Sing me to Heaven

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Thanks so much for praying for me, everyone!! All of your comments were so encouraging, and I'm blessed to have such friends. :-)

I got 2nd alternate at the audition. There were actually 5 people who 'passed', and there are two alternates. So if two of those 5 drop out (get sick, go on vacation, disappear off the face of the earth, anything), then I'll get to take the 2nd one's place and audition in the next round.

So anyways, on the one hand, I'm disappointed that I didn't make it in and live up to my record from last year. But on the other hand, I know there's a reason for this, and though I may never know it, I trust God to have everything work out for HIS glory! I'll miss being at State, but I'm Ok with it. ;-) There's always next year! ;-P

Thanks again for praying, and I'll reply to all your comments when I get back from Thanksgiving vacation! I'll be 16 when I return! And C.S.Lewis would have been 110, and Lousia May Alcott would have been 176. Yep, I share a birthday with two famous authors! Neat, huh?

All we Texans hope y'all have a great Thanksgiving!

~Grace

Copyright © 2008 by GraceElizabeth

The joys and trials of being a singer

Everybody like my new template? I had some fun getting it transfered... it's remarkable that it hasn't been deleted in the process. ;-)

Now for the news. This Monday night, I will be going through an ordeal of sorts. Those who have been through auditions before know how I feel.   Those who haven't will wonder why I'm making this a big deal. ;-)

This will be the second in a series of three auditions to determine the members of the 2009 Texas All-State Choir. At the first audition- Region level- something like 24 singers are chosen from each voice part to advance. I made 3rd chair (third place) in that. This Monday night is the Pre-Area audition. The same singers who made Region will re-audition, but this time, only 6 will be chosen for each voice part.

I have to go in a room to audition three choir pieces, but I'll be by myself with only the CD accompaniment for aid. Our pieces are Alleluia by Paul Basler (for women only), Cantate Domino from the Dorchester Canticles by Tarik O'Reagan, and Dona Nobis Pachem from the B minor Mass by J.S.Bach. And, after that, we have to do sight-singing, which is basically that: singing an 8-measure tune by sight.

Now those who know me are saying, "Hey look, Grace, you did this last year and did fine. So how can you be nervous at all?"

But, see, that's the problem. I did it last year as a Freshman, never expecting to make All-State, and, wonder of wonders, I did. And it was so gloriously amazing that I want to be there again, be swamped in music for a week again, sing my heart out from 8am to 9pm again. *sigh*
So I'm nervous. Not as desperately nervous as I was a few weeks ago; thankfully I'm much better prepared now. But I can't help falling back and forth between confidence, and fearing to hope too much. You must know the feeling. When there's something you want enough, you can't help hoping, but you're so vulnerable if you do.

So I'm trying not to think about it, just to trust. In the end, it doesn't matter whether I make it or not. It only matters that I do my best. Tell me that on Monday! Also, remind me how much I LOVE singing!!

I'd appreciate your prayers, and also for my fellow singers who also are suffering from the jitters. ;-)

~Grace

Copyright © 2008 by GraceElizabeth

My voting experience

Yep, under-18-year-olds can vote too!  

Join me in voting for the Feelin' Feminine site on HomeschoolBlogAwards!

Copyright © 2008 by GraceElizabeth

Not again... triple whammy

Yes, I've been tagged thrice. I can't escape.

# 1. An award and tag from crochetcrazy and luckyme. Thanks girls! (Though about the tag now, I can't believe anyone really wants to know that much about me, so I'll just not do it. What?? That's against the common rules of decent HSBers? Oh. And I really thought I could get out of this.)

Here is the tag portion...

1. Where is your cellphone? In the future

2. Where is your significant other? Other cellphone??

3. Your hair color? Well, it's sort of a darkish blond that looks light in the sunlight... well, maybe strawberry blond without the strawberry... and sometimes it glitters, and then it's gold, but it depends, because in some lights-... Maybe I should give this up.

4. Your mother? Is a way better mom than she gives herself credit for.

5. Your father? Makes widgets. Well, that's actually a very small part of his life, but it's the first thing that came to mind. You should check out his Haiku widget. And submit your own Haiku!

6. Your favorite thing? Living

7. Your dream last night? Now, I had some very interesting dreams last night, but I can't remember a thing beyond that. Come to think of it, this is probably a trick question. You surely don't want to know.

8. Your dream/goal? My short term goal: To make the Texas All-State Choir again this year

9. The room you are in? Kitchen

10. Your hobby? Music

11. Your fear? Shall I then tell you and reveal my deepest secrets, besides putting myself completely in your power? Just kidding, I fear not being able to keep a promise.

12. Where do you want to be in 6 years? *counts on fingers* Let's see, I'll be 21. I want to be wherever God puts me.

13. Where were you last night? Home

14. What you are not? satisfactory. *sigh*

15. One of your wish-list items? A pitch pipe. Google it if you like.

16. Where you grew up? In Texas 

17. The last thing you did? I decided to use Renee's previous answer. But ended up not using it.

18. What are you wearing? My choir polo and jeans

19. Your TV? Exists. 

20. Your pet? 1 fuzzy dog

21. Your computer? Exists.

22. Your mood? Picture her sitting there at the computer, smiling dreamily... there is a regal look on her face. Perhaps she remembers, recollects a time forgotten... But we will never know, for the way into her soul is blocked; her eyes are veiled. (haha, well you asked.)

23. Missing someone? Maybe that's what I was pondering. But my eyes are veiled, remember?

24. Your car? Where it should be. But it's not mine.

25. Something you are not wearing? a feather boa

26. Favorite store? Music stores! 

27. Your summer? I think it was great. I can't remember. *cheesy grin*

28. Love someone? Many

29. Your favorite color? Blue

30. When is the last time you laughed? Reading Paul's post on the election

31. Last time you cried? Last night when I was reading... I cry very easily over books. I take that back, I just cry easily. :'-(

~~~~~

Now, for you recipients of this award, here is the deal (follow the instructions exactly, not my example, else you might get reported to the *ahem* authorities):

* Display your award.

* Link back to the person who gave you the award. Check.
* Nominate at least 7 other blogs. 7?? *sigh* Narniagirl, Penstroke, Ninwaii, you, you, you, and... you.
* Put links to those blogs on yours. Check

* Leave a message on the blogs of the people you have nominated. 

* Enjoy your award!

~~~~~

# 2. Justyne/Cyrilla/AuthorElf is the second guilty party. ;-)

1. If you were to describe yourself as a color, what would it be?:  White

2. What is your favorite animal?: I don't really have one. Sorry.

3. What is your favorite musical instrument?: Piano, and voice. But voice might not qualify.

4. Do you have a favorite number?: No, actually I don't.

5. Roller coasters or boat rides?: Roller coasters.

6. If you were an animal, what would you be?: *quizzical look* You fill in the blank.

7. What coin best describes you?: A quarter, according to my sister.

8. Do you like tags?: It depends on the tag.

Do you wish this tag would end?: It doesn't matter what I wish, since it keeps going.

10. Morning or evening?: Mornings

11. Mugs or just plain cups?: I've never thought about that one. I'll go with goblets.

12. Describe yourself as a... living, breathing, female human being. With blond hair, green eyes, and height of 5' 3''.

13. Fiction or non-fiction?: Fiction affords immediate pleasure. Non-fiction often requires extra thought. So it depends on the day.

14. Do you wish you were somewhere else?: Once again it makes no difference what I wish. I am pretty content here at present. But I would like to play lazer-tag, or tour Europe, or go skiing. Or burst in on some friends while they're peacefully doing school, wearing a long red and white dress, and carrying a sword, and announcing that they've been summoned to the world of... um... Inofritocies to assist the true king in taking back his throne. Well, you asked.

15. Do you like candy or do you not like candy?: And why exactly would a person NOT like candy!!

I tag: Anyone who likes to touch ferns so that they roll up tightly.

~~~~~

#3. (This is taking a while. If anyone wonders, I've written this post in day-by-day segments.)

Tag from nachoaveragegirl. I must write 4 things that y'all probably DON'T know about me, and 4 things that you probably DO.

Enlightening facts about me:

1. When I listen to music I can't seem to help conducting it. I must swell with it, move with it, be part of it. And it helps to close my eyes, and bring in each of the instruments at their proper time. There is no such thing as 'background music' to me.

2. In movies, I notice the film music score nearly as much as anything else.

3. When I'm reading piano music, I have a harder time playing in sharps than in flats.

4. I have a pretty hard time trying to play jazz. The other day I was trying to play Linus and Lucy by Vince Guaraldi, and the syncopated rythms are so hard! I will keep working at it though, since it bothers me to not be able to play something.

Stuff you don't need me to tell you:

1. Music is one of the most defining factors in my life.

2. I am very determined.

3. And passionate.

4. And artistically-minded.

I tag: Anyone who takes snow for granted. *sigh* This is hard work, thinking up interesting groups of people to tag every time. I've already used up a lot of good ones since I started blogging.

Copyright © 2008 by GraceElizabeth

Anxiety

The election is happening as I type. All over the country, the mind of Americans is directed in one direction: "Who will lead us as the next president of the United States?"

?????

Are we frightened? Should we be?

Psalm 2:

Why are the nations in an uproar, And the peoples devising a vain thing?
The kings of the earth take their stand, and the rulers take counsel together Against the LORD and against His Anointed:
"Let us tear their fetters apart, And cast away their cords from us!"

He who sits in the heavens laughs, The Lord scoffs at them.
Then He will speak to them in His anger And terrify them in His fury:
"But as for Me, I have installed My King Upon Zion, My holy mountain."

"I will surely tell of the decree of the LORD: He said to Me, 'Thou art My Son, Today I have begotten Thee.
'Ask of Me, and I will surely give the nations as Thine inheritance, And the very ends of the earth as Thy possession.
'Thou shalt break them with a rod of iron, Thou shalt shatter them like earthenware.'"

Now therefore, O kings, show discernment; take warning, O judges of the earth.
Worship the LORD with reverence, And rejoice with trembling.
Do homage to the Son, lest He become angry, and you perish in the way, For His wrath may soon be kindled. How blessed are all who take refuge in Him!

~~~~~

I will not be afraid. I will rejoice with trembling gladness over the omnipotence of our God!

Copyright 2008 by GraceElizabeth

A Belated Birthday Post

Written October 18th 2008...

14 years ago today...

I was no longer an only child.

Happy Birthday to my dear sister Emily! This year you really have grown into such a young lady and I'm proud to be your sister. I love you so much, sweetie!

A year ago yesterday...

The pattern of girls born into our family was broken.

Happy Birthday to my baby brother Alan! We are daily praying that this little boy will become a wonderful man of Christ-like valor. Keep growing big and strong, ACE!

 Hugs and kisses to both of you,

~Grace

Copyright © 2008 by GraceElizabeth

Tagged and awarded

Melanie&Josie&Sarah&Felicity at Pennies from Heaven tagged me!

Rules:

1. Link to the person who tagged you.
2. Post the rules on your blog.
3. Write six random things about yourself.
4. Tag sixish people at the end of your post.
5. Let each person know he or she has been tagged.
6. Let the tagger know when your entry is up.

1) I like to compare people to inanimate objects or birds and animals. For example... my friend Christina H. is like Minuet in G by Petzold, a sunflower, a cherry, a chickadee, and a dolphin, while my dad is like the hymn A Mighty Fortress is Our God, an apple... you get the picture. ;-)

2) Some of my friends have assigned these words to me: Butterfly, Light, in rilievo, musical, and indescribable.

3) My bedroom used to be a kitchen.

4) I am horrible at remembering dates, but I will remember petty facts like that Germany is the world's #1 producer of sugar beets.

5) I can sing and read a book at the same time.

6) Ummm... I guess I'm not very random. :-P

And I tag: anyone who thinks that they're random.

~~~

I was awarded the "C for Contagious" award by EowynDerhelm! Thank you! (I hope it's contagious in a good way... )

I award:

onedaymore

AuthorElf

Kantare

crochetcrazy

 You all are contagious in a good way. ;-) But some or all of you may have been awarded this before, so take it or leave it!

~Grace

Copyright © 2008 by GraceElizabeth