The Organist

I belong to the church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints.  It is a church that is run entirely by volunteers.  There are no paid ministers to run the everyday workings of our congregation.  This means members are asked to participate and help out. Over the years I have helped in many different ways.  My volunteer time for the church is a way of life and a large part of life that I enjoy.  I am happy to serve wherever I can.  Sometimes a job is something I am familiar and comfortable with, and other times it is a struggle to learn my role and duties and to perform them well. It's never perfect but always an adventure.
Recently my "calling" (job assignment) changed.  I was asked to play the organ for Sacrament Meeting. Some would think this is no big deal but here is the catch.  I don't know how to play the organ!  What are all those buttons for?   I have two left feet, am I supposed to use those feet on giant pedals to make music?  I am good at playing the piano but the organ has different techniques.  (Think skiing and snow boarding.  They both have the same principle, to get you down a snow covered mountain, but they use very different techniques to get there.)
I have experienced challenges before in a new calling and I have a testimony that when I put effort into it and do my best then the Lord helps me accomplish what needs to be done.  Prayer, lots of prayer is usually the key.  I knew the same would be true for playing the organ.  I got a key to the church and started going to the chapel to play most everyday.  There has been a lot of experimentation with the sound and it is becoming fun. It has been 6 months now and I am getting better.  I wouldn't say that I was good, just better.   Some of what I fear as the organist is that my mistakes will be a distraction from the spirit and if I am going to be completely honest, I fear making a mistake in front of all those people.  I have had to swallow my pride, grow up a little and just deal with it.  Interestingly enough I have found that when I make a mistake the congregation just keeps singing and most of them don't even notice.  I am a lot harder on myself than anyone there would ever dream of being.
A couple of weeks ago a family in the ward was looking to get rid of an organ they had in their home and offered to give it to me.  Wow!  This has made practice time a lot easier and I am grateful for the gift.

Isn't it pretty?

It is a top of the line organ from the late 1960's- early 1970's so the technology is really charming.

Thank you Cindy and Ken.  It has made my practice time scheduling much easier.  

Hopefully one day I will become an accomplished organist.

Odds and Ends

Brook had to make a bridge from toothpicks as part of her Physics class.  She won the competition for the bridge that could hold the most weight.  Congratulations.

Hailey got to spend some time with Dad on the "Snow Machine." 

(That is a snow mobile for those of you not familiar with Idaho vernacular.)

We rented a machine to de-thatch the lawn. 

 It works pretty slick except for all the raking that is needed after!

Tetris.  The game I turn to when I cant sleep.

216 lines level 21

Sierra's Eye

Sierra was born an artist.  While her older sisters are content to find a quiet spot to sit and read a book, Sierra will be writing the stage production of the story, designing, building and painting sets and making costumes. She will not only star in the show but direct it as well.
I learned a long time ago to throw as much away as possible as soon as possible.  If she ever saw me empty a box, use up the last of the peanut butter... (I just realized this list could go on and on and on and on.  You get my drift.)  If there was something that would be garbage to everyone else in the world, she would want it.  "I can make something out of it," was what I heard everyday.
Don't get me wrong.  I love that she is creative, artistic, and full of energy but if I kept everything she ever made out of left over stuff we could be featured on that crazy hoarders T.V. show.  This is no exaggeration.

Lately she has put her creativity into photography.  I love the things she sees through the lens and would like to share just a few of them with you.

Cole had a Birthday, Shout Hooray!

Cole turned 13 clear back in March.  His favorite color is "Camo" (does that really count as a color or did Brad Paisely make that up?)  I like how the inside of the cake turned out but the outside was a little funky.  I guess all that matters is that he liked it.

 John took him to the local grocery store and got him a giant "Texas Donut" for breakfast.  The thing was enormous. 

Happy Birthday buddy-o-pal-o-mine.  You make me proud.