1 Chronicles 13:8 – while David and the crowd danced and sang praises to the Lord with all their might. They played music on small harps and other stringed instruments, and on tambourines, cymbals, and trumpets.

Gratitude Day 766

Just in case you do not know, I LOVE music. For me, music is another language by which we express our feelings, emotions, and thoughts. Music gives us an opportunity to say what we want in another way that often feels less intimidating than simply speaking up.

I realize that not everyone feels the same way about music. Case in point: Hubby Rick. Yes, he likes some music. He has his favorite groups and songs. But music doe does not speak to him the same we it does for me. Once, we were at production of “Jesus Christ Superstar.” If you have not been to a show, let me preface this by saying the entire musical is sung. About ten minutes into the production we were at, Hubby Rick leaned over and asked me if they were going to sing the entire production. When I said that yes, every word would be sung, I knew it was going to be a long next couple of hours.

And it was.

I had the opportunity to embrace music in my life early. When I was five, I started taking piano lessons because I was pounding on the piano regularly. My Mom decided I might as well be playing something for real and not just making up my own stuff. In Middle School, I started teaching piano lessons as a way to earn money to pay for my own piano lessons. There was a season in my life when I even contemplated going into music and playing piano professionally. As you can tell, this did not happen.

I played in band, pep band, jazz band, and have accompanied at thousands and thousands of worship services, special music productions, funerals and weddings. I can honestly say that learning to play music is one of those life-long skills that I am so happy I discovered because I use it every single week.

I was fortunate that I had a parent who wanted me to learn about music and made arrangements so I could. Not every kid has someone advocating for them. This is a huge reason why we have chosen a particular organization for our August Our Monthly Resolution Group: The Music Mission.

The Music Mission was founded by Leah Witthuhn, who discovered music at an early age. Because so many people helped her get started with music, she decided when she was just 14-years-old to pay it forward and created The Music Mission.

The Music Mission is a non-profit organization that gives the gift of music. People in the Fox Valley, Wisconsin community can donate instruments and lessons to children. The Music Mission focuses on assisting children of low income families but do also provide merit-based gifts as well.

Their main focus is to distribute purchased or donated musical instruments to kids who do not have access to them. They also provide music lessons for students who do not have the resources to pay for lessons. The Music Mission provides materials and secures a qualified teacher for the student.

Soon, the fall school year will begin. We believe that supporting The Music Mission at this time of the year makes sense since may kids will be started this fall.

How can we help The Music Mission as part of Our Monthly Resolution? Glad you asked!

Donate an instrument. The Music Mission is located in Appleton, WI. You can contact them directly if you have an instrument to donate at: MusicMissionAppleton@gmail.com or 920-733-5172. If you know someone in eastern Wisconsin that would like to take lessons and lives in northeastern Wisconsin , you can contact them directly.

To support them financially, go to their website, https://musicmissionappleton.org/index.html and click on the large “Donate Now” button.

Donations can be mailed to:

Music Mission of Appleton, c/o Lori Witthuhn, 2325 S Kernan Ave., Appleton, WI  54915

Their EIN is: 47-2276435

If you prefer not to support a Wisconsin-based organization, find one in your area that sounds interesting to you!

The donations to these non-profit organizations that are made through Our Monthly Resolution make a difference! In June, over $1,400 was donated to Mikayla’s Grace. Thank you for offering your support to these organizations.

Whether music is your talent or not, I hope that you will chose to support those who want to try music out. Music has always been an important part of worshiping God. I am thankful every Sunday when I sit down to play during worship that I was encouraged to learn music and develop the opportunity be a part of worship in this way.

For the blessing of music is my life, I am very grateful.

Blessings –

Dianne

Lord God – Thank you for making music such an important part of my life and worshipping You. I pray that we can support others who want to develop their music skills. Amen.

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