Thanksgiving Minus One Plus Another!

It truly was a good day. I truly do feel thankful. I know I am truly blessed! But I truly missed my boy. Well, he's not really a boy anymore. He's 25 and independent and working a good job and living in his own apartment in Denver, Colorado. This was our first Thanksgiving without him since the Lord blessed us with him back in 1984. He couldn't make it home due to work. But, thankfully, his boss had him over to his house for a family Thanksgiving dinner. I do so appreciate that. I was imagining a frozen dinner sitting in front of the computer or television.

We sure are looking forward to seeing him at Christmas. We're proud of him but I'm just not loving this 2000 miles away thing. Ah well, the Lord knew I would need some distraction this year and gave me the most precious baby granddaughter. I loved watching her sample her first bit of pumpkin pie. Thank you to the best, most loving daughter in the world for sharing her today with me. A truly good day.
(and just 29 days until Christmas)

Thankful to the Lord,

Make a Smilebox slideshow

Jesus Sang!

Matthew 26:30 says "When they had sung a hymn, they went out to the Mount of Olives."
This was right before Jesus was betrayed in the garden. He sang knowing what was ahead of Him.

I have yet to understand fully this love that God has for us. I just give up and admit that I can't comprehend why He did what He did.

In this Thanksgiving week I am so aware of my blessings. I am amazed at my life when I sit and look back on the past 52 years. Why have I had a generally happy life while others have had much heartbreak and difficulties? Well, I'm not naive enough to think those days aren't coming my way. I do realize it and pray that my faith will be strong. I know HE is my best friend and companion.

Music means so much to me and I have been listening to some majestic Christmas arrangements by Michael W. Smith. They make you think of heaven and how "our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all" (2 Cor. 4:17). Jesus knew what was ahead of Him as He sang that hymn. He knew the agony coming and the glory after that. It's said that traditionally the hymns sung at the Passover were Psalms 115-118. I love Psalm 115:

1 Not to us, O LORD, not to us
but to your name be the glory,
because of your love and faithfulness.

2 Why do the nations say,
"Where is their God?"

3 Our God is in heaven;
he does whatever pleases him.

4 But their idols are silver and gold,
made by the hands of men.

5 They have mouths, but cannot speak,
eyes, but they cannot see;

6 they have ears, but cannot hear,
noses, but they cannot smell;

7 they have hands, but cannot feel,
feet, but they cannot walk;
nor can they utter a sound with their throats.

8 Those who make them will be like them,
and so will all who trust in them.

9 O house of Israel, trust in the LORD—
he is their help and shield.

10 O house of Aaron, trust in the LORD—
he is their help and shield.

11 You who fear him, trust in the LORD—
he is their help and shield.

12 The LORD remembers us and will bless us:
He will bless the house of Israel,
he will bless the house of Aaron,

13 he will bless those who fear the LORD—
small and great alike.

14 May the LORD make you increase,
both you and your children.

15 May you be blessed by the LORD,
the Maker of heaven and earth.

16 The highest heavens belong to the LORD,
but the earth he has given to man.

17 It is not the dead who praise the LORD,
those who go down to silence;

18 it is we who extol the LORD,
both now and forevermore.
Praise the LORD.


HAPPY THANKSGIVING!

Life as a Music Ministry Assistant

Just for the heck of it I’ll describe my life as a music ministry assistant. I am very blessed to have my particular job. Probably many people might wonder how in the world the position of music minister’s assistant could be a full-time job. It’s a job that involves a minister of music, 127 active choir members, a middle school choir, a senior adult choir, a minister of instrumental music and orchestra, a media director, many co-workers, a church membership that has definite opinions on the music they like/dislike, technology, paperwork, library, printing/advertising, tidying up, cataloging, decorating, undecorating, ordering food for choir gatherings.

I reserve facilities,enjoy planning short trips, taking money for various projects, fitting choir members’ outfits, ordering those outfits, ordering music, publishing newsletters, proof orders of service, answer phones, and emails. I make sure we have 2200 candles for the Christmas Eve candlelight service counted and ready to give out, am responsible for scheduling Senior Adult choir outings at nursing homes, setting up rooms for choirs, do computer work to put lyrics on screens in the Worship Center for the congregation and for the singers, soloists, and narrators for every Sunday service and special events, schedule soloists and ensembles a month ahead, and keep track of all the choir members’ birthdays.

You add the proofing of texts and programs, the interruptions, the keeping track of the boss’ schedule, the sick folks who need hospital visits, who need TLC for their various troubles, family crises, the personality differences of all those I work with, the expectations, the assumptions and demands and you have quite the workload.

I enjoy the seasonal schedule immensely. We are always preparing ahead. We begin work on Christmas in the month of August, Easter in the month of January, Patriotic starts in April. I can tell you the date of every Sunday in the year in a matter of seconds. As we say in the Music Office, it is always Wednesday or Sunday…it certainly seems that way. It’s a varied job, never a dull moment, has hilarious mornings, testy afternoons, involves me with both wonderful and challenging people and most importantly, is something I do “as unto the Lord”. That keeps it all in perspective. I’m very thankful for my job. You know you've got a great job when you don't dread Sunday nights!! Monday's ahead and I am happy to see it come.

Christmas Ornament

This is the ornament I bought today for my Christmas tree. I anticipate Christmas this year because of Madison. This little ornament is a symbol to me that in 2009 I received one of my most treasured blessings ever.

I Heard the Bells...

A little early I know but this is one of my favorite Christmas songs. Our choir is doing the "Casting Crowns" version this year and it just fit with my devotional time this morning as I studied His word and one of Beth Moore's books.
The words to the song are:

I heard the bells on Christmas day
Their old familiar carols play
And mild and sweet their songs repeat
Of peace on earth good will to men

And the bells are ringing
Like a choir they're singing
In my heart I hear them
Peace on earth, good will to men

And in despair I bowed my head
There is no peace on earth I said
For hate is strong and mocks the song
Of peace on earth, good will to men

But the bells are ringing
Like a choir singing
Does anybody hear them?
Peace on earth, good will to men

Then rang the bells more loud and deep
God is not dead, nor doth He sleep
The wrong shall fail, the right prevail
With peace on earth, good will to men

Then ringing singing on its way
The world revolved from night to day
A voice, a chime, a chant sublime
Of peace on earth, good will to men

And the bells they're ringing
Like a choir they're singing
And with our hearts we'll hear them
Peace on earth, good will to men

I especially love the verse "God is not dead, not doth He sleep". Such a comforting and victorious thought! We are, according to Moore's study, living in the end times. She states six signs including "1)Christians will long for Christ's return before the world ever sees it. 2)Many will come claiming to be Christ. 3)The world will display dramatic increases in depravity. 4)The latter days will show a notable increase in violence and cataclysmic events. 5)The worldwide witness of the gospel of Jesus Christ will increase. 6)The activity of the Holy Spirit will increase."

Number 5 is very meaningful to me. I was privileged to serve as a missionary with the International Mission Board from 1986-1995 in Guatemala. We saw the Bible translated into a language that had never had the written WORD before. (Wycliffe translaters did this). My husband went out to groups of people who had never heard of the United States much less Jesus. Right now I see that even though our country is seemingly godless with the administration in charge and there is much violence and depravity, God is still blessing America. Simply because we are sending thousands of missionaries to places that have never heard. Jesus will not come back until "The gospel of the kingdom will be preached in the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come" Matthew 24:14.

God is not dead, nor doth He sleep. The wrong shall fail, the right prevail with that FINAL peace of a new heaven and a new earth and satan defeated.

Favorites!

Just thinking of the fact that we'll be celebrating Thanksgiving in a few weeks. To me, thankful=favorites. My favorite people, blessings, things, places!

1. JESUS, of course. My constant Companion, Savior, Shepherd, Friend.
2. GOD, my Father, my Source. He holds all in His hands.
3. THE HOLY SPIRIT. Discipline, love, guidance, JOY!
4. FAMILY. Loving, patient husband. Beautiful daughter. Excellent son-in-law. Cutest baby granddaughter in the world. Adventurous son. Healthy, happy parents. Brother & sister & their spouses & my nieces/nephews...FUN!
5. FRIENDS. Erin, Cheryl. Church folk.
6. AUTUMN. Red, yellow, orange, green, crisp, fragrance, anticipation. Bluest sky.
7. CHOCOLATE. No need to explain.
8. MUSIC. Choirs, violins, Christmas, Peace on Earth. Hallelujah Chorus!
9. BOOKS. The smell, the feel, the losing myself in the story for hours at a time.
10. HEAVEN. My home. Someday.