March Music Notes

Hello Dear Friends,
As you've probably noticed, my updates aren't coming monthly as they used to.  In our ever changing world things have changed in our life as well, especially music wise.  
If you are wondering if I'm still playing, the answer is YES.  
It just hasn't been as much as it used to be, partly because some venues we had visited have closed, others have had limited services and others are getting back to normal.  

In the winter I've decided not to travel as much anymore, partially because my vehicle is getting old (so am I, haha) and it has some heater/defrost issues which make it very uncomfortable at the least and more dangerous (if you are caught in a snow storm traveling) at the most.
So most of my travels (and that also now depends on the ever rising gas prices) are limited for later spring/summer and early fall and also at closer distances with Wisconsin/Illinois probably being the furthest I'll travel now - or if further I prefer to have Warren along and his newer truck.

However I'm very active with my jewelry NotesNBling, attending local and close regional art and craft shows, which have been a really cool avenue to connect with people and in some instances I have been able to pray with my customers or share an encouraging scripture/word.

January and February usually are slower months for me events wise, as there aren't any or very few and this is also the season where I have to do the dreaded paperwork for taxes to give to our accountant.  Yuk.  
​Now that this is over with.... on to events!

UPCOMING EVENTS:
​
Event:  Music for the Elderly 
Day:  Thursday, March 3
Time:  2pm - 3pm
Where:  Country Manor Campus, 520 1st Street NE
Town:  Sartell, MN

Event:  Sartell Farmers Winter Market  (NotesNBling & Warren's Sauce/Crafts)
Day:  Saturday, March 5
Time:  10 am - 1 pm
Where:  Sartell Community Center, 850 19th Street South
Town:  Sartell, MN

Event:  Lake Wobegon Community Expo  (NotesNBling & Warren's Sauce/Crafts)
Day:  Saturday, March 19
Time:  10 am - 2 pm
Where:  Blattner Energy Community Center (Albany Secondary School), 30 Forest Ave.
Town:  Albany, MN

Event:  Stronger Together Event  (NotesNBling & Warren's Sauce/Crafts)
Day:  Monday, March 21
Time:  5 pm - 7 pm
Where:  Park Event Center, 500 Division Street
Town:  Waite Park, MN
This event is a fundraiser for the Terebinth Refuge houses.  All vendors are donating a portion of their sales to Terebinth.  

Event:  Craft & Vendor Market   (NotesNBling & Warren's Crafts)
Day:  Saturday, March 26 & Sunday March 27
Time:  Sat: 10 am - 6 pm.  Sun: 12:00 - 4 pm
Where:  Viking Plaza Mall, 3015 Hwy 29 S
Town:  Alexandria, MN

Event:  Sartell Farmers Winter Market   (NotesNBling & Warren's Sauce/Crafts)
Day:  Saturday, April 2
Time:  10 am - 1 pm
Where:  Sartell Community Center, 850 19th Street South
Town:  Sartell, MN

Event:  Craft-Vendor-Bake-Garage Sale  (NotesNBling & Warren's Sauce/Crafts)
Day:  Saturday, April 9
Time:  10 am - 3 pm
Where:  Building 1: Bernick's Arena & Building 2: Scheels Complex
Town:  Sartell, MN
There will be food and drinks available for purchase on site.  Which one of the buildings we will be in I don't know yet, but will update that on my Facebook Page:  Facebook.com/NotesNBling.

Event:  Roadside Tavern Spring Show.  (NotesNBling & Warren's Sauce/Crafts)
Day:  Sunday, April 10
Time:  10 am - 2 pm
Where:  Roadside Tavern,  531 Main Street (right on the highway)
Town:  Roscoe, MN

Event:  Spring Fling Vendor/Craft/Bake Sale  (NotesNBling & Warren's Sauce/ Crafts)
Date:  Saturday, April 23
​Time:  10 am - 3 pm
​Where:  St. Cloud Eagles Club, 730  41st Ave N. 
Town:  St. Cloud, MN

Event:  American Legion Spring Show.  (NotesNBling)
Day:  Saturday, April 30
Time:  10 am - 2 pm
Where:  St. Augusta American Legion, 1894  247th Street
Town:  St. Augusta, MN
​

​The Jewelry
​As you can see, we've got some shows coming up!  I'm so glad it's almost Spring and warmer weather along with that.  Hopefully we won't have to deal with too much more snow or super cold days.

​Here are a few pictures of a few designs as of late:

Thought I'd also share some photos of my setup at different shows, so you can see there's a LOT of fun bling for you to look through!!  So mark your calendars for the upcoming shows!

​WORD OF ENCOURAGEMENT
​Our reading in God's Word has been quite in tune with what's going on in the world today, as we are in the Old Testament and finishing up with the minor prophets...a lot of it hasn't been the most fun reading I must admit.
However in between the tough stuff there are also such beautiful gems of God's encouragement peppered in between which I've found very encouraging.

Nahum 1:7.  The Lord is good, a stronghold in the day of trouble and He knows those who take refuge in Him.
Micah 7:7-9.  God is the source of Salvation and Light.  But as for me, I will watch expectantly for the Lord.  I will wait for the God of my salvation.  My God will hear me.  
Do not rejoice over me, O my enemy.  Though I fall I will rise; through I dwell in darkness, the Lord is a light for me.  I will bear the indignation of the Lord because I have sinned against Him, until He pleads my case and executes justice for me.  He will bring me out to the light, and I will see His righteousness.  
Habakkuk 3:17-19.  Though the fig tree should not blossom and there be no fruit on the vines, through the yield of the olive should fail and the folds produce no food, though the flock should be cut off from the fold and there be no cattle in the stalls, yet I will exult in the Lord, I will rejoice in the God of my salvation.  The Lord God is my strength and He has made my feet like hind's feet, and makes me walk on my high places.  

Many of us have been stretched, worried, dealt with the anxieties of the hour, but that last part... even though....even though all of this.... the LORD is MY STRENGTH.  I pray we get this into our heads, our hearts, our souls, our spirit (me included)...

365 times in the Bible God says:  "Do not fear".   A "do not fear" for each day of the year.  He knows us too well and our small frame and our weak faith.  So let's strengthen our faith, our walk with the Lord and keep our oil lamps filled.  The Holy Spirit will always guide and show the way - all we need to do is listen and be sensitive to His leading.
Fear will keep you distracted.  Faith will keep you grounded.

Until next time.... or I see you at a show.  Remain strong in the faith.
Lovingly In Him,
Sam