Half Year Resolution ...

I am astounded that half of the year has gone by. It really is July and I have been a busy bee over the past several months. I have set a new calendar reminder to nudge me along in writing here more often. I guess that is my half year resolution ....

In 10 short days, I will be standing on a stage in Nashville, Tennessee, with my fellow members of the Houston Bronze Ensemble. We will be ringing a Showcase Concert for AGEHR Pinnacle 2010. For me, as a handbell musician, this may just be the PINNACLE of my handbell career to this date. And I cannot wait ... I am anxious to see friends that I met in Tucson last summer. I am anxious to ring challenging music to an audience of my peers. I am anxious to stand tall as the last note descends upon the crowd, the applause begins, and the biggest smile EVER appears on this humble red-head. We have two more rehearsals before headed out for Nashville. I feel very secure in the music and am proud to say that I have a great deal of it memorized.

I remember my first rehearsal with Houston Bronze Ensemble. I was intimidated beyond belief and barely uttered a sound during rehearsal. I just had to keep telling myself ... I auditioned and THEY said yes. Hopefully they saw everything that I feel in my heart.

Haven't done much solo ringing over the past few weeks as I have been knee-deep in Pinnacle preparation and getting things ready for Chime Camp and Fall Ringing season at church. Was thinking of working on Simple Gifts (Bell Tree Solor) for Thanksgiving. Also wanna work more on 6iH technique...

On a related side note ... have been working on a handbell piece of my own. And have also commissioned a piece in honor of my dear twin daughters, Madisyn & Mackenzie. This year is the 10 year anniversary of Mackenzie's passing ...

And I Begin the Beguine ...

So what is this Handbell Musician's dream?

I have always had crazy aspirations. I am a fan of dreaming big. Nothing happens while you tell yourself why it can't be done.

So this is the plan. Fine tune handbell skills. Buy handbells. Become handbell soloist. Share message of faith through handbell music. I dream of sharing music in churches and teaching children in missionary countries. I dream of speaking to young musicians about following dreams.

These are the things I love: music, handbells, singing, and giving. If I could help the world, I would. This is my dream to help the world.

Today I am a handbell director for my church and ring in a professional handbell ensemble. I have aspirations of building the handbell program at my church and building the handbell outreach in my heart.

There are many other things I do during my days here. I am a stay at home mom, who is rarely ever home. When not ringing handbells, I am a wife to a traveling husband and volunteer fireman, a mom to my precocious 9 year old, a horrible house-keeper, a decent cook, a multi-tasking church volunteer, a Pampered Chef consultant, a faithful servant to God's people, and a good friend.

I will celebrate my 40th birthday in 2014. 1557 Days from today. Am I asking too much of myself to set a deadline for some of these dreams? 4+ years is a long time, but is it long enough? Most folks that know me also know that my days are spent doing a lot of things. In 4 years, I will have a teenager. What will that do?

I ask you, is it possible that there just might be a dream that is too big??