Momma and Me - Guitar Worship Class

Momma Has Trouble With The Heat

2006-08-07T18:23:00.000-04:00

Momma has really been struggling with the heat so we haven't been worshipping as we should.

Some days I feel that our Jean Welles Worship Guitar Class time together may be drawing to a close.

Momma And Me did have some special, wonderful times together.

Momma's 62nd Wedding Anniversary

2006-07-04T15:26:00.000-04:00

Yesterday was Momma's wedding anniversary. Of course, she didn't remember it so my father lucked out as he forgot it also.

Around six pm, I asked my father what the date was. He looked at the newspaper and said, "July 3". Then I reminded him that that was his wedding day.

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Momma's been struggling with the heat recently so our worship lately has been mostly just me flatpicking some gospel tunes.

Momma And Me And First Cousins

2006-06-15T10:58:00.000-04:00

Well, Momma And Me worshipped with the Jean Welles Worship Guitar Class the night before last. From the flurry of activity the battle with the enemy is very clearly escalating and the enemy does not appreciate our worship.

Momma enjoyed the worship and told me that I was the best first cousin she ever had and she wished she could remember my name.

To quote The King, "That's Alright, Momma!"

Big Bands, Spiritual Warfare & Worship

2006-06-06T21:33:00.000-04:00

Yesterday Momma and Me got back to Volume 1 of Guitar Worship Class - we did each song several times until Momma got tired and my fingers got sore.

I sure am glad we did. I know that God appreciates our Worship and the evil forces do not.

Tonight was the local Big Band night and, despite fierce opposition from the enemy, Momma and Me had a wonderful time. Indeed, the Big Band leader's wife commented that it was the best time she had seen Momma have since we started attending Big Band night.

Momma made a new friend, Margaret, who was attending for the first time.

Margaret: You sure are fun to be around; we should get together more often.

Momma: I'll say; where do you live?

Margaret:Binghamton. Where do you live?

Momma: I don't remember, but I know I've lived there a long time.

Engaging In Spiritual Warfare

2006-06-02T20:51:00.000-04:00

Momma has been struggling healthwise recently. I thought we were going to lose her last week when the neighbors put up a big ugly fence and destroyed the view from Momma's deck.

Eph 6:12
For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.

The battle is intense. Momma And Me need to get back to Worship Guitar Class very soon.

Where Have We Been

2006-05-11T13:35:00.000-04:00

The has been a very difficult time for Momma and Me. Someday, preferably soon, we can get back to Worship Guitar Class!

Momma And The Big Band

2006-04-06T16:14:00.000-04:00

Tuesday night I took Momma to the monthly Big Band Concert in town. Ok, the Buddy Spencer Band isn't all THAT big; only eleven members.

But Momma comes from a small town.

Momma tapped rhythm along with the band on my shoulder during the polkas. She is steadier than a metronome.

Pretty Busy

2006-03-29T11:54:00.000-05:00

Recently I have been very busy and have not spent the time with Momma that I should.

At the same time, she has not been feeling well.

Yesterday and today the sun was shining and we went out for walks. Hopefully we will get back to worship guitar class soon.

Momma's Music Education

2006-03-09T10:46:00.000-05:00

Momma used to know about music. Momma graduated from Mansfield Teachers College in Pennsylvania, now Mansfield University, with a degree in Music Education.

But the years, the Alzheimers, and the dementia have taken so much away. Momma does remember she graduated from Mansfield but does not remember what her degree was.

Singing on key is something Momma does remembers. Momma can still tell when she is off-key and loves to laugh about it!

Good Week Of Worship And Song

2006-02-25T19:35:00.000-05:00

Momma And Me experienced a good week of worship and of song. Momma is learning the song lyrics faster than I am learning the chord changes! We are enjoying our time with each other, with Jean Welles and with God.

For Momma And Me this week, the praises went up and the blessing did come down.

Momma Can Dance

2006-02-19T13:00:00.000-05:00

When Momma and Me started this adventure, we did not know where it would lead. Certainly I had some doubts.

Momma did not remember words to songs she already knew and was like totally lost in newer songs. She struggled with the words in the booklet - the chord names over the lyrics confused her and she did not know where to go when a song was repeated.

I had to rewrite all the songs (words only) repeating when necessary. She is learning and re-learning pretty well. Today she was all pumped up and did not need words all the time.

In fact, Momma jumped up and danced while singing This Is The Day!

Singing - Good Food For The Soul

2006-02-18T14:03:00.000-05:00

A couple days this past week, Momma did not want to sing. She just sat in the recliner and napped all day.

She is back to singing again and is very happy and upbeat. She smiles and laughs a lot more when we sing regularly with Jean.

Singing is definitely good for Momma's soul.

More On Two Chord Songs

2006-02-17T13:07:00.000-05:00

My friend, Dr. Banjo, has a list of 46 (yes, 46) two-chord songs listed at his website. Most are bluegrass, of course, but Working On A Building, Old Cross Roads, and Mansions For Me have solid Gospel lyrics. Maybe Momma And Me can add those to our set list when we visit nursing homes!

Dr. Banjo and his wife are super people. Shortly after Beverly and I teamed up we attended a Dr. Banjo Bluegrass Jam Camp and had a wonderful time.

Love Two Chord Songs

2006-02-16T10:21:00.000-05:00

When we practice and worship, we do several of the songs. Momma knew two songs from Volume 1 but was not familiar with the others. She now has More Precious Than Silver and I Love You Lord down pretty good.

I can play the first song pretty well (a two chord song!) and am slowly getting the hang of the others. I realize the best way to learn is start with one lesson and get it down thoroughly before going on to the next.

Because we work on the lessons with the complete songs and I don't have time to spend on the practice sessions by myself, we are working on several at once. The more advanced ones I just strum along to and focus on getting the chord changes down.

When I find time, I work on the slower practice sessions to get down the strums with the chords. We are making progress and are enjoying God's presence when we practice.

The Calming Effect Of Music

2006-02-13T10:58:00.000-05:00

When the video lessons arrived, I watched all three volumes right off the bat. Momma knew two songs from Volume 1. He's Got The Whole World In His Hands (the free online lesson song) and This Is The Day.

The other night Momma was upset and in tears so we did those two old familiar songs several times to get her calmed down before going to bed. I sure was glad to have them available!

Music sure soothed the soul that night! (for both of us!)

About Momma And Me

2006-02-11T11:41:00.000-05:00

When I posted about my experiences with Jean Welles Worship Guitar Class and Momma at my Sevier County Worship Dot Info website, several friends recommended I start a journal about our adventure.

So here it is!

Some days I may post about Momma, some days about guitar, some days about worship, probably most days I won't post at all.

Momma is 84 years old and suffers with memory problems but loves to sing along with Jean.