Flight of the Bumblebee....A Capella!

Yes, it's Christmas and I know this makes me look sad, BUT I showed it to my family earlier today and we decided it was blog-worthy. Enjoy as you slowly surface from the mounds of goodies, gifts, family and cheer :)

Da, da-da-da da-da, Da, Da, Da

Did you recognize it?!? It's the opening brass line in the March of course! Josh and I are about to indulge ourselves and act nerdy...We're going to see The Nutcracker tonight!!! I am SO excited! Trying not to sound pitiful (or gloat...may be too late for that), I have almost begged to go see every year of our marriage.....and now I finally get to!

I LOVE Tchaikovsky and I LOVE ballet! It's on a long list of things I think every musician should experience!

I'll update later!

Passion and Patience

Josh and I just started reading Pilgrim's Progress together as part of our date nights. I have never read it (I know. I can feel your gasps.) and he just couldn't bear the thought of that as it's been so impactful to him.

Anyway, I have to say...I get why this is a classic! I already relate to Pilgrim and his struggles so much and people who know me well will attest to the fact that few things spur me on like true, raw honesty about where a person's heart really is...realness....and almost nothing turns me off more than a pretty, put together, rarely-struggles facade. It's just not real and it's not encouraging or edifying for anyone else. Sorry. Soapbox moment. So I'm loving the refreshing honesty in this book.

Today I read ch 2 (I read it without Josh...sorry, baby) and came to the part of the two children, Passion and Patience. This really got at where my heart has been misguided and distracted this Christmas season. It's my natural tendency anyway, but running from mall to mall, thinking of what things I will acquire and what things I will help others acquire does nothing to help my continuous fight against my own Passion.

Here it is:

Then I saw Interpreter take Christian by the hand and lead him into a little room where sat two little children, each in his own chair. The eldest was named Passion, and the other Patience. Passion seemed much discontented, but Patience was very quiet. Then Christian asked, “What is the reason of the discontent of Passion?” The Interpreter answered, “The Master would have him wait for his best things till the beginning of next year; but he will have all now. Patience is willing to wait.”

Then I saw that one came to Passion, and brought him a bag of treasure, and poured it down at his feet. He took it up, and rejoiced and laughed Patience to scorn. But he had soon wasted all away, and had nothing left him but rags.

CHRISTIAN. Explain this matter more fully to me.

INTERPRETER. These two lads are pictures; Passion, of the men of this world; and Patience of the men of the world to come. As you see Passion will have all now, this year, that is to say in this world; so are the men of this world; they must have all their good things now; they cannot wait until the next world for their portion of good. But, as thou sawest that he had quickly wasted all away, and had left nothing but rags, so will it be with all such men at the end of this world.

Then said Christian, “Now I see that Patience has the best wisdom, both because he waits for the best things and because he will have the glory of his things when Passion’s are only rags.”

INTERPRETER. You may add also that the glory of the next world will never wear out; but these are suddenly gone. Therefore Passion had not so much reason to laugh at Patience because he had his good things first, as Patience will have to laugh at Passion, because he had his best things last.

CHRISTIAN. Then I see it is not best to covet things that are now, but to wait for things to come.

INTERPRETER. You say truth; “for the things that are seen soon pass away, but the things that are not seen endure forever.”

One more...cause I can't help it

This time they bust out in gorgeous harmonies as a thank you to the people who served them chili cheese fries in Hardees. Man, fast food jobs have perks these days (but watch 12 days of Christmas before you watch this one.)

12 Days of Christmas....down in Africa

Few things entertain me more than a capella groups (except maybe an amazing brass quintet). My brother-in-law Chris just introduced me to this group and all I can say is WOW!!! Sit back and let these boys knock your socks off!

Out of the mouth of babes and infants...

Thank you to those of you who prayed for me. Last night was absolutely beautiful. The kids did such a good job and wowed their parents...hopefully leading them to worship our King that came as a baby. I hope to post a video clip as soon as I find out if it's legal :) This morning I've just been amazed (now that I have time to really think about it) at how God orchestrated every little detail - from sound equipment and projectors to the pretty poinsetta plants and sequine sashes - to come together when none of it was together a few months ago. I'm amazed once again at how He cares for us on every level...big and small.

So, I've been going through the Psalms again and this morning I read Psalm 8 about God's majesty. Here are a few definitions I found:

Majesty = regal, lofty or stately dignity, grandeur; supreme greatness or authority; sovereignty; the power and sovereignty of God; the greatness and dignity of a sovereign; Royal dignity; stately splendor; magnificance; supreme authority or power.

I don't think I've ever posted part of a journal entry here before, but I feel compelled. His care is just too good not to.

"O Lord our Lord, how majestic is your name in all the earth! You have set your glory above the heavens. Out of the mouth of babes and infants, you have established strength because of your foes, to still the enemy and the avenger. When I look at your heavens, the work of your fingers, the moon and the stars, which you have set in place, what is man that you are mindful of him, and the son of man that you care for him? "(vs 1-4)

Lord, I really feel some of the greatness of this today. Just reading the definition of majesty - seeing Your name referenced in the definition (though You are not contained by our language or definitions!) and then seeing how You care for me with such love and understanding of who I am and what I need...such intimate and sweet care for my soul - I'm just blown away that You would do that! Who am I that You are mindful of me...that You would care for me?!?

"O Lord, our Lord, how majestic is Your name in all the earth!"

One down, one to go....

We did our first performance this morning and have the big one tonight. This morning went well with only a few very minor glitches (like one of the backdrops nearly falling on the cast). It actually did go very well. We performed for the upper school (grades 7-12). They're a tough crowd and they seemed to enjoy it.

Then back to normal life.....aaah. Well, sort of. Josh has two performances this weekend at HGBC North.

Say a little prayer for us if you think about it!