His Song to Sing

Living My One Life Well

noreply@blogger.com (His Song to Sing) — Wed, 16 Jan 2013 05:02:00 +0000

Have you noticed we're halfway through the first month of this new year already? As I mentioned in my last post, I'm not one to verbalize a lot of resolutions, but there has been a lot of "inner dialogue" going on in my head and heart about how I want to use my time more wisely. As I just expressed to a friend a few days ago, "I somehow manage to accomplish what has to be done, but there are so many other good and beneficial things I want to do with my time."

Things like ...

Using this special place I created in one of my upstairs bedrooms to "Be Still and Know God."

Read these books ... not just hurry through them but really ingest their message

Grow more knowledgeable in the practice of photography. This picture (and the one below) were taken with the new macro lens I received for Christmas. This is an actual bloom on my very dormant hydrangea bush. It must be very confused by our unseasonably warm weather. I also saw a dogwood tree blooming today!

Continue to learn and memorize songs on this treasured instrument. I also want to explore how to incorporate technology into my piano students' education. Music feeds my soul and my goal is to encourage a love for its benefits anyway I can.

Redeem time by counting daily gifts as His grace over my life.

"I speak it to God: I don't really need more time; I just want enough time. Time to breathe deep and time to see real and time to laugh long, time to give You glory and rest deep and sing joy and just enough time in a day not to feel hounded, pressed, driven, or wild to get it all done--yesterday ... In the beep and blink of the twenty-first century, with its "live in the moment" buzz phrase that none of the whirl-weary seem to know how to do, who actually knows how to take time and live with soul and body and God all in sync? To have the time to grab the jacket off the hook and time to go out to all air and sky and green and time to wonder at all of them in all this light, this time refracting in prism. I just want to do my one life well." - Ann Voskamp in One Thousand Gifts

Oh and there's this ...

Exercise .... a must!!

And the list goes on and on ... complete unfinished crochet/cross-stich projects, go through my father's slide collection, better organize my own large collection of print and digital photos, de-clutter my house, etc., etc., etc.

In addition to these personal projects, I am always looking for opportunities to spend quality time with friends and mentor/encourage women to nurture their relationship with God. I will always make time for those conversations.

I'm convinced that I would accomplish much more if I gave myself more time to get things done. To do that I've decided to sign up for the Hello Mornings Challenge. I'm not totally sure what I'm getting myself into, but mostly I believe it is designed to give someone like me the accountability and encouragement to get an earlier start on my day. That means this "night owl" will have to stop staying up so late!!

These scriptures motivate me to want to do a better job at "living my one life well."

"Teach me to number my days, that I may gain a heart of wisdom." Psalm 90:12

"Be very careful, then, how you live--not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity ..." Ephesians 5:15,16"

I'll let you know how the challenge goes. How do you get it all done??

My Only Resolution - To Blog Again

noreply@blogger.com (His Song to Sing) — Sat, 05 Jan 2013 05:09:00 +0000

I've never been big on resolutions and am somewhat uncomfortable calling my return to blogging a resolution yet it fits. I am resolved to give up my inhibitions and jump in with both feet again. I'm starting easy with this simple reflective exercise. Thank you Simple Woman's Daybook for this tool. Some of us need a little help now and then ...

For Today ... January 4, 2013

Outside my window it's a chilly North Florida evening.
I am thinking it's good to be inside by a nice warm fire with my hubby.

In the kitchen I'm about to mix up some Chili con Queso for the Cotton Bowl ... Boomer Sooner! (Post game comment ... congrats on the great win Aggie fans!)

I am thankful I haven't caught the nasty flu bug going around.

I am wearing comfy clothes.

I am creating an afghan for my niece and her new husband. I'm thinking the newlyweds will enjoy cuddling under this after a fun day on the slopes at Park City, Utah.

I am going to get right back to healthy eating after enjoying the "queso" tonight :)

I am wondering what 2013 will bring. There is uncertainty on the horizon concerning my husband's health but am trusting in the Great Physician that all will be well.

I am reading "The End of Your Life Book Club" by Will Schwalbe. Picked this very enjoyable read up at the coolest bookstore while visiting family in Nashville last week. Mitch Album, author of Tuesdays with Morrie, says this about the book, "A wonderful book about wonderful books and mothers and sons and the enduring braid between them. Like the printed volumes it celebrates, this story will stay with you long after the last page."

I am hoping for many more winter nights to enjoy a cozy fire. North Florida is the best place to be in the spring and fall seasons, but I also love chilly nights by the fireplace in January and February.

I am looking forward to celebrating our 35th wedding anniversary this next summer.

I am learning how to play Michael W. Smith's song "Joy Follows Suffering" on the piano. I got to hear him play it live last summer ... very inspiring.

I am pondering how I'm going to read all the books I want to read and wondering how this blogger friend does it!!

A favorite quote for today - Anne Lamott says the two best prayers are "Help me, Help me, Help me" and "Thank you, Thank you, Thank you."

One of my favorite things is when my kitty helps me write blog posts ...

This was fun!! I'm back even if I only do this exercise every month.

A Beautiful Thing

noreply@blogger.com (His Song to Sing) — Tue, 29 May 2012 02:06:00 +0000

With Memorial Day in mind our minister chose to speak on the subject of how and why we memorialize those we love and admire. Though he mentioned our servicemen and how deserving they are of our honor for all they do for our country, the main focus of his lesson came from a story from the gospel of Matthew. You can read here how a woman named Mary showed her love for Jesus by pouring a fragrant perfume on his head. It was poured from an alabaster jar which speaks to its value. This wasn't a cheap perfume. Some of the disciples viewed her action as wasteful yet Jesus said, "Why are you bothering this woman? She has done a beautiful thing to me." Jesus also said that she would be remembered for her action as this gospel story was told throughout the world. Towards the end of the lesson, our minister mentioned other "beautiful things" he had observed in our church body where brothers and sisters took care of one another or served someone in the community.

When he got to this point of his lesson, my thoughts began to focus on the sweet family you see pictured here. They have done a "beautiful thing" in my eyes. I'm confident our heavenly Father would agree and you will agree when you hear their story.
A few months ago Page and Rob learned that their unborn child would not survive outside the womb due to a major kidney defect. You can read more details about this very difficult situation in Page's blog at this post. You might ask what is beautiful about that? The beautiful thing to witness has been the incredible grace and dignity they have shown in this time of trial. They have shown us what Trust looks like in living color. Page shares her heart toward the end of this post and in her most recent post just last week. She expresses the roller coaster of emotions they are on, yet also shared the hope and gratitude in their heart for the way God has ministered to them in their trial. At a time when they could have stayed closed off with their grief, they have ministered to others with their strong faith. I see beauty in that, can you?

Today is Memorial Day, a national holiday set aside to honor those who have given their all in service to our country. As you remember them, please say some prayers for Page and Rob and their extended family. Micah Edward Cole was brought into the world this morning and though he did not survive as had been anticipated, his mom and dad got to spend some time with him. We know their hearts are heavy with loss and grief today and will be for some time, but I'm confident they will also ask for and receive His peace that "transcends all understanding" (Philippians 4:6-7.) Now, more than ever is the time for those of us who know them to be strong for them and participate in another beautiful thing for His glory.

This song written and performed by Ginny Owens expresses what beautiful faith looks like better any other song I know. In case you didn't know or can't tell, Ginny is blind.

Timing is Everything

noreply@blogger.com (His Song to Sing) — Tue, 22 May 2012 00:45:00 +0000

Timing is everything ... you've heard the phrase. This year I learned that lesson when it comes to gardening. I love beautiful flowers in my back yard but definitely don't consider myself to be a gardener. Yet look what is gracing my back porch! Would you believe these exact same bushes only put off 3, yes that's right, 3 measly blooms last year?! I discovered that if you trim bushes at the wrong time you basically kill their bloomability ... that's my new word for the day. (You're welcome to use it if you need it.) You're probably thinking ... duh! Just remember, I told you I'm not a gardener. I actually did seek the advice of a professional as to when to trim the bushes but either I heard her wrong or she gave me bad advice. That was last year! This is this year! I guess you noticed I had my blog designer put blue hydrangeas in my design. After all, they are my favorite flower! I'm pretty happy to have an "eye-full" of them out my back window these days. If you're wondering, I actually didn't trim them at all this year. I couldn't take a chance that my timing would be off again. I just let them die back and sit there. They were ugly sticks just a few months ago. I wish I had a picture of that for this post.

I'm thankful that God's timing is always right when it comes to the "pruning" He puts me through from time to time. Trusting Him is the only way I know to navigate this life with all of its disappointments, struggles, and heartbreaks. I'll leave you with a verse that helps me to stay on track in the Trust Department.

"Trust in the Lord with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding. Seek His will in all you do and He will show you which path to take." Proverbs 3:5,6

Heaven on Earth (in Arkansas)

noreply@blogger.com (His Song to Sing) — Sat, 12 May 2012 22:31:00 +0000

I recently experienced a true taste of heaven on earth. Yes, you read that right! Near Jonesboro, Arkansas at a place called Oakhaven, heaven on earth looked like this:

- All things were prepared for our arrival by our hosts. "Angels" prepared every meal and washed every dish, calling their deeds of service towards us a grace from Him.

- Each person's journey to get there was unique yet our common goal of "seeking God in all things" brought us together.

- We had one job description for five days ... to contemplate God. We spent our time looking into His Word, praising Him in song and prayer, enjoying His beautiful creation, resting in Him by spending long periods in silence and solitude, and seeing Him in each individual's story of grace and redemption.

It's kind of like a dream now ... the kind of dream you don't want to wake up from ... the kind of dream you want to reenter again and again. Even though I'm not able to do that, I did bring a piece of heaven home with me or maybe I should say I brought home a "peace of heaven." I brought His Peace home in the form of a new mindset that continues to permeate my days. I can also tap into His peace by looking at the many pictures I took throughout my time there. And now you too can get a "picture" of heaven by watching the slideshow I created from my photographs.

Grace and peace be yours in abundance through the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord. ~ II Peter 1:2

Scripture Memory Challenge & Tools

noreply@blogger.com (His Song to Sing) — Tue, 17 Apr 2012 05:24:00 +0000

Did you memorize scripture in your Sunday School classes when you were young? I remember memorizing the Beatitudes and Psalm 23 in Mrs. Shelton's class when I was living in Nashville as a youngster. I also had to memorize the entire second chapter of Acts for a Bible class in college. Since then I haven't done a lot of scripture memorization except a few years ago I learned quite a bit of Psalm 139 just because it's one of my favorite passages.

Through my internet friend, Lisa at Lisa Notes, I learned about a group of online friends who challenge each other to memorize portions of scripture. Currently, they (we) are working on learning John 1:1-14. Lisa has written this post which will tell you about multiple resources to aid you on your journey should you decided to join us in the challenge.

In fact, I'm finding that Do Not Depart.com (who hosts the challenge) is a great source of all kinds of Bible study tools, including memorization.

Click on this icon to check it out.

Personally, I'm using a very cool website called Scripture Typer to help me along and it's really makes the task easy. It has 3 modes to help you achieve your goal: Learn, Memorize, and Master. Check it out! It will remind you to review your learned passages once a week and rank you among other users. I'm way down at the bottom at that list but hope to move up in the ranks as I add more verses to my "memory bank." There's even an iPhone App that allows you to enter your verses using just the first letter of each word. It provides another fun way to review your verses when you are "on the move."

This is the first verse I memorized with the Scripture Typer program. Do you have a favorite scripture you have hidden in your heart?

My Heart Goes Home

noreply@blogger.com (His Song to Sing) — Sat, 14 Apr 2012 04:28:00 +0000

This native Texan has only seen her beloved Texas bluebonnets twice in the last 30 years. They only bloom in the Spring for a few weeks so my chances of seeing them are pretty slim. This picture was taken about 8 years ago so I was definitely ready for another encounter.

Last Saturday morning my opportunity for "bluebonnet bonding" came again. We were visiting friends near Denton, Texas. They were tied up with an Easter event at their church and Hal was fishing so I headed out armed with some locations I found on a Google search and my GPS. The location I was searching for was the Mt. Zion cemetery in Little Elm, TX. In my mind's eye I pictured a small cemetery on a country road, but have you been to North Texas lately? Oh my, even Little Elm isn't little! After driving in circles for about an hour, I pulled into a 7-11. Yes, those still exist in Texas. I decided an older person would know how to point me to this cemetery. Right as I pulled in, I found my "guides." They knew exactly where it was ... down the road I was on, past WalMart and Sonic. Hah! Obviously, the picture in my head was a little off base. Meet Billie and Curley Gatlin who decided to personally escort me to the location. Aren't they sweet?! In our conversation, we discovered they have sons living in Nashville. Imagine my surprise, when they said, "Have you heard of the Gatlin Brothers?"

After they left, I spent about an hour on that beautiful hillside. I was in "Bluebonnet Heaven" but kicking myself for not bringing my best camera. The pictures I'm sharing were taken with my iPhone and Panasonic "point and shoot."

This was my first view from the top of the hill.

Liked this view even better

Up close and personal

There were many families on the hillside taking part in a Texas tradition of taking pictures of their children immersed in bluebonnets. I had to borrow this little guy...you get the idea.

I grabbed a passerby to snap this pic of me ... it's the windblown look :)

My favorite bluebonnet fields have a red flower called Indian Paintbrush mixed in but these yellow wild flowers look pretty nice, wouldn't you say?

I'll close with a picture I took with my Instagram application on my phone. My caption with that photo says,

"Texas Bluebonnets ... my heart is home!"

Something New for Me

noreply@blogger.com (His Song to Sing) — Wed, 21 Mar 2012 04:46:00 +0000

I've decided to participate in the Spring Reading Thing hosted by Katrina over at Callapidder Days. I love to read but am often guilty of not finishing all the books I start. I will be listing here the books I intend to read (and finish!) and will then review them for you in June.

Sometimes it just takes a little commitment, right?!!

Here's my non-fiction list:

The Good and Beautiful God by James Bryant Smith

This is the first book in the Apprentice Series. I'm considering this book for a small group study in my home. I've heard many good things about it.

A Testament of Devotion by Thomas R. Kelly

This book also comes highly recommended. It is considered a spiritual classic. I intend to read this one aloud to myself in order to breathe the concepts in slowly. It's not an easy read but worth the effort I've been convinced.

Bonhoeffer: Pastor, Martyr, Prophet, Spy by Eric Metaxas

This is quite a lengthy biography about Dietrich Bonhoeffer. I've been intrigued by it for a while. After hearing the author speak at the recent National Prayer Breakfast I was even more interested in what he had to say about this courageous man who literally stood up "in the face of the monstrous evil that was Nazism."

On the lighter side:

Falling Together by Marisa de los Santos

I really don't know anything about this story but I thoroughly enjoyed 2 other books by this author, "Belong To Me" and "Love Walked In."

I'm going to stop there for now because I don't want to bite off too much. I'm really looking forward to delving into each of these books.

One more note ... my favorite read of last year was 1000 Gifts by Ann Voskamp. How many books have you read that end up having their own website and smart phone app?! This is a very special book! I ended up giving over 25 copies to family and friends. This weekend I'll have the privilege of hearing Ann speak at a women's retreat in Charleston, SC. She's a pig farmer's wife in Canada but has influenced me and many others with her message. The following video communicates her message in a beautiful way. Take a few minutes to watch ... you will be blessed! I'm sure of it!

Figuring Life Out - One Thousand Gifts from Jacob Forrest on Vimeo.

Have any really good reads to share with me?

Starting Fresh and Looking Back

noreply@blogger.com (His Song to Sing) — Mon, 12 Mar 2012 00:11:00 +0000

Yes, I'm starting fresh with a new blog design from Karen at Valentine Design Studio. I think she got me just right after only one phone call, don't you? I'm hoping the new look will inspire me to write more often. The desire is there but creativity does not come natural to this girl. I believe there is a difference in being artistic and being creative. For instance, I consider myself as being artistic in the field of music and crafts in that I enjoy playing the piano and crocheting, beading, etc. On the other hand, I've never written a song or designed a unique craft from scratch. I sure wish I had those gifts. I also don't consider myself to be a creative writer like some I encounter here in the Blogosphere, yet I'm drawn to the process of writing my thoughts down and appreciate any readers willing to listen and those who respond with their own thoughts.

Ann Voskamp, author of 1000 Gifts, inspired a creative way to walk down memory lane in the thoughts that follow on "where I'm from." I've included a few pictures that tie in to my "walk."

I am from the Texas plains and Tennessee hills.

Love my bluebonnets!

I am from Bobby, a skinny Army guy who showed up at church and was invited home for lunch, and Wanda, the beautiful brown-eyed young lady who became his wife.

Me with Mom and Dad - Age 3

I am from fields of bluebonnets ... the big maple tree in Ma Blackwell’s yard whose long gone limbs I remember as if they were my own.

Tennessee in the summertime

I am from going to church every time the doors were open and never grew tired of listening to my daddy preach.

I am from trips to my grandparent’s house at Christmas and Collie dogs.

Me as a teenager with Tuffy

I am from playing in the creeks near Mammy’s house, laying in the grass making floral necklace chains from clover blooms, and catching fireflies in a Mason jar.

Ma and Pa Blackwell in front of my great grandmother's house

I am from “we don’t have to go to church--we get to go to church” and “When the Roll is Called up Yonder.”

I’m from sitting on the front porch after dinner to watch the world go by.

Granny and Pa Richardson

I am from piano players and my daddy and his daddy who loved to sing.

First piano recital

I am from Granny Richardson’s chocolate pie and Ma Blackwell’s chicken dumplings.

Granny Richardson in her kitchen

I am from learning early that bad things happen to good people and how God is faithful and able to heal lonely hearts.

I’m from mama’s Bible, used well, her handwriting on many of its thin pages, laying where I pass by it daily.

Mom's Bible with other treasured books

I’m from a family that showered me with unconditional love and raised me to love God’s Word, His people, and His world.

Thanks for taking that walk with me. I'm proud of my heritage and feel very blessed to have such fond memories. I would love to hear where you're from. If you click on Ann's link above, you can view the writing guide I used.

Georgia On My Mind

noreply@blogger.com (His Song to Sing) — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 13:25:00 +0000

I'm sure you instantly thought of the song made famous by Ray Charles when you saw that title, didn't you? Did you know it was originally written for a woman, Hoagy Carmichael's sister? Most think of the state of Georgia and it is their state song, but I'm thinking of woman this morning also. I'm thinking about my adopted mama Georgia who recently passed from this temporary world to take her place alongside the angels who eternally sing His Song. She will remain on my mind and in my heart as long as I live. Most are graced in this life with only one mother. I was divinely blessed with two of them. The first one brought me into this world and you can read about her in my post "Mama's Birthday." The second one adopted me about 20 years ago and you can read some thoughts I wrote about her in my post "Honoring Precious Mothers" I wrote on Mother's Day in 2010. Please take a minute to visit the second post to read mama Georgia's comment back to me on that day. Of course, her words to me there and all her sincere expressions of love over the past 20 years are so precious to me as God chose to take her home this past Wednesday morning. His timing caught us all by surprise but then His ways are not our ways.

Georgia always felt a special connection to my mom because they were born in the same month and the same year. I've enjoyed the mental picture of my two mom's chatting away about me up there with my Dad looking over their shoulder since he probably will hardly get a chance to get a word in. Georgia was quite the storyteller! She will have many stories to share about our time together. She will tell her about the road trips we took together, taking care of our boys when Hal and I traveled (including a trip to the hospital while we were out of the country), and all the things she learned about me in our many, many conversations over lunch, on the phone, and sitting at her kitchen table. How I will miss those talks! As I mentioned in the previous post, her "listening ear" was what I treasured most. No one, not a devoted husband or even a dear friend listens quite like a loving mother. Since I lost my first mom so early in life, I suppose that's what this daughter missed the most, and God supplied that need when he brought us together. Even as we visited last week in the hospital, she wanted to know every detail of what was going on with me. So her report to my mom will certainly be up-to-date!

No post about my dear Georgia would be complete without my telling you about how she loved our pets. She was quite the animal lover and shared a very special relationship with our dog Tuffy. She was with us the day we went to the breeder's home to pick him out of the litter.

I took this picture this past Christmas Day.

I'm so thankful to have it now. I wish I had a picture to share with you of Georgia and our cat. Yes, she even loved our cat like he was her own! She adored that little rascal and called him "sweetheart." That always made me laugh!

Georgia was a very special lady. She was known for her big smile and tight hugs. She had a way of making you feel like nothing else mattered in the space of time that you were together. What a gift!

Here's a picture of us at my youngest son's wedding in 2009.

One of the last day trips we took together was to visit Georgia's niece who lives in Mexico Beach. Donna was battling colon cancer and Georgia wanted to spend some time with her. At Donna's home I saw this sign hanging on the wall ...

I loved the design and the message even more so I asked Donna where she bought it. She directed me to a small shop right there in Mexico Beach so Georgia and I stopped there on our way home to see if I could purchase one also. It hangs in my beach condo now and not only will my guests be reminded "To Live Life in the Moment" but I'll remember my day with Georgia and how precious each moment was that I was blessed to know her.

One final note: I just received word last night that Donna is not battling cancer anymore ... she is with Georgia now. "The way of the righteous is like the first gleam of dawn which shines ever brighter until the full light of day." Shine on Georgia and Donna!

Season of Creativity

noreply@blogger.com (His Song to Sing) — Fri, 13 Jan 2012 03:30:00 +0000

Something's up with me in this New Year. I haven't started any new craft projects in months and yet I've started two in the last 24 hours! It could be the fact that it gets dark early or might it be Pinterest inspiration?! Thought I would share my endeavors with you as I'm also making an effort to blog more often which requires creativity on my part ... big time!!

My local daughter-in-law asked me to help her start an afghan she found on Pinterest so it got me in the mood to start a crochet project also. Hoping it will be presentable for a wedding gift later this year.

This is another project underway as of today. It is (or will be) a beaded wrap bracelet. I bought one on a trip last September and wanted to learn how to make them. A local bead shop (LH Bead Gallery) offered a class so I signed up. The process is a little tedious but I think I'm going to like the result!

In my last post I mentioned I was taking a photography/journaling e-course called Unravelling. She asked us not to reveal a lot about the course in our blogs, but I don't think she would mind me sharing this picture I took yesterday. In Week Two we were supposed to take pictures of ourselves as we caught our reflection on surfaces, mirrors, etc. Look close and you'll see Older & Wiser (I hope!) Lori looking over the shoulder of Young & Innocent Lori.

Ephesians 2:10 says, "For we are God's handiwork ..." I like thinking of myself in that respect. It makes me want to live my life in such a way that He is proud of His creation. Some days I do better than others but am so thankful that His "grace is sufficient for His power is made perfect in weakness." (II Cor. 12:9) Bottom line: I'm a work in progress just like these new projects.

Are you feeling creative in the new year? I'd love to hear about it!

Hearing the Music Again

noreply@blogger.com (His Song to Sing) — Tue, 03 Jan 2012 06:31:00 +0000

I've been away from the blogosphere since last June. I continued to follow a few favorite bloggers but even they have noticed, I'm sure, that I commented very little. It's a new year, and I'm feeling the urge to rejoin this practice of sharing thoughts and pictures from my life journey. Part of my inspiration to resume is coming from an e-course I just started this week called "Unravelling." The button on my blog will explain what that's all about. Today a fellow student in the course commented on my last post. Perhaps her kind thoughts stirred my heart to share again. Why would a total stranger's comment encourage me? Maybe only other bloggers can understand the connections you make and feel in this world.

Coming across The Simple Woman's Daybook blog also got me motivated to share some thoughts as the beginning of any new year is a good time for reflection. Rather than blather on any more I'll just get started with my first daybook post:

Today is January 2, 2012

Outside my window ... it's a cold, clear night.

I'm thinking ... it's a good night to resurrect my blog.

I'm thankful ... for nights cold enough to enjoy our fireplace here in North Florida.

In the kitchen ... are tempting snacks leftover from the holidays ... MUST REMOVE!

I am wearing ... gray jeans and red thermal hoody shirt ... comfy clothes.

I am creating ... this blog post ... my first in seven months!

I am going ... to get serious about losing weight this year ... a must for my health.

I am wondering ... what it would be like to feel good about my body again.

I am reading ... "Bread is the Devil" which sounds like a low-carb diet book but the author claims it is not.

I am hoping ... to use my camera and this blog to live a more intentional, gratitude-inspired life.

I am looking forward to ... the results of the 8-week e-course I just began today ... self-discovery through photography and journaling. According to the course administrator, there are 120 of us from all over the world on this journey together.

I am learning ... January 1 comes around faster and faster. All the more reason I want to live more intentionally.

Around the house ... I'm enjoying the fact that I all my Christmas decorations are put away.

I am pondering ... how to use time more wisely in 2012.

Favorite quote for the day ... "The aim of life is to live, and to live means to be aware, joyously, serenely, divinely aware." ~Henry Miller

One of my favorite things ... Cherry Garcia FroYo ... hence the need for some of my earlier thoughts posted here.

A few plans for the rest of the week ... photography and journal assignments for new class, get moving with my Wii Just Dance 3 game, and watch videos I bought months ago on Photoshop Elements.

A peek into my day ... a view of the Gulf of Mexico and my first Instagram:

Well, that was a thought-provoking exercise. You should try it even you don't plan on publishing it on a blog. We're off and running in a new year. Will you keep listening to His Song with me?

Daddy's Wisdom

noreply@blogger.com (His Song to Sing) — Sun, 19 Jun 2011 19:02:00 +0000

He was only 22 years old the summer he became a Dad ... my Daddy.

He was a good Daddy. This little girl knows she is loved.

The little girl grew up into a lanky teenager and though she still knew she was loved she began to challenge her parents' ideas about things. They were constant in their guidance, and her life was blessed because of their godly ways.

Then there was just the two of us. My Mom was called to her eternal home much sooner than we ever expected. This picture was taken of me and my Dad at my high school graduation. We were both still figuring out how to proceed through life without her, but God was at work and showed us a way to survive. My Daddy's love and guidance in that very difficult time was a huge part of my survival.

In 2003, he was also called home unexpectedly. As a minister he left behind a legacy that influenced not only my life but countless others who sought his advice and counsel. That was never more obvious than seeing the hundreds of people that attended the visitation and funeral services. I've also seen his legacy live on in my children and my siblings' lives. Daddy would be so proud of us, but I know He would want God to receive the glory for anything we have achieved or done.

Recently I was having one of those restless nights when my body needed sleep but my mind wouldn't shut down. I was thinking about this post so I decided to get up and record my thoughts. I wrote down ten things that came to me that I learned from my Dad. I could have written much more, but these thoughts/principles are what stood out the most. I hope you too can glean some wisdom from my memories of this wonderful man I was privileged to call Daddy.

Daddy's Wisdom

1. It's important to do the right thing even if everyone else is doing the wrong thing.

2. When tragedy strikes, you must stand strong so others can see the evidence of your faith.

3. Stay in touch with old friends even when time and distance separate you.

4. Honor the "love of your life" in life and death.

5. Life is more fun when you are spontaneous.

6. It is important to have mentors to guide you through life's decisions.

7. When life circumstances change, adapt and move on. Don't cling to the past.

8. Keeping simple traditions will help your adult children to continue to feel loved and welcome when they return home.

9. Keeping a song in your heart helps with life's ups and downs.

10. Honor God in all you do and say, and love His family.

Time in a Garden

noreply@blogger.com (His Song to Sing) — Tue, 07 Jun 2011 21:13:00 +0000

I can only imagine the beauty of that first garden our Creator made for Adam and Eve, but places like this can take me there in my mind's eye. This is a beautiful spot located near Seaside, FL, where we are vacationing this week with my husband's family.

Hydrangea Haven

Beautiful Garden Centerpiece

Daisies make me smile

How did that happen?

Bzzzz Bzzzz

Can I pick this one, Mom?

Blue is my favorite color ... loved these delicate beauties

Another one of God's precious creations

Love how the pink of the flower is radiating onto her face.

Afternoon sun kissing the garden goodbye for another day

I needed the peace and beauty this garden offered after our trip to Alabama that I wrote about in my last post. Praying you also find places that heal your soul to visit even if it's your YOUR OWN BACK YARD . "See how the lilies of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. Yet I tell you not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these." Matt. 6:28, 29

There's No Place Like Home

noreply@blogger.com (His Song to Sing) — Tue, 31 May 2011 05:46:00 +0000

If only the victims of this year's tornado outbreaks could wake up from their nightmare like Dorothy did ...

My husband and I, one of our sons and his wife, and 4 others from our church had the opportunity to travel to North Alabama this weekend to extend a helping hand to the community of Hatton, Alabama. We spent all day Saturday doing what we could to help two different families "pick up the pieces" ... literally. I can definitely say seeing devastation in person is nothing like seeing it on television. And we were seeing it a month into their recovery. Some of these communities will never be the same. I hope my pictures and words can relay some of what we saw and experienced.

We spent several hours picking up debris like this ... it was everywhere!

The roof of this home had to be put back into place but obviously much work remains to be done. The entire house was gutted.

This house had just been purchased six days before the storm.

We spent about 4 hours helping move the pieces to a burning trash pile.

These two pictures show the survival spirit of the families enduring these trials.

On Sunday after worship, we drove south towards Tuscaloosa and stopped at the community of Hackleburg, AL. This is a town with a population of 1500 that experienced 19 fatalities. If that were not enough, their largest employer, the Wrangler Jean plant was totally destroyed, their high school was decimated, along with their only grocery store. We were told 75% of the town was destroyed.

The Wrangler Jean plant

Hackleburg High School

A local church

I snapped this photo as were driving down a street in Hackleburg. Notice the clothes still on the hangers. Evidently that is someone's home and belongings piled up on the side of the road.

It was very uplifting to see the church right there serving the needs of their community on the parking lot of their condemned church building.

As we pulled into our driveway tonight, I couldn't help but be thankful that my house and belongings were right where we left them. I also couldn't help but think, "There's no place like home."

The "song I'm singing" after this humbling life experience is portrayed in this picture I took Saturday evening. It says to me that the sun still rises and sets in AL, and God is still in control.

Please keep all of the tornado victims across our land in your prayers as their physical and emotional recovery will be ongoing long after the television cameras quit rolling. If you are in a position to take some time to go do some relief work, do so, the needs are going to be there for a long time. Go ... you will be blessed!

Love It When This Happens

noreply@blogger.com (His Song to Sing) — Sat, 16 Apr 2011 13:59:00 +0000

Yes, I've been away from my blog for a very long time. I didn't necessarily intend to take a long break. It just happened that way. Some other obligations in my life took over and I got pulled away from my new found interest in photography also. I'm looking forward to having more time in June and July to blog and take pictures and catch up on some other projects I've put on the backburner.

I'm back today to tell you about something that happened this week that can only happen on the internet. Recently I heard about a book called, "Praying for Strangers." Right now I can't even recall where I saw it, but I was immediately intrigued by the title and knew I wanted to read this book. Then yesterday afternoon I was reading my friend Janie's post entitled, Catching Up , where she referred her readers to a post entitled, Centering Down. This post about a spiritual discipline for prayer was written by a young missionary in Tanzania by the name of Brett Harrison. It was a very well written article so I hung around his blog and read several more entries. I try not to add too many blogs to my Reader these days because I have a hard enough time keeping up with the ones I follow as it is, but his was just too good. Before I left I clicked on his tab entitled My Story where he mentions growing up in Dothan, AL. For some reason, my eyes drifted on down and I read some of the comments on this section. There was comment from a lady named River Jordan. Of course, that name will catch your eye! In her comment to Brett she mentioned having lived in Dothan but also mentioned that she grew up in Panama City, where I live. She also stated she was an author so I clicked on her name which took me to a very nice website. Guess what?! She is the author of "Praying for Strangers." I spent enough time on her website to know that I had to read this book sooner rather than later. I downloaded it onto my iPad a couple of nights ago and oh my ... it's a great read!

It's worth your time to listen to this 3-1/2 minute video of River talking about the inspiration behind this book. Take a few to do that but as soon as you can, get your hands on this book! You will enjoy her stories and be blessed by the wisdom she shares on the subject of prayer.

Graduation Day

noreply@blogger.com (His Song to Sing) — Fri, 04 Feb 2011 02:47:00 +0000

It's not often that you attend a graduation ceremony in February but this morning I did just that. My daughter-in-law works as a Development Director at the Panama City Rescue Mission and invited me to attend this month's graduation ceremony for four of their rehabilitation program participants. I must say it was unlike any other graduation I've ever attended. We started off singing and praising God with "Open the Eyes of My Heart, Lord" and then Brother Fox delivered an encouraging message to everyone. His thoughts were very appropriate for the occasion, encouraging the graduates and everyone in attendance to get busy doing the "good works" we were created to do.

One of the graduates giving her testimony

I'm telling you all this so you can be praying for Debbie, Kim, Nadine, and John as they move on into a new phase of their lives drug and alcohol free. Some of them are moving into internships or jobs with the Mission and one of the young ladies was getting on a bus this afternoon to go see her son who she hasn't seen in 2 years. Each of them gave their testimony to a room full of other men and women who are still in the program. As each one got up or sat down, the room erupted in cheers and praise not only for the graduate but also for the One who walked with them every step of the way ... Jesus!

I'm so thankful to have been introduced to this wonderful ministry through my daughter-in-law's involvement. I used to think of the Rescue Mission strictly as a homeless shelter which, of course, is certainly a necessary ministry in these days and times. I wasn't familiar with the long-term recovery programs they offer that are changing lives every day. It's been eye-opening but very encouraging to see what a difference God can make in a life when people quit trying to survive life on their own resources and lean on The Source. That's a lesson we all need to remember, don't you think?!!

If you are local, please contact me if you want to learn how you can become more involved with the Proverbs 31 Guild, a ladies' ministry that supports Bethel Village (the women's recovery program.) I can assure you that not only will you be given an opportunity to bless others but your life will be enriched also.

Monday's Melody

noreply@blogger.com (His Song to Sing) — Mon, 31 Jan 2011 23:58:00 +0000

Today I want to share a song called "Where Joy and Sorrow Meet". The performers are called Zoe Group and you might notice they are singing acapella. I've been blessed to be led in worship by them on several occasions. I was surprised and delighted to find this video online.

This is a song that speaks to my heart when I'm weary or sad, when people disappoint, when I know I've blown it again, when only His Presence will do. This song can take me there. How blessed we are to have that place to unload every need. Thank you, Jesus.

Here are the lyrics:

There’s a place of quiet stillness ‘tween the light and shadows reach
Where the hurting and the hopeless seek everlasting peace
Words of men and songs of angels whisper comfort bittersweet
Mending grief and life eternal where joy and sorrow meet

There’s a place the lost surrender and the weary will retreat
Full of grace and mercy tender in times of unbelief
For the wounded there is healing, strength is given to the weak
Broken hearts find love redeeming where joy and sorrow meet

Chorus:
There is a place where hope remains
In crowns of thorns and crimson stains
And tears that fall on Jesus’ feet
Where joy and sorrow meet

There’s a place of thirst and hunger where the roots of faith grow deep
And there is rain and rolling thunder when the road is rough and steep
There is hope in desperation there is victory in defeat
At the cross of restoration where joy and sorrow meet

Repeat Chorus

Blessings on the rest of your week!

Today's the Day

noreply@blogger.com (His Song to Sing) — Wed, 26 Jan 2011 14:39:00 +0000

Today's the day I'm blessed to announce the winner of my first Giveaway!

I'm very excited because I know the person who won will be beside herself with joy. I could pick up the phone (yes, she's local and a dear friend of mine) but I'll just let her find out here. She's very new to the world of blogs and the internet but, of course, I've taught her how to access my blog :)

Here's my good looking husband conducting the drawing this morning. Doesn't he look official?

Drum roll, please ......

Here's the winner!!

Yes, Gwen George, you are the winner!!

I'm so happy for her. She's recently retired from her own restaurant business, appropriately named "Gwendolyn's." The community misses her homemade soups and sandwiches so much, but because she has time to have a life again I've been blessed to get to know this precious sister on a whole new level. This woman "sings his song" in every ounce of her being! Love you, Gwen!

Before I close, I want to encourage you to continue to visit GEORGIANNA LANE'S BLOG. This link will take you to her latest post which is a "Prelude" to Valentine's day and will just leave you breathless (if you are into flower pictures). There is also a link there to her brand new website which I visited briefly this morning. It is heavenly!

Last, but not least, I leave you with my friend Sheri's comment on my giveaway post. I asked for commenters to let us know how they planned to spread beauty in 2011 and Sheri wrote these lovely words that I want to share with you:

Roses remind me of people...nice, tight buds just waiting to open and drink up the sun and all it's glory! One-by-one the petals unfold to reveal the delicate state of each phase of our lives, and as each one falls gently to the ground we are reminded of how quickly it goes. I appreciate roses far more since I'm in full-bloom, than I did as a tight bud!

So so true, Sheri, my wise friend!

1000 Gifts - A Must Read

noreply@blogger.com (His Song to Sing) — Mon, 24 Jan 2011 06:11:00 +0000

You may have noticed this "Book on my Nightstand" button on the right of my blog. I've been reading it on my iPad because I couldn't wait for a hard copy after I read the reviews. I finished it today and when we get home from our weekend road trip the 10 copies I've already ordered should be on my doorstep. Yes, you read that right ... 10 copies! If you click on the Bloom Book Club button on the right side of my blog you will see a brief introduction of the book with the author, Ann Voskamp. More in-depth discussions of the book are to come at this site so you might want to bookmark it.

If you have time, click on the link "the book trailer" on the Bloom site. It's a breathtaking video worth a few minutes of your day. A few of you have already seen it on my Facebook page. The main reason I wanted to get this post out is they also have a link to Dayspring books who is running a $10 special on the book only through tomorrow. Don't miss your opportunity to get a great deal on this "must read."

DIFFERENT SUBJECT - It's not too late to comment on either one of my posts about my GIVEAWAY!!! The deadline is:

Midnight, Tuesday, January 25th

In the meantime ...

I took this picture one day last Spring ... a lucky capture for me. I believe he was living out this verse as he was still sitting there long after I was through snapping pictures of him.

Be Still and Know That I Am God (Psalm 46:10)

Oops! Let's Try This Again

noreply@blogger.com (His Song to Sing) — Fri, 21 Jan 2011 21:17:00 +0000

Hopefully you saw this . . . my Georgianna Lane Roses calendar giveaway!

A friend kindly pointed out to me today that perhaps I didn't have more comments or entrants for my giveaway because the deadline I gave was February 25th!! Well, who would want a calendar that was two months old already?!! Or you thought I've got plenty of time to go back and make a comment if you are a procrastinator like me :)

I'm here to say that the intended deadline was

MIDNIGHT, JANUARY 25th

and I'm sticking to it.

The winner will be chosen

JANUARY 26th

I am going to change one thing. You DO NOT HAVE TO BE A FOLLOWER to make a comment. Some of you don't know how to do that "Follower" thing or have no desire to do so; therefore, I want to make it easier for you to win this calendar.

FYI - To make a comment, look at the very bottom of my post and you will see former comments with a box under that for your comment. If you don't see any other comments and a box, then look for the word Comments (at the bottom of the post) and click on it. It might have a number in front of the word comments, i.e., 4 Comments. Click on that and a small window will pop up with former comments and a box at the end of that for you to comment. I have probably confused you even more.

One more thing - If a username and password are requested, you can type in your own email and password. It does not have to be a "Google Account" per se.

There you go! I'm going to hush now.

My First Giveaway

noreply@blogger.com (His Song to Sing) — Wed, 19 Jan 2011 08:03:00 +0000

I've wanted to do a giveaway since I started my blog but wanted the item I gave away to be VERY special. Your lucky day has arrived! I'm giving away Georgianna Lane's 2011 Roses calendar. Now I know January is almost "in the books," but you will still want to find a special place for this breathtaking desk calendar somewhere in your home or office. I could try to describe this treasure I am offering you, but check it out HERE on Georgianna's Etsy site where you can read about it in her own words and see some images. I especially love that after the calendar year is over you will have twelve 5 x 5's of this very talented artist's work to frame, make into cards, etc. It's the giveaway that keeps on giving!

I started following GEORGIANNA'S BLOG this year for inspiration for my own growing interest in photography and look forward to each post. Her amazing photographs could certainly speak for themselves, but Georgianna describes them with words that also capture your heart. Recently Georgianna posted that she was going to be featured in SOMERSET LIFE. I made my way out to our local Border's and bought a copy. The words in that article were what gave me the idea to do this giveaway because I wanted to share this place of beauty I've discovered on the web. Having seen the calendar when I ordered one for a friend earlier this year, I knew it would make a lovely giveaway. Here's just a brief paragraph from the article

"A precious sanctuary exists in each of us -- a private wellspring of our own light and magic where we hold our dreams for safekeeping in gilded boxes, jeweled chests, or lovingly pressed between the pages of a cherished volume. It is the place we retreat to, to meet up with our truest self, and become reacquainted with all that we hold most dear -- the loves, the hopes, the aspirations, and the deep imaginings that our uniquely ours."

She goes on to talk about how sharing her art and "deep imaginings" through the world of blogging has been such a gift to her personally. Wish I could share more but I'm sure Georgianna and the people at Somerset Life would like for you buy the magazine! And it's time for me for me to stop gushing and get to the details of the giveaway before February is knocking on our door!

Details to Win!

1. Become a Follower of my blog - There's a "button" on the right side of my blog that will walk you through the process.
2. Leave a comment on this post by Midnight on Tuesday, February 25th, expressing your interest in getting your hands on G's calendar and how you plan to add beauty to our world in 2011. (Comments on Facebook don't count - they have to be on this blogsite.)

3. I will enlist the aid of my honest-Abe husband and randomly choose a winner who will be announced on February 26th. Make sure I have a way of contacting you (email address) so I can privately contact you about a mailing address if you are the winner.

It's that simple! I'm looking forward to hearing your "beauty secrets."

P.S. There are 3 links in this blog post in the first 3 paragraphs that will give you more info on Georgianna and her lovely work. Depending on the resolution of your screen they may not stand out too well due to the color of my words against the green background. Just wanted you to be aware of that so you could look for them. They are in ALL CAPS so that should help.

Monday's Melody

noreply@blogger.com (His Song to Sing) — Mon, 17 Jan 2011 20:39:00 +0000

I'm back with another installment of Monday's Melody for you. I was looking for something upbeat and different from what I shared last week. Browsing through my iTunes library I came across this song that has always lifted my spirits. Mary Chapin Carpenter, the song's author, opens up with a beautiful piano solo, but the next thing you know you will be tapping your toes. Take a little break and listen in.

I love the message of this song. There is a lot of trouble, pain, and sorrow in this world. We sure saw evidence of that this past week in the Tuscon tragedy, but there's also a lot of love and beauty all around us. I think she's telling us that it's all in our perspective, don't you think? Her lyrics are fairly easy to hear and understand, but I think it helps to see them in print when you are considering the meaning of a song so here you go:

In this world there's a whole lot of trouble baby
In this world there's a whole lot of pain
In this world there's a whole lot of trouble but
A whole lot of ground to gain
Why take when you could be giving
Why watch as the world goes by
It's a hard enough life to be living
Why walk when you can fly

In this world there's a whole lot of sorrow
In this world there's a whole lot of shame
In this world there's a whole lot of sorrow
And a whole lot of ground to gain
When you spend you whole life wishing
Wanting and wondering why
It's a long enough life to be living
Why walk when you can fly

And in this world there's a whole lot of golden
In this world there's a whole lot of pain
In this world you've a soul for a compass
And a heart for a pair of wings
There's a star on the far horizon
Rising bright in an azure sky
For the rest of the time that you're given
Why walk when you can fly

Note: I found this video on YouTube and it just happens to be by the same creator of last week's video. I can't help but wonder where she finds some of these pictures, don't you?

Monday's Melody

noreply@blogger.com (His Song to Sing) — Mon, 10 Jan 2011 23:56:00 +0000

One of my goals for this year is to blog more. To accomplish that goal I plan on sharing a song with you every Monday or at least most Monday's. I could listen to the song I'm going to share with you today a hundred times in a row, I think. That's probably exaggerating but seriously it was probably my favorite find on iTunes in 2010. I'm not sure how I came across Brooke Fraser, but she is the songstress of this song called Hymn I love her clear-as-a-bell voice singing the very meaningful lyrics, the strong, yet simple piano chords, and the way the strings compliment the instrumental bridge. Yes, I love everything about this melody and hope you will like it too.

Many of you know that I teach and play piano so you can imagine how delighted I was to find a YouTube video that features amazing pictures of the instrument I have long adored along with this treasured song. I also love the endearing pictures of Jesus, Our Shepherd, who does indeed seek after us when we wander. Enjoy the video. I think it's perfect for the song, but if you have time, play it again with your eyes closed and savor the song just for its meaning and beautiful musicality.

Lyrics

If to distant lands I scatter
If I sail to farthest seas
Would you find and firm and gather

'Til I only dwell in Thee?

If I flee from greenest pastures
Would you leave to look for me?
Forfeit glory to come after
'Til I only dwell in Thee.

Instrumental Bridge

If my heart has one ambition
If my soul one goal to seek
This my solitary vision

'Til I only dwell in Thee
That I only dwell in Thee

'Til I only dwell in Thee

Hymn can be found on Brooke's album, Albertine, that was released in 2006. While Hymn is my favorite from the album, the entire album is worth your investment. While writing this post, I came across her newest album, Flags, that was just released this past October. Can you guess what my next iTunes download will be?

Still Christmas 'Round Here

noreply@blogger.com (His Song to Sing) — Fri, 31 Dec 2010 05:21:00 +0000

Some of you have already taken your decorations down, but I've decided to enjoy mine for a few more days. Yesterday I went around the house taking pictures, partly to help me remember how I decorated this year when I get everything out next year and also to experiment with the new camera Santa brought my way.

This was my best capture with the new camera.

Yes, I'm pretty proud of that shot but I have to admit that it's mostly the camera with a little beginner's luck thrown in.

Crystal snowflakes - the only kind we have in Florida!

Beautiful bird ornament - sweet gift from a friend

The bird ornament matched my new tree perfectly. This is just the top, of course, and I like how the afternoon sun "lights" it up even more.

A favorite carol of mine this year was "O Come, O Come Immanuel." I like how the cross displayed in front of the book about His birth reminds us of the ultimate reason He chose to come in the first place.

Did one carol stand out to you this year? Hal and I particularly liked this rendition by Sugarland at the CMA Awards. Take a listen and enjoy one more peaceful Christmas moment before you start ringing in the New year. It's almost here!