I want to go to the park! :D

Here I was all exicted about a possible "free" evening (no major assignments due), but alas I just looked at the clock and it is already 9:20. I suppose I will try to stay up till 11 or so. But I have to get up by 6 in the morning and I was up at 5 this morning finishing a paper. Why the heck am I writing all this? Who cares about my sleep schedule?

Any way, life is pretty much so great. Have I mentioned that I'm madly in love with Jordan? (I guess it's a good thing since I will be his wife in around 6 months.) For those of you who don't know (and by "those of you" I may mean a very small number of people who actually read my blog), our wedding date is August 18th. Yeah!!! I wish it were summer now. Not just because I'd be closer to getting married, but also because for some crazy reason I feel like going swimming. There are a few things I miss about living in my apartment- one of them is having a pool. That, and a dishwasher and nice carpet. But whatever.

Nicaragua is fast approaching!!! I'm getting more and more excited. We got details on what some of the things we will be doing on the trip are. God has provided for all our financial needs. It's going to be great!

Well, I better go "enjoy" my free time- how about folding some clothes? Oh yippee!!! That sounds marvelous. :)

New blog!

So I had a little time on my hands (shocking isn't it?) and finally got around to starting a new blog- one for quotes and comments from students heard during piano lessons. So, if you are interested in reading pointless quotes from 7 year olds, you can check it out!:) There is a link on this blog: Piano Conversations. Or just go to www.pianoconversations.blogspot.com

I'll write more about life later. One thing to mention though is that God has continued to provide for our trip- thank you for your prayers. Please keep it up!

Later!

Mission Trip to Nicaragua

Hi, Everyone! As most of you know, Jordan and I will be going on a mission trip to Nicaragua over Spring Break. We will be traveling with Food for the Hungry, the same organization that I worked with in Nicaragua during the summer of 2005. (You can visit their website at www.fh.org to read more about their international work.)

We leave soon and have had much less time than usual to raise support. Deadlines are fast approaching (ideally, we need funds in by January 31st). We each still individually need approximately $1000. This seems like a lot of money, but nothing is impossible with God. I am trusting that He will provide for our material needs in order that we might fulfill the spiritual tasks He has set before us.

If you are willing to help, please send a donation to:

Food for the Hungry
Attention: Josh Kienzle
1224 E Washington Street
Phoenix AZ 85034

Please notate on checks that the donation is for Heather Nolan and/or Jordan Yerkes.

Your financial support and your prayers are deeply appreciated!!!

Drum roll please...

I have GOT to get off the computer and get stuff done!!! I keep sleeping too late. And though I started the morning off right (with God), I still have tons of stuff to do before work this afternoon. But who cares about all that 'cuz I'M ENGAGED!!!!!! Most everyone already knows, but it would be wrong to not post it on on my blog (which I have neglected recently). I cannot adequately express my excitement or happiness. Jordan is most definitely the greatest man ever and I feel so honored to know I will be his wife. The next 8 months are going to be crazy. Crazy-busy what with school, work, a mission trip, and a wedding to plan (not to mention some big life decisions)!!! But I'm so crazy-happy that perhaps it won't phase me too much.

God is so wonderful.

Oink Oink...

Hello! I suppose it is time for a new post and update on the life of Heather. (I'm sure so many of you were waiting in eager anticipation...ha ha.)

First off, school is officially over!!! I was also very excited to find that I had maintained my 4.0 GPA. I keep having people say things like, "You know, Heather, they don't put your GPA on your degree." Or, "You study too much. You're a college student- you should be having fun, not studying." This doesn't really make much sense to me... Any way, I am very thankful that God helped me to stay on top of everything despite the hectic semester. I know HE was the one holding together my sanity (or what's left of it).

My students had their recital last Saturday. It went really well and I was proud of them and the hard work they put into this semester. So many of them are really young and I just couldn't help but grin half the time at how cute they were up there- tiny little fingers and little feet that swing off the bench and don't even reach the floor! We had a fun conclusion- one of my students came up at the end and played Silent Night on her harmonica! Several people mentioned that they enjoyed that.:)

In other news, I am eating too much. But aren't we all? I am getting slightly annoyed though. It seems that I am constantly going to parties or get-togethers. And at every one of these gatherings there are piles upon piles of chocolate, chips, cakes, cookies, cheese, and crackers. (that alliteration was for you, sweetie:). I feel fat...I know I'm not, but I feel like it. You know that scene of the movie A Christmas Story? (Happens to be one of my all time favorites, by the way.) The scene where the mom is trying to get Randy, the younger brother, to eat his supper- because he's a picky eater? She says, "Where's mommy's little piggy? oink oink" And Randy proceeds to rub his face all in his plate of meatloaf and mashed potatoes and snort like a pig. Yah...well, now whenever I go back for more food, Jordan snorts at me. I told him most boyfriends wouldn't get away with that. But since I instigated it and since he says he wouldn't do it if I didn't laugh every time, I suppose it's alright...

Happy Eating...and Merry Christmas!!!

It's 4 am

That's right- it's 4 am...and I am awake. Or at least I appear to be. Really though, I'm not sure why. Probably has something to do with sudafed and nasal decongestant spray (more than usual). I have not been feeling well- stupid sinuses- stupid allergies- stupid cold house. But I'm not complaining- because that would be wrong...;)

So, I had my jury on Monday...let's not go THERE. Let's just say I'm glad it's over. I also had my Piano Pedagogy final on Monday. It went well. Last night was a piano party at our ped professor's house. It was fun. We watched a dvd of podcasts that the class made this semester on various teaching topics. There was also a bloopers portion Mr. Ajero created- very funny. I have two more finals to go- they are on Thursday and then I will be done!!! My students have their recital on Saturday and then more fun with friends and another Christmas party following that!

As you may have noticed, I tend to complain a lot about my busy schedule- as well as even boast about it sometimes. (Neither of which are very godly.) As the semester comes to a close, I realize that there is really nothing enjoyable about being super busy. And there's really nothing about it that I should be that proud of. "Look at me- I can run myself into the ground with more activities and workload than God intended for me to handle and meanwhile not find enough time left to spend with Him. Aren't you proud of me for being so busy?!!! I am truly amazing to be able to stay on such a demanding schedule." See? It doesn't make sense.

Thing is, it's really hard to not get that busy. How else can I get a degree and support myself without going into debt? There is not an easy solution. But I am trying. I started making my schedule for next semester. Even as it fills up, I am trying to stay optimistic. There must be time for God and there must be time for more piano practice and there must be time for REST.

I guess the most encouraging part about it all is that I don't have to figure it out on my own. God spoke to my heart so clearly on Sunday when Bro. John preached about soul fatigue. He gave five signs that your soul is tired...I have been experiencing a little bit of all of them. The one phrase that resonated in my mind was: Engage in the struggle to pursue God. Oddly enough, I find it comforting to know that keeping my mind on spiritual things in the midst of daily work is never going to be easy. I should expect for it to be a battle- but I should always be engaged in that battle.

So...I had a wonderful long conversation with God yesterday morning during which He reminded me that He's still right there and is still working in my life- and still has great ways to use me for His glory. He especially gave me indescribable joy at the thought and anticipation of returning to Nicaragua in 3 months. (Joy that brought me to tears.) How I long to feel that again- the clarity of thought and complete focus on the things that are not of this world- the things that will not pass away. I pray that my mind and heart will be in that place all of next semester- regardless of whether I am in Nicaragua on the mission field, or sitting at SFA in music history- which is also just as much a mission field if only we'd have eyes to see it. I'm not the only one whose soul gets tired, but oftentimes I am the only one in a room who knows where- and in Whom- to find true rest.

Then Jesus said, "Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest.
Take my yoke upon you. Let me teach you, because I am humble and gentle, and you will find rest for your souls.
For my yoke fits perfectly, and the burden I give you is light."
Matthew 11:28-30

I am a criminal...

Taking a break from practicing...next semester is going to be better. I know a few people (namely people who dress up like Darth Vader and go on elevators with me) who are probably tired of hearing me say that. But it's true...next semster WILL be better. I WILL practice more and my schedule WILL be different so that I can. I think finals will go ok, though. I feel pretty confident that I will get an A in all my classes. So long as I know the final material- and I plan on it. And I am feeling slightly better about my jury on monday. For those of you nonmusic people, juries is when we have to go in front of faculty at the end of the semester and perform what we've been working on for the last 4 months. Oh joy. I have decided that I love to teach, play in church, and accompany. But I have absolutely no desire to perform lots of long memorized music all alone on a stage. This is why I am a pedagogy major and NOT performance. Needless to say, I dread juries. Oh well.

I have within the last week or two reached a point beyond burnout and exhaustion. I have become somewhat apathetic. What's really crazy is that I am looking forward to the break not just so I can rest, but mainly so I can practice. I want to get a head start on next semester's music so that I don't have another semester like this one. It has just about killed me- and I'd rather be able to at least enjoy some of my daily activies rather than feel like I am a mere machine in high gear. Example of a daily schedule- 6:00 wake up 7:00 leave for Nac 8:00 practice 9:00 practice with vocalist 9:30 class 11:00 class 12:15 eat 12:30 class 1:45 go to vocalist lesson to accompany 2:10 leave for Lufkin 3:00 teach 7:00 go home, eat, study, pratice, clean house(yah right, like that ever got done), shower. 11 or midnight- fall into bed 6:00 start over again. Yes, I am crazy. Sure, there's been some fun some how or another. But I don't think I like being this busy...no, I hate it.

In other news... as reads the title of this post... I am a criminal. That's right- a low down, speeding criminal. I knew it had to happen at some point, but aarggg!!! it makes me mad. I was going down whitehouse (aka 30 mph speed limit). I was just finishing some teaching, stopped to make some copies, was on my way to put gas in my car, grab food for later and head to another class in Nac before coming back to lufkin to teach some more. I admit that I was not paying attention to the road- or the police officer. So, I got pulled over for the first time in my life. And he was rude- rude, mean, ugly, arrogant police officer...I know, I know...just doing his job. "Do you know why I stopped you?" "Yes sir," (I kept up the manners and respect act the whole time). "I was speeding." "Do you know what the speed limit is here?" "Yes. I saw it just now- 30 mph." "I clocked you at 47 miles per hour." Yah...that's pretty bad, huh? But, what can I say? I am always in a hurry to stay on schedule. After he ran my license he came back and I could have sworn he said, "So, are you employed or are you stupid?" "Excuse me?!" "I said are you employed or are you a student?"...ooohhh... well, I'm both...

Stupid cop. Stupid speed limit. Who the heck came up with driving 30 miles per hour? Probably some elderly lady who sends in money once a month to the Save the Squirrels Foundation. Or if its so no one accidently runs over children in a residential area- well, people should teach their kids not to run out into streets. And I shouldn't be responsible for keeping their kids safe.

Bottom line, I guess I learned my lesson. And I've certainly been using cruise control more often now. Back to practicing...one day, some day, some how, this semester will end and I will rejoice and laugh hysterically...and maybe even cry crazy tears while dancing around and jumping up and down.