Journey to the Heart

My heart can't even begin to explain all that has happened this summer, or even this fall already!  God is so good.  No, you don't understand.  He is really good.  Always.  Still have questions?  Read again.  He is good.  If you don't believe it, talk to Him about it - the problem lies in that your faith is small, not that He is small.

I never thought in my wildest dreams that I would be heading to a Journey to the Heart as an assistant leader this September.  But God's plans brought me there, and I still cherish every ounce of it that my memory retains.

When you attend a Journey, you go there to seek God.  But when you go there as a leader, you go to seek God about 10 times as much - you go to Him constantly for the needs of the girls on your team and others in leadership.

I was blessed with seeing God so much clearer these last couple of weeks.  I felt Him draw near to me in a way that asked something more from me.  Would I live all sold out for Him?  For reals?  As in not fearing to speak up when others are silent, to strike up conversation about the Gospel when others dared to hold on to their right to remain silent, to spend my time dedicated to His work, to make disciples, to hold to the truth even when stepping back doesn't seem so sinful, to reaching out with a smile when others distance you with their ear buds in.  In a word, going out of my way to show God how much I honor and cherish Him.  Isn't that what you do with someone you love?   

As I debated between a quick nap and a kayak trip across the lake, I felt like I needed the alone time with God to hear His voice - I can never get enough of it.  Tearing across the lake with my paddle, I spied an eagle soaring effortlessly above the crimson forest, and I felt God tugging at my heart to settle in and listen - He had something to tell me.  I was called to be that eagle.  Letting go of the "safe" footing of the earth and soaring heaven bound - not near the trees, but in the clouds.  I had been playing it too safe - not venturing too far spiritually to face rejection.  Watching how easily this eagle sailed through the air, caused me to realize that as we stay close to the ground but lift our feet off a little, we don't catch the currents that make our "yoke easy and burden light."   It was time to take flight and leave it all behind - so I have. www.livingthejourney.com

The pictures in the slideshow below will give you a small glimpse of our time there.  We had crazy times, we had focused times, but most of all - we cherished time with God Himself.  The Duggar girls were part of our leadership, and you will see some photos of the live webinar that featured our Journey with their input, us team leaders hiding a stuffed bear on the trails that the girls were to walk alone with God :), and lots of hearts bound together as we sought the Lord.

Journey to the Heart

Summer is coming... Are you ready?

When you walk down the path, squinting to keep out the sawdust from the roarin' chainsaw, smell manure going into the garden, gasp in awe over the sparkling new budding leaves, you know that summer must be on its way - and for us in Minnesota, that's finally!  Here at our home, it also means staying out of parts of the woods because the bears are cranky coming out of hibernation...

But one thing is for sure, for our family, summer means camp!  Yes, the vibrant Sforzando String Festival is budding rapidly like the underbrush, and we are anticipating an exciting time.  Check out the new website for the camp:  http://www.sforzandostringfestival.blogspot.com/.  And, if you're a violinist, it's time to register for camp :) 

Fall Workshop

This fall, we had an amazing time at our "Your Wits on Fritz" workshop!  It was more like a full day party... :)  Earlier in the fall, I did some research, as did a friend of mine, and preparation for the event began.  I read some great material on violinist/composer Fritz Kreisler, and put together a 63 question quiz based on some insightful - some wacky - information about his life.  And the students got the quiz and started the open book test.  They were on teams, so they could collaborate and search for answers.  As the day drew nearer, I began sending out some of the answers myself.  And since I had access to information they didn't - yay for music libraries at University! - I knew that they needed some help.  Mr. Bauder also did his homework, and put together a great presentation for us all about the life of Kreisler, the time in which he lived, and the influence on his music.

As the competition began, students put away their papers and drew from their memory and teamwork.  Nearing the final rounds, the wagering of points began...  They did so well - and enjoyed the process!  Of course we had to include a moonlight forest walk, Lasagna dinner, campfire, video documentary, games, tractor rides, and s'mores :)  Maybe you want to teach violin... It's too much fun!

Oh, and by the way, did you know that Fritz Kreisler's wife once bought 2000 pairs of shoes?  Any idea as to what she was planning on doing with those?  Comment and ask if you want to know - and I'll give out the answer!

Fall Workshop 2012