Seize the Opportunity

Life is a series of opportunities and decisions. They say, "If opportunity doesn't knock, build a door." (Milton Berle) The hard part is making the right decisions when those opportunities arise. We know that our time here on earth is only temporary but making the most of our time here is truly important. We are grateful for the work God has done in both of our lives, especially in this past year. But just as soon as we get comfortable, God begins breaking up the nest and moving us forward. It's up to us to open the door!

All that to say this.............. we have been given the opportunity to travel to a different part of the county this summer to represent our school, Crown College. We will be taking a ladies trio with us and Kristy will be playing the piano for them while Kyle will be speaking/preaching. We are so excited! What an opportunity. Not only do we get to use the things God has called us to do (using music to minster and preaching), we get to be together!

At first, when this was presented to us, we were sort of unsure if this was something God wanted us to do. It was going to take a step of faith and require all kinds of change to come into our lives. Kristy would have to quit her job and we were not exactly sure what would become of us in the fall. There were a few facts we always had to come back to when we doubted this decision.

1. God has prepared us.
God allowed us both to attend Crown College. We both had a desire to serve the Lord and God brought us together. He then let us graduate and get married. God has allowed these things come to pass for a reason. There is no doubt he has prepared us and is still preparing us even now.

2. We will not know all the answers.
No matter how hard we try, we won't have all the answers to every situation that comes into our life. Faith is essential to living the Christian life. Instead of trying to figure everything out, we've decided to do what we do know to do and leave the rest to the Lord.

3. We would regret it if we didn't do it.
How many times have we let fear and uncertainty rule our lives? Surprisingly, discomfort is really the only thing that will force one to grow. If we went through the entire summer and had even an inkling of regret that we decided not to take this opportunity, that would be worse than going and not enjoying it. “The greatest mistake you can make in life is to be continually fearing you will make one.” –Elbert Hubbard

Not that any of this is inspiring or even worthy of repeating, it's something we wanted to share in hopes that it might help someone who has to make a decision about the future. God always has a plan and he is orchestrating events and circumstances to fulfill His will in our lives. We are just glad to be used!

If you would, please pray for safety as we travel and that God would make us a blessing. The majority of the people we will be with are in churches. His people. And also pray for the girls we are taking. We will post more about our travels and adventures throughout the summer.

Stay tuned!!!!

Grandma Thursa Talbert

Born July 15, 1924

Died Janurary 27th, 2014

 

Some may or may not know, but my grandmother past away a little over a month ago. It was not a surprise as her health had been failing for a number of years. Still, it was difficult to believe she was really gone. Sadly, I did not know or appreciate her as much as I would like to say. She is my father's mother, on which that side of family I am have not always been that close to.  Though, I will always remember her as a strong willed and spunky lady. I went to visit her when I was a little girl and she loved plants and flowers. She had a front screened-in porch and would water her plants and sit in her rocker every morning. When she went to live with my aunt and uncle, she always sent me nice cards or made me jewelry from her beads. She was extremely independent and stuborn, but always so giving. She was a strong woman, a mother of eight children, a grandmother of eleven and great grandmother of one.  I miss her. Everyone says I favor her, which I am honored if I do. I'm so glad she is in heaven now.

 

Recently, a very young family in our church lost a sister, wife and mother. She was young and had two young children, 3 & 6 years old. They are not sure of a cause of death except that she was given a cordorzone shot and it basically shut down all her major organs. We cannot be sure why these things happen but we cling to the truth that God is soverign and in control. I hurt for the family, especially the husband and children. Only God's grace will bring them through this heartbreaking event. We do have faith and believe that she is in heaven. A much happier place. A much better place.

 

Death can be scary but for those who know the Lord and have accepted him as their Savior and believe in Him, know that this world is not our home. There is a place the Lord has prepared for us and He is waiting there. (John 14:3) Some live a long full life like my grandmother and some the Lord takes sooner like this young woman. But God's ways are not our ways, they are much higher than ours. (Is. 55) I cannot for one second imagine my life without my loved ones, especially my husband. That's why not only has it become more important to me to make sure I tell my husband and family I love them but it has also become so important for me to pray for the family that don't have the assurance of heaven.  I have a home in heaven, for that I am grateful. All it required of me was to bow my head and ask the Lord Jesus to forgive me of my sins and thank Him for paying the price for me on the cross.

 

At my grandmother's funeral, I was not amazed at the number of people there, nor the wonderful things that were said about her, but at how many people sat as far back as they could. I'm sure some were trying to be curtious of the family but it also seemed there were so many that did not want to face death. My own cousin starred at the casket in hopelessness. What would my life be like if I could not face death with certainty? It not because I am not scared of death but because I know my life is in the Lord's hands and that is the safest place it will ever be. Some are afraid to trust in Jesus because it would require they give up a certain lifestyle or are afraid because they cannot "see" for sure what will happen to them. This is why we are required to walk by faith and not by sight. And let me tell you, there is nothing sweeter than allowing faith to take over. It would be better to place your life in the everlasting arms of Christ, than to face uncertainty for the rest of your life.

 

There’s a land that is fairer than day,
And by faith we can see it afar;
For the Father waits over the way
To prepare us a dwelling place there.

In the sweet by and by,
We shall meet on that beautiful shore;
In the sweet by and by,
We shall meet on that beautiful shore.

 

We shall sing on that beautiful shore
The melodious songs of the blessed;
And our spirits shall sorrow no more,
Not a sigh for the blessing of rest.

 

In the sweet by and by,
We shall meet on that beautiful shore;
In the sweet by and by,
We shall meet on that beautiful shore.

 

To our bountiful Father above,
We will offer our tribute of praise
For the glorious gift of His love
And the blessings that hallow our days.

 

In the sweet by and by,
We shall meet on that beautiful shore;
In the sweet by and by,
We shall meet on that beautiful shore.

 

For those who are reading this and do not know they have a home in heaven, please make a decision. You will either reject or accept Christ. There is no middle ground. He wants you to accept him. Read Luke 19:10.

 

Please pray for the Botts family. This is the family I spoke about above. Pray that God will give them comfort, grace and peace that only He can give. (Phil. 4:7) 

A Timeless Gift

Kristy here. I want to tell everyone about my latest and newest job. Small it may be, but it's not the quantity but the quality. First let me just talk about my expereince in college as a student and how I decided this was what I wanted to do. Teach piano. Sounds easy doesn't it? You play it, you can teach right? Well, it's a little more complicated than that. Just like some people say "I like music, so I'll just become a music major." Good luck! Wait until Theory III comes around and you're beating you're head against the $100 theory book. Anyway, my dream had always been to write music. I realize that sounds a little vague but my intentions were "If I ever want to write music, I need to understand it more".  I didn't realize how little I knew, how ineppt I was, how illequipped and unprepared I was for the next 3 1/2 years of studying and being taught all over again to play this instrument called the piano. 

Just for some background on the situation, I never tooks lessons when I was younger. I began becoming interested in playing the piano as I watched my mom play growing up. It wasn't until I was around 12 years old my oldest brother dared me to play "It is well with my soul" and he would give me $1. Okay, it wasn't for $1, it was because he didn't think I could do it! So long story short,  I was mostly self taught. My mom did help, but I learned to read music and play by ear for the most part on my own. Needless to say, it was quite different taking private lessons at a college level. I was in over my head. But you'll be glad to hear I made it through college as a music major. I learned much, but not all. And I have not given up that dream to write music. 

 I did realize that God had given me something and not passing it down to someone else would be a shame. In fact, after learning so much as a student and learning to appreciate the teachers that invested so much in me, I figured out that I wanted to do the same thing.  Teach. I graduated with a Bachelors in Music Ministry and I was thankful to receive a teaching certification from Crown Music Conservatory. And just this past semester, I was given the opportunity to teach for them. I was so excited! What an honor! And what a privilege! I have four whopping students! Sure, it's not much but it was a start.

Obviously, I've only been at this a short time and I am STILL learning, but this opportunity has been a joy. It is challenging. It is rewarding. It is stressful at times. It is also a lot of fun! I hope to be a help and an encouragement to my students. "My students". It's not a prideful thing, but to say those words made me feel...just so teacher-ish. It's a good feeling. I'm looking forward to teaching more as I get more expereience. The most wonderful thing about it is that it's a timeless gift. You teach someone to play piano and the goal would be so they can use it for the rest of their life, even when their 80 years old. And that brings me to "the name" of my studio....in the works.

~Timeless Harmony~

You may think it sounds cheesy but it was the name of my demo studio for a class I took in college and I guess it just kind of stuck. 

Another year has come and gone...

Yes, it's been a little too long since the last post. I'm sure everyone is on the edge of their seat to see what's going on in our lives. My last post was in August, a good 4 months ago. There has been much waiting, but also much happenings.

New Year's Eve 2012 (One year ago)

It's hard to believe we are fastly approaching yet another year. So much has happened in the last year we hardly have time to write it all down, but we will try. First, Kristy's graduation in May, then of course, our wedding on May 24th. The summer was a blur. Then fall came and the holidays have flown by. Here are a few highlights that have happened just in the last few months.

1) Kristy became a piano teacher (more on that on the next post)

2) Kyle is now working at Crown College as the Assistant Director of Admissions.

3) Our house is starting to look....well, like a home. (pictures later)

 

4) We've driven about 2,500 miles to see both sides of the family, which was an answer to prayer!

 

5) We have had our first Thanksgiving and Christmas together!

We are now about to start the New Year 2014, and we are excited to see what the Lord will do! It's amazing to look back and see what God has done so far. It may not seem like much while it's happening, but in reptrospect, there's a purpose. We're grateful for His leading in our marriage and life together. Happy New Year Everyone!

 

P.S. Our new year's resolution is to be better at posting on this blog. :)

 

Wait.

Waiting...


Let's face it, we all hate waiting. I know I do! I face that feeling everytime I go grocery shopping and always, always, always....end up behind a rather "slower individual" at the cash register. Whether it's in line at the grocery store or waiting to hear back from a job, I do not have the patience to wait. I'm thinking, "Don't these people know this could alter my life? Why do I have to wait?"

I have been thinking more and more about the term patience. Because the the cirrcumstances in my life I cannot control, I am forced to be just that. Patient. It shouldn't be that difficult right? Then why does it feel like tortue? As I am forcing myself to be patient and wait on the right timing of a situation, I am wondering what the outcome will be. Then I begin to plan out what will I do if it doesn't work out. What's plan B? What do I do in the meantime? I try and try to control my thoughts and just wait but I get more frustrated and start wondering why the decision cannot just be made known. Now. This is just not going how I planned! Wait a second, wasn't I supposed to be patient? Wouldn't it be easier if I just waited.

James 1:4 "But let patience have her perfect work..."
What is patience working on in my life? What's going on during the waiting period? I don't know that answer but I do know that God does. God has the power and ability to change my cirrcumstance or give me an answer but it wouldn't teach me anything. It would not teach me how to wait on Him.  In times past, I've decided, "Ok, this time I'm really going to wait on the Lord." But the realization hit me that I didn't really know what the depth of that phrase meant. There are so many references to it in the Psalms. One of my favorites is Ps. 27:14. "Wait on the Lord, be of good courage; wait I say on the Lord." Then I came to this verse, one I've never noticed before. It's in II Thessalonians 3:5 "And the Lord direct your hearts into the love of God, and into the patient waiting for Christ."

This verse gave me a differnent persepective on waiting on the Lord. It's not as if he is running late and I am just tapping my foot or twindeling my thumbs just "patiently waiting" on Him to come through. No, it's the perfect balance of hope and contentment with what God can do with my life and where I am right now. He will direct my heart, as I wait for Jesus to fulfill my every need and desire. The perfect illustration is waiting on Christ to return for His children. He is not late nor is He going to be too early either. He will be right on time.

Yes, it's been over a month since I've heard a definitive answer. Yes, I'm growing weary of constantly wondering where the road will lead. But I'm waiting on the Lord. Who knows, maybe He is preparing the road for me and I may not realize it. During this "waiting period", I am learning to trust Him more. Regardless of how things might turn out, I am confidant that He is the only sure thing in my life.

Philippians 1:6 "Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it unto the day of Jesus Christ."

Welcome to our blog....together! 

As we take this wonderful journey together, we would like to share our thoughts, our dreams, and our milestones with you! Please come along and join us.....

January 30th 2011- Kyle asked Kristy on their first date

November 24th, 2012- Kyle popped the question

May 24th, 2013- Kyle and Kristy said "I do"

Present- Kyle and Kristy are enjoying being newlyweds, currently residing in Knoxville, Tennessee, and looking forward to what the Lord has in store for them!