September Music Notes

Where has the summer gone??  Oh I so love the time of flip flops, running out of the house quick without having to put on layers and layers of clothing.  Sitting outside, doing events, spending time with friends or being on the road without the worry of icy conditions.  Sadly they will be upon us faster than we think.  
The only thing I won't miss.....is.....the.....MOSQUITOS!!!    I've never been bitten this much as I have this year.  Have they become more vicious?  Ugh!

Today school has started here in Minnesota and for many of you it has already.  Warren has gone back to driving the school bus, with new routes this year and new kids... Keep him in prayer as well as the kids for a safe school year!
I hope you all had a wonderful summer and we look forward to next years summer months!


MUSIC WISE:
Part of September I will be hanging out in the Monticello, IL area doing some music events.
I'll be playing for a ladies group (not listed), the coffeehouse, a church group and then participate as a vendor at the Monticellobration Festifall, the yearly arts/crafts event downtown Monticello, IL.  Looking forward to spending time with friends, making new ones and being available to the Lord to minister through me in music and service.


UPCOMING EVENTS:

Date:  9/8 & 9/9/18
Time:  Sat:  8-6  Sun: 8-5
Event:  Old Creamery Arts & Crafts Show  (NotesNBling Jewelry)
405 Main Street East
Town:  Rice, MN
First time at the 22nd Annual Crafts Show at the Old Creamery in Rice, MN!!
I'll be set up with two friends (Meg & Colleen) at their tent with my NotesNBling jewelry!  So come on out to Rice and see us!  Note that there are TWO days of this event, Saturday and Sunday!


Date:  9/13/18
Time:  11 am
Live Music/Original Songs/Organic Folk
Place:  The Steeple Coffee House
102 E. Lafayette
Town:  Monticello, IL

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Date:  9/25/18
Time:  12:00 noon
Event:  Young At Heart Luncheon
Place:  First Christian Church
1699 N. State Street
Town:  Monticello, IL


Date:  9/29/18
Time: 11-4
Event:  Monticellobration FestiFall   (NotesNBling)
Downtown on the Square
Town:  Monticello, IL
I will be set up with my NotesNBling jewelry for the second year at this fun festival which takes place right downtown on the square.  

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PAST EVENTS:
Our second event in August was more BBQ related and an event we have attended now for 8 years, the Deerwood Summerfest.  We've always loved the atmosphere there and have gained quite a following and have had that same spot for the last 6 years, in the Police Chief's parking spot in front of the Municipal Building/Police Station.  Best spot in town!

NOTES-N-BLING:
Last month I talked about some classes I started taking.  So here is the result of me learning how to solder sterling silver.  It started out with a wire which we wound around a certain size dowel.  Then we had to cut the individual rings which would become the bracelet links.  The cutting also has to be done a certain way so that the ends once matched together would solder properly.
Then after soldering it had to go into a solution, as all the silver turned black due to the heat from the soldering torch.  Then from there into another solution and then we could hammer some design into the links and then polish them.  
I took it a step further beyond the bracelet and created some cool earrings to go with it!  Here's the result of my new art.

Once I can buy all the tools, I'll be adding some new design elements to my NotesNBling jewelry, handcrafted all sterling silver!  It'll be some of my pricier items, however they will also not tarnish and are great for those of us who cannot wear base metals, or other materials aside from leather.
So be patient on this one, as there's more involved tools wise which I need to purchase....   But then it'll be some fun times creating!

IN ENDING:
Lots of possibilities have opened up since this spring.  In Aspen at InspireSong, the interest in my song "Goodness And Mercy" by Paul Herman from CCLI is exciting yet daunting at the same time because he needs a professional recording of the song as well as a professional video done.  All that isn't cheap and at the moment..... I will have to wait.
The musicians are available for finally recording my next album, however they are in Colorado and the studio isn't free..... I will have to wait.
My jewelry is getting attention and more "fans" and repeat customers, including some custom orders.  There's new designs I have learned to create and new materials I've learned to work with which will bring it all up a notch.  However, it involves the purchase of these materials including the necessary tools to work those materials..... again I will have to wait.

With Warren's eye surgery 3 weeks ago much will be put on hold.  So all this ...."will have to wait".... is daunting and I'm going to be honest, also a bit discouraging when you want to move forward - especially with the music opportunity!

So I just want to share some thoughts, as my mind needs to stay on God, not the circumstances.
One of the scriptures that go with one of my jewelry designs is Isaiah 40:31 - Yet those who wait for the Lord will gain new strength; they will mount up with wings like eagles, they will run and not get tired, they will walk and not become weary.  So why is there the "YET"....?
Before this scripture it says "He gives strength to the weary and to him who lacks might, He increases power.  Though youths grow weary and tired, and vigorous young men stumble badly,.....  YET....
The waiting we are to do is not the type of waiting by throwing up our hands and saying "I give up", I'll just sit there and wait.  The waiting involves prayer, time with God, listening to Him intently, preparation, practice, learning, growing, trusting, staying in touch with the people who expressed interest or are willing to help, or can teach us more and of course those who encourage us spiritually.

I love the book "My Utmost For His Highest" by Oswald Chambers!  GREAT devotional book!  Get it if you don't have it yet!
On August 26 the title for that day's devotion was:  "Are You Ever Troubled?"  .....oh boy, that's a big fat yes!  Many times we all have been troubled and facing trials, some horribly bad....and then some we just make a bigger mountain of than what they really are.
In that section Oswald Chambers writes (and I'm paraphrasing) that true peace, which is inner peace is impossible unless it is received from Jesus when realities of life stare us in the face. 
What did Jesus say?  John 6:63 - It is the Spirit who gives life, the flesh profits nothing; the words that I have spoken to you are spirit and are life.   So the question is....have I ever received, really received what Jesus speaks???    John 14:27 - Peace I leave with you; My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Do not let your heart be troubled, nor let it be fearful.   We must look into the face of Jesus and receive His quiet contentment.

Right now, this moment, are you troubled?  Are you in turmoil?  In the book there's this question (quoted):  "Are you afraid or confused by the waves and the turbulence God sovereignly allows to enter your life?   Have you left no stone of your faith unturned, yet still not found any well of peace, joy or comfort?  Does your life seem completely barren to you?  Then look up and receive the quiet contentment of the Lord Jesus."

So how do we get it or know that we have it?  Well, in order to reflect His peace in your life you first have to turn your mind to Him.  It's like when the circumstance hits, your mind goes to God, not the circumstance, in this you also know that you are right with God.  For example: you remember scriptures, or you know to go to the Word and to the Lord in prayer.  
However, when your mind turns to yourself, you might check your relationship with the Lord, because if that's messed up your mind can't turn anywhere else but on the circumstance or yourself.  Allowing anything in between our view of Christ which could hide the face of Jesus from us, is what causes us to become troubled or even creates a false sense of security, which is definitely not what we want! 

So....and I'm talking to myself here as well..... worrying ourselves out of a problem isn't going to solve anything!! It destroys His (Christ's) effectiveness in us, it taints our witness and it isn't changing the situation.  Although circumstances may not change right away, our inner peace is needed in order for us to go through the trial without being in a constant state of upset.
See, we become troubled because we don't take Jesus into account.  When we confer with Christ, truly confer with Him, which includes talking and listening.....the confusion will stop.  Remember, there's no confusion in Him!! 

Best thing to do is:  Lay everything out before Him.  Then, when you are faced with difficulty, sorrow, confusion, bereavement.....listen to Him say:  "Do not let your heart be troubled".....
(Read in 2 Kings 19:14-20 what King Hezekiah did when he was faced with a threat from a dangerous enemy.  Hezekiah took the threat, laid it out before the Lord and prayed....) 
This portion in scripture encouraged me to do the same many times...   Maybe that's just what I need to do with the  "..has to wait..." stuff and maybe it encourages you to lay it all before the Lord in prayer and hear Him say to you..."Let not your heart be troubled".....