choir choir choir choir GO

Space heaters are AWESOME. I love that it's more than 60 degrees in here!

That way, I can stay comfy while I'm up arranging these songs for VCF choir. Wait... that's not what it's called. VCF Christmas Choir? The Barn Singers? (I suggested the Hayloft Singers at one point, because we sing at the Barn, and instead of a choir loft, a barn would have a hayloft... I am guessing that it was too witty and that is why I never received a response.)

Whatever it is, our first meeting is tomorrow. Kind of a late start. There are only 7 Mondays until Christmas. We are going to move at lightning speeds. Sing at the speed of light. And then be like, bam, Christmas.

It's my third year running it. I think this is my last year. I make no bones about it. I've led community choirs since 2005. And I like it. But the thing that makes them live is having them around all year.

I ask myself, why don't I just get it together, why don't I just get my act together and run it all year? And when I ask this, I find I can make excuses by the bucketload. I got a hundred up my sleeve. I think there are always plenty of excuses lying around if you ever need them. But the fact of the matter is: if you want to do something, you're gonna do it. To be honest, I just haven't wanted it to the point where it topped my priorities list. I can admit that without being a bad person.

(I think.)

For me, there has never been a lack of ideas for projects to get involved with. They simply cannot all happen. There are not enough hours in the week. I do find that I need to remind myself of this, otherwise this groundless guilt starts to set in and make everything sour. I think it's great to work hard to achieve goals, but we need to listen to our own hearts, and God's heart for us (yes, both, God does care about our wants as well as our needs) What not to listen to: the voices saying little annoying catch-phrase-y things, like Do More, Achieve, Get Involved. Being rested and healthy and spiritually well is success in and of itself, and that takes time, too. Contrary to popular belief, well-being is NOT the natural result of trying to cram more "productivity" into your day.

Still, though. Choir is awesome. There is so so SO much more to worship than Sunday morning, and it's easy for me to see the connections between choral singing and the kingdom of God. Corporate sound. One sound from many bodies. Oneness, proclaiming the message of Jesus. Learning to submit your voice into that sound. Learning to take the lead, gently but firmly, when necessary, within your part to guide others through the right pitches. We don't all sing the same voice part. But bass, alto, soprano, tenor, baritone, whatever: they all listen to one another, tune to each other, sing their own unique part in a unified message.

Yep.