Beloved Family and Friends
I’ve been here for exactly one week tonight. I have seven more to go. The experience thus far has been one that has provoked all kinds of emotions, not the least of which have been fear and a great sense of overwhelming. Let me clear it up.
Fear - New place, new faces, and a new culture in which I’m not used to living, much less being salt and light.
Overwhelmed - I have to memorize 30 pages of Don Giovanni (as Don Giovanni; and let me mention that this is mostly recitative…ask a music major, they’ll know), the entirety of La Boheme (as a cover, thank God! But I still have to know the whole opera), about three chorus numbers (not in English, mind you), and about six or seven brand new songs. Today, I just had to sit down and pray for a minute. Who knew that the real world was so stinking busy all the time?
Burdened - My heart bleeds for my music colleagues here at the academy. Most of them drink nearly every night - and not that that is a problem in and of itself. But isn’t there something that binds human fellowship and fun more than drinking? Are we really that shallow or insecure?
Confident - All of my voice lessons so far have been really encouraging. Spending time with other musicians older and younger than me who work their behinds off to accomplish their goals is really inspirational to me. It makes want to work harder and be my best.
Awe - Mountains on one side and an ocean on the other - nothing but sun in between with highs topping out at 83 or so. I can’t imagine how, with so much of His glory surrounding them, people can fail to see God in the beauty that lies right before their eyes.
Blessed - John Williams, Marilyn Horne, Warren Jones, John Churchwell, Thomas Hampson…just a few of the professionals with whom I will study or who I will get to see perform in the next few weeks. There are people who would pay with anything they have for this opportunity, and I get it for free (because of a talent that I did not earn). I am so blessed.
Challenged - Here, most people aren’t evangelical Christians. Most are either apathetic or atheist. I pray that I can live my life in such a way that the reality of God’s existence and plan for his children would be evidenced by my example.
Thanks for checking in. Know that Jesus loves you - and that love can change everything.
SRay
