This is just a test...

I'd like to have a "meet and greet" for a few minutes on Monday night around 8 CST. If you have registered, I will send you the link via e-mail to join us so we can all say hi and get used to the webinar before class on Thursday night. If you would like to join and cannot on Monday at 8, I will schedule another time for you to join me and get used to the platform.

In other news, I attended a storm spotter's class last night! Can't wait for the storms to roll in! I'm a photographer (in my other life) and I am dying to get some good storm pictures. And just to see a tornado would be a dream come true. Call me crazy, but I've seriously drooled over the idea of being face-to-face with a tornado since childhood. They've always fascinated me. We had a close shave with one in 2008...but that's another story for another day. And I have an appointment 5 minutes ago. Yes, you heard me right. :)

Crunch Time

We are getting down to the wire! I'm so excited for class to begin. I am certain that you will love the course as much as I do. I sent out e-mails and facebook messages to those I know are interested in the course. If you did not receive that information, please let me know.

Our first class will begin at 6:00 p.m. (CST) on Thursday, April 5 and 6:00 p.m. Saturday, April 7. These two classes contain the same information, providing two opportunities for you to take the class. Our next class will follow two weeks later on Thur/Sat evenings.

Once you have registered and payed for at least the first class (should you choose to pay per class), I will shortly follow up your registration/payment with a pdf printout and the login information for our upcoming webinar.

Please feel free to contact me if you have any questions that I have not answered here. Be checking back here every couple of days for updates!

First Day of Class

Someone informed me recently that I do not have dates on my blog for the class start up. How I missed that I'm not sure, but I guess that would be a question on every one's mind.

First Class
- Thursday, April 5 at 6:30 p.m. CST
- Saturday, April 7 at .....TBD

I have found that I hate making executive decisions. Maybe it's not the decision making process as much as wanting to please all people at all times and without the input of everyone involved, I'd rather punt than take the plunge and call it. Being a people pleaser is so overrated.

In this situation, I've made a compromise. I pulled the trigger and made the executive decision of Thursday's time. Now will you help me out on Saturday's time frame? I'd prefer to do late morning or early evening (say 9:00 a.m. or around 5:00 p.m.). Keeping in mind that the class will last 2 hours, can I get a show of hands on morning vs. night on Saturday? I know many pianists are involved in the ministry and have Saturday duties, which usually happen during morning hours. That being said, maybe those involved in Saturday ministries will prefer the Thur night class anyhow. My preference would be Sat a.m. but I aim to please, so I'm open to morning or evening. (At least I narrowed it down...that right there, my friends, is accomplishment)

On another note (no pun intended), our family is spending a few days in the Denver area at a Home Missions Conference (essentially the equivalent of a church planting conference) at First Baptist Church of Englewood, CO. Doug and I attended the for first time 2 years ago and knew then we'd be returning as often as possible. Last year was out of the question with the looming building project we faced last summer. But we had to be here this year and already, just after one service, the preaching, testimonies of church planters, music and fellowship have been epic! My D.H. will be giving a testimony tomorrow, particularly discussing our remodeling process last year. He'll be sharing with upcoming church planters some of the hoops and red tape we had to dodge (or didn't dodge) with the city. Anyhow, he'll be mentioning my CD, a congregational CD I've made for church planters without a pianist to use, and our upcoming course. We'll see if we yield any more classmates as a result. :)

Two years ago during the second day of preaching, I wasn't feeling quite right. I spent that night praying to the porcelain god, but I was fine the next day. One of our kids seemed a little ill for one evening after service, but then all seemed well. After arriving home on Friday, a volcanic eruption overtook my poor tummy. This time it was a stomach bug on steroids and little by little, the rest of the Ertsons dropped like flies. Funny how I can't shake this feeling that a deja vu moment is going to overtake me tomorrow night...

CD Now Available for Purchase

Look under the "Pricing & Payment" page if you are interested in buying my new CD, Were It Not for Grace. The introductory price of $12 will end March 19th. Which, ironically enough, is my birthday. :) I accept gift cards, the green stuff, paypal gifts, and anything peanut butter for my birthday week. 

It's my first "professional" CD ever. Recording was a terrific experience at Faith Music Missions. David Chamberlain is a musical magician! And the Russ's are some of the kindest, most gracious people you could ever hope to know. I'm hoping it's not my last CD. In fact, I'm mulling over the idea of creating a piano CD, complete with an arrangement book. But, with all of the irons I have in the fire right now, that might be a next year project. I'm wondering if the technology is advanced enough to allow my sister in Germany to sing a duet with me in the States? Mr. Chamberlain (which also ironically is my maiden name) is truly a miracle worker, so I'm certain he can manage a long distance recording.

I know the pricing and payment page is a little sloppy at the moment, but the links work. I have the misfortune of html ignorance. Other than copy and pasting and throwing in a page break now and then, I can't even understand "html for dummies." If anyone knows how to clean it up and wants to take on the task, by all means send me an email and I'll get you on the admin side of this hopeless page.