Oh, my goo'ness!

This is Amy. She's 7 years old and as cute as a button. She has been taking piano lessons from me for one year and has been pure joy that whole time. She not only plays but sings with the cutest little vibrato you've ever heard. It's not a put on thing - it's just what she does naturally.

I have a recital coming up and have planned for the kids to play music from the 30s and 40s for residents of a local nursing home. When it came time for me to find Amy's music there was only one place to go: Shirley Temple! Armed with "On the Good Ship Lollipop" and "Animal Crackers in My Soup" she comes out shining.

Amy has never played in front of crowds so I talked with her mom about having her play offertory for New Hope. NHBC is about the most awesome place on earth for little ones to perform because this church loves kids. It doesn't matter if they're playing with 5 fingers on 5 keys, there's always much love and support given.

Her mom said this Sunday would work for them, so I asked Amy what she'd like to play. I usually let the kids play any selection because it's their hearts that are being developed here and I'm a firm believer that the Holy Spirit will generously bless those little ones as they play whatever song. Amy asked if it had to be in the particular music book she was playing from and I told her no and asked what she'd like to play. Her response: "On the Good Ship Lollipop!" If she had been anywhere near ready I swear I'd have said, "Absolutely! Let's do it!" But, she's just not quite ready for it yet. She will be for the recital and she'll be singing along, because that's what she does best!

In the words of Shirley Temple: Oh, my goo'ness!