Cloud of Witnesses

"Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, ² fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. Hebrews 12:1-2

This past weekend Nate and I gathered with our friends and families to dedicate our new business endeavour to the Lord. It was an encouragement to us both as we were surrounded by people who will be praying for us and helping us along this journey. We are humbled by the great legacy we have been entrusted with and have felt the Lord's presence with us every step of the way. It certainly hasn't been a flawless transition and we know we have a rough road ahead of us, but we are so thankful for His faithfulness and promise to never leave us.

Snow Day Rants

Day 2 of month number 2 of our Clemmer Music Adventure; one month down. Today, as the slush from the icy rain sloshes around in the streets, I sit writing this blog. Snow days are great for me because, for that one day, I am not a divided man. Normally, I am caught between being a high school teacher and being part-time help for the music store that I technically own (with Abbey, of course). Today, I can be a music mogul; CEO, repairman, salesman, tradesman, and guitar instructor (single-focused vocationally). I remember being in college my junior year and feeling so spread around. I was a full-time student, manager at Blockbuster, member of a travelling drama group, and a cast member in the Musical. Needless to say, my grades suffered extraordinarily. I remember getting through that Spring feeling that I would never do that again... yet, here I am. But, there is something different. This time it is different. I have matured, for one. And now, more significantly, I have an awesome support in my life (my wonderful wife). Even though I may have been the worst teacher in the world on Thursday, or had one of my infamous "journal days" so I could get other work done, I know Abbey has been there to support and uplift me. College was different, I didn't have the amount of encouragement and support that I do know. Sure, I had some solid friends and my roommates were great... But, Abbey has exceeded all expectations of what a wonderful and supportive wife is. Even though we are both going in 10 million different directions and exhausted by the end of the day she takes care of me. I know I can't count on life to be simple, the way I may have hoped for years back, but I do know that my wife can be wonderfully amazing. I am so amazingly blessed by her day by day. I thank the Lord for what an awesome joy she is to me. One month down and many more to go, alongside the best woman in the world.

Clemmer Music, Inc.

I haven't blogged in so long! Life has become a very exciting whirlwind for us lovebirds. January 1, marked the beginning of our new journey as we purchased Clemmer Music, inc. Nate and I feel so blessed to embark on this new adventure. We look forward to serving the Lord in this way. Below are some thoughts Nate shared with some of our close friends about our adventure!

"As you know Abbey and I both love music and have made it a huge part of our lives. We are very grateful for the gifts that the Lord has given to us as well as the many great opportunities to use these gifts. Through the past 2 years we have seen God direct us closer and closer to the opportunity of Clemmer Music, and we have had no choice but to take the opportunity. It is evident that God's hand has been in our venture from the very beginning (there are so many instances). It is our desire to use these God given gifts and talents to carry on the legacy of Clemmer Music and at the same time make a sustainable living for our family.

Clemmer Music was founded by Joe Clemmer set on the foundation of encouraging God-given gifts of music. They sold Guitars, Organs and taught lessons to hundreds of students in the area. Joe himself was strongly involved in the church community, urging leaders to allow for more modern worship music to be played (he regularly scrutinized the leaders for only allowing vocal music in the church) . He organized bands to sing and play modern worship music, and he regularly promoted local Christian concerts and festivals. He passed it down to his son-in-law Harold who has adapted and grown the business into a solid community center for music learning. Harold, in turn has given Abbey and Ia great opportunity, and a very generous situation (helping us to learn and build the business). We have seen the blessing that music is to us and to the student's we teach and look at Clemmer as an opportunity to continue the legacy that is Clemmer Music in this community as we do what we love to do (use the talents God has given us for encouragement). We what to encourage those God-given talents in students and hope that we can be a light and testimony to the Grace and Glory of Jesus Christ."