Virginia Tech Memorial at Texas State

On Thursday of last week, Texas State had a memorial service for the people who lost their lives at Virginia Tech. It was outside in the Quad (the center of campus) and it was filled with students. It was a really touching service and I was very happy to hear a local preacher give a short talk about turning to God. After we the playing of Taps, and a verse of everyone singing "Amazing Grace," Texas State rang their bell one time for each victim.




Something happened that really touched me that probably no one else saw. While the bells were ringing, I surveyed the audience of students and there was a guy wiping a tear from his eye. This guy did not look like the type to easily shed a tear. And the tenderness of his heart at the moment, touched me in a way I can't explain. I am proud to be part of a community that cares and mourns for their fellow students and faculty in Virginia.

A Little Perspective...

So here it is, 2 a.m. on Wednesday morning...

I'm sitting here trying to decide if I should go to bed for a couple hours then get up early and continue work on my paper that's due on Thursday or if I should just stay up and pull through until I get more done. I'm about half way done which is more progress than what I usually have two days before a 20 page paper is due, so maybe I'll take a quick nap. As I sit here thinking about how horrible and stressful my life is right now I am perusing Facebook and I come across this...




And something incredible hits me like a ton of bricks. I am sitting here stressed out because I have a paper due and there are people a few states over mourning the loss of their kids, friends, and family. How selfish do I seem now?

The Virginia Tech folks have definitely been on the forefront of my mind these last couple days and I stop and say a prayer for those involved everytime they enter my mind. And unfortunately (or perhaps fortunately), the world continues to turn and we must continue as best as possible.

I know that we would all feel better if we could place the blame on someone for this horrible thing that has happened...but the truth is, I'm not sure any one person could have prevented this. We can blame the gunman (obviously!) but he's not alive and there is noone to take the wrap. We could blame his parents..maybe they didn't love him like they should have or spent more time with him...we don't know so it's probably not too fair to blame them. How about the President of the University...yes let's blame him for not being prepared for a major massacre on his campus! There is just no way anyone could have been prepared for this.

So let's place blame where it rightfully goes...satan. Evil exists all around us, and sometimes it cannot be explained other than satan has gotten such a tight hold of someone and evil exists. The gunman had a choice, he couldn've followed a better path, made better choices, but he allowed satan to take hold of him. So the blame sets with him alone...ultimately he made the choice...a horrible, tragic choice. We cannot fathom anyone performing an act like this and all we can do is trust God, that He will make good of whatever evil situation satan creates. satan would love it if everyone started fighting over who to blame because it would mean that we are not coming together as a family of God and not placing the blame on him which is exactly what he wants.

As far as I know, I am in no way connected to any of the people involved in yesterday's incident. But that doesn't mean I can't do anything because I can pray. And while I sit here wondering how I'm going to finish the semester I am going to be reminded that there are 33 individuals who won't be finishing the semester. And that is very humbling. Have you ever thanked the Lord for your daily stresses? Because I guarantee those families are wishing they were still worrying about an upcoming test rather than what they have now been forced to worry about. We should thank God for everyday He gives us. Please don't take my words the wrong way, I in no way saying "thank God that didn't happen to me." I am saying my heart is heavy for all involved and I have been humbled and reminded of what's important, praying for strength and courage for all those involved, and making sure God is my number one priority.

I know there is nothing that anyone can say to make anyone who just lost a loved one feel better because the vast majority of us have no idea what it's like to go through something like this, and if someone who is personally affected by this tragedy happens to read this, please know that your Christian sister April and millions of other people in God's family are praying for healing in your lives. I can tell I'm rambling (if you know me you know that's what I do) so I will close...and that's a little perspective at 2:40 in the morning.

Composer Credit

So it was brought to my attention that "American Pride" was composed by Jill Galina. For some reason I had it in my head that her husband was the composer. I saw both of them at the TMEA conference. Anyways, I apologize for referring to Mrs. Galina for referring to her as her husband! Thanks to whoever informed me of my mistake!

While I'm on the Subject of Music...

So as I was writing my last post a song came to mind that I just had to share. And thankfully, I found a recording of it on You Tube of a group from Northwest Missouri Univ. The name of the piece is "The Awakening," and the composer escapes my mind for the moment (if you know who it is let me know and I'll give credit where credit is due). It's important to really listen to the lyrics of the composition because therein lies so much meaning for all of us, music nerd or otherwise. The piece is about a dream someone has where there is no music. It's a very eerie and uneasy feeling. It really captures just how important music is. It's hard to understand all the words so I've written down some of the key lyrics. Also pay close attention to the piano...it's a beautiful part and paints the text being sung wonderfully! Please let me know your reaction to this amazing composition.

"I dreamed a dream, a silent dream of a land not far away.
Where noone sang, no steeples rang and teardrops fell like rain.

I dreamed a dream, a silent dream of a land so filled with pride.
And every soul both weak and strong, withered and died.

No hallelujah!
Not one Hosanna!...

And noone sang to change the world...
I dreamed a dream, a silent dream...

Awake, awake...
The time for praise has come

Let music never die in me
Forever let my Spirit sing...

Awake, awake!
Let music live!
Let music live!
Let music live!"

"American Pride"

This is a video that was sent to me by a composer who I met at the TMEA convention a couple years ago. He wrote this song specifically for this occasion. 900+ students ranging from elementary to high school age. There is something incredibly touching about this many young voices singing together about a subject that is not sung about nearly enough these days. It's these types of events that remind me why I've decided to make music my life.

My Blake

Here's my Blake this week on American Idol in case you missed it...shame on you!

Shuttle Bus RANT!

So today I'm in line to get on the bus. It's 1 p.m. and very obvious the bus is going to be completely full. This guy cuts in line to make sure he gets a seat! A GUY!! Okay, so I get on the bus and much to my dismay all the seats are taken. Not one boy is standing up...all girls while boys just sit there and not one offers to give away their seat to any of the at least 20 girls forced to stand. This incident is what inspires me to blog today...I will let you in on my thoughts about this situation by writing a letter addressed to all boys who've ever sat while a girl was forced to stand next to them on a bus...enjoy!

Dear Texas State Boys Who Don't Give Up Their Seats for Women,

I call you boys because you obviously have not yet earned the title of Man. A true man opens the door or at least holds it for the women walking behind him, and a real man offers his seat to a woman on a full bus.
Now I know we live in an "all people are equal" blah blah blah society, but these things are just common courtesy! If the woman feels you offering your seat demeans her position as a woman, she should politely decline your offer...BUT YOU HAVE TO OFFER! I ride the bus at least six times a week and I have never seena guy give up their seat for a girl at Texas State...pitiful!
Give me a break, I'm 5'2" and you are going to force a cute little girl like me to stand with my arm stretched to its capacity just to hold the bar to keep from falling just so that you can have a seat for your lazy butt...how do any of you have girlfriends?? Seriously.
Now I know we live in UT territory so this might hurt some of you a little but I was at A and M a few months ago and had to ride a shuttle bus to a football game. Not only did every girl stuck standing get offered a seat but the men (yes they were acting like true men) purposely sat on the end JUST IN CASE they needed to give away their seat. Ya'll got shown up by a bunch of Aggies!
Now I must address the two big guys crunched in a seat together. Come on, you barely fit in those seats and were forced to be closer than any two guys generally like to be yet you would rather stay in the awkward "guy sitting too close to guy" situation than give up your seat to a girl? I'm shocked. And you...guy who rushed in front of everyone to make sure you got a seat...I hope someone stuck standing "accidentally" let their backpack slip and hit you square in the face because you definitely deserved it.
I could go on but I think you get the point so I will close with this. Boys...girls will be so much more impressed and more likely to give you the time of day if you would just say these five little words, "Here, please take my seat." No matter what women say, most of them take seriously those little common courtesies and really take note when they see a guy displaying true gentleman like qualities. So give it a try...maybe you can finally get a date!

Sincerely,

April