The Gift That Keeps On Giving....Merry Christmas Liz!!

Merry Christmas Liz!  When I think about you, and what you love, lots of good things come to mind.  The main thing I thought of was your love for music.  I remember growing up listening to all the music you loved.  I still have a few church tapes and CD’s you made for me with awesome Michael McLean or Mariah Carey songs on them.  I have always loved church music and I give you the credit for introducing me to many of my favorites.  I admire your beautiful singing voice and musical talent.

When David died, I needed church music to fill my days, to keep my spirit at peace.  It made such a huge difference in my grieving.  “I Feel My Savior’s Love” was the song that was played on repeat the weeks following David’s death.  The words and tune bring me so much peace. 

The first thing I did to serve in your name was join the stake choir.  I am not a confident singer, so this was kind of scary for me to do.  It was so great!  First of all, I didn’t have to sit with the kids for the entire 2 hours of Stake Conference, so I really enjoyed the meeting.  (Thanks to Kevan for handling all the fun.)  Also I LOVED the songs we sang as a choir.  Alyssa was able to sing with the choir as well, so we enjoyed going to the practices together. 

My favorite song was a beautiful arrangement of “Where Can I Turn for Peace” and “Be Still My Soul”.  It would bring tears to my eyes almost every time we rehearsed it because I love the messages in these two songs. 

Where can I turn for peace?

Where is my solace?

When other sources cease to make me whole?

When with a wounded heart, anger or malice,

I draw myself apart, searching my soul?

Be still my soul:

The Lord is on thy side;

With patience bear they cross of grief or pain,

Leave to they God to order and provide;

In every change He faithful will remain.

Be still my soul; thy best, thy Heavenly Friend-

Thru thorny ways leads to joyful end.

Be still, my soul:

The hour is hastening on, when we shall be forever with the Lord,

When disappointment, grief and fear are gone, sorrow forgot

Loves purest joys restored.

He answers privately, reaches my reaching.

In my Gethsemane—Savior and friend.

Gentle, the peace He finds for my beseeching

Constant He is and kind-

Love without end.

Be still my soul, thy best, thy Heavenly Friend

Constant He is and kind—Love without end.

Constant He is and kind—Love without end.

I have a testimony of these words, I know they are true!  I know that when we make the time to “Be Still” we can feel of His constant kindness and love without end.  I searched and searched for a recording of this arrangement and could not find one anywhere.  I asked Kevan to audio record us in the chapel to play for this little blog post.

Almost two weeks after our Stake Conference, I got the heartbreaking phone call from Lani, telling me about Ryan’s car accident.   My heart started pounding as I tried to absorb the news and what this would mean for the Conley and Gates families.  I started playing this song in my head on repeat.  “Where can I turn for peace…Be still my soul” .

Imagine my surprise when, on that awful Monday morning, Liz posts on our blog a recording of this arrangement!  It was a tender mercy for me for sure.  I quickly bought the song on iTunes and recorded it onto several CDs to give away while in California.  That post can be found and you can listen to the song here:  here.

I am so grateful that we were able to be in California together the week of Ryan’s death.  I know our relationship will forever be stronger because of the experiences we had together and the lessons we learned.  You are such a great example to me.

Once we got home, I kept thinking I wanted to do just a little bit more for you as my service.  One day I heard about Lindsey Stirling’s fundraising project to earn money for the Atlanta Music Project.

The Atlanta Music Project provides intense music education for underserved youth right in their neighborhood.  Our Mission Statement is “To inspire social change by providing Atlanta’s underserved youth the opportunity to learn and perform music in orchestras and choirs."

T he Atlanta Music Project provides for each of its students: an instrument, classes, world-class Teaching Artists and numerous performance opportunities.  AMP classes include orchestra, choir, musicianship, African drum and dance and group lessons in the following orchestral instruments: violin, viola, cello, bass, flute, clarinet, trumpet and trombone. As AMP expands, we will offer oboe, bassoon, french horn, tuba and orchestral percussion.

I felt good about donating to a worthy cause, and made a donation in your name.  You can read more about the Atlanta Music Project on their website here:

http://www.atlantamusicproject.org/

love you so much Liz!  Merry Christmas! 

p.s.  I wrote this little blog post back in October, and since then I've gotten a new ward calling....one that is making me stretch and grow more than any other I've ever had.  It's Primary Chorister.  ACKK!!  I am not confident in the music world at all.  I guess Heavenly Father thought it was time for me to be stretched beyond where I am comfortable.  All I can think is that someone in the new bishopric must have seen me in Stake Choir and thought I must be musical.  So, now my service for you will continue on as I try my best to fulfill my calling...and I have you to thank for that.  ;)