The Song In My Heart~

I love music. I find that music can stir my soul like few other things can. Since I was a little girl I have enjoyed music of all kinds; well maybe I should say selected music of all kinds. I enjoy mostly Classical, Oldies, a little Country and best of all the Hymns and other religious songs. I love listening to a symphony play. I love dancing to quiet romantic music. I used to enjoy doing aerobics to various types of exercise music. I took tap and ballet dancing lessons when I was young so I have always love dancing too. My Dad would often times grab my Mom or myself if their was dance music on and he would give us a whirl around the room.
 When I was a young girl our family would go on a trip or other adventures and my parents would sing together in the car. I also accompanied my father when he made ice cream deliveries to little towns throughout Utah. He would sing while he drove. Some of my favorite songs that he sang were; "My Wild Irish Rose", Buttons and Bows and "When Irish Eyes Are Smiling. 
My dear Mother started me on the piano when I was six years old. I loved playing the piano. Practicing the piano was another thing; she would have to prod me a bit on that one. I only liked to play what I liked to play. I took piano for about 6 years and was becoming fairly good at it. Then my parents hit a financial crises and we had to move from the little town where I was born. At that time they sold the piano and I didn't have one for a while. Eventually, they bought another one and I started back playing the music I had learned before. They couldn't afford piano lessons; so I would challenge myself to learn new pieces.
 When my dear husband left on his mission for two years to Northern California; I waited for him. It was so hard because I loved him so much. I looked forward to when he would return and we could be married.  His picture was on our piano and I would sit down to play the piano and sing "A Certain Smile" by Johnny Mathis. Kind of sappy I know; but I missed him so much. 
After we were married and started our family I would sing lullaby's and other songs to my babies and children. Sometimes I would make up lines to various music. I don't have a good voice; but I would sing anyway. After a few years we were able to purchase a piano. I would play the piano for our family Nativity programs each year. I would seldom play outside of our home because I would make mistakes. I did accompany my daughters a few times when they sang trios and one time for my daughter's singing recital. I made it through those with just small errors.
Years later I started back into piano lessons and took for 4 years but only practiced for about 2 of those years. My dear teacher would have me play in recitals with all of her younger students. I could never get through a piece without making a mistake. That made me gun shy; so I still don't play outside of my home. Someday perhaps I will overcome that problem.
One thing that is really awesome is that my children have good voices. My three girls have lovely voices and through the years they have sang as a trio. Each of them have had some vocal training. My youngest daughter played the part of Annie in the play "Annie"; when she was eleven years old. Since that time she sings often at various functions.  
I love the Hymns that we sing in our church. Who doesn't love the Mormon Tabernacle Choir. Their voices are like heavenly angels to me. I often shed tears when I hear some of their pieces. My favorites are; "How Great Thou Art", "How Firm A Foundation and "Lilies Of The Field".
In The Preface of Our Hymn book the first Presidency of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints said the following: "Inspirational music is an essential part of our church meeting. The hymns invite the Spirit of the Lord, create a feeling of reverence, unify us as members and provide a way for us to offer praises to the Lord........."
I know that in my personal life music has lifted me up on many days when my heart has hurt. Hymns have given me courage, peace, the ability to resist temptations of the adversary and profound answers to my prayers. There are hymns that I have memorized that I can bring to my mind when I am in need of comfort and love. Hymns have helped to build my testimony and they have brought living waters to quench the thirst in my soul.  Music has power to move us and our families to a greater spirituality and devotion to the gospel. I try to fill my home with the sounds of worthy music. It is one of the ways that I can have a Christ Centered home. I love to play and sing the hymns. There are sermons to be taught through singing the hymns. 
One of my most favorite hymns is "Love One Another" partly because my husband wrote two more verses to this hymn. I hope you will enjoy hearing two of my daughters sing it.