Tara Wiley: News

And what a season it has been! This year has proven to be full of many unexpected surprises, wrapped in unfamiliar (and, at times, extremely uncomfortable) packaging.

As one might surmise from the lack of updates on this site, I have continued to have serious problems with my arm, both with the ulnar neuritis, and with a compounded problem involving the tendons in my shoulder and upper back. There have been times when the pain has been excruciating. Perhaps most difficult has been the letting go -- letting go of ministry opportunities, letting go of teaching, ultimately letting go of playing in any capacity at all... and in that letting go, also having to let go of much around the house that I normally do as a wife and mother.

I have been deeply stretched as I have sought God for healing in whatever ways He deems best. Over and over, He has whispered, "Wait." At times I have done this obediently. Other times, I've fought Him tooth and nail (and shoulder, elbow, and wrist!).

As I continue to pursue physical therapy and greater education in how to better treat my body as an athletic musician (two words I never thought I'd put together!), I am finding it challenging to continue to hone my skills in non-musical ways. To be honest, it is difficult to pursue musical things when one cannot engage in the music!

But as time has progressed, I have begun to hear something new added to the "Wait" - "Prepare." So, I am pursuing preparedness now, as I continue to wait for healing. God's timing and ways are perfect. His timing and ways for ministry in my life will be perfect as well. In the meantime, thanks for your prayers and support. Please don't stop! And I'll check back in soon and let you know how the waiting and preparing are going.

The past several days have been deeply fulfilling as I've found my ability to play without pain exponentially increased. Praise God!

This past Saturday was the first ever Suzuki Violin Workshop hosted by the Suzuki teachers of Minot. The music department of Minot State University graciously lent us the use of their classroom space. We invited students and Suzuki teachers from Bismarck to join us for a day of master classes/group lessons and a play-in. The fantastic turnout and positive feedback from those involved promises more of these in the future! Kudos to Colleen Lively for spearheading this event! We look forward to participating in a week-long conference in Bismarck this August.

I was asked to teach an improvisation class during the workshop. What a wonderful opportunity to share my greatest passion with young students. It was exciting to see them latch onto some core ideas and begin to discover styles that were all their own. I hope to do more of this in the future.

This morning I was also able to share music during the ladies' Bible study here at Minot Air Force Base. We were studying the way God woos us into an intimate relationship with Him (those of you who know me know how this is my heart's cry -- for others to discover that romance with the Lover of their souls)! I cannot describe to you the delight I felt in being able to let go and worship Him on my violin once again, and in doing so, invite others to enter into His presence. Yes, I am deeply grateful to begin ministry again!

God has taught me much recently about rest, and about experiencing Him in different and unique ways. This morning I discovered Him in a YouTube clip from the re-released musical "South Pacific." I felt His hope in the breezes filtering through my home as I threw open the windows to welcome the first temperatures above freezing in who knows how long. He is so creative, so outside-of-the-box! Knowing Him, loving Him, and worshiping Him is truly an adventure.

May you hear His whispers over your life in fresh ways this spring, and discover worship even in the simplest details of your days.

I so enjoy having the guestbook option on here so I can hear from those of you who visit the site... but I have begun to have a serious problem with terrible spam being posted there. So, I'm turning it off, but I still would love to hear from you. Drop me an email, okay? :)

Tara

I thought I'd take a moment and give a brief update.

Thanks for your prayers and encouragement over the past several months; they mean so very much. As I continue to wait on the slow healing process, every reminder of the way God has moved in my life musically over the past years is an encouragement to me not to let go of His calling, even in this season of rest.

Physical therapy continues to bring positive improvement; I've been able to play a little more and a little longer each week (measuring improvement in seconds and minutes and inches of motion...). I've also used this time to do some reading on violin technique and teaching.

Two days ago I dared to voice to my husband what feels like an impossible musical dream. In the few hours since then, God has been bringing His confirmations in surprising ways. I have no idea how this will happen, what it will look like, and what the timetable will be (Mo, in his humorous way, shared an article with me of an 83 year old woman who finally achieved this goal, and wrote on it 'This could be you!' Hey, if this happens at 83 for me, then I will be living a very vibrant life in my golden years!). What I DO know is that the idea scares me to death, seems quite impossible, and leaves me with no clue even where to begin... which means there are a hundred possibilities there for God to work through! Please pray with me (and my family) that I will be diligent to see this through in God's way and in His timing, and that He will continue to encourage me as only He can.

Thanks so much!

Trusting Him,
Tara

It's been an interesting few months around here! Just as we were all settling in to life with another child, continuing to perform and teach regularly, ulnar neuritis (a painful inflammation of the 'funny bone' nerve) brought everything to a complete halt. I've had to completely rest from playing the violin for several weeks now, although I am now slowly stepping back into my teaching schedule. It has been an incredibly trying time, but I am grateful to my family for their support and help when at times I have been quite helpless. I am especially grateful for the many prayers being raised on my behalf for healing. At this point it looks as though continued rest, use of braces, and NSAIDS will complete the healing process without surgery! I am hoping to be back to full playing capacity by January. In the meantime, it has become incredibly obvious to me that God ordained this season of musical rest in order for me to channel my energies towards other challenges that have come our way in the past few months. While I miss playing terribly, I know God is stretching me and will use this season as part of HIs story in my life. I know I will never take playing the violin (let alone opening a door!) for granted again! Please continue to pray for my patient endurance and for COMPLETE healing. Thank you so much!

Since I last posted, we've had a precious new addition to our family:

Katelyn Charlene entered our lives through adoption on May 26, 2008! My life for the past five weeks has been mostly sleepless nights, spitup, and ear-to-ear smiles as we celebrate and adapt to having a baby again. She is a precious gift from God, and a wonderful little girl. We are eternally grateful.

After this brief hiatus, the musical side of my life is kicking back into gear with a few major events coming up; lessons and CMA are about to start up again as well. Mo and I continue to enjoy being a part of the worship team at Our Redeemer's.

I pray you are well -- and more well-rested than I am! :)

With love and gratitude to my Savior,

Tara

It's high time I post a little update here. Life has been extremely full these past months!

The recital in March was thrilling. We had an amazing turnout, and Karen and I absolutely enjoyed ourselves from beginning to end. Most importantly to us, the audience truly participated in our joy! What a great time.

This has led to many more local opportunities, most of which I probably won't post here, but suffice it to say every weekend in May and much of June will be busy with concerts and other smaller events.

I also have to mention the marriage retreat from a couple of weeks ago -- Mo and I were pleased and honored to be a part of such a great weekend. The speaker, Dave Foss, was fantastic, and God orchestrated the worship sets that Mo and I planned in such a way that the sessions flowed seamlessly. We had a blast, with a lot of laughter, and a lot of time to play in our new instruments. They sound made for each other! Mo's now sporting a Baden guitar -- if you're a guitar fan, check out www.badenguitars.com. These things are fantastic!!

Next week holds an event I'm especially excited about: I will be speaking and playing at our church's ladies' luncheon. It's my heart's cry to bring glory to God by vulnerably sharing, through music and through words, about the freedom and joy I have found through an intimate relationship with Christ. Would you pray with me that He will use me to further His kingdom next weekend?

Worshiping Him,
Tara

Happy New Year!

2007 seemed to slip right through my fingers, but what a profitable, wonderful, fulfilling year it was.

NOEL in Jackson Hole was breathtakingly wonderful. I have yet to fully process all of the experience. I'll try to post some pictures soon.

As we head into 2008, I am filled with an increased awareness of the unknowns this year holds... many of them wondrous, but mysteries nonetheless, with all of the uncertainty mysteries bring.

Almost exactly two years ago, I wrote a poem while facing an uncertain future. The words I penned on that day are appropriate for 2008 as well, and so I share them with you here, and ask that God would give each of us great faith and purpose as we wait on His direction for this new year.

The future stretches out now before me
An even greater unknown than before
But partial knowing brings the question: what will be?
Hoped for...

The present is so pleasant, so secure
The past, its own strange mix of bittersweet
But lessons past make lessons future sure
Unseen...

It is assurance of the things so hoped for
It is conviction of mysteries unseen
It is knowing the unknowing is a gift for more
Faith

Yesterday, I thought I knew but did not know
Today, I know but know still less than then
Tomorrow I shall see the Godhead’s Holy Show
Purpose

Hebrews 11:1
Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.

Jeremiah 29:11-13
"I know what I'm doing. I have it all planned out—plans to take care of you, not abandon you, plans to give you the future you hope for. When you call on me, when you come and pray to me, I'll listen. When you come looking for me, you'll find me.

Yes, when you get serious about finding me and want it more than anything else, I'll make sure you won't be disappointed."

We have raced past my favorite time of year (autumn) into my second-most favorite: that stretch between Thanksgiving and New Year's Day, the Holidays. I have to admit that it's a wonderful time of year to live in the far North. The rolling landscape has already been blanketed with crystalline snow (making for a beautiful white Thanksgiving!) and my husband's favorite pastime for this season has yielded some excellent pheasant and venison meals. Somehow, the bite of that North wind makes the hot coffee and cider especially delicious. I'm anticipating putting up Christmas decorations this afternoon -- despite the fact that we'll only be here for two weeks to enjoy them!


The Holiday Open House at Margie's (www.margiesartglass.com) was incredibly fun. I discovered a great Mark Hayes Christmas collection that came with an accompaniment cd -- perfect to use for a small venue like this. I alternated between the cd collection and taking requests from the audience (since the shop next door was roasting chestnuts, more than a few customers came in humming the Christmas Song. It had its share of runs that night!). At one point, a friend from the base brought in about 8 children who sat around me requesting carols. What joy. They even stumped me on a couple!


Sometimes I almost feel bad taking money for these gigs -- almost. :) They afford me the pleasure of playing to my heart's delight for a number of uninterrupted hours. Of course, once my husband and son arrived at the end (along with friends Darren and Korissa Olson -- check out Darren's amazing photography artwork at www.darrenolson.com), the 'uninterrupted' part was over! I think I need to work a bit more on my child's concert etiquette!!


I hope your holidays are filled with snow (or at least dreams of it), hot drinks, wonderful music, and treasured memories with family and friends.


Most of all, may the wonder of the gift of Jesus Christ, God on Earth, fill your hearts with a new delight this year.

The event at Christian Women's Club this week went great! It opened the doors for some other future opportunities (I'll post them as things get nailed down). The holidays look to be filling up as well, with another Jackson Hole opportunity that I'm hoping we can work out -- could be GREAT fun!

Life has been hectic around here! God is stretching me to find total dependence on Him, to be willing to be still when He demands it... and to be obedient to His call.

Trusting Him,
Tara

Welcome, friends, to the website for Glorious Reflections Ministries! I've been prompted lately to be in a place of readiness for whatever God sends my way. Creating this site is one of many steps towards that goal.

Look around, enjoy, and feel free to give me feedback!

Glorifying Him,
Tara