New Calling

About a month ago a member of my bishopric came up to me after sacrament meeting and asked me how comfortable I was with playing hymns. Being the only piano player in the young womens, I play there, play in seminary, and play abundantly at home, so I told him I was pretty confident... I don't know a lot of hymns, but I can play them. He said great! Just curious.
A few weeks later he called me in and asked me if I'd accept the call to be the Ward Pianist.
Hold the phone.
The ward pianist?! Isn't that an old lady job?!
And uhm, crazy scary?!
He said they don't mind that I can't play the organ, just that they need someone to be able to play and they thought I'd be great for the job.
....................................
I said I'd take it, as much as I feel greatly underqualified.
I got a list of the songs for the upcoming week, and imagine my disbelief when all of the songs were songs that I know really well, one of them being I Stand All Amazed, the first hymn I learned. Tell me that isn't Heavenly Father showing me I'll be okay.
When it came time for the opening song, I wasn't even nervous. Usually my hands shake so bad and I can't focus my eyes if I'm reallly nervous, which I should have been. It's the biggest audience times 15 that I've ever played for. Well, I haven't been nervous once. I just know that someone's helping me and that I will have the power to use my talent the way it needs to be used.
When I went in to get my blessing to be set apart I had specific challenges in mind that could come with accepting this call, limits within myself when it comes to the piano. Each of those were addressed in my blessing, even though I had told no one.
I'm overwhelmed with this talent that has been given to me. Sometimes I feel like it's nothing special, I can do no greater than any one else. There's someone out there that can play better than me or hit less mistakes than me. But then I remember how I got my talent. That's a pretty special story. And when these things happen, these "coincidences"... it's clear to me that this is something that I needed to have in my life.
I come from a long line of organists, my mom, my grandma, my great-grandma, I'm sure it goes plenty back. I often hear stories of how many hours upon hours they would sit at a bench playing until their fingers were raw. How amazing they were and just how hard they practiced. Then how much joy they brought to their own houses, as the home was filled with song.
And ya know... I'm kind of excited to join them!:)

Piano

Yesterday I was so mad at the piano! I couldn't get anything done it seemed, and I was playing horribly...this was the end point of a long tedious summer of playing the same old songs and not being able to play new ones. I was so frustrated I thought, this is the end....I dont want to try playing piano anymore. Then I had quick inspiration that I was so grateful for. I was reminded how fortunate I am to have my piano talent, Heavenly help was definitely behind it. I've only been playing for 2 1/2 years and I can play plenty of hymns and the Phantom of the Opera. Everything I know, I basically taught myself. I was so grateful and felt so blessed that I was able to remember that and how lucky I was I didnt quit, that decision would have changed my life.
Today, I had a great time sitting at the piano making up songs. When no one is home, I love to sit down and pound away. I came up with a pretty song, it reminds me of the spring when the earth is coming back to life. I doubt tomorrow I'll remember it, but I played a bunch of variations of it today! The feel of piano keys on my fingers was wonderful and the energy that feels my spirit is unreal. I think playing piano like that is what I imagine drug users get from their high, pounding away is my addiction.
I cant wait until more time is between the starting point and where I am, so my talent is more fully developed. I've got a long line of players ahead of me, and I hope one day I can be half of what they were, because they are all amazing! I'm lucky I have many I can ask questions and get support from, because piano is hard.
But for me, piano is so worth it!

Piano

Well here are the current stats.....
Accompaniment: 11/20
Top Hand: 52/50
Recognize: 57/100
I didn't realize I was this close! About everyday I learn a new accompaniment! The hardest part now is going to be learning 40 more hymns that I will recognize the tune to. This got a little easier because I decided to let Christmas songs be included, but still I think I'm doing good for only playing for a year and a half! I think I'm on track to getting it done!

Goals for Piano

I figure that if I want to get this done, I'm going to need people monitoring me and giving support, otherwise I may forget my goals, or lower them, or just change them. So here they are;

1. Be able to play the accompianment to 2o hymns
2. Be able to play the top hand to an additional 30 hymns. (Making my grand total of playing 50)
3. Recognize a total of 100 hymns.

Now granted, if I recognize a hymn, I will probably know how to play the top hand, so I'll probably know how to play a lot.

I'm doing this for my knowledge personal progress project so it has to take me at least 10 hours, and I haven't started keeping time for it yet, so I'm going to start fresh.
Wish me luck!!!