Where in the world!....

Where have I been, right folks??  I thought I better come and let you all know what I have been up to. Fall has been a whirlwind, and yes, I have not created anything in more than a month, other than a few cards that needed to go out in the mail.

I guess I have been on a creative reprieve...not that my brain has stopped popping out ideas...lots of those. I even bought some new BoBunny and cannot wait to play, but in September I made a decision to change my priorities.  God was not first in my life, nor had he even been second.  I decided to recenter myself on Christ, and am confident that in doing so all else will fall into place.

I joined the church choir -we had our first practice Wednesday night. At first I wondered what I was doing...I couldn't decide on whether to sing soprano or alto - I have always struggled with harmony, but "what if they chose a song to sing with a really high note - I can't hit those...."  It was so much easier to sing solos at my previous church...there I could pick a song in my range and belt it out to my hearts desire...problem with that is I suffered terribly from dry throat - my nerves don't have me cut out for "performance singing".  There is COMFORT in the numbers of a choir.  Since I sing by ear and I read music by watching notes go up and down on the scale (yes, don't laugh) - I was blessed to find myself sitting by Mandy in the alto section. A strong voice whom I could pick up our notes on right away. The first song was horrible for me...I loved the song and I wanted to sing melody. I wanted to jump sections so badly, but stayed put, figuring I would give it the night to try and sing alto. I really could not wait to run out the door and listen to the CD our church supplies, with parts, so we can practice in between practices.

Happily I find that the soprano section (MELODY!!! YEAH!) fits my range on all songs, but perhaps the traditional hymn. There is one note I question - haven't had time to practice it, but I do hope section jumping is allowed!!

Jesse and I also joined an official Lifegroup this year...our church is quite large, and everyone is encouraged to DO LIFE together by connecting with a small group. Our lifegroup picks up where we left off with Marv's passing. Yesterday was the 4 month anniversary of Marv going to be with the Lord...and we also met with our group. Steve, our leader, was talking about how one matures in Christ with age, and how wonderful it is to see those who are really keeping "the main thing the main thing" stay focused even through trials and ill health as they get on in years. I thought of Marv and remembered how strong his faith was through his last months, and what a testimony and blessing he was. I know he planted seeds...and WOW, I just feel immensely blessed to have known him.

Besides choir and lifegroup I have reactivated my activity with the photographers group at church...so I guess that puts me at connecting in three small groups. It's all good. Tomorrow morning we are heading to the arboretum early on for a fall photo shoot. It should be overcast skies, at least I hope so, which will give us rich colors. I look forward to sharing some pics here.

I have also been working diligently on the "Focus on Prevention" Susan G Komen fundraiser coming up on October 22 and 26th.  Let me just tell all of my readers right now... ESTROGEN IS the cause for cancer. In more than 80% o f all cases. We have too much estrogen, because we live in an industrialized nation that uses chemicals in every aspect of our living...we are pumping xenoestrogens into our bodies, which are seen as estrogens.  Estrogen + xenoestrogens + estrogen receptor = bad news!!  The bottom line - hormone imbalance.  I could go on and on but I will not. If you live near I hope you can make it to one of my "prevention" nights to learn and take control of your health. Medical doctors are not there...they are trained by drug companies and everything that is done, once you are diagnosed with cancer, is done pretty much because they don't know what else to do. Ok...hopping off my soap box. Drug companies run this country for sure and we are in a poor state of health because of it.

In addition I am running Abby to Brownies, taking Kyle to his own middle school lifegroup before choir on Wednesday nights...and I admit, I look forward to Friday night which we try to keep open for family time.

I will get back to scrapping. As soon as my fundraisers are over, I promise. We also have a month long break from choir in November.  I am itching to create, but absolutely love belting out a praise and worship song, even if Abby did come and complain that I am too loud and she cannot concentrate. 

I should probably start with a layout about our crazy fall schedules... meanwhile, I hope you are ALL happily creating. Love ya!

Rita S.