lady steel

Jon's family and friends letter

2010-03-23T06:16:00.000-07:00

All our family and friends should expect to recieve a letter similar to the one below in a few weeks.

Dear Friends and Family,

I am writing to tell you about an amazing opportunity that I have this summer. I have been selected to be part of an eighteen person youth missions team to Champfleuri, France. Champfleuri is in the southeastern part of France and is near the town of Grenoble. Although France does not seem like a typical misison field, it is in fact in great need. Less than 1% of France considers themselves to be evangelical Christians.

Our team will leave on June 30th and return on July 16th. We as teenagers have the amazing opportunity to minister to French youth at a camp run by Christian missionaries. Our team will assist in language workshops, outdoor activites, and most importantly building strong and meaningful relationships in which we can share the gospel with the people. I am so excited to be part of this team and to work with an ongoing Christian ministry. I hope to not only share my faith with others but be challenged in my faith and to grow closer to God through this experience. the kind of spiritual growth that can be gained through this type of trip is so much more than I could hope to acheive her on my own. I hope to come back from this tirp with a renewed love for others and for God.

If you are willing to assist our trip financially, I would be very thankful. Each individual is asked to raise at least $1200 for the trip. (Please see our donate link)

Thank you for your support. I look forward to sharing about my trip with all of you.

In Christ,

Jon Steel

Flying Blind

2010-03-12T11:55:00.001-08:00

Yep, we're flying blind here Lord! But we're sure glad you're in the pilot seat.

Here's what we are thankful for:

We sold our house! Close date is on March 30th.
We have negotiated with the buyers, so we can stay in the house until April 30th.
Piano Power is thriving and growing. http://www.pianopowerstudios.com/ God is providing!
Dave has been accepted to the Doctorate program at Talbot. He'll go to Southern California for two weeks in June for his first annual residency.
We've put a reserve on a three bedroom townhome in Malvern. It's a 3 mo. lease.
Jon has been accepted to a missions team to France for two weeks this summer.

Prayer requests:

Dave needs a job! He's available for window cleaning. I can tell you your house will SHINE!Please contact him at crystalclearwindows@verizon.net But please pray for something permanent.
Pray for encouragement.
Pray for a new ministry (You don't stop being a pastor simply because you don't have a "church" Dave and I both long for a place of ministry wherever we are.)
Pray for our kids as we approach moving out of our home.

Thanks be to God our provider and source of joy!

2010-02-10T15:48:00.000-08:00

We have so much snow we should sell it to Vancouver for the Olympic games. The fun has begun at our house. The boys and Dave built this igloo today. They made a track from our front door that slides right into the opening of the igloo. Daniel wanted to stay outside and play even after it was dark out. Oh yeah check out the icicle we are growing on our house!

Wait For The Lord!

2010-02-04T06:12:00.000-08:00

"Wait for the Lord;

Be strong

and

let your heart

take courage,

yes, wait

for the Lord."

Psalm 27:14

Parachutes

2010-01-30T19:59:00.001-08:00

Well, any prospects of moving out of the area in the next few months are on hold. This is happy news to our boys but a faith stretch for Dave and I. The church we've been in contact with has delayed their hiring for awhile due to financial considerations. We may hear back in a few months if they decide to proceed with their process.

I must admit it's a huge faith free fall here. Yet, we've been here before.

God always gives us a parachute. Always!

It's just that we never know when our parachute will deploy.

One time, when we were living in Dallas TX. I got so sick that I had to stop working for three months (Our only source of income at the time as Dave was going to Seminary) I can still remember lying on the living room couch reading "Hinds Feet on High Places." when the doorbell rang. Someone delivered a large check to us to help us with rent and food for the month. It wasn't long before Dave's home church of Flushing MI also sent us a large monetary gift. Each day, there were people showing up to clean my house or buy us groceries or just sit and pray with me. When I think back on that time I see a parachute that's so huge it flung us high into the hemisphere of praise and faith.

And, I will never forget the parachute God sent us when our son Matthew was ill and in the hospital. So many people from Grace Valley Fellowship came to hospital to pray with us and to support us. I'd start naming you all but I'm afraid I'd forget someone. Returning home with a healthy boy was a miracle! The prayer warriors were like so many brightly colored patches in our parachute. They held us together and held us up to the Lord. Thank you!

So, when I say we've been here before, It is true. I actually think I feel the tug of the strings as the parachute is beginning to billow behind us. This one's going to be huge people! Hold onto your shoulder straps we're going up!

Out of Season

2010-01-22T17:07:00.000-08:00

So, I've been amazed at how God has continued to use Tony the Tiger Swallowtail as living reminder of things that are out of season. (see blog below) Here's a list of a few things in my life right now that are out of season (or seem to be at the wrong time)

1. My Dave and I are no longer Pastor and Mrs. Joleen Steel. We're just Dave and Joleen. Something we did not expect to happen at this season of our lives. It feels strange and yet, curiously right for now. One of our boys told us that he realized he was not trusting the Lord as much as he thought he was. he said, "It's much harder to be a Christian now that Dad's not a pastor. Now, I have to do right even though no one is watching me!" Wow! did that blow us away! We're so thankful for this out of season season that has brought such an amazing revelation to our household. Do we serve God and do what's right because of Dave's title or in spite of it? We've had some amazing family devotions to discuss this topic.

2. We put our house on the market and within four days we had a full price offer! Unheard of, I'm told. Definetely something that is out of season with this current market. We'll let you know what happens with the house thing as it's still unfolding.

3. We may have sold our house but we have no idea where we are going! It feels sort of like a free fall of faith of going on. We're not afraid though. (Sometimes I'm a bit anxious and have to have a good cry) However, we are trusting this out of season event is completely within God's season for us.

4. By selling our house it looks like I'll have to give up my beloved baby grand piano. Okay, so maybe I bought it for $200.00 from a church and it's not that beautiful. It is beautiful to me though and I've gotten very attached to it. I recently wrote something in my diary about holding onto things loosely and holding onto Christ tightly. Hmmm... can I? will I? Seems silly to even ask the question. Yet, my statement is being put to the test for real.

5. Over the past four years, God has helped me build an amazing piano business. I have three teachers working for me and between us we have 52 students. We just had an amazing recital that I've gushed unashamedly about on facebook and here in the blog. If God calls us to a new ministry and a new location I will have to walk away from it all. It's not just the money, in fact it's really not about the money. I love teaching piano, training my teammates, building my website (http://www.pianopowerstudios.com/ ) so much, I'd probably do it for free if my family would let me. It's..... what is it? I guess I'd say it's the students and their parents. I just can't see how I'd walk away from them. They have become dear to me. I'm in their homes every week and feel sort of like I have all these extended aunts and uncles and nieces and nephews that I'd never see again. Totally out of season, the wrong time to walk away. (Still don't know if that's going to happen by the way if you're attached in anyway to piano power don't panic yet.)

But, God is using these out of season events to stretch my faith. Do I trust that He has the best plan for me. For us? Will my out of season proove to be His in season? I believe it will. And if it is His in season it will be mine as well. I just don't know it yet.

Our new pet

2010-01-18T21:18:00.000-08:00

This is Tony the Tiger Swallowtail. He's living in our bay window right now. (See blog below)

Tony the tiger swallowtail AKA the holy spirit

2010-01-17T21:45:00.000-08:00

Something has happened that stuns everyone who enters our home.

A tiger swallowtail has hatched from one of the plants I brought in from outside. We've named him Tony the Tiger.

He is the most beautiful creature I've ever seen. (Well, except for the pure white peacock that was strutting around our front yard a few months ago.) Tony is so quiet and peaceful and beautiful. He just sits in the sun fanning his wings. When I look at him I can't help but feel he's a physical representation of the Holy Spirit dwelling in my home. It's like he's saying, "I'm here. Don't be afraid, I'm with you." I know that sounds so wierd to some of you. But, I believe God cares so much about me that he'd do something just like this to comfort me during this difficult phase of my life.

Without going in to detail. My husband is now looking for a new job. For the first time in a long time, I'm not a pastor's wife. The first Sunday we visited a new church, I literally cried through the entire service. After the service my four year old asked me, "Why are you wet?"

It was only a few days later that we noticed Tony in our windowsill. I couldn't help but stop and marvel. It's January for crying out loud! But there he was. Suddenly the uncertainty of my future seemed bearable. If God can cause a butterfly to hatch out of season, surely He can take care of me. Tony has reminded me of God's promises. He has promised to "never leave me or forsake me." He's in control and I can trust Him.

Recital today

2010-01-09T03:46:00.001-08:00

So, tonight is the Piano Power Recital. www.pianopowerstudios.com

I have been up since five a.m. Not because of the things, I have to do, but because I am more excited than Christmas morning. This years recital is going to be filled with activity and excitement. I'd go into all the details but, stay tuned for a you tube video of the evening.

As, I've been preparing for this event. There have been moments where I've said, "never again!This is to much work!" I've had nightmares of students falling off the stage and breaking their legs, I've had a nagging fear that I"ll forget to put someone's name in the program. I've thought, I might have a heart attack over how much money this whole thing is costing. But despite all the emotional what not that comes with planning such a huge event, I wouldn't trade it.

Tonight there will be smiles and giggles and applause and laughter. Tonight families will sit together and root for their child or brother, or sister. Tonight, I will have the opportunity to show love and appreciation to my team of teachers, my students and their parents.

I find it strange that the on a day when I am anticipating applause-the Lord would lead me to a verse in the bible that says, "Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but consider others better than yourself. Do not merely look out for your own personal interest but also to the interests of others." Phil 2:3,4 It's really helped remind me of my purpose in this whole thing. I'm not just a business woman trying to make money and promote myself. If that's all it is then it's empty. I think the reason I thrive on these kinds of events is because of the opportunity to look out for the interests of others. The students and parents tonight are not merely my clients. They represent Christ's will for me today. Their faces and smiles and laughter will motivate me to love. Even their demands or dissapointments in the evening will motivate me to self-less service. At least if I allow the Lord to move in me to those ends. Oh Lord, Move! Make this evening so full of your presence that those present will not wonder if you were there. They will know!

Where'd the joy go?

2009-11-25T18:56:00.001-08:00

You know, it astounds me that I can write so optimistically about joy one day and then find it to be a complete bust the next. So, the previous blog was about how joy is not hard to find. The last few days I have not found it hard to find but I have found it hard to look for.

I'm pretty sure I'm not the only one who has experienced unwillingness to budge from a grouchy, "poor me" position. It's just easier to soak in my selfishness. So, I'm sitting here tonight thinking about my rotten disposition and realizing that tomorrow is Thanksgiving. I know there will be joy hanging around somewhere tomorrow.

Will it be in the chocolate fountain?
Will it be in the turkey?
Will it be in the warm fire and glowing candles?
Will it be in our family games?
Will it be in our family prayer time?

I'm pretty sure joy will be there. It always seems to show up in time to slap me up side the head and put a smile on my face. I think I'll take a break and enjoy the joy. I can always go back to being grouchy later.

Look for joy!

2009-11-22T13:15:00.001-08:00

This morning as I was reading a little book I got a women of faith conference, I was struck by the statement "Sometimes we have to go looking for joy. Good thing it's not that hard to find."

I put the book down in my lap and stared out the window. Is it possible that I've forgotten to look for joy? It's so much easier to look for problems and focus on what's not so joyful in our lives. As I looked out the window I realized that I suddenly wanted to find some joy. I rested my head back on the chair and breathed in the scent of the cinnamon buns I'd just made for my boys and listened to the Chris Tomlin CD I had playing in the background. Hmm.. Joy! It's not that hard to find!

Church was also an experience in joy this morning. People, I loved were there. Wonderful music and the cutest darn pastor I've ever seen. (Love you honey!)

Lunch with friends followed. Yep! More joy! Even now as I look at a sink full of dishes and pots and pans that need scrubbing, I can say, I feel joyful. Even happy! Those dirty dishes represent a wonderful afternoon spent talking, playing, singing, and holding my friends baby!

Well, the days not over yet. I am going to go in that kitchen and look for more joy! (Maybe I should start a bubble fight!_

Joyfully,
Joleen

piano lesson

2009-11-12T15:36:00.000-08:00

So, I had my first piano lesson in twenty years today.

I'm not sure the teacher didn't want to throw-up after hearing my rendition of claire de lune.
The first words out of her mouth were, "Well, I'll warn you, I'm brutally honest."

Uh-oh.

She did not throw-up or throw me out though so I guess I'm okay. I did learn a ton of stuff. She's got me working on a Haydn sonata. I'm thrilled to be learning again!

The teacher is the student

2009-11-12T05:38:00.000-08:00

Well, after twenty years, I am finally going to be a piano student again. Today is my first lesson with my new piano instructor. I am nervous and excited. I've been practicing all my scales and polishing my songs and feeling like I don't know anything about playing the piano. Funny how being the student puts the nerves in ya. I'll have more compassion for my own students now.

I'll let you know how it goes.

Matthew

2009-11-07T10:21:00.000-08:00

Well, I am confused. For the past two days Matthew has been running, jumping, and acting like nothing is wrong with him. These episodes of not walking and being in apparent pain are so wierd.

We did go to the orthodpedic specialist yesterday. He ruled out Perthes, and Lukemia, and Lyme and a bunch of other scary stuff. Just when I was starting to think he was about to say, 'He's having growing pains, go home and let him rest and give him some vegetables!"

He says,
"What he's experiencing is not typical of growing pains and we need to rule out tumors or blood poisoning in the bones. " So, he's scheduled Matt for a bone scan on Nov.19th.

I am not freaking out! Really! I just can't see how it could be something like that. He's so completely normal today. Besides, if we are about to get some horrible news it won't do any good to freak out about now. (Yes, I'm preaching to myself)

So, we wait!
We watch for any further episodes.
We go the appointment on the 19th.

We'll keep you posted.

Matthew's limp

2009-11-04T18:14:00.000-08:00

Well, we could sure use some prayers and wisdom right about now. My four year old, Matthew has had a limp on and off since September. Today it was so bad that he was crawling and only walking if he could support himself with things around the room. It was awful to see him crying and hanging onto the couch saying, "I can't get over there to that table Mommy."

So, I took him to ER. They took blood tests and x-rayed his hips down to his knees. Everything came back normal. The Lyme disease test results will come back tomorrow.

Matthew summed up both our frustrations when Jonathan asked him what happened today. Matthew said, "Well, Mommy took me to the doctor but the doctor didn't work."

I'll be calling our family doctor and the orthoped. specialist tomorrow to continue pursuing answers.

I'll keep you all posted on this site and on facebook!

Joleen

What does it mean?

2009-10-20T20:40:00.000-07:00

I have been pondering the meaning of the well known Christmas song, "Oh come let us adore him." What does it mean to adore Christ? Wikipedia defines adoration as: Adoration (Latin) is to give homage or worship to someone or something.

"I adore the Lord>" This is not a phrase Iwould commonly use. It's more likely I'd say, "I love the Lord," or "I worship the Lord." But adore seems a bit archaic. Actually it has some pretty anchient meanings. Here's how adoration is defined in Wikipedia.

Ad, to, and ora, mouth; (i.e. "carrying to one's mouth "), primarily an act of homage or worship, which, among the Romans, was performed by raising the hand to the mouth, kissing it and then waving it in the direction of the adored object. The devotee had his head covered, and after the act turned himself round from left to right. Sometimes he kissed the feet or knees of the images of the gods themselves, and Saturn and Hercules were adored with the head bare.
By a gradual transition the homage, at first paid to divine beings alone, came to be paid to monarchs. Thus the Greek and Roman emperors were adored by bowing or kneeling, laying hold of the imperial robe, and presently withdrawing the hand and pressing it to the lips.

So, when I say, "I adore the Lord", I suppose I'm saying, "I worship Him." It's more than merely passing affection though. I don't simply kiss my hand and wave it in his direction. At least, I hope there's more than that to this whole adore issue.

Oh, Come Let Us Adore Him! I'm just stuck on that phrase. I am going to have to do some more research on this whole issue. Anyone want to join me?

Canning Peaches

2009-09-20T15:39:00.000-07:00

Well, I'll post a picture to proove this is true. But, I couldn't wait to say that I've finally learned how to can peaches. I spent the weekend with a dear friend canning peaches and making applesauce. We had such a blast! I just couldn't believe how many peaches it took to make just one jar. We had almost a 100 peaches but only made 16 quart jars. Next year we'll need more peaches!

When evening came the house was so full of heavenly smells and the finished jars sparkled in neat rows on the counter top. They were so pretty!

Once the kitchen was cleaned we sat down and put our feet up to watch a well earned movie. A walk in the clouds, was a perfect chick flick to end our day.

I can't wait to do it all over again next year!

My favorite place on earth

2009-09-02T05:48:00.001-07:00

This is my favorite place on earth. It's the lake in Canada where my parents live.

That dock in the picture has many memories. My first time catching a fish, the summer we floated candles out on the lake, the winter we caught cat fish through holes in the ice. I remember swimming off that dock with my Grandmother and getting into Grandpa's row boat. I'll never forget the waves this small lake is capable of producing and the hundreds of gulls who show up to feed. I"ve sat on the end of that dock with my feet in the water thinking about my first year of college approaching, Crying over lost love, Rejoicing over love found, Praying for my family and friends and so much more.

Yes, this is my favorite place on earth. A wobbly dock on a lake in Canada.

2009-08-30T04:07:00.000-07:00

I was so encouraged this early Sunday morning by a quote someone posted at Chrisitian songwriters network. I love that there is no option for despair or failure in this quote.

"When you come to the end of all the light you know, and it's time to step into the darkness of the unknown, faith is knowing that one of two things shall happen: Either you will be given something solid to stand on or you will be taught to fly."

Finding Petosky Stones

2009-08-17T06:30:00.000-07:00

While in Michigan we went to a town called Petosky. Apparently you can find special stones native only to that area called Petosky stones. WEll, we collected a ton of stones and I think only one of them is really a petosky. Can you tell which one? Me either.......

Okay so I think the one fourth from the bottom is a Petosky. See the circular patterns?

The stone second from the right on the bottom is really really clean. Matthew discovered that if you lick it the lines and patterns are more visible. He must have licked that particular stone for about twenty minutes.

Michigan pics

2009-08-17T06:23:00.001-07:00

So, here's a few more pics of lake michigan. You can see how far out the sand goes the water was so clear.

This is at a water park area in MI. I thought Matthew's pose was so hillarious! He had a blast going down the water slides into the water. He really thought he was a big boy that day!

Michigan - Ohio- Pennsylvania

2009-08-14T06:09:00.000-07:00

No pictures today but just an update of our crazy week.

We spent three Days at Dave's parents house helping them with some repairs. Dave and his brother Brian and Jonathan built out the addition on the back of the house. Daniel, Matthew and I weeded the flower beds and planted flowers! We were so happy to have helped beautify Grandma and Grandpa's house.

We were so excited though to go to Cedar Point (Amusement park in Ohio) yesterday. Jonathan, Daniel and Dave rode all the big coasters. I couldn't believe Daniel rode the millenium force and the top thrill dragster! I was not getting on those! Matthew and I rode the yellow submarine and the ferris wheel (Much safer!)

So, here it is 9:15a.m. and all the boys are still sound asleep. Dave and I are checking emails and blogging and enjoying our morning together.

I think I'll go get another cup of coffee and sit on the deck! Ah, I love vacations.

We head back to Pennsylvania today. Can't wait to sit on my swings in the back yard.

Lake Michigan? Nope Burt Lake

2009-08-06T20:03:00.000-07:00

Matthew blowing bubbles on the beach. We decided to find a quieter beach and ended up not even being on lake Michigan. But it was a great day! Daniel loves getting buried in the sand! Dave was helping to finish the job!

Matt, Dave and Dan.

Mackinaw City MI

2009-08-06T19:46:00.000-07:00

We had a wonderful evening at Makinaw City tonight. Daniel and Matthew loved climbing on the rocks! We paid three dollars to cross this bridge and then three dollars to turn around and come back! It was really cool!My Danny Boy and I...

My Jonathan and I...(he actually let me stand that close!)

All my boys!

vacation pictures!

2009-06-27T17:49:00.001-07:00

Dave & Matthew in the "three foot water of the big pool."

Vacation in Virginia

2009-06-25T16:28:00.000-07:00

Well, I don't have any pictures to post because my camera is on the fritz. Bummer. But, I am having a wonderful vacation with Dave and Matt and Dan here in the blue ridge mountains of Virginia. We miss Jon. He's at DeerFoot for two weeks.

The first day we arrived we made a schedule of everything we wanted to do for the week. We did it all the first two days. Ha! Our favorite activity was the garden maze. It was a blast trying to find our way through eight foot tall hedges. At one point we ended up in the middle of the maze looking at a beautiful fountain. All along the maze there were misting areas to keep us cool and even a cave to walk through before we found the exit. It was so much fun Dave and Daniel went through again. Matthew and I.... we shopped! Of course everyone knows shopping is not nearly as tiring.

Now that we've conquered all the activites we're having fun swimming at the four pools and playing ping pong (Dave always wins!) and walking and resting and eating fresh fruit from the local market and .... it's wonderful.

I am so thankful for this wonderful vacation. God supplied it free to us and we can't thank Him and those who helped Him enough. Blessings to all of you! We plan on returning home refreshed and tanned-well burned maybe. But happy!

Daniel's courtyard recital

2009-06-20T17:51:00.000-07:00

This is Daniel's fourth grade orchestra in the school courtyard. He's in the backrow on the left, blue shirt, blonde hair! Cuteness written all over him!

One of the songs required the players to shuffle their feet loudly to the rythm. It was very effective as a group. Don't you just love all their concentration!

family fun night!

2009-06-14T04:59:00.000-07:00

We had a great time on Friday night at the Wagners house. We ate awesome food, and hung out together. I love our church family! Here's a few of them eating and talking...
Baby Micah and Sarah are the cutest!

Mud! should we! Yes!

My son Matthew had a blast bouncing and squirting people with his water gun. Thanks Jackie for letting him get you wet!

A perfect day (Arlington Beach 2008)

2009-06-07T20:30:00.000-07:00

The seagulls fly
Hundreds of them
Wheeling, diving, and soaring.
“Scree, Scree,” they cry.

Waves crash on shore
Bringing a feast
Crawdads, minnows and seaweed
Enough for all

The wind, so wild
No one but me
Walking, watching, and laughing
My arms flung wide

Old guard chair stands
Beach sentinel
Guarding, staying, and aging
A welcome seat

The gulls and I
Lift our voices
Calling, singing, rejoicing
A perfect day

Copyright: Joleen Steel 2008

Ten things that bring me joy!

2009-06-06T20:09:00.000-07:00

1. My husband shaving off his goatee
2. Nylons that don't roll down around my hips
3. laughing so hard I snort
4. A whole day in my pajamas
5. Riding in a van with five teenage boys who need a shower (Only because it's so bad it makes me laugh)
6. The Mega Pack of Prisma colored pencils
7. Those socks that have an indiviual place for each toe! I don't have any but I know they'd bring me joy
8. Getting the hiccups and the burps at the same time. (does that only happen to me? It's very funny)
9. Not burning dinner again!
10. A Venti Carmel Machiato whole milk, whipped cream.(I especially like ordering this just after some one in front of me smugly ordered a non-fat grande Latte.)

More Arlington pictures. Scroll down for post

2009-05-31T20:07:00.000-07:00

Arlington Beach

2009-05-31T19:50:00.000-07:00

So this is my favorite place in the whole world. Arlington Beach in Saskatchewan Canada. I thought those of you who've heard me talk about it would like to see it. The first thing to do is to drive and drive and drive to get there. You may see things like this....

Then you'll see fields that go on for miles that look like this...

Then after a really really long drive you'll see the general store and the post office and the fishing liscence place and well this is it... it's the only building in the town.

So, then you'll turn down a dirt road and travel 11 miles straight as an arrow until you see the lake... Yay!

First post

2009-05-30T16:55:00.000-07:00

So, this is my first post. I'm looking forward to keeping in touch with all of my family and friends this way. Bear with me though cuz, I'm just learning how to do this.

So, tonight we're going to go out on our swings and roast marshmallows and just relax together as a famly. Here's a picture of the swings. Dave built them! Yes, he's amazing! There's a fire pit in the middle. In fact it's almost dusk so I better go get our tiki torches lit.