It's Been a Week!

Some weeks float by and some weeks stampede you like a herd of elephants just ran over you.  I'm doing my best to make good use of the last few days we have before school begins again.

My career path often means periods of little if any income so to think that school will begin soon makes me smile & think we'll be able to keep our bills paid.  That said - I'm thankful for the money I saved up for Summer & the down time I have to get things ready for my "busy season".

Choir wise - I was able to create a "Rehearsal cd" for my choirs and for others that want to learn the songs that I'm incorporating into our portfolio of songs.  I don't know if I have a favorite but this song keeps going through my head & I keep singing it.

  If God Is For Us

Piano student wise - I've been finding new songs, etc. for my students.  I've want to keep them motivated and excited about adding new skills, etc.

I hope your week was smooth & you're ready for a fantastic week ahead!

Thanks for visiting! ~ Reia

Angels and Ornaments ~ the Questions I Would Ask...

One of the Hallmark Christmas movies that was new to me last year was "Angels and Ornaments" .  I watched it over & over and it's stayed on my mind a lot.  This movie always brings up a lot of thoughts and emotions for me.

What I wouldn't give to have my grandparents around at the age I am now.

As a passionate genealogist - I remember the portraits that hung in my paternal grandmother's home.  I saw them every week, I knew they were family and now they're a blur.  I never even asked who they were.

My maternal grandmother lost her mother when she was 8 years old.  I know that resulted in a drastic change for her life.  I only discovered this recently as I worked on that branch of my family tree.

My youngest daughter remarks often on the amount of questions I'm capable of asking.   My answer is - "Intelligent minds want to know". 

So as I watch this movie of a grandfather that never got to know his child or his granddaughter, I'm reminded of my own grandparents and how much they meant to me, the role they played in my life and the questions I wish I could ask them.  May I be the grandparent my grandchildren need - now and after I'm gone.

Thanks for visiting ~ Reia

Dreams do come true!

I spent a lot of my childhood dreaming of being the "wife" of a church Music Director.  Never once did I consider that I could be the "Music Director".

Well -  today I am the Music Director at our local Catholic Church.

Yes, I pinch myself every day!

Listen to Angels We Have Heard On High (sung by the Joint Choir of St. Stephen First Martyr Catholic Church).

Dream big!  Live your life expecting the best!  It does happen.

What dream do you have that is bigger than you are right now?

Thanks for visiting ~ Reia

Catholic Playlist ~ Contemporary Music

As the Music Director at our local Catholic Church, I'm always searching for new music, new ideas, new artists - anything to help me keep the music relevant and life changing.

I discovered this touching, full of life website - podcast - radio show.  It touches my heart, gives me hope and makes me smile.  (In case you're wondering you don't have to be Catholic to enjoy the music.  I'm a Bible believing Protestant that's worshiping with my Catholic brothers and sisters in Christ and I love the music.)

Anyway - I wanted to share my find with you!  Here's the link - Catholic Playlist

And...the good news - there's a new playlist every week.

Enjoy!  Thanks for visiting!  Reia

Essential Oils ~ One Reason I Love Young Living Essential Oils...

One of the many reasons I love being a wholesale member of Young Living Essential Oils is their Seed to Seal guarantee.  They plant, cultivate, distill, test & seal the oils.  Then I get to buy them.

Each month we get updates on what's going on at the different farms.  I love reading about the farms and what's being planted, etc.  The Young Living Essential Oils have made a huge difference in my life (and my family's life).   I have many favorites and they're favorites for different reasons.

Just wanted to share the farms with you.

Young Living Global Farms


More updates to follow - feel free to ask questions and I'll do my best to explain why I love certain oils and how they support my healthy body systems.

Thanks for visiting! ~ Reia  (YL #2389165)

It's been a while...

Ya know the clock just keeps ticking - it doesn't seem to mind what's going on in life - it just keeps ticking.

Life also has a funny way of reminding you of the important things.  This last Friday, my husband dropped me off for our weekly weekend rental of a second car - thanks to Enterprise & their $9.99/day weekend special.   Bill dropped me off  - I heard a loud "ka-pow".  I smugly told the wonderful Enterprise people - "looks like you're going to get some more business" not realizing that I was that business.

Thankfully my husband was safe - the damage was to the truck box.  He did see his life pass before him though.

Since Friday - we have a pre-approved loan for a very inexpensive car, the truck was totaled & we have a check available tomorrow, we said goodbye to a Ford Ranger that was very good to us for 8 years and we're searching for "next".

You never know what's around the corner for you, so glad I pray every day for God's protection and help in our lives.

Hope this finds you well.   Reia

Blessed Assurance ~ Jesus is Mine

I was reminded tonight of a treasured - old - hymn... "Blessed Assurance".  I play it often - it has a nice 9/8 time signature which bounces along & is upbeat.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z9XZ_HSquUQ

I realized tonight how special the hymn has always been in my life.

1. Blessed assurance, Jesus is mine!
   Oh, what a foretaste of glory divine!
   Heir of salvation, purchase of God,
   Born of His Spirit, washed in His blood.
   • Refrain:
     This is my story, this is my song,
     Praising my Savior all the day long;
     This is my story, this is my song,
     Praising my Savior all the day long.
2. Perfect submission, perfect delight,
   Visions of rapture now burst on my sight;
   Angels, descending, bring from above
   Echoes of mercy, whispers of love.
3. Perfect submission, all is at rest,
   I in my Savior am happy and blest,
   Watching and waiting, looking above,
   Filled with His goodness, lost in His love.

Thanks for visiting ~ Reia