May 2, 2003 V1N14
Hello, everyone! We have all probably heard some version of this story but all the same, it's touching. Read on.
Robbie's Story
Robby..... A true story
At the prodding of my friends, I am writing this story.
My name is Mildred Hondorf. I am a former elementary school music teacher from DeMoines, Iowa. I've always supplemented my income by teaching piano lessons--something I've done for over 30 years. Over the years I found that children have many levels of musical ability. I've never had the pleasure of having a protege though I have taught some talented students.
However I've also had my share of what I call "musically challenged" pupils. One such student was Robby. Robby was 11 years old when his Mother (a single Mom) dropped him off for his first piano lesson. I prefer that students (especially boys) begin at an earlier age, which I explained to Robby. But Robby said that it had always been his mother's dream to hear him play the piano. So I took him as a student.
Well, Robby began with his piano lessons and from the beginning I thought it was a hopeless endeavor. As much as Robby tried, he lacked the sense of tone and basic rhythm needed to excel. But he dutifully reviewed his scales and some elementary pieces that I require all my students to learn. Over the months he tried and tried while I listened and cringed and tried to encourage him. At the end of each weekly lesson he'd always say, "My mom's going to hear me play someday." But it seemed hopeless. He just did not have any inborn ability. I only knew his mother from a distance as she waved and smiled but never stopped in. Then one day Robby stopped coming to our lessons. I thought about calling him but assumed, because of his lack of ability, that he had decided to pursue something else. I also was glad that he stopped coming. He was a bad advertisement for my teaching!
Several weeks later I mailed to the student's homes a flyer on the upcoming recital. To my surprise Robby (who received a flyer) asked me if he could be in the recital. I told him that the recital was for current pupils and because he had dropped out he really did not qualify. He said that his Mom had been sick and unable to take him to piano lessons but he was still practicing. "Miss Hondorf...I've just got to play!" he insisted. I don't know what led me to allow him to play in the recital. Maybe it was his persistence or maybe it was something inside of me saying that it would be all right.
The night for the recital came. The high school gymnasium was packed with parents, friends and relatives. I put Robby up last in the program before I was to come up and thank all the students and play a finishing piece. I thought that any damage he would do would come at the end of the program and I could always salvage his poor performance through my "curtain closer."
Well, the recital went off without ahitch.The students had been practicing and it showed. Then Robby came up on stage. His clothes were wrinkled and his hair looked like he'd run an eggbeater through it. "Why didn't he dress up like the other students?" I thought. "Why didn't his mother at least make him comb his hair for this special night?"
Robby pulled out the piano bench and he began. I was surprised when he announced that he had chosen Mozart's Concerto #21 in C Major. I was not prepared for what I heard next. His fingers were light on the keys, they even danced nimbly on the ivories. He went from pianissimo to fortissimo...from allegro to virtuoso. His suspended chords that Mozart demands were magnificent! Never had I heard Mozart played so well by people his age After six and a half minutes he ended in a grand crescendo and everyone was on their feet in wild applause. Overcome and in tears I ran up on stage and put my arms around Robby in joy. "I've never heard you play like that Robby! How'd you do it?" Through the microphone Robby explained: "Well Miss Hondorf...remember I told you my Mom was sick? Well actually
she had cancer and passed away this morning. And well....she was born deaf so tonight was the first time she ever heard me play. I wanted to make it "special."
There wasn't a dry eye in the house that evening. As the people from Social Services led Robby from the stage to be placed into foster care, I noticed that even their eyes were red and puffy and I thought to myself how much richer my life had been for taking Robby as my pupil. No, I've never had a protege but that night I became a protege...of Robby's. He was the teacher and I was the pupil, for it was he that taught me the meaning of perseverance and love and believing in yourself and maybe even taking a chance in someone and you don't know why.
This is especially meaningful to me since after serving in Desert Storm, Robby was killed in the senseless bombing of the Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building in Oklahoma City in April of 1995, where he was reportedly....playing the piano.
~submitted by Julie Clark
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ALL IN GOD'S PLANS
We don't always understand in our life,
why things happen the way that they do.
Sometimes we try to find the answers,
and other times, we don't feel a need to.
However, whatever the reason might be,
it always lays in God Almighty's hands.
We have to believe all that does happen,
is meant to be, as a part of God's plans.
The answers all rest in our faith in God;
there is a purpose for all our life brings.
And even through the sadness we feel,
we should try to find, a hidden blessing.
So often we don't see a reason right away,
as our hearts are filled with all our emotion.
We should remember it is all in His plans,
and even if it hurts, not forget His devotion.
Some things happen to teach life lessons,
and others are just a part of our time here.
We need to experience the many facets,
before the meaning of life, becomes clear.
No matter what we face, be it sadness or joy,
always let His love continue to shine within.
God has a plan for each one of His children;
we must trust in His love, and NEVER give in.
--Author Unknown
~submitted by Cheri Cross~
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Verse of the Week
John 8:36-If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed.
Free indeed. What does that mean, to be free indeed? Easter is coming up soon, and this verse came to mind as I considered what Christ did on the cross. We were bound in sin, unable to escape. There is only one way to free us from that sin, a Savior was needed. He happily went to redeem His people. Now we are truly free indeed, praise be to God!
~Dakota Saukel
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Prayer & Praise
I would like to thank God for all the blessings He's given me since I started R4A and to thank all of you that have prayed for this little magazine. Keep it up!
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Word Study
By AprilRose Pilgrim
Finally brethren, whatsoever things are...
True;
Steadfast, Loyal, Honest, Just, Consistent.
Whatsoever things are....
Honest;
free from fraud or deception, Legitimate, Truthful or Genuine, Real, Humble, marked by integrity, Innocent.
Whatsoever things are....
Just;
Reasonable, Righteous, acting or being in conformity with what is morally upright or good.
Whatsoever things are.....
Pure;
unmixed with any other matter,Spotless, Stainless, free from what weakens or pollutes, containing nothing that does not belong, free from moral fault or guilt.
Whatsoever things are...
Lovely;
delightful for beauty,harmony or grace.
Whatsoever things are of...
Good Report;
True, Real, Honorable,Just, Right, Reputation.
If there be any of;
Virtue;
a conformity to a standerd of right,a particular moral excellence.
And if there be any of....
Praise;
Value, Merit.
Think on these things.
These things, which ye have both learned, and recieved, and heard, and seen in me, do; and the God of Peace shall be with you.
Philippians 4:8-9
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Selected Sayings
1. There is no royal road to anything. One thing at a time, all things in succession. That which grows fast withers as rapidly, that which grows slowly endures. -J. G. Holland
2. Witnessing is like fishing--you can lose a fish if you're careless.
3. Watch your heart, young Christian. Do not give too much heed to what the lips say. Listen to the heart beat. Does it beat in perfect unison with the will of God? -C. E. Orr
4. The walls we build around us to keep out the sadness also keep out the joy. -Jim Rohn
Smiley
One night an old lady woke up and discovered a robber in her house. She yelled out, "Stay where you are! Acts 2:38!" (which reads: "Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost"). She then proceeded to call the police.
When the police came the robber hadn't moved. The cop asked, "Why didn't you run? She just yelled some Scripture at you."
"What Scripture?" the robber asked. "I didn't hear any Scripture but I did hear: 'Stay where you are! I have an axe and two thirty-eights!"
Thanks for taking time to read this magazine. If you would like to submit anything, just e-mail me at ready4anything_2003@yahoo.com. I need a "verse of the week," poems, articles, quotes, etc.. Also take time to check out the website at www.oocities.org/ready4anything_2003.
Staff: Editor in Chief: Jesus Christ
Assistant Editors: Jamie Scharf & April Pilgrim
Website Designer: Cheri Cross
Contributers: Julie Clark
Dakota Saukel
Cheri Cross
April Pilgrim