I am taking a blogging break for the month of June to accommodate the intense concentration required to prepare and sing several choral concerts this month. It’s a spiritual discipline of another sort.
I am in the middle of final rehearsals this week, in anticipation of two “bon voyage” performances this weekend in Seattle. After a week’s break, I head to Frankfurt with the Northwest Firelight Chorale, to visit and perform in the Rhein Valley and Cologne in Germany and points west in Alsace and Burgundy France.
Crazy, I know. My 62-year-old brain is in overdrive memorizing eighteen pieces, most in English, but one in French and another in Alsatian, which is going to be the death of me. On the other hand, there is so much for which to be thankful:
• a voice that is finally cooperating and stable enough to sing for hours
• a fine and fun choir and a conductor willing to overlook my creative breathing 🙂
• beautiful music focusing on the theme “On the Journey Home” through American sacred songs, hymns, and spirituals. A lot of these texts are heaven-centered, and since I have been contemplating Life after Life after Death lately, it has been a blessing to sing about it also.
Keep me and the choir in your prayers, for travel mercies, good health, and appreciative audiences throughout the tour.
In the meantime, treasure Jesus Christ in your heart and bring the Word to life. And if you get a chance, sing about the hope you have in the Savior!
Haha! Thanks for missing me, Jodie! It is well past June of course. I have found I have only enough hours and energy to work on my book, which is in the editing stage now. And I have a new part-time call as a hospital chaplain, which has been good and tiring. There are plenty of topics out there ripe for comment, but, alas, I am trying to stay focused. Blessings to you.
I found this comment by accident, while looking again, to see if you had started positing again. You could post the “Working on a book” as a full post so those that follow your posts, don’t assume a health relapse.
Jodie, I can’t seem to reply to your last query, because it’s a comment of a comment. Bob, who followed you, thinks I should write a bona fide blogpost, so I will explain everything!
So, is June over yet?
Haha! Thanks for missing me, Jodie! It is well past June of course. I have found I have only enough hours and energy to work on my book, which is in the editing stage now. And I have a new part-time call as a hospital chaplain, which has been good and tiring. There are plenty of topics out there ripe for comment, but, alas, I am trying to stay focused. Blessings to you.
A book?! What is it about?
I found this comment by accident, while looking again, to see if you had started positing again. You could post the “Working on a book” as a full post so those that follow your posts, don’t assume a health relapse.
Thank you, Bob; all is well health-wise, so no worries there! But I will act on your suggestion in the next day or two.
Jodie, I can’t seem to reply to your last query, because it’s a comment of a comment. Bob, who followed you, thinks I should write a bona fide blogpost, so I will explain everything!