Piano Recital

Sunday, September 28th, Ivan had a piano recital at the "Haus der Chore" in Frankfurt.  Jay was also on the program.

We did not want to miss taking the sacrament so we went to the other ward (the German ward) because they meet in the morning and the recital was in the afternoon.  I loved going.  A couple of blessings came by our being there.

First, amazingly(!), our dear friend Miriam was there.  Miriam was someone we met while we lived in Jerusalem.  She worked in Bethlehem for three years.  What a great surprise to see her.  She was on her way home to Austria and she had stopped in Frankfurt to meet a few friends.  She has finished her work in Bethlehem.  To think we never would have seen her had we not went to the German ward.  The Lord knows everything to our blessing!

The second great blessing was that the first talk was actually in English with a German translator.  The talk was so inspiring and we could understand it!  Yay!  Of course, after that talk we couldn't understand much, but we tried to pick out words we could understand.  All in all, it was worth the effort it took to be there.

OK, back to the piano recital.  It was a very nice afternoon.  There were 26 performers.  Well, it was a nice afternoon, but also very long.  The piano teacher, Michi (she's Japanese), played last and Jay was just before her.  Ivan was #20 on the program.

Ivan played two pieces.  He played "Csikos Post" by H. Necke (it's an awesome piece - you should listen to it on Youtube here: www.youtube.com/watch?v=5Fn7atSfW0A) and he played "Pirates of the Carribean": www.youtube.com/watch?v=n4JD-3-UAzM (from the movie of the same name).  All I can say is Ivan is a POWER HOUSE when it comes to the piano!!!  He really plays loud and strong.  The pieces were perfect for him.

Jay played an absolutely beautiful "Clair de Lune" by Debussy.  Again, give it a listen on Youtube - it is gorgeous and Jay did it justice, too!

Here are some photos of the event:

Ivan the Power House!

Jay the sublime musician!

Who is this?  The hero of the recital...a 90 year old man who takes piano lessons from Michi.  Wow, what an inspiration!

father and son duo

All the performers and their teacher.

Viva Pianists!!

A Beautiful Lady

Evelyn Seay passed away September 22, 2014.  She will be greatly missed by all who knew her.  She had a quick wit and humor that kept smiles on our faces.  She was loving and kind.  Her door was always open to family and friends.  She made wonderful Southern food.  When Jay and I lived in Virginia, we have happy memories of driving to South Carolina to visit her and Grandpa (when he was alive).  We ate Thanksgiving feasts with family at her home a few times.  Emily and Ivan are so blessed to have been able to get to know her and Grandpa.  I think she will always be in their hearts and memories for which I am so grateful!

The following picture was in her obituary.  I think it is such a lovely picture of her.  

Evelyn (Poteat) Seay

Her obituary:

"Evelyn Poteat Seay, 89, of Spartanburg, SC, died Monday, September 22, 2014, at her home. Born October 6, 1924, in Spartanburg, she was the daughter of the late Oliver Dean and Carrie Louella Bennett Poteat, and widow of Roy Calvin Seay, Sr.

Mrs. Seay was a faithful member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. She was associated with The Boy Scouts of America and the honored recipient of the District Award of Merit and Silver Beaver Award. She was known for the unconditional love she gave to her family and all whose lives she touched.

Surviving are her daughters, Carol Dean Williams (Jay) of Salt Lake City, UT, Mary Jacqueline Wilson (Terry) of Yucaipa, CA, Nancy J. Cooley (Wayne) of Signal Mountain, TN, and Candace Chapman of Spartanburg, SC; sons, Roy C. Seay, Jr. (Starr) of Spartanburg, SC, and Bob P. Seay (Norma) of Lawrenceville, GA; 39 grandchildren; 71 great-grandchildren; 5 great-great-grandchildren and counting; and her beloved pet, Cocoa. In addition to her parents and husband, she was predeceased by a sister, Frances Whitlock; and brothers, Everett Poteat and William Poteat.

Visitation will be 1:00-1:45PM Saturday, September 27, 2014, at Floyd's Greenlawn Chapel, 2075 E. Main St., Spartanburg, SC 29307. Funeral services will follow at 2:00 PM, at the Chapel, conducted by Bishop Bryan Fore. Burial will be in Greenlawn Memorial Gardens, 1300 Fernwood-Glendale Rd., Spartanburg, SC 29307."

I miss her very much.  She lived such a good life and helped so many people.  I am happy that she can be with her husband again.  She loved him so much.  Near the end of his life she couldn't bare to be away from him.  The family worried that she didn't get out very much at the time, but she wanted to be there for his care.  She took such good care of him, too.

As I find pictures of her and our family through the years, I will put them here on this blog so I can share them with you.  I thought of this scripture in Doctrine and Covenants.  I wanted to share it because I like it.  I hope all of my loved ones can have sweetness in their lives and sweetness when it's time to go home to Heavenly Father.

D&C 42:46

"And it shall come to pass that those that die in me shall not taste of death, for it shall be sweet unto them;"

I can imagine the happy reunion of Evelyn with her husband, parents, siblings (she was the last living) and others when she crossed to the other side.  Surely it must have been sweet to her.

The World Through Emily's Eyes

I suppose it is to be expected that when your daughter takes a photography class in high school that she will be taking lots of pictures (with her mother's really nice camera ;o)!

Well, have a look at "Emily Art" and the answers to the quiz will be found at the bottom.

What is this?  (See "A" for answer)

Can you guess what this is?  (See "B" for answer)

Got any guesses?  (See "C" for answer)

This one is too easy!  (See "D" to find out what it is.)

This is a famous painting. Do you know what it is? (See "E" to find out.)

This could be many things so see "F" to find out what it is.

Kind of gross (seriously, Emily?).  What is this a photo of?  Well, See "G" to find out.

That are all the "guess what I am" photographs.  Now, sit back and enjoy the rest of the fun art photos by Emily.

catching a few zzzzzzzssss

I spy with my little eye...some pigeons.

How long does it take the sun to set?

Good question.

A very touching moment.....

Ever see popcorn?

Or, corn that's popped?

I spy with my little eye....a very naughty doggie.

Answers to the photo quiz:

A is a computer keyboard and mouse
B is the looking down on the top of the piano bench
C is a cheese grater (looks like a slacker is on kitchen duty!)
D is a piano book sitting on the piano
E is the picture of George Washington kneeling and praying beside his horse
F is the blanket on Emily's bed
G is none other than our very old, worn-out, but top-of-the-line toaster (sort of)

Well, hope that was mildly entertaining.  I suggest you may want to find more productive ways to spend an afternoon!

(Keep up the great art work Emily :o)

First Day of School

Another school year has begun.  The first day back was August 13 and they both seemed happy about returning to the school they attended last year. 

Here they both are walking out the door to find out who their new teachers will be, where their classes (and lockers) are located, and what their classmates did over the summer break.

Ivan's a 7th grader this year!

Emily's a 10th grader!!! and Jet...she has to repeat her grade from last year - which I think is "0" (nice doggie).