The Cellist

Oh my heart is full! 

Thank you God for restoring Emma's ability and passion for the cello. Each time I hear her play I wonder if my heart might explode. I wish Aunt Delma was here to experience all that my girls are accomplishing. She would be so proud. Back to what I was talking about...Truly, this child smiles while she plays. She loved it before her accident but appreciates it more now than ever.

Sunday my GI friend, Kimberly and I spent the evening listening to some fantastic cello musicians at UNK. And then I was thrilled when they all came back out to take pictures. Well, that made this mama so happy! I can't wait to do a little scrapbooking. :) To top off the evening I spent the night in Grand Island rather than driving all the way back home. 

Good music, Good friends and a Good night's sleep.

Before I pulled away, we hugged a little longer than normal. My girl is ready for a break. I reminded her it's only 5 more sleeps until she is home again. I can cook for her, do her laundry and snuggle on the couch. Spring Break for the whole family...can't wait!

Rocking College Life

One semester down...seven to go. I'm not surprised at all but that doesn't change the fact that I'm thrilled to see Emma do so well in the transition to college.  When an 18 year old heads off to college they have no idea what they will experience in that dorm room, on campus or even in those classrooms. For sure it is different from home, their ability to adapt is amazing. Emma loves every single aspect of her college experience so far. Maybe it has helped her learn to appreciate her family a little more and they way she was raised.

-She has learned to live with a stranger

-She has learned how and where to study

-She has formed some amazing relationships

-She has experienced very different morals, values and cultures

-She has found a job

-She has learned that eating too much junk has consequences

-She has found a group to help her grow spiritually

-She calls her mom :)

-She loves coming home (and going back to school).

I am so proud of her!

Shortly after second semester started we received a certificate of academic excellence.

Great job Em. Always work hard to be the best you can be.

Last week this picture came across my instagram feed. My heart nearly exploded with joy. Remember June of 2017 when Emma dramatically injured her middle finger on her left hand leaving her unable to play the cello? Well, she is back at it. Not only is she playing again but she auditioned for the University orchestra and made it! Congrats babe!! I miss the beautiful cello music she created while living at home. It will be such a joy to hear her perform again.

We have always felt like it is our job to help our children grow wings and then celebrate when they leave the nest and learn to soar on their own. Our first baby girl is doing just that!

Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men 

stumble and fall; but those who hope in the LORD 

will renew their strength. They will soar on 

wings like eagles; they will run and not grow 

weary, they will walk and not be faint.

Isaiah 40:30-31

Nebraska Ambassadors of Music

Back in 2013 Emma learned about a music trip to 7 European countries where she could play her cello and sing in the choir. At the time, it sounded impossible to me but never did Emma entertain the thought of impossibility, she knew she was going! Four years later we found ourselves leaving Emma at the three day Fremont camp to rehearse and prepare for her trip of a lifetime. To say we are proud of Em would be too simplistic. She made a plan to raise over $6000 and even though there were stumbling blocks (like a $1200 car repair) along the way she did it. Sweetheart, not only will this trip help shape the young woman you will become but the financial accomplishment will forever remind you that "IT IS POSSIBLE!" This is where Emma spent 16 days this summer...

United Kingdom 3 days

France 3 days

Switzerland 3 days

Liechtenstein 2 hours

Austria 3 days

Italy 1 day

Germany 3 days

***Disclaimer: Below you will find a bunch of SnapChat screenshots or quick photos that Emma text to me. Most of the good pictures are on her camera.

DROPPING OFF OUR MUSICIAN

Pre-Trip Performance

I believe the choir was made up of about 130 singers. There was a chamber orchestra and a HUGE band. After the Thursday night concert, Emma was up at 3am June 9th for a 7:50am flight from Nebraska to Georgia. It wasn't until 7:28am June 10th London Time (1:28am CST) that the group landed. And then they were off to a full day of sight-seeing and no sitting. Sitting may result in sleeping. ;)

FOREIGN SOIL

LES MISERABLES at the QUEENS THEATER

LOVE THE SNAPCHAT FILTERS

Kensington Palace...Oh my! I am in love with the Royals. This is most certainly a bucket list item for me! Obviously Emma has better pictures, these are just the photos I took screenshots of in SnapChat. The GeoFilters are fun but after leaving London Emma had a hard time getting service until they were back at the hotel. And then all that Global Roaming on our phone service started causing some problems for those of us at home. Calls, text and emails didn't always go through. My phone froze often. You know, first world problems!

FIRST (EVER) METHODIST CHURCH

The building tours during the entire trip did not disappoint. 

MANY EARLY MORNINGS

She's ready for another day of travel, this day it's a 3 hour bus ride to the ferry then to Paris, France. Emma wanted to complain a little that they weren't taking the Chunnel (underground tunnel below the English Channel) but she knew we weren't going to feel sorry for her. Paris is one of Emma's bucket list items. I have heard some say they weren't actually that impressed with the Eiffel Tower in person. Not Emma, she was thrilled!

The tour hit the big cities of London and Paris which were wonderful, busy and offered a lot of "touristy" opportunities.

PRETTY AMAZING

The Eiffel Tower area opens at 9am, this picture was taken at 9:10am, hence the empty green space. Em said by the time they left it was packed with people.

FACETIME!!

On June 15th as she was about to go to bed I got a FaceTime call from Em. Actually seeing her face and hearing her voice thrilled my heart! Oh how I missed my girl! Look at that smile...she was having a ball!

In Switzerland and Austria the speed of life slowed. The people in the big cities really didn't care if there was a group from Nebraska, USA touring but in small cities and villages the people we ready and waiting for their visitors. Special food, t-shirts, ornaments, discounts and festivals were part of the welcoming nature of these people.

EMMA'S INSTAGRAM POST
I just love her thoughts on the mountain

THE CREW

Two hours of shopping at the famous Champs-élysée was not enough time for this crew and five hours was too much time at Notre-Dame.

ANOTHER EARLY MORNING

One day in Venice doesn't do it justice but another thing has been checked off the bucket list, the city on water.

GONDOLA RIDE

The final country, Germany did not disappoint, beauty, history and cheap Birkenstock sandals.

The tour of Dachau concentration camp

SHE LOVED THE FLOWERS ON ALL THE BUILDINGS

THE LAST NIGHT

AW,  MY BABY IS HOME!!!

I prayed every day for these kids and the fantastic adults traveling through Europe. Obviously, I prayed for health and safety but more importantly I knew Emma was with kids who loved the Lord as well as those who don't know Christ as their personal savior. Em is so real, so loving and non-judgmental that she can talk about her faith and her friends know it is real. I love that! My prayers were for her to impact someone for the Glory of the Kingdom. I don't know if that happened but God does. God doesn't need us but He graciously invites us into His plan.

Seeing Emma walk up the ramp at Epply Airport calmed this mama's heart and sent a surge of endorphines throughout my body that kept me awake longer than I had planned. Em, I love your stories and your desire to go back again. Welcome home Sweet Emma!

She Sings ... She Plays ... She Loves It

The Final Elementary music concert 

W O O   H O O ! ! !

What a great cheering section, Nana, Great Grandma, Aunt Holly, big sister Emma and always...Mom!

R2 Singers is a group of 4th and 5th graders, similar to show choir but not an audition group. Next year Liv will be back to regular choir and then in 7th and 8th grade I'm guessing she will try out for show choir. This girl loves to perform!

Our school district is in a financial crisis. Every year there seems to be a $5-6 million shortage and programs have to be cut. Starting 2017/2018 high school students will no longer be able to participate in band, orchestra and choir. I'm not exactly sure how this creates a financial win for the district but I also don't have all the background information. Liv has a few more years until she has to make that final decision. Middle school is designed to give students an opportunity to try out many interests.

Babe, you are a joy to watch perform. Keep working hard to improve your skill as God has given you a beautiful gift of music. No matter what you do, we love you forever and always.

A Spooky Orchestral Outing

Vala's Pumpkin Patch is a big deal in Omaha. Back in 1988 the Vala family opened a little pumpkin patch (I am assuming) to off set their income as farmers. Fast forward almost 30 years, that little patch of land with a few fall activities has turned into an amusement park of sorts. I love fall and pumpkin patches but this place is way too commercialized for my liking, not to mention the $18 entry fee is ridiculous! None the less, if we can find discount or free tickets, we partake. 

Last night the Millard elementary orchestra students performed a couple scary pieces. Liv and I enjoyed a little extra time at the patch, sharing stories, hot cider and a popcorn ball. One on one time with any of my girls is always very special.