Good people all, this Christmas time,
Consider well and bear in mind
What our good God for us has done,
In sending His belovèd Son.
Consider well and bear in mind
What our good God for us has done,
In sending His belovèd Son.
Tuesday, November 30, 2010
Monday, November 29, 2010
it's a wonderful life
Buffalo girls won't you come out tonight... and dance by the light of the moon.
Sunday, November 28, 2010
o come to us, abide with us, our Lord Emmanuel...
O little town of Bethlehem is one of my favorite hymns of the Christmas season. There is a local radio station in the Chicago area... 93.9 "the lite." It plays Christmas music 24/7 during from a couple weeks before Thanksgiving up until the day after Christmas. Every so often I will turn it on and the truth of the Gospel will be ringing out for all to hear... "How silently, how silently, the wondrous Gift is giv’n; So God imparts to human hearts the blessings of His Heav’n. No ear may hear His coming, but in this world of sin, where meek souls will receive Him still, the dear Christ enters in." It is my prayer that God would use even avenues like this to bring people to Himself. That's why I love this time of year, despite all of the Santa hype, and gift giving... Christ has not been lost. Continue to think on the incarnation this Christmas season.
O little town of Bethlehem, how still we see thee lie!
Above thy deep and dreamless sleep the silent stars go by.
Yet in thy dark streets shineth the everlasting Light;
The hopes and fears of all the years are met in thee tonight.
For Christ is born of Mary, and gathered all above,
While mortals sleep, the angels keep their watch of wondering love.
O morning stars together, proclaim the holy birth,
And praises sing to God the King, and peace to men on earth!
How silently, how silently, the wondrous Gift is giv’n;
So God imparts to human hearts the blessings of His Heav’n.
No ear may hear His coming, but in this world of sin,
Where meek souls will receive Him still, the dear Christ enters in.
Where children pure and happy pray to the blessed Child,
Where misery cries out to Thee, Son of the mother mild;
Where charity stands watching and faith holds wide the door,
The dark night wakes, the glory breaks, and Christmas comes once more.
O holy Child of Bethlehem, descend to us, we pray;
Cast out our sin, and enter in, be born in us today.
We hear the Christmas angels the great glad tidings tell;
O come to us, abide with us, our Lord Emmanuel!
Enjoy this version by Fernando Ortega. His whole Christmas album is great!
Saturday, November 27, 2010
Emmanuel, God with Us
Word of the Father, Now in Flesh Appearing...
o come let us adore CHRIST THE LORD
Jesus has come! Celebrate the birth of the Savior. He has made the only way to God, Himself... Not counting equality with God something to be grasped he humbled himself.
Behold, this is our God; we have waited for HIM to save us. Let us be glad and rejoice in His salvation!
isaiah 25:9
o come let us adore CHRIST THE LORD
Jesus has come! Celebrate the birth of the Savior. He has made the only way to God, Himself... Not counting equality with God something to be grasped he humbled himself.
Behold, this is our God; we have waited for HIM to save us. Let us be glad and rejoice in His salvation!
isaiah 25:9
Christmas Time is Here!
I am playing in church tomorrow, and as I have been going over music we will be singing and playing my heart is overflowing with JOY! The season is here! I decided, just as I highlighted the Fall Season... so too I will do the Christmas Season.
Since I missed one day, I will retrace my steps to yesterday... Yesterday I watched White Christmas with my parents. What a Holiday Classic! There is something so sweet about the voice of Bing Crosby, and I have always had the desire to open my mouth and sing like Rosemary Clooney.
Enjoy my favorite scene...
Since I missed one day, I will retrace my steps to yesterday... Yesterday I watched White Christmas with my parents. What a Holiday Classic! There is something so sweet about the voice of Bing Crosby, and I have always had the desire to open my mouth and sing like Rosemary Clooney.
Enjoy my favorite scene...
Sunday, November 21, 2010
Thursday, November 18, 2010
Wednesday, November 17, 2010
My Soul is Encouraged...
"...to Him be glory forever. amen"
romans 11.36
today i was thoroughly encouraged by the words of c.h. spurgeon. it is my prayer that your soul would be encouraged as mine was...
"to Him be glory forever. this should be the single desire of the Christian. all other wishes must be subservient and tributary to this one. the Christian may wish for prosperity in his business, but only so far as it may help him to promote this -- to Him be glory forever. he may desire to attain more gifts and more graces, but it should only be that -- to Him be glory forever. you are not acting as you ought to do when you are moved by any other motive than a single eye to your Lord's glory. as a Christian, you are -- of God, and through God; then live -- to God. let nothing ever set your heart beating so mightily as to love Him. let this ambition fire your soul; be this the foundation of every enterprise upon which you enter, and this your sustaining motive whenever your zeal would grow chill; make God your only object. depend upon it, where self begins, sorrow begins; but if God be my supreme delight and only object, -- to me 'tis equal whether love ordain my life or death, appoint me ease or pain...
let your desire for God's glory be a growing desire. you blessed Him in your youth; do not be content with such praises as you gave Him then. has God prospered you in business? give Him more as He has given you more. has God given you experience? praise Him by stronger faith than you exercised at first. does your knowledge grow? then sing more sweetly. do you enjoy happier times than you once had? have you been restored from sickness, and has your sorrow been turned into peace and joy? then give Him more music; put more coals and more sweet frankincense into the censer of your praise. practically in your life, give Him honor, putting the -- amen -- to this doxology to your great and gracious Lord, by your own individual service and increasing holiness."
~ CH Spurgeon
Monday, November 15, 2010
dinner with my grandparents
Tonight we had my grandparents over for a birthday dinner. It was so much fun to talk with them over a delicious meal. We talked about old dance halls, bowling, dancing the jitterbug, geneology, and memories from their childhood. Wouldn't trade tonight for anything!
In other news, today was the National Gingerbread House Competition... the houses had to be built today and will be displayed on November 17th. Here are a few of my favorites from competitions past...
this was 1st place 2008 in the teen category!
In other news, today was the National Gingerbread House Competition... the houses had to be built today and will be displayed on November 17th. Here are a few of my favorites from competitions past...
Less because of the House... more because of HER!
this was 1st place 2008 in the teen category!Sunday, November 14, 2010
birthday card
The owl that was on my birthday card from my brother Mark and sister in law Erin. Mark made it himself... check out his other artwork here!Twenty Four
Today is my day of birth! Here's to the past 24 years! I lived with a very dear friend for two years and she used to make me tell her things I liked about the year prior, adding up to the amount of years I had been alive. This year equals 24 things, in no particular order... Y'all ready for this?!
1. Being introduced to the fish and chips at "Duke of Perth" by Lewis & Keith when they were visiting from Korea in January... feels like forever ago!
2. Early morning opening shifts with my dear friends at Intelligentsia. Blastin the jams, and hitting on the milk man, and laughing at things that are only funny when you have woken up before the sun.
3. Meeting Sam Rauschenberg, the man who has blessed my friend Hannah by becoming her husband. Although I am sad he was not convinced that U of C was the school for him, it was a fun weekend in February!
4. Being able to support my cousin and her husband Jimmy in their decision to marry. What a beautiful wedding, and an unforgettable time on the dance floor!
5. Swing dancing at the Green Mill with an older man who looked oddly familiar, then playing music in church on Sunday and recognizing him within the congregation!
6. Road tripping to Georgia with my Mom in August.
7. While we are on the subject, the Rauschenberg wedding! What a beautiful picture on LOVE! I am so grateful for you Hannah and Sam!
8. Road tripping to Minnesota with Stod, thinking that the car had broken down, but really the 4 wheel drive had been turned on accidentally.
9. Being a part of Brooke and Chad's wedding. I am so grateful for friends like them :)
10. Road tripping with Elle and Paul through Wisconsin to Minnesota for the Covert wedding. Me in the back seat on the lookout for my "favorite spot in Wisconsin" that I never ended up actually finding.
11. The Covert wedding, catching the bouquet, showing off on the dance floor with a guy I have never met, and winning the raffle too! What a fun weekend with great friends!
12. Kevin and Susan getting married!
13. Having the honor of playing music at my friend Andrew's wedding, and being able to get to know his sweet wife Christianna more because of it! Love the Whitakers :)
14. Serving Ron Howard coffee at Intelligentsia.
15. Lunches with Juliet at "Infields" after an opening shift.
16. Being able to witness Nate and Jamie Abbitt's marriage. It was an incredible day, even if everyone was sweating through their shirt ;)
17. The entirety of the Paul Davis/Elizabeth Levi wedding weekend. So many great memories and things to be grateful for because of that weekend :)
18. Going camping with my cousin Mandy in Wisconsin.
19. The Holiday Season, the traditions that come with it, and getting to spend time with my wonderful family!
20. The way I have grown due to the incredible church I am able to be a part of at Lincoln Square Presbyterian Church. I am truly grateful for the body of Christ!
21. Fun times with Adam, Natalie, and Amy in the pool when they came to visit me after I moved to the suburbs this summer... especially our sleepovers!
22. Getting to know the Dockery's better, and finding out that Sarah is pregnant!! Can't wait!
23. Laurbor Day 2010!
24. Finishing a 550 piece puzzle with my friend Andrea in 3 and a half hours... all the while, singing show tunes or making up our own show tunes.
It has been a really great year! I am looking forward to the next, and am continually grateful for each day the Lord allows me to live, and how he blesses me beyond measure because of his incomprehensible grace and love I am given through Jesus Christ my Lord.
1. Being introduced to the fish and chips at "Duke of Perth" by Lewis & Keith when they were visiting from Korea in January... feels like forever ago!
2. Early morning opening shifts with my dear friends at Intelligentsia. Blastin the jams, and hitting on the milk man, and laughing at things that are only funny when you have woken up before the sun.
3. Meeting Sam Rauschenberg, the man who has blessed my friend Hannah by becoming her husband. Although I am sad he was not convinced that U of C was the school for him, it was a fun weekend in February!
4. Being able to support my cousin and her husband Jimmy in their decision to marry. What a beautiful wedding, and an unforgettable time on the dance floor!
5. Swing dancing at the Green Mill with an older man who looked oddly familiar, then playing music in church on Sunday and recognizing him within the congregation!
6. Road tripping to Georgia with my Mom in August.
7. While we are on the subject, the Rauschenberg wedding! What a beautiful picture on LOVE! I am so grateful for you Hannah and Sam!
8. Road tripping to Minnesota with Stod, thinking that the car had broken down, but really the 4 wheel drive had been turned on accidentally.
9. Being a part of Brooke and Chad's wedding. I am so grateful for friends like them :)
10. Road tripping with Elle and Paul through Wisconsin to Minnesota for the Covert wedding. Me in the back seat on the lookout for my "favorite spot in Wisconsin" that I never ended up actually finding.
11. The Covert wedding, catching the bouquet, showing off on the dance floor with a guy I have never met, and winning the raffle too! What a fun weekend with great friends!
12. Kevin and Susan getting married!
13. Having the honor of playing music at my friend Andrew's wedding, and being able to get to know his sweet wife Christianna more because of it! Love the Whitakers :)
14. Serving Ron Howard coffee at Intelligentsia.
15. Lunches with Juliet at "Infields" after an opening shift.
16. Being able to witness Nate and Jamie Abbitt's marriage. It was an incredible day, even if everyone was sweating through their shirt ;)
17. The entirety of the Paul Davis/Elizabeth Levi wedding weekend. So many great memories and things to be grateful for because of that weekend :)
18. Going camping with my cousin Mandy in Wisconsin.
19. The Holiday Season, the traditions that come with it, and getting to spend time with my wonderful family!
20. The way I have grown due to the incredible church I am able to be a part of at Lincoln Square Presbyterian Church. I am truly grateful for the body of Christ!
21. Fun times with Adam, Natalie, and Amy in the pool when they came to visit me after I moved to the suburbs this summer... especially our sleepovers!
22. Getting to know the Dockery's better, and finding out that Sarah is pregnant!! Can't wait!
23. Laurbor Day 2010!
24. Finishing a 550 piece puzzle with my friend Andrea in 3 and a half hours... all the while, singing show tunes or making up our own show tunes.
It has been a really great year! I am looking forward to the next, and am continually grateful for each day the Lord allows me to live, and how he blesses me beyond measure because of his incomprehensible grace and love I am given through Jesus Christ my Lord.
Wednesday, November 10, 2010
bananagrams
Ever played the game, Bananagrams before? First timer here! Word on the street is you can even pick up this package of fun at the local Walgreens. It is basically your classic game of "Speed Scrabble," but you get to yell out words like "split," "peel," and "dump," and the game comes in a banana shaped zipper pouch.
Tonight I got to spend time with my dear friend, Katie Hicks. We have been friends for years, but haven't seen each other in... ummm... I'd say, nearly a solid year. It is always so refreshing to be with someone you know, love, and trust; someone you can laugh with, that you've cried with, and that the time zooms by with.
Saturday, November 6, 2010
November.
Autumn is surely here. Last night it was below freezing and I busted out some Christmas tunes. Today there is a Pumpkin Pie in the oven and the sun is shining through the chilly crisp air. Enjoy this Updike poem... I couldn't say it better myself.
A Child's Calendar: November
A Child's Calendar: November
by John Updike
The stripped and shapely
Maple grieves
The ghosts of her
Departed leaves.
The ground is hard,
As hard as stone.
The year is old,
The birds are flown.
And yet the world,
In its distress,
Displays a certain
Loveliness---
Monday, November 1, 2010
New Wave November.
This month is the best month.
Things to look forward to...
The first snow :)
Raking leaves
Pumpkin Pie
Apple Crisp
My Birthday
Thanksgiving
Nana's Potatoes
Parades
Home Alone
Family
Black Friday Sales
Christmas Music
Christmas Decorations
The first snow :)
Raking leaves
Pumpkin Pie
Apple Crisp
My Birthday
Thanksgiving
Nana's Potatoes
Parades
Home Alone
Family
Black Friday Sales
Christmas Music
Christmas Decorations
Now, even better... New Wave playlist for the month of November.
New Wave November
1. Tainted Love- Soft Cell
2. We Belong- Pat Benatar
3. West End Girls- Pet Shop Boys
4. The Promise- When In Rome
5. Break My Stride- Matthew Wilder
6. Don't You Want Me- The Human League
7. Bizarre Love Triangle- New Order
8. Take My Breath Away- Berlin
9. Pump It Up- Elvis Costello
10. The Safety Dance- Men Without Hats
11. I Melt With You- Modern English
12. Friday I'm In Love- The Cure
13. Come On Eileen- Dexy's Midnight Runners
14. Once In A Lifetime- Talking Heads
15. Don't You (Forget About Me)- Simple Minds
16. Love Is A Battlefield- Pat Benatar
17. It Doesn't Have To Be- Erasure
18. Message In A Bottle- The Police
19. Blue Monday- New Order
20. Let's Dance- David Bowie
21. Train In Vain- The Clash
22. Telephone (Pick Up The)- The Flirts
23. Faith- George Michael
24. The King Of Wishful Thinking- Go West
25. Last Christmas- Wham!
26. Just Can't Get Enough- Depeche Mode
27. Take Me Home- Phil Collins
28. Please, Please, Please, Let Me Get What I Want- The Smiths
29. Situation- Yaz
30. Always Something There To Remind Me- Naked Eyes
A little back history here... For those of you that don't know, my older brother, Mark and I got into New Wave music back when we were in high school thanks to a man named Jeff Pokryfke. The man is obsessed, and due to that obsession, my ears are forever blessed :)
But seriously, I can't get enough synth pop, electronic claps, crazy vibrato, spoken lyrics, guys in falsetto, and drum machine beats! Mark and I took it upon ourselves to write a few songs ourselves because we were so inspired by bands such as Pet Shop Boys, Yaz, New Order, and The Flirts. Here is the song that became our HIT among the local youth groups back in the day.
New Wave November
1. Tainted Love- Soft Cell
2. We Belong- Pat Benatar
3. West End Girls- Pet Shop Boys
4. The Promise- When In Rome
5. Break My Stride- Matthew Wilder
6. Don't You Want Me- The Human League
7. Bizarre Love Triangle- New Order
8. Take My Breath Away- Berlin
9. Pump It Up- Elvis Costello
10. The Safety Dance- Men Without Hats
11. I Melt With You- Modern English
12. Friday I'm In Love- The Cure
13. Come On Eileen- Dexy's Midnight Runners
14. Once In A Lifetime- Talking Heads
15. Don't You (Forget About Me)- Simple Minds
16. Love Is A Battlefield- Pat Benatar
17. It Doesn't Have To Be- Erasure
18. Message In A Bottle- The Police
19. Blue Monday- New Order
20. Let's Dance- David Bowie
21. Train In Vain- The Clash
22. Telephone (Pick Up The)- The Flirts
23. Faith- George Michael
24. The King Of Wishful Thinking- Go West
25. Last Christmas- Wham!
26. Just Can't Get Enough- Depeche Mode
27. Take Me Home- Phil Collins
28. Please, Please, Please, Let Me Get What I Want- The Smiths
29. Situation- Yaz
30. Always Something There To Remind Me- Naked Eyes
**My top five on the playlist are**
Come on Eileen
Last Christmas
Faith
Bizarre Love Triangle
We Belong
Come on Eileen
Last Christmas
Faith
Bizarre Love Triangle
We Belong
A little back history here... For those of you that don't know, my older brother, Mark and I got into New Wave music back when we were in high school thanks to a man named Jeff Pokryfke. The man is obsessed, and due to that obsession, my ears are forever blessed :)
But seriously, I can't get enough synth pop, electronic claps, crazy vibrato, spoken lyrics, guys in falsetto, and drum machine beats! Mark and I took it upon ourselves to write a few songs ourselves because we were so inspired by bands such as Pet Shop Boys, Yaz, New Order, and The Flirts. Here is the song that became our HIT among the local youth groups back in the day.
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