Thankful for ~ my Choir(s)

Yes, the weekend is over.  We rehearsed, we sang, we smiled, we hugged, we went on our way.  Another weekend in the books.

I don't always get the chance to tell each individual what unique qualities I see in them, what actions I appreciate and how very special they are.  I try but time restraints don't always allow me to say what I'm really feeling.

So I'm going to list a few of the things I absolutely love & appreciate about this diverse but loving group of amazing individuals.  (This includes those of you who have moved on to other pastures and those of you who sit with your families instead of in the front row at my elbow.  This also includes Deacon Doug who has a lovely voice but has his own special chair near the altar.)

I absolutely love...

1)  ...your Zeal!  You run right into new songs.  Who needs multiple practices on new songs - not you!  You run right into every new song & embrace it.  I Love you for that!

2)  ...your Ideas!  You come up with song ideas, ways to work the songs, good ideas about entrances, exits, preludes and so much more!

3)  ...your Thoughtfulness!  You pour over our Liturgy Today song selections.  You search YouTube for songs you don't know & songs you'd like to learn.  You send me links to share what you've found.  You put time and thought into our Music Program - all the time.  Talk about putting a smile on my face!

There are many other reasons that you hold a special place in my heart.  I'll try to tell you more often in the future.

For now - on Day 8 - I'm Thankful for YOU!

Thanks for visiting ~ Reia

Thankful for ~ my St. Stephen Catholic Church Family

I've been at St. Stephen Catholic Church in Hinesville, GA since September 2010.  I haven't missed a Sunday since arriving.  I've fallen in love with the people and what they do.

Let me tell you a few reasons why...

1)  It's happening now - Thanksgiving Boxes.  Paper bags with items needed are on a table in the Narthex.  Paper bags containing the items needed are constantly being brought back.  In a few weeks the youth will fill the multitude of boxes with the items to make a full Thanksgiving Dinner (to include the turkey).  Many families will be blessed.  That's huge to me!

2)  As soon as the Thanksgiving Boxes go to needy homes - the Angel Tree will be up. These same giving people that filled the Thanksgiving Boxes will take paper angels off the tree and go buy the items families need for Christmas.  It's all secret so dignity is kept.  We had a really rough year a few years ago and were recipients of the Angel Tree.  I can't tell you how much help it was.

3)  Christmas at St. Stephen's - is meaningful and beautiful!  While it's a marathon for me as the Music Director, it's keeps the miracle of Christmas ever present.

Rehearsals leading up to our Joint Choir Christmas Concert and then the Masses begin.  Children's Christmas Eve Mass at 5pm, Concert before Midnight Christmas Eve Mass begins, Christmas Eve Mass, Christmas Day Mass, St. Stephen Day on the 26th (The song Good King Wenceslas makes more sense now), Sunday Masses then a break until two Masses on New Years' Eve and New Year's Day Mass.  Whew!  We sing a LOT from Dec. 24th through Jan. 1st!

St. Stephen Catholic Church - is full of loving, giving people that accepted me over five (5) years ago and allowed me to "jump in" and give along with them.  I've just mentioned two (2) months worth of activities.  There are many more...Winterfest, Youth Group, Craft Days, the Meditation Garden, Men's Club providing us Boston Butts and Chicken Dinners as fundraisers and a lot more.

Thanks for visiting and feel free to visit St. Stephen Catholic Church in person.  You'll find me at the keyboard above - my special little corner of the world.  Reia

Thankful for ~ My Piano Students and their Families

Today (& every day actually) I'm thankful for my piano students and their families.  Here's love pouring out to my students & their families!

by  RLFilipkowski 

I've met and spent time with so many wonderful families.  They've enriched my life and I've learned so much from them.

There really aren't adequate words for the love I've experienced from them.  Whether in their home or my studio - our weekly visits contain way more than instruction time.

Here are some of the things I've learned and experienced...

1)  Look in your flip flops before you stick your foot in them - there might be a fake but oh so real looking tarantula waiting to surprise you... and it did.

2)  Be prepared, encourage and celebrate the "light bulbs" going off in the minds of students.  It's a fabulous experience and makes the hard work worth it for all involved.

3)  Everyone learns in a different way.  Find each student's way to learn and build your lesson around their way.  It's more work but the rewards are gold!

4)  When teaching in homes, you get to enjoy the family pets as well as the families.  I've met some precious puppies, kittens, gerbils, fish, big dogs, little dogs, cats that sit and stare at you while you teach, puppies that would love to be in your lap or sit patiently at your feet.  I wouldn't trade these experiences for anything!

5)  You get amazing gifts from your students.  I've been given seashells, artwork, candy, pencils, rocks, you name it - if it's important to a young person, it's been lovingly given to me.

There are many other things that I've learned and experienced but I'll keep this post brief.

6)  I've learned that if you let people know you truly, truly care about them - the following quote is true.  Here's to turning a life around - my life gets turned around every week & I love it!

“Too often we underestimate the power of a touch, a smile, a kind word, a

listening ear, an honest compliment, or the smallest act of caring, all

of which have the potential to turn a life around.” 

― Leo Buscaglia

Thanks for visiting ~ Reia

Thanksgiving Countdown ~ Playing "Catch Up"!

I love seeing what others are thankful for.  Thanksgiving is my favorite holiday of all holidays.  I've rarely done the "countdown" though.  Thought this year would be a good year to actually do it.  I have a few days to be "Thankful" for (um - "catch up").

Here goes...

1 - I'm thankful for my family.  One good husband of over 20 years plus children that are raising good families = something to be thankful for.

2 - Music.  Music fills my heart and is my way to earn a living for my family.  A total "win-win" - I spend my days teaching others and being enriched along the way.  Total blessing in my life!

3 - NPR.  My touch of sanity & whimsy depending on what show is on.

4 - Extended family.  I'm so very thankful for my extended family.  They know the challenge I face every day because...I'm taking care of my siblings's mother (also known as my mother).  I love my aunts, uncles, in-laws and the families that extend even further with cousins, etc.

5 - YouTube - the place where I find songs to share with my choirs & where I get to listen to music, sermons, etc. that fill my soul with good things.

Until tomorrow (day #6) - may you be blessed & "Thankful" for something in your life.

Thanks for visiting ~ Reia

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