A life update

Dear Readers,



The Mason Kids

 Between Grammie's birthday (where she, Uncle Talley, and Aunt Sarah came for a lovely visit), watching Harry Potter at the midnight showing, and going to the Paradise Valley Retirement Community with a bunch of friends for a service project, AND finishing up 8 grade--we have had a busy few weeks! So busy I have not had a chance to blog. But here am I, and I am armed with pictures! Let me start with Uncle Talley, Aunt Sarah, and Grammie's visit.

I loved these southwestern shots!



We drove to Sedona, Flagstaff, and Williams--the whole drive hiding this pineapple birthday cake!



And then, once in Williams, we took a train ride to the Grand Canyon.

The train ride was lovely!

We had SO much fun seeing the sights with our family, and then getting to celebrate Grammie on a train--nothing could have been lovelier! We had a wonderful time.

And the Grand Canyon is breath taking! What a wonderful artist God is!



This is an original telephone pole--that is very short! It had to be short enough that a man could reach it while staying on his horse.

 

Mom with her boys- who are, actually, Professor Lupin and Harry Potter!

Hermione and Bellatrix got along a bit too well. :)

We had a very good time at Harry Potter, as well. It was a lot of fun to pull costumes together last minute, and to be with friends in the middle of the night!ha The movie was  amazing, and everyone was so excited they would just go and talk with anyone! It was pretty cool to see.

Lupin and Harry



And I obviously didn't get enough costumed fun in this week, because today I donned a poodle skirt and went with Mason and some friends to a retirement home. We put on a talent show for the residents, where Mason announced each performance, I played my recital song on violin, a group of people came and played piano, and Breana, Ariana, and I signed to "Good Morning". (from Singing in the Rain)

It was so much fun to watch the residents tap their feet, and then afterward they all told us how many memories our poodle skirts brought up. And one kind man thanked us about a hundred times! They were a joy to be around.

 And then, after the show was over and we were trying to get the residents to play games with us, (no one seemed too interested) one lady came and asked if we would play piano again. She used to teach piano, and missed hearing it. So each of us went up and played her a song, and afterward she told me she wished someone could come and play everyday! I assured her we would be back in a few months. As always, my heart broke for those people.

Although, I must say, I was thinking that I liked going to nursing homes where they couldn't leave, because then they seemed to enjoy the performance a lot more, since they were unable to go out and about and these people were. But Mom reminded me that these people WERE in a nursing home, and regardless of whether they could run errands or not, they still were alone and we still were able to bring them joy. And that made me think of a scripture passage.

"Do not forget to show hospitality to strangers, for by doing so some people have shown hospitality to angels without knowing it." -Hebrews 13:2

Isn't that a thrilling thought?  So, I came to the conclusion that whether you are stuck in an Alzheimer's home, young with lots of kids, or in the middle of 5 grade- you still need God. And we are called to lead them ALL to God! I feel so thankful for the oppurtunity to show this group of people God's love this morning.

(And at the same time, I made some pretty amazing friends! :) ) Your Blogger,

 Claire

Oh oh oh! I forgot to give you some exciting news!! Another neat thing that's been going on is that we got our roles for the "Cinderella" ballet. Mason will be narrator and Duke, Benjamin will be Gus Gus (the sweet,fat little mouse), Uncle Len will be the evil stepmother, and I will be Cinderella! Isn't that SO exciting??!! Just be praying that the parents of kids at United Cerebral Palsy will get their kids involved--God has some amazing things planned for this, we just have to get these kids in! Thank you so much!

ASL news

  Dear Readers,
   The Shrader family has the crud. This cold thing attacked Dad, then Cate, now Mom and Benjamin.
 Ugh.
     But I'm not here to blog about the crud. I'm here to blog about an amazing girl who took an inspiration and ran with it. I just saw a news report about Allyson Townsend. She is a young girl who grew up with a friend who was Deaf.  This friend asked her all these questions about what it was like to listen to music, and how do you know how long to hold the words out, etc. So Allyson interpreted a song into American Sign Language (ASL). Her friend loved it. And soon, Allyson had tons of videos out on YouTube. Along with many,many followers. Most of whom are Deaf.
  Now, Allyson is a teacher for Deaf second graders and has a major in Deaf Education. She continues to share the gift of music with others who can't hear it.
  A news story featuring her as ABC's 'Person of the Week', caught my eye in the video bar of Yahoo. I soon found the story on ABC, which you can go to here.  The video they show is filled with so much passion and expression. I felt like I should take notes!
  Really, I'm blogging about this because all year I've struggled with becoming the person God wants me to be, and how to do the things God wants me to do. I know I have a passion for animals, music, and sign language. My question is - how do I use that to further God's Kingdom?
  Although this news report certainly didn't answer my question, it encouraged me. Allyson started out a lot like me and now is helping Deaf people worldwide. What a great ministry!

The amazing Interpreters on the Disney Cruise and I

  I hope it encouraged all of you, too. And I hope you're having a great (crud-free) Saturday!                                                     

 “Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; the one who seeks finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened.” - Matthew 7:7-8

 I've asked God to lead me where HE wants me to go and I encourage you to do the same! He won't let you down.              Your Blogger,

                  Claire

                                                       

                                                                                    

Noel in ASL





Dear Readers,

This weekend was absolutely wonderful. My wonderful  family ran all over town for me on Saturday and didn't complain once. Thank you so much all of you - you're so supportive!

After violin rehearsal,  we ran home and drove to Rosson House for Arizona Friends in Sign. We were

 signing  there in the morning and at Glendale Glitters that night.




Aren't they adorable?!







  My friend, Jamie, and I signed Frosty the Snowman as a duet. It was amazing... 

 



I'm signing "Sleigh"



I joined AZ Friends in Sign because ever since I met a girl in my third grade class who was Deaf, I have loved sign language and had a desire to serve the Deaf. This group has been really great for me to have a part in, and I love it. Our group goes to nursing homes, girl scout meetings, the fair, and others. We go to teach people who want to learn sign language and to increase the public's awareness of ASL and Deafness, as well as to reach out to the Deaf Community.  How many of you, my wonderful Readers, know sign language? It is really such a wonderful skill to have and truly a gift to give to others.

  Before I let you go, let me say one quick thing. One of my mom's friends has a Deaf friend. One day my mom's friend asked his Deaf Friend what his dreams were. He said "In my dreams, everyone signs."

  They made that dream come true on the television show Sesame Street, why can't we make it true???

  Your Blogger, (who would love to teach all of you sign language)

Claire

Arizona Friends in Sign



                                                                                     











                                                                                                     













The wonderful world

 Dear Readers,
As all of you know, I'm sure, this world has many many problems. Some days, it's so easy for me to focus on all the bad parts of the world, and I forget that this place is something God created. No, it's not without fault, but still, God said it was good didn't he? None of us is perfect - we all have difficult times and do things we regret. But, let's forgive as God does and look at ourselves as our Creator can - wonderful and made in His image. I'm going to share some of the things I think are beautiful in this world we live.

Horses. One of God's finest creations, in my opinion.  Smart, strong animals, capable of running faster than a car. Roaming free, they are a sight to behold. Bucking and playfully nipping others in their tight family-like herd. Or bridled with rider cantering through showy arenas or grassy fields, the feeling of freedom bursting out of their breast, one with the horse, racing the wind. Oh yeah, and with me in that photo is my brother. Brothers- need I say more? Always your defendant when you need it, yet they pull your braids and tease you at home. You've gotta love 'em! Here's the whole gang - Benjamin, Mason , Claire(me), and Cate. Plus the horses, Marki (with me) and Tyrone (with Mason). On this particular travel to River Ridge Farm (affectionately referred to as Mrs.Rosie's to us) Benjamin was so sweet and defendant of me when another girl was very mean to Marki and I. Thanks, boys! My siblings are some of the most important people in the world to me. They're so supportive - I mean do you see Mason saddling a horse and Benjamin patiently enduring 2 hours of barn time? They're the greatest.

Here's another thing that is beautiful. Music. Sweet and soft, or loud and energetic, music touches my soul.

I took this absolutely angelic picture of my piano to try and capture the music onto this page.  Can't you imagine wonderful melodies pouring out from deep within this amazing instrument? Yes, music is a gift from God. I am taking this oppurtunity to share some good news with you. I love music, yet there are some people who can't hear  the beat of a drum or sway of a fiddle. I learned American Sign Language for people like this, and have been blessed with the oppurtunity to share music with people in Sign Language.

 My Mom recently signed me up for a ministry called Arizona Friends in Sign. There I will be part of a group that performs songs in sign and teaches Sign Language to people who have the desire to learn. I'm very excited and can hardly wait!

And here's my family! The most amazing and fun people in the world! They are very important to me and are my best friends. I love them all!  They are DEFINITELY the most beautiful things I can think of in this world!

I encourage each of you, my sweet readers, to look through fresh eyes at the beauty and splendor of my Father's World!   

The beautiful spring  roadside of Mississippi