Evening Hymn (Henry Balfour Gardiner)

Te lucis ante terminum,
Rerum Creator, poscimus,
Ut pro tua clementia,
Sis praesul et custodia.

Procul recedant somnia,
Et noctium phantasmata:
Hostemque nostrum comprime,
Ne polluantur corpora.

Praesta, Pater piissime,
Patrique compar Unice,
Cum Spiritu Paraclito,
Regnans per omne saeculum.

To thee before the close of day,
Creator of the world, we pray
That, with thy wonted favour, thou
Wouldst be our guard and keeper now.

From all ill dreams defend our sight,
From fears and terrors of the night;
Withhold from us our ghostly foe,
That spot of sin we may not know.

O Father, that we ask be done,
Through Jesus Christ, thine only Son,
Who, with the Holy Ghost and thee,
Doth live and reign eternally.

Historical Background

Text: Latin, 8th-9th century
Music: Henry Balfour Gardiner (1877-1950)

Lord of the Dance

I danced in the morning when the world was begun,
And I danced on the moon and the stars and the sun.
I came down from Heaven and I danced on the earth,
At Bethlehem I had my birth.

Refrain:

'Dance, then, wherever you may be!
I am the Lord of the Dance' said he.
'And I'll lead you all, wherever you may be
And I'll lead you all in the Dance' said He.

I danced for the scribe and the Pharisee,
But they would not dance and they would not follow me;
I danced for the fishermen, for James and John;
They came with me and the Dance went on.

I danced on the Sabbath and I cured the lame;
The holy people said it was a shame.
They whipped and they stripped and they hung me on high
And left me there on the cross to die.

I danced on a Friday when the sky turned black
It's hard to dance with the Devil on your back
They buried my body and they thought I'd gone
But I am the Dance and I still go on.

'They cut me down and I leapt up high:
I am the life that will never, never die!
I'll live in you if you live in me;
I am the Lord of the Dance' said He.

Composer: Sydney Carter

Adam lay ybounden (Philip Ledger)

See also: Adam lay ybounden (Boris Ord)

Adam lay ybounden
Bounden in a bond;
Four thousand winter,
Thought he not too long.

And all was for an apple
An apple that he took.
As clerkes finden,
Written in their book.

Ne had the apple taken been
The apple taken been,
Ne had never our ladie,
Abeen heav'ne queen.

Blessed be the time
That apple taken was,
Therefore we moun singen.
Deo gracias!

See also: Adam lay ybounden (Boris Ord)

Historical Background

Words: Sloane Manuscript 2593 (15th century)
Music: Philip Ledger (b. 1937)

Behold, The Tabernacle of God

Behold, the tabernacle of God is with you,
and the Spirit  God dwelleth within you.
For the temple of God is holy, which temple ye are.
For the love of whom ye do this day celebrate the joys of the temple
with a season of festivity. Alleluia.

Composer: William Harris 

Now the Day is Over

1. Now the day is over,
   Night is drawing nigh,
   Shadows of the evening
   Steal across the sky.
   


2. Jesus, give the weary
   Calm and sweet repose;
   With Thy tend’rest blessing
   May mine eyelids close.


3. Grant to little children
   Visions bright of Thee;
   Guard the sailors tossing
   On the deep, blue sea.


4. Comfort those who suffer,
   Watching late in pain;
   Those who plan some evil
   From their sin restrain.


5. Through the long night watches
   May Thine angels spread
   Their white wings above me,
   Watching round my bed.


6. When the morning wakens,
   Then may I arise
   Pure, and fresh, and sinless
   In Thy holy eyes.

Composer: Joseph Barnby (1868)

It's Finial! Iwanna Wednesday

Did you read the title correctly? Did you think it's said that it's FINAL? A final Iwanna Wednesday? Look again...it's not FINAL, it's FINIAL, cause that's what Iwanna this Wednesday...some Finials. I can't do a final Iwanna Wednesday because I haven't done one in ages.

A little background on Iwanna Wednesday just in case you forgot. Ok...so I want everything I see. I mean it. I can walk into a drugstore and see something and say, "I want one of those." I can drive by someone's house and say, "I want some decorative rocks like those!" My mom and sister finally started teasing me and saying, "Aye si, Iwanna...you want everything!"

Iwanna Wednesday was born! A day when I do a post about what ever it is my little heart wants at that particular moment.

I've been looking a window treatments of late and there are tons of beautiful ideas. I notice that almost all of them have curtain rods and I mean real curtain rods, not the little white ones I grew up with that I still use. The ones that look like these. Do you remember these?

But now that I'm a grown up. I will put away little girl things and only want big girl things! Iwanna curtain rods like this.

See those cute little detail thingys at the ends of the curtain rods? Well someone got tired of people calling them detail thingys and they named them FINIALS...and that is what Iwanna today cause there are a gazillion of them!

For you wine lovers or maybe health foodies that love to eat fruit, how about these lovely little Grape Finials? These would be perfect in a kitchen or dining room right?

Sticking with the purple theme, I am so loving these! Purple beaded Finials...I think anyone would Iwanna these. I know Iwanna them *sigh*. You can find these at Etsy. I bet there are some of you crafty people out there that could buy the beads on strings and glue them on something and make these right? If there are some of you people out there, you can gladly make these for me and I would love you forever!

And I know I said I would put away little girl things, but for some reason little girl colors just call out to me...."Alicia....Alicia....you know you love us...C'mon Alicia....look at us, love us, want us."

Oh pretty little Pastel Finials...Yes, Yes, Yes, I love you, Iwanna you. You know you wanna them too! You can find them at PBteen.

But getting back to big girl things...how grown up and gorgeous are these? These were custom made for a boat builder and created to compliment the nautical theme in a boat cabin. They are little octopus' or is it octopi? You can find those at Allen & Baron.

This one reminds me of a TV show from my youth. I'll give you some hints. Major Healey? Master? Tony? Major Nelson? Did you guess it? If you said, "I Dream of Jeannie" then you had it. Doesn't this one look like Jeannie's bottle? Love it!

So finally I'm done with my Iwanna Wednesday Finial post! Ha! Actually, I think what I'm going to do is something that I've seen on a few blogs and on Pinterest. I'm going to make my curtain rods out of electrical conduit! Yes I am! And then I'm going to make finials out of old tennis balls. Old tennis balls you say? Yep...just keep on visiting me and I'll keep you posted. Happy Iwanna Wednesday and may all your Iwanna wishes come true!



Weeknight Activity: Project Runway (YW Style)

Can I just say that I have LOVED working with the young women thus far.
The youth truly inspire me. When I was first called to be the yw president in my ward I was super
 nervous... the magnitude and responsibility of the calling really made me feel SO overwhelmed.
 Even though the calling is keeping me really busy, I feel as though I am learning so much.
I adore the girls. They teach me so much on a daily basis. They each have so many strengths
and I admire their courage to stand strong in the face of adversity. They are beautiful. They are
 examples of believers. I can't help but feel and think to myself just how much their Heavenly
 Father loves them as I watch and interact with them.
The youth of the church are amazing! 


Sometimes I feel as though we can get caught up in trying to understand the deeper meanings
 behind the principles of the gospel, when in all actuality, they are simple and direct. Being able to
 serve with the youth has reminded me of this. The Church of Jesus Christ is TRUE and
 it's principles ARE simple.  If you want an amazing experience just start interacting with the
youth of the church. They will remind you of the foundation of your testimony.


For instance, these past couple weeks we have been talking a lot about how we as women
can support young men who hold the priesthood. I was so impressed with the girls when they came
up with the idea that they could be more modest.  We decided this week to incorporate
some of our lesson to the activity and let me tell you, it was a huge success.
We called the activity "Project Runway- Young Women Style". It was seriously a blast!

For the activity we split the young women up into groups of three

 (there were about 5 girls to a team... 4 designers and 1 model). 

The girls had 30 minutes to design a head to toe MODEST ensemble. 

What was the catch? Well everyone knows that project runway doesn't hand out the 

easiest of designing assignments. Usually there is always a twist or some type of absurd 

material they are having to create with. For this YW assignment we gave each team a bag 

filled with random materials (some of which included duct tape, tissue paper, toilet paper,

 ribbon, decorative scissors, etc). Boy, did the girls give a new definition to "making it work". 

They came up with the cutest and most creative modest outfits! Below is a picture of the models

 from each team. Following the design process, we held our own mini fashion show. 

Everyone had a great time and it was such a blast! 

I just love getting to spend time with these girls. They always make me smile. 

They make me want to stand a little taller. They make me want to share my testimony more often.

 They make me want to be a happier person and to be more grateful for the things I have in my life.

 I can't express enough how grateful I am for them 
and their examples and for the opportunity that
 I get to serve them. 

It truly is a sweet and tender blessing in my life. 

How Shall I Sing That Majesty

How Great a Being
Which doth all beings keep.
Thy Knowledge the only Line
To sound so vast a Deep.

Thou art a sea without a shore,
A sun without a sphere,
Thy time is now and ever more,
Thy place is every where.

How shall I sing that majesty,
Which angels do admire?
Let dust in dust and silence lie,
Sing, Sing, Ye Heavenly Choir.

Thou art a sea without a shore.
A Sun without a sphere,
Thy time is now and ever more
Thy place is every where.

How shall I sing that Majesty
Which Angels do Admire?
Let dust in dust and silence lie.
Sing, Sing, Ye Heavenly Choir.

Text: John Mason (1645-1694)

O Lord, Support Us

O Lord, support us all the day long,
until the shadows lengthen,
and the evening comes,
and the busy world is hushed,
and the fever of life is over,
and our work is done.
Then in thy mercy,
grant us a safe lodging and a holy rest,
and peace at the last.
Amen.

Litany to the Holy Spirit (Music: Peter Hurford)

In the hour of my distress,
When temptations me oppress,
And when I my sins confess,
         Sweet Spirit, comfort me!

When I lie within my bed,
Sick in heart and sick in head,
And with doubts discomforted,
         Sweet Spirit, comfort me!

When the house doth sigh and weep,
And the world is drown'd in sleep,
Yet mine eyes the watch do keep,
         Sweet Spirit, comfort me!

Text: Robert Herrick (1591-1674)
Music: Peter Hurford (b. 1930)

Praise the Spirit in Creation

TUNE I: FINNIAN


TUNE II: JULION


ANTHEM VERSION:



1. Praise the Spirit in creation,
breath of God, life's origin:
Spirit moving on the waters,
quickening worlds to life within,
source of breath to all things breathing,
life in whom all lives begin.

2. Praise the Spirit, close companion
of our inmost thoughts and ways;
who, in showing us God's wonders,
is himself the power to gaze;
and God's will, to those who listen,
by a still small voice conveys.

3. Praise the Spirit, who enlightened
priest and prophets with the word;
his the truth behind the wisdoms
which as yet know not our Lord;
by whose love and power, in Jesus
God himself was seen and heard.

4. Tell of how the ascended Jesus
armed a people for his own;
how a hundred men and women
turned the known world upside down,
to its dark and furthest corners
by the wind of heaven blown.

5. Pray we then, O Lord the Spirit,
praise the Father, praise the Word,
Source, and Truth, and Inspiration,
Trinity in deep accord;
through your voice which speaks within us
we, your creatures call you Lord.

Words: Michael Hewlett (b. 1916)
Tune:
(i) FINNIAN, by Christopher Dearnley (b. 1930)
(ii) JULION 87.87.87, by David Hurd (b. 1950)

For the Beauty of the Earth (John Rutter)

See also: the original hymn version

For the beauty of the earth,
for the beauty of the skies,
for the love which from our birth
over and around us lies,

Refrain:

Lord of all, to thee we raise
this our hymn of grateful praise.

For the beauty of each hour
of the day and of the night,
hill and vale, and tree and flower,
sun and moon, and stars of light (Refrain)

For the joy of ear and eye,
for the heart and brain's delight,
for the mystic harmony
linking sense to sound and sight (Refrain)

For the joy of human love,
brother, sister, parent, child,
friends on earth, and friends above,
for all gentle thoughts and mild (Refrain)

For each perfect gift of thine
to our race so freely given,
graces human and divine,
flowers of earth and buds of heaven (Refrain)

See also: the original hymn version

Words: Folliot Sandford Pierpoint, 1864
Music: John Rutter

Sciatica and the Escalator

Once upon a time there was a beautiful Princess named Sciatica and she lived in a huge castle. The castle was so grand that the king had escalators installed to passenger the queen, the princess and honored guests up and down the various floors of the castle.

Princess Sciatica loved going up the escalators but she had an intense fear of the escalators leading down. She would see  the others getting on the down escalator with no problem, laughing and joking and hanging on to the moving hand rail, but when it was Princess Sciatica's turn to go down, she would stand at the edge and tell herself she could do it, but she would immediately feel a weakness in her legs and a sense of vertigo and she knew that if she tried to take one step on those moving stairs, her legs would not have the strength to hold her and she would fall and tumble all the way down to her death!

Luckily the King had also installed elevators in the castle and Princess Sciatica would ride the lonely elevator down to the lower floors. She could hear the laughter and joy of the others racing up and down on the escalators and she so longed to join them and swore to herself that one day she would!

One day, the Princess rode the escalator to the third floor which is where her bedroom was. She needed to fetch her fencing gloves and then she quickly raced to the other end of the castle to where the King, good King Otis had installed the elevators. She pushed the down button and waited. After a few minutes, she pushed the button again and waited. Then she did what any intelligent person knows to do, push the button over and over again! That always makes the elevator come faster cause it knows your are pretty darned ticked off by now!

Yet the elevator didn't come and the Princess did not know what to do. She roamed the third floor where she found her sister Princess Lisa and her mother, the good Queen Tomasa. She was crying and telling them that she wanted to go back downstairs but the elevator would not come. The sister and the queen knew of Princess Sciatica's intense fear of the down going escalator, but they tried to convince her how easy it was and that they would go before her so she wouldn't have to fear falling. They would catch her! But fear struck the poor Princess's heart and no amount of cajoling or pleading would help. Was our poor Princess destined to live forever in the highest floor of the castle?

Apparently...yes! I know this cause it happened to me yesterday. I am Princess Sciatica!

Yesterday I went to Macy's Department Store with my mom and my sister. My mom had a gift card and wanted to use it to purchase a set of sheets for her new bed. The bedding department is on the third floor of Macys. My mom, sister and I rode the escalator up to the second floor, then the third. I had no fear going up and no worries about how I would get back down as I knew they had an elevator. Easy Peasy!

We shopped for sheets and then searched for the elevator and headed over and did as Princess Sciatica did. I hit the button and waited....then I hit the button again and waited...then my sister Princess Lisa hit the button (in case the elevator just didn't like me) and again we waited. Then I tried the old faithful move and hit the button several times in succession...nothing! Fear struck my heart! What was I to do?

My mom and Lisa tried to convince me that it's easy to get on the escaltor going down. They would help me, they would go down before me and that way if I fell I would fall on them. Aren't they wonderful to sacrifice themselves like that for me? Especially my 78 year old mother! But I knew that I couldn't do it. I no longer had the leg strength. Not since the great Sciatica Debacle of 2010!

For some reason, ever since I had that awful bout of Sciatica in 2010; where I had to take almost a month off of work because I was in the most excruciating pain I have ever had (it was worse than childbirth. I had two kids, one natural and one c-section...trust me, it was worse than childbirth), I don't have the strength in my left leg that I used to. It's hard just to climb stairs using my left leg. So I have to climb them by putting the right leg on the step first and then bringing the left leg up, then the right again, then the left. It's quite embarassing!

So there we were on the third floor. I can't use the down escalator and my mom and sister can't just leave me cause I drove and I had the car keys! We asked a couple of the sales clerks if the elevator was working or not and they really didn't know. Then I saw an official looking lady in a navy pin-striped suit and I asked her. And bless her little pea-picking heart, she saved Princess Sciatica! She told us that they were doing some work on the elevator so they were not working, but that she could take us down using the service elevator. I think she saw my elderly mom and thought she would do a nice thing for the sweet, elderly, gray-hair woman.

So she takes us through some double doors by the elevator and we're in the back of the store. And she was so sweet and she pretended like she was giving us a tour and pointing out products and joking with us. She was wonderful. Then she pushed the service elevator button and the doors opened. She then opened up this cage thing and she stepped in and said, "C'mon in!"

 We were all a little apprehensive. It looked scary. My mom even asked her in a timid little voice, "You are going with us right?" Our little Guide assured us that she would never leave us alone, "Oh nowhoney...I wouldn't leave you alone, Oh Heavens No!" So we had no choice, we walked on in. Our little tour guide then proceded to close the elevator doors and then manually pull down the gate door. Now we were in the Belly of the Beast! The elevator started. It was slower than the public elevator so it took a little while for the elevator to get to the bottom. Our little guide just kept chattering to us about various "behind the scene" things at Macys. We were almost to the main floor when my mom felt she had to make one thing clear. She turned to our little guide and she said, "The reason we needed the elevator is because my daughter is scared to go down the escalator." And then she pointed at me!

Can you believe that? My own mother threw me under the bus like that....lol. You have to admire her though, she didn't want to be thought of as some poor elderly lady that needed help getting around. Oh no! Not her, she's very proud of still being strong and independent! But dang-it...was my face red! Poor Princess Sciatica...

Blessed be the God and Father

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ,
which according to his abundant mercy
hath begotten us again unto a lively hope
by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead,

To an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled,
that fadeth not away,
reserved in heaven for you,
Who are kept by the power of God
through faith unto salvation
ready to be revealed at the last time.

But as he which hath called you is holy,
so be ye holy in all manner of conversation.
Pass the time of your sojourning here in fear.

Love one another with a pure heart fervently.
See that ye love one another.
Love one another with a pure heart fervently:

Being born again,
not of corruptible seed,
but of incorruptible,
by the word of God.

For all flesh is as grass,
and all the glory of man
as the flower of grass.
The grass withereth,
and the flower thereof falleth away.

But the word of the Lord endureth for ever.
Amen.

Composer: Samuel Sebastian Wesley

King's College Cambridge 2012 Easter Service

PART I:




PART II:



EASTER FROM KING'S: PASSIONTIDE TO EASTER DAY
With the choir of King's College, Cambridge

Music Director Stephen Cleobury
Organ Scholars: Ben-San Lau, Parker Ramsay

Dean: the Rev. Dr. Jeremy Morris
Chaplain: the Rev Richard Lloyd Morgan
Administrator: Janet Copeland

ORDER OF SERVICE

Choir: Amicus Meus "My friend betrayed me with the sign of a kiss"
(Music: Victoria (1548-1611); Words from Tenebrae Responsories)

Choir: Pater Noster "Our Father who art in heaven"
(Music: Igor Stravinsky (1882-1971); Words: The Lord's Prayer (Matthew 6))

Reading: Luke 23 "The Crucifixion"

Choir: Crucifixus "He was crucified even for us"
(Music: Antonio Lotti (1667-1740); Words from the Creed)

Reading: Easter Night, Alice Meynell (1847-1922)

Choir: In Paradisum "May the angels lead you into paradise"
Music: Gabriel Fauré, from Requiem; Words liturgical)

Hymn: Ye Choirs of New Jerusalem
(Tune: St Fulbert; Words: Fulbert of Chartres (d 1028)

Reading: John 20 "The risen Christ is seen by Mary"

Choir: This Joyful Eastertide
(Words and Music: Trad. Dutch Carol, arr. Charles Wood (1866-1926))

Choir: Surrexit Dominus "The Lord has truly risen"
(Music and Words: Plainsong, arr. David Briggs (1962-))

Reading: from Kilvert's Diary, Francis Kilvert (1840-1879)

Choir: Bring Us, O Lord God, at our Last Awakening
(Music: William Harris (1883-1973); Words: John Donne (1572-1631))

Choir: Let All the World, in Every Corner, Sing
(Music: Ralph Vaughan Williams (1872-1958); Words: George Herbert (1593-1633))

Prayer and Blessing

Hymn: Jesus Christ is Risen Today (incomplete apologies working to fix)
(Tune: Easter Hymn arr. Stephen Cleobury (1948-);
Words: 14th century from the Compleat Psalmodist, 1749)

Organ: from Finale by Louis Vierne (1870-1937)

Tomasa's Child and Homemade Flour Tortillas

When I was a little girl, there was nothing better in the whole world than a homemade flour tortilla made by my own dear mom.

I remember that she would knead the flour, lard (because we didn’t use the much lighter shortening or oil that we use now, we used big huge blocks of lard) baking powder, salt and water in a big bowl. I loved watching her hands, strong and sure working the dough.



Little Balls of Dough



Then she would make these perfect little balls of dough. I made the ones in this photo and they are not perfect at all, but mom's were. She would then line them all up on a clean dish towel, ready to be rolled out into perfectly round tortillas.



Mom would always give my sister and me our own little ball of dough which we would pretend to knead and roll out as she did. Sometimes, depending on our mood, we wouldn’t knead or roll it out; we would instead form it into animal shapes, like it was clay.



Here's the rolling out in process



When my mom was done making the family tortillas, she would have us roll out our little ball of dough and she would place it on the “comal” which was made out of cast iron and heated over the open flame on the stove. We would watch her flip our little tortilla around until it was perfectly browned on both sides. We couldn’t wait to eat them!



This is the Cast Iron Comal



Mom would slice a pat of real butter which had been softening to room temperature and sit us down, each with our little tortilla. She taught us to rip off little pieces of the tortilla and dip them into the warm, melting, sweet butter. There was nothing better! We felt as though we had cooked these tortillas ourselves, my sister and I. Sometimes we would save them for our dad to eat so he knew his little girls had been slaving away making tortillas for him.



Comal with a Tortilla



My mom was great at including us in on her regular household chores and making it fun and like a game for us. We didn’t need fancy play-doh with all the little accessories they come with now. We just needed the plain tortilla dough, our imagination and our wonderful mother by our side. My mom's name is Tomasa and I am her child.

This post is inspired by the novel Julia's Child by Sarah Pinneo. Worried about what her kids eat, Julia Bailey starts a prepared organic toddler meals business. With names like Gentil Lentil, can Julia balance work and family and still save the world? Join From Left to Write on May 24 as we discuss Julia's Child. As a member, I received a copy of the book for review purposes.

 

All You Nations, Sing Out Your Joy To The Lord

Refrain:

All you nations, sing out your joy to the Lord:
Alleluia, Alleluia!

Joyfully shout, all  you on earth,
give praise to the glory of God;
And with a hymn, sing out God's glorious praise:
Alleluia! (Refrain)

Let all the earth kneel in God's sight,
extolling God's marvellous fame;
Honour God's name, in highest heaven give praise:
Alleluia! (Refrain)

Come forth and see all the great works
that God has brought forth by his might;
Fall on your knees before God's glorious throne:
Alleluia! (Refrain)

Glory and thanks be to the Father;
Honour and praise to the Son;
And to the Spirit, source of life and love:
Alleluia! (Refrain)

Setting of Psalm 67

Composer: Lucien Deiss (1965)

See my other blog postings in the Contemporary Catholic series.

Every little thing they do is magic...

Well....  I guess better late than never. Last Sunday I was planning on writing this wonderful tribute to my mother (considering it WAS mother's day and all). Obviously that didn't happen. I was feeling rather guilty and as though I had majorly dropped the ball, when I realized, heck--- there shouldn't be only ONE specific day in the year where I recognize and show gratitude for my mother's influence. My mother has blessed my life  SO much, and to be honest, I think about her example EVERY DAY. 

I have also realized that there are multiple women in my life who have played a "motherly" role than just my "mom"alone. I truly have so much to be grateful for. 

These women are smart, beautiful, thoughtful, examples of believers, 

courageous, faithful, and above all else... 

they are in every sense of the word....LOVING. 

If only I could be half as wonderful as these women, 

I would feel like a success. 

 Brenda Lynne Cosgrove 

(aka. momizzle, aka. monacita, aka. my wonderful mother)

If I am to be 100% honest, I can't begin sincerely talking about the example of my mother without getting a little choked up. My mother is amazing. I am not sure words can adequately express how grateful or appreciative I am for her influence in my life. She has taught me first hand what it means to be loved unconditionally. No matter where I have been or what I have been doing in life, my mother has been there for me. To encourage and support me. She has taught me to never sell myself short and that I am capable of "great things". She has always loved me with all of her heart... and her children with all of her soul. She would sacrifice day and night for the happiness and comfort of others around her. 

My mother is courageous. She has endured trials that I would never be able to endure--- trials that take SO much strength and diligence. I am so grateful for my mother's example of faith. As I have watched her over the years, I have learned from her testimony that Heavenly Father's plan is REAL... That He loves us and is aware of us on a daily basis...That I truly am a daughter of a King. 

She has always been a constant example of someone who is willing to go out of her way to help others around her. She is selfless, she is strong, she is loving, she is kind.

Mom, I can't tell you how grateful I am for your influence in my life. 

You are my hero. You are my example. 

One day I hope to be half the woman you are--- I love you. 

_____________________________________________________________________

Michelle Lynn Aitken

(aka. my amazingly kind, second mother)

When I first met this woman, I had no idea she would be my future mother in law. To be completely honest, she totally intimidated me. I looked at her with so much "awe" and respect... She is was SO intelligent, SO organized, SO driven, and had SO much love for her family. I wondered how I would be able to live up to her "expectations". Boy was I silly for thinking that. She is also one of the most kind and accepting women I have ever met.  I feel so grateful that she welcomed me into her family with arms of love.

One of the things I admire the most about Michelle is her desire to help those around her. She is kind and selfless with her time, resources, and love. I have learned what true charity means, just from watching her example and interactions with others. 

She especially cares for her family. I hope that one day I will be able to posses the same time of concern and love she has for each one of her family members.She is so sensitive to people's needs around her and always willing to go out of her way to help those in need.

Michelle, I love the time that I get to spend with you. 

I have learned so much from your example. 

I can't thank you enough for the impact you have had in my life--- I love you!

_____________________________________________________________________

Verda Jean Cosgrove

(aka. nanizzle, aka. schweetie, aka. VJ, aka. my sweet nana)

Even though geographical we aren't close, this woman has had SUCH an impact on my life (who am I kidding, this woman has had an impact on SO many lives).

When I think about the woman I hope to one day be, I always envision my Nana. She is SO wise, she is SO classy, she is SO thoughtful, she is SO loving. She is the most beautiful and gracious woman I know. Even though she may be small, this lady makes a big impact. Everyone adores my Nana. Everyone. 

One thing I love the most about my Nana is her unwavering testimony. All growing up, if I ever had a concern or needed a chat, I knew I could call her up. She would always give me the best advice and it was ALWAYS tied into the gospel. She taught me that living the gospel is a life-long principle. She helped me recognize my true worth. She is amazing- I can't put it any other way. 

Even with a buddle of children, grandchildren, and GREAT grandchildren, she finds ways to show us all the same amount of support and love.

Nana, you will never understand how much you have influenced my life. 

You have taught me what true faith looks like. 

You have taught me what selfless love looks like

You are an exemplary women to so many around you. 

Words can't express how grateful I am to have you in my life --- I love you!

_____________________________________________________________________

O Taste And See (Ralph Vaughan Williams)

O taste and see
how gracious the Lord is.
Blessed is the man
that trusteth in him!


Setting of Psalm 34

Composer: Ralph Vaughan Williams (1872-1958)

The Shadows of the Evening Hours

The shadows of the evening hours fall from the darkening sky;
Upon the fragrance of the flowers the dews of evening lie;
Before Thy throne, O Lord of Heavn, we kneel at close of day;
Look on Thy children from on high, and hear us while we pray.

The sorrows of Thy servants, Lord, O do not now despise,
But let the incense of our prayers before Thy mercy rise.
The brightness of the coming night upon the darkness rolls;
With hopes of future glory, chase the shadows from our souls.

Slowly the rays of daylight fade, so fade within our heart
The hopes in earthly love and joy, that one by one depart.
Slowly the bright stars, one by one, within the heavens shine:
Give us, O Lord, fresh hopes in heaven, and trust in things divine.

Let peace, O Lord, Thy peace, O God, upon our souls descend;
From midnight fears and perils, now our trembling hearts defend.
Give us a respite from our toil; calm and subdue our woes.
Through the long day we labor, Lord, O give us now repose.

Text: Adelaide Procter (1862)

Hail! Gladdening Light (Charles Wood)

Hail! gladdening Light, of His pure glory poured
Who is th'immortal Father, heavenly, blest,
Holiest of Holies - Jesus Christ our Lord!

Now we are come to the Sun's hour of rest;
The lights of evening round us shine;
We hymn the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit divine!

Worthiest art thou at all times to be sung
With undefiled tongue,
Son of our God, giver of life, alone:
Therefore in all the world thy glories, Lord, they own. Amen.

Text: Phos Hilaron (Φῶς Ἱλαρόν), Greek, late 3rd century, trans. John Keble (1834)
Music: Charles Wood (1912)

In Te Confido (Taizé)

Jesu Christe
In te confido

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

The Runs

Any of you that have ever worked in any type of customer service job know that many times customers say "the darnedest things!"

That happened to me today. Well it happens to me most days but today was so hilarious I had to bite my tongue to keep from busting out laughing and telling the customer, "Really? Did you really just say that?"

Ok, to preface my story, I work in insurance and in insurance many times an insurance company will ask for Loss Runs from a previous insurance company. Loss Runs are a report from the insurance company that the customer had previously. They are a report that tells us, "yes, this insured did have insurance with XYZ Insurance Company from this date to that date." The Loss Run will also show whether or not there were any claims incurred during that time. If not it will say "no claims or zero claims". If they did have a claim it will tell you a bunch of info like the date of the loss, the claims number, if the claim is still open or closed, if money was paid out and if there was money paid out how much it was and if it involved property damage or bodily injury or both. It's kind of like a report card for drivers.

I had asked this particular client for loss runs. The client had to get them from their previous carrier and it took about three weeks. So this morning, the clients wife gives me a call and says, "Hi Alicia, I was just calling to see if...did you get the RUNS?" Now mind you, she didn't identify herself to start with (they never do) so it just came out of the blue. Luckily we have caller ID and I saw who it was and I knew what she meant, but none the less it freaked me out that she asked if I got the RUNS!

I think the poor thing realized what she said but she was embarrassed so she just kinda played it off like she didn't really just say that and I, being the ultimate professional...didn't bust out laughing and embarrass her further. But when I hung up, I could not control myself.

And I love to include pictures when I share a story with you all but how do you include a picture of "the runs"? I found the one you see and thought it was pretty cute! And...I did receive the runs, I didn't get them!

The Vision, The Goal, The Destination.

Words can't express how proud I am of Brett. He is such a hard worker and full of determination.

 I remember when I was in high school and dating Brett, I would always ask him about his future goals. 

He would always tell me how he wanted to be like his dad and to be an accountant. 

I have always known that Brett is brilliant and capable of achieving any goal he desired. 

I am so grateful for Brett and admire his conviction. Throughout the past two years--- our vision and 

ultimate goal has been to get Brett through school and on to his career as an accountant.

 It has definitely been a fun journey and great learning experience.

  As we have pushed our way through the "Junior Core", getting into grad school, and not going into debt throughout the process, we have really grown to be better teammates.We have learned to depend on one another for support, and learned to push together towards a positive goal. As our "student" journey will be coming to a close next year, I am starting to realize how much we have both grown throughout the process. 

For me personally, I feel that I have learned to be less selfish. Throughout my entire life,

 I have been the kind of person who has wanted to excel in every aspect. I always pictured myself being

an independent career driven woman. Not to say that is a bad goal... I am just realizing now that Heavenly Father has had other lessons for me to learn besides being a successful career woman. 

I can say that this process has taught me how to be a better and more supportive wife.

 I have learned that Brett's successes are my successes.

It has taught me to put someone else, besides myself, first. I have begun to realize how important Brett's career will bless us and our future family. It will bless us in our abilities to provide and also serve the Lord.

When we were first married I remember thinking to myself, "boy, I can't wait until we are no longer students and Brett isn't having to stay up late studying and I won't have to work as much and we won't need to save so much money and, and, and...". 

Now I am beginning to realize how sweet this time is in our lives, 

and how much I am going to miss it all when it's over. 

THE INTERNSHIP

We both knew an internship would be an important part of Brett getting ready for his career. We knew it would provide some good "real life" experience. We were both thrilled when he got an offer to go and work for Deloitte in Phoenix for a 4 month time period (Brett was gone from January to April of this year). During his time at Deloitte,  Brett loved the experience and loved the opportunity he had to be able to put into practice the things he had learned in the classroom.

WELCOME HOME

After four long months of being separated, it was SO nice to be able to have Brett home. It's true what they say- "Absence makes the heart grow fonder." I was definitely excited to be able to have Brett home permanently in April (and not just because the plants were dying:)). I am always so grateful for these opportunities Heavenly Father provides me with to be able to focus on cherishing the time I get to be able to spend with Brett!

CONGRATS

On the last day of his internship, the partners of the accounting firm took Brett out to a special dinner. During the dinner they offered Brett a full time position at Deloitte (when Brett finishes his graduate at BYU). We were both obviously THRILLED about the offer, and Brett graciously accepted.  As I mentioned before, I could not be more proud of Brett. (This is a picture of a plate I made! When Brett arrived home, there was a giant batch of rolor cookies waiting for him on it.)

Love Divine, All Loves Excelling (Tune: Blaenwern)

See also: Love Divine, All Loves Excelling (Tune: Hyfrydol)

Love divine, all loves excelling,
joy of heaven, to earth come down,
fix in us thy humble dwelling,
all thy faithful mercies crown.
Jesus, thou art all compassion,
pure, unbounded love thou art;
visit us with thy salvation,
enter every trembling heart.

Come, almighty to deliver,
let us all thy life receive;
suddenly return, and never,
nevermore thy temples leave.
Thee we would be always blessing,
serve thee as thy hosts above,
pray, and praise thee without ceasing,
glory in thy perfect love.

Finish then thy new creation;
pure and spotless let us be;
let us see thy great salvation
perfectly restored in thee:
changed from glory into glory,
till in heaven we take our place,
till we cast our crowns before thee,
lost in wonder, love, and praise.

See also: Love Divine, All Loves Excelling (Tune: Hyfrydol)


Historical Information

Text: Charles Wesley, 1747
Tune: BLAENWERN 87.87D

Know why you haven't heard from me? Cause I'm on a deserted island...no really!

I know it's been a while since I've posted, not that any of you have missed me :-(
But thought I would let you know that I'm on a deserted island, kinda.

Here's the twist, you knew there had to be one right?

You’re on a deserted island, with no sign of rescue. You can have 10 things with you on the island. You just have to choose from this list. What will keep you company under the long, hot days in the sun? (my choices are in bold):



1. Chocolate or Potato Chips? Chips definitely. I cannot live without Chips, they are my one true passion. Surely on this island there must be something I can use and put together for some salsa? Maybe a luscious mango, papaya, pineapple, jalapeno salsa. Yeah, cause you know jalapenos grow wild on deserted isles...wow, that rhymes. This is why I'd do ok on a deserted isle, cause I can entertain myself.

2. Fiction or Non-Fiction? Fiction definitely since the choice blogs isn't listed. Cause you know I love reading everyone's blogs. 

3. The Lord of the Rings or The Godfather movies? Oh gosh, those are my only choices? I guess I would have to go with Lord of the Rings, but only because I've never seen it and at least it would be something new. 

4. Cameron Diaz or Jennifer Aniston? Cameron Diaz because I don't think she's going to look that good without makeup and neither will I but darn that Jennifer has gotta be gorgeous without makeup...who needs that pressure? Besides Cameron is sturdier and would have to be better at gathering wood and building makeshift huts than Jennifer would.

5. 70′s or 80′s music? Since I'm a child of the 70's then 70's definitely. And by child of the 70's I don't mean born in the 70's but that's when I became semi-interested in music. 

6. Jon Stewart or Daniel Craig? Daniel Craig, see the picture...need I say more? He's already dressed for the event!

7. Friday Night Lights or Downton Abbey? Downton Abbey! I just watched Season 2 again yesterday on PBS and I love it! Pure entertainment. Love the sappy storyline, the actors, the clothing. Can't wait for Season 3. 

8. Beer or Wine? Wow...this is a tough one. Well I would have to go with the beer, but only because it would go best with my pineapple, mango, papaya, jalapeno salsa and chips.

9. Pizza or Hamburgers? Burger baby! If we're deserted on an island, we're not going to worry about carbs! But wait...if I eat carbs and gain weight...then Daniel Craig is going to run off with Cameron Diaz, makeup or not! (Yeah right! Who am I kidding, like that's not going to happen anyway!) 

10. The Rolling Stones or the Beatles? I gotta say, I'm not a big fan of either, but would probably go with the Beatles. Could I trade the bands for some more books please? 

Grabbed these cute little questions from The Zadge over at  Blue Skies and Yellow Dogs, she's hilarious! A girl after my own heart!

Promise to be back soon with posts (again...not that anyone has missed me), working on a project I hope to share with everyone.

Seputih Bulu Domba (As White As Fleece)

Tak kau lupakan diriku
Kau ingatku adalah debu
Tetapi kau meninggikannya
Di hadapan malaikatmu

Tak kau hapuskan namaku
Dari kitab kehidupanmu
Kau tak malu mengakuinya
Di hadapan Bapa

Refrain:
Kau Allah yang tiada mengingat lagi
Segala kesalahanku yang telah engkau ampuni
Walau dosaku merah bak kain kesumba
Engkau menjadikan ku putih, seputih bulu domba

You do not forget me
You recall that I am dust
But you raise me up
In front of your angels

You do not erase my name
From the book of life
You are not ashame to defend me
Before the Father

Refrain:
You O God no longer remembers
All my sins you have forgiven
Although my sins are as red as scarlet
They shall be as white as fleece

Paraphrase of Isaiah 1:18


Composer: Jonathan Prawira

See my other blog postings in the Contemporary Christian Music (CCM) series. 

Sungguh Indah Kau Tuhan (You are so Beautiful, O God)

Ku cari wajahMu
Temukan kasihMu
Kau bukan Tuhan yang jauh dariku
Kupanggil namaMu
Kudengar jawabMu
Kau Tuhan yang s’lalu dengar seruan hatiku

Sungguh indah Kau Tuhan
Penuh kasih dan sayang
Kau tempat penghiburan
Bagi setiap hati yang terluka
Sungguh indah Kau Tuhan
Menara perlindungan
Kau sumber kekuatan
Bagi semua orang yang membutuhkan.

I search for your face
To encounter your love
You are not far away from me
I call upon your name
I hear your call
You God always hear the cry of my heart

You are so beautiful O God
Full of love and affection
You are a place of comfort
For every broken heart
You are so beautiful O God
My tower of protection
You are the source of strength
For all those in need.


Composer: Jonathan Prawira

See my other blog postings in the Contemporary Christian Music (CCM) series.