Sunday, July 31, 2011
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.
Text: Charles Wesley (1762)
Tune: HEREFORD, LM, by Samuel Sebastian Wesley
Thursday, July 28, 2011
Te Deum in G (Ralph Vaughan Williams)
We praise thee, O God :
we acknowledge thee to be the Lord.
All the earth doth worship thee :
the Father everlasting.
To thee all Angels cry aloud :
the Heavens, and all the Powers therein.
To thee Cherubim and Seraphim :
continually do cry,
Holy, Holy, Holy :
Lord God of Sabaoth;
Heaven and earth are full of the Majesty :
of thy glory.
The glorious company of the Apostles : praise thee.
The goodly fellowship of the Prophets : praise thee.
The noble army of Martyrs : praise thee.
The holy Church throughout all the world :
doth acknowledge thee;
The Father : of an infinite Majesty;
Thine honourable, true : and only Son;
Also the Holy Ghost : the Comforter.
Thou art the King of Glory : O Christ.
Thou art the everlasting Son : of the Father.
When thou tookest upon thee to deliver man :
thou didst not abhor the Virgin's womb.
When thou hadst overcome the sharpness of death :
thou didst open the Kingdom of Heaven to all believers.
Thou sittest at the right hand of God : in the glory of the Father.
We believe that thou shalt come : to be our Judge.
We therefore pray thee, help thy servants :
whom thou hast redeemed with thy precious blood.
Make them to be numbered with thy Saints : in glory everlasting.
O Lord, save thy people :
and bless thine heritage.
Govern them : and lift them up for ever.
Day by day : we magnify thee;
And we worship thy Name : ever world without end.
Vouchsafe, O Lord : to keep us this day without sin.
O Lord, have mercy upon us : have mercy upon us.
O Lord, let thy mercy lighten upon us :
as our trust is in thee.
O Lord, in thee have I trusted :
let me never be confounded.
Musical Setting: Ralph Vaughan Williams
Te Deum (Collegium Regale) [Herbert Howells]
We praise thee, O God :
we acknowledge thee to be the Lord.
All the earth doth worship thee :
the Father everlasting.
To thee all Angels cry aloud :
the Heavens, and all the Powers therein.
To thee Cherubim and Seraphim :
continually do cry,
Holy, Holy, Holy :
Lord God of Sabaoth;
Heaven and earth are full of the Majesty :
of thy glory.
The glorious company of the Apostles : praise thee.
The goodly fellowship of the Prophets : praise thee.
The noble army of Martyrs : praise thee.
The holy Church throughout all the world :
doth acknowledge thee;
The Father : of an infinite Majesty;
Thine honourable, true : and only Son;
Also the Holy Ghost : the Comforter.
Thou art the King of Glory : O Christ.
Thou art the everlasting Son : of the Father.
When thou tookest upon thee to deliver man :
thou didst not abhor the Virgin's womb.
When thou hadst overcome the sharpness of death :
thou didst open the Kingdom of Heaven to all believers.
Thou sittest at the right hand of God : in the glory of the Father.
We believe that thou shalt come : to be our Judge.
We therefore pray thee, help thy servants :
whom thou hast redeemed with thy precious blood.
Make them to be numbered with thy Saints : in glory everlasting.
O Lord, save thy people :
and bless thine heritage.
Govern them : and lift them up for ever.
Day by day : we magnify thee;
And we worship thy Name : ever world without end.
Vouchsafe, O Lord : to keep us this day without sin.
O Lord, have mercy upon us : have mercy upon us.
O Lord, let thy mercy lighten upon us :
as our trust is in thee.
O Lord, in thee have I trusted :
let me never be confounded.
Te Deum, from "Collegium Regale," by Herbert Howells
Nunc Dimittis (Collegium Regale) [Herbert Howells]
Lord, now lettest thou thy servant depart in peace according to thy word.
For mine eyes have seen thy salvation,
Which thou hast prepared before the face of all people;
To be a light to lighten the Gentiles and to be the glory of thy people Israel.
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son and to the Holy Ghost:
As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.
Nunc Dimittis, from "Collegium Regale," by Herbert Howells
Nunc Dimittis (St. Paul's Service) [Herbert Howells]
Lord, now lettest thou thy servant depart in peace according to thy word.
For mine eyes have seen thy salvation,
Which thou hast prepared before the face of all people;
To be a light to lighten the Gentiles and to be the glory of thy people Israel.
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son and to the Holy Ghost:
As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.
Nunc Dimittis, from St. Paul's Service, by Herbert Howells
Magnificat (Gloucester Service) [Herbert Howells]
My soul doth magnify the Lord:
and my spirit hath rejoiced in God my Saviour.
For he hath regarded:
the lowliness of his handmaiden.
For behold, from henceforth:
all generations shall call me blessed.
For he that is mighty hath magnified me:
and holy is his Name.
And his mercy is on them that fear him:
throughout all generations.
He hath shewed strength with his arm:
he hath scattered the proud in the imagination of their hearts.
He hath put down the mighty from their seat:
and hath exalted the humble and meek.
He hath filled the hungry with good things:
and the rich he hath sent empty away.
He remembering his mercy hath holpen his servant Israel:
as he promised to our forefathers, Abraham and his seed for ever.
Glory be to the Father
And to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost:
As it was in the beginning,
is now and ever shall be,
world without end, Amen
Magnificat, from the Gloucester Service
Composer: Herbert Howells
Magnificat (Collegium Regale) [Herbert Howells]
My soul doth magnify the Lord:
and my spirit hath rejoiced in God my Saviour.
For he hath regarded:
the lowliness of his handmaiden.
For behold, from henceforth:
all generations shall call me blessed.
For he that is mighty hath magnified me:
and holy is his Name.
And his mercy is on them that fear him:
throughout all generations.
He hath shewed strength with his arm:
he hath scattered the proud in the imagination of their hearts.
He hath put down the mighty from their seat:
and hath exalted the humble and meek.
He hath filled the hungry with good things:
and the rich he hath sent empty away.
He remembering his mercy hath holpen his servant Israel:
as he promised to our forefathers, Abraham and his seed for ever.
Glory be to the Father
And to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost:
As it was in the beginning,
is now and ever shall be,
world without end, Amen
Music: Magnificat from "Collegium Regale"
Composer: Herbert Howells
Nunc Dimittis Tertii Toni (Tomás Luis de Victoria)
Nunc Dimittis (Canticle of Simeon)
Nunc dimittis servum tuum, Domine, secundum verbum tuum in pace:
Quia viderunt oculi mei salutare tuum
Quod parasti ante faciem omnium populorum:
Lumen ad revelationem gentium, et gloriam plebis tuae Israel.
Gloria Patri, et Filio, et Spiritui Sancto,
Sicut erat in principio, et nunc, et semper, et in saecula saeculorum. Amen.
Background historical information
Composer: Tomás Luis de Victoria (1548-1611)
Magnificat Primi Toni (Tomás Luis de Victoria)
Magnificat: anima mea Dominum.
Et exultavit spiritus meus: in Deo salutari meo.
Quia respexit humilitatem ancillae suae:
ecce enim ex hoc beatam me dicent omnes generationes.
Quia fecit mihi magna, qui potens est:
et sanctum nomen eius.
Et misericordia eius, a progenie et progenies:
timentibus eum.
Fecit potentiam in brachio suo:
dispersit superbos mente cordis sui.
Deposuit potentes de sede:
et exaltavit humiles.
Esurientes implevit bonis:
et divites dimisit inanes.
Suscepit Israel puerum suum:
recordatus misericordiae suae.
Sicut locutus est ad patres nostros:
Abraham, et semini eius in saecula
Composer: Tomás Luis de Victoria (1548-1611)
Blessed City, Heavenly Salem
Blessed city, heavenly Salem,
vision dear of peace and love,
who of living stones art builded
in the height of heaven above,
and, with angel hosts encircled,
as a bride dost earthward move;
from celestial realms descending,
bridal glory round thee shed,
meet for him whose love espoused thee,
to thy Lord shalt thou be led;
all thy streets and all thy bulwarks
of pure gold are fashioned.
Bright thy gates of pearl are shining;
they are open evermore;
and by virtue of his merits
thither faithful souls do soar,
who for Christ's dear Name in this world
pain and tribulation bore.
Many a blow and biting sculpture
polished well those stones elect,
in their places now compacted
by the heavenly Architect,
who therewith hath willed for ever
that his palace should be decked.http://www.blogger.com/img/blank.gif
Laud and honor to the Father,
laud and honor to the Son,
laud and honor to the Spirit,
ever Three, and ever One,
consubstantial, coeternal,
while unending ages run.
Text: Latin, seventh century, trans. John Mason Neale, 1851
Tune: Edward Bairstow (1874-1946)
Who Would True Valour See / He Who Would Valiant Be (To Be A Pilgrim)
TUNE I: MONK'S GATE
Version 1: Original Text by John Bunyan
Version 2: Percy Dearmer
TUNE II: ST. DUNSTAN'S
ORIGINAL TEXT BY JOHN BUNYAN:
Who would true valour see,
Let him come hither;
One here will constant be,
Come wind, come weather
There’s no discouragement
Shall make him once relent
His first avowed intent
To be a pilgrim.
Whoso beset him round
With dismal stories
Do but themselves confound;
His strength the more is.
No lion can him fright,
He’ll with a giant fight,
He will have a right
To be a pilgrim.
Hobgoblin nor foul fiend
Can daunt his spirit,
He knows he at the end
Shall life inherit.
Then fancies fly away,
He’ll fear not what men say,
He’ll labor night and day
To be a pilgrim.
Text: John Bunyan (1684)
PARAPHRASE BY PERCY DEARMER:
He who would valiant be
'gainst all disaster,
let him in constancy
follow the Master.
There's no discouragement
shall make him once relent
his first avowed intent
to be a pilgrim.
Who so beset him round
with dismal stories
do but themselves confound
his strength the more is.
No foes shall stay his might;
though he with giants fight,
he will make good his right
to be a pilgrim.
Since, Lord, thou dost defend
us with thy Spirit,
We know we at the end,
shall life inherit.
Then fancies flee away!
I'll fear not what men say,
I'll labor night and day
to be a pilgrim.
Background information
Text: Percy Dearmer
Tunes: MONK'S GATE (by Ralph Vaughan Williams) or ST. DUNSTAN'S (by Charles Winifred Douglas)
Version 1: Original Text by John Bunyan
Version 2: Percy Dearmer
TUNE II: ST. DUNSTAN'S
ORIGINAL TEXT BY JOHN BUNYAN:
Who would true valour see,
Let him come hither;
One here will constant be,
Come wind, come weather
There’s no discouragement
Shall make him once relent
His first avowed intent
To be a pilgrim.
Whoso beset him round
With dismal stories
Do but themselves confound;
His strength the more is.
No lion can him fright,
He’ll with a giant fight,
He will have a right
To be a pilgrim.
Hobgoblin nor foul fiend
Can daunt his spirit,
He knows he at the end
Shall life inherit.
Then fancies fly away,
He’ll fear not what men say,
He’ll labor night and day
To be a pilgrim.
Text: John Bunyan (1684)
PARAPHRASE BY PERCY DEARMER:
He who would valiant be
'gainst all disaster,
let him in constancy
follow the Master.
There's no discouragement
shall make him once relent
his first avowed intent
to be a pilgrim.
Who so beset him round
with dismal stories
do but themselves confound
his strength the more is.
No foes shall stay his might;
though he with giants fight,
he will make good his right
to be a pilgrim.
Since, Lord, thou dost defend
us with thy Spirit,
We know we at the end,
shall life inherit.
Then fancies flee away!
I'll fear not what men say,
I'll labor night and day
to be a pilgrim.
Background information
Text: Percy Dearmer
Tunes: MONK'S GATE (by Ralph Vaughan Williams) or ST. DUNSTAN'S (by Charles Winifred Douglas)
The Picture in My Mind
I've always been a lover of books and reading. I have no greater joy than spending time with a book and a bag of sunflower seeds. I always hoped that my kids would have a love of books, so much so that I was constantly buying them books when they were children.
My daughter April loved to read. She would read books over and over again and she would draw pictures from them and create pictures of her own using the books for inspiration.
My son Jim likes to read. You notice I didn't say loves right? I'm pretty sure he just likes reading. If it's a book he's interested in he might scan it, read some of the good parts and then he's done. He's not one to just read for the sheer joy of it.
When he was a little boy, I would buy tons of books for him also in hopes that he, like his sister would love them, read them and let them inspire him to be creative. Well, in a way they did, but not in the same way they inspired his sister.
I will always have a picture in my mind of my son and his special use for books. He used them as building blocks and roads and skyscrapers and houses. I will always have a picture in my head of sitting in my chair reading or watching TV and seeing that little guy go to his room and get his mountains of books and setting them up all over the living room floor and using them with his little Matchbox cars and his Teenage Ninja Turtles and his Power Rangers. I never saw him read them, but he did put them to good use!
He had such good imagination that he could sit there for hours playing. A child's imagination is something miraculous!
I remember sitting there and trying to imprint that image in my head because I knew that one day he would be an adult and that image was what I wanted to cherish about that little boy...and I did. I can see it clearly in my head, just as if it was occurring right this minute.
This post was inspired by "The Costume Trunk." I received a complimentary copy as a member of the online book club From Left to Write. All opinions expressed are my own. You can read other posts inspired by "The Costume Trunk" at From Left to Write on book club day Thursday July 28th.
My daughter April loved to read. She would read books over and over again and she would draw pictures from them and create pictures of her own using the books for inspiration.
My son Jim likes to read. You notice I didn't say loves right? I'm pretty sure he just likes reading. If it's a book he's interested in he might scan it, read some of the good parts and then he's done. He's not one to just read for the sheer joy of it.
When he was a little boy, I would buy tons of books for him also in hopes that he, like his sister would love them, read them and let them inspire him to be creative. Well, in a way they did, but not in the same way they inspired his sister.
I will always have a picture in my mind of my son and his special use for books. He used them as building blocks and roads and skyscrapers and houses. I will always have a picture in my head of sitting in my chair reading or watching TV and seeing that little guy go to his room and get his mountains of books and setting them up all over the living room floor and using them with his little Matchbox cars and his Teenage Ninja Turtles and his Power Rangers. I never saw him read them, but he did put them to good use!
He had such good imagination that he could sit there for hours playing. A child's imagination is something miraculous!
I remember sitting there and trying to imprint that image in my head because I knew that one day he would be an adult and that image was what I wanted to cherish about that little boy...and I did. I can see it clearly in my head, just as if it was occurring right this minute.
This post was inspired by "The Costume Trunk." I received a complimentary copy as a member of the online book club From Left to Write. All opinions expressed are my own. You can read other posts inspired by "The Costume Trunk" at From Left to Write on book club day Thursday July 28th.
Tuesday, July 26, 2011
It is Better to be Alone than in Bad Company
A long time ago, when I was struggling with my marriage because of an abusive husband, my paternal grandfather, whom we lovingly called Tata, pulled me aside and told me, "Mija, hagase valer. Mejor sola que mal acompanada." Translated it means, "My daughter, value yourself, better to be alone than in bad company." That made such a profound impact on me that I've remembered it to this day and have given that advice many times to various friends and truly believe in it.
Last week I told you all about my wonderful birthday gifts and greetings from my dear friends and family members. I also promised photos from a trip I was taking to Las Vegas. Well I have a few photos, but very few. This is not a happy post but perhaps it will help someone who is in a situation where they are not valuing themselves and they are thinking better to be in bad company than to be alone.
I mentioned a romantic weekend getaway with a new gentleman friend. Well he turned out not to be quite the gentleman I thought he was. Let me say upfront, I'm ok, I'm fine, he didn't hurt me, nothing like that...at least not physically. I am not going to get into detail about word for word the awful things he said and how he made me feel, but I will say that he has a problem. A big problem. A problem that I had seen little, tiny glimpses of that made me suspect something was not right, but nothing I could really put my finger on.
The problem? Alcohol. The first full day we were in Vegas he started drinking beer from the second he woke up until he passed out around midnight. Some people drink and are happy drunks, this man was not one of those. The drunker he got, the meaner he got. Needless to say Saturday was a horrible, miserable day for me. I spent the majority of the time alone and crying and wishing I could go home. I honestly debated with myself whether I should just pack up my stuff and call a cab to take me to the bus station. I stuck it out and we came back home Sunday, one day earlier than he had promised.
Sunday on the drive home he acted like nothing was wrong. He was his old self:, cheerful, funny, talkative. I started to wonder if I had dreamed the whole thing...the ache in my heart told me it wasn't a dream. Once we got to his house where I had left my car I quickly told him that we were done and left.
I'm not sure why this all happened, but I guess it's better that I realized it sooner rather than later right? I'm sad of what "could have been", but happy that I found out in time that this was not the type of man I want in my life. If anyone out there is in a relationship that is bad but staying in it in the hopes that it will get better, or that he/she will change, they won't. Value yourself and realize that it truly is better to be alone than in bad company. My wounds from this weekend will heal and eventually someone who deserves me will come into my life and he will receive someone that values and respects herself and will value and respect him as well.
I debated posting about this because I like to use my blog to post happy things than make others happy. But in the end I felt that maybe it would be best to put it all out there in the hopes that someone that might be going through a bad relationship might be helped by this and by the wisdom of my dear Tata, Manuel, may he rest in peace. I love you Tata.
I did manage to get a few photos on my cell phone the first evening we got there, so I'll share those with you and trust me...I am going to back to Vegas again and I'm going to have so much fun it will make up for the horror of this trip!
Last week I told you all about my wonderful birthday gifts and greetings from my dear friends and family members. I also promised photos from a trip I was taking to Las Vegas. Well I have a few photos, but very few. This is not a happy post but perhaps it will help someone who is in a situation where they are not valuing themselves and they are thinking better to be in bad company than to be alone.
I mentioned a romantic weekend getaway with a new gentleman friend. Well he turned out not to be quite the gentleman I thought he was. Let me say upfront, I'm ok, I'm fine, he didn't hurt me, nothing like that...at least not physically. I am not going to get into detail about word for word the awful things he said and how he made me feel, but I will say that he has a problem. A big problem. A problem that I had seen little, tiny glimpses of that made me suspect something was not right, but nothing I could really put my finger on.
The problem? Alcohol. The first full day we were in Vegas he started drinking beer from the second he woke up until he passed out around midnight. Some people drink and are happy drunks, this man was not one of those. The drunker he got, the meaner he got. Needless to say Saturday was a horrible, miserable day for me. I spent the majority of the time alone and crying and wishing I could go home. I honestly debated with myself whether I should just pack up my stuff and call a cab to take me to the bus station. I stuck it out and we came back home Sunday, one day earlier than he had promised.
Sunday on the drive home he acted like nothing was wrong. He was his old self:, cheerful, funny, talkative. I started to wonder if I had dreamed the whole thing...the ache in my heart told me it wasn't a dream. Once we got to his house where I had left my car I quickly told him that we were done and left.
I'm not sure why this all happened, but I guess it's better that I realized it sooner rather than later right? I'm sad of what "could have been", but happy that I found out in time that this was not the type of man I want in my life. If anyone out there is in a relationship that is bad but staying in it in the hopes that it will get better, or that he/she will change, they won't. Value yourself and realize that it truly is better to be alone than in bad company. My wounds from this weekend will heal and eventually someone who deserves me will come into my life and he will receive someone that values and respects herself and will value and respect him as well.
I debated posting about this because I like to use my blog to post happy things than make others happy. But in the end I felt that maybe it would be best to put it all out there in the hopes that someone that might be going through a bad relationship might be helped by this and by the wisdom of my dear Tata, Manuel, may he rest in peace. I love you Tata.
I did manage to get a few photos on my cell phone the first evening we got there, so I'll share those with you and trust me...I am going to back to Vegas again and I'm going to have so much fun it will make up for the horror of this trip!
Thursday, July 21, 2011
Another year older...and deeper in debt!
I may be aging myself here by making the title of my post today a reference to an old, old, old, way old song, but since this post is about my birthday I suppose it's fitting.
Wow, I had to go and google that song just to make sure it was as old and I said; and it is. The song about a coal miner was first released in 1946 by Merle Travis. The version I remember was recorded in 1955 by Tennessee Ernie Ford! Hey, wait, I'm way tooooooooo young to even know who these singers were! I think it's just that I'm very musically educated, cause I know it's not because I'm old!
Anyway, I'm another year older...and really, aren't we all deeper in debt? As long as we're all in the same boat together it's not so bad.
Yesterday was my big, bad, 53rd birthday, and I have to tell ya, it was a great day! One of the best birthday's I've ever celebrated. Lots of birthday greetings and phone calls. Even before I left to go to work; huh? what? Well of course I went to work on my birthday, why wouldn't I? Actually I'm taking Monday off to compensate, but more about that later.
Back to what I was saying, even before I left to go to work I received a call from my brother Fred who had his birthday the day before mine so he never has any excuse to forget mine :-) Then I received a call from my dear, sweet, precious Aunt Ninfa who never forgets to give me a call, she's so wonderful and thoughtful! Oh and I must give a shout-out to my equally wonderful, thoughtful, special cousin Stella who sent me the most awesome present ever. I'll share that with you guys next week when I have time to photograph it. Thanks Stella!
Then I got to work and my co-worker Angelica had made for me a low-carb cheesecake, just take a gander at this deliciousness! I know the photo is not the best, it's from my cell phone camera, but look at all those luscious strawberries! Yum! Thanks Angelica!
My co-workers also got me flowers and they all signed a card and sang to me while I sat there with a sappy smile :-) You thought I was kidding huh? Nope, proof below of that sappy smile! Oh and we got Starbucks too! I was a happy camper!
I also received a million and one birthday greetings on facebook...and even though everyone gets them, they still make you feel really special and loved!
After work my family took me to dinner at Chili's and that was fun and tasty. They of course had to tell the waiter it was my birthday so they could come over and embarrass me by singing to me one of those silly little birthday songs....but we did get a free brownie with vanilla ice cream on it (which didn't do me any good because I can't eat it due to the carbs, although between you and me, I did take a small spoonful *shhhh*).
This weekend I'm heading off to Vegas for a romantic get-a-way weekend with a new gentleman friend *giggle*. I swear I'm all giggly and silly, but I'm having the time of my life and this birthday definitely was one of the best so far! Photos from Vegas to follow next week! Tune in!
Wow, I had to go and google that song just to make sure it was as old and I said; and it is. The song about a coal miner was first released in 1946 by Merle Travis. The version I remember was recorded in 1955 by Tennessee Ernie Ford! Hey, wait, I'm way tooooooooo young to even know who these singers were! I think it's just that I'm very musically educated, cause I know it's not because I'm old!
Anyway, I'm another year older...and really, aren't we all deeper in debt? As long as we're all in the same boat together it's not so bad.
Yesterday was my big, bad, 53rd birthday, and I have to tell ya, it was a great day! One of the best birthday's I've ever celebrated. Lots of birthday greetings and phone calls. Even before I left to go to work; huh? what? Well of course I went to work on my birthday, why wouldn't I? Actually I'm taking Monday off to compensate, but more about that later.
Back to what I was saying, even before I left to go to work I received a call from my brother Fred who had his birthday the day before mine so he never has any excuse to forget mine :-) Then I received a call from my dear, sweet, precious Aunt Ninfa who never forgets to give me a call, she's so wonderful and thoughtful! Oh and I must give a shout-out to my equally wonderful, thoughtful, special cousin Stella who sent me the most awesome present ever. I'll share that with you guys next week when I have time to photograph it. Thanks Stella!
Then I got to work and my co-worker Angelica had made for me a low-carb cheesecake, just take a gander at this deliciousness! I know the photo is not the best, it's from my cell phone camera, but look at all those luscious strawberries! Yum! Thanks Angelica!
My co-workers also got me flowers and they all signed a card and sang to me while I sat there with a sappy smile :-) You thought I was kidding huh? Nope, proof below of that sappy smile! Oh and we got Starbucks too! I was a happy camper!
I also received a million and one birthday greetings on facebook...and even though everyone gets them, they still make you feel really special and loved!
After work my family took me to dinner at Chili's and that was fun and tasty. They of course had to tell the waiter it was my birthday so they could come over and embarrass me by singing to me one of those silly little birthday songs....but we did get a free brownie with vanilla ice cream on it (which didn't do me any good because I can't eat it due to the carbs, although between you and me, I did take a small spoonful *shhhh*).
This weekend I'm heading off to Vegas for a romantic get-a-way weekend with a new gentleman friend *giggle*. I swear I'm all giggly and silly, but I'm having the time of my life and this birthday definitely was one of the best so far! Photos from Vegas to follow next week! Tune in!
Wednesday, July 20, 2011
Love to see the Temple
I have always known that I wanted to marry someone who would take me to the temple... a person who would keep his covenants and work to create a temple-centered home. I am so grateful for Brett and his desire to attend the temple on a regular basis. We have such a love for the temple and feel extremely blessed when we get to participate in a session together. The temple is a reminder to us of the eternal blessings we hope to receive one day. It is a house of learning and as Isaiah said, “a place of refuge, and . . . a covert from storm and from rain” (Isaiah 4:6). When we go to the temple we can find peace from the daily grind, we can find truth,we can find our Savior. It is a wonderful blessing to be able to go to the temple together and feel our relationship grow and have our testimonies strengthened.
Kostet und seht (Taizé)
Kostet und seht, gütig ist Gott.
Glücklich die sich bergen bei ihm.
Meide das Böse, tue das Gute.
Suche Frieden und jage ihm nach.
Taste and see how good is the Lord,
happy are those who take refuge in him.
Forsake evil, and do good;
seek peace, and pursue it.
[NB: Provisional Taizé song]
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
Laetentur Coeli (Taizé)
Laetentur coeli,Paraphrase of Ps 96,11.1
exultet terra,
a facie Domini quia venit,
quia venit!
May the heavens rejoice
and the earth be glad,
before the Lord
who is coming!
Alégrense los cielos,
goce la tierra,
delante del Senor,
que yo llega!
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
Spiritus Jesu Christi (Taizé)
Spiritus Jesu Christi,
Spiritus caritatis,
Confirmet cor tuum,
Confirmet cor tuum.
Music: Jacques Berthier (English bio) (French bio)
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
O God of Bethel, By Whose Hand
O God of Bethel, by whose hand
thy people still are fed;
who through this earthly pilgrimage
hast all our fathers led:
Our vows, our prayers, we now present
before thy throne of grace:
O God of Israel, be the God
of their succeeding race.
Through each perplexing path of life
our wandering footsteps guide;
give us each day our daily bread,
and raiment fit provide.
O spread thy covering wings around,
till all our wanderings cease,
and at our Father's loved abode
our souls arrive in peace!
Such blessings from thy gracious hand
our humble prayers implore;
and thou shalt be our covenant God
and portion evermore.
Text: Philip Doddridge (1736)
Friday, July 15, 2011
Be the Mule, Not the Ass!
My sister sent me the cutest email today. There's a funny story in it and cute pictures, but if you really pay attention to the moral of the story you will learn so much. Hope you enjoy it.
One day a farmer's donkey fell down into a
well. The animal cried piteously for hours as
the farmer tried to figure out what to do.
Finally, he decided the animal was old, and the
well needed to be covered up anyway;
it just wasn't worth it to retrieve the donkey.
He invited all his neighbors to come over and
help him. They all grabbed a shovel and began
to shovel dirt into the well. At first, the
donkey realized what was happening and cried
horribly. Then, to everyone's amazement he
quieted down.
A few shovel loads later, the farmer finally
looked down the well. He was astonished at what
he saw. With each shovel of dirt that hit his
back, the donkey was doing something amazing.
He would shake it off and take a step up.
As the farmer's neighbors continued to shovel
dirt on top of the animal, he would shake it
off and take a step up.
Pretty soon, everyone was amazed as the donkey
stepped up over the edge of the well and
happily trotted off!
Life is going to shovel dirt on you, all kinds
of dirt. The trick to getting out of the well
is to shake it off and take a step up. Each of
our troubles is a stepping stone. We can get out
of the deepest wells just by not stopping,
never giving up! Shake it off and take a step up.
Remember the five simple rules to be happy:
Free your heart from hatred - Forgive.
Free your mind from worries - Most never happen.
Live simply and appreciate what you have.
Give more.
Expect less
NOW .......
The donkey later came back,
and bit the farmer who had tried to bury him.
The gash from the bite got infected and
the farmer eventually died in agony from septic shock
MORAL FROM TODAY'S LESSON:
When you do something wrong, and try to cover
your ass, it always comes back to bite you.
One day a farmer's donkey fell down into a
well. The animal cried piteously for hours as
the farmer tried to figure out what to do.
Finally, he decided the animal was old, and the
well needed to be covered up anyway;
it just wasn't worth it to retrieve the donkey.
He invited all his neighbors to come over and
help him. They all grabbed a shovel and began
to shovel dirt into the well. At first, the
donkey realized what was happening and cried
horribly. Then, to everyone's amazement he
quieted down.
A few shovel loads later, the farmer finally
looked down the well. He was astonished at what
he saw. With each shovel of dirt that hit his
back, the donkey was doing something amazing.
He would shake it off and take a step up.
As the farmer's neighbors continued to shovel
dirt on top of the animal, he would shake it
off and take a step up.
Pretty soon, everyone was amazed as the donkey
stepped up over the edge of the well and
happily trotted off!
Life is going to shovel dirt on you, all kinds
of dirt. The trick to getting out of the well
is to shake it off and take a step up. Each of
our troubles is a stepping stone. We can get out
of the deepest wells just by not stopping,
never giving up! Shake it off and take a step up.
Remember the five simple rules to be happy:
Free your heart from hatred - Forgive.
Free your mind from worries - Most never happen.
Live simply and appreciate what you have.
Give more.
Expect less
NOW .......
The donkey later came back,
and bit the farmer who had tried to bury him.
The gash from the bite got infected and
the farmer eventually died in agony from septic shock
MORAL FROM TODAY'S LESSON:
When you do something wrong, and try to cover
your ass, it always comes back to bite you.
Monday, July 11, 2011
Happy Birthday Brett
As I sit down each day and think about the many blessings in my life, I realize that one of the greatest gifts I have been given is a wonderful husband! It was Brett's birthday last week and it was so much fun just being able to relax and share some time with him. As I sit there and think about Brett, I feel overwhelmed with emotions. It's funny to think that five years ago we were silly teenagers just graduated from high school in "puppy love". It's amazing to see how our relationship has grown over time. It has been nourished through the gospel and as we have relied upon our Heavenly Father and striven to make righteous decisions. I continue to look forward to our journey together as the years pass us by. Today however, I am just grateful for Brett and for the example and companion he is to me. He is so patient, humble, hardworking and kind. I am truly grateful for his example in my life! I love you babe! Happy birthday!
Summer Fun
So I notice everyone in Blogland is a little scarce this summer. Is it the heat keeping us away or all the fun we're having? Maybe a little of both? I know I've had air-conditioning woes at my house, but as of Friday the A/C man came and it's working great now...I was even a little bit chilly last night!
And I'm definitely having a wonderful summer. It seems like every weekend something has been happening. First there was Father's Day and a really nice BBQ at my brothers house where I got to spend time with some of my favorite people and pets!
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And I'm definitely having a wonderful summer. It seems like every weekend something has been happening. First there was Father's Day and a really nice BBQ at my brothers house where I got to spend time with some of my favorite people and pets!
Me, Melissa and Chorizo
Then came another BBQ at my brothers house for his son Fred Jr. We combined that BBQ with the 4th of July (actually it happened on the 3rd of July because in my small town we have our fireworks display On the 3rd). And again I got to see some special people...little people!
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My niece Melissa and her cousin Maximiliano aka Max aka Maxie! And a little white kitten!
Then this weekend we had one of our favorite cousins from Arizona visit, Lydia, her daughter Daniella and her Daniella's husband and little boy and Lydia's son Mark and his cousin Alex (I think they were cousins, someone correct me if I'm wrong). We had two family get togethers, one on Saturday hosted by my cousin Steve and one on Sunday hosted by my sister and her husband at their home. We had lots of fun, lots of laughs, shared tons of memories and ate way too much! I've got photos to share but haven't downloaded them off of my camera yet, so stay tuned.
In the next few weeks we have birthdays for several members of the family....yours truly included. I'm having a fabulous get-a-way birthday to "Sin City" (Las Vegas) and I'm so excited about that. Then my niece is celebrating her 21st birthday.
So yes...I've been a little scarce in Blogland but it's only because I'm doing research and loving life so that I have even more to share with everyone. Oh...and I've lost 23 lbs now! Yay!
So what have you all been up to?
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