Memories of Jedidiah

Sheryl has been pestering me about posting something new on here, so I’m going to oblige her. We had our first Senior Store (formerly known as Junior Store) this past weekend, but I didn’t take any pictures of it. So, after I manage to scam some good shots off of one or two of my students, I’ll put something up about that. Today, I’m going to do some reminiscing.

I have certainly been missing the old friends and students from last year and it has taken a while for this new “normal” to become, well, normal. Every time I walk past the girls’ dorm, I wish I could drop by on my friends, Sandi and Andrea, but they’re back in Canada now. Whenever I have some free time in my morning between classes, I’m tempted to go bug Sandi in the business office, but she isn’t there anymore. And when periods 6 and 7 come every day, I have to remind myself that Esther won’t be coming in with her big smile and offer of giving me karate chops on my back, and Aaron won’t be there, campaigning to become my teacher’s pet; PJ won’t be bursting into the classroom, offering to refill my water bottle or do the homework check “QUICKLY!” It is a little hard to embrace the good new days…because they are good…while missing the old so much. One area where I’m having the most trouble adjusting is in the music ministry group that I direct. The new group doesn’t have a name, but they are replacing Jedidiah from last year. And I must say, by the end of the year, I was LOVING Jedidiah. They were very hard to part with, and can never be replaced in my heart. I was going to write a poem about them, because poetry is one of Sheryl’s love languages, but it came out sounding silly and sappy instead of poignant and emotive, as I’d hoped. Also, nothing rhymes with “Jedidiah”, and it was messing up the iambic pentameter. So here are just some pictures and memories of my wonderful little team.


Aaron, the charmer, brought energy and fun to every practice.


My powerhouse altos, Hanna, the unruffled, and Sarah, the diva.


Joo-Young, the anchor, was chalk-full of musical ability and experience, and did not need much guidance from me.


Ashley, a baritone, was probably the most punctual and committed of the group.


Laura was our songbird...she could always hit those high notes.


Mary was our refined, classical soprano. Her voice had a purity that sounded angelic.



Allysa was the country belle of the group and never failed to give me an encouraging hug or funny face at practice.


Grace was one of our pianists.


David was the artist of the group. He also could always "hook us up" with all manner of sound or recording equipment, as his dorm room was a veritable recording studio.


Richard was the natural of the group and, in my mind, the group's defining member. He contributed boatloads of charisma, a smooth, strong tenor voice, and several rap segments throughout the year. He was also one of the spiritual leaders of Jedidiah.


And here we all are, being silly at banquet. Praise is in the back as well. She was one of the accompanists and was the only Junior member of the group, so she's still with me on the ministry team this year. Praise is remarkable because she can play almost any instrument she picks up. This year she will be our group's drummer.

As these young adults move on to college or whatever else God has in mind for their lives, I hope that they will keep the good memories of RVA and Jedidiah close to them. And I hope that they will continue to use their musical gifts for the glory of God.