So. Many. Schemes.

        

 My sister and I have this thing for schemes--it's like we're addicted to them or something. Our definition of a scheme is doing something for someone to either cheer them up or invite them to something. Food is usually involved. Today's schemes (only two) include cookies for the custodians, and an invitation to church for a classmate. Last week it was flowers for two friends, donuts for professors, invitations to my sister's public reading, and I think there was something else, though I don't remember what. 

Do you ever do some scheming? :) I should add that it can be very stressful and I usually think about backing out last minute because I don't think I have the guts to follow through with it. 

"I wish you were here"

    A year ago I got this message from Levi: "I wish you were here this week." It was his family's annual get-together, which means about 60 people cramming into three houses for days of laughter, conversation, food, and lots and lots of noise. But good times, nonetheless. Last year they had planned a paintball fight between the cousins (his nephews and nieces) but the girls backed out last minute, being sensible creatures. I was one of the friends that had convinced them to do it at all in the first place. Anyway, the incident stuck with me, and this past week, as his family got together again, I couldn't help but remember the message. 

I wish you were here this week, too, Levi. 


*Not all is glum and sad for us. We have our Hope, and we will see Levi again, no matter what.

A post worth sharing

Here is my sister's most recent post. It's really good, do read it!

https://ofdreamsandswords.wordpress.com/2018/10/18/above-all-shadows-rides-the-sun/

Senior Pictures!

     I recently had an afternoon away from work and school to take a friend's senior pictures, and have her take mine. Here are the favorites. Do you have a favorite? :) 

 (My elbow is too high in these.... grrrrrr, but something only a musician would notice.)

Thanks for stopping by! I hope you forgive me for my absence here lately. 

Another good hymn

Give to the Winds Thy Fears

Give to the winds thy fears,

hope and be undismayed;

God hears thy sighs and counts thy tears;

God shall lift up thy head.

Through waves and clouds and storms,

He gently clears the way;

wait thou His time, so shall this night

soon end in joyous day.

Still heavy is thy heart,

still sink thy spirits down?

Cast off the weight, let fear depart,

and ev'ry care be gone.

What though thou rules not,

yet heav'n, and earth, and hell

proclaim, God sitteth on the throne,

and ruleth all things well.

Leave to His sov'reign sway

to choose and to command.

so shalt thou wond'ring own His way,

how wise, how strong His hand!

Far, far above thy thought

His counsel shall appear,

when fully He the work hath wrought,

that caused thy needless fear.

Thou seest our weakness, Lord,

our hearts are known to Thee;

O lift Thou up the sinking heart,

confirm the feeble knee.

Let us in life, in death, 

Thy steadfast truth declare,

and publish with our latest breath

Thy love and guardian care.

~Paul Gerhardt and John Wesley

In Memory . . .

. . . of Leonard Bernstein, on his 100th birthday. He had a passion greater than many musicians, a desire to make music a connecting point for humans anywhere, and a heart for teaching. 

All images not my own.

Teach Me, My God and King!

Teach Me, My God and King

Teach me, my God and King, 

in all things Thee to see,

and what I do in anything,

to do it as for Thee.

To scorn the senses' sway,

while still to Thee I tend;

in all I do be Thou the Way,

in all be Thou the End.

All may of Thee partake;

nothing so small can be,

but draws, when acted for Thy sake,

greatness and worth from Thee.

If done t'obey Thy laws,

e'en servile labors shine;

hallowed is toil, if this the cause,

the meanest work divine.

~George Herbert, 1633; recast by John Wesley, 1738

This is a new hymn to me, and I really love its honesty and simplicity. Have you heard it before? Our hymnal has it set to the tune Festal Song by William Henry Walter, 1894

He is Risen!

Praise, my soul, the King of Heaven;

To His feet thy tribute bring.

Ransomed, healed, restored, forgiven,

Evermore His praises sing:

Alleluia! Alleluia!

Praise the everlasting King.

Praise Him for His grace and favor

To our fathers in distress.

Praise Him still the same as ever,

Slow to chide, and swift to bless.

Alleluia! Alleluia!

Glorious in His faithfulness.

Fatherlike He tends and spares us;

Well our feeble frame He knows.

In His hands He gently bears us,

Rescues us from all our foes.

Alleluia! Alleluia!

Widely yet His mercy flows.

Frail as summer’s flower we flourish,

Blows the wind and it is gone;

But while mortals rise and perish

Our God lives unchanging on,

Praise Him, praise Him, hallelujah

Praise the high eternal One!

Angels, help us to adore Him;

Ye behold Him face to face;

Sun and moon, bow down before Him,

Dwellers all in time and space.

Alleluia! Alleluia!

Praise with us the God of grace.

~Henry Francis Lyte, 1834