Pachebel’s Canon and Life Soundtracks

Why is music so powerful? Some are especially sensitive to it. I am one of those people who can hum along with songs that many don’t notice. The elevator music, doctor’s waiting rooms, restaurants, dressing areas. It is there, the background soundtrack to my life. Expression is clearer, more defined when music guides it. My daughter and her friend were playing music the other day, messing around, when her guest started playing Canon. I begged him to replay it several times. My eyes sprung a leak, probably startling the poor kid. You see, the song he chose was the music I walked down the aisle with toward my groom. My husband has been away from home too much this year, and as I laid there with my eyes closed, the music carried me back. A melody, notes assigned value and force, transported me through time. I miss the man, the music brought him to me. Single notes start out, powerful orchestrations of life follow.

One Little Word

Today I bring you an excellent guest post from my friend Julie Campbell, regarding how she plans to implement “One Little Word” this year. Enjoy…

 

“We will open the book. Its pages are blank. We are going to put words on them ourselves. The book is called Opportunity and its first chapter is New Year’s Day.” – Edith Lovejoy Pierce

Like most of you, I’ve made my share of New Year’s resolutions over the years — some out of guilt, some out of necessity, some out of sheer stupidity.  They all had one thing in common… they were broken within a month or two, if not a day or two.

Keeping this dilemma in mind, I started a new tradition last year by choosing one word that I wanted to live out in the New Year. One word to remind me of how I needed to change. One word to prick my conscience. One word to inspire me. This year, our entire family from the youngest (age 11) to the oldest (uh-hum, that would be me) decided to choose a word and a scripture verse to accompany it.

As we sat around our kitchen table on New Year’s Eve, we each presented our word and verse to the family and put it into a box that will remain visible during the year. Each week, we’re going to try to look up another scripture to illustrate our word and maybe even memorize it. My wise husband gave one rule to the family about “the words”: We cannot use another person’s word as ammunition against him or her. For example, if someone’s word is “patient” and they’re having an impatient moment, another family member cannot chide the poor impatient soul with “I thought your word for this year was patience!” We all agreed this was a good rule.

My word for this year? Captivated. To be attracted or enthralled by a person or thing’s beauty or excellence. At first glance, it may seem like a strange word. But let me explain… Our pastor has been preaching through the book of Colossians for a few months now, and I’ve been particularly impacted by chapter 3. The first few verses kept speaking to me about being captivated by Christ:

Since you have been raised to new life with Christ, set your sights on the realities of heaven, where Christ sits in the place of honor at God’s right hand.  Think about the things of heaven, not the things of earth.

Meditating on these verses and chapter 3 as a whole got me thinking about how different my life would be if I were truly captivated by Christ and all that He is. If I am captivated by Christ, I will be captivated by heavenly things, not by things here on earth. My priorities will completely change. My needs will become last on the list. I will consider others better than myself. I will love as I ought to love, have a compassionate heart, be kind, show humility and meekness, and be patient (Col. 3:12).

Being captivated by Christ truly changes everything.

One little word. So much meaning.

Lord, I want to be captivated by You and all that You are. You are the most beautiful, excellent, enthralling, captivating person who ever lived — and died — for me. Help me to be held and changed by your beauty in 2012.

Vintage Village- Childhood Christmas In A Box

A very special box arrived today for Christmas. In our family, my grandparents had a little chipboard village set up under the tree every year. The tree was perched on a special tiered wooden stand Grandpa built into a corner. On each level fluffy batting provided a snow covered landscape, and each house was placed with figurines dotting the town by Grandma’s hand.  As a child I remember spending precious time on the floor, carefully observing each piece and imagining where they’d spend their time. I am sure my cousins did the same… This set dates at least 1965, and you can tell by the wearing of the paint on Santa’s sleigh that it was well loved. This year the set was parceled out as precious gifts. Aunt Kathy, Mom, and Me. I found out that my mother lovingly said to send her part to me. Now that is love.

My Grandma collected these when her own children were at home. Remember S.W. Woolworths? The original dime store? The price on some of the houses indeed asks for a price of 10 cents. The accesories in the village were largely bought to be decor to adorn packages…Grandma says it is amazing they have held up at all for these long years…

And my call for Vintage choir pieces was answered…surprisingly with a choir of Angels from my own family!   ”Then the angel said to them, ‘Do not be afraid, for I bring you good tidings if great joy which will be to all people.  For there is born to you this day in the city of David, a Savior, Christ the Lord.’ ” Luke 2:10-11

Merry Christmas, count your blessings, remember what we are celebrating. “God bless us everyone…” as Tiny Tim said… Thanks Grandma, Kathy, Mom. I love you deeply and consider you treasured gifts in the foundation of my life.

TOMS Shoes

Guest post by my daughter Kiera (another writer in the family!)-a project she feels passionate about

TOMS

Did you know that thousands of children in South Africa, Ethiopia, Peru, China, Haiti, Uganda, Argentina, and even the United States,grow up barefoot? Many diseases lay in dirt and soil that can go through the skin from kids bare feet. They get cuts, sores, and injuries every day from
walking to school, farming, chores, or even just playing. These wounds can get infected, and cause lots of pain for a child. Just by having a pair of shoes, they can prevent all of these things!

TOMS is a shoe brand that lots of people love for their comfortable, colorful, and even sparkly shoes. But it isn’t a regular company.
Every time you buy a pair of their shoes, they send a pair to a child in need!    They have shoes, but they also have t-shirts, necklaces,
stickers, and flags! They’re items are for all ages; Men, women, youth, and even toddlers! No matter what you choose, you can be sure you are changing the lives of children all around the world.

For more information, click this link: www.TOMS.com