"LOOK WHAT THE LORD HAS DONE!"

Good evening! TGIF. What is it about Fridays we look forward to and enjoy..even if it is just sitting around on the front porch. Weather has been so nice the past few days…the change is coming in later this evening. Let’s enjoy the time on the porch while we can.

Already fed the horses and the rest of the critters in the barnyard and filled up the water. After our little chat I plan on doing a little paperwork, maybe reading, we’ll see.

Anyway, talking about Tim and his’ feet on the ground’ and I briefly mentioned our family and music. I am the ‘odd man or in this case woman’ in that I really don’t play any musical instruments. Preacher gave me a few lessons on the piano/organ using chords. I practiced and got a few songs down but just didn’t seem to have,. time or opportunity. So be it.

Anyway, Preacher and his family have a talent and gift for music. A gift is probably more the correct word. Preacher started his piano lessons early. He didn’t get to take them very long…That’s another story too. Someday.

I was reflecting upon our family and music. Preacher and I from the beginning had music as a part of our lives. We had our favorite songs through the years of dating. Back then there wasn’t much to listen to in the ‘gospel’ field except the quartets, some trios, etc. Preacher and I even began singing together way back then. Preacher and I didn’t have too many exciting dates, we had 3 choices: church, church and church. We did eat out as a treat…usually Frisch’s…due to my family’s situation I had not eaten ‘out’ much (I was 15 and had my first McDonald’s hamburger….back when you walked up to window and they were about 19 cents)…so to eat at some fancy place like Frisch’s, was a real treat. Preacher has treated me to many a good meal through the years. Preacher for the most part has treated me like his queen…hey, that must make him my king (notice with a little k…I only have one King with a capital K!

Anyway, Preacher and I wanted about 8 kids…ended up with 4…just right. We knew each of the four children was a blessing and special indeed. Our dreams for each of them was not to be lawyers, doctors and such…but to find their own calling and place in the Lord’s work. To equip them and do our part, we decided early on, maybe after they had taken their second step, to get them involved in music.


I remember the girls’ first musical endeavor was with tambourines! Lori could barely walk and I remember the Christmas those two got tambourines. Lori’s was almost as big as she was. We have a picture of her holding hers in the cutest little red dress-her little Christmas dress. For years it was the tradition to get the girls little Christmas dresses. It so sweet to hear Julie does the same thing…although now it’s more like Christmas outfits…not too many little girls wear dress now.

Anyway, so Julie was barely 6 and through a relative on Glen’s side we found a piano teacher. We took her to the lesson-the teacher was a young lady but lived in an older Victoria house in Ft. Thomas…when we visit Kentucky I pass that house several times because my dear mother lives within walking distance. Anyway, Julie and her lessons. We had managed to get an old piano and Julie faithfully practiced. And Those little red John Thompson (I think is the name) piano books.


A few years later we felt like selling everything..absolutely everything, buy a travel trailer and evangelize. When we did this, there was no remorse, no second guessing the Call. We just did it.
There were ups and downs along the way. Many times it was a walk of faith, but this is all part of the molding and making our of children and who they are. Back to the move, we just had an ongoing ‘yard sale’ and sold each piece of furniture and other ‘things’. Little Julie came home from school one day and in disbelief exclamined’ “You sold my bed, You sold my bed”. At that time we had her the cutest little princess white bedroom set with a gold trimmed bed, dresser and if I recall a chest, too. It was darling. Sorry, Julie, yes we sold your bed and everything else EXCEPT the few personal items we could put in the travel trailer.

No piano lessons for a while. But little Julie became part of our ‘music’ ministry. A little thing but not afraid to step up and sing. We evangelized until we found out we would be blessed with another little baby. The rest of that story will continue later. Anyway, we felt led to settle in the Hampton/Newport News, Virginia area. When we finally settled in a little home-and began putting a little house together-we decided that we would buy a brand new Baldwin piano! Quite pricey at the time-but we still have that piano. We have carried it all over the country, many a song has been played on that piano, and many little hands have practiced on those ivory keys. It is scratched up but represents so many memories. Preacher and I will still sing around it every once in a while. When the grandkids come they bang on it. But that’s OK.

Anyway, music has been and still is a very big part of our little family’s life, ministry and calling. At one time we had all four of our little ones taking piano lessons at one time. We encouraged them to get involved in school and church music programs. Preacher and I have ‘enjoyed’ many a school band program, fine arts competitions and on and on.

As I was reflecting on how important music is to our family. What might NOT have been if Preacher and I had not put in the time, effort and what little resources we had into music for our children. When I think of the ministries each of them are involved in, music is central. Tim, music minister at Longview. Tim was not the best piano student! He rarely practiced and just didn’t show a lot of interest in his early career. He played trombone and guitar and of course piano. But, look what the Lord has done with the seeds planted in his life! There’s more to this story later. What about Julie? Her musical training is now being utilized by her involvement with the children’s music ministry and the choir at Firewheel. What about Lori? Playing the flute for many a praise and worship song and her stepping into playing the piano and leading worship for the church her and Aaron would pastor. Even Joe who has giftings in communicating the Word has had his moments in playing the guitar and if he really needed to, could probably play the piano!

Anyway, when you look in the Word, music, singing, praise, worship-how vital it is and how much it is a part of our relationship with God.

This legacy is being passed down to the little ones-all eight of them. Take a look at Joe’s blog and see little Justice dancing to music. Kaylin can sing out like a little super star all while staying on perfect pitch. Karese has shown interest in music with his ‘singing’ and dancing. Kaden has already had his share of musical instruments: drums, little pianos. Camryn, Caleb and Lukie and even Jace all are poised and ready to receive the paton and carry on the ministry.

Music…it soothes, heals and blesses. Such a wonderful part of our life. So from my front porch to yours….’Sing unto the Lord a new song”….and let’s rejoice together!