I've Come to Realize...

So awhile ago there was this tag on facebook about different things you've come to realize about yourself, life, and other things. I thought it looked like a cool tag, so I decided to start it up on the blog world. Feel free to take it (or parts of it) and spread it around! 

1. I've come to realize that my hair: will cooperate with just about anything I do to it.

2. I've come to realize that when I talk: I need to be genuine.

3. I've come to realize that if I make a mistake: it's okay. I can't be perfect, though I ought to strive for that in Christ.

4. I've come to realize that all I really need: is God. He is more than enough to satisfy me.

5. I've come to realize that I've lost: a lot of sleep at college. :P

6. I've come to realize that I hate: how the world has twisted, broken and bent out of shape so many good things that God has created.

7. I've come to realize that money: needs to be kept track of.

8. I've come to realize that when I get old: my witness will be an even greater testimony and encouragement to others than it is now.

9. I've come to realize that I'll always be: a musician at heart.

10. I've come to realize that I have a crush on: someone who I'm striving to be simply a sister in Christ to.

11. I've come to realize that the last time I cried: I was on the phone with a friend.

12. I've come to realize that my cell phone: is kind of essential for a college student.

13. I've come to realize that when I wake up in the morning: it's God who wakes me up.

14. I've come to realize that before I go to sleep at night I: like to get a hug.

15. I've come to realize that right now I am thinking about: too many things at once...

16. I've come to realize that my life: can be used by God to bring Him glory - only when I'm satisfied in Him.

17. I've come to realize that when I get on Facebook: my productivity level goes way down...

18. I've come to realize that today I will: be practicing music for most of my waking hours.

19. I've come to realize that tonight I will: probably still be practicing.

20. I've come to realize that tomorrow I will: always have a fresh start.

21. I've come to realize that I really want to: be with those I love forever. Never leave.

22. I've come to realize that I really dislike to: be stressed out and not have enough time for the people I love.

23. I've come to realize that relationships are: vital and yet so difficult to keep healthy.

24. I've come to realize love: is a lot deeper and more time-consuming than presented in movies.

25. I've come to realize my best guy friend(s): are not many.

26. I've come to realize my best girl friend(s): are one of the best gifts God has given to me.

27. I've come to realize food: (homemade food) is awesome, and I should appreciate it more.

28: I've come to realize that this summer: is almost over, and has been such a blessing for me.

29. I've come to realize heartbreaks: are not something I want in my life if I can at all help it.

30. I've come to realize that my parents: are the best counselors and friends besides my Heavenly Father.

31. I've come to realize that my sister(s)/brother(s): don't have to come from the same family - and they love me more than I know.

32. I've come to realize that crying: is often healing. And it's ok to do, even in front of people.

33. I've come to realize that death: has been conquered by Christ my Lord!

34. I've come to realize that if I'm sick: I hate being a total invalid. I still try to be up doing things, even if I really should be in bed.

35. I've come to realize when I'm bored: there must be something wrong with me. I'm never bored.

36. I've come to realize that my sibling(s): are one of the best gifts God has given me.

37. I've come to realize that work: (a job) is hard to come by, especially for a pianist with little experience in other fields.

38. I've come to realize that family: is so very precious.

39. I've come to realize when I go shopping: I get consumed too easily.

40. I've come to realize that my car: is still currently nonexistent... :P

41. I've come to realize my boyfriend/girlfriend: will only be revealed to me in God's perfect timing.

42. I've come to realize that God: is bigger and stronger and wiser than I ever imagined.

43. I've come to realize I let out my emotions by: playing the piano or talking with someone.

44. I've come to realize I wish I would've: formed a close relationship with my mom earlier.

45. I've come to realize that high school: was fun, but not as fun as college. ;)

46. I've come to realize that music: will always be a part of my life.

47. I've come to realize that time: can be my friend if I use it wisely.

48. I've come to realize that books: are best shared with a friend, or even read aloud.

49. I've come to realize that nature:'s beauty is only a tiny reflection of God's character.

50. I've come to realize that sunsets:, while gorgeous, are not as beautiful as sunrises, in my opinion.

51. I've come to realize that secrets: are usually not wise.

52. I've come to realize that hugs: make me feel especially loved.

53. I've come to learn that smiles: are one of the best things to give away.

54. I've come to realize that laughter: brightens up my life like fireworks on a clear night.

55.I've come to realize that tears: can heal.

56. I've come to realize that faith: is what I must live by every day. ("The righteous shall live by their faith.")

57. I've come to realize that trust: is how I want to approach my Savior.

58. I've come to realize that hot cocoa: is not as good as tea... though much better than coffee, in my opinion!

59. I've come to realize that political parties: will never be perfect until Christ's 1,000 year reign.

60. I've come to realize that life: is one huge blessing, no matter how rough the road. Simply to breathe and move and be is an amazing gift from my almighty God!

If you liked the daisy pictures, feel free to hop over here for more of them on my photography blog.

Dear friends...

Today is my birthday!

God has blessed me so much this past year - He's taught me the meaning of His strength, His joy, and His peace no matter what circumstances I'm facing. He's blessed and enriched my life - and I can't wait to see what is in store for this next year!

On this occasion, I thought it would be fitting to share one of my poems with you. I hope you enjoy it. :)

Stop and savor
The flavor
Of God’s presence.

 Just the way the sky looks,
Peace floating in the air,
A song carrying the breeze,
Joy coming from nowhere.

Satisfaction striking me
With sudden clarity.
Love sparkling my sight
With all the creativity of light.

Oh, stop and savor
The flavor
Of God’s presence –
In this world,
In this life,
In me.
© Melody 2010

All about Him

As I was reading my Bible this morning, I came across this passage in Colossians:

So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live in him, rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness. ~Colossians 2:6-7 (NIV)

I've always loved these verses, but this time I read them I really tried to think about what it meant to live in Christ, to be rooted and built up in him.There's a lot packed into these two short verses.

From the very beginning of the verse, it's evident that I ought to live in Christ as I have received him. And how have I received him? As Lord. So my day to day living ought to always be with the attitude that He is my Lord, and I am His servant. He is my Master, I am His slave. My time, my possessions, my thoughts, my actions, my very life is not my own; it is a gift from my Master to use for Him.

As I live in Christ, I must also be rooted and built up in Him. I cannot just "abide" passively; I must dig down deep, always desiring to know more of Him. He sinks my rootlets down into real roots when I study and apply His word to my life. And He builds my character house up high when I listen to His voice and obey.

I must also be careful to continue in the same faith as I was taught, and not waver from the seemingly simple truths. Do I remind myself daily that Jesus loves me, that He died on the cross to save me? Do I remember that God is my Maker and made everything I can see (and more besides)?

The end of the verse could easily be skimmed over, but I think it's the most important. After all these other foundations are laid down - living in Christ, being rooted and built up in Him, and strengthened in the faith - then the natural result is overflowing with thankfulness to God. Thankfulness that He would use me as His servant, that He would root and build me up in Himself, and that He would be willing to die for me. As you can see, it's all about Him - we are simply the blessed beneficiaries of His grace. Oh that I would seek to praise Him even more!

Bucket List

I always thought the idea of a bucket list was interesting. But not interesting enough for me ever to make one.

Well, after reading this post by the lovely Polka Dot, I decided it would be worth a try. So here is my bucket list, right off the top of my head, in the random order I think if it:

Have at least one of my books published

Record my music in a real recording studio

Have a CD of my music published (with a recording label)

Bring someone to Christ

Play the violin (as well as guitar and cello) in church or a worship setting and have it really feel musical/worshipful

Play in a piano trio and perhaps tour or record.
Take voice lessons and develop my voice

Fall in love with and marry a godly young man

Have as many children as God provides (though I like the idea of having four... ;) )

Get (and know how to use) a DSLR camera

Own a mac

Visit a real castle

Play a pipe organ

Have one of my piano students continue on in music as their career

And that's all I can think of at the moment. :) What's on your bucket list?

A slight violin obsession

Ever since I was very little and heard the sweet strains of Vivaldi's Four Seasons, I've loved the violin. Its beautiful singing sound, the huge range of sounds it can create, how it can tug on my heartstrings so easily... whenever I hear the violin, I sigh with the beauty.

I always had a secret desire to play the violin, but once I started piano, I focused on that solely. I love the piano and am so thankful that I know it, but I always kept the violin tucked in the back of my mind. I told myself that someday I would have an opportunity to pursue it.

Well that someday finally came this summer. 

I have a sweet friend who is excellent at the violin - and I finally convinced her to teach me. And, she let me borrow her violin and beginner books as an added bonus.

It's interesting playing an instrument that I don't know. I've gotten used to playing the piano, where I can conceivably play anything put in front of me. Now I'm playing an instrument I can hardly even hold correctly, much less play something that sounds beautiful.

But - I keep pressing on. Even though only song I've learned so far is "Twinkle Twinkle Little Star" (Or "Little Twinkle Twinkle Star", as we affectionately mis-named it)... I'm still loving it! I think just the fact that I'm actually able to do something I've dreamed about gives me enough excitement to persevere through the beginning stages.

I've been realizing just how much the violin is becoming a part of me. One day I practiced right before bed, and as I brushed my teeth afterward, I found to my surprise that I was holding my toothbrush in the same way as the bow! The same has happened with pencils, stair rails, and many other things. I think that after playing the violin for a while, my two middle fingers will feel continually glued together (you violinists know what I mean). ;)

Hopefully my obsession with the violin will continue even through the school year when I won't have a teacher (at least not the same one!). But for now I'm just so thankful to God that He has given me this opportunity to play an instrument that I've always loved and admired.

Do you have a slight obsession with any instrument (either your own or one you'd like to play someday)? I'd love to hear about it!