Praying for 9

Life is really full of ups and downs. In relationships, emotions, physical health, expectations, hopes, and professions!

Right now there are 9 spots in the studio I would like to fill by the holidays. If you know of anyone looking for lessons, please send them my way! Either way, God has been good! He has brought the total of students up to 13 with a few additional hopefuls!

When you have a minute, check out my new website www.studioofstacybell.com!

Not a good blogger... yet

Well, it is official. I am about as good at keeping up with a blog as I am about writing in diaries! :)

First off, I hate triteness and I do not say meaningful things unless I fully intend them. But trust me when I say that God is faithful AND good!

When I started the studio, it was with the intention (and financial necessity) of working a part time job while I built the studio. God has had other ideas. During the month of August, my employer let me know that as of October 1st I would no longer have a place with them. Needless to say it was a scary thought. I applied at several places but that's not what God wanted. Right now God has chosen to provide in other ways which has included bringing several more students my way (with the total rising to 11 lesson-ees after only 3 months and 9 days) as well as potentially opening the door to substitute teach in the local public schools.

It has been overwhelming to see God provide for my little family both personally and professionally. Austin and I were recently reading a excerpt by John Piper which was based out of Matthew 6:34 which reads:
The manna in the wilderness was given one day at a time. There was no storing up. That is the way we must depend on God's mercy. You do not receive today the strength to bear tomorrow's burdens. You are given mercies today for today's troubles. Tomorrow the mercies will be new. "God is faithful, by whom you were called into the fellowship of his Son, Jesus Christ our Lord" (1 Corinthians 1:9 RSV). "Faithful is He who calls you, and He also will act!" (1 Thessalonians 5:24, author's translation). "

Lamentations 3:22-23, It is of the LORD'S mercies that we are not consumed , because his compassions fail not. They are new every morning: great is thy faithfulness.

Putting it all together

The studio is almost entirely put together. I have my books on the shelf, piano all set up, and various other items out for use! There are so many choices to make when starting a business - it is really overwhelming! But, its a growth process!


I have my first student! I will be teaching a 7 year old girl twice a week: once on piano and once in voice. It will definitely be a learning experience. I met with her and another girl (a 12 year old) today. The meeting with the older girl didn't go well, in my opinion. She is amazing but I truly felt my own inadequacies! I think it will be easier to teach her (if she comes back!) now that I have a bit of an idea about her voice, but it was still discouraging.


Funny though, how often discouraging things are followed by encouraging ones! Austin was amazing, supportive, and helpful and I received an email from another potential student. Hopefully this time next week, I'll have 4 lessons to teach every week!

But now, I had better be off to work on advertising and research!

Coming Together...

Today is officially my first day as a self-employed individual. I have a potential job teaching group lessons a week for a piano store and am thankful for my prospective voice students.

Right now I am excited for my first voice lesson with a George Mason University adjunct professor tomorrow morning (is it possibly fate that her name is Debby?!?!?!). And not only that, but I am anxiously awaiting the arrival of my brand new baby grand - a 4'7" Pearl River!

There is a piano store going out of business that I have gone to about 4-5 times now! This is where I found this beauty at a HUGE price reduction. And, not only that, but the manager is opening his own piano store and offered me a job teaching group lessons for beginner tots and beginner adults! Who would have thought?!?!

Now I am looking for a piano teacher... :)

the Studio of Stacy Bell

Well! It's now official! I am opening my voice studio here in Virginia - perhaps I should call it a music studio as I will possibly be teaching piano and guitar as well. Ah well, all in good time!

So, if you know anyone looking for a qualified vocal instructor on the West side of the DC area, please do point them my way! I'll be teaching 30 minute lessons and the first lesson for a new student is free.

And another chapter begins.... da da daaaaaaaa...