I've been a bit busy. Can you guess what I'm doing?
I'll give you a few hints:
Around this time of year it seems as if people around you are little kinder, maybe talk in a more gentle tone and extend out a helping hand more than other times of the year. I enjoy being the one extending that hand and will continue to do so in whatever way I can. However, on Friday the favor was returned to me. I had my last stint at playing at Macey's. Just a few days before I had played and the sustain pedal was broken to the piano. It was almost unbearable to play. I even left a little early because I was discouraged. Yesterday I went to play again hoping that the pedal would be fixed but it wasn't so I tried my best to play the grand piano like an organ. The experience was a little better that I improved my attitude. While I was playing I felt a familiar presence over my shoulder and low and behold the same old lady came and played on the piano again. I just smiled at the irony of me having two run ins with her. Then something amazing happened. People just kept putting in tips after tips. By the end of the play time I had accumulated a little over $30. Such a blessing as I see it. Thank you to all those patrons that made my Christmas just a little sweeter by your kindness and allowing me to share my talent.
I got to play at Macey's(the grocery store) on Friday. I had a blast. It was probably the weirdest experience I have had in a while but still fun! I had so many kind people walk by singing or telling me which song that they loved the most while they were shopping. It's a such a joy to bring a smile to people's faces. And I made 10 bucks!!! Woohoo! One of the Macey employees came over and gave me a tip. I felt honored because I know she is there all day long listening to us piano players.
I was playing for a while and I heard emergency sirens outside getting louder and louder. A firetruck and ambulance finally passed by the entrance at Macey's. Then a few minutes later fully geared firemen walked in the store. Along with a lot of men in uniform. I kept looking over my piano waiting for people running out of the store at any moment. I kept thinking to myself should I be evacuating or something? I kept playing and when I left the store all the trucks were lined outside so I'm not really sure what happened.
Then, during the middle of playing I could feel someone leaning on my shoulder then an older lady started banging on the keys in the middle of while I was playing. She said, "it's my turn to play". Then she kept asking, when do I get to play? I looked up and there was a woman with no teeth and I told her 20 minutes and she yelled back to another older man that she could play in 20 minutes and he said, mother that is too long let's go. Really odd!
Then, while I was playing this little boy was standing there watching me. And I stopped playing and asked if he wanted to hear a song he knew. He shook his head and pulled out some change and told me he was rich! So I started playing again and he started playing near my tip jar then put his head in the grand piano and yelled that is the most awesome song I have ever heard! At this point in time I'm just dying wondering if it could get any weirder. Then he goes out in the middle of floor and starts busting a move. He kept yelling towards me to look at what he could do. Then got mad at me because I wasn't looking at him. Bizarre! I was thankful that it was my last song I was playing at felt a little bad for the next gal that would have to compete with the kid.
It was riot! I get to play two more times this week. I have to say last year I played at night and I love the morning crowd so much more! I get to play Tuesday night and Friday morning. Looking forward to it!
I finally finished the recipe blog!!! WOOHOO! Now I'm thinking OH MAN what did I get myself into. I'm going to take things at my own pace and not stress. So here is the link for you to access the blog.
I was sitting in sacrament meeting today(church) wanting to get up during fast and testimony meeting but I couldn't. Nothing ever comes out the way it's supposed to. So I thought I would write down a few of my thoughts and feelings here. In my faith it has always been taught that God answers our prayers but sometimes it's in his time and that we need to wait upon him. That is commonly talked about in Sunday school class and in the instruction we receive and is easy to say but is not easy when you're the one waiting. I know He answers prayers but sometimes the wait for his guiding hand can be excruciatingly long and frustrating. You question if your prayers are making it past the ceiling. There is a song by Hilary Weeks where there is a woman pleading to God for help telling him that she does not have the strength to make it on her own and wondering how soon will He answer her. In the second verse is his reply:
I know you're weary
I know you've had all you can bear
And now you ask of me on bended knee
I promise I'll be there
I've watched you struggle
Yet I can see how much you've grown
Child, could you feel my power in your darkest hour?
You were not alone
Be still and know that I am God
I'm by your side
Whom shall you fear
I'll give you strength my child
I am here
Be still and know that I am God
And there's no prayer
That I don't hear
Lift up your head
My child
I am here
