Iwanna Wednesday - Updating my Wardrobe

Today was 101degrees!

That has nothing to do with what Iwanna this Wednesday...I just thought I would mention it...101 degrees!

This past weekend I finally bought something new! I don't think I'd been shopping since April when Sciatica hit me, so I was way past due. I noticed on Casual Friday that my jeans were just a bit too casual. So I headed to Kohl's to shop for jeans and bought another pair of the ones I usually buy.

Then while wandering slowly to the dressing room to try on the jeans, I found this axcess top. . .

Isn't it pretty? Yeah...I agree, it is. So I bought it and I feel great in it. You know how sometimes you put an item of clothing on and you just feel like a million bucks? Well that's how this top makes me feel....love it!

And so now I have the shopping bug and Iwanna more clothes! Iwanna this "Simply Vera" Vera Wang top. I love the emerald green color. I love the ruffle down the front. I'm not too fond of the black ribbon belt but I think the blouse would drape really well without it!

Iwanna this purple Elle Rosette top. I just love the embellishment at the neck line of little rosettes, plus Iwanna purple top for Fall.

Here's another purple top Iwanna. It's an Apt.9 brand and I love the pin-tucking on it and the length of the sleeves.

Here's yet another Elle top Iwanna. I love flowey tops...they're just so romantic. They remind me of my high school years.

And it's been quite a few years since I've owned a "little black dress"...or at least one that still fits :-P, so I swooned when I saw this LC Lauren Conrad little black dress! Isn't it beautiful? Iwanna this dress even though I have nowhere to wear it to. I love the see-thru neckline and the ruffly bottom!

And since I'm not going anywhere in this dress I bet these shoes wouldn't even hurt my feet or aggravate my Sciatica...oh no...did I just say that? Did I just say that these shoes wouldn't aggravate my Sciatica like I'm 152 or something? Ackkkkkkkk!!!!

So that's it for Iwanna Wednesday. Have you been shopping lately? Do you think those shoes go with the dress or should Iwanna something a bit more strappy and and feminine looking? What do you Iwanna for Fall?

Happy Iwanna Wednesday and may all your Iwanna wishes come true!

Christ For The World We Sing (Tune: ITALIAN HYMN)

Christ for the world we sing,
the world to Christ we bring,
with loving zeal;
the poor, and them that mourn,
the faint and overborne,
sinsick and sorrow-worn,
whom Christ doth heal.

Christ for the world we sing,
the world to Christ we bring,
with fervent prayer;
the wayward and the lost,
by restless passions tossed,
redeemed at countless cost,
from dark despair.

Christ for the world we sing,
the world to Christ we bring,
with one accord;
with us the work to share,
with us reproach to dare,
with us the cross to bear,
for Christ our Lord.

Christ for the world we sing,
the world to Christ we bring,
with joyful song;
the newborn souls, whose days,
reclaimed from error's ways,
inspired with hope and praise,
to Christ belong.

Text: Samuel Wolcott (1869)
Tune: ITALIAN HYMN, 664.6664, by Felice de Giardini (1769)

Puppy-Sitting

I spent this weekend puppy-sitting the precious Chorizo. My daughter April enjoyed the weekend with some friends celebrating the birthday of one of them. Now that April lives so close I get Chorizo! It's a win/win!

We did a lot of playing and napping...so fun! I let her eat things I shouldn't have and I've been thoroughly scolded for that :-(     Sorry April.

I wasn't able to blog at all this weekend! Chorizo has an aversion to the computer. The second I sit down she comes up to my chair and barks and barks until I get up and go play with her.

Every once in a while she will let me place her on the desk and she'll lie there looking at me and napping a bit, but once she's done, she's done...and ready to play.

So for all of you that are used to visits from me on your blogs and the terribly interesting and insightful comments I leave; I was just enjoying my puppy!

Jesus, Lord, We Look To Thee

Jesus, Lord, we look to thee;
let us in thy name agree;
show thyself the Prince of Peace,
bid our strife forever cease.

By thy reconciling love
every stumbling block remove;
each to each unite, endear;
come, and spread thy banner here.

Make us of one heart and mind,
gentle, courteous, and kind,
lowly, meek, in thought and word,
altogether like our Lord.

Let us for each other care,
each the other's burdens bear;
to thy church the pattern give,
show how true believers live.

Free from anger and from pride,
let us thus in God abide;
all the depths of love express,
all the heights of holiness.

Let us then with joy remove
to the family above;
on the wings of angels fly,
show how true believers die.

Text: Charles Wesley (1749)
Tune: SAVANNAH, Meter: 77.77, from the Foundery Collection, 1742 (first videoclip only)

Blest Be The Tie That Binds

Blest be the tie that binds
our hearts in Christian love;
the fellowship of kindred minds
is like to that above.

Before our Father's throne
we pour our ardent prayers;
our fears, our hopes, our aims are one,
our comforts and our cares.

We share each other's woes,
our mutual burdens bear;
and often for each other flows
the sympathizing tear.

When we asunder part,
it gives us inward pain;
but we shall still be joined in heart,
and hope to meet again.

Text: John Fawcett (1782)
Tune: DENNIS, Meter: SM, by Johann G. Nageli, arr. Lowell Mason (1845)

I Love Thy Kingdom, Lord

I love thy kingdom, Lord,
the house of thine abode,
the church our blest Redeemer saved
with his own precious blood.

I love thy church, O God!
Her walls before thee stand
dear as the apple of thine eye,
and graven on thy hand.

For her my tears shall fall,
for her my prayers ascend,
to her my cares and toils be given,
till toils and cares shall end.

Beyond my highest joy
I prize her heavenly ways,
her sweet communion, solemn vows,
her hymns of love and praise.

Sure as thy truth shall last,
to Zion shall be given
the brightest glories earth can yield,
and brighter bliss of heaven.

Text: Timothy Dwight (1801)
Tune: ST. THOMAS, SM, by Aaron Williams, The New Universal Psalmist, 1770

El Alma Que Anda En Amor (Taizé)

El alma que anda en amor,
ni cansa ni se cansa.

See my other blog postings in the "Taizé" series of chants.

Official Taizé Community Website

Wikipedia information on the Taizé Community
- in French
- in English

Be Still, My Soul

Be still, my soul: the Lord is on your side.
Bear patiently the cross of grief or pain;
leave to your God to order and provide;
in every change God faithful will remain.
Be still, my soul: your best, your heavenly friend
through thorny ways leads to a joyful end.

Be still, my soul: your God will undertake
to guide the future, as in ages past.
Your hope, your confidence let nothing shake;
all now mysterious shall be bright at last.
Be still, my soul: the waves and winds still know
the Christ who ruled them while he dwelt below.

Be still, my soul: the hour is hastening on
when we shall be forever with the Lord,
when disappointment, grief, and fear are gone,
sorrow for forgot, love's purest joys restored.
Be still, my soul: when change and tears are past,
all safe and blessed we shall meet at last.

Text: Katharina von Schlegel (1752), trans. by Jane Borthwick (1855)
Tune: FINLANDIA, 11.10.11.10.11.10, by Jean Sibelius (1899)

What A Friend We Have In Jesus

What a friend we have in Jesus,
all our sins and griefs to bear!
What a privilege to carry
everything to God in prayer!
O what peace we often forfeit,
O what needless pain we bear,
all because we do not carry
everything to God in prayer.

Have we trials and temptations?
Is there trouble anywhere?
We should never be discouraged;
take it to the Lord in prayer.
Can we find a friend so faithful
who will all our sorrows share?
Jesus knows our every weakness;
take it to the Lord in prayer.

Are we weak and heavy laden,
cumbered with a load of care?
Precious Savior, still our refuge;
take it to the Lord in prayer.
Do thy friends despise, forsake thee?
Take it to the Lord in prayer!
In his arms he'll take and shield thee;
thou wilt find a solace there.

Text: Joseph M. Scriven (1855)
Music: Charles C. Converse (1868)

I Want Jesus To Walk With Me

want Jesus to walk with me
I want Jesus to walk with me
All along my pilgrim journey
I want Jesus to walk with me

In my trial, Lord, walk with me
In my trials, Lord, walk with me
When the shades of life are falling
Lord, I want Jesus to walk with me

In my sorrow, Lord walk with me
In my sorrows, Lord walk with me
When my heart is aching
Lord, I want Jesus to walk with me

In my troubles, Lord walk with me
In my troubles, Lord walk with me
When my life becomes a burden,
Lord, I want Jesus to walk with me

Traditional African American Spiritual

Iwanna Wednesday - Always the Cool Side of the Pillow

This weekend I was looking online for some new pillows because mine have seen better days and it's almost like sleeping on a sheet of tissue paper (they really are that flat). I found a link for the "always" cool pillow! I don't know if you're like me...but I spend most of the night flipping my pillow over and over so that I can rest my weary little (sweaty) head on the cool side of the pillow.

This pillow prevents overheating. It's made from a fabric developed for NASA to help the astronauts adapt to temperature fluctuations! It absorbs excess heat when you're hot so that the pillow remains a comfortable temperature. Pretty cool right? I don't know how fluffy it stays though but you can find the link to order this pillow here.

I continued checking out some of the items on the website that I found the pillow on which was Hammacher Schlemmer. They have some really interesting and unique items you can buy. But I had a real IWANNA moment when I saw this body pillow!

I love body pillows and this one is awesome because I struggle with wanting to sleep on my side leaning my back on the pillow, but also wanting it in front of me between my legs...this one can do both! Don't you love it? Iwanna one like this definitely.

And just out of curiosity...how many of you use body pillows? Happy Iwanna Wednesday and I hope all your Iwanna wishes come true!

O Thou, In Whose Presence

O Thou in whose presence my soul takes delight,
On whom in affliction I call,
My comfort by day, and my song in the night,
My hope, my salvation, my all.

Where dost Thou at noontide resort with Thy sheep,
To feed on the pastures of love?
Say, why in the valley of death should I weep,
Or alone in the wilderness rove?

O, why should I wander an alien from Thee,
And cry in the desert for bread?
Thy foes will rejoice when my sorrows they see,
And smile at the tears I have shed.

Ye daughters of Zion declare, have ye seen
The Star that on Israel shone?
Say, if in your tents my Belovèd has been,
And where, with His flocks, He is gone.

This is my Belovèd; His form is divine;
His vestments shed odors around:
The locks of His head are as grapes on the vine,
When autumn with plenty is crowned.

The roses of Sharon, the lilies that grow
In vales, on the banks of the streams:
On His cheeks, all the beauties of excellence glow,
And His eyes are as quivers of beams.

His voice, as the sound of the dulcimer sweet,
Is heard through the shadows of death;
The cedars of Lebanon bow at His feet,
The air is perfumed with His breath.

His lips as a fountain of righteousness flow,
That waters the garden of grace,
From which their salvation the Gentiles shall know,
And bask in the smiles of His face.

Love sits on His eye-lids, and scatters delight
Through all the bright mansions on high;
Their faces the cherubim veil in His sight,
And tremble with fullness of joy.

He looks, and ten thousands of angels rejoice,
And myriads wait for His word;
He speaks, and eternity, filled with His voice,
Re-echoes the praise of her Lord.

Dear Shepherd, I hear and will follow Thy call;
I know the sweet sound of Thy voice.
Restore and defend me, for Thou art my All,
And in Thee I will ever rejoice.

Paraphrase of Psalm 23

Words: Joseph Swain (1791)
Tune: DAVIS 11.8.11.8, Wyeth's Repository of Sacred Music, Part Second (1813)

O Thou Who Camest From Above

O thou who camest from above
the fire celestial to impart,
kindle a flame of sacred love
on the mean altar of my heart.

There let it for thy glory burn
with inextinguishable blaze,
and trembling to its source return
in humble prayer and fervent praise.

Jesus, confirm my heart's desire
to work and speak and think for thee;
still let me guard the holy fire
and still stir up the gift in me.

Still let me prove thy perfect will,
my acts of faith and love repeat,
till death thy endless mercies seal,
and make the sacrifice complete.

Words: Charles Wesley (1762)
Tune: HEREFORD, LM, by Samuel Sebastian Wesley (1872)

Fine, Fresh, Fierce?

I've got a song stuck in my head and I can't get rid of it. It's Katy Perry and her song California Girls!
I’ve had that song in my head for two days and I can’t quit singing it.

California girls

We're unforgettable

Daisy Dukes

Bikinis on top

Sun-kissed skin

So hot

Will melt your popsicle

Oooooh Oh Oooooh

California girls

We're undeniable

Fine, fresh, fierce

We got it on lock

West Coast represent

Now put your hands up

Oooooh Oh Oooooh

And every time I hear it in my head I think to myself…Nuh Uh! I’m a California girl and I don’t wear daisy dukes and bikini tops! My pale, white office florescent-light drenched skin is far from making anyone’s Popsicle melt!

Fine, fresh, fierce? Oh honey…not even on a good hair day. I would represent but if I put my hands up you’d see my saggy underarm chicken-skin…not representing very well I’m afraid!

Sometimes I forget I'm not a girl anymore! Anyone else ever experience that? You look in the mirror and expect to see that fresh, young face from your youth and you wonder who that 52 year old woman staring back at you is?

Then I remember that I’m not a true California girl. I’m an Arizona girl transplanted to California!!! Oh, well yeah, that explains everything.

Sweet Hour Of Prasyer

Sweet hour of prayer! sweet hour of prayer!
that calls me from a world of care,
and bids me at my Father's throne
make all my wants and wishes known.
In seasons of distress and grief,
my soul has often found relief,
and oft escaped the tempter's snare
by thy return, sweet hour of prayer!

Sweet hour of prayer! sweet hour of prayer!
thy wings shall my petition bear
to him whose truth and faithfulness
engage the waiting soul to bless.
And since he bids me seek his face,
believe his word, and trust his grace,
I'll cast on him my every care,
and wait for thee, sweet hour of prayer!

Sweet hour of prayer! sweet hour of prayer!
May I thy consolation share
Till from Mount Pisgah's lofty height
I view my home and take my flight.
In my immortal flesh I'll rise
To size the everlasting prize.
And shout while passing through the air,
"Farewell, farewell, sweet hour of prayer!"

Words: William Walford (1845)
Music: William B. Bradbury (1861)

Mosaic Monday - Photo Shoot

I've been dying to put together a mosaic of a photo shoot my daughter April scheduled for her Shih-Poo puppy Chorizo. This was in May of this year but I've just now gotten all the photos downloaded and the mosaics put together.

Chorizo is hard to photograph as she tends to always look away from the camera at the precise time you hit the button to take the picture. Not sure how this photographer did it, but he took some really beautiful pictures.

I was amazed at how well behaved she is, the secret is that while the photographer was taking the pictures, my daughter was holding up treats. That's what Chorizo is staring at so intently!

But hours and hours of posing and smiling for the camera can bring out the bad side of even someone as adorable as dear little Chorizo, as witnessed by these photos taken by the paparazzi!

"Whoever said you can't buy happiness forgot little puppies."

Gene Hill 

Linking up to Mosaic Monday hosted by Mary of Little Red House, please click here to see what other mosaics people have done. Have a great week!

'Tis So Sweet To Trust In Jesus

'Tis so sweet to trust in Jesus,
and to take him at his word;
just to rest upon his promise,
and to know, "Thus saith the Lord."

Refrain:

Jesus, Jesus, how I trust him!
How I've proved him o'er and o'er!
Jesus, Jesus, precious Jesus!
O for grace to trust him more!

O how sweet to trust in Jesus,
just to trust his cleansing blood;
and in simple faith to plunge me
neath the healing, cleansing flood! (Refrain)

Yes, 'tis sweet to trust in Jesus,
just from sin and self to cease;
just from Jesus simply taking
life and rest, and joy and peace. (Refrain)

I'm so glad I learned to trust thee,
precious Jesus, Savior, friend;
and I know that thou art with me,
wilt be with me to the end. (Refrain)

Text: Louisa M. R. Stead (1882)
Music: William J. Kirkpatrick (1882)

More Love To Thee, O Christ

More love to thee, O Christ, more love to thee!
Hear thou the prayer I make on bended knee.
This is my earnest plea: More love, O Christ, to thee;
more love to thee, more love to thee!

Once earthly joy I craved, sought peace and rest;
now thee alone I seek, give what is best.
This all my prayer shall be: More love, O Christ, to thee;
more love to thee, more love to thee!

Let sorrow do its work, come grief and pain;
sweet are thy messengers, sweet their refrain,
when they can sing with me: More love, O Christ, to thee;
more love to thee, more love to thee!

Then shall my latest breath whisper thy praise;
this be the parting cry my heart shall raise;
this still its prayer shall be: More love, O Christ, to thee;
more love to thee, more love to thee!

Text: Elizabeth P. Prentiss (1869)
Music: William H. Doane (1870)

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Sunday Favorites - Thrift Store Shopping is like Disneyland

I mentioned in my previous post how busy my life has been this past week and also how my thrifting buddy, my mom Tomasa is sick so we wouldn't be going thrifting this week. And sure enough we didn't and she's in bed resting right now as we speak. So I did the next best thing. I found an old post about thrifting and once you read it you will understand how hard it was for me (and I'm sure for my mom) to stay home today and not hit our favorite thrift stores.

I hope you enjoy it and that you head over to visit the host for Sunday Favorites, Chari with Happy to Design.

One of my favorite posts from

March 5, 2009

My sister hates shopping.
HATES it!
Once in a while though, when she feels I need or deserve a special treat (like I'm her little pet dog) she will allow me the privilege of going thrift store shopping with her.
Did I mention she hates shopping? Well she especially hates thrift store shopping. She doesn't mind so much going into a store like JC Penneys or Walmart and going right to a certain department and getting the exact items she has on her list...but she doesn't have that "Thrill of the Hunt" that is inbred in me from the Tarango side of the family!

My Tia Leonor was the Queen of Thriftshopping the Queen of Yardsaling and the Queen of Antique Stores. You could not drive past a yard sale with Tia Nor and not know that you HAD to stop. And she could find treasures like no one else could. Her home was filled with her treasures and we all know about her "cuartito" that was filled with...um, well I don't know what it was filled with cause no one ever let us kids in there, but I'm sure it was filled with treasures.

Later as we all grew up Tia Nor filled the buses that Tio Tino and Tio Jesus had parked on her property with more treasures. And she knew what was in each of those buses and in the cuartito and if people needed something she knew just where to go and get it. She also had a pretty lucrative business selling clothing she picked up at yard sales for a song and selling it for a profit to migrant farm workers. She was my hero! heroine?...well you get the point.

I especially remember a plate that she had hanging in the kichen. The plate had John F. Kennedy on it. I loved that plate and always wished she would give it to me. I guess I should have asked, but I never did and I never knew what became of that plate. I hunt for it online, but although I've found others similar, it's not the plate I remember.

So thrifting is in my blood and I remember a few weeks ago for some reason on the way home Lisa suggested that we stop at one of my very favorite thrift stores, Goodwill on Rosedale Highway. I was thrilled and the closer we got the more excited I got. And when we were in the middle lane waiting for a pause in the traffic so I could turn left into the parking lot Lisa was laughing at me about how excited I was. And I told her that to me, going thrift store shopping is like a little kid going to Disneyland, you just get all excited and you can't wait and dad can't drive that car fast enough into the parking lot for you. Remember that feeling from being a kid whether it was going to Disneyland or to a County Fair or Circus? That's the feeling I get about thrift shopping, and I thought I was the only one until today when I read the blog Manic Thrift Store Shopper.

This guy Brian, is my spiritual Tarango twin and he speaks in a language that only true thrift store connoisseurs understand, just listen to him write about how he feels...

"When I drive past a thrift store, I often imagine that I feel a little pull to go inside. I think that something, some object, is calling out to me to be found and rescued from the shelves piled high with junk. I believe that if I look long enough and hard enough, that amazing object will be revealed and I will be rewarded for following my instinct, for turning from the street into the parking lot and getting out of my car."

Please go check out his site, he has so many "pretties" for you to see and he's one heck of a writer as well.

My Faith Looks Up To Thee

My faith looks up to Thee,
Thou Lamb of Calvary, Savior divine!
Now hear me while I pray, take all my guilt away,
O let me from this day be wholly Thine!

May Thy rich grace impart
Strength to my fainting heart, my zeal inspire!
As Thou hast died for me, O may my love to Thee,
Pure warm, and changeless be, a living fire!

While life’s dark maze I tread,
And griefs around me spread, be Thou my Guide;
Bid darkness turn to day, wipe sorrow’s tears away,
Nor let me ever stray from Thee aside.

When ends life’s transient dream,
When death’s cold sullen stream over me roll;
Blest Savior, then in love, fear and distrust remove;
O bear me safe above, a ransomed soul!

Text: Ray Palmer (1875)
Tune: OLIVET 664.6664, by Lowell Mason (1831)

Forth In Thy Name, O Lord

Forth in thy name, O Lord, I go,
my daily labour to pursue;
thee, only thee, resolved to know
in all I think or speak or do.

The task thy wisdom hath assigned,
O let me cheerfully fulfil;
in all my works thy presence find,
and prove thy good and perfect will.

Thee may I set at my right hand,
whose eyes mine in-most substance see,
and labour on at thy command,
and offer all my works to thee.

For thee delightfully employ
what e'er thy bounteous grace hath given;
and run my course with even joy,
and closely walk with thee to heaven.

Text: Charles Wesley, 1749
Tune: DUKE STREET, LM

To Busy to Blog and I'm not Happy About It!

Blogging is my favorite hobby and I've been so busy I haven't had time for it. That makes me sad!

Sunday I had dinner with old friends that I hadn't seen in almost five years. Food was great but when did everyone get old and have nothing to talk about besides grandchildren, politics and retirement? Good thing the food was yummy. I'm eating there again tonight with my daughter and her friend Mary!

Monday night I met up with my sister and my mom to do our Walmart run since I was busy all weekend. We had dinner at Dennys first cause mom loves her some Dennys! My sisters two boys Sean and Isaac came with them, they're both so handsome and such good eaters!

Tuesday night I went to the Grocery Outlet store to see what kind of Fall Decorations and Candles they had because you can usually find them pretty cheap. I had planned to make it a quick stop and shop but my daughter met me and then she came home with me along with the precious puppy Chorizo and we had Pizza and Breadsticks at my house and played with the puppy.

Wednesday night my sister Lisa made dinner for our dad at her house and I joined them. She made tostadas and they were delicious. She also put some jalapeno poppers and beef taquitos in the oven which were nice little side dishes. We visited with my dad and caught up on what's going on with him. Sean and Isaac joined us for dinner as well.

Tonight I'm going to go get my hair cut and then heading over to have dinner with April and her friend Mary, so I'm sure I won't have time for blogging again tonight, but I will have good food and a cute hairstyle and get to visit with Mary.

Tomorrow night and this weekend I'm going to be taking it easy as my thrifting buddy, my mom is super sick with a summer cold and she's probably not going to feel like getting out at all.

Dear little blogger...please be patient. Wait for me. I miss you!!!

Love,

Cuando El Pobre

Cuando el pobre nada tiene y aún reparte
Cuando un hombre pasa sed y agua nos dá
Cuando el débil a su hermano fortalece

Estribillo:

Va Dios mismo en nuestro mismo caminar
Va Dios mismo en nuestro mismo caminar

Cuando el pobre sufre y logra su consuelo
Cuando espera y no se cansa de esperar
Cuando amamos aunque el odio nos rodee (Estribillo)

Cuando crece la alegría y nos inunda
Cuando dicen nuestros labios la verdad
Cuando amamos el sentir de los sencillos (Estribillo)

Composers: J.A. Olivar & Miguel Manzano (1971)

I Am Thine, O Lord

I am Thine, O Lord, I have heard Thy voice,
And it told Thy love to me;
But I long to rise in the arms of faith
And be closer drawn to Thee.

Refrain:

Draw me nearer, nearer blessed Lord,
To the cross where Thou hast died;
Draw me nearer, nearer, nearer blessed Lord,
To Thy precious, bleeding side.

Consecrate me now to Thy service, Lord,
By the pow’r of grace divine;
Let my soul look up with a steadfast hope,
And my will be lost in Thine. (Refrain)

O, the pure delight of a single hour
That before Thy throne I spend,
When I kneel in prayer, and with Thee, my God
I commune as friend with friend! (Refrain)

There are depths of love that I cannot know
Till I cross the narrow sea;
There are heights of joy that I may not reach
Till I rest in peace with Thee. (Refrain)

Text: Fanny J. Crosby (1875)
Tune: William H. Doane (1875)

We Are Climbing Jacob's Ladder

We are climbing Jacob’s ladder,
We are climbing Jacob’s ladder,
We are climbing Jacob’s ladder,
Soldiers of the cross.

Every round goes higher, higher,
Every round goes higher, higher,
Every round goes higher, higher,
Soldiers of the cross.

Sinner, do you love my Jesus?
Sinner, do you love my Jesus?
Sinner, do you love my Jesus?
Soldiers of the cross.

If you love Him, why not serve Him?
If you love Him, why not serve Him?
If you love Him, why not serve Him?
Soldiers of the cross.

Traditional African American Spiritual

Thou Hidden Love Of God

Thou hidden love of God, whose height,
whose depth unfathomed no one knows,
I see from far thy beauteous light,
and inly sigh for thy repose;
my heart is pained, nor can it be
at rest, till it finds rest in thee.

'Tis mercy all that thou hast brought
my mind to seek its peace in thee;
yet while I seek, but find thee not,
no peace my wandering soul shall see.
O when shall all my wanderings end,
and all my steps to thee-ward tend?

Is there a thing beneath the sun
that strives with thee my heart to share?
Ah, tear it thence and reign alone,
the Lord of every motion there;
then shall my heart from earth be free,
when it hath found repose in thee.

O Love, thy sovereign aid impart
to save me from low-thoughted care;
chase this self-will from all my heart,
from all its hidden mazes there;
make me thy duteous child that I
ceaseless may "Abba, Father" cry.

Each moment draw from earth away
my heart that lowly waits thy call;
speak to my inmost soul and say,
"I am thy love, thy God, thy all!"
To feel thy power, to hear thy voice,
to taste thy love, be all my choice.

Text: Gerhard Tersteegen (1729), trans. by John Wesley (1749)
Tune: VATER UNSER, 88.88.88, Geistliche Lieder

A Charge To Keep I Have

A charge to keep I have,
a God to glorify,
a never-dying soul to save,
and fit it for the sky.

To serve the present age,
my calling to fulfill;
O may it all my powers engage
to do my Master's will!

Arm me with jealous care,
as in thy sight to live,
and oh, thy servant, Lord,
prepare a strict account to give!

Help me to watch and pray,
and on thyself rely,
assured, if I my trust betray,
I shall forever die.

Text: Charles Wesley (1762)
Tune: BOYLSTON, SM, by Lowell Mason (1832)

Close To Thee

Thou my everlasting portion,
more than friend or life to me,
all along my pilgrim journey,
Savior, let me walk with thee.

Refrain:

Close to thee, close to thee,
close to thee, close to thee,
all along my pilgrim journey,
Savior, let me walk with thee.

Not for ease or worldly pleasure,
nor for fame my prayer shall be;
gladly will I toil and suffer,
only let me walk with thee. (Refrain)

Lead me through the vale of shadows,
bear me o'er life's fitful sea;
then the gate of life eternal
may I enter, Lord, with thee. (Refrain)

Text: Fanny J. Crosby (1874)
Music: Silas J. Vail (1874)

Lord, I Want To Be A Christian

Lord, I want to be a Christian in my heart, in my heart,
Lord, I want to be a Christian in my heart, in my heart.
In my heart, in my heart,
Lord, I want to be a Christian in my heart, in my heart.

Lord, I want to be more loving in my heart, in my heart,
Lord, I want to be more loving in my heart, in my heart.
In my heart, in my heart,
Lord, I want to be more loving in my heart, in my heart.

Lord, I want to be more holy in my heart, in my heart,
Lord, I want to be more holy in my heart, in my heart.
In my heart, in my heart,
Lord, I want to be more holy in my heart, in my heart.

Lord, I want to be like Jesus in my heart, in my heart,
Lord, I want to be like Jesus in my heart, in my heart.
In my heart, in my heart,
Lord, I want to be like Jesus in my heart, in my heart.

Traditional African American Spiritual

Letter to the Mayor

I live on Walnut Street. A very Mayberry’ily named street isn’t it? And while I love living on Walnut Street I have now decided that I would prefer to live on Pomegranate Lane. However we know the whole housing market has tanked so now I’m upside down on my mortgage and can’t afford to move to Pomegranate Lane, therefore I think the next best thing is for the City of Shafter to change the name of my street. So I am considering sending the City of Shafter the following letter:

Dear Mayor of the Town of Shafter: (doesn’t that sound like that line from the Munchkin in the Wizard of Oz who is making a huge proclamation? “As Mayor of the City of Munchkin”…or something like that. Please feel free to correct me if you are a Wizard of Oz trivia expert.)

     As you are aware, our city, nay our state, nay our whole country is in the midst of a recession of gargantuan terms! Due to this I find myself in a position where my home in your lovely city is now worth far less than I owe for it. That in itself is not the problem as I am comforted by the fact that I am not alone in the “mortgage debacle boat”. The problem is the name of my street.

     When I bought my home I thought the name Walnut Street was beautiful…and so it is. It’s not as quaint as the street my niece Alle lives on which is Elm Street, making her Alle of Elm Street. It’s not as California sounding as the street where my parents house is, Golden West (bringing to mind the Golden Coast and Katy Perry’s lovely song, California Girls, not to be mistaken for the Beach Boys song, California Girls…but I digress).

     Lovely as Walnut Street is, I would like to live on Pomegranate Lane. It just has a lovelier ring to it and I do so love Pomegranates and we grow a lot of pomegranates in Kern County and we grow no walnuts that I know of so it just makes sense to promote those commodities that are available in Kern County by renaming my street to Pomegranate Lane. (Please see the first paragraph of my letter as to why I can't just move to a street named Pomegranate Lane.)

     Please bring this matter before the City Council at your following meeting in October. I would be happy to attend and to bring the council members a bushel basket bunch of pomegranates since October is the beginning of Pomegranate season.

     I highly urge this matter to be considered and a decision made in October so that I can order my Christmas cards with the return address on Pomegranate Lane, in time to be mailed for Christmas.

Respectfully yours,
Alicia of Pomegranate Lane

So there we go! Don’t you all agree that the title, Alicia of Pomegranate Lane, has a lovely ring to it. Maybe it could even be the title of my book which is what my blog will be turned into once I expire and my children realize I’ve left all my worldly possessions to a book publisher in return for having my book deal go through.) I’ll let you all know what the council decides!

The Most Beautiful Puppy Ever!

Today was a beautiful day here in Bakersfield. It was cool and the sun was shining but it was also cloudy...a perfect day for taking the perfect picture.

Voila!!

It's been a while since I've posted pictures of my daughters Shih Poo, Chorizo. Isn't she precious? My sweet little puppy-wuppy!

Thanks for sending the picture April....See you tomorrow!

I Need Thee Every Hour

I need thee every hour, most gracious Lord;
no tender voice like thine can peace afford.

Refrain:

I need thee, O I need thee;
every hour I need thee;
O bless me now, my Savior, I come to thee.

I need thee every hour; stay thou nearby;
temptations lose their power when thou art nigh. (Refrain)

I need thee every hour, in joy or pain;
come quickly and abide, or life is vain. (Refrain)

I need thee every hour; teach me thy will;
and thy rich promises in me fulfill. (Refrain)

I need thee every hour, most Holy One;
O make me thine indeed, thou blessed Son. (Refrain)

Text: Annie S. Hawks (1872)
Tune: NEED, 64.64+Refrain, by Robert Lowry (1873)

Iwanna Wednesday - Candles to Light Your Way

Almost...just barely...I feel Autumn coming. It's just a little bit cooler in the mornings and there's a touch of dew on the grass. Yes, maybe it's still 95 degrees by lunchtime, but Iwanna pretend that Autumn is here, that the leaves are turning from green to beautiful shades of orange and gold, brown and red.

Iwanna use my oven again to bake Pumpkin Bread, Meatloaf Pie, Scalloped Potatoes and Ham and Baked Chicken with Baby Red Potatoes lovingly coated with sweet, nutty Olive Oil and a touch of Salt and Pepper! Iwanna wear sweaters and jackets and boots to work. Iwanna cuddle up on the couch with my warm, furry blanket and watch movies. Iwanna get back into the new season of my favorite shows, Greys Anatomy, House and the Big Bang Theory. Most of all Iwanna light candles. Beautiful, richly scented candles from Yankee Candles...my favorite kind.

I can't believe that the Yankee Candle Company has been around since 1969 when a young man named Mike Kittredge wanted to give his mother a Christmas gift. He melted some crayons and made a candle for her. A neighbor saw the candle and persuaded Mike to sell it to her. He then took the money, bought some wax and made two candles; one for his mother and one to sell. The rest is history!

I only found out about Yankee Candles around 2003 when a friend gave me one for absolutely no reason! I was thrilled (aren't we always when we get a gift for no reason). When she gave it to me she said it was a Damn Yankee Candle, the scent was Home Sweet Home. I fell in love with the scent and it still is my absolute favorite scent. I didn't know that the Damn wasn't part of the name until I used up the candle and went to go find another one and realized it's just Yankee Candles! True Story...silly as it is.

So what Iwanna this Iwanna Wednesday is to share with you the joy that is Yankee Candles!

"Light the candles and pour the red wine into your glass. Before you begin to eat, raise your glass in honor of yourself. The company is the best you'll ever have." Daniel Halpern

Home Sweet Home...my favorite. This candles smell like love and warmth and family. Slightly cinnamony, sweet and spicy. Even though it doesn't smell like Christmas it gives you that same feeling of expectation and joy in knowing that you'll be sharing love and joy with your family.

And Yankee Candles doesn't just offer this candle in a large jar like the one pictured, nooooo. You can also purchase smaller jars, tumblers, tea lights, votives and even car air fresheners!

Oh and tarts, which are cool little flat pancake-like scented pieces of wax that you place in a container that you can light an unscented tealight under, like these.

See, you place the scented tart in the little glass dish on the top and then light a tea light underneath. As the tea light melts the tart it releases a heavenly scent! And it's reusable too!

So thats what Iwanna for this Wednesday. Iwanna Autumn to get here a lot quicker and I wanna enjoy some Damn Yankee Candles.

What do you wanna? Have you heard of Yankee Candles? Which are your favorite?

O Jesus, I Have Promised

O Jesus, I have promised
to serve thee to the end;
be thou forever near me,
my Master and my friend.
I shall not fear the battle
if thou art by my side,
nor wander from the pathway
if thou wilt be my guide.

O let me feel thee near me!
The world is ever near;
I see the sights that dazzle,
the tempting sounds I hear;
my foes are ever near me,
around me and within;
but Jesus, draw thou nearer,
and shield my soul from sin.

O let me hear thee speaking
in accents clear and still,
above the storms of passion,
the murmurs of self-will.
O speak to reassure me,
to hasten or control;
O speak, and make me listen,
thou guardian of my soul.

O Jesus, thou hast promised
to all who follow thee
that where thou art in glory
there shall thy servant be.
And Jesus, I have promised
to serve thee to the end;
O give me grace to follow,
my Master and my Friend.

Text: John E. Bode (1866)
Tune: ANGEL'S STORY, 76.76 D, by Arthur H. Mann (1881)