Music Joys!

 So I haven't had this blog for too long, but I've already kind of failed at updating it.  I sat down many times the past couple weeks to try to write something, but I really could never gather my thoughts enough to figure out what exactly to write.  Today though, I realized that not having my thoughts all perfectly laid out is more than fine for a blog.  After all, this blog should express who I am, and I am not all put together and perfect.  All that to say, my approach to the blog changed today, and I am definitely going to attempt to share my thoughts and whatever else pops into my head on a more regular basis!

Music, Music, Music
Music definitely plays a huge role in my life, and the past few weeks have given me plenty of great new music experiences.  Listening to music is something that I cannot even describe.  I don't think there are many genres out there that I don't enjoy listening to, and I just simply love finding music that fits my mood.  This past week I got Gungor's new album "Ghosts Upon the Earth," and it has been one of the best parts of my week.  If you've never heard of Gungor, I hope you can check them out sometime.  Start with the album "Beautiful Things" and then move on to the new one.  They are group of musicians out of Denver that really focus on how both musicality and lyrics play a role in the worship of God through music.  So many contemporary Christian artists have fallen into the rut of using the same four chords and not straying far from a typical band instrumentation group.  I understand that some music is written simply for the purpose of the lyric that brings glory to God, but growing up as a musician I have always faced the problem in worship of being distracted by the lack of musicality or thinking about how I would do things differently.  Gungor focuses on using not only a strong lyric but also using instrumental music to worship.  They are very intentional in what instruments they use, in the progression of the chords they develop, and even in deciding on who sings what lyric.  It is definitely a refreshing sound.

Being in all music classes except for one this semester scared me a bit because I thought it would get monotonous.  But God has completely given me an exciting new appreciation and love for music.  Practicing oboe is actually something that I look forward to each day, and practicing is proving to be quite beneficial  for my oboe sound.  Plus this semester I began conducting, so I spend many hours with a baton in my hand.  It is so exciting to begin doing what I hope to do in the career world one day.

One other great music joy lately has been all of the big thoughts I've been thinking about lately in regards to music.  I've been thinking about why music is something I enjoy and how music fits into my relationship with Jesus.  Music can be such a solo experience, even when playing with a large group of musicians.  But I've come to see this year that God created music with the intent of community, community with the people around us and community with God.  Music is a gift that God gives me, and playing and studying it is a way of expressing a gift he gave me.  I cannot help but be excited about that.  And getting to give the gift of music back to God with a bunch of other people is even more exciting!

I don't know too many people who aren't affected by music in some way or the other, whether playing or listening or just singing in the shower.  I hope music can be as much of a blessing in your life as it is in mine.    

Sure, Why Not

Blogging is always something that I have thought about doing, but I always just decided that people would not actually want to read about my life and thoughts and that blogging would be too much work.  I finally decided though after seeing how much I have enjoyed reading others' blogs that I would go for it.  In the busyness of being in college, it is easy to forget to reflect on life's journey and all that God has done.  My prayer is that this blog is simply a place that I can reflect and share the mercies that God brings into my life all the time.  It could be something simple like finding a new musician that I want you all to appreciate or just thoughts on what God is doing in my life.  I have learned over the years that God is present in the big things and the little things, and we all have reason to rejoice in everything.

This year as a sophomore in college is full of transitioning.  I'm transitioning into life as not a freshmen, into working several hours a week to begin paying for adult things like loans, gas, and a car payment, into the serious Wheaton College culture after coming off of a summer in the Northwoods of Wisconsin as a camp counselor, and just the constant transition of learning what it means to rest and rely on God in each and every thing I do.  These transitions are hard, but God is good.  I cannot wait to see how God continues to grow me and make this year like no other.

"Let the morning bring me word of your unfailing love, for I have put my trust in you.  Show me the way I should go, for to you I lift up my soul."  Psalm 143:8