Wonderful Piano News - March 17, 2007

Dearly Loved of the Father,

Blessings and greetings to you in the wonderful Name of Jesus!! I'm so excited tonight I can hardly stand it. I have some wonderful news to share with you.

Many of you know that for some time I've been longing and praying for a piano. When I first moved to my apartment in Liberty Lake, I was thrilled at the prospect of having a ground floor apartment where I could once again have a piano of my own. For those who don't know, I had put my dearly loved and well-played Wurlitzer console in storage in 1999, when I felt the Lord calling me to travel. What I thought would be a few months turned into 3 full years of travel. I hated having my piano in cold storage in SD, but it was in the back of the unit and I couldn't get it out until May 2002. At that time, I felt the Lord say I was to give it to my oldest son, Steven, who enjoyed playing and had room for it. It was bought when he was a baby and in my possession for over 30 years. It was family and needed to go to family.

Also, 2002 was the year Joshua and I moved to Moses Lake, WA and rented a 3rd floor condo unit. I called it the 3rd heaven experience getting up and down without an elevator. And of course, taking a piano across the country and up the steps would have hurt somebody.
About 3 years ago, the yearning to play again began to nag at me. I remember being at the home of some friends in Virginia and sitting down to play their new baby grand, when I was overcome unquenchable emotion and began to cry as I started to play. I had not anticipated that and I was shocked at the intensity of longing that filled my heart that day.

So many changes and travel seemed to make the prospect of owning another piano impossible and I'd grimly remind myself to "get over it". However, I just couldn't seem to do it. About a year ago, while staying in North Carolina, I was once again taken with such a desperate longing, I began to weep at the very thought and sound of piano music. I so yearned for good classical piano that I loved so much in years past and I missed the beauty and harmony of music. What has happened to the grandeur and majesty of worship?

At the risk of being misunderstood, I must tell you I have grown increasingly weary of whiny guitars and the boom, clang, bang of drums and drone of bass guitars on some worship teams. And I'll probably never appreciate distortion guitar in the sound of worship music. that to me is an oxymoron. Sorry, I'll get off my soapbox for awhile. However, I am hearing more and more complaints about loud repetitive monotonous worship that seems to ignore the beauty of worship songs of the past in favor of younger generation pop rock worship, often in the name and claim of prophetic song and a new sound forced on some of us.

In the past year, I've actually walked out of several worship sessions as they were excruciating loud or brash and my spirit felt bruised. Where has all the beauty and harmony gone? We seem to get Johnny one-note leaders who haven't a clue no one is following. As a friend of mine says: "If you are leading and no one is following, you're just out for a walk." What I see in many worship services is a focus on platform prophetic performance and the people standing and sitting and waiting for it to get over with. Something is wrong. We have lost the beauty and power of corporate worship. What was so bad about being on "the same page"? If we read and speak the same Scriptures, can't we sing some of the same songs and hymns?

Please, no rotten tomatoes.

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Back to the piano. Much has been spoken of regarding the restoration of the arts to the church. Music has always been my love. As a little girl, I amazed my parents and amused my grandparents by singing and memorizing nursery songs. I remember making up songs when I was 4 or 5. I begged my parents for piano lessons. My father bought an old upright piano at an auction when I was about 10. My first lessons at about 12 were from a high school girl down the road for 25 cents a lesson. And, yes, that was a long time ago. At least I learned how to read music and memorized my piano keys.

I eventually taught myself to play some simple songs and hymns. My grandmother once paid me to learn to play "Stand Up, Stand Up for Jesus" and I think she was rather wise in doing so. By high school, I was learning to play hymns and some classics, but my main focus was always singing. I tell people I learned to sing in the barn. I grew up in rural South Dakota and my parents were dairy farmers. The acoustics in that old cemented milk parlor were perfect for operettas. I entered my first talent show as a sophomore in high school and won singing an old Petula Clark song. memories.

In college, I took some lessons to learn how to chord and play hymns with more than the 4 part plunk. I so enjoyed it that I taught myself more and learned to accompany myself if needed. After I was married and had my oldest son, Steven, I bought a piano with the intention of trying to teach beginners and learn to play better myself. That piano suffered about 12-14 moves in the next 15 years. It was on that piano that I began to play worship songs and write some of my own in the early 70's. Later on, I decided I wanted to play more by ear and chording, so I wouldn't depend on music sheets in front of me. It became very valuable as I began to go deeper into worship and eventually gave me a sound and flow into a prophetic style that will hopefully bless many.

In October, I made a ministry trip to Idaho. While on the road one day, I was overcome with such a longing for a piano that it became not just a nice thing to have, but I felt the very urgent necessity of it like one would who is starving for food. I needed one and somehow had to get one. My desire had birthed a need.

My thoughts last year while traveling had been limited to dream of a piano similar to what I'd had. However, when I'd moved into my apartment I realized I now had a large spacious corner that just seemed to beg for a grand. I kept envisioning how beautiful and perfect a grand piano would be, could be, but how, which one, when, if... and so forth..

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In November, I was informed of a new music store in the mall, about 5 miles away. When I walked in I thought I was in piano heaven. I felt like Alice in pianoland. The large two rooms were being filled with grand pianos, and I quickly learned it was a new Steinway dealership. Some of you have already heard my story and my 5½ minute demo that was recorded spontaneously that day. For those who haven't, I'll explain.

I sat down at a 6 foot Steinway grand and my fingers danced across the keys. The salesman had asked if I played and I'd told him, yes, but mostly chords. It has been months and years since I've even looked at written sheet music. What music I do use is only written words with chords and I just fill it in. As I sat down to play, the salesman looked somewhat startled.

"That's more than chords", he said and indeed it was. How could I explain to that young Mormon, the anointing of the Holy Spirit that seemed to flow from my belly like a gushing river of life and out through my hands and unto the keys? He suddenly realized that particular piano was connected to a radio like recording system and offered to record my playing. He said, "Let me know when you're ready". "I'm ready," I responded.

He hit the record button, and I started playing. I just played and let the river and song run through me. After awhile, I realized I should wind it down. I had played spontaneously, by the Spirit for 5 ½ minutes. The salesman then saved the recording, burned a CD of it on the spot, and handed it to me. He said, "You play a whole lot better than you let on." We talked about the piano, an exquisite instrument with a price tag of $65,000. I guess I should have sounded good.

When I got out to my van, I put that freshly recorded CD in and listened to myself play. I was overcome with the beauty of the sound of the piano itself and the sound of Glory upon it. I began to weep in a deep travail of spirit with groaning and yearning so deep it defied reasonable.

Later on that evening, I shared that demo CD with my new friend, Deborah G. She commented on the beauty and depth of feeling in it and that she thought it was a sound that could literally go around the world.

Well, that was an awesome thought. Maybe the Lord really was telling me to get a piano. I realized there is a sound and song in me yearning and begging to be released.

Later, we went to her home and I asked Deborah's husband, Tom, to make a few copies. He decided to make a label and called the song "Morning Glory". I was shocked when I saw that on the label, as I'd not given it a name. "It reminded me of the 'Glory of the Morning' when the sun is coming up," he explained, when I pressed him: "Why did you put that on there?"

What he didn't know was that several days before I had even known about the piano store, I had been day-dreaming about the possibility of some day having my own music studio for teaching and recording, and that I'd considered the name "Morning Glory Music Studio" . The only 'disadvantage' would be the initials the MGM Studio. Ha. After that, I applied for a website domain called Morning Glory Music, which needs to be developed.

I felt the name that Tom gave the song was a powerful affirmation that the Lord was indeed pleased and that songs and the ideas were coming. I came home and stretched out a tape measure 6 foot into my living room, which stayed on the floor until February. I wanted to get use to the idea of a piano and it was a touch point of faith. I had some concerns about a $65,000 price tag, however, and decided to look some more. The Steinway really is the Cadillac of pianos and handcrafted, but it seemed unrealistic to have that expensive of a piano in an apartment. Maybe later on I'll work into one.
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In December, my friend, Barbara Lanzdorf, came to the area to minister. I took her with me to the Steinway store to show her "my piano.". She took about 6-8 pictures of me, sitting proudly at the piano. Two of the pictures have beams of light that shoot down like pillars or swords and take up nearly half of the picture. I'm going to send you a copy of those. We were mystified by the light beams as I have a digital camera and there was no way a "light leak" could have gotten on the film. Every person who's looked at them feel they were angelic or heavenly manifestations of light. I could understand one freaky picture, but two bore witness of something greater.

Later in December, I was invited to a lunch with Tom and Deborah G. They had met a lovely Korean Christian the day before and invited her to join us. We found out later she just so happened to have a grand piano for sale. So we followed her home to see it. It was a baby grand, Wurlitzer, the same brand as I'd had. I sat down to play and couldn't seem to stop. I kept asking them "What do you like?" What do you know?"

Again, that same river of sound seemed to flow through my hands and I played for about 45 minutes. As I played, the Korean lady exclaimed: "What's that smell?" "I don't have anything in here that smells like that!"Deborah began to explain it was most likely the fragrance of the Lord's Presence that was filling the room. Some have experience beautiful aromas in His Presence and surely He was in that room as I played and we sang and worshiped. The owner couldn't get over that smell being in her house, although I, personally, did not smell it like the others.

A couple of days later, she called to tell me their asking price. Then she added, "And that fragrance has been in this room, ever since you were here and played." Then she exclaimed: " And it's getting stronger while we're talking!"

After much prayer, I did not feel that was my piano, as it seemed they were under some financial straights to sell it and I knew she really wanted it. In fact, she asked if I would be willing to give her some lessons. I felt the Lord saying HE wanted me to have a brand new piano. Not someody else's. It has to be NEW for the NEW SOUND.

In January and February, I'd think about pianos and keep giving it to the Lord. I didn't know where to look, what to get, how much, when, if and so forth.

In February, I was part of the Quantum Glory conference in Coeur d Alene and then on February 21, I flew to Baltimore for the Washington, DC trip. I hadn't really had time or allowed myself to think about pianos too much. I just kept staring at that corner and cornering anyone I could to agree with me for a miracle piano and provision for it. I needed to find it, however. just the right one.
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I returned home from Washington, DC on March 5. My earlier email detailed the trip and the Lord's anointing on me for governmental intercession and declaration. The very next day, Tues, March 6, I decided to drive to Coeur 'd Alene to do some errands and also get some groceries at the Costco store. I had company coming in from North Carolina and wanted to restock some things, plus I just love shopping at Costco. Normally, I go to the Spokane store, but that morning I needed to go into CdA store. As I pulled up to the cross street of where I'd come in, I realized I was on Government Way.

It is a main thoroughfare thru' CdA. SUDDENLY, it came to me that someone had told me there was a music store off Government Way. So instead of pulling into Costco at that corner, I decided spur of the moment to drive up the street and see if I could find the store. It turned out to be about 2 miles north of Costco. I love music stores anyway, and when I walked in, I saw several beautiful Yamaha grand pianos. The manager of the store, Jeff, greeted me. I told him I was "just looking" at them and had recently moved to the area. Then he asked me something strange. "Do you teach?" "Well, I used to", I commented. He then preceded to tell me and invite me to an Appreciation Luncheon for area piano teachers that would be held three days later on that Friday at the Coeur d Alene Inn Resort. It is one of the most beautiful places to eat and stay in CdA.

At this point, I hadn't even sat down and played a piano. He just seemed real excited that he could invite me to the luncheon which they had never sponsored before, but "just so happened" to be doing that Friday, and I'd "just so happened" to drive 2 miles up Government Way to find his store and had never been in it in my life. All that came to me SUDDENLY at the LIGHT on GOVERNMENT WAY. How about messages in code??

He also told me that they had many teachers come to their store to give lessons. Plus, they "just so happened" to have room for one more teacher and he was basically offering it to me. I explained to him that I had not taught for several years, but had much earlier in my life for about 25 years and then mostly beginner and intermediate lessons and also voice lessons. I told him I'd be more interested in teaching adults about improvising and composition. "Oh, we need a teacher like that!", he said. I left the store that day without much interest in any one piano, but strangely excited about the piano teacher's luncheon on Friday.

When I got there, I was warmly greeted, and felt so comfortable within the group of about 12-15 area teachers. It reminded me of my old school days as I went back to college in 1994-95 to finish my degree. I loved being in college for those 4 semesters and think I'd be a perpetual student if I could. I graduated from Dakota Wesleyan University in Mitchell, SD with a Bachelors of Fine Arts and emphasis in music. However, 12 years later, I hardly remember any theory or music history, but I have to remember to pay on my student loan. Doesn't seem quite fair to forget what you learned, and still have to pay for it.

At the luncheon, they showcased a new Roland recording system that you can place on top of your piano or mic into it directly, or plug into a keyboard and record and burn a cd on the spot. It was a dream machine. It is relatively new and user friendly. It was being presented to the teachers for recitals and contest entries. Their Anniversary sale price was $700. I was more than interested in it and wanted to check it out further.

After the luncheon, Jeff, the manager of the music store in CdA asked if I'd be willing to follow him to their downtown Spokane store to look at their pianos. He had one in particular in mind for me he thought I'd like. When we got to the showroom, I was immediately drawn to a beautiful black satin finish grand piano made by Samick and called Solmer and Son. When I sat down to pay, my fingers just glided across the keys so easily and I loved the deep rich sound of the grand. It reminded me greatly of the sound and feel of the Steinway piano I'd played at the mall. The style and classic design were also similar and were it not for the name on the front, the feel, sound and quality were much the same.

The price tag however was drastically different. The 6' 2" Steinway sold for $65,000. The sale price on the Solmer and Son was $15,500. A HUGE difference. I played for quite awhile and Jeff just watched me. He was quite impressed with my playing and decided I'd really make a good teacher. After awhile, he sighed. "I wouldn't offer this to just anyone, but if you're really interested in this piano and buy it, I'll throw in the Roland recording system as part of the deal". Wow! That had been one of my secret petitions to the Lord. He later said: "I have a selfish reason. I can see you making CD's's and if you do, I can sell them at my store and tell people, '

She did this on one of our pianos and with our recording system'. By the time I left the store, I was inwardly convinced this would be the perfect piano for the price. I didn't mention earlier that when I just so happened to walk in their store on Government Way the very next day after a Governmental Intercessory Prayer trip, I'd walked in on their 45th Anniversary Sale. The original price tag was $18,000. The sale price is $15,500. AND because of the sale, they were giving free delivery.

On Monday, Jeff called apologetically. A couple had come into the Spokane store that very morning and insisted on buying the piano I'd played on. They were getting it for their church. He explained they could order another one and have it in about 2 weeks. I was abit mystified about it until I felt the Lord showed me two things:

1. I had left an anointing on the piano that must have irresistibly drawn the couple to it and it was going to their church. How perfect.

2. The piano I was to get had to come from the CdA store on Government Way and not from the Spokane store. Plus, it would be Brand New, just out of the box.

I went back to the CdA store to get a mat with a drawing of a 6' grand piano to lay out in my front room. Sure enough, it would fit perfectly. It does take up a lot of space, but what could be more worthy of taking up space than a concert grand?

I had to make a decision by March 17 as that was the end of their Anniversary Sale and I wanted to honor their deadline. I prayed all week, kneeling on that mat and altering between sheer delight at the thought of my own piano and sheer terror at the thoughts of payments and financing. By Saturday morning, I knew it was the right piano for the right price. Everything was falling into place. Not only was the piano right, but I was being given access to an established network of teachers and Jeff had already signed me up. He said: If you buy a piano, we can send you enough students to make your payments. The going rate at that store is $15 for ½ hour lessons. I can do that.

I found out later the store is owned by a Christian gentlemen who used to attend the church at Gateway years ago when it was still Assembly of God. The leadership at Gateway know him well and he is a widely respected businessman with a reputation for honorability. I also found out that Jeff, the manager, is Jehovah's Witness. However, I sensed such a longing in him when I'd play. He got wide-eyed and was moved by the music. He has given me great favor and knows something is "different" about me. He is hungry for the Lord and I've already salted my conversations with him.

SO, on Saturday, I met Jeff at the store at closing. He had been at the fairgrounds at a local Home Show all day and met me afterwards. I wanted to get the deal on paper so I'd be at peace over the weekend and didn't want to ask him to stretch the deadline for me. It was time. The lights were all green for go and then later I even realized it was St Patrick's Day. a real green day! Plus I realized later it was March. 17th. I've had the #17 come up over and over again since moving to Liberty Lake after 17 months of living on the road and having my things in storage. Every Biblical number book calls it the number for VICTORY!!!
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Within the last two months, I received two separate checks marked as seed for a new piano. One check for $500 and one for $100, both from SD friends! So with great joy and confidence that God is able, I put down $600 as a deposit to hold the piano and the price. It is on order and will be coming in about 10 days. It is currently set up as a 'lay-a-way'. It is my hope and dream to have enough money come in to either fully pay for the piano or lower the financed price. I have 4 months to keep it on lay-a-way, but I'm sure hoping it doesn't' take that long.

As I was making out my check, I mentioned to Jeff I'd be interested in an Easy Play Classics book. He went to the racks to bring back a lovely book that costs about $25. I looked at it and said I'd be interested later. He decided to just throw it in on the deal as well. Then, he said: "I need to close the store, I keep giving you things".

It was closing time as well, but I had to laugh. He really couldn't seem to stop giving the things to me the Lord had put in my heart and I'd been secretly wondering: do this, Lord, and I know this is the right deal and piano.

Before I left the store, I gave him one of my Mysteries CD's and also gave him the 5½ minute demo I'd made at the Steinway store. He was so impressed. He said: "I could see us playing this here over the intercom in the store and we could sell your CD' s right here". I couldn't have asked for more favor. All on Government Way in Coeur d Alene.

I trust you have read and share my joy and excitement at a dream about to come true. Many of you have exhorted me to record more CD's and agreed with me for a miracle of provision for a piano. I'm also believing in the days ahead for a full restoration of my voice. That too I'll be able to record right in my front room on that Roland system. My keyboard will also be compatible as it is a Roland and I look forward to using both instruments together.

I know many of you have generous hearts and would like to have a KEY opportunity to invest in this beautiful concert grand. If you remember, I based my trip to Washington, DC on Isaiah 22:22. It talks about the KEY of the House of David. It is the KEY to worship. To those of you who know music, we play in KEYS. The KEY of C or F or a minor. Many feel that certain KEYS and songs unlock certain anointings for healing, worship, and warfare. The KEYS of music open the doors in the Spirit for angelic visitation. Be sure to see my light pictures.

All gifts are tax deductible and greatly cherished and appreciated. If you are not presently able, but want to send a gift amount monthly or stretch it out, that is appreciated as well.
You can call me on my phone: 509-599-0433 or cell: 605-376-0033 if you'd like. All checks can be sent to me at 21200 E Country Vista Dr #L-104, Liberty Lake, WA 99019. If you'd like to use a Visa or Master Card that is available as well.

To those who give any amount marked for the piano, I will keep records and send you my very first piano CD as a complimentary thank you. To those who can give larger amounts of $100 or more, I will be delighted to send you my next CD, plus a copy of Akiane's autographed book. For larger amounts of $500, $1000, or more, I'll be your friend for life!!

My great concern is that you see this as an investment in the kingdom of God and know I'm not just asking you to pay for my piano. I want you have as much joy in giving to it as I will have in receiving it and putting the money into a beautiful instrument of praise and worship to our marvelous, wonderful , glorious Lord and Savior.

To the GLORY of HIS GRACE, I remain your friend and servant.

Love to all, Carla

PS: Don't forget to request your free copy of the 5½ minute demo of my playing on that beautiful Steinway grand. I'd love to send it to you and you can check me out. :)