Some Things Don't Come Easy

There are things that each of us can do that come relatively easy to us.

These are gifts from God.

They are talents that are ours to share with others. 

Then there are other things that don't come so easy and God
asks that we embellish upon what was given. 

These are also gifts. 

Try and fail and try again.
Challenge yourself and see how you can grow and improve.

For the past four years, I have steadily been working on one
of those things that does not come so easy.

It has required that I be uncomfortable. 

It has demanded that I regularly pray to see benefits.

It has taught me to be patient and continually try. 

The design of all of God's gifts are wonderful.

 It has brought me great joy to be able to look back
and see that I have progressed.

Mile stones make me smile.
They help me have confidence that I can do things
 that are not easy at first. 

The gift that I speak of is singing.

My goal has never been to have a beautiful voice
or be capable of singing solos.
My goal, for four years, has simply been to get to the point where
I can read and sing the
alto line confidently when I sing the hymns at church .

First, I learned where the alto notes were in the music.
Then, I learned how to follow another alto singer. 

Through participating in my ward choir, singing with Joe's family,
and singing the hymns on Sundays, I have found opportunities to practice this gift.
I actually sit by myself through sacrament meeting hymns
because Joe is the ward chorister.

Being alone on the bench helps me to focus in on just my part
and has been a great time to practice.

Though it is a small step, I have been elated to be able to
sing the alto line by myself
through even just parts of the hymns in the past few weeks.
I've finally been able to hear it in my mind
and then my heart and voice can sing the notes.
But only on familiar hymns...
unfamiliar hymns make me look at the words instead of the notes
and I can't do it.

I can't even make large leaps in notes by myself,
but I can follow "stepping notes" that go C,D,E,E,D,C.
Occasionally, I can even hit an accidental note.
I now know how my voice is supposed to change
when I get to a G on the scale
and I'm so excited to recognize that difference.

While these may seem like the smallest baby steps, they are steps.
For which, I am thankful and smile about. 
Giving what I have, even if it's not much of a strong talent,
 by performing in church with the choir has blessed my life.
It's a good gift.