Favorite Classical Music

Often, I enjoy having some classical music on during the day while I'm teaching the children their lessons.  I like something relaxing and not too "bouncy" or distracting.  Some times it can be hard to find a selection that I particularly like and that is conducive to learning.

But this is one of my favorites. I hope you enjoy it too:



Isn't the above such a lovely painting?  Maybe when I am older I will have time to paint such lovely things to remind me of when the children were young, and of all the blessings and joys of motherhood.

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Music in the House

There is nothing quite like having live music in the home, is there?  I especially love when I hear one of the children singing a beautiful hymn as they go about their day.

We have been blessed of late to be able to find some second-hand violins to purchase for a decent price.  One of our daughters has the desire to teach her siblings how to play, so she was thrilled with the violins we've been able to find.  The children were so excited and thought them so pretty that they set the violins up to take several pictures of them together.

Cherished of God loves to play fiddle, and can be heard most afternoons playing cheerful songs that flow throughout the house.  Now the other end of the house has beginner violinists learning to play, and I am wishing I had the time to learn how to play, myself!  But right now is not that time, so I enjoy my children playing and am grateful they have the opportunity.

I am hoping to get back to teaching the children piano once again, but right now I have other pressing things I must attend to.  I also hope that we will be able to get a better piano some day, as the one we have now is in pretty bad shape, so it will be hard to teach on this.  However, a worn out piano is better than none at all!

This is another blessing of having your children at home--they have time to learn music!  We have so many resources available to us today--some times children can learn music over the internet.  If you are looking for a Christian piano course, there is a lovely one available from Madonna Woods.  I have used the early levels with my children, and we have been very pleased. Even if you have no experience in music, you should be able to use these, as full instruction is given on the included CDs.  It is so much better than the secular music books available, which often have songs included that I'd rather the children not learn.

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Enjoying the Warm Weather

The weather here has been like Spring.  The days have been so warm, we've had our windows open all day.  I had meal planning to do this evening, but the children beckoned me to come see the sunset.  It really was beautiful.  What a wonderful, creative God we serve.

After watching the beautiful sunset, the children started a game of dodge ball, just like we would play with Daddy.  Instead of them chasing him though, the children were going after me.  Creative said I was like a little girl the way I was screaming and running away.  Well, it is good to stay youthful :)

After a little while, the ball bounced off somebody and went into the neighbor's yard.  So we then had a game of freeze tag.  I'm sure we stayed out much too late, as it was way past dinnertime when we finally came in.  I whipped up some blueberry pancakes with sprouted flour, and we had a late dinner.  But I suppose these spontaneous times are needed occasionally.  I  know we all had fun.
 

Life is so busy right now and much is on my mind.  It seems there are always trials in life, and the Lord deals more to some than others.  While making dinner, I put on some Scripture Songs and was reminded of the promises and goodness of God, and comforted by the Psalms.

When in a trial, it also does good to go over the things you have to be thankful for.  Some of my list right now:  my wonderful, Godly husband; my beautiful and special children; God's provision; God's sovereignty; times of joy and fun; being able to run around with the children; and having our good and gracious Heavenly Father on our side.

I hope you are well, my dear readers ♥

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I Had To

This time last year I was shaking...almost unable to play the notes I knew so well.  I had been told for years, by someone, that I could do nothing.
Nothing.

After years of that, you forget things that you know well.  You forget you can do things.  You forget God gave you gifts.

For years I had been my piano teacher's star student, played for Sunday School, played at school, played at church, entertained at dinners, and surprised friends who would sit and listen to me play for hours.  I was never nervous for those things.

So I had to, and my little ones wanted me to.
Play.

This year was different.  While I was still a little nervous, I was not as shaky.  With all those people sitting and staring at me, I did not feel as inadequate as I did a year ago.  I had the freedom to play.

And it was not for my glory, but for the One who brought me out of a deep, dark pit.  Who brought me back from the dead--out of the clutches of someone who tried to squeeze the life out of me.

Thank you, Jesus.

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The Piano

My fingers fly across the smooth black and white keys, remembering days gone by when I had time to practice...

When I had the time and the energy to wake up at 5:30 in the morning to play the beloved instrument...

Now my days are long and draining...

By the end of the day I am exhausted.

But my children...they beg me.

"Mama, please play the piano!  Please, Mama, please!

It helps us go to sleep!"

And so, sometimes I find myself sitting down to play.

When I should be cleaning or doing some other such needful task...

I lay my hands across the keys and make the sounds, the melodies...

The music fills our home as I could never forget how...

The days are gone when I would play for an audience and hold them captive...

Yes, the pianist is rusty and the piano not great, but my children find it the best music in the world.

And I am happy.

Woman at the...
Pierre-Auguste ...
Buy This at Allposters.com

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O God, Do Thou Sustain Me

Cast thy burden upon the LORD, and he shall sustain thee: he shall never suffer the righteous to be moved.
~Psalm 55:22


 

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Listening to Hymns

Two Dutch Children Share a Hymn Book in a Church on a Sunday

I guess I am "old-fashioned", but I like hymns.  For a long time I have been trying to find somewhere to listen to some online since we really don't have any CD's of hymns.  I have only found short samples or only instrumental pieces, when I would like to hear the beautiful words that speak of the Saviour.

I want to expose our children to this good music:  music that focuses on the truths of God's Word.  I am thankful to have finally found something and wanted to share it with you.  I have found a whole playlist of videos of Christian hymns you can listen to.   It is on YouTube, and if you sit down to watch instead of just listening, there are beautiful pictures of God's creation to go along with the videos, as well as the words.  Since it is a playlist, the songs will keep playing until you stop them!

I have been playing these for many hours of the day so the children and I can enjoy their beauty and pleasant melodies.  The children have told me that the hymns help them to sleep at night and comfort them.

I hope you enjoy them too.

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Free Classical Music

There is nothing quite like classical music to give you the feeling of being back in a simpler time.  I have found a site with classical music to download for free!  (You can also listen online.)  You can view all the composers by alphabetical order, or filter the music by genre or time period (20th century, Baroque, Classical, Medieval, Romantic).

Buy From Art.com

I hope you enjoy this resource.



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And Can It Be

Beautiful.   Listen.