jill.musick

Saturday was the 2nd Music Recital of the fall. Music recitals give our students a chance to perform their polished pieces on stage for family, friends, and dorm staff.

I opened the recital by reading from 1 Corinthians 4:

⁵For what^(O) we proclaim is not ourselves, but Jesus Christ as Lord, with^(P) ourselves as your servants^[b] for Jesus’ sake. ⁶For God, who said,^(Q) “Let light shine out of darkness,”^(R) has shone in our hearts to give^(S)the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.

⁷But we have this treasure in^(T) jars of clay,^(U) to show that the surpassing power belongs to God and not to us.

Musical instruments are like jars of clay. The instrument itself isn’t very impressive, but the music that comes out of them displays the treasures of musicianship, practice, and skill. Students performing at the recital gave the audience the treasure of music using unimpressive instruments. Pianos, violins, cello, trumpet and voices became the simple backdrop for beautiful music.

Our lives are much the same. When we have an unimpressive appearance, the treasure of Christ in us looks that much more impressive. When God does a great work through a great person, others often credit that person with doing something amazing. But when God does a great work through humble, insignificant people (jars of clay), He gets all the credit.

I am a jar of clay. Use my simple life to display Your power and glory, Lord!

What is hope?

In the Old Testament, there were several different words that we translate into “hope.” Some of the definitions include:

• Eager Anticipation
• Object of Longing
• Confidence
• Trust
• Something waited for
• To confide in
• To trust
• To wait

The Greek, however, had only 2 words for hope:

• “to expect or confide; thing hoped for, trust”
• “to anticipate with pleasure; expectation or confidence

Nowadays we use “hope” to mean “thing I want to happen in the future” or “to wish for.” In religious contexts, hope and faith become these magic words – “Everything will be ok – I have hope!” But using the words like this will not help us in reality. They may make us feel good about a bad situation, but they will not change the situation.

What can we hope in? What can we have faith in? If we take the “wait” definition of hope, imagine you are waiting for a bus. It is reasonable to wait for the bus and hope that it will come on time. If the bus is reliable, it will come approximately on time and bring you to your destination at the intended time. Let’s say, though, that you are waiting for a bus; you check the schedule and suddenly realize the next bus isn’t due for another 45 minutes! It would be folly to “hope” that the bus would come early. You were trusting in a bus that was not going to come.

What if we do that in real life? Let’s say a close family member is sick with cancer. Can your hope make this person better? It sounds good to say “hold on to hope,” but is hope itself able to rescue you?

“Hope in God, for I shall again praise Him” – Ps. 42:5

If our hope is in God, we can wait on Him. He is the trustworthy One who will always come right on time.

“But those who wait on the Lord will renew their strength;  they will mount up with wings like eagles’; they will run and not be weary, they will walk and not be faint.” – Is. 40:31

We cannot wait on our circumstances to have joy. Our circumstances may never improve. Rather, we wait on God and we will have joy in whatever the circumstance.

One excellent example of a man who waited on God rather than his circumstances is Chinese Pastor Zhang Rongliang. Last Sunday was the International Day of Prayer for the Persecuted Church; as my roommate Emily and I were praying for various persecuted Christians in the world, we came across this man’s story. During his time in prison, many Christians around the world worked to get him out. He, however, said he was “glad they failed” because his time in prison gave him the unique opportunity of reaching people with the Gospel, since prison ministries are not allowed! If his hope were in freedom, this man would be depressed. Yet his hope is in God, so his imprisonment became fodder for thankfulness.

Where is your hope? Do you have hope in God that leads to thankfulness?

Two weeks to go until the show,

“What’s a Seuss? Does anybody know?”

wondered a befuddled flute player

his understanding couldn’t be grayer.

He’s an author, I explained,

my expression somewhat pained.

A wacky children’s writer,

and a goofy old blighter!

I remembered in a pinch

That infamous Christmas Grinch

A name known by all,

even this bunch could recall!

Seussical the Musical,

on stage for 3 nights

Fantastic and Spastical,

gave me a semester of frights!

The cast were trained by Suzanne,

with help from Helen and LeeAnn.

I directed the pit, you see,

yet there were problems none could foresee!

It all began one warm September day,

when the scores arrived – hip hip hooray!

Suddenly I realized the size of the job

My poor little heart began to throb.

Marit and I divided the stack

At last we were ready to attack!

The first rehearsal had me worried;

Did we have time? Would we be hurried?

“The notes are too high!”

“Six sharps? Oh my!”

“When do I play?”

“I’m quitting today!”

We had challenges galore –

notes missing from the score –

oh no, what a bummer!

We didn’t even have a drummer.

We tried and tried, but to no avail.

The notes wouldn’t align; the accidentals prevailed.

Our project was doomed to be a fail;

I begged to be thrown into musical jail.

One day, I heard via grapevine

of a drummer- how divine!

I laughed with mirth;

he had worked for Vic Firth!

Our tempos secured,

sharps and flats procured,

we tried it with the cast

and once again were aghast!

Hidden modulation,

discombobulation,

sudden cuts,

Help us!

What did we do?

We tried everything in Who

from gray pencil lines,

to secret hand signs.

Gradually the orchestra magic won.

The group began to think as one!

Somehow the orchestra played on

And uncertain soloists stayed on!

Performance nights arrived with a thrill,

“It’s here, are you excited, Jill?”

We dressed in stripes and black,

No player or actor could slack!

The audiences loved it, singing along

applauded every bit, breaking into song.

What a success! What a craze!

And now I dream in a Seussical daze!

Last week was a very blessed birthday week.

Monday I was kidnapped from HBR where I was dorm subbing and taken blindfolded to a surprise party at Kristi, Anna, and Emily’s apartment – full of laughter, food, games, balloons, blessing and friends. I did not suspect a single thing until the bandana went over my eyes!

Tuesday one of my students brought cupcakes by the house because she thought she had missed my birthday the day before. Emily also gave me a card and started the “Birthday Countdown: 3 Days and a Wake-Up.”

Wednesday the small group girls sang Happy Birthday to me (props for best “Woo”) and Emily had another card and countdown.

Thursday was another card/countdown from Emily. My German friends at band hinted that they have something to give me, but I’m not sure when it will appear.

Friday I arrived at school to find my office decorated with streamers and balloons. Marit, Emily, and some students had done it the day before. During 2nd period I went to an “Unbirthday Tea Party” hosted by the Independent Living (i.e. Home Ec) classes. For dinner I went over to the Watsons’ house and had a birthday dinner complete with “Highs and Lows” of the year and traditional birthday cake followed by a game of Dominion, which I somehow managed to win. After my adopted family birthday party, I went home and Skyped my real family and opened some cards and gifts from home.

Saturday was my actual birthday. It started with an early morning run to Sausenburg (the local castle ruin). Emily, the other Emily, and Kristi had hidden my last birthday card up at the castle, so they wanted me to go up there and find it. Incidentally, I got to watch a beautiful sunrise highlighting golden leaves. Then Emily made me breakfast and I was off to an all-day rehearsal for Seussical the Musical. The pit orchestra sang Happy Birthday to me and drew a large sign on the whiteboard. After an exhausting day, I came home and ate dinner with several good friends. Then Marit and Emily gave me a gift that made my day (and Emily’s) – sheet music for The Lark Ascending! We had a little slumber party complete with violin duos (improvised), chocolate chip popcorn (I’d explain it, but you only understand once you try it), pumpkin chocolate chip cookies, and Tangled (an attempt at getting something besides Seussical stuck in our heads). It was a delightful evening.

Sunday was a restful day. Due to Daylight Savings, we had an extra hour to make up for the late night. We ate waffles, bacon and hash browns compliments of Emily’s generosity and cooking skills.

Monday (Today) my guitar class sang Happy Birthday in approximately 5 languages. All at once. It was not the most stirring rendition, but appreciated nonetheless (I think Russian was probably the most prominent of the simultaneous birthday wishes).

This birthday week was a reminder to me that I am loved, and that there are people here who are willing to go out of their way to show love. It was such a blessing to me to be served; I hope to be that kind of caring servant to others in the things of daily life here in this community. I’m thankful for the friendships I have here, friendships that teach and challenge me and make me feel like I belong here. It takes time to develop relationships, but it is well worth it!

Out of darkness, fog, and low ground

Into morning light, clear air, and high ground.

Yesterday I did something most people don’t do of their own free will with a Saturday morning. I woke up at 6am, ran uphill for an hour and a half, and watched the sun rise from the top of Hoch Blauen, the biggest hill in the area.

At first there was darkness. It was cold; if there had been enough light, I would have seen my breath. I took a head lamp so I could see my dark, tree-lined path up the mountain. Occasionally my view of the path was obscured by eerie fog meandering through the hillside. An owl hooted in the distance; a Something rustled the dry leaves on the right side of the path. I ran on, ever upward in the darkness. There was a numbness during this time; a numbness of mind and of body. My mind could not fathom the distance I must still climb, while my body could not comprehend this irrational desire to be out in the cold while even the sun slept. Yet the numbness kept me going – don’t think, just move. Movement is warmth. Movement is life.

After about 45 minutes, I was above the fog. The moon smiled down at my ragged breathing. Halfway there.

The steeper half of the ascent began. I was thankful I had traversed this path before in the daylight; it is much easier to go down a familiar path in darkness when I have been there previously with all my senses at full capability. Soon I realized there was light beyond the path, beyond my artificial illumination. There are no words for the soaring my heart felt as I switched off the head lamp and allowed the orange glow of new morning to light my path.

As I saw the beauty growing behind the scraggly trees, I feared the color would fade by the time I reached the top. Wishing I had left sooner, I hurried still higher. “Lord, please hold the sky for me. Let me see your beauty, unobstructed!” Up, up, up the path past the multi-direction intersection. Left at the T intersection. Right up the narrow path through rocks, boulders, and pine trees; the restaurant and tower were in view at last! I was there.

The elevation difference isn’t enough to warrant a change in breathing capability, but I found myself gasping as I took in the view from the top. It was truly breathtaking, and these pictures cannot capture it all.

I also had a change of perspective at the top – rather than being an obstruction, the fog became a thing of beauty. From the top, the clouds and fog became oceans of cotton, edged with shores of wooded hills.

Buried down under that downy sea was Kandern, the starting point of my journey, now invisible and awaiting the sun’s rays to peel back the cover.

Just before 8:00, the first glimmer of red sunlight forced its way over the distant hills. The slowness of its rising evoked a sense of awe within me.

Part of the world is in great darkness and fog. Just as people couldn’t see the sunrise from Kandern, many people are at a place spiritually right now where they do not recognize the Risen Son. They are clouded by doubts, living in valleys of lies. The truth is, Jesus has risen.

“Arise, shine, for your light has come, and the glory of the LORD has risen upon you. For behold, darkness shall cover the earth, and thick darkness the peoples; but the LORD will arise upon you, and his glory will be seen upon you.”  – Isaiah 60:1-2

I love running in the light. I don’t have to watch my steps so carefully, and the rustlings in the woods are not so worrisome because I can see beyond my nose. Running downhill in the light was a definite change from running uphill in darkness. Shafts of orange light spotlighted trees, leaves, and bushes, eliciting smiles of delight with whispers of praise from my heart.

As I ran back down to the valleys, the fog enveloped me once again. I didn’t really want to go back into it; I liked the warmth of the sun and the beautiful views.

Yet I was still able to take joy in the fog. Rather than adding to the difficulty of an uphill struggle in the darkness, the fog became a decoration of my easy trek downward. I was thankful I could still see my path without the dreary light of a head lamp.

There was something special about the way the trees looked soft rather than harsh and spiky. It reminded me of a dream world.

At last, I made it back down home where a steaming mug of Pumpkin Spice Latte awaited me (thanks to my amazing roommate Emily!). If the view at the top wasn’t enough, the warmth of home at the bottom made it worth the trip.

There are many metaphors for life within this running experience. I’ll let you decide how it reflects your own life!

Friday was BFA’s Fall Party. Students and staff alike dressed up according to the theme “Cartoons and Comics.”

Emily dressed up as Blossom (one of the Power Puff Girls).

Emily and Lexie ....All 3 Power Puff Girls posing

Maugenhard dorm staff as The Flintstones

Sonne Dorm Staff dressed up as Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles

Rafael getting attacked by Wolverine

Scooby Doo's gang (Shaggy, Fred, Daphne)

Smurfs

Alice in Wonderland: Alice and the White Rabbit

Sponge Bob Square Pants

There were activities such as face painting, pin the donkey on the tail, tennis bowling, bobbing for apples, dunk tank (dunk a teacher), and a haunted hallway. I helped “guide” groups through the haunted hallway. Unfortunately, it was too dark to get pictures of the hallway.

Welcoming and giving instructions

Peter Olson, Math Teacher, awaits his dunking

If students made 2 out of 3 baskets, the teacher gets dunked!

Laird Leavitt, Principal, prepares for his dunking with floaties.

Last week I was cleaning the shower when I discovered an uninvited inhabitant of the shower curtain. Imagine my surprise when this giant monster fell into the tub!

Here's Big Red in the tub

Captured in the jelly jar!

I took the beast to the science department, wondering if it could possibly be a poisonous variety. Mr. Holden said he had never seen one like it before. Whether or not it had poison in its fangs, it has since been rendered harmless by a sharp pin and added to Arthur Holden’s pinned spider collection.

Though we call it the Rome trip, the senior class trip actually includes visits to 3 major cities in Italy. Here’s a brief overview of the trip with a few anecdotes and stories.

Thursday, September 29

• Depart from BFA. Drive through the night.
• Attempt to find multiple ways of sleeping in bus seats; finally find a comfortable position only to realize you can no longer feel a particular limb.

A full bus load of rambunctious kids

Friday, September 30

• Wake up in Florence. Realize you never truly were asleep.
• Eat breakfast at a rest stop; change into normal clothes in a bathroom full of sleepy but excited girls
• See Michelangelo’s David and some Stradivarius violins at the Academia museum
• Explore Florence!
• Drive to the hotel in Rome

Rest stop at dawn

One of my orchestra students with a Strad. He was really excited and wished he could play it

The real David is inside the museum, but photos were not allowed. This one is the copy outside a church.

Saturday, October 1

• See St. Peter’s Basilica, the largest catholic church in the world. The Pope preaches here.
• Tour Vatican City museum; avoid getting kicked out of the Sistine Chapel for taking pictures. Catch phrase for the rest of the trip: “No Fotos!”
• Take the train back to the hotel.

St. Peter's Basilica

St. Peter's from above. This was taken on the way up to the cupola, from which there was a nice view of the entire city

In St. Peter's: Michelangelo's "Pieta" - Mary and Jesus.

In the Vatican City: Raphael's "The School of Athens" depicting philosophers.

Sunday, October 2

• Church service on the beach
• Walking tour of Rome: Victor Emmanuel Monument, Pantheon, Piazza Navona, and Trevi Fountain
• Find some world-famous coffee right across the street from a great pizza place, which is right next to an excellent gelato shop.
• Beach time before dinner. Beautiful sunset!
• Evening activity: Watch The Italian Job

Yummy coffee

Delicious gelato!

Fountain statue in the middle of Piazza Navona

Trevi Fountain statues

Some girls played soccer on the beach

Sunset

Monday, October 3

• See the Coliseum and listen to Mario’s vast knowledge of history and how it relates to the Christian faith
• Walk through the Roman Forum.
• Free time – see Spanish Steps. Run up and down Spanish Steps in 1 minute 35 seconds. Get free gelato for winning the bet.
• Evening activity: Small group discussion of “community”

Coliseum. Location of many martyrs' deaths.

Cross in the Coliseum

One of the many structures in the Roman Forum

While waiting for the bus, several students started singing. They realized it could be a profitable venture and earned 18 Euros.

Tuesday, October 4

• Beach Day! Run on the beach in bare feet, nap in the sun, swim in the sea, drink a cappuccino, play Ultimate Frisbee and try to avoid the angry sunbathers who do not appreciate getting run over by enthusiastic teenagers chasing a flying disc.
• Elegant dinner in Rome – more food than you ever imagined seeing in one place, and fancy dresses all around!
• Evening stroll to the Trevi Fountain area for ice cream. Get escorted across a street by a student practicing for his sister’s wedding.
• While waiting in line for gelato, stand in shock as an old man walks up, lowers his dentures, and moans. Chuckle at the oddness of the old man.

These boys dug a few large holes in the ground and connected them with tunnels. The boy in the foreground went through the tunnel first, followed by a guy twice his size!

Not sure what the first guy did, but he probably deserved a good splashing

These clever boys dug a hole in the ground, covered it with a T-shirt, and sprinkled sand on the shirt. They weren't so good at luring people into their ingenious trap, though.

My beautiful cappuccino. It was only 1 Euro.

My group, the Vikings, all dressed up, looking good, and looking into the sun. We're that cool.

Orchestra members after the incredibly satisfying dinner

the Trevi Fountain at night

This is the boy who escorted me across the street. Just after this shot, the creepy moaning toothless man appeared.

Wednesday, October 5

• St. Paul’s Outside the Walls – church which supposedly houses Paul’s chains.
• Catacombs – burial places where early Christians gathered to worship
• Ostia Antica – harbor city of ancient Rome. Now it harbors tourists, pine trees, and lizards.
• Beach time and pack up
• Bonfire to end our time in Rome

"Remember my chains."

Catacombs

IXOYC, which meant fish, was an acronym for "Jesus Christ, God's Son, Savior" The fish has been a symbol of Christians since the early church.

In the amphitheater in Ostia Antica

Pines of Ostia Antica

There's something special about singing around a campfire. On the beach. In the moonlight.

Thursday, October 6

• 4:30am wake up, 5am depart for Venice
• 3pm arrive in Venice. Take a boat to the city.
• Free time. Explore the city. Goal: get lost and find something cool hidden in a corner street, alley, or canal
• Sponsor dinner at a nice Italian restaurant. Fend off flirtatious waiter.
• Attend concert – Vivaldi’s 4 Seasons. Be impressed by students’ attention and excitement about the music.
• Load the bus. Get ready to repeat last Thursday’s procedure, except in the opposite direction

The boat ride into Venice

Gondolas - the trademark of Venetian canals

Found a dead end. You could walk off the street into the water!

On the Rialto bridge

Vivaldi's "Four Seasons"

The cellist was quite interesting to watch. I could see that he was playing the whole piece in his mind, not just the cello part. Watching him, no one would know he had a page of boring notes to play.

Friday, October 7

• Arrive at BFA. Unload and try to regain mental capacity required for things like walking home.