July 31, 2009

Tim Hawkins!

I'm so excited! Tim Hawkins is coming to a church at Stone Mountain! I'm so excited! Smoke Rise Baptist Church has booked him to help benefit medically needy children. The tickets are not expensive at all! I'm so excited! If Jeramy cannot go, then I will ask a girlfriend to go! I'M SO EXCITED!!!!







July 30, 2009

Personal Responsibility

In regards to an earlier post about the company we keep and how it relates to our own behavior, one thing I didn't mention that I have been meditating on since, is that each individual is personally responsible for our own behavior before a Holy, Just and Righteous God. (2 Corinthians 5:10)

While reading through 2 Corinthians yesterday, two passages struck me as it relates to this issue. Chapter 2 verses 6 through 9 caused me to pause.

Wherefore I urge you to reaffirm your love for him. For to this end also I wrote, so that I might put you to the test, whether you are obedient in all things.
Verses 8-9

Someone in the church had received some severe discipline and it was very well known. This person continues to fellowship with this body (considering the persecution of that time) but somewhat stand-offish one could guess. As the people were commanded to reaffirm their love, they may not have wanted to; they might not have felt like showing love and kindness to this person. Their emotional desire is contrary to what should be done in this situation. But this lesson continues to ring with me: as a believer I am called to obey even when (especially when) I don't feel like it. And it's not hypocritical to do so. A child obeying a father's command is not hypocritical, it is mandatory. I'm still learning this.

Later at the end of Chapter 6 through 7, verse 1 it hit me that I cannot allow other individuals to influence my behavior especially in relationships that cannot be severed.

"let us cleanse ourselves from all defilement of flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God."

Sanctification is definitely not a one-sided attempt at grasping the holiness of Christ, but after the Holy Spirit convicting us, prompting us of sin in need of repentance, I must respond with a readiness and willingness to own it, repent of it, forsake lawless practices and practice righteousness.

This battle is not of flesh, but of spirit and I must remember that (Ephesians 6).


Pictures From The 'Boro


If you move your mouse over the picture, any captions will appear.






July 27, 2009

Statesboro

Tomorrow, Lord willing, Jeramy, the girls and I will be making the 3.5 hour drive down to Statesboro to visit the Andersons. I've been really excited about it and eagerly anticipating getting away (really just a change in scenery and activities). Two weeks ago we wanted to go and put up creamed corn, but there was no corn ready. Last week we would have gone, but looking at houses was a higher priority. :-) So, we are going tomorrow before the Northchase ESL Ministry resumes when we will be completely unable to go until November. I'm looking forward to visiting my in-laws, for them to see how much Moriah has grown and to meet Lily. It's been almost a year since we've left the 'boro for the metro Atlanta area. There's a few things I'm not looking forward to on our visit: the gnats, the fire ants, and the heat index! But it'll be great anyway. I'll post some pictures when we return. Here's a funny video song by Tim Hawkins about fire ants, enjoy.


Disclaimer: I do not promote the sacrifice of beautiful creatures for entertainment purposes. However, Jeramy and I intentionally kill every roach, mosquito and scary bug I find in our house. I have mercy on what I will have mercy. :-)

July 26, 2009

Just A Thought

As I look back over these past couple of weeks, I consider how much I let others influence the way I think and behave. This is not to say that God's Word doesn't influence me toward godliness - of course it does. This is in reflection of 1 Corinthians 15:33. Sometimes it is a good thing, when I spend time with other women I admire who, in one way or another, encourage me toward Titus 2 qualities. With these women, the fellowship is always sweet, transparent, convicting and full of joy. It's like a taste of heaven. During and after this wonderful time together, Christ is exalted in our thoughts and the pursuit of holiness finds renewed wind in our sails. It is refreshing and one of my great joys being a part of the body of Christ to which we've joined. It is blessed to be in the company of such fine women.

Other times, it is not a good thing. Personally, I am discouraged from godly qualities towards those of the world when I spend more time with people who are worldly. The outcome is not glorifying to God. The holiness of Christ is not satisfying. The divine role and calling of Biblical Womanhood is not fulfilling. Pleasure, power and possessions are joyless idols and self-centeredness does not reward any peace. Vainly chasing after the wind becomes tiresome and any momentary prize creates a vacuum of perpetual discontentment.

May Your grace ever be with me Lord, that I would pursue time in Your Word like water after a hard run. Exhort me to always seek time with godly women and convict me when in the presence of my brothers and sisters in Christ. May my sin be ever exposed that the motivation always be burning toward Christ-like holiness and righteousness in my words and actions.


July 25, 2009

Today's Milestones

This morning Moriah went poo poo in the potty! Jeramy swooped her up just as she was beginning to go and sat her down on the potty. After about 5 minutes she had completed number 1 and #2! Yay Moriah!

When I switched to cloth diapers, I ordered 5 dozen prefolds, 10 all in ones and 10 diaper covers. In hindsight I should have ordered more diaper covers because if I use them conservatively, then I don't have to do diaper laundry as often. Anyway, this evening for about 45 minutes before the girls' bath, I ran out of clean diaper covers and all in ones and we only have one disposable left, so . . . I let Moriah run around naked. :-) When she had to pee, I saw her stop and stand with a serious look on her face. She was probably thinking, "I'm not wearing a diaper and I have to go right NOW. Can I go right here on the carpet?" Immediately I told her to go sit and pee pee on the potty and she did. Maybe this naked idea really can hold some water. :-)

Two nights this past week, Lily had been very restless during the night, waking up several times extremely distraught. Well, the second night Jeramy figured out that she was teething and this morning I felt a little spike in her mouth on her bottom gum! She's cutting her first tooth! And the second one, right next to it is probably going to come out in a few days also.

Tomorrow Moriah will be 20 months! She's almost two years old. I can't believe it. And Lily will be 7 months on the 4th. This afternoon as I watched Moriah play with my keys, making cute little toddler nonsense noises, I got a shot of a sobering reality that she's growing up. When she was an infant I didn't foresee this day. Neither will she be a toddler forever. (Oftentimes it feels like she always will be.) In the years to come I'm not going to hear her make these cute noises anymore. Nor will Lily be as small a bundle of joy that she is now. Already her feet are hanging off the end of her car seat carrier. After she starts walking her adorable, kissable cheeks will lose their fatness. Maybe I shouldn't wish them to grow up so quickly. These days will be gone sooner than I think.


July 24, 2009

Like Mother, Like Daughter

This is one of my fears when it comes to parenting. I don't want my daughters to grow up and struggle with the same sin issues with which I struggle. Jeramy and I pray that they will come to know the Lord Jesus Christ, by grace through faith alone, at an early age and be spared much of the heartache of chasing after the wind. Even now, after two and a half years of marriage, we are able to give them a model that we didn't have in our childhood: two believing parents who hold to the authority, inerrancy and sufficiency of Scripture. Jeramy is a wonderful, loving, involved Father and I willingly stay home to raise and teach them.

Moriah is our honeymoon baby - conceived about the third day of our marriage. Having children right off, and two so close together, is a very effective method of sanctification because my sin mirror is staring me right in the face all the time. In many ways it is very cute to see Moriah doing the same things that I do: care for a "baby," breastfeed (really funny!), sing, dance, laugh, kiss her baby sister, try to walk in my shoes, etc.

But in other ways, many other ways, it is very discouraging to see her doing the same things I do which I hate. She is strong-willed and insists on her way. Her happiness is ruled by her circumstances. She is often very discontent and she yells in defiance. Where did she learn all of this? From me! and it's really depressing. I wish that sanctification happened a lot faster. I desire to repent and behave more graciously but the practice of such things is difficult, often very overwhelming and seemingly impossible at times.

For I know that nothing good dwells in me, that is, in my flesh; for the willing is present in me, but the doing of the good is not. For the good that I want, I do not do, but I practice the very evil that I do not want.
Romans 7:18-19



July 23, 2009

House Update

The house we put an official bid on this past Monday will not be accepted. Because that house has part of the carpet cut away, FHA will not extend the loan to acquire it. So, we move on to house choice number 2 and are very content if we get that one. In a way, I'm not surprised that we won't be getting that house. It's okay, really. We're not hurt by it, just a little puzzled over the reason the bank gave concerning the carpet. God wills for us to live somewhere else.

Our second house choice is just across the Duluth/Lawrenceville border. It is a 3 bed/2 bath ranch with a full, finished basement and sits on a 3/4 acre lot. The yard is beautiful. There is a deck and shed in the backyard and a porch in the front. There are beautiful hardwood floors and a lovely fireplace. The neighborhood looks very safe and the cul-de-sac in which it sits is very quiet. It feels like an oasis away from the city.




July 21, 2009

Since the Switch to Cloth . . .

I would like to share what I love about cloth diapers since I've switched. I do still use disposable diapers when we go to church for the convenience of those in the nursery and because we're out quite a long time. I still use disposables at night with Moriah for the sake of ease. But all the other time, I use cloth. I really like that
  • I don't have to run out in a panic to buy more disposables.
  • I don't have to spend NEAR the amount of money on diapers per month.
  • There is SO much less waste.
  • They are reusable.
  • They are so easy to clean and care for.
  • The cloth diaper laundry actually makes me more efficiently push through our weekly laundry.
  • After the initial rinse I don't have to touch them again until they're clean.
  • I can reuse the diaper covers and just replace the prefolds.
  • They do effectively contain breastfed blow outs.
  • They are very absorbent.
  • The prefolds have so many other uses too.
  • The prefolds are durable.
  • The diaper covers effectively contain early morning smells.
  • With consistent changes, there is less occurrence of diaper rash.
And Jeramy is more than willing to change them! (Now, don't misunderstand me - he doesn't volunteer to change diapers, but is very willing to change them when asked or required.)

The minuses are much fewer. Unless you have a diaper sprayer, you can count on swishing dirty diapers in the toilet. Occasionally the little bit of cloth on the leg gussets gets urine on it and causes the smell to permeate. The diaper pail smells awful but is easily contained with a lid and when laundry is commenced, disinfected and neutralized.

If anyone has any other thoughts about cloth diapers, I'd love to hear them.



July 20, 2009

House Hunting

After the exciting events at the bank last week, Jeramy and I have been looking at houses that we could call our own! Sunday after church Mike Robinson, Jeramy and I went looking at our top three homes to consider. We're looking in the Norcross/Duluth area square (Buford Hwy, Beaver Ruin, Satellite and Pleasant Hill) it will keep for a brief commute to Jeramy's work and to our church home and church family.

The first home had A LOT of potential! There are four large bedrooms upstairs, dining room, living room, decent sized kitchen and den. The basement was finished with two more bedrooms, a full bath, kitchen and exterior door! The yard is large and would look very lovely and inviting after a good weekend's worth of work. There are some major issues, but A LOT of potential -- I can see it now: it would look great after A LOT of work. (Did I mention how much work? A LOT! Mainly cleaning.)

The second home we were not very interested in after walking inside. The exterior is very, very nice - brick front. The interior is okay. Just okay. There's no basement, 3 bedrooms and 2.5 bathrooms. There is less square footage in this house than in the others we viewed. There is not near as much work to do to be ready to move in. The seller's asking price is too high for too little of house, so we moved on and wrote this one off our list.

The third house was very promising. It has 3 bedrooms, 2.5 bathrooms and very clean inside. There wasn't even so much as a cobweb or dead bug anywhere! The yard is kind of small, but very pretty with rose bushes in the front. There were two staircases to the upstairs and a vaulted ceiling in the foyer. Originally the house was purchased for $165,000 but is foreclosed. The basement is unfinished, already framed and is the full size of the house. The foundation is poured concrete and very dry with no cracks, leaks, cobwebs, bugs, etc. The house sits on a hill and the basement has two full-sized windows and a separate entry door. This is a very good house that Jeramy's craftsmanship over time could turn into a GREAT house.

So, the third house was our favorite and the first house is our backup. We put an official bid in to the bank this morning on the third house, but we will have to compete with another bid which price will not be disclosed. So, in order to guard my heart, I have already set myself up mentally that our bid will not be accepted and we will get the first house. Because of the exterior condition of the first house, we know that it's not as hot as the third one - it's been available for some time. But, regardless, the Lord is in control and He knows all things. He is sovereign. Whatever His will be, I will accept it or be bitter. My goal is to be content with whatever happens. I'm just so thankful that we can qualify to own our own home! Yay! We are in a time crunch though, because we've already notified our rental property that we will vacate by Sept. 30, the date our lease expires and are aiming for a closing date of Sept 15 to avoid double payments (on our townhouse and our new home). So, Lord willing, everything will go smoothly. Prayers are much appreciated.




July 19, 2009

For You Lord of the Rings Fans

Independent Online Cinema has made a short prequel to The Fellowship of the Ring. These makers are completely independent from Peter Jackson and his crowd; they are LOR fans. I thought it was very interesting, though it took a while for me to get used to the different actors, but it was worth my time. If anyone is interested.

July 18, 2009

A Woman's Work Is Never Done

There's always more laundry that needs to be sorted, washed, folded, put away. There's always some dish that needs to be cleaned. There's always a dirty bathroom, dirty floor, mail, bills, meals, diapers, dust and more and more laundry. All of these things strike me as vain. Just as soon as I've finished the laundry for this week, I have to start again. Just as soon as I've finished cleaning the kitchen or vacuuming the floor, it gets dirty again. I feel like I'm going to spend the next several years just cleaning over and over and over again. Am I going to clean my life away and miss what I'm staying home for?

She looks well to the ways of her household,
And does not eat the bread of idleness.
Give her the product of her hands,
And let her works praise her in the gates.
Proverbs 31:27 & 31

"Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself unless it abides in the vine, so neither can you unless you abide in Me. I am the vine, you are the branches; he who abides in Me and I in him, he bears much fruit, for apart from Me you can do nothing."
John 15:4-5

"My grace is sufficient for you, for power is perfected in weakness."
1 Corinthians 12:9

In all wisdom and insight He made known to us the mystery of His will . . . a view to an administration suitable to the fullness of the times, that is, the summing up of all things in Christ, things in the heavens and things on the earth.
Ephesians 1:8-10


HEAVENLY FATHER,

Thou hast placed me in the church
which thy Son purchased by his own blood.
Add grace to grace that I may live worthy of my vocation.

I am a voyager across life's ocean;
Safe in heaven's ark, may I pass through a troubled world into the harbour of eternal rest.

I am a tree of the vineyard thou hast planted.
Grant me not to be barren, with worthless leaves and wild grapes;
Prune me of useless branches;
Water me with dews of blessing.
I am part of the Lamb's bride, the church.
Help me to be true, faithful, chaste, loving, pure, devoted;
Let no strong affection wantonly dally with the world.
May I live high above a love of things temporal,
sanctified, cleansed, unblemished, hallowed by grace,
thy love my fullness,
thy glory my joy,
thy precepts my pathway,
thy cross my resting place.
My heart is not always a flame of adoring love,
But, resting in thy Son's redemption,
I look forward to the days of heaven,
where no langour shall oppress,
no iniquities chill,
no mists of unbelief dim the eye,
no zeal ever tires.
Father, these thoughts are the stay, prop, and comfort of my soul.


(The Valley of Vision: A Collection of Puritan Prayers and Devotions. Ed. Arthur Bennett. Edinburgh: Banner of Truth Trust, 1975. pp 306-307.)

July 16, 2009

Wow!

That's all I could say after watching, hearing this snippet message of why a sinner should repent. I think the preacher is Kevin Macleod.





God deserves our worship even if we don't get heaven in the end. He demands our obedience. God will get no glory out of a life lived in human wisdom, human strength, human effort and He will receive no glory out of a humanist philosophy: one that lives for Him just to get good things from Him. Why am I a Christian? What is my motive for reading God's Word, memorizing Scripture, claiming allegiance to Christ, prayer, rejecting evangelical feminism, worldly philosophies and all the like? Why does anyone repent? Salvation is by grace through faith, both of which have been given as a free gift in and through Christ. As a gift, it is our own; He will not take it back from us. What thoughts dominated my mind when God granted me the grace of godly sorrow that led me to repent and surrender to the Lordship of Christ? I remember thinking that Christ had given His all for me and I hadn't given myself totally to Him and He deserved all of me.

Funny Friday: Creation vs Evolution

I liked this clip. Give it a whirl.





Check out Answers in Genesis! Also see Worldwide Flood's website and Creation Ministries International.


July 15, 2009

Our Fruitful Garden

Or maybe, Our Veggie-ful Garden. Some fruit that has finally come around and beginning to ripen. If we could, we would never buy grocery store tomatoes ever again.

July 14, 2009

Very Exciting!!!

Yesterday and today Jeramy spent some time at the bank and we have been pre-qualified for a home loan! So, now, we are officially house hunting! Yay!! We're very excited to look for a foreclosed home where we can increase the value with Jeramy's skills at home improvement.

This is the first home I've ever had a share in buying! Jeramy has previously purchased a home in Colorado while in the USAF, but not since becoming a post-graduate student. This is our first house since becoming married! We're so excited! We can have "a place to call our own" and eventually, sooner than later, have it paid off. It's just one more step to financial independence for the glory of God. We're so excited!

Did I say we're excited? We're so totally excited!

Ohh, and Lily is showing more of an interest in rolling over, which is also very exciting!

Pre-Potty training with Moriah is progressing well: she peed in the potty first thing this morning!

Yay! Happy times!


July 13, 2009

A Brief Family Visit

Today my Aunt Phyllis, her daughter Tamala, and grandson Javon got to come and visit us! They drove down yesterday from Tamala's house in NC. Jeramy, Moriah and I hadn't seen them since Easter 2008 when Moriah was just 4 months old! It was great but short. I hope we can see them again soon. Aunt Phyllis is my Mom's oldest sister.






July 12, 2009

Two Thoughts From Today

First, briefly, I am considering seriously buffering the "clean" entertainment I watch. We don't have cable TV; we hardly ever turn the TV on actually. But I love movies! The reason I'm even mildly considering forsaking all movies is because after watching them, I tend to become very discontent about my appearance, my circumstances, my life-choices, etc., just very self-centered in general. Some movies don't have this effect on me (like Lord of the Rings, for example), but others, many others do. For example: The Princess Diaries is a very cute, clean movie that morals the acceptance of our destined duties. However, after watching it my attitude is completely discontent: I want to be prettier; I want to be thinner; I want to be a princess. My desires have changed from being focused on my God-given, divinely ordered role in worshiping God, submitting to my husband and raising my children, to that of the world, which is the heart of idolatry.

And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect.
Romans 12:2

The chief end of man is to glorify God by enjoying Him forever.

You shall fear the Lord your God; and you shall worship Him and swear by His name. You shall not follow other gods, any of the gods of the peoples who surround you
Deuteronomy 6:13-14

Second, 1 Corithians 13 has convicted me for some time after reading the post on Pursuing Titus 2: Losing Patience, Losing Love. If I am deficient in any of these particulars that describe and define love, I am being unloving.

Love is patient, love is kind and is not jealous; love does not brag and is not arrogant, does not act unbecomingly; it does not take into account a wrong suffered, does not rejoice in unrigteousness, but rejoices with the truth; bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Love never fails . . .
1 Corinthians 13:4-8

Sometimes it helps to write things in the opposite, negative way to help define what it is and what it is not. Love is not easily angered, love is not mean, love does not hoard it's own resources but is generous, etc. Today I have mostly considered "it does not take into account a wrong suffered". When someone mistreats me, accuses me, disrespects me, ignores me, etc. don't I remember that? Even when I want to forget, I can't. Sometimes intentionally or unintentionally I use that as a platform to harbor an unforgiving heart of bitterness toward that person, but not always.

But this was my other thought, what if the "wrong suffered" really caused hurt, not necessarily that which leads to bitterness and resentment - but you desire to forgive, but you are not able to "forget" because it just hurts? I guess the only response I can think of is to act loving, though the 'feeling' isn't there, simply out of obedience to the Word and perhaps the healing will follow through the course of time. Trust must always be built back and earned, if it was lost but I suppose the spirit of forgiveness must prevail.

July 11, 2009

What Reminds Me to Be Grateful

And you were dead in your trespasses and sins, in which you formerly walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, of the spirit that is now working in the sons of disobedience. Among them we too all formerly lived in the lusts of our flesh, indulging the desires of the flesh and of the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, even as the rest.

But God, being rich in mercy because of His great love with which He loved us, even when we were dead in our transgressions, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved), and raised us up with Him, and seated us with Him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, so that in the ages to come He might show the surpassing riches of His grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus. For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God, not as a result of works, so that no one may boast. For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand so that we would walk in them.

Therefore remember that formerly you, the Gentiles in the flesh, who are called "Uncircumcision" by the so-called, "Circumcision," which is performed in the flesh by human hands- remember that you were at that time separate from Christ, excluded from the commonwealth of Israel and strangers to the covenant of promise, having no hope and without God in the world.

But now in Christ Jesus you who formerly were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ. For He Himself is our peace, who made both groups into one and broke down the barrier of the dividing wall by abolishing in His flesh the enmity, which is the Law of commandments contained in ordinances, so that in Himself He might make the two into one new man, thus establishing peace and might reconcile them both in one body to God through the cross, by it having put to death the enmity. AND HE CAME AND PREACHED PEACE TO YOU WHO WERE FAR AWAY AND TO THOSE WHO WERE NEAR, for through Him we both have our access in one Spirit to the Father. So then, you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are fellow citizens with the saints and are of God's household, having been built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus Himself being the cornerstone, in whom the whole building, being fitted together, is growing into a holy temple in the Lord, in whom you also are being built together into a dwelling of God in the Spirit.

Ephesians 2

July 9, 2009

The Anderson Music Studio Handbook


Welcome to The Anderson Music Studio!


This handbook is a resource guide for all things concerning any musical instruction I provide.


If you have any questions regarding the following information, please feel free to comment on this post, call (770.841.5547) or email (andersonmusicstudio@ymail.com) in order to contact me with your questions, requests or concerns. If you choose to comment, your personal information will be protected from public view.


Thank you for perusing.







Funny Friday

This is Tim Hawkins talking about communication between a husband and wife. Enjoy.



Sometimes Jeramy asks me to make him salads.
:-)

Table of Contents












A Letter to Parents & Students


Dear Parents and Students,


Music is defined as a pitch in time. But the whole of music cannot be confined to a simple mathematical equation.


Music is an expression of the soul. Through music one can engage in the highest of all exercises, the worship of the Holy Creator, Redeemer God. Music can proclaim critical truths from God's Word, it can make Scripture memory easier, it can comfort the hearts of hurting and doubtful people and it can communicate the entire gambit of human emotions across all languages, nationalities, ethnicities, cultures and ages. It is a gift from God by which the musician can glorify God in return or bless others in ministry.


Sing to Him a new song; play skillfully, and shout for joy.

Psalm 33:3


Music is just as much a discipline as reading, writing and arithmetic. And just as other disciplines require skill, though there may be a measure of talent or gift involved, so does music require the learning of particular skills to execute proficiently. Talent allows the assimilation of such skills to come easily, but correct, regular practice is needed for adapting these new skills until they are effectively mastered. Not every student needs natural talent in order to become a fine musician. All that is required is patient, disciplined practice and a skillful, caring, thoughtful, attentive teacher. I look forward to providing you with such a teacher for as long as you would allow.


It is my desire

to provide a comfortable and safe learning environment for each student,

to teach and encourage each student to the best of my abilities,

to be sensitive to the learning needs of each student,

to help each student set realistic goals for achievement,

to adjust the teaching to the goals of each student,

to treat you with respect,

to exercise justice,

to be flexible to the needs and circumstances of each student in terms of scheduling and other emergencies, etc. that arise,

to always remember that all things are done "to the glory of God" from whom and to whom are all things.


I consider it a privilege to work with you.


Sincerely,

Meggan Anderson



Services & Payments




Private violin instruction begins at $20 for one half-hour lesson, $28 for a forty-five minute lesson or $35 for one hour lesson.


General music instruction in areas of literacy, theory, sight-singing & ear-training, composition & arranging are available for $10 for one half-hour and $20 for one hour. This instruction may be given to individuals or groups.


These rates are effective for lessons given in my home. If you are interested in brief, 2 to 6 week courses in general music instruction, other teaching locations will be strongly considered.




Payments for each month are made at the first lesson of every month. This method of payment allows for paper conservation, reduced confusion regarding payments and ease for lesson scheduling.


There is a First Month Trial Offer by which a new student pays for 3 lessons and receives the fourth free. This is to allow time for the student, parent and teacher to decide whether it is desirable to continue. There is no initial obligation, no commitments and no signed contracts. It is important to find a teacher with whom the student and parent are comfortable and that may take some time.


If a lesson needs to be cancelled or rescheduled, kindly give 24 hours advance notice to avoid financial responsibility. In the event that a student will be absent from a scheduled lesson, given prior knowledge, a credit will be made toward the next month for that missed lesson. If prior notice of 24 hours has not been given, payment for that lesson is forfeit.


Exceptions to avoid financial responsibility for missed lessons include: personal and family emergencies, contagious/serious illness which require medical attention, inclement weather and threats to national security.


In the event that a student discontinues lessons any payment credits will be promptly refunded. The parent and teacher are free to discontinue lessons for any reason at any time.



Schedule, Absence & Tardy Policies


The Music Studio offers lessons Mondays through Saturdays. Specific day and time arrangements for each student can be made once contact is established. Lessons can begin at any time during the course of the month or year.


It is optimal to schedule lessons once weekly. In this way, the student is given sufficient practice time between lessons to establish a regular daily/weekly routine and schedule for each individual family and home. Other scheduling arrangements can be made for special auditions, performances, and vacations. I am also available to teach lessons twice weekly, if that is desirable.


Please remember to notify me at least 24 hours in advance if you need to cancel or reschedule a lesson in order to avoid financial responsibility. For sudden illnesses and emergencies in less than 24 hours, a courtesy call would be greatly appreciated. If a lesson should be missed for an emergency, the student will not be financially responsible (see Services & Payments).


If a student is tardy for the lesson, please note that there may not be the opportunity to have a full lesson and it may have to end at the normal time. If I am able, I will do my best to accommodate the situation at hand. It is my goal to be respectful of your time and end each lesson as scheduled.


Should the road conditions become severe, all lessons for that day would be cancelled or postponed at no charge.





Practice Policy


Each individual student will progress at his or her own rate. Consistent, disciplined practice is necessary for laying a solid foundation for assimilating music skills. It is very important to practice in an environment absent of all possible distractions such as television, radio and other music/noise-making devices. Some individuals can concentrate only in silence, while others can focus better with a little background noise -- whatever works best.


The student should practice in such a manner that he or she should be thoroughly prepared for the next lesson. Perfection is not expected or demanded, but preparation is essential. An excellent summation is, "Quality not quantity." It is better to be confident with one or two measures or lines than to have an entire page or song played with many mistakes. In this way, though progress may be slow, both teacher and student may be encouraged that the diligence will pay off in the end.


The amount of practice time will vary greatly on the skill level, concentration, desire, and free time of each student. For beginning students, 20 to 30 minutes a day for 5 or 6 days is adequate. For those students at a higher skill level, one hour a day may be the minimum.


The student is responsible for diligence in his or her practice habits. While the teacher is present to give instruction and aid in providing help, the responsibility is upon the individual efforts of each student for his or her success. In other words, it is almost impossible for the teacher, meeting once a week, to cause the musical success of a student who does not practice in his or her own time. The teacher is provided to help guide the student in his or her endeavors, much like the headlights on a vehicle. The student is the whole remaining parts of the car -- the engine, gas, etc. -- the teacher provides instruction and guidance for what the student already possesses, the ability to become a fine musician.




Literature & Materials



The required literature will depend on the specific goals of each individual student. General required materials will include, but may not be limited to the following:


Individual instrument in working order with all accompanying components,

Instrumental maintenance materials,

Notebook,

Pencil,

Metronome,

Scale exercises,

Instructional method book, and

Level-appropriate repertoire.


Just a Quick Thought

Given what we know and understand from all things godly, holy, right, just, gracious and pure, revealed by God's Word, Christ our Righteousness and convicted upon our conscience by the Spirit of Truth, I suppose that the difference between theory and practice is first faith then disciplined obedience that arises out of faith. I guess it's part of that unresolved tension, but not of things physical, but of things spiritual. The desire to grasp things from above while the world and the sin nature pull us ever downward. Truly "all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God".

Oh, that sanctification happened about a million times faster!



Resource Information



Instrument Dealers
387 South Atlanta Street, Roswell GA 30075
770.642.8111

3140 Main Street, Duluth GA 30096
770.476.9443

1905 Scenic Hwy, Ste 610, Snellville GA 30078
770.982.0822
884 Buford Hwy, Ste 1000, Lawrenceville GA 30043
770.277.7300

2805 Buford Highway, Duluth GA 30096
770.623.0683

836 Pleasant Hill Road NW, Lilburn GA 30047
770.931.2440

5775 Jimmy Carter Boulevard #220, Norcross GA 30071
770.300.3387

Sheet Music Suppliers
4016 Flowers Road, Suite 430, Atlanta GA 30360
1.800.753.BACH

9053 Riverside Parkway, Lithia Springs GA 30122
770.941.9100

1905 Scenic Hwy, Ste 610, Snellville GA 30078
770.982.0822
884 Buford Hwy, Ste 1000, Lawrenceville GA 30043
770.277.7300

2805 Buford Highway, Duluth GA 30096
770.623.0683




Expectations for Parents & Students


The following are the responsibilities I expect each student to assume.

The student will:

Arrive at each scheduled lesson on time with all of the required materials;

Arrive at each lesson well prepared, having practiced the previously assigned passages;

Arrive at each lesson ready to learn and ask questions with a positive attitude; and

Perform in a public or semi-public venue at least once annually to celebrate his or her achievement;

Notify Mrs. Anderson in the event that he or she will be absent for a scheduled lesson.


Not all students will have an accompanying parent. However, in those cases, these are the obligations I assume each parent will willingly undertake.

The parent(s) will:

Provide contact information;

Provide any necessary timely transportation;

Provide any necessary instrument and materials in a prompt fashion within reason;

Provide a conducive home environment for individual practice, i.e. remove as many distractions as possible;

Provide positive, encouraging support;

Freely address any concerns or questions to me for immediate resolution.



Biography

Having been born into a musical family, the presence of music always filled our house with my Dad playing guitar and Mom singing. As much as I heard them daily and my Grandfather, John Jackson, regularly perform in many public and private venues, I wasn't interested in playing anything until I saw my neighbor playing viola in the school assembly. I haven't parted from the violin since.


I was ten years old and began to learn through the public school strings program in the fifth grade. I enjoyed it and began to take regular private lessons in seventh grade. At that point I began to compete for positions in audition-based orchestras: All-County, Regional and State Orchestras. In high school I had opportunities to play solos before my peers and in church worship services.


My skills continued to improve and I auditioned for college scholarships, one of which I was awarded at George Mason University where I earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Music. I loved to play with the orchestras there and in the Woodbridge community, namely, The Old Bridge Chamber Orchestra.


During my time there, I felt an increasing desire and pressure to perform in a career setting, but strongly felt the need to continue my training and education. Having been brought to faith in the Lord Jesus Christ at 18, I followed, what I know now, to have been the Lord's will and pursued a Master's of Music degree in Solo Performance in the Church, at The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary.


There I continued to focus on developing a professional quality of violin performance while minoring in piano and becoming vocally proficient as required. When I concluded my studies at SBTS in 2006, I knew that I could not perform for a professional symphony orchestra as a career because of certain physical constraints, among other reasons, and I became content with that.


I have been teaching violin since 2000 to the present. What I have enjoyed most about teaching is the ability to watch and encourage my students of all ages, from 6 even to 60, to grow in their skills. I prefer to teach privately because my teaching methods can be focused on the needs of each individual student. In this way, the student is able to better excel at his or her pace.