Quiet On the Blog

I don't have much to say about music or running or anything. So instead of giving you fluff to read, I'm giving you nothing to read.

Unfortunately, I came down with a cold and haven't swam in two weeks. I'm feeling a lot better one and I hope to get back into the pool next week, also known as week 39 in this pregnancy. I also hope to have a baby next week, so maybe I won't get into the pool.

As I've felt better but still congested, I've spent time walking, which is still painful, and yoga and pilates. I have felt like doing strength training so I haven't...it's important to listen to your body, especially when you're pregnant.

Musically, I haven't done anything except a lot of singing with El. She loves to play fill-in-the-blank for "In Summer" and "Let It Go" from Frozen. I need to get it on camera because it is so adorable. She knows phrases from other songs and that is how she asks for them. I am glad she likes to sing.

My friend is thinking of putting together a music class for toddlers. We would totally go. I took El to story time at the library a few times. She would not pay attention to the stories but loved the songs (and picking out her own books). I think a toddler music class would be great for her.

And that's pretty much it for now!

A Musical Send-Off

I recently went to Utah for my Grandma's funeral. She was very old and had been sick for a long time. The funeral was a beautiful experience.

At first, I was upset to hear that my cousin's husband had been asked to sing during the service and not one of the grandchildren. I felt a little better to when I learned that my cousin would be playing the piano, and I do know that Dan has a beautiful voice. But still, I wanted to do something for my Grandma.

Then, my mom called me and asked me to put together a group hymn all the grandchildren could sing together. So I set to work. I wanted to find something that we could all just sing the melody for (I wasn't sure of everyone's musical talents), but was a little bit more than straight out of the hymn book. After some searching, I found this arrangement of "Each Life That Touches Ours For Good." I emailed it to my cousins and waited. One cousin contacted me and asked if she could arrange a viola part to go with it. I agreed that it would be nice.

When we rehearsed before the funeral, I was so grateful for the beautiful music and voices of my cousins. The viola obligato was beautiful and really added to the song. It was hard to get through without crying during rehearsal. It was impossible for us to sing with a dry eye during the service. I think most of my cousins, male and female, were crying at one point in the song. My dad said that the song brought many of the other mourners to tears. My aunt said that the grandchildren singing with such love about the blessing Grandma was in our lives was a beautiful testimony to the woman she is.

The words are beautiful and reminds us how those we love touch our lives, and how we in turn influence others. The people who love us and whom we love can remind us of our Heavenly Father's love for each of us.

1. Each life that touches ours for good
   Reflects thine own great mercy, Lord;
   Thou sendest blessings from above
   Thru words and deeds of those who love.
2. What greater gift dost thou bestow,
   What greater goodness can we know
   Than Christlike friends, whose gentle ways
   Strengthen our faith, enrich our days.
3. When such a friend from us departs,
   We hold forever in our hearts
   A sweet and hallowed memory,
   Bringing us nearer, Lord, to thee.
4. For worthy friends whose lives proclaim
   Devotion to the Savior's name,
   Who bless our days with peace and love,
   We praise thy goodness, Lord, above.

I know that music can share powerful feelings. I am so grateful that I got to organize this simple song to sing with my cousins as we remembered our grandma.

Happiness and Singing

Source

"A child who sings is a happy child." This quote is from a talk by Enrique R. Falabella about making our homes "the place that can become a piece of heaven here on earth." One way to make our homes into a piece of heaven is by singing with our children. Of course, he is talking about teaching them songs that teach of Christ, but it also includes non-religious songs. "A child who sings is a happy child." It doesn't matter what you sing, there is so much joy in singing with your heart.

I love singing with El. I'm pretty sure she loves it too. Sometimes I can't tell if she is singing or babbling when she plays by herself. And does it really matter? It makes her happy and it makes me happy. We sing songs about rabbits, flowers, rain, Jesus, cars, rivers, people...pretty much anything there is a song for.

Our speech itself is musical, with all the inflections and pitches we include to give meaning. Words matter more when they have been touched by music.

How many times have you sung in the car as loud as you could? And something was happening in your heart---happiness.

When was the last time you were an opera singer in the shower? Happy happy times!

Why do certain songs have meaning to us? Why do we, as humans, love love songs, use song to celebrate birthdays, mourn loved ones with song, and connect to others with song? Music has some deep resonance in our souls. We are made to be alive with music.

A song about singing that I love goes:

A song is a wonderful kind of thing,

1. So lift up your voice and sing!
   Just start a glad song, let it float, let it ring,
   And lift up your voice and sing!

We shall make music to brighten the day;

Music will help us to lighten the way.

Lift up your voice! Lift up your voice!

Lift up your voice and sing!

Go out a sing a little bit today! Let your voice float and ring! Remember that a person who sings is a happy person.

Running Lately

I am feeling pretty good for the most part. Pregnancy is a funny thing. I run two or three times a week, anywhere from 1 mile to 3. Oh yeah, racking up the springtime miles. Today I'm planning on a row and run workout, or running to the park with El because it is a beautiful sunny day. We talked to some friends in the UK this morning, so that threw off our usual schedule.

Something I am struggling with is the upcoming summer. I would love to race and push myself this summer in my running, but now is not the time! I just need to trust that there will be a time for me to accomplish my goals.

I did have an awesome early morning run on Saturday. That really brightened my mood that I am 17 weeks and can feel great with an average pace of 10:45.

I have been thinking about what fulfills me as a person. One thing in particular is music, and challenging myself to learn new songs. I was doing well for a few weeks at playing the piano daily, but not this week. However, I have been singing a lot with El and I love that she is recognizing the songs and actions we do.

Happy running and happy musicing until nest time!