It Was A Risk Worth Taking!

Last week Chelsea and I were coming out of 

the Christmas Tree Shoppes store 

when we were met by two Asian men.

They were smiling and issued an invitation

and tickets to an event scheduled for last evening.

The smiling men said it was a Christmas Cantata

produced and performed by a Korean 

Choir.  They assured us it would be well

worth our time.

There wasn't a lot of information about it

other than a large photo book with lots of 

writing in Korean....

which I pointed out that I couldn't read....lol.

I did notice that it was to be held in the smaller theater owned

by Sight and Sound and was fairly certain they wouldn't 

allow anything to happen there that wasn't at least safe.

Interestingly enough, I felt compelled to accept tickets 

for Warren, the moms and I.

Now, remember, the Moms were in Guatemala

at that time so I had no idea what they might

say about going.

But, knowing my Mother's love for other cultures

and especially the Korean people I thought she

would be interested for sure.

You see, when I was a teenager,

we taught Sunday School in a Korean church.

I remember those enthusiastic and smiling 

faces....so earnest in song and when listening to 

the lessons.

We knew of the talent that was possible.

I could only hope that this was something wonderful...

or at the very least tolerable.

Well, it was definitely worthwhile.

The choir rolled into Lancaster yesterday morning

with two semi trucks, several vans and cars....

their bus had broken down in Minnesota.

They set up stages and worked out lighting.

They tuned instruments and ran through their

program on a new stage.

Then we arrived.

We were greeted over and over again

and directed to our seats.

Right up front!

I would be thankful for this later.

Then the program began.

With some teen dancers.

It was cute.

We thought that we could sit through

an evening of aerobics on the stage.

The music was happy Christmas music.

But then came the first of five sets.

An orchestra and choir.

Now, before this had begun the emcee had 

let it be known that every sound we heard was 

live....no recordings of anything.

So...it only now occurred to me that this means 

the choir was singing for the dancers and that the 

orchestra was playing even then.

In our world of recorded music I just assumed

that they were dancing to "canned" music.

There is no way for me to explain to you 

the professionalism of this group.

It was beyond anything I have witnessed live.

The tones were perfect.

Absolutely perfect pitches, breath control and 

instrumental expertise.

I told Warren on the way home that I am not 

easily star struck to the point of wanting to meet 

someone...but I really wanted to shake the hand of the 

conductor.  WOW!!  The music genius there.

Oh.my.goodness!!

They shared the Christmas story in a way that was beautiful

and touching.  I couldn't help but notice that I had never 

seen an all Asian cast performing the Nativity before.

It was beautiful.

They sang songs of hope before and then celebration

after the Christ child was born.

Children of the group members performed

two very adorable dances.

Bringing smiles and laughs by their

antics and then loud applause

and giggles as some of them got caught by the

dropping curtain.  

Too precious!!

There was a very funny sketch about the joy 

of Christmas.

The talents of the group stretched beyond the music.

They can ACT!  

We were laughing so hard at their antics!

Oooh...there is the director.  My hero!

Isn't she sweet?

Made me think of my former music student, Abigail,

who also plays the cello.

We were a much different venue than this group is used

to.  They have sung in the Sydney Opera House and 

Madison Square Gardens.

This was apparently an exploratory event to set up 

for another visit next year.

Am I ever glad we were at the Christmas Tree Shoppes 

when we were.

I'm still trying to wipe the silly grin from my face that 

we were able to enjoy this amazing event.

The message of the gospel was crystal clear 

as they shared in song and then as a Korean Pastor 

from New York preached through an interpreter

to close the evening.

The Gracias Choir is a part of 

International Youth Fellowship.

I'm going to learn more about them....

If you happen to notice that they are coming to 

a city near you....

Please, please take my word for it 

and go.

We were their last stop this year.

But they plan to come back next year.

I can't wait!

Today...

I bet you thought I was going to stay
political?
Well, today I am not.

I may get to see Sarah Palin on Saturday
so if that happens...maybe the Politics will
come back out. Just because that would be
awesome!

The last time I tried to see a major political
figure, it was President Bush in 2004. He was
at the Lancaster Airport and I walked over a
mile one way, went through security and then
stood cross-legged in a port-a-potty line while
he spoke. I could see him from such a distance
that he looked like one of those Little People from
Fisher Price.

So...I am thinking twice...but it would still be
very cool!

But, today is our usual Thursday to take kids to
work, pick them up and run to Co-op. Afterwards
we may go bowling with another family, or two.

What is unusual about today is what God is doing
with the Thanksgiving Program.
It is crazy.

We struggled so hard to find music. Then we ordered
it. It did not come in for the longest time.
Like, I got it last week.
Problem is the accompaniment track
for one of my 4-6th grade songs didn't come. We called.
Out of print for 6 months. We are welcome to call back
and order it then....nice.

Now the concert is just 4 weeks away and I am beginning a
brand new song with that choir.

The song the other choir director chose for the 2/3rd grade
choirs did not work out either so she began working on a new
one last week.

I would be troubled by all of this but I absolutely love what is filling in those spots. The 2/3rd graders will be doing Come, Ye Thankful People Come as one of their pieces and my 4/6th choir will be doing Count Your Blessings! I think we will be having some fun with this song.

This has been a very hard class.
Lots of boys who have an attitude about singing.

I nearly lost it with them last week and literally stopped to pray aloud in the middle of the class. We always open with prayer...but stopping to pray because things were not going well...that was a first.

I talked with them about how I totally understand that singing isn't every one's favorite thing to do, but that they are to do all to the Glory of God. I told them
that if I were in their class, I would hate gym, which is a mandatory class like music. I admitted that I hate to sweat!
The incredulity on those boys faces was funny.
They LOVE to sweat.
We connected.

Then we sang our Thanksgiving Medley again, and it was amazing the difference in attitude and volume.
They really sang!

As soon as we finished the song one young man very enthusiastically shouted,
"See, God is answering your prayer already!"
Thank you, Lord!
I so needed that.

I decided since we really only had the one song to work at to go ahead and play a rhythm game with them. I know that was Inspired. The kids had a blast and their attention and involvement was 100 percent.

This makes me look forward to our Spring Semester when I teach fundamentals of music in fun...and often corny...ways.

So, God is reshaping my vision for this concert. It is becoming more "Me" anyway. I love the hymns and I love having our young people learn them. The words of these songs come back to you in the best and the worst of times.

Long post today....

Hope you made it through....

May God Richly Bless You as You Go About This Day.

Becky K.

Ticklebelly Road

When I was a teenager there was
a road that we frequently drove
over. This road was filled with
those abrupt drops that
make your belly tickle.

Do you know what I mean?

It was always fun to ride on
that road, especially if one
was going just a bit faster than
the speed limit. That means that
it was much more fun if Mom was
driving...tee-hee.

One day we were taking some
neighbor children to an event
of some kind and they got all
excited because they called that
road Ticklebelly Road and they loved
to go over it. Cute!
That name stuck for us ever after.

Well, this morning I am no where
near Ticklebelly Road but I feel
as if I am on it.

This is the first day of Homeschool
Co-op. I am excited and nervous,
all at the same time.

Two choirs are expecting me to get
them started toward our goal of the
Thanksgiving Concert. I know there
are those in the 4-6th grade class who
are resistant to the idea of singing in
a choir. Their participation at this age
is not optional...therefore out of the
46 young people that will be in front of
me likely half would not have chosen this
for themselves and a quarter of those will
show that fact on their faces.

I am seeing this as a big fat challenge.
A challenge to win them over to a love of music.

I know I won't be one hundred percent successful
but with this as a mission, I will surely win some.

So...with a tickle in my belly...I am off to
begin an intense ten weeks.

Have a great day!

Becky K.

Another Award and Thanksgiving Music

Alicia has surprised me with yet another award.

Wow! What a week.

Thank you, Dear Alicia.
I was just at Alicia's Blog to get the link and, oh my, she is ready for fall. Love the new look, Alicia!

I am going to offer this to any reader
who has commented in the last month.

You know who you are...and Kelly that
means you too. I have been loving your
posts! Great job at getting your blog
underway!




Girls At The Piano

I met with our other Co-op Choir director yesterday
to see what options she had picked up for music to
use in our Thanksgiving Concert. We were supposed
to go together to look at music but that was during
the time that I was so terribly sick...so bless her
heart she went alone.

We have never done a Thanksgiving Concert so it will
be fun and different. The music is challenging and I
am willing to learn some of it, however, we only have
nine weeks to work with the choirs before the performance
so I have decided that we will do two complicated pieces
per choir that I direct and one praise chorus done chorally.

One of the more challenging pieces will be performed by three
choirs combined. Of course this adds to the complexity of
the entire program so I am beginning to feel it in the pit
of my stomach. However, I am sure that our kids will pull
it off.

This will be my second year directing the 4-6th grade choir as well
as the High School Ensemble. Both have more members this year than
last so that is comforting. Why? Couldn't tell you...it just is.

I look forward to including some short drama pieces and American
Sign Language into the program. We will have involvement from
all classes beginning with the Preschoolers. They can do nothing
wrong. Soooo cute!

I am sure that as things progress
I will be commenting here about it.
Whether I am panicked or pleased.

Well, I think I hear life calling me away
from the computer...

so...

You have a blessed Day...

"see" you soon!

Down From His Glory...

When Dad was still living we had a favorite song to sing together. We would sing it as we traveled to churches with a group we sang with years ago. The last time we sang it, however, was in our tiny church. Pastor Mike played and we sang. The song
was called "Down From His Glory". The words are wonderful, they go like this:

Oh, how I love Him
How I adore Him
My breath, my sunshine
My all in all
The great Creator
Became my Savior
And all God's fullness
Dwelleth in Him

Down from His Glory
Ever living story
My God my Savior came
And Jesus was His name
Born in a manger
To His own, a stranger
A Man of sorrows, fears and agony

Oh, how I love Him
How I adore Him
My breath, my sunshine
My all in all
The great Creator
Became my Savior
And all God's fullness
Dwelleth in Him

Without reluctance
Flesh and blood His substance
He took the form of man
Revealed the hidden plan
Oh, glorious myst'ry
Sacrifice of Calv'ry
And now I know Thou wert the great "I am"

Oh, how I love Him
How I adore Him
My breath, my sunshine
My all in all
The great Creator
Became my Savior
And all God's fullness
Dwelleth in Him

The lyrics were written by William E. Booth-Clibborn
The Music by Eduardo di Capua-1921

This violin version is awesome!
Read the words along with his playing to
get a major blessing on this Sunday!



Someday I hope to sing this with Daddy again but with my glorified
body and voice. To sing this with my whole heart to my Precious Savior
who gave His very life for little old me!

Have a thankful Sunday!

Becky K.

I am getting nervous!

It is hitting me now...tomorrow is our concert. The kids in the two choirs I direct are the sweetest kids on this planet. Yes, they are!

The nerves are beginning to set in, for me! You see, I am not a professional musician. I have sung forever! It was as natural as breathing for my Dad and myself. We harmonized together at the dinner table, or in the car or just at home for no good reason. Then as a teen and young adult I sang in a group that traveled to Churches to perform concerts. This was a very good experience, but did not teach me to "direct" a choir. It did introduce me to my husband, however. He was our "Sound Man". He made me sound good, so I snagged him to have with me always. Tee-hee.

For the first couple of years we attended our Co-op I was the helper in the choirs with Cindy, a certified music instructor. She taught those kids with a firm hand and they learned the songs to a technical "T". Then she got up on concert night and directed with flair. Turning to bow to the audience at just the right times and all of that. Cindy moved to Nebraska. I am not Cindy!

I am the one that wants the music to be fun! To instill a love of it. I hope that the end results are nearly as good. I have tried to remember what was technically important to Cindy and have hopefully gotten that across. But, here is my dilemma.
I am a pacer!
Because the 4-6th grade choir is so big they were quite spread out in the room we have been meeting in. I have gotten into a terrible habit of walking back and forth to listen and make eye contact, encourage, etc. I am terrified that during the concert I will revert to this pacing instead of holding my proper place. One of my friends after hearing this concern assures me that some directors are very entertaining....NO, that is not what I want. I want to be invisible! I do not want to be entertaining! So, I am seriously hoping that my brain tells my feet to stand still tomorrow evening.

There is one girl in my 7-up choir that loves to tell me..."You can't talk out loud to us during the concert" or "You better not stomp your foot like that during the concert". She is in a County choir and seems to be constantly comparing this experience to that. All I can say is she'd better get over it...that is that experience and this is another one altogether! But does she really have that little confidence in me to think that I would do those things??? Yikes!

Oh well, I have enjoyed this year immensely. After tomorrow evening it will be over and all will be well. I know the kids are ready and the parents and grandparents will absolutely love them. I will stay in my spot and be cool as a cucumber...on the outside. Only you, dear friends, will know the fear and trepidation with which I enter this concert.

Keep me in your prayers, will you?

The Mom's Tea

Last evening found me at Mrs. Rabe's home (Creekside Cottage). It is beautiful all decorated up for fall. I wish you could all see it. She had these two pumpkins each with one of her house numbers carved in them beside the driveway...candles lit to display the numbers...to welcome her guests. The teacups and the scones screamed welcome. The guests were welcomed to enjoy any of the several seating areas prepared throughout the home...we all enjoyed each other's company in the living room, chatting away. Oh, I plead with you, Mrs. Rabe to post some lovely pictures of that chandelier and some of your other lovelies. It was so nice! Thanks for being the great hostess you are. It is much appreciated!

While I am on this subject I must compliment Mrs. Rabe's daughters on their hospitality and helpfulness. Linsy and Emily are young women who see things that need to be done and truly serve. Several times I think I saw Emily refilling cookie plates and "fluffing" the table. I was blessed by the time spent with them last evening, as well. Thanks Linsy, for showing me the 11 puppies. They are so precious!

I woke this morning with a Christmas song in my head. I know it is early but I am directing the 4-6th grade choir at Co-op and the 7-up girl's ensemble. This means that we are working on Christmas music and when I least expect it one of those songs comes to me. So...this morning it was...Ring the Bells! Ring the Bells! Let the Whole world know...Christ was born in Bethlehem...many years ago! There are 38 4-6th graders and they really enjoy this song. I wish you could hear them bellowing these words. I used that word on purpose because that is exactly what some of the boys do...they bellow! We will be working on that as soon as they have the words memorized. But their enthusiasm is fun! Their second song is an arrangement of The Most Wonderful Time of the Year. Too cute! Now, as long as we can get all of the details pulled together in the next 4 weeks or so....
The 7-up girls are singing a Puerto Rican Folk Hymn called Come to Set us Free. It is really fun and the girls are getting it now. Thirteen beautiful girls and thier voices. No bellowing here. I am hoping to find a little more "bellow" for them to share so that they will be heard and enjoyed. It will come. They are also singing a great arrangement of Joyful, Joyful to the World. This is such a neat arrangement of Joy to the World and Joyful, Joyful, We Adore Thee. Some of the words to Joyful, Joyful have been modified for Christmas.
So, anyway, this morning my creative juices were flowing as I thought of new ways to get the 4-6th graders loving this class. So far the parent feedback is good. The boys are singing these songs at home during the week...that makes my week! Even better, the boys that are excited are some of the least music loving boys in the class...according to them. So, Praise God, it would seem that they are getting it.
I love our Co-op! It is so vital to have the community of other families to share our experiences with. After the Tea last evening I came back to my home with two other Moms whose daughters had stayed here to hang out with Chelsea and we enjoyed more fellowship for a while. We talked with the girls about the things that they are exposed to in their music and games and even TV. It was a very valuable time. So natural. A captured moment. I pray that the friendships made now will be examples of the kinds of relationships these girls seek in life. It would be even better if these friendships were lifelong...but only the Lord knows how that will go.

Well, I have rambled long enough. Have a truly blessed day and rejoice that
HE Came to Set us Free! If you don't have a clue what I am writing about...the Freedom that comes from the Lord...email me. I'll share what HE has done in my life and why I am so grateful!

Unbelievable!

I just went upstairs to find my 16 year old son listening to Celtic Instrumental Music...

on his own!

I had absolutely nothing to do with it!

This is my oldest child, who loves Christian Rock!

Usually the heavier the better!

Just thought I would share because I am amazed!

This is a moment for celebrating!

Really, he is laying on the couch, remote in hand

as he flips through the songs

on the CD.

Shocking!

Great!