Acceptance

I received word from Appalachian State University today.  I’ve worked hard at my academics, and SAT, and my clarinet for years.  I applied to one school.  The only school I wanted to go to.  And they’ve accepted me.  I’m going to Appalachian State University in the fall!!  CAN YOU BELIEVE IT??  I’m thrilled and grateful to the Lord!

On a different note, some of you may be wondering how the situation with my clarinet is progressing.  Although it is still sad and hard, the Lord is working all things for His glory.

We were able to send my clarinet back with a group of people who were visiting from Atlanta. They shipped the instrument yesterday and it should be arriving in Boone, NC (the location of the instrument repair shop) on Monday, Lord willing. My upper joint needs to be replaced and so the repair shop in NC is waiting on that shipment to come in from France. Unfortunately, France is out of upper joints at the moment and is also waiting for a shipment.  Once my clarinet and the new joint gets to NC we’ll have a better estimate on how long it will take to repair it and get it back to me.

The Lord is blessing me abundantly even in the midst of this hard trial. Appalachian is being very understanding and we’ve temporarily postponed my audition.  The people at the repair shop are very easy to work with.  The man that took my clarinet back to the States is going above and beyond in making sure my clarinet arrives in Boone as soon as possible and is well taken care of.  One of my clarinet students is graciously sharing her clarinet with me. We alternate it every other day.  She plays an intermediate level Buffet (the same brand as my professional level clarinet).  It’s a huge blessing.  The fifth grade class at school raised 6,500 rwf to help with the repair costs. (Roughly $10) Their concern and kindness is humbling.  A family that I used to babysit in America also sent some money to help with the repair costs. Numerous people are praying for me and have offered to help in any way that they can.

However, just because I can see the blessings does not mean that I do not struggle with discouragement every single day. I miss my clarinet. I find myself frustrated and thinking negative thoughts pretty consistently.  Last year I went through many hardships and trials and I overcame them with the Lord’s help.  This time around I’m being confronted with a trial that feels like a mountain.  But James says, “Consider it pure joy, [Grace], when you face trials of many kinds because you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness…”  My trials last year were nothing like the trial that I’m currently facing. We will have trials of many kinds, but I must consider it to be pure joy.  God has helped me through my past trials and He will help me through this one too.  It is quite possible that I was too attached to my clarinet.  I adore my clarinet; it is one of my most favorite things on this earth.  I think that God is using this situation as a time to teach me that He is the only one that matters. My clarinet is an earthy possession that will not last. I must put the majority of my time and love into Him and not my clarinet.

This past week has not been an easy one.  My dad wisely noted that I had my eyes on the wrong thing. I was acknowledging that the Lord was blessing me but I was focused on the enemy.  Instead I need to acknowledge the enemy, realize that he is there, but “fix my eyes on Jesus” (Hebrews 12:2).  I am coming to a place of acceptance but I still need your prayers.  Pray that the replacement part arrives in NC and that my clarinet gets back to me as soon as possible.  Hopefully in time for the recital at the end of February, the orchestra concert, and my rescheduled audition.  Pray for “endurance and patience with joy” (Colossians 1:11) as I fight discouragement and search for the positive aspects of this situation. And please join in with me as I rejoice and praise the Lord for this wonderful news from ASU.