Weekend October 28, 2007

This weekend was an amazing weekend.  I praise God that I got to attend the Extaordinary Women’s conference with my mom and sisters, and it was so uplifting!!  We had a great time together, and there was some amazing worship.  My favorite part of the weekend was the Twila Paris concert on Friday night.  I did like listening to the speakers, expecially Elizabeth George, but for me, God is working in my heart with worship.  True worship.  All of the words to her songs were up on the screen, so you were able to sing along.  It was done with a heart of worship, and many times I found myself moved to tears in the worship.  Now, some people would say that was all emotion, but what it music?  Why do they make soundtracks to movies?  A good classical song can bring me to tears too.  Taking the time to enjoy the words and the message, and think on every thought.  I found a Chris Tomlin version of “My Savior’s Love,” and really enjoy it.  He slows the tempo, and simplifies the chording, and you are left with the words.  A heart-felt thankful prayer.  How uplifting.

Lord, thank you for teaching me about worship.  Thank you for continually changing my heart.  Thank you for allowing me to spend time with you, and for wanting to spend time with me.  I love you.

My Little Musician October 25, 2007

Caleb loves music.  When I was pregnant, he heard mommy teaching lessons about twenty hours a week, so he always listened to music.  Well, now that he is two, it really comes out.  He loves to sing, and he makes up songs about McDonalds and french fries.  He has seen Josh lead music at church, so every once in a while he opens a book, lays it in front of himself, starts to sing and waves his hand up and down.  He likes to sing the “ha, ha, ha” warm-up, and sometimes he plays the piano and sings at the same time.

I have started working with him on the music symbols.  He knows notes, and loves to ask to look at more notes.  We are working on the treble clef and bass clef.

In church, he sings from the pew rather loudly.  Thankfully it is usually during congregational singing.  We never let him sit there during special music, because he would probably sing along.  He also likes to “drum” on about everything.

Ok, now I know that most kids love music, but my favorite thing that Caleb does is when he leads singing.  He actually looks at Josh and I and says “Sing.”  If you don’t, he will come closer to you and say it again.  He will just keep saying it until you give in.  Josh just keeps saying that he’ll have to take Caleb outside and play tackle football after all the music he participates in.  I just smile, and remind him that I played sports as well as music.

Please Pray October 21, 2007

Please pray for a family in our church, Mike and Janelle Smith, and the rest of their extended family.  This morning, Janelle’s two-year old grandson, Jayce Williams, fell out of a second story window and died at the hospital.  His parents, Heather and Jason Williams, also visit our church, and they are all really struggling with this.  I can imagine.  After I found out, I just looked at Caleb and thought “wow.  I can’t imagine losing him.”

Please pray that the family will rest in God, and that many of them will be saved through this.

Humility October 19, 2007

I had a humbling experience last night in my journey of following God’s voice.  I stayed after Ladies Bible Study to talk with a lady from our church about some issues.  She had asked some questions and had some concerns, and the conversation ended up taking an hour.  When I got home, my husband was upset because I was so late, and he had things that he needed to do.  At first, the bothered me, because I thought that I don’t stay late often, and LBS hadn’t even met the last couple of weeks.  But, then God started convicting me about being selfish.  I didn’t think about the fact that Josh probably had some things that needed to get done.  I was wrong, and should have come home.

This jouney is not easy, and I did not want to be wrong last night.  But God continually reminds me that I must follow!!  Last night, I wanted to lead, and with that attitude I was self-centered. 

Thank you Lord, for holding me to my commitment.  Thank you for showing me when I am wrong, and teaching me humulity.  I want to put others first, just like Christ.  I love you.

Meaning October 8, 2007

My sister noticed yesterday the name of this blog, and wondered what in the world it means.  To be honest, I thought a lot about the name and feel for what I wanted to express.  I am a music nerd, so I love to find music terms that can also be used for another meaning – it is one title to represent two aspects of my life.

Colla voce is a music term that means to follow the voice, usually referring to the accompaniment, in style, tempo, and feel.  It also means to me, a musician, that sometimes you have to give up your own agenda to follow someone else’s leading.  Now, I am a vocalist, so often I get to lead, and that is nice!  But, I also often accompany, and in this situation it is my duty to follow them, and to make them look good.

Well, this is also a journey I have been taking spiritually, learning to follow God’s leading and not trying to make myself look good.  That is what this page is about.  The journey of giving up myself.  The journey of allowing God to lead, and for me to follow.  So often I want a certain outcome, so, although I say that I want God’s will and leading, I take it back for myself.  Or, I let myself respond one way, when I know that I shouldn’t respond that way.  I am strong-willed and stubborn, but that is not the attitude of a servant.  And that is what Christ, my example, came to earth to be, a servant.

So, here I am, learning to give up myself.  Not because I should, or because I am supposed to, but because I want to.

Lord, thank you for giving me the ultimate example of how I should live.  I desire to be more like you.  Thank you for your free gift.  I love you.