Keys of the Heart

The Three "C's"

2012-02-02T18:06:00.000-08:00

The words for this year are "CONTENTMENT" (mine) and "COURAGE" (my husband's). I'm failing at the whole contentment thing right now. I need a change in perspective. Maybe my husband's "word" would be a better one for me. Things at work are challenging at best.
There's a third "word".... I realized this the other day as I was helping my daughter with a costume for her High School dance class. She is wearing a shirt with the word "CHANGE" on it. I'm thinking this might be a very accurate word for this year. We are not sure if my husband will have a job in another 6 months. There are some changes at "work" for him. This could be a very exciting time and I really would like to have that attitude. Right now I don't. These 3 words are going to all be important for me/us in the next year. We'll (I'll) need Courage to face whatever is ahead as we anticipate Change. We'll (I'll) also need Contentment to simply rest in what the Lord is doing and trust that He will not only guide but provide.

2012-01-28T11:35:00.000-08:00

Contentment is my word for the year. I'm working on this in different areas. The main verse that came to mind is "But if we have food and clothing, we will be content with that." I Timothy 1:8

Since the beginning of the year we have been on a budget, we have not used credit cards. We are following Matthew 6 that talks about "Seeking God first". It's been a wonderful experience trusting God and not running to other things, other "means" to satisfy.
I have a feeling this is going to be quite an interesting year!

Desh - Miami University of Ohio - Collegiate Chorale

2012-01-14T08:28:00.000-08:00

I love all the different kinds of music we get to learn and perform. This is one we'll be starting to work on next week. It's beastly hard, but will be SO MUCH FUN!!

2012-01-08T13:12:00.000-08:00

It's like a collision in my head. I'm reading "One Thousand Gifts" (and loving it!). It's dove-tailing perfectly with my own personal study on "Contentment". I'm also doing a new Bible study called "The Lord's Table". It's all very positive. Then there's other stuff going on that rattles me and messes up my "zen". All the positive "good feelings" I'm feeling from the other stuff is colliding with the $%& and I'm in a quandary as to how to respond. Bleh.

The Process

2012-01-05T09:52:00.000-08:00

I was reminded yesterday that sometimes "the Christian life" (weird phrase as I think about it) is not "three steps forward, two steps back", i.e. gradual progress. Sometimes it's just staying pointed in the right direction without even moving..... just being pointed in the right direction counts! Yes, it is a process, but sometimes you can't quite move ahead and it's okay to at least have your head facing forward.
These things are a process:
Healing - of body, mind, soul
Journeys - whether it's an actual journey or a figurative one
Learning - yep, and that comes with study and practice
Forgiveness - and that's where I am.
Today I'm pointing in the right direction.

This Year's Word

2012-01-02T21:19:00.000-08:00

Contentment.

"Synonyms: content, contentedness, pleasure, delectation,delight, enjoyment, gladness, gratification, happiness,relish, satisfaction

Antonyms: discontent, discontentedness, discontentment,displeasure, dissatisfaction, unhappiness

Examples of CONTENTMENT

He believes that people can find peace and contentment in living simply.
There was a look of perfect contentment on her face."

I'm kinda liking that first example... "finding peace and contentment in living simply." This goes along with some other commitments we are making as a family this year. We will be living within our means (what a concept!) and being creative with (and thankful for) what we have. This will all be wrapped up in trusting God, in resting in His Sovereign goodness and control. You know, in Star Wars (the very first one) when Luke is trying so hard with all the equipment to blow up the Death Star and then he hears Obi Wan's voice saying "use the Force"... Yeah, it feels kinda like that. We're going to stop trying so hard using so many other means to find peace and satisfaction. We're going to trust God. It's a much more relaxed "stance". Although, even this morning I'm finding myself in a bit of a panic about some things. I need to (and just did) take a deep breath and let go. The Lord knows my/our needs.

These are some Scripture passages I'll be looking at more in depth over the coming weeks and months:

Matthew 6:25-24

Phillipians 4:11-13

I Timothy 6:6-8

2 Corinthians 12:9-10

Happy New Year!

2011-12-31T15:21:00.000-08:00

"I said to the man who stood at the gate of the year:

“Give me a light that I may tread safely into the unknown.”
And he replied:
“Go out into the darkness and put your hand into the Hand of God.

That shall be to you better than light and safer than a known way.”
So I went forth, and finding the Hand of God, trod gladly into the night.

And He led me towards the hills and the breaking of day in the lone East.

So heart bestill:What need our little life Our human life to know,If God hath comprehension? In all the dizzy strife Of things both high and low, God hideth His intention.

God knows. His willIs best. The stretch of years Which wind ahead, so dimTo our imperfect vision, Are clear to God. Our fears Are premature; In Him, All time hath full provision.

Then rest: until God moves to lift the veil From our impatient eyes,When, as the sweeter features Of Life’s stern face we hail, Fair beyond all surmise God’s thought around His creatures Our mind shall fill."

~M.L. Haskins~

2011-12-29T18:50:00.000-08:00

Oh yeah, and then there was that time we had an infestation of fleas and had to vaccumn the entire house... twice, in one day. And then I had to wash anything (laundry-wise) that was out and that cats may have sat on (or walked near), including stuffed animals.
The upside was, we got the floors, chairs, couches, etc. all cleaned.
I'm tired.

Decembruary Ramblings

2011-12-24T21:06:00.000-08:00

Merry Christmas Everyone!
It was a great day yesterday. Jim and I spoke to each of our siblings. My sister surprised us by coming to the Christmas day worship service. It's a surprise because she lives 3,000 miles away! She was in our state to see a few of her kids. She'll go back tomorrow. We then spent the afternoon with my brother and his family and, as always, were spoiled by their generosity (and good food!).
Today is a relax day after the rushing around of Christmas. It's actually my favorite day of the year! The kids are "playing" with their new "toys". I'm learning how to use my new Kindle. Jim (as he always does) is cleaning, organizing and enjoying a day off from work... a day to just be with family.
So, I have some thoughts rattling around in my head... here are a few of them.
Gifts:
Some gifts you know you really want and drop hints about them. Others, (like my Kindle) you didn't know you wanted 'til you got it! These gifts come from people who know you so well, they know just what will "tickle your fancy". Sometimes you get things you aren't too thrilled about initially (I didn't get any of those) but realize later how perfect they are for you. I was thinking of this when we watched "The Lion and The Witch and The Wardrobe" the other night. Peter, Susan and Lucy got gifts they weren't expecting and wouldn't have necessarily asked for but sure needed. Not all gifts are tangible. There's love, grace, comfort, work, (jobs), family, responsibilities, intelligence, talent, experiences, even suffering. They all help us become who we are. God is the giver of every good and perfect gift. His gifts express His love, intimate knowledge of us and perfect wisdom in the selection of His gifts.
Contentment:
Last year I chose a word for the year... "restoration". Sad to say, what I "expected" from that didn't really happen. 2011 was a good year and all, just didn't have all the things in it that I'd hoped. Still, we saw God's love and grace throughout the year... not to mention His faithfulness. I didn't like some of what happened in 2011 but trust that God, who is Sovereign is also GOOD.
This year I'm thinking my word just might be "contentment". In thinking about my life, I'm not usually (ever?) happy with who I am or my circumstances. Circumstances can change and I know that there are certainly changes that I can make in my life, but some things I cannot change. I can't change the fact that I am aging! I'm in my low 50's (okay, well, closer to mid-50's) and don't like what I see in the mirror. I see more and more white hairs. I see wrinkles. When I look at pictures of myself I see an older woman. When did this happen? On the inside looking out I think I'm 20-something! I want to learn to be content with who I am, and where I am. I tend to spend too much time thinking ahead to what's coming OR looking back at what has been (and find myself wallowing in bitterness and regret mixed with happiness.).
"But godliness with contentment is great gain." I Timothy 1:6
I think this just might be my goal for this year.... Godliness with contentment. Yep, that's gonna be it.
Decembruary:
This is the name my kids gave to this week between Christmas and New Year's Day. It's a nebulous kind of week where we just relax, eat too much, play with toys, watch movies, and think about next year. It's the much needed break between the two worlds of Fall and Winter. Once we hit 2012 we will hit the ground running and won't stop until April. By that time we'll need the break that comes with Easter. That's still a long ways off. I won't think about that yet.
I'm enjoying today. I just had lunch with my family. I'm listening to my son's new "Switchfoot" CD and drinking Hazlenut coffee while eating a "Sno-Ball" cookie. Ah... this is good.

There is a Time for Everything

2011-12-21T12:34:00.000-08:00

This is a portion of our Christmas letter for 2011

Dear Family andFriends,

School is out for a fewweeks and we are in the rush of Christmas preparation. We’re shopping, baking and enjoying treasuredfamily time together!

As we come to the closeof another year the words from Ecclesiastes ring true.

"For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven;

a time to be born and a time to die;

a time to plant, and a time to pluck up what is planted;

a time to kill, and a time to heal;

a time to break down, and a time to build up;

a time to week, and a time to laugh;

a time to mourn, and a time to dance;

a time to cast away stones, and a time to gather stones together;

a time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing;

a time to seek, and a time to lose;

a time to keep, and a time to cast away;

a time to tear, and a time to sew;

a time to keep silence, and a time to speak;

a time to love, and a time to hate;

a time for war, and a time for peace."

In our family this yearwe have had deaths and weddings, weeping and laughing, mourning and dancing… weare seeking to keep some things and cast some other things away. We have planted and taken down what had beenplanted. We have learned that there is atime to speak and a time to keep silent. We can’t think of a time to refrain from embracing and never want to letan opportunity to say “I love you” pass by. Life is too short to forgo either of those!

Above all, we seek tolove and to trust in God’s goodness and faithfulness.

We are thankful for ourdear friends and family! For those ofyou far away… we miss you and wish we could be together!

Godbless you all as we enter 2012,

Global "Sleeping"

2011-12-19T10:28:00.000-08:00

Take a listen/look at this! Eric Whitaker is an amazing composer. He composed this piece then set up a "virtual choir" with (I'm guessing) thousands of voices from all over the world then put it all together. I love his music. We've done a few of his pieces at the school where I work. It's beautiful! I'm thinking we may have to give this one a try as well.
Enjoy the beauty of this choral experience!

2011-12-15T17:43:00.000-08:00

"Practicing, practicing all the day
Christmas songs I'm learning.
Fingering, fingering I must play
for correctly learning.
Learn these songs so patiently,
Learn to play them joyfully,
Plinking, playing,
Christmas songs I'm learning."
(to the tune of "Caroling, Caroling")

Of Times and Seasons

2011-12-11T17:52:00.000-08:00

Here it is, Christmas again. "It's the most wonderful time of the year"...
It really is kinda strange, trying to keep perspective on "the reason for the season" but at the same time there's the crazy "shopping, parties, concerts, school finals, etc" that happen and distract us.
For some people this is the worst time of the year. It's hard to "be happy" when you're facing "the happiest time of the year" without a loved one.
Today is 10 years since my mom passed away. That was a really tough Christmas. She died 2 weeks before Christmas, when everyone else is happy. The world just kept going on and we were stopped in grief and loss.
My dad has been gone 2 years. This year my nephew is not here. He's been gone 8 1/2 months. How do you face jolly times in the midst of grief except for the realization that Christmas is not all about "all that."
Jesus came as a baby, born in humble circumstances in order to live a perfect life and then die in our place... for our sins. He came because the world really is a messy place. He came because people sin, they lie and cheat and steal, they murder, they gossip, they betray. He came because people are depressed and lonely... because things are hard. People are homeless, jobless, helpless and hopeless. He came to give hope, life, purpose. He came to save and redeem us. He came to live and die so that we can have a home with Him someday.
At the right time Christ came. At just the right time! He will come again, at just the right time. In that day, those He has redeemed will be finally home. There will be no more sin, no more pain, no more death.

Hark the herald angels sing
"Glory to the newborn King!
Peace on earth and mercy mild
God and sinners reconciled"
Joyful, all ye nations rise
Join the triumph of the skies
With the angelic host proclaim:
"Christ is born in Bethlehem"
Hark! The herald angels sing
"Glory to the newborn King!"

Christ by highest heav'n adored
Christ the everlasting Lord!
Late in time behold Him come
Offspring of a Virgin's womb
Veiled in flesh the Godhead see
Hail the incarnate Deity
Pleased as man with man to dwell
Jesus, our Emmanuel
Hark! The herald angels sing
"Glory to the newborn King!"

Hail the heav'n-born Prince of Peace!
Hail the Son of Righteousness!
Light and life to all He brings
Ris'n with healing in His wings
Mild He lays His glory by
Born that man no more may die
Born to raise the sons of earth
Born to give them second birth
Hark! The herald angels sing
"Glory to the newborn King!"

2011-12-07T19:11:00.001-08:00

On December 8, 1990 - I married Jim Newman!
Happy anniversary to us!!!

2011-12-03T20:10:00.001-08:00

We saw "Hugo" tonight - Great movie! So many things in the movie that struck a chord with me. I particularly loved this quote:
"I'd imagine the whole world was one big machine. Machines never come with any extra parts, you know. They always come with the exact amount they need. So I figured if the entire world was one big machine, I couldn't be an extra part. I had to be here for some reason. And that means you have to be here for some reason too."
We all have a purpose! Nobody is an "extra part"! So many good things in the movie - broken things repaired, orphans becoming sons, dreams restored. All the things we needed.
I highly recommend this film!

Love Even When Stepped On

2011-12-02T17:32:00.001-08:00

I have this little stuffed animal that sits on my bed. My husband gave it to me. It's a little bear with a heart that, if you press, says, "I love you!" then makes a kissing sound. It's cute.

The other day I was putting things away in my bedroom and didn't see it on the floor. I stepped on it, and it said, "I love you!" You would think I would learn my lesson and pick it up but didn't and stepped on it a few more times. Each time it would say the same thing, "I love you!". I laughed at the silly little bear, then thought of my husband. So many times I do stupid things... and accidentally hurt him. But each time he says, "I love you!". That's true love!

On this cold night, I'm thankful for...

2011-11-30T19:36:00.001-08:00

Free Firewood! I checked the burn status today. It's okay to have a fire in the fireplace tonight, so that's where we are.

2011-11-29T20:16:00.001-08:00

It's sometimes hard, when things don't go the way you think they should, to be thankful anyway. I "blogged" about this a few years ago. "Playing the glad game"... it's from Pollyanna. So, today, I didn't get as much in my paycheck as I'd hoped. The battery died on Michael's car. Jim hasn't been getting as many hours of work as he would like and needs.
The glad game... I am thankful for my job at the High School. I am thankful that Michael has the use of a car. I am thankful that Jim does have work when so many others do not. We have so much for which to be thankful. There is so much that's good. It's a matter of perspective. The glass is half full...

2011-11-28T19:35:00.001-08:00

I'm thankful for our safe travel to and from the airport this morning in very dense fog. Joseph left early this morning to fly back to Ohio. He's almost back now. He's had a long day and will be back to his dorm in about 1 1/2 hours. I'm thankful he got to come home for Thanksgiving and that he comes home again in about 3 weeks!

2011-11-27T15:45:00.001-08:00

#27
I'm thankful for:

Sunshine
Recliner
Tea
Red and Green M&M's
An afternoon with the family

2011-11-26T14:58:00.001-08:00

#26 -

Thankful for the smell of bread baking in the oven and the sound of my kids and their cousin playing "Monopoly" in the other room.
Tonight - soup and bread for supper, oh, and viewing "Captain America".

2011-11-25T17:34:00.001-08:00

Today I am thankful for the coming season.
But, what happened to the Thankfulness of yesterday? The country went mad today spending money that they don't have on things they don't need. What happened to the spirit of thankfulness? What about being content with what we have? I am increasingly so turned off by the materialism of the season. Don't get me wrong, we buy gifts for our family, but we're trying to pare down on "stuff"and focus more on Advent.
Advent - preparing for Christmas. It's a time of anticipation and remembering why Christ came. It also serves to prepare us for Christ's second coming. We will begin this Sunday with our Advent readings. This is one of the hymns we will sing on Sunday.

O COME, O COME EMMANUEL

O come, O come, Emmanuel,

And ransom captive Israel,

That mourns in lonely exile here

Until the Son of God appear.

Refrain:

Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel

shall come to thee, O Israel.

O come, Thou Rod of Jesse, free

Thine own from Satan's tyranny;

From depths of hell Thy people save,

And give them victory over the grave.

O come, Thou Day-spring, come and cheer

Our spirits by Thine advent here;

And drive away the shades of night

And pierce the clouds and bring us light!

Thanksgiving!

2011-11-24T18:20:00.001-08:00

I can easily find things for which to be thankful. But this Thanksgiving it's so easy. Our son came home from college! We decided a little over a month ago that we wanted to bring him home this year for Thanksgiving (he's studying at Cedarville University in Ohio), so we got the tickets and made plans. The cool thing was, we didn't tell anyone!! His siblings were so excited when their dad pulled into the driveway with him last night! And today... priceless reactions from his aunt, uncle and cousin! Sure, we had great food, beautiful weather, all the good things, but by far, having Joseph home was the best!! We are so thankful for our family and the joy of being together.

Thankful....

2011-11-23T13:54:00.001-08:00

Sunshine
House to clean
Food to cook
Beautiful colors of the changing leaves
Anticipation of a great family day tomorrow!

Heaven

2011-11-22T15:38:00.001-08:00

I'm thankful for Heaven. I'm reminded again today that this world is not our home. There is a place prepared for me...and for all who trust in Jesus as their Savior.
I am glad to be here now and have my family around me. I'm glad we're healthy, that the kids have school and my husband and I have jobs. But I'm thinking about those who are not with us and are keenly missed when Holidays come around. I'm thinking of my grandparents, my parents, my nephew (who's been gone 8 months), our first baby (miscarriage) and so many others... dear ones who we WILL see again. I'm thankful for the assurance of Heaven and the promise of eternal life!

2011-11-21T17:00:00.001-08:00

#21
Short work week.... I had school today and will tomorrow, then, OFF till next Monday. I'm thankful for the much needed break for all of us. The students have seemed "ready" for this since the last week of October. The stretch from August 18 until now is a long one and we need the break!

2011-11-20T18:29:00.001-08:00

Day # 20
I'm thankful that God is in control, that He is both Sovereign and He is Good (and His faithful love endures forever)!

2011-11-19T16:37:00.001-08:00

Today I am thankful for where we live.
We've been in this house for 9 years. The previous owners were my parents. Yep, I grew up in this house from the time I was 2. This home is filled with memories... and I can honestly say, all good ones. We have celebrated birthdays, Thanksgivings, Christmases, weddings, births, anniversaries, and more recently, the lives of my parents. My mom passed away nearly 10 years ago and my dad 2 years ago. I'm cleaning this weekend to prepare for Thanksgiving. Once again the smell of "Sticky buns" and Turkey will fill the house as we wait for my brother and his family to come spend the day with us. I am so grateful to live in this home and to have my husband and children call it their home too!

Thankful for

2011-11-18T17:51:00.001-08:00

Friday!
And all that goes with it... pizza, movie, family and knowing that tomorrow I get to sleep a little longer.
Friday, for me, is a mini-Thanksgiving and Christmas every week!.

Day Seventeen

2011-11-17T20:33:00.001-08:00

Thankful for my salvation. I love this song. It expresses my heart so well...

"The mystery of the cross I cannot comprehend
The agonies of Calvary
You the perfect Holy One crushed Your Son
Who drank the bitter cup reserved for me

Your blood has washed away my sin
Jesus thank You
The Father's wrath completely satisfied
Jesus thank You
Once Your enemy now seated at Your table
Jesus thank You

By Your perfect sacrifice I've been brought near
Your enemy You've made Your friend
Pouring out the riches of Your glorious grace
Your mercy and Your kindness know no end.

Your blood has washed away my sin
Jesus thank You
The Father's wrath completely satisfied
Jesus thank You
Once Your enemy now seated at Your table
Jesus thank You"
© 2003 Sovereign Grace Worship | Integrity's Hosanna! Music (Admin. by EMI Christian Music Publishing) | (Admin. by EMI Christian Music Publishing)
Pat Sczebel

2011-11-16T19:27:00.001-08:00

Day #16 - Thankful for a night off from rehearsal!
Most Wednesdays (and some Mondays and Thursdays) I have rehearsal at the high school where I work. We're doing the musical "Footloose" in February and have already been rehearsing for one month. On Wednesdays I get home from school and teach piano students till 5:30 then many times turn right around and go back to the school for rehearsal from 6-8 p.m. Today I emailed the director and found out it's just dance rehearsal tonight!! I'm so glad for an evening where I didn't have to go back out! I'm already in my p.j.s....so nice to be home.
I'm also thankful that me dear husband is taxi-ing our daughter back and forth to the rehearsal tonight!

#15

2011-11-15T18:42:00.001-08:00

More things for which I am truly thankful:
Hearing and Sight.

I'm so grateful that I can see and hear. I've often wondered (don't ask me why, I just don't know) what I would choose if I could only have one of these senses. If I couldn't see I would never again be able to look at my children or my husband, or see a beautiful sunset, mountain landscape or ocean scene. But, if I couldn't hear, well, then there would go music and the voices of my loved ones. Thankfully I don't have to make that choice.

I am truly grateful for the ability to see and hear.

Day # 14 Thankful for...

2011-11-14T19:01:00.001-08:00

My kids!! They are the joy of my life. I have enjoyed every age with them. I can hardly wait until we are all together again.

Today I am thankful for

2011-11-13T14:33:00.001-08:00

Hot water.
The feel of a hot shower is one of the best things about each morning. I thank God every morning for this.
Hot tea. This is another thing that gets my through the morning.
Washing dishes - I'm one of those people that actually likes to wash dishes by hand. It feels so good to soak my hands in hot water, especially on cold days.

"A woman is like a tea bag. You never know how strong she is until she gets into hot water."

~Eleanor Roosevelt~

2011-11-12T13:37:00.001-08:00

Today I am thankful to be warm and dry. We sat in the cold and rain for my school's rival game last night. It was a great game (and we won!!) but by the time we got home I was soaked and could not feel my toes. The cold I was getting, I got. But, today is sunny and I am in a nice warm, dry house with a cup of hot tea and my tissues.

2011-11-11T13:20:00.001-08:00

This morning I had the honor of participating in the Visalia Veteran's Day concert. Our Chamber Ensemble was invited to sing at this event. We sang the National Anthem, God Bless America and a Medley of Armed Forces Anthems. In between songs were stories of local veterans who served in WWI, WWII, Korea and Vietnam. The stories of these Veterans were so moving... made it hard to sing (or play piano) after hearing them. These were ordinary young men who enlisted and served. The stories we heard today were filled with courage and commitment to their "brothers" and their country. Some of these men have been awarded Bronze Stars, Silver Stars and at least one Purple Heart. As they stood to be recognize, we applauded. It was an honor to be involved in honoring and thanking these men and women.
Today I am so thankful for the men and women who served and continue to serve in protecting and preserving our freedom.

To Sam Garver, Alex Workman and many others, we are so proud of you and thank you with all our hearts.
Thank you to Daniel Unger, who gave his life to protect his fellow soldiers.
To my Dad who served in the Army and was proud to be a part of Post-War reconstruction in Germany, thank you.... I miss you. You would have loved the event today.

2011-11-10T18:36:00.001-08:00

I am thankful for the students and staff where I work. I enjoy the relationships with both teachers and students. We laugh, we joke, we work, we truly do "make beautiful music together."

2011-11-09T20:28:00.001-08:00

I'm thankful for my husband... Jim. God blessed me with a kind, faithful, gentle, loving, hardworking, honest, man of God who loves me, loves God and loves our children. This guy has put up with me for 21 years... I'm glad and oh so thankful!

2011-11-08T20:11:00.000-08:00

I'm thankful for old TV shows. I'm enjoying an episode of M*A*S*H right now.
I'm also thankful today for my mother's bathrobe. It's a big fuzzy, red flannel robe with kitty footprint designs on it. It was brand new 10 years ago. Mom got it and wore it a few times before getting sick and going to the hospital. She died 4 weeks later. The day after Mom died my Dad gave me her robe. I treasure it. I'm thankful for its warmth and "coziness". I'm thankful that I wear something that gave my mom the same warmth.
I'm extremely thankful that my best friend's surgery to look for more cancer did not find anything. They caught it early and it is very treatable!

2011-11-07T19:16:00.000-08:00

Thankful for the way God speaks. This hit me right between the eyes this evening.

Today I am thankful for....

2011-11-06T14:20:00.000-08:00

Music.

I'm talking about mostly instrumental music. It soothes my soul and helps me express myself in ways I cannot with words. It's apparent as I try to write (in words) on this blog.
When I was 5 years old I had an accident that severed a tendon in my right hand, making it impossible for me to bend my thumb or reach with it. I was sent to one of two hand specialists in the country. This one was in San Fransisco. My tendon was repaired but I still cannot fully extend my thumb as far as "normal". I can, however, reach an octave on the piano. The scars on my hand remind me of God's gift of healing and of music.
In a little while I'll sit down at the piano and just play. This relaxes me, helps me express feelings, spurs my praying, comforts my soul and sometimes just makes me happy!
I am so thankful to be able to play and to enjoy music.

Days 4 and 5

2011-11-05T10:54:00.000-07:00

I missed yesterday's thankfulness post. I'll post two today.
November 4th - I was just glad it was Friday. I had a kind of hard week. In spite of that. I am thankful for the break built into the week. I'm thankful for family time... for the change in seasons.

November 5th - Thankful for the smells in my house this morning. There's coffee cake in the oven, laundry in the washer and the smell of cooler air outside. I'm thankful for the health of my family, for sleep that restores, for the chance to move at a slower pace today.

2011-11-03T18:09:00.000-07:00

11/3/11
I'm thankful for cooler weather. I get to wear my new Mt Whitney Choir sweatshirt to school tomorrow!

Thankful - day 2

2011-11-02T19:17:00.000-07:00

November 2nd -
Today I am thankful for friends. I had a short but nice chat with one of my best friends (who happens to live in France). She is one with whom I can talk about anything and know she understands and cares. Her sister is my best friend... she lives in Germany and was recently diagnosed with cancer. It's tough to be so far away when I would like to be there to help.
So, I am thankful for my friends... whether they are thousands of miles away, or here in the same town (you know who you are!). And I am so thankful for the Internet that enables me to communicate with friends far and near.

I'm Inspired by Others to...

2011-11-01T21:20:00.000-07:00

Give thanks for at least one thing each day this month.

November 1 - The beginning of a new month and the feeling of a fresh start that each "1st" brings. It's a new page in my journal and a new page on the calendar. I'm thankful for that. I'm also thankful for God's provision of work. It's tiring but at least we have jobs when so many do not.

Super Heroes

2011-10-29T18:37:00.000-07:00

Captain America is my new favorite super hero! My kids saw the movie over the summer and said I would like it. We just watched it last night... they were right! I loved it. There was no bad language, no sexual inuendos, nothing objectionable. The best thing about it is the character himself. Steve Rogers is an ordinary (and smallish) guy who just wants to serve his country. When asked if he wants "to go kill Nazis" he answers "I don't want to kill anyone. I just don't like bullies. I don't care where they're from." He also throws himself on a grenade (turns out it was a fake and just a "test" by the commander) to save his fellow soldiers. He is a genuine "good guy". This is the main quality that makes him the perfect candidate for the drug that makes him "super". The doctor who has chosen him tells him, "Whatever happens, stay who you are. Not just a soldier, but a good man."
There are very few "good men" in this world. It's a joy and relief to see one like in the movies! I am blessed to know some good men. One of them was my father. My brothers are also good men (as are my brother's in law). I also happened to be married to a very good man. He has the same qualities as Steve Rogers. He doesn't like bullies. He would throw himself on a grenade for those around him. He has a heart of compassion and so many other good qualities. He just doesn't have the shield and cool suit.

2011-10-20T19:04:00.000-07:00

"Be courteous to all, but intimate with few, and let those few be well tried before you give them your confidence."
-George Washington

Good advice! I may print this and put it on my desk (and my dashboard, and my kitchen sink...).

2011-10-18T15:50:00.000-07:00

It seems I haven't updated this in awhile. The past few weeks have been incredibly busy with school and lessons. Our choral department had a choral festival and concert last week and another one coming up this week. On top of that our director and his wife had their first baby... a boy (and he's adorable!!). We also started rehearsals for our school musical. We'll be doing "Footloose" in February. This pretty much means that many of my evenings are gone from now until then.

Even with being busy I am enjoying my job at the High School more and more. Of course there are days when I'd rather stay home, but, for the most part, I love it. The director and I have a good rapport with each other (despite the fact that I am a few decades older than he is) and that makes a world of difference.
I wish things weren't quite so busy at home. We long for days completely "off" but rarely have those. I find myself counting the days until Thanksgiving and Christmas. We're sure to have those days off. Well, no... Christmas falls on a Sunday this year. That means playing for worship services. Well, maybe the next day?

So, this week I turn one year older. I look back over the past *mumblemumble* years and can't believe how quickly the time has gone. Sometimes I'm obsessed with planning out the future (as if I could) and other times I'm stuck in the past. A challenge for me, especially with being so busy, is to live each day, each moment, fully here.

Well, time for piano students to come. But first, I need to get something prepared for supper.
Bye bye, blog. See you again in a few days/weeks?

2011-10-08T16:51:00.000-07:00

And - reset to 0.
Things were going along pretty well. The whole forgiveness thing... feeling pretty good about it all, dealing with stuff, moving on and then there it was. It was an already difficult day and I came across a photo. Bam! Messed me up... brought back painful memories. There I was back at 0.

2011-10-02T14:25:00.000-07:00

October!

Fall weather
Home town Festival
Birthdays - mine, my brother's and my niece's
Two new babies born... a neighbor's and a co-worker's!
One Concert and two Choral Festivals - in the next two weeks.
Counting the days until Thanksgiving, Joseph's return and Christmas.

The Closet

2011-09-13T18:55:00.000-07:00

This has been cogitating for some time. Now it finally came together this morning. It's one of those "duh" moments.
At our church for the past 2 months there has been a horrible smell. There has been a lot of speculation as to the source. Something in the AC ducts? Cleaning supplies spilled in a nearby closet? An animal that wandered in there and died? Finally my husband found the source. A large container of insecticide had leaked out onto some wood and some bags of artificial flowers. The wood was thrown out, the flowers were gotten rid of. The container was disposed of. The closet was scrubbed, cleaned out and painted.

Finally this morning it clicked. There is a booklet written by Robert Boyd Munger, called "My Heart Christ's Home", that talks about a person who has given his life to Christ. First he invites the Lord into his home, beginning in the Living room, the Lord lives in every place in the house. Finally He comes to this:

"The Hall Closet

There is just one more matter that I might share with you.

One day I found Him waiting for me at the door.

An arresting look was in His eye. As I entered, He said to me,

"There is a peculiar odor in the house. There is something dead around here.

It's upstairs. I think it is in the hall closet." As soon as He said this,

I knew what He was talking about. Yes, there was a small closet up there on the landing,

just a few feet square, and in that closet, behind lock and key,

I had one or two little personal things that I did not want anyone to know about

and certainly I did not want Christ to see them.

I knew they were dead and rotting things left over from the old life.

And yet I loved them, and I wanted them so for myself that

I was afraid to admit they were there.

Reluctantly, I went up with Him, and as we mounted the stairs

the odor became stronger and stronger.

He pointed at the door. "It's in there! Some dead thing!"

I was angry. That's the only way I can put it.

I had given Him access to the library, the dining room, the living room,

the workroom, the playroom, and now He was asking me about a little two-by-four closet.

I said to myself, "This is too much. I am not going to give Him the key."

"Well," He said, reading my thoughts, "if you think I'm going to stay up here

on the second floor with this odor, you are mistaken.

I will take my bed out on the back porch. I'm certainly not going to put up with that."

Then I saw Him start down the stairs.

When you have come to know and love Christ, the worst thing that can happen

is to sense His fellowship retreating from you.

I had to surrender. "I'll give You the key," I said sadly, "but You'll

have to open the closet and clean it out. I haven't the strength to do it."

"I know," He said. "I know you haven't. Just give me the key.

Just authorize me to take care of that closet and I will."

So with trembling fingers I passed the key to Him. He took it from my hand,

walked over to the door, opened it, entered it, took out

all the putrefying stuff that was rotting there, and threw it away.

Then He cleaned the closet and painted it, fixed it up, doing it all in a moment's time.

Oh, what victory and release to have that dead thing out of my life!"

I've had some things rotting away in my heart for the past few years. I try and try to take care of it myself, but can't seem to do it. Maybe all along the Lord has been waiting for me to just ask Him. I'm ready for the rotten smell to go.

2011-09-10T20:10:00.000-07:00

"How do you pick up the threads of an old life?

How do you go on...

when in your heart you begin to understand...

there is no going back?

There are some things that time cannot mend...

some hurts that go too deep... that have taken hold."

- from "The Lord of the Rings, Return of the King"

These words have such meaning. As I think back to 10 years ago... September 11, 2001; to 2 years ago and some of the most painful times we have been through and then my nephew's death in March, these words ring true. As a friend of mine just said, there are things that are a "forever process". Time does not heal all wounds. We learn to adapt and adjust. We learn to live with a limp.

2011-09-05T21:28:00.000-07:00

There are things in Scripture that are seemingly impossible. I think that's because it shows our need of Him. The whole "Seventy times seven...." thing is one of them.
Hard things must be meant to drive us to Him.

Sunday Afternoon Treat

2011-09-04T17:11:00.000-07:00

"I Am Sam".
This was one of those Sunday afternoons when I turn on the TV and hope that there will be a good movie on. I struck it rich today.... I absolutely love this movie.

[Synopsis:

Michelle Pfeiffer and Sean Penn give career-defining performances in this humorous and heart-warming film about a mentally-challenged father who enlists the aid of a high-powered attorney to help him regain custody of his daughter. An all-star supporting cast and a spectacular soundtrack complete this unforgettable story of life, love and laughter.]

2011-09-03T14:14:00.000-07:00

Don't have a lot to say I guess. Just some random thoughts as I fight migraine headache pain.

School has started.
It's still really hot here.
Listening to John Rutter sacred music is good.
I continue to work on the whole "seventy times seven" forgiveness thing.
It's nice to be getting a paycheck again.
(Although) I wish someone would give us 1 million dollars.
(But) I know that wouldn't make us happy.
I'm thinking of re-arranging my family room again.

Yeah, that's pretty much all that comes to mind right now.
Worst blog post ever.

King David - blogger

2011-08-27T10:18:00.000-07:00

I'm so glad David wrote down what he was feeling. He did not sugar coat anything. He expressed what he was going through and all the while affirming his trust in God. It helps me to express myself and to know that it's okay to feel (and express) pain, confusion and anger. He would probably be a blogger if he lived today.

Save Me, O God

"Save me, O God!

For the waters have come up to my neck.

I sink in deep mire,

where there is no foothold;

I have come into deep waters,

and the flood sweeps over me.

I am weary with my crying out;

my throat is parched....

Deliver me

from sinking in the mire;

let me be delivered from my enemies

and from the deep waters.

Let not the flood sweep over me,

or the deep swallow me up,

or the pit close its mouth over me.

Answer me, O Lord, for your steadfast love is good;

according to your abundant mercy, turn to me.

Hide not your face from your servant;

for I am in distress; make haste to answer me.

Draw near to my soul, redeem me;

ransom me because of my enemies!

You know my reproach,

and my shame and my dishonor;

my foes are all known to you.

Reproaches have broken my heart,

so that I am in despair.

I looked for pity, but there was none,

and for comforters, but I found none....

I will praise the name of God with a song;

I will magnify him with thanksgiving.

This will please the Lord more than an ox

or a bull with horns and hoofs.

When the humble see it they will be glad;

you who seek God, let your hearts revive.

For the Lord hears the needy

and does not despise his own people who are prisoners."

-Portions of Psalm 69 - ESV

2011-08-17T20:23:00.000-07:00

Joseph is going back to college tomorrow. It's a wonderful school, but 4 months away is a really LONG time.

2011-08-12T10:28:00.000-07:00

"When deep injury is done to us, we never recover until we forgive...
Forgiveness does not change the past, but it does enlarge the future."

"Bitterness imprisons life; love releases it." - Harry Emerson Fosdick

"You will know that forgiveness has begun when you recall those who hurt you and feel the power to wish them well." - Lewis Smedes

"Then Peter came to Jesus and asked, “Lord, how many times shall I forgive my brother when he sins against me? Up to seven times?” Jesus answered, “I tell you, not seven times, but seventy-seven times." (Matthew 18:21-22)

Piano Lessons

2011-08-09T14:20:00.000-07:00

I offer piano instruction in my home in Exeter and am now taking new students.

Here is the basic information:
*Lessons are once per week for 30 minutes.
*Times and Days - I teach on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday after school from 4:00 - 5:30. I currently have Tuesday and Thursday openings.
*Lessons are $15 each week (preferably paid for the month at the beginning of each month)
*Lessons books are provided by me unless you prefer to provide your own at your cost.
*Practicing each day is critical to improving and learning!
*Method - I use Bastien books. Each student will learn from a theory book and a lesson book.
*Instrument - it is best to have a piano instead of a keyboard, unless it is a keyboard with weighted keys.
*Performances - There are 2 recitals each year, one in December and one in May. Pieces are memorized and played for a small audience of family and friends.

A little about me:
I majored in Music Education at California State University Fresno and have a BA in Music.
I have a current teacher's credential for K-12 Music.
I have studied privately since graduation and currently play piano for the Mt. Whitney High School choral department.
I have played for many choral groups and churches over the years.

If interested please contact me at:
email: jeanopiano@gmail.com

Collaborative Pianist

2011-08-04T14:03:00.000-07:00

I learned from my niece, Mary, this summer that the proper title for "accompanist" is now "Collaborative Pianist". I don't know... I kinda like the old term better. It is true that accompanists work extremely closely with those whom they "accompany", and often the piano portion is just as difficult as the soloist's portion. But, the job of an accompanist is to work alongside, to do all they can to help their soloist do their best. That's my role and I like it. The term "Collaborative Pianist" elevates the position to a much more "equal" standing with the soloist. I like that too, but don't want to forget that I'm not the one people come to hear when they go to a concert or recital. I am there to help... to play in such a way that the soloist (ensemble) is in the spotlight. It's much like a frame around a picture. The right frame only accents the beauty of the picture. Too "gaudy" of a frame detracts attention, too simple of a frame doesn't do it justice.
Hmmmm.... just thinking.... that's how we should all be, I suppose... living our lives to focus on the ONE who truly deserves the attention, the praise, the focus. It's not about me.

Having said all that...anybody need an accompanist? I'm available and my rates are reasonable.

2011-08-03T22:22:00.000-07:00

"For twenty-three years, I've been dying to tell you what I thought of you! And now... well, being a Christian woman, I can't say it!" - Auntie Em to Almira Gulch in "The Wizard of Oz"

I just love movie quotes. I couldn't say it better if I tried.
What is a favorite movie quote of yours?

2011-08-02T18:44:00.000-07:00

"I don't remember growing older... when did they?"

2011-07-23T12:30:00.000-07:00

I couldn't decided on a title for this post...

"Another one bites the dust"

"It's happened again"

"They'll know we are Christians by...."

"The new 'unforgiveable sin' "...

We just heard of another pastor who was asked to resign. He didn't get a chance to really "fight it". The options were "resign now and get severance pay" or "don't resign now and you get no severance pay". You may wonder what horrible thing he must have done. Murder? Adultery? Embezzlement? Nope... they just didn't have confidence in his leadership. It happened to us two years ago. It happens all the time to pastors all over the place. (I know... I've talked to many of their wives!)

"Another one bites the dust" - Yep, another pastor is asked to resign, no second chances, "you're outta here". "Turn in your keys and don't come back".

"It's happened again" - Satan's tactics just don't change. He knows what works, and when it works, why change? Satan causes division which spreads by means of gossip and slander. It's often coated in words like "concern, love, the best for..., etc." It still smells like sulfur to me.

"They'll know we are Christians by..." - These days, people outside "the church" know we are Christians by this kind of "stuff". I know plenty of people who don't go to church for these very reasons. Why can't Christians get along? I mean, aren't we supposed to be the most loving, kind, gracious and forgiving people? Aren't we supposed to give people the benefit of the doubt? Offer them second chances? Christians are not known by love anymore.

"The new 'unforgiveable sin' " - Apparently these days, it is absolutely a horrible, and unforgivable sin to lack confidence and not be a good (enough) leader. Yep, a pastor could have an affair (they call it a "moral failure") and get all kinds of help, support, counseling, grace, love and even a leave of absence. But if his leadership isn't confident enough, that's it! (We had one person tell us that if my husband had been unfaithful, they could have forgiven him, but, his lack of confidence... well, that's just too much!).

It's sad. It's not surprising. I long for the day when all will be made right. The church is full of sinners... every church... but there is supposed to be grace and forgiveness. I think one of the problems is that we have become churches with a consumer mentality. There are so many churches to choose from that it's easy to just move around when you get tired of a church (I want better music, cooler looking people, more technology, less technology, bigger and better programs...different color carpet, cafe's, etc). It's also easy to just get rid of a pastor when you don't like something about him. Marriages are the same way... too easy to split up and not work out our differences. The marriage vows say "in sickness and in health, in joy and in sorrow, in plenty and in want, for richer and for poorer"... too bad churches don't go by this.

Churches should be places of love, hope, grace, loyalty, steadfastness and forgiveness.

2011-07-22T08:00:00.000-07:00

This is one of the books I'll read on vacation. I'm a little skeptical about the story but am eager to read it. With the losses we've gone through (our first baby 20 years ago, both of my parents in the past 10 years, and my nephew 4 months ago), I'm thinking more and more about heaven. Someday we will have a grand reunion. I can hardly wait!

2011-07-18T10:37:00.000-07:00

Maybe it's because I spent the morning with my daughter getting senior pictures taken. Or maybe it's because we spent a few hours last night talking, crying and then laughing with my brother and sis-in-law (remembering their son who passed away in March). Or maybe it's realizing that in a few weeks my boys are back to college and my youngest starts 7th grade. I'm realizing how short life is. Obviously we cannot go back in time knowing all we know now. I want to treasure every moment... freeze frame every image of my kids, husband, nieces, nephews, brothers, sisters, friends. I want to re-live moments of hilarious laughter. I want to savor every hug.
Each day is precious. Each little "insignificant" moment is worth remembering. Today, July 18th, is a gift. Lord, help me to relish it, savor it, and soak in every moment, because it's from You.

2011-07-17T20:59:00.000-07:00

Laughter is an instant vacation. ~Milton Berle

Laughter is the shortest distance between two people. ~Victor Borge

What soap is to the body, laughter is to the soul. ~Yiddish Proverb

Laughter and tears are both responses to frustration and exhaustion. I myself prefer to laugh, since there is less cleaning up to do afterward. ~Kurt Vonnegut

2011-07-11T18:36:00.000-07:00

This was me this morning.
(Thank you to my niece who had this same image on her blog last week)

2011-07-08T16:03:00.000-07:00

I've got Grandma Newman's Banana Bread in the oven. My husband has been talking about his Mom's banana bread for years and I just recently got the recipe!! He likes my banana bread fine, it's just "not the same" as his mom's. Last week I made his mom's oatmeal cookies (we got a recipe book at the family reunion!) and they were SO good.
I want to make his day better however I can. I'm hoping this will help!

No More Let Sins and Sorrows Grow...

2011-07-07T13:48:00.000-07:00

...nor thorns infest the ground." (lyrics from "Joy to the World")
These are "Goat Head" stickers. We have about a million of them by our house. My son went out to water the roses and came back inside with 186 stickers in the bottoms of his flip-flops!! We are constantly stepping on them in the house!
When Adam and Eve sinned (read Genesis 3), one of the results of that fall was that thorns would infest the ground. You're not kiddin!
I look forward to the day when the rest of that verse is true... "He comes to make His blessings flow far as the curse is found!"

Summer reading

2011-07-05T14:49:00.000-07:00

I plan to write more about this later, but, I just finished reading the last Harry Potter book (#7). My kids said I had to read it before the movie comes out of July 15th.
I have to admit that, for years, I did not want to read these and did not want my children reading them. I didn't like the terms "witch" and "wizard" because of the huge amount of occult (witchcraft) so obvious in France, where I lived for 5 years. I still do not like those terms.
We finally relented and allowed our children to read the books.
I have only read the 7th (but plan to read the first 6 this summer).
I want to think about all this before I write more. I have ordered a book that was highly recommended called "Looking for God in Harry Potter" . It's due to arrive in a few days. After I read through it then I might have something more intelligible to say.
Meanwhile, I enjoyed the book. It was very well written and it's clear to see some very Christian themes coming through. The difference between good and evil is quite clear. Love wins.

2011-07-04T22:20:00.000-07:00

Things I love:
*Driving mountain roads (and I drive them kinda fast)
*Them smell of pine trees and 65 degree weather in July
*My family - all of them! (Hubby, kids, brothers, sisters, nieces, nephews...) I don't have any cousins.
*AC in the house and a pool in the backyard
*living in a country where we have so many freedoms!
*Memories of past "Fourth of July" celebrations (mixed with a tinge of sadness)
*No work tomorrow

2011-07-02T20:40:00.000-07:00

"As children bring their broken toyswith tears for us to mend,I brought my broken dreams to God,because He was my Friend.
But then, instead of leaving Himin peace to work alone,
I hung around and tried to help with ways that were my own.
At last I snatched them back and cried,"How can You be so slow?"
"My child," He said, "what could I do"You never did let go."

-Unknown

"...you keep doin' that it'll never heal..."

2011-06-30T21:58:00.000-07:00

I'm doing it again... re-opening old wounds, just as they were starting to heal (or so I thought). My mother used to get after me when I would pick a scab. "It will never heal if you keep picking at it!"
It's been 2 years since we were in the midst of a lot of really crappy stuff that ended in the death of our church, the death of dreams and coincided with the death of my father. We've worked through a lot, but still find things coming up that either rip open the old wound or make me just pick and pick and the scab comes off (gross, I know. Sorry). I really do want to heal and move on. (I really do!)
I know and understand and believe that God is sovereign and that He knows all things. He knew, when He called us here to California (10 years ago this Fall) what would take place. Yet, still, He called us. We came. We have learned some things through what we have suffered but still don't understand "why". Maybe it's not important, I just want to know. I struggle with the whole "if God knew __________________, then couldn't He have prevented it?" But then, what if we need to learn some things and be more dependent on God through the things we have experienced. I keep coming back to the words of a fairly new song "Blessings" by Laura Story.

"When friends betray us,
When darkness seems to win we know,

the pain reminds this heart
That this is not, this is not our home
It's not our home.
What if my greatest disappointments
Or the achings of this life
Is the revealing of a greater thirst this world can’t satisfy."

Some day - when we're "HOME" we'll understand and maybe it won't even matter. Even Jesus learned obedience through the things He suffered. He understands and (I guess) wants me to just cling more closely to Him. Jesus forgave. He tells us to bless and pray for those who hurt us. Maybe they really don't "know what they do". Sigh.
Next time something happens to bring it all back to my memory I hope I can just pray, forgive, trust God and leave that stupid scab alone so I will heal.

I Wear the Cone of Shame

2011-06-30T12:31:00.000-07:00

I hate to admit it, but I lied.
We were in a panic this morning because our dog licenses expired today. In order to renew dog licenses you have to have current rabies vaccinations. We needed to get all three dogs "shot" and there were no openings today. So, "someone" (whom I will not name) suggested that I just go and fill in the forms and put the Rabies vaccination expiration date as next summer... "they never ask for those forms anyway".
I went to City Hall, filled in the forms, faked the expiration date for the vaccines, handed the forms back and she asked for the proof of vaccination. (ugh!) I (ashamedly) told her the truth, that we are getting our dogs in next week and can't we get the licenses today? No, got to get the vet to fill in the forms and then come back next week. Turns out we have until the end of July to get their licenses renewed.
I hate to lie. I detest dishonesty. And yet, I did it... I lied on an official government form (and got caught). I shall not leave the house the rest of today... I wear the cone of shame.

Time with my kids.... priceless!

2011-06-29T17:52:00.000-07:00

So, this is how my day went....
8:30 - 11:00 - Piano students (got paid by 2 of them!)
11:15 - Checked online bank account to see how much my "paycheck" will be from the school district. Found out it was more than I expected (!). Made a shopping (grocery) list.
12:15 - Re-heated random leftovers for lunch - the cupboards are officially bare.
1:15 - Practiced with 2 gals who are going to sing the National Anthem for our local fireworks celebration on July 4th.
2:00 - Went by the church where we both work part time... got our checks for this month. Went home and finished my grocery list.
3:30 - Went to the bank, deposited checks, got out some money and went straight to the store.
4:00 - With my 4 kids (3 teens and one pre-teen) we divided up the list, checked prices, shopped wisely and got out the there with $11 change.
5:00 - As a reward, we stopped at A&W for 6 "Slushies" (got one for Jim, too) and spent $10.37 of our change. :)
5:15 - Home, unloaded and put away groceries then indulged in our Slushies (only 2 points on Weight Watchers!).
Best part of the day (aside from getting paid, which is always nice) - spending time with my kids. Not only do I love them, I like them a lot!!
They are such fun! I am truly blessed!
Good day today!

2011-06-27T19:31:00.000-07:00

"I thank God whom I serve, as did my ancestors, with a clear conscience, as I remember you constantly in my prayers night and day. As I remember your tears, I long to see you,

that I may be filled with joy. I am reminded of your sincere faith, a faith that dwelt first in your grandmother Lois and your mother Eunice and now, I am sure, dwells in you as well."

(2 Timothy 1:3-6)

We recently went to a family reunion for my husband's side of the family. Not only was it just a plain old fun time (Playing "Mad Gab" until midnight... touring Amish Country, eating in an Amish Home and seeing a production of "Joseph" at the "Sight and Sound") it was a really enriching time of learning about family history and spiritual heritage. My husband shared some thoughts from Scripture about passing on our Spiritual heritage to our children and related how much he had learned from his parents and grandparents. I was so impressed and proud to learn about the Spiritual heritage of my husband's family. My husband (Jim) joked at first about "Family Inheritance" instead of Family Heritage (and how there won't be much "inheritance"!) but concluded with the truth that Spiritual Heritage is far more important and long-lasting. We are, by far, richer in our Christian heritage than many (or most) are in worldly wealth.

One Reason for Sorrow

2011-06-25T15:10:00.000-07:00

June 25, 2011 - "My Utmost for His Highest" - Oswald Chamber

. . . what shall I say? ’Father, save Me from this hour’? But for this purpose I came to this hour. ’Father, glorify Your name’ —John 12:27-28

As a saint of God, my attitude toward sorrow and difficulty should not be to ask that they be prevented, but to ask that God protect me so that I may remain what He created me to be, in spite of all my fires of sorrow. Our Lord received Himself, accepting His position and realizing His purpose, in the midst of the fire of sorrow. He was saved not from the hour, but out of the hour.
We say that there ought to be no sorrow, but there is sorrow, and we have to accept and receive ourselves in its fires. If we try to evade sorrow, refusing to deal with it, we are foolish. Sorrow is one of the biggest facts in life, and there is no use in saying it should not be. Sin, sorrow, and suffering are, and it is not for us to say that God has made a mistake in allowing them.
Sorrow removes a great deal of a person’s shallowness, but it does not always make that person better. Suffering either gives me to myself or it destroys me. You cannot find or receive yourself through success, because you lose your head over pride. And you cannot receive yourself through the monotony of your daily life, because you give in to complaining. The only way to find yourself is in the fires of sorrow. Why it should be this way is immaterial. The fact is that it is true in the Scriptures and in human experience. You can always recognize who has been through the fires of sorrow and received himself, and you know that you can go to him in your moment of trouble and find that he has plenty of time for you. But if a person has not been through the fires of sorrow, he is apt to be contemptuous, having no respect or time for you, only turning you away. If you will receive yourself in the fires of sorrow, God will make you nourishment for other people.

Thankful for (almost) nothing.

2011-06-22T13:50:00.000-07:00

There's something wonderful about having very little. When we have (almost) nothing, we pray and ask God to supply our needs... we count pennies (802 to be exact!), we re-use things we would have thrown away, we begin to be more creative, AND, we are more thankful! We're thankful for saving, we're thankful for fresh zucchini and plums and the friends who supplied them, we're thankful for the jobs we do have when so many are out of work. God is faithful. He works in ways we cannot see. He causes us to look to Him. This is good.

We qualify

2011-06-21T09:50:00.000-07:00

"God makes miracles out of what seems insignificant: fragile faith, a little kindness and ordinary people."

- from "Our Daily Bread" June 21, 2011

What dream did God give you?

2011-06-14T21:48:00.000-07:00

There it was again. God keeps gently yet persistently telling me the same thing... over and over and over. Forgiveness is powerful.
We are in Lancaster, PA for a family reunion. It's been wonderful (aside from a very sore back) and we have had a great time seeing (and even meeting!) family members from my husband's mom's side of the family. Part of what the reunion included was a showing of "Joseph" at the Sight and Sound Theater nearby. The story of Joseph from Genesis (in the Bible) is one of my favorites. Joseph, the favorite of Jacob's 12 sons, has a dream of what God has for him to be and do. He tells his brothers this dream (of them all bowing down to him... it doesn't go over well) and is sold into slavery by these brothers. He is taken to Egypt where, because of his trust in God and his steadfastness - AND because of God's faithfulness, he rises to the #2 position in all of Egypt. While there, a famine arises in the land. Joseph had been put in charge of saving grain for the famine that God told him would come. People come from other lands to buy food... including Joseph's brothers. Given the opportunity to punish his brothers when they come (they don't recognize him) Joseph instead forgives them. "You meant it for evil. God meant it for good". (Genesis 50:20). BAM! Got me again. The power of forgiveness. It's the only thing that frees us. Joseph chose to forgive his brothers instead of taking vengeance on them. He knew that God had given him a dream.... and all that happened (being sold into slavery, being put into prison falsely, etc) all helped to bring about God's plan... God's dream for Joseph and Joseph's dream for God.
Jim and I sat there crying watching the end of the story again. We watched as the brothers embraced and God's people were saved. We cried knowing that God has given us dreams too, and we will trust Him that He knows what He's doing. We will forgive because that is also part of God's plan. We will continue to believe in the dreams God has given us.
What dream did God give you?

Piper, Carson, and Keller on Sustaining the Covenant of Marital Love

2011-06-09T09:00:00.000-07:00

Piper, Carson, and Keller on Sustaining the Covenant of Marital Love

In a few days we will be participating in a wedding. We've been meeting with them for several months and have enjoyed SO much watching them grow in their love for each other and seeing their desire to honor God in their lives together! I found this link on a friends' Facebook page. Sadly, her marriage is in a really rough spot. We know of three other couples (Christians, former colleagues, missionaries) whose marriages are either in serious trouble or have failed. This little "snippet" of a discussion with Piper, Carson and Keller or marriage is good. Jim and I have been married 20 1/2 years. We have changed... both of us, but what doesn't change is the promises we made to each other 20 1/2 years ago. My hope and prayer is that for this couple getting married on Saturday (who, by the way, have wonderful examples in both sets of parents!!) will not only last, but flourish, blossom and grow - to the glory of God, for many decades... till death parts them or Jesus comes back.

Those Were the Days

2011-06-06T19:33:00.000-07:00

I've been taking an extended trip down memory lane. There are now two channels that show old TV shows (M*A*S*H, Hogan's Heroes, Bonanza, Get Smart, All in the Family, The Monkees, etc...) and one channel that shows old movies. We're thoroughly enjoying watching shows we watched when we were, uhm, younger. On top of that, I was listening to a radio station that plays oldies (103.3 fm). I don't know, but I think there really is a trend toward "throw-backs". At stores I see "throw-back" cans and bottles of soda, T-shirts with old slogans...
My guess is (and it's only a guess) that with things changing so fast in the world around us that we long for simpler times. For me, watching these shows, hearing the music and seeing sights from 40+ years ago give me a calm sense of security in the midst of so much change and so much uncertainly. I'm lovin' it.

"The Others"

2011-06-05T18:31:00.000-07:00

I just got back from a Baccalaureate service (church service for High School seniors) in the town next to ours. Two of the Mt Whitney choral groups sang for it. We also had a duet by one of our students and our teacher. She (they) sang a song called "Blessings" by Laura Story. I blogged about that song a few weeks ago.
The speaker was Melchor Carrillo, the choral director from Redwood High School. He did an amazing job! His title was "The Others". It was taken from Hebrews 11. The first part of the chapter talks about the great heroes of the faith, who raised people from the dead, saw the walls of Jericho fall down, had babies at over 90 years old, etc. Those are the kinds of stories we like. Then, toward the end of the chapter we read about "the others"... those who were not success stories. The Christian life is not always success and glory.

" ...There were those who, under torture, refused to give in and go free, preferring something better: resurrection. Others braved abuse and whips, and, yes, chains and dungeons. We have stories of those who were stoned, sawed in two, murdered in cold blood; stories of vagrants wandering the earth in animal skins, homeless, friendless, powerless—the world didn't deserve them!—making their way as best they could on the cruel edges of the world.
^39-40Not one of these people, even though their lives of faith were exemplary, got their hands on what was promised. God had a better plan for us: that their faith and our faith would come together to make one completed whole, their lives of faith not complete apart from ours" Hebrews 11:32-38

In and through all these things we must continue to trust in the wisdom and perspective of God, who sees all things, knows all things, and - even though it doesn't look like it, loves us.
I must go back to the lyrics of the song that was sung tonight:

"We pray for blessings
We pray for peace
Comfort for family, protection while we sleep
We pray for healing, for prosperity
We pray for Your mighty hand to ease our suffering
All the while, You hear each spoken need
Yet love us way too much to give us lesser things

Cause what if Your blessings come through raindrops
What if Your healing comes through tears
What if a thousand sleepless nights
Are what it takes to know You’re near
What if trials of this life are Your mercies in disguise

We pray for wisdom
Your voice to hear
And we cry in anger when we cannot feel You near
We doubt Your goodness, we doubt Your love
As if every promise from Your Word is not enough
All the while, You hear each desperate plead
And long that we'd have faith to believe

When friends betray us
When darkness seems to win
We know the pain reminds this heart
That this is not, this is not our home

Cause what if Your blessings come through raindrops
What if Your healing comes through tears
And what if a thousand sleepless nights
Are what it takes to know You’re near
What if my greatest disappointments
Or the aching of this life
Is the revealing of a greater thirst this world can’t satisfy
And what if trials of this life
The rain, the storms, the hardest nights
Are Your mercies in disguise."

-Laura Story

i ________

2011-06-04T16:55:00.000-07:00

Jim and I went out to the store this afternoon. He was wearing his iPray shirt. I was wearing my iPiano shirt (of which I have no picture... yet.). No one commented until we were checking out and then the grocery bagger asked about our shirts. Our choral director has an iDirect shirt (pictured here). We thought about wearing our shirts to church tomorrow. After all, I play the piano every Sunday. Jim preaches (and prays) at church.

We were talking about how interesting it would be if others at church had shirts according to what they do. There could be "iTeach", "iUsher", "iServe", and then there might be, "iGossip", "iComplain", etc.

Wow, what if we all had shirts that defined what we do? Scary thought.

9 Michaels tall

2011-05-31T20:26:00.000-07:00

The official measurement - the Cypress trees are "Nine Michael's" tall.
My brother took these trees down yesterday... fell them perfectly!

2011-05-30T20:02:00.000-07:00

Mt Whitney High School choirs!

This is just before Spring Show. Look at these great shirts! Our theme was "iPod Shuffle". The shirts all say "iSing" on the front and "MW Choir" on the back. Mr. Howard's shirt said "iDirect"; our choreographer's shirt says "iDance", and mine... "iPiano". :)

With Hope

2011-05-18T18:09:00.000-07:00

He's been on my mind a lot the past few days.
My nephew, Andrew, would be graduating High School this week.

Thank God we do not grieve as those who have no hope. We will see him again.

This is not at all how
We thought it was supposed to be
We had so many plans for you
We had so many dreams
And now you've gone away
And left us with the memories of your smile
And nothing we can say
And nothing we can do
Can take away the pain
The pain of losing you, but ...

We can cry with hope
We can say goodbye with hope
'Cause we know our goodbye is not the end, oh no
And we can grieve with hope
'Cause we believe with hope
(There's a place by God's grace)
There's a place where we'll see your face again
We'll see your face again

And never have I known
Anything so hard to understand
And never have I questioned more
The wisdom of God's plan
But through the cloud of tears
I see the Father's smile and say well done
And I imagine you
Where you wanted most to be
Seeing all your dreams come true
'Cause now you're home
And now you're free, and ...

We have this hope as an anchor
'Cause we believe that everything
God promised us is true, so ...

We wait with hope
And we ache with hope
We hold on with hope
We let go with hope
~Steven Curtis Chapman~

Golden Arrow

2011-05-10T12:28:00.000-07:00

"Patience is more than endurance. A saint's life is in the hands of God like a bow and arrow in the hands of an archer. God is aiming at something the saint cannot see, and He stretches and strains, and every now and again the saint says - "I cannot stand any more." God does not heed, He goes on stretching till His purpose is in sight, then He lets fly. Trust yourself in God's hands. For what have you need of patience just now? Maintain your relationship to Jesus Christ by the patience of faith. "Though He slay me, yet will I wait for Him."" - Oswald Chambers

This was my devotional reading for Sunday, May 8th. I can sure identify with the saint that says "I cannot stand anymore". The challenge is to trust myself, my family and other loved ones in God's Hands. He knows what He is about. I think it's all more than I can take but He sees the big picture and He knows me. "But he knows the way that I take; when he has tried me, I shall come out as gold." Job 23:10

So, I figure... according to "Ozzie" (our affectionate term for Oswald Chambers) and according to Job...
I am like an arrow and one who will come out as gold. A golden arrow? I don't know about that. I just want to be whatever He wants me to be.

Should We Be Glad?

2011-05-02T09:28:00.000-07:00

"Do not rejoice when your enemy falls, and let not your heart be glad when he stumbles." - Proverbs 24:17

Another blog friend posted about this.
I agree with her. One one hand, yes, the face we have attached to "evil" for the past decade is now gone, and we should be relieved. But how many more are there just like him? And should we rejoice in death?

"As surely as I live, declares the Sovereign LORD, I take no pleasure in the death of the wicked, but rather that they turn from their ways and live. Turn! Turn from your evil ways! Why will you die, people of Israel?"

Ezekiel 33:11

I'm just sad. This world is full of sadness, evil and death. I would much rather have watched the Royal wedding again or "Extreme Makeover Home Edition" last night. I want to rejoice in good things.

New Hope

2011-04-17T21:35:00.001-07:00

I never used to enjoy Spring very much but the past year or so I look forward to our new trees budding and leafing out again. I love seeing our roses bloom for the first time. The colors seem so much more brilliant now than later in the summer. We also have our new tree (Andrew's tree) that is showing signs of new growth already.
Seeing the new leaves, the new colors, and the new growth give me a sense of hope that we will get out of the holding pattern we've been in for the past 1 1/2 years.
We are so ready for something new. It might be something around the corner, half-way across the country or half-way around the world. We just don't know, but we're ready!

What if...

2011-04-12T10:02:00.000-07:00

We heard this song (by Laura Story) on the radio the other day and then again last night. It raised some interesting questions as we have talked since then. I have more questions than I do answers at this point, regarding suffering. These words help give me some direction in my questioning. Maybe I am just too dense and slow in my thinking to see ultimate good and love in the midst of horrible-ness. I want to learn and I want to understand. I'm hoping that God will be patient with me as I struggle with this.

"We pray for blessings
We pray for peace
Comfort for family, protection while we sleep
We pray for healing, for prosperity
We pray for Your mighty hand to ease our suffering
All the while, You hear each spoken need
Yet love is way too much to give us lesser things

'Cause what if your blessings come through raindrops
What if Your healing comes through tears
What if a thousand sleepless nights are what it takes to know You're near
What if trials of this life are Your mercies in disguise

We pray for wisdom
Your voice to hear
We cry in anger when we cannot feel You near
We doubt your goodness, we doubt your love
As if every promise from Your Word is not enough
All the while, You hear each desperate plea
And long that we'd have faith to believe

When friends betray us
When darkness seems to win
We know that pain reminds this heart
That this is not our home

What if my greatest disappointments
Or the aching of this life
Is the revealing of a greater thirst this world can't satisfy
What if trials of this life
The rain, the storms, the hardest nights
Are your mercies in disguise"

Andrew's tree

2011-04-09T20:33:00.000-07:00

We planted a tree in memory of Andrew today. We plan to plant at least one more. This is an Aptos Blue Sequoia (Coastal Redwood). It's supposed to grow 3 feet every year. I took our little deer statue from the backyard to put by our new tree.

2011-04-07T17:59:00.000-07:00

It's difficult to describe the past week, but if I had to use just words....
Fog, confusion, grief, questions, anger, love, support, family, tears, hope, sadness, fatigue and so many other words.
Let me just say that the memorial service for my nephew was... SO good. It was heart-rending but it was good. The pastor spoke from God's Word and gave us a sense of hope all the while comforting us and helping us to laugh even just a little bit. We watched a slide show of Andrew which truly showed his LIFE and had some great Newsboys music in the background. It made us smile. Then my brother got up and talked about his son and about God's love for each and every one of us. He read from Romans 8 while his wife (my wonderful sister-in-law) stood by his side.

"Who shall separate us from the love of Christ?

Shall trouble

or hardship

or persecution

or famine

or nakedness

or danger

or sword?

I am convinced that

neither death nor life,

neither angels nor demons,

neither the present nor the future,

nor any powers,

neither height nor depth,

nor anything else in all creation,

will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord."

He was so full of grace and kindness and concern for all the people there. I've never been more proud of him and humbled at his Christ-likeness. He stood outside the chapel and comforted the many, many (many) people who came to comfort and support him and his family.
I am still full of questions and confusion and, like the rest of the family, will have some things to work through, but I am amazed, thankful and humbled at God's grace in the midst of this very difficult time.

A Time for Everything

2011-04-02T11:04:00.000-07:00

"For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven:

a time to be born, and a time to die;

a time to plant, and a time to pluck up what is planted;

a time to kill, and a time to heal;

a time to break down, and a time to build up;

a time toweep, and a time to laugh;

a time to mourn, and a time to dance;

a time to cast away stones, and a time togather stones together;

a time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing;

a time to seek, and a time to lose;

a time to keep, and a time to cast away;

a time to tear, and a time to sew;

a time to keep silence, and a time to speak;

a time to love, and a time tohate;a time for war, and a time for peace."

Ecclesiastes 3:1-8

I suppose there must be a time for everything. Right now is a time for mourning, for grieving, for crying. This week I will go to the memorial service for my 18 year old nephew. How I wish it were not so. How I wish I could turn back the clock and do.... something. I have determined to not let a day pass without telling my kids I love them, without taking every opportunity, no matter how seemingly insignificant it may be, to do good to those around me. Life is fleeting.

In a few weeks, however, we will have a time to "dance", a time for joy, as we share in the wedding of another nephew, my nephew, Terry! He and his fiancee will be married Easter weekend.

Cherish those around you. Live every moment. Don't ever dismiss that feeling that you need to do something or say something. That chance may never come again. Drink in every moment with those you love.... every time you stand in the kitchen and do dishes and talk, every time you go to the grocery store, every "daily" moment you have. "Yesterday is history, tomorrow is a mystery, today is a gift, that's why we call it the present." :)

2011-03-30T11:18:00.000-07:00

Hug your kids and tell them you love them.

Because you just don't know what tomorrow holds.

What I Wish I Could Say ... at times.

2011-03-29T19:27:00.000-07:00

It's Spring Show time. We're learning new music. It's mostly "pop" music. I had never heard this song before. Now it's stuck in my head. I have to admit, there are times I wish I could say these words to people! (C'mon, you know you've wanted to say them too!)

"Keep drinking coffee, stare me down across the table,

While I look outside

So many things I say if only I were able

But I just keep quiet and count the cars that pass by.

You've got opinions, man,

And we're entitled to 'em

But I never asked.

So let me thank you for your time

And try not to waste any more of mine.

Get out of here fast.

I hate to break it to you babe

But I'm not drowning

There's no one here to save.

Who cares if you disagree? You are not me.

Who made you king of anything?

So, you dare to tell me who to be?

Who died and made you king of anything?

You sound so innocent

All full of good intent

Swear you know best.

But you expect me to

Jump up on board with you

Ride off into your delusional sunset

I'm not the one who's lost

With no direction, oh

But you'll never see.

You're so busy making masks

With my name on it in all caps

You've got the talking down

Just not the listening.

All my life I've tried

to make every body happy while I just hurt and hide

Waiting for someone to tell me it's my turn

to decide.

Who cares if you disagree? You are not me.

Who made you king of anything?

So, you dare to tell me who to be?

Who died and made you king of anything?"

-Sarah Bareilles-

The Phoenix Rises

2011-03-19T22:56:00.000-07:00

Back in August of 2009 I blogged about beauty from ashes and the rise of the Phoenix. It was written by faith. In the middle of the ashes and darkness we were going through it was hard to believe that anything good could ever happen again. The combination of death (dreams, ministry and my father) and the betrayal we experienced were almost too much to bear.
Recent lessons and thoughts, including last night's movie (about which I wrote yesterday) combined with tonight's experience at the Tulare County Symphony (hearing Rachmaninoff's "Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini" and then "Firebird Suite") cement in my heart what has been going on in my mind.
It sounds cliche (someone please teach me how to do accents on the computer) but here goes, "We don't know what the future holds, but we know WHO holds the future". The Phoenix will rise. Spring begins. New life replaces death. We're moving on.

2011-03-18T21:41:00.000-07:00

We just watched "Charlie St. Cloud". I wasn't sure if I'd like it. I didn't know anything about it. Turns out it's about letting go of the past and moving on. At the end of the movie Charlie says "It hurts as much as the day you died". Sam responds, "It hurts because you're alive". We hurt because we are alive. We love because we are alive.
There's something comforting about living in the past, like somehow we can fix it. We can't. I know that the only way out is to let go and move ahead. Oswald Chamber says; "let the past sleep, but let it sleep on the bosom of Christ... and step out into the irresistable future with Him." On a more secular, but true note, Ann Landers says; "Hanging onto resentment is letting someone you despise live rent-free in your head."

So...

Move ahead or go back?
It's time to start looking ahead.

Veggietales St Patrick

2011-03-17T21:31:00.000-07:00

So Needy

2011-03-14T20:16:00.000-07:00

I have been thinking a lot about grace and mercy, judgment and punishment. A few weeks ago at school a situation came up that really had me wondering and reflecting on all of this and how I handle certain situations and personalities. A student really messed up and was suspended. He was allowed to go on our recent choir trip, being given that second chance... grace. Choir seems to be the only reason he even comes to school. It seemed the right thing to do. Now I'm not so sure. There is always the risk of the "grace receiver" taking advantage of the gift and thereby cheapening it.

So is grace and mercy given freely to all no matter what? Or does grace only come to those who humble themselves, who recognize their need? Do those who are proud and unrepentant still receive grace?
I, for one, am so conscious of my need of grace and mercy lately. Every where I look I see my sinfulness, my lack of grace, my lack of love and kindness, my lack of wisdom (which I so desperately need). I understand my total lack and realize my only answer is God's mercy and grace. For this I am so grateful.

Keys of the Heart

The Three "C's"

Desh - Miami University of Ohio - Collegiate Chorale

The Process

This Year's Word

Happy New Year!

Decembruary Ramblings

There is a Time for Everything

Global "Sleeping"

Of Times and Seasons

Hark the herald angels sing"Glory to the newborn King!Peace on earth and mercy mildGod and sinners reconciled"Joyful, all ye nations riseJoin the triumph of the skiesWith the angelic host proclaim:"Christ is born in Bethlehem"Hark! The herald angels sing"Glory to the newborn King!"

Love Even When Stepped On

On this cold night, I'm thankful for...

Thanksgiving!

Thankful....

Heaven

Thankful for

Day Seventeen

#15

Day # 14 Thankful for...

Today I am thankful for

Today I am thankful for....

Days 4 and 5

Thankful - day 2

I'm Inspired by Others to...

Super Heroes

"Be courteous to all, but intimate with few, and let those few be well tried before you give them your confidence." -George Washington

Good advice! I may print this and put it on my desk (and my dashboard, and my kitchen sink...).

The Closet

Sunday Afternoon Treat

King David - blogger

Save Me, O God

Piano Lessons

Collaborative Pianist

No More Let Sins and Sorrows Grow...

Summer reading

"...you keep doin' that it'll never heal..."

I Wear the Cone of Shame

Time with my kids.... priceless!

One Reason for Sorrow

Thankful for (almost) nothing.

We qualify

What dream did God give you?

Piper, Carson, and Keller on Sustaining the Covenant of Marital Love

Those Were the Days

"The Others"

i ________

9 Michaels tall

With Hope

Golden Arrow

Should We Be Glad?

New Hope

What if...

Andrew's tree

A Time for Everything

"For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven:

a time to be born, and a time to die;

a time to plant, and a time to pluck up what is planted;

a time to kill, and a time to heal;

a time to break down, and a time to build up;

a time to weep, and a time to laugh;

a time to mourn, and a time to dance;

a time to cast away stones, and a time to gather stones together;

a time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing;

a time to seek, and a time to lose;

a time to keep, and a time to cast away;

a time to tear, and a time to sew;

a time to keep silence, and a time to speak;

a time to love, and a time to hate;a time for war, and a time for peace."

Ecclesiastes 3:1-8

In a few weeks, however, we will have a time to "dance", a time for joy, as we share in the wedding of another nephew, my nephew, Terry! He and his fiancee will be married Easter weekend.

What I Wish I Could Say ... at times.

The Phoenix Rises

Veggietales St Patrick

So Needy

Hark the herald angels sing
"Glory to the newborn King!
Peace on earth and mercy mild
God and sinners reconciled"
Joyful, all ye nations rise
Join the triumph of the skies
With the angelic host proclaim:
"Christ is born in Bethlehem"
Hark! The herald angels sing
"Glory to the newborn King!"

"Be courteous to all, but intimate with few, and let those few be well tried before you give them your confidence."
-George Washington

a time toweep, and a time to laugh;

a time to cast away stones, and a time togather stones together;

a time to love, and a time tohate;a time for war, and a time for peace."