No Stains.

Last week was a busy one, but it was also enjoyable.

On Monday I had my 13^th coaching call. My coach and I discussed my high school studies goals and then planned my next two weeks of CollegePlus studying. I have been and am working on the Western Civilization 1 (3 credits) and English literature (6 credits) CLEPs for the next couple months. It’s amazing to see how much history connects! Also we talked about my upcoming degree consultation. I’m not sure what bachelor’s degree I will be pursuing, but I’m currently deciding between English and Liberal Studies.

Tuesday is my music lesson day. My sister and I practice our piano duet and duo for the music festival at the end of February. It’s lots of fun and I love playing with her. At my harp lesson my teacher confirmed that I was ready for my exam (I was VERY glad to hear that. ;) ). After my private lesson, I finished the day with my harp group. We’re practicing songs for the festival also. There are about seven students in our group, ranging from beginners to past grade eight (RCM program). We have a lot of fun together and our teacher is the best. ;)

On Wednesday I started taking notes for Western Civ 1 using mind maps that Collin M. (another CP! student) had previously created. I think taking notes this way will help me remember the information better because that’s the way I have studied for all my high school history subjects. I’m really enjoying it. I also started working on the Learning Network for English lit. Later in the day I practiced my harp (I had been practicing it pretty much every day I just didn’t mention it) and tried to finish some high school studying. :D

Thursday was my harp exam! For the first part of the day I just did school. Later on I practiced harp before we left. I was very glad that my teacher said I was ready because that made a big difference to how I felt about it. ;) I wasn’t nervous thankfully, but I was hoping that I wouldn’t get cold hands either (you musicians may know the difficulties of playing an instrument with cold fingers. ;) ). It was an amazing experience. I had probably the best examiner I’ve had in all my years of music. I also had people from all different states and provinces praying for me as well as friends and family closer to me. Thank you all so much! And praise the Lord that He helped me through the whole 3-4 months of intense harp practicing. I could not have finished grade eight harp otherwise.

Each Friday night we have soccer with a group of families who are mostly homeschoolers. We had a great game that night and my team won 11-10. :P I was the goalie for the first half of the game, so unfortunately, I let in most of the goals. :P It was lots of fun though.

After a full day of schooling on Saturday, my sister and I played in our January recital. I played a harp solo and Hannah (my sister) played violin with her Junior Orchestra. She and her group played wonderfully! We had a great time with family and friends while we were there, too.

Sunday, we went to the church that we have been attending for almost 10 years. I played piano in the morning service. I love doing that. :D In Sunday school, the pastor’s wife is going through some of the people through history who have been a light to the world. She came up with this series from reading Hebrews 11 (the Hall of Faith). It’s been so encouraging to see the people through history standing up for Christ (many of them sealing their testimony with their blood).

This weekend I also finished watching a movie with my sister. One of the main quotes in it was “There are no stains on the pages of tomorrow.” It was the biggest spiritual lesson that I learned last week, that no matter what the day was like, there was always a new start tomorrow. God is always ready to forgive me and the next day starts with no mistakes, no struggles, no problems. He is faithful and He will carry me through each new day if I only trust in Him.  I am too helpless to live through everything that life throws at me, but when I place my life in His hands then my weakness becomes strength.

“In my weakness He is strong;

In my need He leads me on.

When I come to the end of all I am,

And I place my trust in Him;

That’s when His strength begins –

In my weakness.”

In my weakness (His strength) I can know that each day is a new start. There are NO stains on the pages of tomorrow. I can go forward trusting in His goodness and relying on Him (especially when I’m tired :P ). And He is faithful.

2 Thessalonians 5:24 Faithful is he that calleth you, who also will do it.

God bless,

Kaleigh