On this Sunday, I'm thankful for:
*Warm showers
*Razors
*Makeup
*Curling Irons
*Clean attractive clothing for each member of my family
*Nutritious food
*Our choir members (especially Stanton, Chloe, and Lily)
*Returning missionaries
*Beautiful music - the Spirit can touch hearts in a special way with hymns arranged beautifully.
*Absolutely divine primary and nursery teachers and leaders. They are learning about fasting in their classes right now. Brigham's teachers shared a special experience with fasting - they told Brigham about the fast our ward held for him when he was in Boston having his double-switch operation. I can't believe we never shared that with him! I'm SO thankful to them for teaching him about the importance and power of fasting with such a personal experience - he was really moved by it.
Another example of the importance of wonderful teachers - my little Cannon is a real momma's boy. He rarely wants to sit by Stanton, he only wants me to tuck him in, he doesn't even really go to his grandmas when I'm around. BUT, when it comes to nursery, he is thrilled every Sunday to go see Anna and Sister Whi-ley and Brudder Whi-ley. They love him and he feels it deeply.
*I had the opportunity to sing at the sacrament meeting for the Logan Nursing and Rehabilitation Center branch. The branch presidency has every stake (and ward) in the valley take a turn blessing and passing the sacrament and putting together the program for Sacrament meeting. It was our ward's turn this week and had the privilege of doing the musical number. I sang "Jesus, the Very Thought of Thee" and my dear friend Danene accompanied me. She is my neighbor and visiting teacher and such a great person. It was neat to work with her. The song is such a beautiful one -- I love the arrangement. It was so great to have a reason to find a solo, learn it, and sing it. I love those opportunities.
*I'm thankful for Kiki - she tends for us every Sunday (as a service) so we can have choir practice sans children.
*We had a fantastic choir practice. We started working on Christmas music this week. We're singing a piece from Handel's Messiah (And the Glory of the Lord), a medley of Joy to the World, Angels We Have Heard on High. Our third song is In the Bleak Midwinter. There is just something about Christmas music. There is the familiarity that makes it so enjoyable. It also carries such a special spirit due to its subject. I especially love the Messiah. Oh how it fills my soul. It is amazing to be able to sing such "real" music. It is absolutely full to the brim with beauty and spirit. Choir practice was so wonderful today.
*I'm thankful for my crock pot. I have been using it so much lately and I'm so thankful to have it in my kitchen. 1:00 pm church combined with choir practice right after makes it very difficult to get dinner ready on Sundays. It's so amazing to be able to grab some meat, mixed vegetables, and tomatoes from the freezer, throw them in the crock pot with some spices, dry onion, and broth, turn it on, and know dinner will be ready at 5:30 when we finally get home from church. It's sometimes shocking to me how convenient my life really is. I'm so thankful for it.
*I'm thankful for food storage. I honestly couldn't survive without our food storage - frozen and in the storage room. I am thankful for church leaders and parents who have set the best example in living this principle.
*Finally, I'm thankful for the illustrated scriptures. I read them to the kids tonight instead of the regular Book of Mormon and it was so fun to see sweet Brigham get really excited about the Stripling Warriors. Sometimes those pictures really help little boys "get" how much they can relate or look up to the people in the scriptures.
Okay, I've rambled like crazy tonight! I'm just very thankful for a wonderful life.
Showing posts with label music. Show all posts
Showing posts with label music. Show all posts
13 November 2011
23 July 2009
Bringing me Joy Today
In the form of dancing children (and mom)...
NOT in the form of the stupid hour and a half I wasted trying to figure out how to put an audio clip on this dumb thing.
These are the three songs being listened to/sung/danced to on a continuous loop right now:
NOT in the form of the stupid hour and a half I wasted trying to figure out how to put an audio clip on this dumb thing.
These are the three songs being listened to/sung/danced to on a continuous loop right now:
23 June 2008
Weekend Getaway
Stanton and I got to go up to Heber City for a UDA conference of some sort or the other. We left the kiddos with Adam and Angie again (they were our awesome Hawaii babysitters). It was at the beautiful Daniel's Summit Lodge.
Lovely interior -- I especially like that chandelier. And the huge grand staircase in the center of the lodge.
The purpose of this photo was to show that great Fredrick Remington-esque statue. I don't think that lady minds her rear being shown to the world.
Isn't that just the neatest little ditty? I love barbed wire. Really. I find it a little odd how happy this makes me. I'd like it in my home. And around my daughters' bedroom doors in about 12 years.
We enjoyed good food, good company, and a really great concert from this guy:
Kalai
Isn't that just awesome music? He was so fun in concert -- great, fun interaction with the audience and absolutely awesome music. I plan to download his stuff from iTunes just as soon as I get iTunes back on my computer! THAT could be a while.
Kalai really was a highlight of this trip -- I find him to be a mix of John Mayer, Bob Marley (you'll have to hear his other songs for that connection), and James Taylor. Awesome. One of my new favorites. And just how did some old stodgy dentists manage to get him at their convention? Good question. Some Mormon/Utah/neighborhood connection. Gee, it is nice to live in Utah.
Lovely interior -- I especially like that chandelier. And the huge grand staircase in the center of the lodge.
The purpose of this photo was to show that great Fredrick Remington-esque statue. I don't think that lady minds her rear being shown to the world.
Isn't that just the neatest little ditty? I love barbed wire. Really. I find it a little odd how happy this makes me. I'd like it in my home. And around my daughters' bedroom doors in about 12 years.
We enjoyed good food, good company, and a really great concert from this guy:
Kalai
Isn't that just awesome music? He was so fun in concert -- great, fun interaction with the audience and absolutely awesome music. I plan to download his stuff from iTunes just as soon as I get iTunes back on my computer! THAT could be a while.
Kalai really was a highlight of this trip -- I find him to be a mix of John Mayer, Bob Marley (you'll have to hear his other songs for that connection), and James Taylor. Awesome. One of my new favorites. And just how did some old stodgy dentists manage to get him at their convention? Good question. Some Mormon/Utah/neighborhood connection. Gee, it is nice to live in Utah.
13 May 2008
Whole Wise Woman
I have this friend, Anna. I met Anna when Stanton was in Dental School at Ohio State. Anna was a few years older than me and had 2 children; I was newly married. She was assigned to be my Visiting Teacher. I enjoyed her visits every month (along with her companion, Maria) and faithfully put away all of my newly married non-toddler-proofed stuff every time they visited. In my eyes, Anna was the ideal wife and mother. She had a testimony, she was opinionated, she wrote music, she had perfectly behaved children, she read lots and lots of books, and most of all, she baked homemade whole wheat bread. In my newlywed mind the pinnacle of womanhood was the ability to bake homemade bread. Stanton's parents bought us a wheat grinder and I had my trusty red check cookbook. I made my first loaf with visions of Stanton walking in the door, briefcase in hand, me in an apron, holding a wooden spoon. The Donna Reed theme music played in my mind as I mixed and kneaded the dough. I set it out to rise, then checked it at the appropriate time. I was shocked to find it had not risen at all. In my delusional state, I figured it would rise while it baked in the oven, so I put it in. When the timer rang, I cheerily opened the oven door, greeted by what can only be described as a solid brick. I couldn't believe my eyes! When Stanton arrived home, he kindly tried to eat the loaf, only to cease for fear he might break a tooth.
At this point you could easily assume I asked my friend for a lesson in bread baking. Looking back, I realize that would have been the logical action, but my pride was strong and foolish. Instead, I ruined loaf after loaf after loaf (I am not exaggerating when I say nearly 20 loaves of bread ended up in the garbage). I looked in other places for tips and insight, but try as I did, I could not make my bread rise. Finally I tried a recipe that changed way the yeast was added. For the first time I made a loaf of bread that actually looked like a loaf of bread! Stanton and I were so excited to slice into that beautiful loaf. As Stanton made the first cut, I was dismayed to find two huge tunnels right through the middle of the loaf which caused it to be quite doughy in parts. I tried to look on the bright side and was doing well with it until the doorbell rang. There standing at the door of my apartment was Anna, holding a loaf of steaming hot, perfectly risen, perfectly baked wheat bread. I did my best to smile and thank her for her kindness, but when I closed the door, I broke down in tears. Stanton, in the kindness of his heart, suggested we throw that loaf in the garbage can and enjoy the one I had made. He was, as you can imagine, relieved when I said that wasn't necessary. He enjoyed every bite of that delicious bread and even though my ego was utterly bruised, I had to admit it was amazing.
Time passed and we all graduated and moved away. Eventually I learned how to make very good homemade bread. As I look back on that experience, though, I have to roll my eyes at that very foolish girl who put herself through so much frustration and ruined bread when she could have learned about bread baking from a master. There are so many spiritual lessons I've learned as a result of this experience.
I've continued my communication with Anna over the years, but it has been quite limited over the last several months. On Mother's Day, I received an email from Anna with a poem she had written for all her friends. I was completely inspired by her words. Yet again, I was presented with an opportunity to learn from this great woman. As we have renewed our communication, I have sought her advice and thoughts and have been blessed for it. I am so happy to have learned from my earlier mistake.
Anna gave me permission to share her poem. While it is based upon the role of mother, I feel like it has implications for all of womanhood and even membership in the Lord's church. Anna is a gifted composer and has worked hard with her sister in law Rachel (another OSU dear friend) to share that music with others. Visit their website, Faithsong Music -- you'll be so glad you did.
Anna M. Molgard
©2008 Faithsong Publications L.L.C.
http://www.faithsongmusic.com/
This piece may be copied for noncommercial use.
At this point you could easily assume I asked my friend for a lesson in bread baking. Looking back, I realize that would have been the logical action, but my pride was strong and foolish. Instead, I ruined loaf after loaf after loaf (I am not exaggerating when I say nearly 20 loaves of bread ended up in the garbage). I looked in other places for tips and insight, but try as I did, I could not make my bread rise. Finally I tried a recipe that changed way the yeast was added. For the first time I made a loaf of bread that actually looked like a loaf of bread! Stanton and I were so excited to slice into that beautiful loaf. As Stanton made the first cut, I was dismayed to find two huge tunnels right through the middle of the loaf which caused it to be quite doughy in parts. I tried to look on the bright side and was doing well with it until the doorbell rang. There standing at the door of my apartment was Anna, holding a loaf of steaming hot, perfectly risen, perfectly baked wheat bread. I did my best to smile and thank her for her kindness, but when I closed the door, I broke down in tears. Stanton, in the kindness of his heart, suggested we throw that loaf in the garbage can and enjoy the one I had made. He was, as you can imagine, relieved when I said that wasn't necessary. He enjoyed every bite of that delicious bread and even though my ego was utterly bruised, I had to admit it was amazing.
Time passed and we all graduated and moved away. Eventually I learned how to make very good homemade bread. As I look back on that experience, though, I have to roll my eyes at that very foolish girl who put herself through so much frustration and ruined bread when she could have learned about bread baking from a master. There are so many spiritual lessons I've learned as a result of this experience.
I've continued my communication with Anna over the years, but it has been quite limited over the last several months. On Mother's Day, I received an email from Anna with a poem she had written for all her friends. I was completely inspired by her words. Yet again, I was presented with an opportunity to learn from this great woman. As we have renewed our communication, I have sought her advice and thoughts and have been blessed for it. I am so happy to have learned from my earlier mistake.
Anna gave me permission to share her poem. While it is based upon the role of mother, I feel like it has implications for all of womanhood and even membership in the Lord's church. Anna is a gifted composer and has worked hard with her sister in law Rachel (another OSU dear friend) to share that music with others. Visit their website, Faithsong Music -- you'll be so glad you did.
Whole Wise Woman
My bed is half made, the flowers half laid
In their beds, with pots askew.
The floor is half swept. The jam is half kept,
With berries still left to do.
The washer’s half loaded. The dryer’s half folded.
The closet is sorted part way.
The bills are half opened. The dishes half soaking,
And dinner is just underway.
My list half completed and feeling defeated
I think about what I have done
In my day’s disarray. Without any dismay
My accomplishments rise one by one.
The scriptures were opened. The prayers were all spoken.
I love you’s and hugs out the door.
Their voices were ringing. I smiled at them singing
Of wise men who built near the shore.
Maybe all of my half-nots will someday be wholes,
But today I’m content to ensure
That my children, whole-hearted, converted, concertedly
Walk in the way of the Lord.
My bed is half made, the flowers half laid
In their beds, with pots askew.
The floor is half swept. The jam is half kept,
With berries still left to do.
The washer’s half loaded. The dryer’s half folded.
The closet is sorted part way.
The bills are half opened. The dishes half soaking,
And dinner is just underway.
My list half completed and feeling defeated
I think about what I have done
In my day’s disarray. Without any dismay
My accomplishments rise one by one.
The scriptures were opened. The prayers were all spoken.
I love you’s and hugs out the door.
Their voices were ringing. I smiled at them singing
Of wise men who built near the shore.
Maybe all of my half-nots will someday be wholes,
But today I’m content to ensure
That my children, whole-hearted, converted, concertedly
Walk in the way of the Lord.
Anna M. Molgard
©2008 Faithsong Publications L.L.C.
http://www.faithsongmusic.com/
This piece may be copied for noncommercial use.
And another of her poems that seems to have been written for me at this very moment:
A Soft Answer
I’ve done a lot of listening.
I haven’t had a choice.
When I woke up this morning
I’d completely lost my voice.
When speaking to my children,
Whether happily or mad,
They couldn’t tell the difference
Since a whisper’s all I had.
No matter what I said to them,
They simply whispered back.
Their tones reflected mine,
Their speech a simple, whispered rasp.
I noticed something happening,
A softer sort of change.
I started really listening.
It felt a little strange.
I started hearing things
I’d been too loud to hear before.
I stopped my interrupting,
Hearing them speak even more.
My life could be more peaceful,
My actions more sincere,
If I learned to really listen,
Drop my voice, by choice, and hear.
Anna M. Molgard
Proverbs 15:1
©2008 Faithsong Publications, L.L.C.
http://www.faithsongmusic.com/
This piece may be copied for noncommercial use.
I’ve done a lot of listening.
I haven’t had a choice.
When I woke up this morning
I’d completely lost my voice.
When speaking to my children,
Whether happily or mad,
They couldn’t tell the difference
Since a whisper’s all I had.
No matter what I said to them,
They simply whispered back.
Their tones reflected mine,
Their speech a simple, whispered rasp.
I noticed something happening,
A softer sort of change.
I started really listening.
It felt a little strange.
I started hearing things
I’d been too loud to hear before.
I stopped my interrupting,
Hearing them speak even more.
My life could be more peaceful,
My actions more sincere,
If I learned to really listen,
Drop my voice, by choice, and hear.
Anna M. Molgard
Proverbs 15:1
©2008 Faithsong Publications, L.L.C.
http://www.faithsongmusic.com/
This piece may be copied for noncommercial use.
08 May 2008
Lovin' Me Some Jack Johnson
Got lucky and found this concert from Hawaii without even looking for it... If you haven't experienced Jack Johnson yet, watch or listen to this and I think you just might be sold....and you can thank me later.
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