Tuesday, April 27, 2010
Tuesday, April 13, 2010
Monday, April 12, 2010
d&c 25:12
last night i participated in a music fireside with the temple hill choral singers. it was our 'i walked today where Jesus walked' fireside. this was the 32nd time we have performed this fireside in the last 7 years. this time it was in concord. we share this all over the bay area, and beyond. we even did a pacific northwest tour two years ago, performing from medford, oregon to seattle, washington.
two weeks ago we shared this fireside up in fairfield. i was so sad that because of prolonged illness and perpetual coughing spells, i couldn't sing. so instead, i ran the slides that accompany the music. it turned out to be one of the choir's most beautiful performances ever. for a while i was so sad that i wasn't singing. but then i decided to just soak in the special opportunity it was to be on the viewing end this time, seeing it as those who are in attendance experience it every time. it's been a long time since i have had the chance to do that, and the combination of the beautiful choir music & voices, the richness and depth added by the orchestra members, the stirring visuals, and the powerful spirit that accompanied all of it, well - it was simply moving.
i thought back to seven years or so ago when i was asked to create the visuals for this fireside. there are nearly 300 slides that accompany the music and narrations. it was a terribly overwhelming task the first time i put it together. a huge undertaking. but as a result of that assignment, and the years of continuing to search, collect and add to the collection, those visuals have become quite literaly a sacred and very holy part of my life. i now have over 1700 gospel-related images on my computer. artwork of the savior moves me in a very unique way.
last week rochelle and i went to a good friday event at a local church, where you move individually, station by station, thru depictions of events of the last week of the savior's life - which give you an opportunity to reflect on how each affects you personally. it was so moving. as we entered the santuary there was an introductory area where a variety of pieces of art of this period of the savior's life were hanging, interwoven with scriptures and written commentary. i stood and wept - looking at some of the paintings. there are no words to describe my feelings for sacred art. i looked over at rochelle, and she, too, had tears in her eyes, and i knew we were feeling the same spirit moving us thru art. there must be a special place in heaven for those who express their testimony of their Savior on canvas.
last night was the first time we shared our music fireside since that special night with rochelle. this time she ran the slides, and i, gratefully, was able to sing again. i soaked in every note of every song. we open with one of my favorite pieces 'majesty and glory'. i honestly cannot think of a single time i have sung this song without it moving me to tears. not once. 'as i gaze into the night sky and see the work of thy fingers. the moon and stars suspended in space. oh what is man that thou are mindful of him?' and on we sang. i sat there in between songs thinking of d&c 25:12 "for my soul delighteth in the song of the heart, yeah, the song of the righteous is a prayer unto me, and it shall be answered with a blessing upon their head". those 17 songs truly are prayers...each one expressing a prayer of my heart - some are prayers of supplication, some of humility, and others are prayers of gratitude, praise and adoration.
majesty and glory / morning has broken / my shepherd will supply my needs / for God so loved the world / as at the river jordan / come unto him / i walked today where jesus walked / consider the lilies / jerusalem the gold / he shall feed his flock / thy will be done / his hands / and then he died for me / where can i turn for peace / all creatures of our god and king / this is the christ / he is the root.
truly, these 'songs of the righteous' have been answered with a blessing upon my head...and upon my heart...and deep withing the depths of my soul. i thank my father in heaven over and over again for this sacred and treasured dimension of my life.
two weeks ago we shared this fireside up in fairfield. i was so sad that because of prolonged illness and perpetual coughing spells, i couldn't sing. so instead, i ran the slides that accompany the music. it turned out to be one of the choir's most beautiful performances ever. for a while i was so sad that i wasn't singing. but then i decided to just soak in the special opportunity it was to be on the viewing end this time, seeing it as those who are in attendance experience it every time. it's been a long time since i have had the chance to do that, and the combination of the beautiful choir music & voices, the richness and depth added by the orchestra members, the stirring visuals, and the powerful spirit that accompanied all of it, well - it was simply moving.
i thought back to seven years or so ago when i was asked to create the visuals for this fireside. there are nearly 300 slides that accompany the music and narrations. it was a terribly overwhelming task the first time i put it together. a huge undertaking. but as a result of that assignment, and the years of continuing to search, collect and add to the collection, those visuals have become quite literaly a sacred and very holy part of my life. i now have over 1700 gospel-related images on my computer. artwork of the savior moves me in a very unique way.
last week rochelle and i went to a good friday event at a local church, where you move individually, station by station, thru depictions of events of the last week of the savior's life - which give you an opportunity to reflect on how each affects you personally. it was so moving. as we entered the santuary there was an introductory area where a variety of pieces of art of this period of the savior's life were hanging, interwoven with scriptures and written commentary. i stood and wept - looking at some of the paintings. there are no words to describe my feelings for sacred art. i looked over at rochelle, and she, too, had tears in her eyes, and i knew we were feeling the same spirit moving us thru art. there must be a special place in heaven for those who express their testimony of their Savior on canvas.
last night was the first time we shared our music fireside since that special night with rochelle. this time she ran the slides, and i, gratefully, was able to sing again. i soaked in every note of every song. we open with one of my favorite pieces 'majesty and glory'. i honestly cannot think of a single time i have sung this song without it moving me to tears. not once. 'as i gaze into the night sky and see the work of thy fingers. the moon and stars suspended in space. oh what is man that thou are mindful of him?' and on we sang. i sat there in between songs thinking of d&c 25:12 "for my soul delighteth in the song of the heart, yeah, the song of the righteous is a prayer unto me, and it shall be answered with a blessing upon their head". those 17 songs truly are prayers...each one expressing a prayer of my heart - some are prayers of supplication, some of humility, and others are prayers of gratitude, praise and adoration.
majesty and glory / morning has broken / my shepherd will supply my needs / for God so loved the world / as at the river jordan / come unto him / i walked today where jesus walked / consider the lilies / jerusalem the gold / he shall feed his flock / thy will be done / his hands / and then he died for me / where can i turn for peace / all creatures of our god and king / this is the christ / he is the root.
truly, these 'songs of the righteous' have been answered with a blessing upon my head...and upon my heart...and deep withing the depths of my soul. i thank my father in heaven over and over again for this sacred and treasured dimension of my life.
Tuesday, April 6, 2010
Tuesday, March 30, 2010
Tuesday, March 23, 2010
Friday, March 19, 2010
the best of the best!
for the past two and a half years i have worked with the young single adults (ysa's) at church as an institute teacher. this assignment has led to my falling in love with the best calling in the church, and the most amazing group of young people you could ever meet! truly the best of the best!
BEST calling - i don't know of a single other calling where people come to your class just because they want to. think of it - every other church class is a scheduled part of sunday church, or seminary, or ym/yw. in that way, this is unique. it is also wonderful because class is filled with people who know and love the scriptures. i love that i don't have to say, 'let's see what it says in ezekial about that. ....that's in the old testament, guys, on page...' instead it's 'yah, i love that reference. i also love what paul says in romans about that, right here...'
i loved teaching seminary - 1- because i love the youth, 2- because i feel passionate about teaching from the scriptures, and 3- in spite of the high price paid to teach on that level every day, immersing myself in the scriptures daily was always accompanied by a personal blessing in return. i actually didn't think i'd ever love another calling more.
first, i don't have to put tons of time into 'entertaining' the class to engage them, like you do in seminary. i happen to love that it's in the evening, during the week (not getting up at 4:30 am is a big plus!) i love that those who come know the scriptures, and have a desire to know them better. i love that they come knowing there will probably be something shared that can benefit them in their personal life. i love their maturity. i will struggle when the day comes for me to teach a class again where i have to ask people to be quiet, and focus on the lesson. such a drain of teacher energy. i love that i was told to use the spirit as a guide to selecting class topics, rather than a manual (okay, sometimes it adds a ton of pressure, but by and large - seeking, then receiving promptings from the spirit regarding a lesson, especially when i am told who that lesson is meant for...yah, it's a sacred experience, to say the least) i love that so many of them take notes, that they come expecting something beneficial...and leave ready to apply it. i love that they share with me when a particular lesson has touched them, or made a difference in their lives - via text, facebook, or e-mail. i love the way they actively participate in class discussion. i am amazed at their spiritual insights. truly amazed. i appreciate their honesty. we don't do 'sunday school' answers. it's always much deeper and more meaningful than that. and i love that they come expecting to feel the spirit - a kind of preparation in and of itself - and becuase of that, we pretty much always do.
BEST young people - even separate from institute, i feel such a tremendous love for the ysa's. they are constantly on my mind. so much is on their plates at this stage of their lives. so many decisions. so many options. so many temptations. such willingness to serve. so much self-defining. and so much rides on every decision they make. recently my head has been spinning when i think of their lives, and the many changes that have taken place in their lives in the last two and a half years. let me summarize:
since fall 2007...
- 105 ysa's have attended institute 2 or more times (that's a LOT of people to have in your mind and heart all the time! and believe me, even when they're away, they're on my mind...and in my heart)
- 78 have consistently attended at least one full semester of institute
- 11 ysa's have been baptized
- 16 have returned from missions
- 3 of those have left for and returned from their missions from our class
- 6 are currently serving missions
- 1 currently has a mission call
- 5 are preparing for missions
- 4 are engaged
- 9 have gotten married
- 1 is expecting her first child
- 3 are serving in the military
- 8 have graduated from college
- 37 are presently pursuing a college education
i love them like they were my own. i think of them day and night. i try to stay up on their lives, wherever they are. i love watching them progress, learn, serve, grow, and move on in life. and though some feel that growing up is highly over rated, they are doing a beautiful job at it.
take a look at some of them & tell me you don't wish you were me! they make me smile & fill my life with the BEST!
Thursday, March 11, 2010
it's too quiet around here
it's a strange feeling to try to settle into believing that this house with only two children at home will be the norm for a while. a long while. two feels so empty.
maybe it feels so empty now because for years our house was the neighborhood gathering place for play, but now most of our children have outgrown that kind of backyard play; i know it's also because brittany was rarely unaccompanied at home before she left for school. so when brittany left, so did all the people who used to hang here with her. the contrast of going from all to nothing is the pits...if the truth be known.
isn't it funny how when we get what we wish for...it isn't always what we want? sometimes the back to back to back activity kept me in such a spin that i would just wish for a day with nothing going on. just one please. i kept wishing for a little quiet time in between all the rush and fun to just breath...or clean up!
now i have all the time in the world (so to speak. not really as much as i thought i would). anyway, i have quiet time every day when my kids leave for school. i could have the cleanest house in town now - but who wants to spend all their 'free' time cleaning? ha! i always thought if the world slowed down my house would be so perfectly clean and orderly and organized. yah...right.
years ago a woman gave a talk in church entitled 'this too shall pass'. i don't know about you, but i can't remember who spoke on what in church last week, let alone over 3 decades ago. but hers has stuck with me all these years. maybe because i'm now living...and watching younger moms, too, live what she taught.
she talked about living with patience thru the things we struggle with, as they will surely pass. after she went thru all the stages of life with an example of the things that are hard and make us weary that all eventually pass, she went back and reviewed all the good things in life that are also temporary - and pointed out that they, too, pass. like the creative date nights when you're starving student/newlywed, or the joy of having a baby to snuggle while having to get up exhausted every two hours to feed them, or the joy of all the gathering of children that takes place in your home while you search for a quiet moment to yourself. when the struggle of that stage passes, so do the parts that bring us joy - often never to return again.
the six year gap between brittany and rochelle allowed me to see what passed too quickly in the first two girls' early years, and lead me to treasure more fully those same things in my next two children's lives, realizing that these things - while often accompanied by challenges (i mean really, who actually enjoys any aspect of potty training - except the result at the other end of that struggle) are moments & experiences that i may not have realized would pass so quickly.
so...what has 'passed'? here's a timy sampling of moments that are now just memories.
rubbing babies' feet while i nurse them; snuggling each child on my lap; being the loud & proud mom at soccer games; giggling little girls; dressup...lots and lots of it; acting out swan princess; the sound of the flute; dune buggy trips; the magic of christmas when everyone believed in santa claus; massive beach umbrella forts - complete with twinky lights (i know i complained about them...a lot...but i really miss them); barbies; daily gourmet lunches with brittany between school & work; tickle fight dog piles; kids on the swings in the back yard trying to kick the purple tree; jumping on the trampoline with the elmo water sprinkler underneath; sisters helping each other look cute; and an infinate number of other things.
makes me want to take stock of the joys of today that i may just be overlooking, and enjoy them more fully.
in the mean time...what to do with this new 'quiet' stage of life? haven't really figured that out yet. probably should just enjoy it...for surely, it too shall pass!
maybe it feels so empty now because for years our house was the neighborhood gathering place for play, but now most of our children have outgrown that kind of backyard play; i know it's also because brittany was rarely unaccompanied at home before she left for school. so when brittany left, so did all the people who used to hang here with her. the contrast of going from all to nothing is the pits...if the truth be known.
isn't it funny how when we get what we wish for...it isn't always what we want? sometimes the back to back to back activity kept me in such a spin that i would just wish for a day with nothing going on. just one please. i kept wishing for a little quiet time in between all the rush and fun to just breath...or clean up!
now i have all the time in the world (so to speak. not really as much as i thought i would). anyway, i have quiet time every day when my kids leave for school. i could have the cleanest house in town now - but who wants to spend all their 'free' time cleaning? ha! i always thought if the world slowed down my house would be so perfectly clean and orderly and organized. yah...right.
years ago a woman gave a talk in church entitled 'this too shall pass'. i don't know about you, but i can't remember who spoke on what in church last week, let alone over 3 decades ago. but hers has stuck with me all these years. maybe because i'm now living...and watching younger moms, too, live what she taught.
she talked about living with patience thru the things we struggle with, as they will surely pass. after she went thru all the stages of life with an example of the things that are hard and make us weary that all eventually pass, she went back and reviewed all the good things in life that are also temporary - and pointed out that they, too, pass. like the creative date nights when you're starving student/newlywed, or the joy of having a baby to snuggle while having to get up exhausted every two hours to feed them, or the joy of all the gathering of children that takes place in your home while you search for a quiet moment to yourself. when the struggle of that stage passes, so do the parts that bring us joy - often never to return again.
the six year gap between brittany and rochelle allowed me to see what passed too quickly in the first two girls' early years, and lead me to treasure more fully those same things in my next two children's lives, realizing that these things - while often accompanied by challenges (i mean really, who actually enjoys any aspect of potty training - except the result at the other end of that struggle) are moments & experiences that i may not have realized would pass so quickly.
so...what has 'passed'? here's a timy sampling of moments that are now just memories.
rubbing babies' feet while i nurse them; snuggling each child on my lap; being the loud & proud mom at soccer games; giggling little girls; dressup...lots and lots of it; acting out swan princess; the sound of the flute; dune buggy trips; the magic of christmas when everyone believed in santa claus; massive beach umbrella forts - complete with twinky lights (i know i complained about them...a lot...but i really miss them); barbies; daily gourmet lunches with brittany between school & work; tickle fight dog piles; kids on the swings in the back yard trying to kick the purple tree; jumping on the trampoline with the elmo water sprinkler underneath; sisters helping each other look cute; and an infinate number of other things.
makes me want to take stock of the joys of today that i may just be overlooking, and enjoy them more fully.
in the mean time...what to do with this new 'quiet' stage of life? haven't really figured that out yet. probably should just enjoy it...for surely, it too shall pass!
Tuesday, March 9, 2010
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
