Merry Christmas from Albuquerque/Phoenix!
While I don't have a behind the song/writer this weekend I thought I'd share this video... Enjoy- I think it is worth watching the whole way through!
Monday, December 26, 2011
Tuesday, December 20, 2011
Holiday Break!
The semester is finished and I survived :) I was so VERY thankful and ready for a break!!
Today I spent all day (minus a few hours at work) in the kitchen baking and listening to Christmas music- it was lovely. I love to bake for others and enjoy spending hours in a kitchen experimenting when there is time... which is rare. While I work with food WAY too much for my jobs, free time baking is much more fun and much less common :) I am happy to report that after making 8 different items they all turned out well (and no- there are no thin, crunchy cookies my friends :))!
Here is a taste of the some of the results:
*not pictured: gluten free chow mein clusters, flourless peanut butter/chocolate/butterscotch cookies, and pretzels with caramel/chocolate!
Now for the rest of break: relaxing with a book, the final shopping, shipping, wrapping, Christmas time with my parents and sisters, and a trip to Phoenix... and time to relax again after I get home in preparation for my final semester of classes :D
Have a WONDERFUL holiday season. Tis the season to celebrate the Saviour :)
Today I spent all day (minus a few hours at work) in the kitchen baking and listening to Christmas music- it was lovely. I love to bake for others and enjoy spending hours in a kitchen experimenting when there is time... which is rare. While I work with food WAY too much for my jobs, free time baking is much more fun and much less common :) I am happy to report that after making 8 different items they all turned out well (and no- there are no thin, crunchy cookies my friends :))!
Here is a taste of the some of the results:
This is one of the platters that is going to be delivered :)
(Lft to Rt- White Chocolate Blueberry Cheesecake Cookies, White Chocolate Raspberry Cheesecake Cookies, Holly treats, Mocha Crinkles, Chow Mein Clusters, and a few pretzels sprinkled around)
Now for the rest of break: relaxing with a book, the final shopping, shipping, wrapping, Christmas time with my parents and sisters, and a trip to Phoenix... and time to relax again after I get home in preparation for my final semester of classes :D
Have a WONDERFUL holiday season. Tis the season to celebrate the Saviour :)
Sunday, December 18, 2011
Faint Not, Christian, though the Road
I have been enjoying the books Hymns and their Writers and More Hymns and their Writers (Jack Strahan) over significant period of time. I hope to be able to share the story of a hymn and its writer each week.
Written by James Harinton Evans (1785-1849), "Faint not, Christian, thought the road" was the last of many hymns written, however, it is the most known. Having loved music, Evans used his strong singing voice and many hours at the piano and violoncello each day, he found it relaxing to sing hymns at the close of the day."Faint not, Christian, thought the road" appeared in the 1833 hymnal. It was first entitled "Patient Endurance" based on Hebrews 12:3 "For consider Him that endured..., lest ye be wearied and faint in your minds." It was interesting to read that the metre and melody of this hymn are written to reflect a footfall of a traveller on the heavenly roadway.
Faint not, Christian, though the road
Leading to thy blest abode
Darksome be and dangerous too,
Christ, thy Guide, will bring thee through.
Faint not, Christian, though the rage
Satan doth thy soul engage;
Take thee faith's anointed shield,
Bear it to the battle-field.
Faint not, Christian, through the world
Hath its hostile flag unfurled,
Hold the Cross of Jesus fast,
Thou shalt overcome at last.
Faint not, Christian,though within
There's a heart so prone to sin;
Christ, the Lord, is over all-
He'll not suffer thee to fall.
Faint not, Christian,though thy God
Smite thee with the chastening rod,
Smite He must, with Father's care,
That He may His love declare.
Faint not, Christian! Christ is near;
Soon in glory He'll appear;
Then shall cease thy toil and strife,
Death be swallowed up of life.
Don't give up. Faint not. The journey is hard. The journey is tiring. The travel isn't easy, but HE is enough for the journey, and the traveller may go safely to the end if they keep their focus on HIM.
Written by James Harinton Evans (1785-1849), "Faint not, Christian, thought the road" was the last of many hymns written, however, it is the most known. Having loved music, Evans used his strong singing voice and many hours at the piano and violoncello each day, he found it relaxing to sing hymns at the close of the day."Faint not, Christian, thought the road" appeared in the 1833 hymnal. It was first entitled "Patient Endurance" based on Hebrews 12:3 "For consider Him that endured..., lest ye be wearied and faint in your minds." It was interesting to read that the metre and melody of this hymn are written to reflect a footfall of a traveller on the heavenly roadway.
Faint not, Christian, though the road
Leading to thy blest abode
Darksome be and dangerous too,
Christ, thy Guide, will bring thee through.
Faint not, Christian, though the rage
Satan doth thy soul engage;
Take thee faith's anointed shield,
Bear it to the battle-field.
Faint not, Christian, through the world
Hath its hostile flag unfurled,
Hold the Cross of Jesus fast,
Thou shalt overcome at last.
Faint not, Christian,though within
There's a heart so prone to sin;
Christ, the Lord, is over all-
He'll not suffer thee to fall.
Faint not, Christian,though thy God
Smite thee with the chastening rod,
Smite He must, with Father's care,
That He may His love declare.
Faint not, Christian! Christ is near;
Soon in glory He'll appear;
Then shall cease thy toil and strife,
Death be swallowed up of life.
Don't give up. Faint not. The journey is hard. The journey is tiring. The travel isn't easy, but HE is enough for the journey, and the traveller may go safely to the end if they keep their focus on HIM.
Saturday, December 10, 2011
It's the most wonderful time of the year....
Okay for some... it may not be the MOST wonderful time of the year, but the spirit that is in the year is certainly a Christmas one!
Watch the attached video for your holiday listening pleasure:
Festival of Carols (Legacy Five) :)
Watch the attached video for your holiday listening pleasure:
Festival of Carols (Legacy Five) :)
Snowy December
As we have gotten two days of snow, I am reminded of a couple of things- (1) that I didn't miss the snow, being cold, scraping the windows, and driving through the snow. However, I was reminded of the beauty of the snow. God creations are so amazing. With the tree branches covered in white- the sight is beautiful. Driving home the other night from work, looking at the snow all around and still falling I found myself singing:
Then sings my soul,
My Saviour God, to Thee,
How great Thou art!
How great Thou art!
Then sings my soul,
My Saviour God, to Thee,
How great Thou art!
How great Thou art!
Enjoy the day (whether snowy or sunny)!
Sunday, December 4, 2011
Thankful from the 14th to the 30th :)
Yes- I know it is already December but due to the craziness of this time of the year- and mostly because of the end of the semester on the horizon, I am playing catchup on this post!
Day 14: I am thankful for another year that God has given me. With the 14th being my birthday, I am thankful for the opportunities that I've been able to take advantage of this past year and for the lessons He has taught me.
Day 15: I am thankful for music. To be able to lift a joyful noise unto the Lord through song is such a beautiful thing.
Day 16: I am thankful for Savannah. While there are many challenges she has brought, her contagious smile, looks, and laughter has been something that I appreciate and love.
Day 17: I am thankful for Maria. Yes, though she might not believe it! She tests my patience and doesn't let me get away with ANYTHING. However, it has been nice to be able to have 2 jobs together, and bounce off each other when needed.
Day 18: I am thankful for Alyssa. She might be taller than I am by a long ways, but she is still my "little" sister.
Day 19: I am thankful for my parents- while many times growing up I wondered why they did the things they did/said- today I am truly grateful for their love, discipline, protection, and their Godly example. They are servants in the place God has put them. I am thankful for them- I can't
Day 20: I am thankful for coffee and tea- they are my helpmates in times of need and stress, my late night study partners. :)
Day 21: I am thankful to the Thiessen family for taking me in two summers in a row- to deal with my oddness, to feed and board me, to help me with my Spanish, to guide me, to let me be a part of their family during my stays. The list is endless, but I am thankful God has given me them :)
Day 22: I am thankful for some of the greatest friends- while the miles are spread between us all, the connection is still there. From Michigan to Iowa to Arizona to Mexico to El Salvador and beyond far and near, God has given me some good friends :) Two in particular have been there to talk, to share the things of God, to grow, to learn, and to become my closest friends (you know who you are!) :)
Day 23: I am thankful for the power of prayer. It is amazing what God can do!
Day 24: I am thankful for Thanksgiving day that comes once a year, where we can gather together as a family to enjoy time together.
Day 25: I am thankful for warm and comfy sweatpants/pjs (aka "spandex") on cold snowy days! (and rainy days too ;) )
Day 26: I am thankful for the love and patience of God. He is the God of many chances and his love for me is never failing.
Day 21: I am thankful to the Thiessen family for taking me in two summers in a row- to deal with my oddness, to feed and board me, to help me with my Spanish, to guide me, to let me be a part of their family during my stays. The list is endless, but I am thankful God has given me them :)
Day 22: I am thankful for some of the greatest friends- while the miles are spread between us all, the connection is still there. From Michigan to Iowa to Arizona to Mexico to El Salvador and beyond far and near, God has given me some good friends :) Two in particular have been there to talk, to share the things of God, to grow, to learn, and to become my closest friends (you know who you are!) :)
Day 23: I am thankful for the power of prayer. It is amazing what God can do!
Day 24: I am thankful for Thanksgiving day that comes once a year, where we can gather together as a family to enjoy time together.
Day 25: I am thankful for warm and comfy sweatpants/pjs (aka "spandex") on cold snowy days! (and rainy days too ;) )
Day 26: I am thankful for the love and patience of God. He is the God of many chances and his love for me is never failing.
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