Website Updated!

Courtesy of friends and entrepreneurs extraordinaire, Linda and Sam Fouquet, www.cloudtippers.com Rex's website has been re-vamped and updated! Please take a moment to check it out and give us your feedback, comments and in-put. And, place an order if you like! :) www.rexwhitecustomfurniture.com

The Music of Life

I have had the blessed opportunity to sing in/with several different choirs. From church choirs, pulling together willing voices to “make a joyful noise” unto the Lord (and sometimes it may be only joyful to the ears of God!) to fine choirs blending professional voices, or at least people with much musical training and ability. My voice fits more in the “church choir” category, but somehow I have been fortunate to be allowed to blend my voice into the more “professional” choirs and I have been richly blessed.

Choir rehearsals are times of repetition, fine tuning, listening to others’ voices and learning how to breathe. Much time is taken to go through each piece and “mark the breaths” – times when everyone breathes together. Often the director will say, “don’t breathe from here to here,” which often is an impossible request; or, they will say “stagger your breathing” so that we don’t breathe when anyone else is breathing. This gives the impression then to the listener as though no breath has been taken and the sound continues.

In life, as we blend our lives with others, there are times when we all need to collectively stop, take a breath, make an obvious pause, before the sounds of life continue. This can accentuate an experience, allow for reflection and learning, and give meaning to the words of life. It can define the moment or experience. Other times, we must just stagger our breaths, or notbreathe from “here to here,” focus, concentrate, endure, persevere, rely on everyone around to do their part, and the song of life flows seamlessly, without a break.

Singing with a choir, each voice can rely on others to blend the notes in harmony to create the music, supporting, contrasting, sometimes in unison, sometimes in four part or even eight part (or more) harmony. But when one sings alone, a solo voice, the music takes on a different flavor. The breaths, the pauses, must be taken and are more obvious. The quality of the singer’s voice is more evident and exposed. There is no one to support, to blend in with, to listen to, or harmonize with. The music can be lovely, poignant, profound, but a very different sound from the choir’s voice.

To fully understand and experience each song in life requires listening with open ears and open hearts. Oftentimes we hear more the tune than the lyrics. The musical notes “get stuck in our heads” – a musical phrase mindlessly repeating itself like a broken record. But when we really listen to the music of life, we will comprehend the message. The tune will resonate in our bones, in our souls. The breaths and the pauses accentuate and define the value of the notes, the expressions, emotions and passion. The volume and vibration push the air and we feel their effects on our skin and in our hearts. And we experience more clearly the meaning of life.

The Bridge - Christmas Card Version

I thought I would share a version of our Christmas Card this year for any readers who may not have received this. I hope you enjoy it and that it blesses you...

Consider bridges – Jesus was born into this world to be a bridge – to reconnect us with God. People throughout history have turned their backs on God…not always intentionally…sometimes we just get caught up with ourselves and leave no room “Inn” us for God. I am thankful that Jesus was born to show me the path, to be the bridge to God, for His star to light the way across the great divide.

Some of the bright spots along our path this year included the wedding of nephew Joseph Dolby to Alisa Lim in California, girls weekends in Medina and Lake Tahoe (thank you my sweet friends), and visits with many friends and family both here in Texas and at various locations around the country. This year also marked the passing of Rex’s sister Linda who had survived over 9 years after a heart transplant; and the passing of a couple of high school classmates. As often happens, such passings provide opportunities for loved ones to draw near in a common bond of love and sympathy.

The biggest event in our year was the installation of an 89 foot flat-bed railroad car as our bridge across the great divide of our driveway that washed away in the summer floods of 2007. This dramatic event caused me to reflect on the importance of bridges – that I share with you for your reflection…

THE BRIDGE
“It happens with life, with relationships. Erosion can be subtle, at first, hardly noticed; or if noticed, just seems to be the natural course of things and is dismissed. But when the gap that once was no wider than two could reach across and clasp hands eventually erodes to a chasm deep and wide, it becomes obvious, dangerous, disastrous and impassable. Some stare, gape or shake their heads, but they get used to it. Like an “elephant in the living room,” they learn to go around it, ignore it, incorporate it into life's routines. But something happened, broke, died, changed, was destroyed, re-routed and is dramatically different. Some can't ignore it for they see the chasm as a pain, as an open wound that isn't healing. The normal waters of life's stream gently flow along their path. When the torrents and floods of life's temptations, challenges and sorrows come, they carve, dig, roll, roar, upend and destroy what once was. This could be the end of the story; or, it could be a new beginning. A bridge is built across the chasm. The two sides are reunited. Grasses and flowers begin to sprout with new life. The landscape of the soul is forever changed, yet renewed.”

Warmest wishes to all for a great year ahead in 2010! Mary Lou, Weasel and Rex

Texas Furniture Makers Show - 2009

The Annual Texas Furniture Makers Show in Kerrville, Texas (http://www.kacckerrville.com) has become quite a prestigious event. Many of the top furniture makers in the State enter their finest works for monetary awards, broad exposure and public acclaim. As Rex White's wife, I am proud to announce that Rex won the award for the "Best Traditional Furniture" for his "Stand-up Desk" (above.)

Other top award winners are shown below in the following order: First Place/Best of Show - Credenza by John O'Brien, Second Place Overall - Cocktail Table by Jeff Granberry, Third Place Overall - Vidar's Chairs by Clark Kellogg, Best Contemporary Furniture - Dining Table by Philip Sell, Best Texas Style Furniture - Partner's Desk by Lou Quallenberg, and Best Whimsical/Art Furniture - Tres Art Chairs by Danny Kamerath. Visit the Kerrville Arts and Cultural Center (228 Earl Garrett Street Kerrville, Texas) this month to take a closer look!

Our Inner Story

I work in a business where we assist military officers make a successful transition from a military career into a business career. We guide them through self-introspection exercises to help them recognize their strengths, weaknesses, goals set and reached, patterns, and ways of doing things. We help them determine the best direction for their future. For those who choose business, we connect them with the best developmental opportunities available in Corporate America.

In the economic conditions of this past year, I have spoken with many friends who have also been making transitions in their lives. Some losing jobs and seeking new ones, some retiring from their careers and looking at what they want to be involved with in their retirement years, and others just questioning the best direction for their futures, both professionally and personally. Being in "mid-life" myself, I see many of my contemporaries reaching a time in life when they reflect on what they have accomplished so far in life and questioning whether they should take a new path to reach their true life's dream or purpose. This may be a new path as a career, or it could be a new path spiritually or relationally. We each have an "inner story" and if we listen to that Spirit within, we may more clearly see the path we should take.

An (unfinished) Inner Story…

There is an inner music
That seeks to play its song
It taps a beat into the heart
For it’s melody I long.

There is an inner poem
That seeks to tell its story
Love’s inspiration, nature’s beauty
Life and truth and glory.

There is an inner passion
That burns within the soul
I’m called, I’m pulled, I ache, I yearn
For God to make me whole.

There is an inner painting
That seeks to share its vision
It’s color, shading, brushstroke, image
A clarity, arisen.

There is an inner longing
That pulls upon my heart
Is there more I am to be or do?
Am I to play a different part?

There is an inner Spirit
That dances and uplifts
It lightens, guides and shows the way
To love, life and their gifts.

There is an inner peace
That is there without my striving
Rest and listen to the breathing
It is there, where I am thriving.

There is an inner story
Of adventure, risk, yet hope
It is where my true love waits for me..
……

By Design, Too

How intentional are you about the furniture you live with, live on, live around? Are most of your furniture pieces hand-me-downs from Parents, Grandparents or friends? These could be wonderful, well-made antiques, or they may just be old! What does your furniture say about you, your style, your personality? Do you like the message? Does it say anything at all? And, how does it make you feel? Welcomed? At home? Warm? Or, cold and removed? When you have furniture designed and made just for you, it can add that personal touch or style, tie together the randomness of other pieces, bring comfort or warmth that may have been lacking, or just add a practical functionality that you have needed. Whether it is a Dining Table and set of chairs, a hall table in your home's entry way, or that Bed that you have always dreamed of, the design, style, construction, wood color, finish are all important elements to the desired end result.

When a client contacts Rex about a piece of furniture, the design process starts immediately as Rex formulates a mental vision of the piece and considers its function and construction. He will discuss the style desired, what will fit within a space or fit in with other pieces. He will discuss types and natural colors of wood. The wood and other materials are selected. Will there be accents of brass, stone, leather or glass? These details move the process further along the design path. Photos showing lines, shapes or colors that are pleasing to the client help to shape the initial drawing of the piece. Additional drawings will be produced to refine the details until the drawing represents the desired end product in form and function. A bid can then be produced based upon all of the elements that will be included in the custom piece. Are you ready for Rex to design and build a piece of furniture for you now? Contact him through this site, or through his website, http://www.rexwhitecustomfurniture.com/ !

Chasing Sunsets

The thoughts and plans for my trip were looping through my brain like a song that keeps repeating itself in my head without any conscious effort. My trip would take me back to people and places of my past. Times for reconnecting, remembering and renewing are anticipated. The visions of faces, places, sounds, smells, smiles, hugs, emotions play themselves out on the movie screen of my mind. The reflection on my past while anticipating the future casts an interesting light on the present. Sometimes "Now" can be overrated. The stark reality of now with its sharp edges, vivid images, brilliant clarity can be overwhelming. The gentle filter of my memory can serve to soften the edges, blur the images and shade the starkness, like airbrushing a photograph or wearing rose-colored glasses. The memory may be sweeter, lovelier and kinder than the reality. Granted, this is not always true. Sometimes the sharp pain of loss or hurt can cloud even the best memories and overshadow the goodness of life experiences. Plans to revisit meaningful people and memorable places, playing out potential conversations, shared emotions, laughter and maybe tears can be more pleasant and enjoyable than the actual events will be. Maybe that is why I like to plan, expect, hope and dream. The fantasies of what could be, might be, hope to be are wonderful little mental vacations my mind takes me on. No doubt too much living in the past or planning for the future can cause us to miss some brilliant moments that are happening NOW. Yet I learn from my past and I have hope for my future. Both give me perspective and appreciation of "Now." Like chasing sunsets across the sky, I can fly back to my homeland and reconnect with my past - but that sun has set and I am only living when I am aware and cognizant of this moment and the next, creating new meaningful memories by being present to each of life's experiences.