
I guess that's all for now...just had these thoughts in mind and figured I would share. I hope you are all enjoying your summer! May God bless you in this wonderful season of...heat! :)
Tuesday, July 26, 2011
Wednesday, July 13, 2011
My Newest Journey
Hello everyone!
So I know that I'm not so good with this blogging thing...but it's only going to get worse when classes start again. Sorry ahead of time! I was planning to write something on here a few days ago though, but that totally failed. Sorry about that!
Anyway, things are getting more busy now...I'm playing in a recital at Kent State on Sunday, so that's on my plate right now. And believe it or not, my recital is coming up in just 2 and a half weeks! It's crazy nuts, but soooo exciting at the same time! Invitations are being sent out, programs are being made, reception details are being finalized, and practicing...well, practicing is just going...everyday. That will never end, but I hope it will be worth it. If you are reading this and you didn't know about my recital, it's July 30 at 2 PM at Calvary Assembly of God! Everyone and anyone is welcome to come! Comment if you have any questions.
It's really crazy how time flies! In no time, I'll be done with my recital and back to Wheaton! I'm not sure how to feel about going back. I sure miss it, but like everyone else, I'm not looking forward to taking classes and all that. I do miss all my friends though. In fact, I recently got a chance to Skype with my future roommate, who lives in Hong Kong. I miss her a lot. She was a huge part of my life when we were on campus, so it doesn't help that she's halfway across the world this summer. But, we figured out a way to text each other, so I can text her whenever I want to...and the best part is, it costs nothing! It's crazy how technology is developed these days, but I'm not complaining!
There are actually a lot of things that I want to write on here, but I will write about my newest journey. As many of you know, I'm "officially" a double major at Wheaton doing Piano Performance and Christian Education/Ministry. It's been quite a long journey, as I started the new major this past semester. It was a rough semester, I tell you. If you ask me at the end of the semester if it was worth it, I would hesitate to say yes. But this summer, I had a lot of time off to think and reflect what God is doing in my life...and I can definitely say the busy semester was totally worth it! I'm looking forward to more...I think...but I hope I won't die before I graduate!
As many of you know, I have always wanted to become a music pastor ever since I was in junior high. It's always been my passion...and that's why I decided to do the double major. As soon as I found out that I had to do an internship for the major, I was so excited! I quickly thought of where I could do internships (specifically in music). I have been thinking and praying over it for a while. I called the internship coordinator at Wheaton and we talked on the phone for a good while. He answered many of my questions and I was able to understand more and more about what the internship is all about. The one thing that really stirred my heart was that I am actually able to do an internship with 2 focuses...in my case, it would be music and children's ministry. If you don't know already, I LOVE kids...I'm beyond obsessed with them. They're the cutest thing in the world...no wonder God loves little children too! :) So, I could potentially do an internship for both ministries...
Anyway, I decided to do an internship at my church. I had a chance to talk to my music pastor at church tonight and he began to tell me the plans he had for my internship period (I had emailed him earlier about my consideration in being a music intern next summer). Honestly, it was overwhelming...but deep inside, I was really, REALLY excited! I also had the opportunity to accompany the choir this summer...actually I just started doing it a few weeks ago...but it has been such a blessing! I'm getting acquainted with experienced leaders and I've learned a lot within the short amount of time.
Also, as I work with kids this summer, whether it's substitute teaching at a kids' camp or teaching piano and violin, I began to develop a deep passion for children's ministry. The first thing I thought of was: "Now, wait a minute God...I thought You wanted me to do music ministry. Now I'm all confused. What exactly do you want me to do?" Man, oh man...I'm quite overwhelmed with the upcoming decisions, should I continue to pursue music? Should I do my masters in ministry? Should I do this, should I do that? Then, it hit me. Why am I worrying about all these things? Doesn't God have it under control? I mean, all I really want to do is serve and worship Him, using my talents for His glory. I recently read my favorite Psalms of all time: Psalm 139. It reads:
You have searched me, LORD,
and you know me.
So I know that I'm not so good with this blogging thing...but it's only going to get worse when classes start again. Sorry ahead of time! I was planning to write something on here a few days ago though, but that totally failed. Sorry about that!
Anyway, things are getting more busy now...I'm playing in a recital at Kent State on Sunday, so that's on my plate right now. And believe it or not, my recital is coming up in just 2 and a half weeks! It's crazy nuts, but soooo exciting at the same time! Invitations are being sent out, programs are being made, reception details are being finalized, and practicing...well, practicing is just going...everyday. That will never end, but I hope it will be worth it. If you are reading this and you didn't know about my recital, it's July 30 at 2 PM at Calvary Assembly of God! Everyone and anyone is welcome to come! Comment if you have any questions.
It's really crazy how time flies! In no time, I'll be done with my recital and back to Wheaton! I'm not sure how to feel about going back. I sure miss it, but like everyone else, I'm not looking forward to taking classes and all that. I do miss all my friends though. In fact, I recently got a chance to Skype with my future roommate, who lives in Hong Kong. I miss her a lot. She was a huge part of my life when we were on campus, so it doesn't help that she's halfway across the world this summer. But, we figured out a way to text each other, so I can text her whenever I want to...and the best part is, it costs nothing! It's crazy how technology is developed these days, but I'm not complaining!
There are actually a lot of things that I want to write on here, but I will write about my newest journey. As many of you know, I'm "officially" a double major at Wheaton doing Piano Performance and Christian Education/Ministry. It's been quite a long journey, as I started the new major this past semester. It was a rough semester, I tell you. If you ask me at the end of the semester if it was worth it, I would hesitate to say yes. But this summer, I had a lot of time off to think and reflect what God is doing in my life...and I can definitely say the busy semester was totally worth it! I'm looking forward to more...I think...but I hope I won't die before I graduate!
As many of you know, I have always wanted to become a music pastor ever since I was in junior high. It's always been my passion...and that's why I decided to do the double major. As soon as I found out that I had to do an internship for the major, I was so excited! I quickly thought of where I could do internships (specifically in music). I have been thinking and praying over it for a while. I called the internship coordinator at Wheaton and we talked on the phone for a good while. He answered many of my questions and I was able to understand more and more about what the internship is all about. The one thing that really stirred my heart was that I am actually able to do an internship with 2 focuses...in my case, it would be music and children's ministry. If you don't know already, I LOVE kids...I'm beyond obsessed with them. They're the cutest thing in the world...no wonder God loves little children too! :) So, I could potentially do an internship for both ministries...
Anyway, I decided to do an internship at my church. I had a chance to talk to my music pastor at church tonight and he began to tell me the plans he had for my internship period (I had emailed him earlier about my consideration in being a music intern next summer). Honestly, it was overwhelming...but deep inside, I was really, REALLY excited! I also had the opportunity to accompany the choir this summer...actually I just started doing it a few weeks ago...but it has been such a blessing! I'm getting acquainted with experienced leaders and I've learned a lot within the short amount of time.
Also, as I work with kids this summer, whether it's substitute teaching at a kids' camp or teaching piano and violin, I began to develop a deep passion for children's ministry. The first thing I thought of was: "Now, wait a minute God...I thought You wanted me to do music ministry. Now I'm all confused. What exactly do you want me to do?" Man, oh man...I'm quite overwhelmed with the upcoming decisions, should I continue to pursue music? Should I do my masters in ministry? Should I do this, should I do that? Then, it hit me. Why am I worrying about all these things? Doesn't God have it under control? I mean, all I really want to do is serve and worship Him, using my talents for His glory. I recently read my favorite Psalms of all time: Psalm 139. It reads:
You have searched me, LORD,
and you know me.
You know when I sit and when I rise;
you perceive my thoughts from afar.
You discern my going out and my lying down;
you are familiar with all my ways.
Before a word is on my tongue
you, LORD, know it completely.
You hem me in behind and before,
and you lay your hand upon me.
Such knowledge is too wonderful for me,
too lofty for me to attain.
you perceive my thoughts from afar.
You discern my going out and my lying down;
you are familiar with all my ways.
Before a word is on my tongue
you, LORD, know it completely.
You hem me in behind and before,
and you lay your hand upon me.
Such knowledge is too wonderful for me,
too lofty for me to attain.
Where can I go from your Spirit?
Where can I flee from your presence?
If I go up to the heavens, you are there;
if I make my bed in the depths, you are there.
If I rise on the wings of the dawn,
if I settle on the far side of the sea,
even there your hand will guide me,
your right hand will hold me fast.
If I say, “Surely the darkness will hide me
and the light become night around me,”
even the darkness will not be dark to you;
the night will shine like the day,
for darkness is as light to you.
Where can I flee from your presence?
If I go up to the heavens, you are there;
if I make my bed in the depths, you are there.
If I rise on the wings of the dawn,
if I settle on the far side of the sea,
even there your hand will guide me,
your right hand will hold me fast.
If I say, “Surely the darkness will hide me
and the light become night around me,”
even the darkness will not be dark to you;
the night will shine like the day,
for darkness is as light to you.
For you created my inmost being;
you knit me together in my mother’s womb.
I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made;
your works are wonderful,
I know that full well.
My frame was not hidden from you
when I was made in the secret place,
when I was woven together in the depths of the earth.
Your eyes saw my unformed body;
all the days ordained for me were written in your book
before one of them came to be.
How precious to me are your thoughts, God!
How vast is the sum of them!
Were I to count them,
they would outnumber the grains of sand—
when I awake, I am still with you.
you knit me together in my mother’s womb.
I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made;
your works are wonderful,
I know that full well.
My frame was not hidden from you
when I was made in the secret place,
when I was woven together in the depths of the earth.
Your eyes saw my unformed body;
all the days ordained for me were written in your book
before one of them came to be.
How precious to me are your thoughts, God!
How vast is the sum of them!
Were I to count them,
they would outnumber the grains of sand—
when I awake, I am still with you.
If only you, God, would slay the wicked!
Away from me, you who are bloodthirsty!
They speak of you with evil intent;
your adversaries misuse your name.
Do I not hate those who hate you, LORD,
and abhor those who are in rebellion against you?
I have nothing but hatred for them;
I count them my enemies.
Search me, God, and know my heart;
test me and know my anxious thoughts.
See if there is any offensive way in me,
and lead me in the way everlasting.
Away from me, you who are bloodthirsty!
They speak of you with evil intent;
your adversaries misuse your name.
Do I not hate those who hate you, LORD,
and abhor those who are in rebellion against you?
I have nothing but hatred for them;
I count them my enemies.
Search me, God, and know my heart;
test me and know my anxious thoughts.
See if there is any offensive way in me,
and lead me in the way everlasting.
Man, what a great message! Isn't it crazy that God knows us before we were even born?! I mean, we all know that already, right? But have you THOUGHT about it recently? Have you thought about what that actually means? If you have, that's wonderful! For me, it wasn't a new thing...I've thought about this before. I mean, I know that God knows me before I came into this world...but I recently thought about it again...more deeply with a more narrow context. I really don't need to be worried about what I need to do with my life. HE KNOWS...HE ALREADY HAS IT ALL PLANNED OUT! Wow! It blows my mind away...and the greatest thing is that He knows these thoughts that I have running in my head...the anxious and nervous thoughts and even the thoughts that I don't even know. I know for sure that God will show me the path that He wants me to go and follow.
So, all in all...regarding my future, the only thing I should keep in mind is that I'm glorifying His name in whatever I do, whether it's music ministry, children's ministry, both, or something else! And that's what I want to do. I shouldn't be set on my passion, because who really knows if God has something else in mind. It's mind-blowing to me that God knows everything...and by that, I literally mean everything! What an awesome and magnificent God we serve!
With that, I will conclude with the following verse:
"Therefore I will praise you, LORD, among the nations; I will sing the praises of your name." -2 Samuel 22:50
Thanks for reading! I hope you find yourself blessed this day!
Monday, July 4, 2011
First blog in 5 years!
Hello all!
First of all, Happy Independence Day! I hope you find yourself blessed during this holiday!
This is my first blog ever since I deleted Xanga...which was ages ago...5 years ago, I think? Xanga was totally old school though...does it still even exist? If you don't know me all too well, I'm a junior at Wheaton College in Wheaton, IL, studying piano performance and Christian education & ministry. Going to Wheaton was probably the best decision I've ever made and I'm so glad that God put me there. I'm incredibly blessed!
Oh man, I haven't done this for a while...but I guess I was a little bit inspired by reading many of my friends' blogs with their summer journeys...even if I'm not exactly out of the country doing HNGR or internships or mission trips or others. I've always enjoyed reading others' blogs (including my brother's!), so I figured I'd start one...again. I'm probably not going to write it that much, especially when school starts in a month, so I apologize ahead of time.
If you're reading this, I'm hoping you can walk with me through my spiritual journey, as I discover His plan for my life...as I continue to use my God-given talents for His glory as a musician...and as God reveals His path for me as His daughter. Through this, I'm hoping to grow in my own relationship with Christ, sharing my thoughts and experiences along the way.
Thank you for reading this! I pray that God will continue to bless you and work in your lives, as He is working in mine.
In Christ,
Andrea
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