Suzannah Moorman: Journal

It's been a while since I have had such a busy month. I am enjoying the revelation that each weekend has provided a different opportunity for me. Nov. 1 I was guest soloist at Crosby UMC. I had the pleasure of singing C. Wesley's "And Can it Be" and the Ron Harris setting of "All the Way my Savior Leads Me" of Fanny Crosby.

The next Sunday, Nov. 8 I conducted the youth orchestra during Sunday worship at my home church. It is a delight to lead these young musicians!

Today I presented a program entitled "The Songs of Aaron Copland" for the MacDowell Music Club in Crystal Springs, MS. [By the way, Aaron Copland was born on this day in 1900.] Tomorrow I sing in worship at Crystal Springs 1st UMC.

Next Sunday I conduct the new Southeast Texas Choral Society as we participate in the Community-Wide Thanksgiving Service in Mont Belvieu, TX.

Wow! And during the weekdays I have the honor of teaching voice and piano to young [and not so young] students.

What a life! I am filled with thanks.... appropriate for the month of November!

Over the past year I have had the pleasure of being the Director of Choral and Vocal Studies at Lee College in Baytown.

I have honed my conducting skills with 3 choirs, stood on the podium in front of the Baytown Symphony Orchestra and my combined choirs, and celebrated the grand opening of a new, fabulous building. I have been called "fearless leader" and "one of the finest choral conductors [he's] seen in a LONG time" by my friend and BSO conductor Dennis Eichler.

But my time at Lee College is ending. They chose another candidate to fill the position in which I served as interim.... so I am on to bigger and better things now. I can't wait to see what God has in store for me.

It is difficult to put into words how magnificent it is to sing in Carnegie Hall. But combine that with a chorus of my students, friends and supporters, being conducted by the composer, my friend and colleague in his debut as well, and the experience is inexpressible.

We came to NYC at the invitation of Distinguished Concerts International, a new production company in their first season. Directors Iris Dirke and Johnathan Griffith have more than 20 years combined experience producing concerts and it certainly showed as to the quality of the production, the respect they showed their performers and the care in which the staff [everyone!] gave to making sure our experience and performance was top-knotch.

It was a divine experience to hear the words of the Kyrie, Gloria, Credo, Sanctus, Agnus Dei and, of course "When Love is Found" wafting around the opulent space of the Stern Auditorium at Carnegie Hall. Tim's music is glorious, stirring and tender; a beautiful expression of Divine Love.

I stand in awe of the amazing moments I experienced on the Perelman Stage there at Carnegie Hall, the ease I felt, the beauty I heard. Putting it into words is truly impossible...

I had the distinct honor and priviledge of attending a concert of the New Zion United Methodist Church Gospel Choir today in Crystal Springs, MS. What a blessing to have witnessed such spirit-led singing, and soul-moving music!

I was humbled when Rev. Lewis invited me to sing... "an unspeakable joy" [to quote Charles Wesley] to sing and share my small offering.

The people of New Zion were as gracious as I have ever experience. They welcomed me and my son with such warmth and the Spirit of Christ that I can scarcely wait to return.

I praise God that He led me to that church today....when I could have been home observing my ritual of the Sunday afternoon nap...

SM

I praise God for new beginnings...a new home, new job, new friends....but especially for new opportunites to serve HIM. Walk with us, Lord, in this new place!
SM

What a joy it was to be at Beaumont 1st UMC to celebrate "Heritage Sunday 2007"! I pray that I can join you in worship again soon...especially now that we are moving an hour closer.

"All praise to our Redeeming Lord...."
SM

The following words were written by my precious 6 year old daugther in Dec. 2006....

"...the real meaning of Christmas is the birth of Jesus Christ.The promest [promised] one that God sent to the world to save his people on earth. Not only to a serten [certain] cumenity [community] ,but to the holl [whole] world."

What a beautiful gift she gave to me. I wanted to share it with you.

This week, as I planned for an upcoming service, I deliberated over what music to sing following the reading of John 21:15-19 (Jesus' conversation with Simon Peter..."Feed my sheep....tend my lambs...Follow me!") I could not seem to find the "perfect" piece to compliment the Biblical text. I re-read the passage 4, 5, 6 times seeking God's guidance in choosing a piece to follow. Finally an answer:

It must be a response to Jesus' words: "Follow Me!"

Then I read the scripture one last time and sang in my head Ron Harris' setting of "All the Way My Savior Leads Me" (Fannie Crosby). Tears began to stream down my face! That's IT! He leads, we follow!

"All the way my Savior leads me, What have I to ask beside?
Can I doubt His tender mercy, Who through life has been my Guide?
Heav’nly peace, divinest comfort, Here by faith in Him to dwell!
For I know, whate’er befall me, Jesus doeth all things well;

All the way my Savior leads me, O the fullness of His love!
Perfect rest to me is promised In my Father’s house above.
When my spirit, clothed immortal, Wings its flight to realms of day.
This my song through endless ages: Jesus led me all the way;

Recently a 5 year old girl and her mother were on a walk. The mother noticed one of her dauthter's hands was in a fist. "Are you holding hands with your invisible sister?" the mother asked. "No" the little girl answered sheepishly, "It's Jesus."

May you walk with Jesus today and hold His hand.