A Fiddler On The Roof!

A Fiddler On The Roof!

Alexandria Jefferson High School Production

 

Glenwood Community Theater Production

     Becker High School recently performed their annual fall Musical.  This year it was Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat.  It was an excellent, energy-packed performance full of color and spirit.  I'm so glad I went!  I'm also glad I attended because it brought back wonderful memories of the productions I have been involved in.  My all time favorite Musical experience was being the fiddler in Fiddler On The Roof.  In fact, I was lucky enough to get to perform it in two separate productions!  In the spring of my 9th grade year I was the fiddler for my high school and then that very summer I was the fiddler for Glenwood Community Theater when they performed it.  You would be surprised at how varied the roles actually were.  Let me tell you about it.    

     In our high school production, my character was very somber.  I wore all black and was never to smile.  In the Glenwood production, my character was to be jolly and smiley and full of energy and bounce.  My costume was pink and purple!  In both productions, I was in the pit orchestra most of the time and on stage part of the time.  Part of what was special about me be the fiddler was that I could actually play my violin parts on stage instead of just acting like I was playing.  I had to memorize my parts.  It was fun! 

     In both productions, I got to be in the opening scene playing fiddle all by myself while sitting on a roof (actually I was straddling a ladder)!  In the Glenwood production the director had me pretend to play the opening lines too fast and then shake out my violin and do it again at the right tempo.  The opening scene includes a long song about the traditions of the Russian Jewish people in the story.  The song is called Tradition.  At the end of the scene the spotlight zooms in on me as the main character raises his arm to me and declares, "Without tradition, our lives would be as shaky as... as a fiddler on the roof!"  I got to play the final few notes (just me and the spotlight) and then hold my bow in the air very dramatically in a frozen position until the light went out.  It was quite exhilerating!  I loved doing that scene.  But, I didn't love climbing down the ladder with my violin in the dark afterwards.  Thankfully, I never got hurt!

     In both productions I was also in the final scene.  As the main character and his family are leaving their home, I appeared and led the way as they began their long walk.  I played a very haunting melody about their hometown (called Anatefka).  The family followed me as I played and led them off the stage.  In the high school production, I led the family off on stage right and the production was over.  In the Glenwood production I played the song for a long time as I led the family and most of the cast around in a circle on the large stage and then down the aisle beside the audience.  I actually led them right out the back exit door.

     In both productions, I got to be in the scene where all the men sing L'Chayim (To Life) in a pub.  I mingled with the men and played the melody to If I Were a Rich Man while they lifted their glasses to me and drank.  Again, I was somber in one and jolly in the other.
     The Glenwood production added an extra scene.  After the lively L'Chayim song was done and the scene was over, I went back on stage in front of the curtain with the main character and played the theme of If I Were a Rich Man again.  We danced around together as I played.  Then he held the curtain open for me as I danced off.  It was a very challenging scene for me because I had to dance around while actually playing.  I had never done anything like that before.  I had to have a big toothy grin and raised eyebrows through the whole scene too!  Part of what made that scene so exciting was because I was actually performing with Bob Bergman who was a professional actor!  He had been Badlands Bob in the Medora Musical in Medora, North Dakota for many, many years and had only recently retired to Glenwood.  I was a big fan!  It was such a thrill to perform with him!  

     Besides the excitement of being on stage, I absolutely loved my role as violinist in the pit orchestra.  The music of Fiddler On The Roof is wonderful!  There are haunting melodies, lively dance tunes, and fabulous word pictures being created with our music.  One of my favorite parts was when the main character sang about how if he were rich he would have, "One long staircase just going up and one even longer going down!"  The violin slowly ascends up the scale and then quickly descends back down to the bottom.  Another favorite part is playing the melody to Chavala's song.  It just soars so beautifully as a short ballet is being performed.  I love how bouncy Miracle of Miracles is and The Dream scene is just plain fun to play!  And, who hasn't heard of Sunrise, Sunset or Matchmaker, Matchmaker?  Great songs!  I've always loved Far From the Home I Love too.  I wished I could be the character who sings that song.  It's so beautiful!  It's a good thing I enjoyed the songs of Fiddler On The Roof so much, because sitting through rehearsals and performances for two productions of the same show requires a LOT of hours!

     I will never forget the feeling of getting my own bow during the ending applause.  Somtimes the applause would even swell.  I felt like I was floating.  It was one of those moments that a person never ever forgets.

     Now if you haven't seen a production of Fiddler On The Roof, I highly encourage you to seek one out!  Watch the movie starring Topol (and the violinist is Isaac Stern.... amazing), or go to Chanhassen Dinner Theater or find somewhere that is performing it.  You'll be glad you did!            

The wonderful world of blogging

I'm a writer!

     Everyone has ambitions and passions in their lives.  One of mine has always been to write.  I always have something floating around in my head that I'd enjoy writing about.  When I most need to vent or work things out, I write.  When I am bursting with joy and gratitude, I write.  Over the last few years, one of the mediums I have used for writing has been this very blog.  In 2011, I was inspired by my friend Carrie who wrote a blog about her life and family.  She told me that the main purpose of her blog was to chronicle the life of her son, C.J.  He has so many relatives and friends who want to "follow" what's up in his life.  Check it out at:   www.joelandcarrie.com/ .  She has done some fabulous things with her blog.  Carrie was my inspiration.  Well, her and "The Pioneer Woman" who has made a living out of blogging and writing cookbooks (and helping her husband run their ranch).  Check out her blog at:  http://thepioneerwoman.com/.  You'll be impressed.
     I recently had a fun coffee date with a friend who is interested in doing some blogging.  I was able to show her the process of how I got started using Blogger.  That small exchange was a big deal to me because I am "technology challenged!"  Just ask anyone at school and they could tell you that Jennifer Sapp is a beginner in the world of technology.  I basically need help with everything!

     But, blogging is something I have a passion for.  My young friend Eleanor began blogging in 2011 after I helped encourage her to begin.  She is an excellent writer.  She uses so much "voice" and expression in her writing.  Check our her blog at http://elliefarmgirl.blogspot.com/ to see the kinds of things that this exceptional tween has written about.  I had the honor of giving Eleanor a list of writing prompts to help get her started.  She took it from there and really enjoyed it for a time.
     This fall I attended a day of technology-focused workshops and was inspired to begin doing a blog with my class.  You can check it out at http://kidblog.org/JenniferSappsClass/.  But, you won't get to see much.  It is password protected (but very easy for the kids).  Starting a blog with my students is one of the best things I've done as a teacher in a long time.  It's so great to see the kids so excited about writing!  The students have to write something in their writing journals during writing time in the classroom and then they type it onto the blog during computer lab time.  On certain days my students get to read the blogs their classmates have written and then write positive comments and questions underneath.  Each child has a photo by his/her name (just like Facebook) and each has his/her own page where he/she can see all the posts he/she has published.  It's quite exciting for an 8 year old.  And, it's exciting for this 36 year old too!
     Most of the student posts have been about Halloween, pets, or playing with friends so far.  One girl wrote about a recent car accident and how she felt when she heard about her friend's dad getting hurt.  Another girl is writing her own version of "The Gingerbread Girl."  Two boys are writing about football practice and another is explaining about a Disney Infinity video game.  I'm seeing comments like, "I like how your story ended!" and "Sounds like a fun practice."  I'm seeing questions like, "Did you get a lot of candy?" and "What do you like to do with your dog?"  I LOVE IT!  The kids are reading and comprehending and writing using sentences and questions.  They are being positive and having fun!  And, writing has meaning for the kids!  I'm tempted to let them write all day and skip all other subjects, but of course I know better!  Perhaps one day one of my kiddos will be a writer professionally.  But, I think my bigger hope is that my kids will grow to love writing and choose to continue writing on their own long after they have forgotten about 2nd grade!       

Modeling "SAPP" earrings made by a former student.

The many cultures of Mountain Lake, Minnesota

Some friends from Mountain Lake, celebrating a birthday

 

     From August of 2000 to June of 2003 I had the pleasure of living in the small town (population around 2,000) of Mountain Lake, Minnesota.  During those three years I discovered this southern Minnesota town had a plethora of different cultures jam-packed into it's 1.55 square miles.  This town has no stoplight, but two schools (public and Christian).  Walking down residential streets, one can smell Laotian spring rolls wafting from one home and pungent Borscht soup floating from the next.  One can visit a Mennonite church one Sunday morning and later that afternoon witness a Laotian monk clad in bright orange robes sitting on his step waiting for his evening meal to be brought to him!  One can hear traditional organ music at one church and then cross the street to hear mandolins and harmonicas playing Bluegrass gospel tunes in another.  Walking through the local cemetery beside the infamous lake, you can see familiar names like Yoder, Fast, Harder, Adrian, Klassen, Stoesz, Dick, and Bargen.  These are the resting places of many of the relatives of my former students.  But, walking past the bright pink, purple, and blue houses, you'd know that Hispanics, Hmong, and Laotian people also abound.

Everyone gathering around me for prayer after my baptism

     My three year experience in Mountain Lake made me appreciate "culture" in a new way.  I grew up in Alexandria, Minnesota (population about 11,000).  We were mostly Norwegians and Germans who talked about lefse, lakes, and Lutheran churches!  I LOVED growing up in Alexandria.  And, I like living in Becker now too.  But, Mountain Lake had so many different cultures for such a small place.  The "small-towness" of it intrigued me.  At times I wanted to burst into the Cheers themesong.....”Where everybody knows your name.....”

     The Norwegians have lefse (yum) and lutefisk (yuck!).  The Russian Mennonites have Zwiebeck, Peppernuts, Vereniki, and Borscht!  I had all those things..... more than once!  The Christian school has a huge Borscht supper fundraiser every year.  The whole building smells of cabbage and beets for days!  If you come early to the bake sale, you have your pick of freshly made Zwiebeck (rolls shaped like a snowman with no head), and Peppernuts (also known as Pfeffernusse, which are delicious, soft Christmas cookies the size of a dime).  To have Vereniki, I had to go to a restaurant that was having a special Vereniki dinner, but I know people who make it in their own homes, too.  Basically, Vereniki is like breaded chicken patties, with cottage cheese inside instead of chicken.  And, they have a rich, creamy sauce you put on top.  They are quite tasty!

     The Mennonites I knew were just like all other Protestants I knew.  The ladies didn't wear head coverings or long skirts.  The men didn't grow long beards or farm with oxen.  They drove cars and used electricity!  They sang praise songs just like my Baptist church does in Becker.  They had Vacation Bible School and youth group and Sunday School just like the Alliance Church nearby.  They were farmers and teachers and business owners.  They baptized believers, (but did it by sprinkling instead of immersion).  The only big difference I noticed between the Mennonites and any other Protestant church was their strong belief in Pacifism.  Even after 911 in 2001, I didn't know ANYONE who thought we should go to war.  I knew people who had been conscientious objectors to military service in Vietnam.  I also knew people who didn't want our students singing patriotic songs at school.  Coming from my experience of annual trips to the patriotic town of Medora, North Dakota each summer (where we sang God Bless America at the top of our lungs at the evening musical), this was quite a change for me.

One of the best classes I've ever had!  What great kids!

     I taught 2nd grade at Mountain Lake Christian School.  I had 10, 11, and 12 students during my three years there.  I absolutely LOVED teaching in a Christian environment.  I adored "my kids" and felt like I was truly in a partnership with their parents to educate them.  Daily prayers, praise songs to our God, discussions about Bible stories, and memorizing scripture together were just a few of the highlights I enjoyed regularly.  My students had such knowledge of the Bible and such faith in our Great Big God!  I felt so close to the Lord.  Bible verses ran through my head all the time.  I had friends to pray with right next door.  It was a wonderful time in my life.  I didn’t belong to a specific church, so the school family became my church.  I was baptized in May of 2003 in Mountain Lake.  The Christian school had a refreshing culture - one of infusing God into every area of our lives and teaching.  

     As mentioned above, I lived in three different houses while in Mountain Lake.  The first one was a tiny Mennonite house that belonged to one of the first settlers to the area.  Man, was it tiny!  The second was in the basement of a home of a kind old lady who needed someone to rent from her and "keep an eye on her."  The third was a medium-sized house one block from school.  Across the street from that house there lived a Laotian Buddhist Monk.  He had a bald head and bright orange robes.  The people of his church brought him meals on a regular basis.  He smoked a pipe.  He mostly stayed in his house, but sometimes he came out and sat on his steps.  I was afraid of him because I felt I couldn’t trust him.  I wasn't afraid of the Laotian children I saw around town, but I was afraid of him.  I prayed that God would protect me from the spiritual warfare that I knew was surrounding our neighborhood. 

The third house I lived in

     I had very little contact with the Laotians, or Hispanics, or Hmong.  But, my friend Rachel gave English lessons to one Laotian woman in the woman’s home.  And, my friend Miranda brought Laotian children to Sunday School on a regular basis.  No Laotian, or Hispanic, or Hmong child attended the Christian school while I was there.  I wish I had gotten to know some of them.  I missed an opportunity. 

     Another opportunity I wish I would have pursued is getting to know some of the Hutterite people in the area.  Hutterites are very similar to Amish.  They speak German as their first language and dress in traditional attire.  They have their own schools and their own colonies.  The Mountain Lake Gospel Singers performed for a group of Hutterites one Christmas and found out the hard way that Hutterites do not “do” Christmas trees.  As the singers sang out lustily, “Come On Ring Those Bells, Light The Christmas Tree.....” offended Hutterite men stood up and stomped out of the room coughing with annoyance.  Oops!  Another culture.  Only a few short miles from Mountain Lake.

    Then there is the culture of farming.  Almost everyone I knew was involved in farming in some way.  My students (particularly the boys) would “play” at farming when they had free time.  They’d use paper to make corn fields and hay fields and then drive their little tractors around.  When discussing the golden calf from the Old Testament stories, my students had plenty to tell me about the shots and testing that calves must endure when they enter this world!  It seemed that every student I ever had was an experienced rock picker!  Dads were up late combining.  Moms decorated with cow spot patterns and bright red roosters.  Sermon illustrations were about seed falling on the “good soil” and all heads would nod.  I visited a students' smelly pig farm and helped another student rescue baby turkeys when they tipped over at her family’s turkey farm.  I brushed horses and even sat on a hay bale!  It was definitely a culture of farming.  It was wholesome.   

         I began playing violin the summer after fourth grade.  Most of what I played was classical pieces, orchestra music, and church hymns.  So, when I joined TWO Bluegrass gospel groups in Mountain Lake, I was in for a cultural experience again.  The first group was called Joy Strings and it consisted of guitar, autoharp, hammered dulcimer, and fiddle.  Usually the guitarist sang and sometimes the rest of us joined him.  The songs were almost all about Heaven.  Most were happy.  The music was fun.  The second group was called The Mountain Lake Gospel Singers.  It consisted of two guitars, two harmonicas, an autoharp, a mandolin, a bass, a fiddle, and singers.  That group mostly sang songs like what you’d hear at a Gaither Homecoming Show.  The songs were fun and energetic too.  My favorite part about being in both groups was watching the way all the members seemed to love making music together.  We were having a good time.  Also, I enjoyed reaching the point where I could play along to the songs "by ear" since no music was written out for me.  I knew what chords were being played, but it was up to me to create fiddle parts.  It was a thrilling feeling to be able to play along and feel like I was adding to the two groups. 

     So, as I close this blog, I challenge you to look around you and appreciate the variety of cultures you discover.  Todd is from a small town near Wadena.  I have enjoyed getting to know the area (Staples, Bertha, and Browerville) and scoping out the different cultures there.  Maybe someday I'll write a blog about Todd's old stomping grounds.  We'll see! 

Amish Proverbs

      I recently finished the book,  Amish Peace, Simple Wisdom for a Complicated World.  It was filled with wonderful devotional thoughts and Amish Proverbs .  I want to share some of those proverbs with you today.

The most beautiful attire is a smile.
     Hearing this proverb made me want to burst out into "You're Never Fully Dressed Without A Smile" from Annie.  It also reinforced for me my belief that natural is beautiful.  And, I am a firm believer in smiling!  A simple smile can brighten someone's day, calm an anxious heart, and spread joy.  

Jumping for joy is good exercise.
      I've been learning about exercise and strength training lately, as I try to be the best me I can be.  But, the times I enjoy moving the most are the times when I do liturgical dance and praise time in my living room!  More joy!  We all need more joy! 

More is caught than taught.
     As a teacher I know this is true!  I teach and guide and my students learn, but when it comes right down to it, what they remember most about second grade is how they felt.  If they felt loved and accepted, then my mission was accomplished!

Trusting God turns problems into opportunities.
     There is nothing quite like total trust and abandonment to the Lord.  Once you trust Jesus as your Lord and Savior, there is no problem too big that you and God can't handle together.  

A heart touched by grace brings joy to the face.
     Grace is one of the greatest gifts God gives His children.  He bestows His grace on us even though we don't deserve it and He teaches us how to give grace to each other.  It is only when I learn to live in freedom and accept grace (rather than beat myself up when I am not perfect) that joy and peace are truly reflected on my face.  That is one of my goals in life.... to shine that joy and peace because of God's gift of grace.   

It's better to have a wife on your team than on your back.
     This proverb just made me laugh as pencil sketches and pictoral illustrations popped into my head!  I strive to be a team player and not a nag.  I guess only Todd could tell you how I'm doing.

Never doubt in the dark what God has shown you in the light.
     Now this proverb I have heard before.  In fact, I had a notecard with those very words written on it taped into my cupboard at school way back in the year 2000 when I began teaching.  I love the truth of this proverb.  There are times when I know that I know that God wants me to do something.  I have a true peace about something specific.  That is when I know God is revealing something to me "in the light."  So, doubting it later is fruitless because I know that I know what God has done.   

Opportunity may knock once, but temptation bangs on your front door forever.    
      This final proverb is very wise.  Life is short.  Make good choices.  Make God choices.  He will help you when temptation knocks.  You and He can work through anything!

A Reflection on Blankets

Isaiah

 A Reflection on Blankets.....

    I have the joy of working in our church nursery on Sunday mornings during Sunday School hour.  What a great way to start a new week!  Two of the kids are Hannah and Isaiah (aren't they dolls?!?!?).  These twins absolutely LOVE their blankets!  They drag them around and cuddle with them and sometimes trip over them!  They ALWAYS have them in sight.  I think Hannah and Isaiah feel cared for and secure in the nursery, but I think their

Hannah

 blankets give them that extra measure of comfort, familiarity and love.  One  can never have too much of that!
      So, I have been reflecting on the "blankets" in my life that bring me comfort, familiarity, and love.  First of all, the love of God covers me like an invisible blanket.  He protects and nurtures me in ways that seem almost as tangible as a blanket.  He is ever-present and always good. 
 

blanket made by Grandma Iverson

     Secondly, the love and support of my family covers me like a blanket.  The next photo is of a blanket my Grandma Iverson made for me when I was a girl.  She made one for most of her 10 grandchildren.  I love how bright and colorful it is.  My Grandma valued crafts and artistic hobbies.  She taught us how to cross-stich and how to use a spool and some yarn to "knit."  I even latch-hooked an owl pillow cover with her.  Fun memories.  So, when I see this blanket, it's familiarity reminds me of

blankets I made for Grandma and Grandpa Alber

 Grandma.  When I wrap myself in it, it reminds me of Grandma's love. 

t-shirt quilt made in Mountain Lake

        It's a wonderful thing, being loved by grandparents.  And, I think grandparents adore being loved by their grandchildren.  I made tie fleece blankets for my Grandma and Grandpa Alber one year.  They were at that age where they did more sitting than moving around.  So, those blankets were appreciated, I know.  Now that Grandma and Grandpa are with Jesus in Heaven, I have the blankets in my own home.  They comfort me and remind me of love.      

Swedish quilting done by Mary Lou

     Another blanket in my life is my blanket of memories.  We all have memories that pop into our minds that make our hearts smile.  Those memories cover us and comfort us and brighten our days.  A tangible way I remember some of those special moments is looking at my t-shirt quilt!  A couple friends in Mountain Lake made a t-shirt quilt for me (and I got to help!).  The quilt has squares from Medora, North Dakota, from my Up With People tour to Venezuela, from All State Orchestra camp, from our high school performance of Fiddler On The Roof, from All State Lutheran Choir, from attending a Laura Ingalls Wilder pageant in Walnut Grove, Minnesota with my mom, and even from my tap dancing days!  I got to pick the fabric for the quilt, so it is my favorite bright blue!  Talk about feeling comfy and cozy under a quilt full of memories!

John Deere blanket I made for Todd

     When Todd and I got married, we were given a lovely Swedish quilt made by Mary Lou (who is Todd's dad's wife).  To me, that quilt represents the joy-filled day of our wedding.  I just loved being surrounded by family and friends.  I felt covered in love.
     The final picture is one of Todd sitting on our loveseat, in our TV-watching room, covered by a fleece tie-blanket that I made especially for us to share.  We cuddle together under that blanket as we relax and unwind after another busy day.  I adore doing life with this man!  I am so thankful for him.  I love sharing all my "blankets" with him!
      May you be blessed as you reflect on the special blankets in your life today.