Dream come true...

It started about 15 years ago, when I developed an immense love for the most beautiful instrument, the cello (pronounced chello). Now, I have been playing the piano for 21 years, so music is definitely a huge part of my life and for my birthday last year, my husband surprised me with a 1920's upright piano. It's beautiful. However, the cello has always been in my heart and has been my dream instrument to play. The rich notes of the strings sends chills up my spine.

Now, I say "dream" because the actuality of every owning a cello in this life was up there with becoming Queen. Not going to happen. this is not because you can't find cellos of all sizes at most music stores, but because of the cost factor. Cellos are an investment. A good beginner cello starts at about $1000 and can be upwards of over $80,000. Plus a bow, which can cost several hundred dollars for a good one, and then of course, the case (which is just as essential as the instrument itself). So you can see how this was more a "dream" then a believing I would one day own a cello. I figured, maybe down the road, once we have kids and they're grown up enough, I could rent a cello and learn. But that was the extent of that far away thought. And thus, a dream it remained.....that is, until about 3 weeks ago.

For whatever reasons, I still cannot figure out, I decided to google "used cellos" online. I have never in my life done such a thing, because a cello has never been in my budget. Well, google them I did and my findings brought me across the ever loved (for most) e-Bay. I started to look through what was listed, most seeming to be fairly cheap and good prices (not knowing names of brands or anything) coming in all sorts of colors and sizes. I've never been interested in a blue cello, so I quickly bypassed those and moved on. That's when my eyes caught something. A cello....for bid....by an antique dealer....currently sitting at $1.24. As you can imagine, my first thought was pure scepticism, but curiosity got the better of me, and I delved in to see what else I could learn of this cheap cello, which must be a hoax.

As it turned out, the dealer claimed it to be an estate find (someone died or lost their house), and this antique dealer believes that everyone should have the benefit to bid and the chance of a deal, so everything they post on e-Bay starts at $.99. No Reserve! The pictures of the cello made it look amazing and I talked to Hayden about it, and he said, for that price, you can't NOT bid on it. So I did! I had my limit of as high as I would bid. There was still 14 hours left and so I wasn't holding my breath on this one. I was bound not to be the only one to find this deal. So I said a little prayer, placed it in God's hand and said "Lord, do this....or something better". This prayer is something I've learned from my ladies Bible Study at The Link. They talked about believing that God has limitless resources and can do infinitely more then even we can possibly imagine. I may have faith for something, and God not only goes beyond what we think....but He goes beyond our beyond. So here I was, bidding on a cello, thinking, "ok, if I get this cello, God has definitely gone beyond even what I ever thought possible." But God didn't just want to go "beyond"....He wanted to go "BEYOND my beyond". So He did! And with that, the bid ended at 7:35am marking ME as the winner!!!! For a whopping total of $48.06 CND!!!! The cello also came with a hard case and a bow. God went beyond my beyond!

I was in such an excited daze I could hardly believe it!  My dream was coming true! So I made my payment and on it's way my cello came. The package arrived just last week, and with much excitement I opened the box and pink styrofoam chunks went everywhere! But there is was....my new baby! the bridge was taken off for shipping and the strings in disarray, but that is easily fixed.

The case. It has a few scuffs, but is in great condition

My new baby! Notice the stings are wonky as the bridge is not in place

The bow

I then phoned around to a few music stores in town, to see if anyone knew how to string and tune a cello and one music store does. He said he won't even charge me! How lovely!

I then decided to read up on cellos and make sure this was the right size for me. I set it up, and it's the perfect size for me! Then I read up on how to place the bridge and what to look for when buying a cello (something I didn't do before I actually bought a cello). I learned that some brands may look good, but are just cut out moulds that are badly glued and sound as good as rubber bands on a cigar box. There are specific specifications to making a proper cello (hence the high price). They must be hand crafted, not mould punched. Some cellos may have fancy German names as a cover, but are cheaply made, and not in Germany.

I began to look for all the specifications on my cello, hoping I didn't purchase a dud. Everything they said to look for was in order and in place. Next, I thought to google the brand on my cello. It's Cecilio. I was delighted to find that my cello is a good brand, was hand crafted and also to find a manual on how to work my cello. Thus, I was able to get my first sound out of the low C string. It was a thrilling moment.

This week I shall hopefully have the strings fixed and tuned, find a beginners book on learning the cello, and maybe even start playing around with it. I do have a lot going on this week with my art show coming up next Saturday, but one can never be too busy for a dream come true.

 My baby after I put the bridge in place

 All ready for the strings to be reattached and tuned!

always stop to Hear the Whisper, Taste the Sun

Till next time

Stop and Remember

Today is a day where, united, all from across this beautiful, vast Country, stop to think about and remember those who willingly fought on the front lines for our freedom. To remember those, who standing on those front lines, knew that each breath could be their last. This knowledge didn't halt them, didn't intimidate them, and thankfully didn't change their course of action. We've been told, our whole lives, that they made the ultimate sacrifice for us. Nothing could be truer. 1 John 3:26 says "This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers." Our soldiers are more Christlike then many would admit. How many of you would do the same? I know I would have a hard time laying down my life, especially for people I didn't even know! What these soldiers did, and are still doing today, takes strength, courage, valiance and true bravery. We are ever grateful and know we own our freedom to those who fought, those who lost their lives, and those who still fight for us today. Those brave men and women. To you we deeply thank with all our hearts, and we honor you.

The following is an excerpt entitled "War", from my book "Hephzibah", a compilation of poems and writings. (if you would like more info on my book, please feel free to contact me) As you read, take time to remember those who fought for us, those who died for us, and those who are still fighting and dying, and for the freedom we enjoy because of their sacrifice.


                                                           WAR

"...We in North America really have no idea what it's like to have war in our backyard. To have the fear that in an instant, any instant, we could lose everything we know, or everyone we know....

I'm bringing this up because war is an ever present thing in our lives these days. We all seem to know at least someone who's involved, or been involved in years past. If we haven't lost someone to war, we know someone who has. It effects us all...

...So now, I will share with you the poem that God put on my heart to write, keeping in mind the amazing men and women who give up their lives, everyday, for our freedom. Our country is saved by their blood, just like our spirit is saved saved by Jesus' blood. I pray that this poem stirs up your heart, makes you think, and causes you to have a new respect for what others are doing for you.

A distant rumbling
The sirens begin
A panic arises
Airplanes coming in

I run for a shelter
Somewhere I can hide
A place of protection
Where others have cried

Bombs all around
The place in upheaval
Buildings come crashing
At this unleashing evil

Our boys go and fight
Though many are lost
Trying to save us
At a very dear cost

Gunfire now starting
It's here all around
Screams and loud shouting
You can feel in the ground

Tanks coming in
I have no where to run
We're completely surrounded
In the hot, blistering sun

A fear I've not known
Is here in this place
My heart is just pounding
As tears streak my face

Sons, fathers, husbands
Are out bravely fighting
To give us a freedom
From all that is frightening

As I lie here alone
Amidst gunfire and smoke
I struggle to breath
Beginning to choke

I worry so dearly
About family and friend
Out there now fighting
Possibly meeting their end

how would I live
If they were to die
My heart would just break
I'd lay down and cry

How would I ever
Move on without
That warm love embrace
That erases all doubt

The dust is now settling
The bullets have ceased
All is quiet and eerie
But the tension has eased

I fell all alone
As I cautiously move out
Nothing is stirring
It seems no ones about

The scene set before me
Is filled with dark pain
Death and Destruction
All this for our gain

I then start to search
With overbearing dread
For one living soldier
Among all the dead

I looked and I looked
From morning till night
Despair taking over
I prayed with my might

I was aimlessly wandering
In the hot, desert sand
When a young soldier found me
And offered his hand

I then fell asleep
In the safe, warm embrace
Of one brave, young soldier
With a drawn, dusty face

We then left that place
Of destruction and loss
But remember it quite vividly
With each new, white cross

I'll remember these days
And all that went on
It'll stay in my heart
When these days are gone

I'll remember the men
Who gave up their lives
Who left home and comfort
Their children and wives

Who never came home
But paid a great price
For this our new freedom
A great sacrifice

The only reason we have the freedom to hear the whisper and taste the sun and enjoy all things good in our beautiful country, is all owed to those who never again were able to do those very things.

Till next time
Aryn