The best present yet...

So, this post will back track a few months. I am not normally one to brag about all of the things I get for Christmas. If people ask me what I got, I usually mention a few things, but never go on and on about everything. And I'm not going to tell you about everything I received this last year. I am, however, going to tell you about one of the very best presents Lyle has given me to date. 

I should preface this post with....I play the piano and I can pretend to play the organ (I took 2 Summers worth of lessons...so I at least know the basics and where the bass coupler is). This fact has been known by many of my previous wards and I would often get asked to substitute for the organist in Sacrament meeting; or I would get asked to play the songs in Relief Society or Primary. I'm ok with playing for people and playing for big crowds doesn't bother me. The only problem was I didn't have a place to practice. 

When we lived in Rexburg, I had to sneak into a classroom on campus that wasn't in use and practice, or I had to wait until mutual night or another time I knew a church building would be open. This led to a lot of nerves and a few hymns that were played in a much-less-than-perfect manner. 

This past summer, when we lived with Lyle's parents for a few months, I was soooooo spoiled! They had a piano in their house! I was able to practice to my hearts content. 

A few months after we moved back to Idaho and into a new ward, I was called to be the ward organist every 2nd Sunday of the month. I was so scared at first, because I had very few options for practicing. I could either try to find an available classroom during the day while we were at school, try to get to the church when I know it is open, or I could bother one of the ward members to open the building for me. 

None of those options sounded appealing to me. After much complaining and stress, Dear Sweet Lyle was kind enough to get me this for Christmas: 

I love this Piano!!!!!! Ok, so it's really an electric keyboard, not a real piano. But it is the best thing ever!

Of course it has all of the bells and whistles, and I am being literal here. Virtually any instrument you want to play (even the ocarina) it will imitate the sound and let you make fantastic (or curious) music. And I can control the volume completely.

I love it most for it's organ settings. This is really one of the best gifts ever because it not only allows me to be prepared for my calling, it allows me to continue to work on my "talent" (I have a hard time calling it a talent because I am no where near as good as those who would be considered talented in this field). It has been about 5 years since I have had the ability to sit at a piano and practice whenever and whatever I like. I am so grateful that Lyle was able to find it and get it for me for Christmas. Thank you Lyle! You are the best, most wonderful husband in the whole world!