Tara Wiley: News

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