stuff that makes you itch is God's creation too

It looks so innocent...

Why I like "Be Still my Soul"

The song of the day today is.....

NOT "Be Still my Soul".

It is a song called "I Then Shall Live" by Gloria Gaither that has the same melody.  We sang this song in the El Paso community choir one year (well, two years, actually), and it had a big impact.  When I first heard "Be Still my Soul" (when I came to college) and it had the same tune (also an important Finnish national song, incidentally), I instantly warmed up to it.  Here are the lyrics to "I Then Shall Live":

I then shall live as one who’s been forgiven;
I’ll walk with joy to know my debts are paid.
I know my name is clear before my Father;
I am His child, and I am not afraid.
So greatly pardoned, I’ll forgive my brother,
The law of love I gladly will obey.

I then shall live as one who’s learned compassion;
I’ve been so loved that I’ll risk loving too.
I know how fear builds walls instead of bridges;
I’ll dare to see another’s point of view.
And when relationship demand commitment,
Then I’ll be there to care and follow through.

Your kingdom come around and through and in me;
Your power and glory, let them shine through me;
Your Hallowed name, O may I bear with honor,
And may Your living Kingdom come in me.
The Bread of Life, O may I share with honor,
And may You feed a hungry world through me.
Amen. Amen. Amen.

Happy Sunday.

The song of the day...

...is "You Created" by Caedmon's Call.

Here are the lyrics, because the picture is confusing:

"Who is like unto the LORD our God who dwelleth on high?...

You created nothing that gives me more pleasure than You

 And You won't give me something that gives me more pleasure than You."

 

Good lyrics, but/and they are food for thought for an over-analyzer. "You created nothing that gives me more pleasure than you, and you won't give me something that gives me more pleasure than you"?  It seems like the second line is unnecessary given the first line.  If nothing is created that can give me more pleasure, than how can it be given to me?  It does not exist. 

I thought of a few possible answers to this question...none of which were probably the author's intention, so I will spare you my interpretation.  But it is good food for individual thought. Enjoy. :)

Happiness is.....

FALL!

And all that that entails.

Gorgeous colors + PERFECT weather + the smell of straw + wonderful friends + the warm glow of a camp (or is it bon?) fire + the crunch of leaves under your feet + the crunch of a s'more under your teeth + hayrack rides in the moonlight + the sight of golden fields ready to be (and/or being) harvested + the taste of pumpkin + (these are not fall-specific...) the smell of fresh-baked bread + tea parties in little playhouses (literal tea parties...no politics here...) + a big, playful dog who will let you give it a big hug and muss its fur around like crazy + ....oh....all sorts of things...

Now for those who prefer more visual modalities...

Farm Day II, at Amber's parents'  :)

Now I need a drumroll (no pun intended??) from the Drake family, please.......

Grandma's rolls!!  Yep, pretty much kicking myself for not trying to make them before now.  The shape turned out kinda goofy on a few of them, but my mouth didn't seem to mind. :)

...And I didn't even have pictures from the two weiner roasts the last two days.  Plus, to top off this perfect fall weekend, there is another day of it tomorrow!  Thank you, Chris Columbus, for deciding you would probably not fall off the Earth if you ventured this direction.  Your laughter in the face of danger and great mockery has given public school children, teachers, and bank employees everywhere cause for cheer.  We owe you one.  Next time you're in town, I might give you a thank-you roll.

(C'mon, if Christopher Columbus showed up on your doorstep and asked for a roll, you'd give him one too.  Even if they were Grandma's rolls.)

Good times...

...So happy for Sprout in her new home. :)

 Sprout quote in this moment: "I feel like a felon."  As Amber said, I wish all felons held up pictures of covered wagons. :)

So perfect...

And now for another pic stolen from Syd's camera.  This is us at the playground we (er, most of us?) worked on.

(not in the same clothes we worked in)

Definitely a successful weekend. :)