Do You Museum?

Every city is unique. Discovering a city's personality involves exploration, both inside famed walls and outside everyday crossings. While we had walked our neighborhood streets and driven through many city pockets, we had yet to visit any of the big city attractions. 

After yet another delicious taco dinner, we went to the Dallas Museum of Art with our good friend, Synder. The DMA is free to the public (save one rotating exhibit) and open every day. Synder told us weekends were fairly busy, so we chose a Thursday to visit. It is also the only weekday that has visiting hours until 9pm.  

Leaving the museum at nine o'clock. See how light it still is? 

The DMA hosts many fun events, including summer camps for kids and free jazz night in the atrium. We caught the tail end of this fabulous quintet. 

 

There are three floors to explore, and we feel like we barely scratched the surface in an hour. The best part? We live here, and it's free to visit - no need to rush it! If you spent a half day, you would probably cover everything. (Sorry it's not The Lourve - I really think you'd need a lifetime of everyday visits to even somewhat absorb that magical place.)

Looks as if the boys are sending secret signals - maybe expressing their opinions discreetly?

Beautiful pottery that is thousands of years old.

Mom wanted a photo of me, too! Here you go! I love this design. 

The American artwork was so fascinating! It is something I know very little about, so I enjoyed the learning experience. 

Tiffany glass and pensive observers. Did you know that Winter Park, FL has a little-known Tiffany Museum? Also worth the vist.

Love these! There we huge displays of miscellaneous kitchen and serving pieces   I photographed a few of my favorites. At this point, we were practically the only visitors on our floor. It felt as if we had the entire museum to ourselves. Eerie, but wonderful!

There is a (very) small section on modern art, and it had some really neat pieces! 

Becoming Dallas residents and learning about our city is fun! Can't wait to go back! A little learning and culture never hurt anyone, right?

Mailing Life

When was the last time you wrote a letter?

No, not a long text message or email. A hand-written, addressed, stamped letter.

While I love the convenience of sending a quick text anywhere, anytime, I feel sad that the art of letter writing is passing away. I think of all the letters saved throughout history. The correspondence between John and Abigail Adams alone is enough to cause me to carve out fifteen minutes and write.

On Saturday, I did just that.

Words are treasures to me. That is why I journal, blog, and (try to) send notes. I save every personal card and frequently re-read them. Nothing cheers me more than finding a note left from Ty or a letter in the mailbox with my name across the top. (Yes, I was the child who stalked the mailbox for a month leading up to her birthday!)

There was nothing of great consequence in my letter. It was just a little bit of life, mailed with love. Sometimes being present in the everyday means just as much as sharing in the momentous. Since we are great friends separated by great distance, a stamped envelope from Mrs. to Mrs. will cross the many miles for me and hopefully bring a little joy into Mrs. T's day. :)

Most beautiful bride!
(michaella elliott photography)

Stepping from the Spotlight

As I mentioned, I am accompanying at a ballet studio two nights a week. I'll admit I was a bit nervous about this altogether new endeavor, especially since I am ignorant of nearly all ballet terms and certainly all techniques.

During my college years, I wouldn't have thought twice about accepting this job (it was actually offered to me, indirectly, while I was still in school). I would have argued that teaching pays significantly better and that the classes are past my bedtime. Yes, I calculated life as if it were an algebraic equation. X always equaled practice. I turned down most invitations or opportunities unless I was sure this equation would balance by the end the day.

While I still aim to fit in my practice and hit the hay early, I am finding that I take joy in other things, as well. For instance, being here:

It's not about me. It's about providing music for the dancers. As long as I'm steady and accurate, I'm really unnoticed. And you know what? That's okay. I get the privilege of sharing in their art. Stepping out of the spotlight (and literally into the corner!) has been a wonderful thing. I love being in their studio. It has given me the chance to venture into an entirely different world - while still doing what I love. It's definitely a change from high-concentration practice and teaching. The atmosphere is terrific; I love watching the instructor interact with his students, as he evidently loves his job.

Funny story: on Monday, I entered the lobby for the first day of regular classes. One of the gals behind the desk looked at me and quickly said, "You must be the pianist." Perhaps it was the glasses and Converse? People have always told me I look like a dancer, but I guess they were all speaking without any authority in the matter. Clearly I do not look like a ballerina, and clearly I chose the correct profession.

(Phew! Glad I look like a pianist!)

Thankful for a full week and the provision of work - work that I enjoy! 

To Vie Without Vanity

How does one set goals and make plans while holding dreams with an open palm?

How does one move ahead in faith when the outcome is unclear?

How does one balance personal ambitions and relationships?


All these questions - and more - are constantly racing through my mind.
I am beginning the application process for graduate school.
So many applications and hours of practice and letters and to-dos and performances and auditions have to happen before we have a clue as to our next step. I am hesitant to even say this, because of the lingering question - the most haunting of all - "What if I fail?"

What if I don't get into the schools I desire?

What happens if my goals are blocked?

Do I see my life as purposeful and valuable without the achievement of my musical goals? (Well, that's a loaded question!)


Over a recent dinner with friends, there arose a discussion about a movie in which a performing artist goes to extreme measures in the pursuit of perfection. Ultimately, this cost the artist everything - relationships, career, sanity, and life itself. One of my friends shared his main takeaway, and it really struck me. I haven't stopped thinking about his words.

It was all for nothing.
There was no reason to go to such lengths.
Everything seemed like such a big deal in that tiny world.
There was a complete loss of perspective.
Pointless.

And the wisdom of Solomon keeps returning to me.

"I have seen everything that is done under the sun, and behold, all is vanity and a striving after wind." (Ecclesiastes 1:14)

"Then I considered all that my hands had done and the toil I have expended in doing it, and behold, all was vanity and a striving after wind, and there was nothing to be gained under the sun." (Ecclesiastes 2:10-12)

"For all his days are full of sorrow, and his work is a vexation. Even in the night his heart does not rest. This also is vanity." (Ecclesiastes 2:22-24)

"Then I saw that all toil and all skill in work come from a man's envy of his neighbor. This also is vanity and a striving after wind." (Ecclesiastes 4:3-5)

Does this mean that there is no value in the work of my hands?
Absolutely not! The LORD created man in His own image. God is a creator, and he gave us work and creative abilities. We have the tremendous privilege of showing, on a small scale through our work, the greatness of our Creator. This is no small responsibility. Oh, but how quickly our creations begin to appear far too attractive. We lose perspective. This is when all is vanity.

I am truly sobered. Almost without notice, my hands can go from serving the Creator to creating idols. On a dime, I can turn and bow down to my own carven images instead of offering my life as a living sacrifice. (Romans 12:1) Quickly my good intentions and desires become ultimate, and therefore vain.

When these things happen, I have no rest at night.
My family suffers.
I have no peace.
I have been there. (Maybe even ten or fifteen times this evening!)

LORD, guard my heart! You have a good and perfect plan for my life. Help me to sincerely pray, "Thy will be done." Grant me balance as I work hard, but not to obsessive lengths. Teach me what it means to be a "small c" creator. Give me a heart for people and things outside my own small sphere. Cause my heart to be obedient and my hands to follow.

Amen.

Everyday Philosophy

Food for thought on developing a complete philosophy - not just a theology - of Christianity. Below are some quotations from Francis Schaeffer's book Art and the Bible.

"The Lordship of Christ over the whole of life means that there are no Platonic areas in Christianity, no dichotomy or hierarchy between the body and the soul. God made the body as well as the soul, and redemption is for the whole man."

"...if Christianity is really true, then it involves the whole man, including his intellect and creativeness. Christianity is not just 'dogmatically' true or 'doctrinally' true. Rather, it is true to what is there, true in the whole area of the whole mean in all of life."

"...the Lordship of Christ should include an interest in the arts. A Christian should use these arts to the glory of God - not as tracts, but as things of beauty to the praise of God. An art work can be a doxology in itself."

"Do we understand the freedom we have under the Lordship of Christ and the norms of Scripture? Is the creative part of our life commited to Christ? Christ is the Lord of our whole life, and the Christian life should produce not only truth - flaming truth - but also beauty."