Avalon High

Today I was watching a really fun movie: Avalon High. (Check out Wikipedia: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Avalon_High for details).

I don't know about the rest of the world but, when I watch Epic movies (Lord of the Rings, Chronicles of Narnia, etc) I often have a huge emotional let down afterward. I feel like my life will never amount to that much... and then I hear The Still Small Voice reminding me that my life is a part of the greatest Epic adventure ever told: God's story! True I may be a small part (but maybe I'm not!). The point is, my job is to be in a position to be ready to rise to any occasion my Author decides to throw me in to. I mean, what if Lucy had dilly-dallied through her chores and never hid in the wardrobe to begin with because she didn't have time to play? What if during his many years of wandering (a seemingly futile existence) Aragorn had given up on his supposed destiny?

Or what if Jesus Christ had looked through the course of history, seen all those who would choose not to love and trust Him, and chosen not to come to be my Savior. Your Savior dear friends!

Be always ready to give answer for the hope that is in you (1 Peter 3:15).

Life is a great adventure - live to prepared for the next step: whatever it may be!

Reading

Today I was reminded of two things:

Once decisions have been made and events are set in motion you can't always change them. BUT you can choose how you respond: glass half full or glass half empty. Always keeping the big picture of how GREAT and GOOD my God is and has been to me helps for sure!

Then I was reading a book I was given 13 years ago (I was only a pre-teen!)... the story is chalked full of little situations when someone uses words or general expressions of kindness that change the heroine's outlook and, ultimately, her life. As a teacher I have alot of opportunity to raise up my kids... as a wife I have even more (and that's not even considering as a daughter, sister, and friend)!

Two concepts that seem totally overwhelming: choosing to have a sunny outlook and sharing that sunny outlook with others.

BUT "I can do all things through Him who strengthens me" (Philippians 4:13). That's a promise!

Broadening Perspective

I have been doing a lot of thinking this evening - mostly about not being lazy. I live an "enchanted" life of working only part time for near full-time pay. This job means I am home, I sleep in, and I read for hours on end. It also means that it is easy for a person lacking in discipline (::cough, cough::) to be lazy and just get by. You know: vacuuming but not dusting, spot cleaning the bathrooms, and stacking all the random odds-n-ends behind closed doors.

Not the least important aspect of my show of laziness is my physical state! I have a wonderful husband/best friend who works in outdoor education. This means lots of hiking, camping, kayaking, canoeing, rock climbing, biking, etc... And sadly, I am not in the right kind of physical shape to really enjoy and participate in these activities with him. I believe that right at the top of my priorities to be healthy so that I am available to participate in life. Tonight I was revisiting needing to be focused this week.

I had been thinking all these thoughts and planning all my ambitious goals when I stopped to read a bit and talk to The Best Friend. He showed me a story about an older gentleman (in his 70s) who went on a missions trip and was able to hike 3 miles up a mountain to witness to another elderly gentlemen native to the country. And I thought, I need to be in shape! I want to be healthy and active when I'm in my 70s! When we start our camp out West, I want to be able to do everything my sweet hubby needs/wants me to do with him!!!!! Taking care of our bodies is honoring to the Lord and it is a good testimony (ouch!).

"Be diligent to present yourself approved to God, a worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth." 2 Timothy 2:15

A Season of Ups and Downs

The summer has definitely flown by - faster then any of my life so far (or at least, that how it seems right now).

Highlights since I last posted:

• The Studio had its first recital - a very happily successful recital!
  
• I have officially been a small business owner and teacher for one year (as of July).
  
• You can now find the Studio of Stacy Bell on facebook as "the studio of Stacy Bell" (local business)
  
• My first student has auditioned for a college music program and begins her college education in a few short weeks.
• 5 students signed up for lessons over the summer.
  
• 2 students have moved discontinued lessons (one has moved to a private school and the other is taking from a teacher closer to home).
  

Overall, it has been an exciting year!

The fall is yet a mystery as I am waiting to hear from 4 students if they will return after their summer breaks. The unknown can be difficult but then again, knowing everything is boring! And with the unknown, God shows His great grace by giving His peace.

I believe that God brings students and their families across my path that He knows will learn from me (and that I need to learn from). It is so fulfilling to see them progress musically and to try to encourage them in the building of their world-view (whether it be from talking through sexuality and morality as they relate personally to my students or encouraging developing "simple" aspects of character like perseverance, discipline, and time management). I know that ultimately it is their view of God and His Word that will shape all the other aspects of their lives, but I learned (from two of my favorite teachers) to take people where they are at.

It is my great privileged to be a part of educating young musicians and to be a part of their lives.