Music Notes

This is my Father's world,

And to my listening ears

All nature sings,

and round me rings

The music of the spheres.

This is my Father's world;

I rest me in the thought

Of rocks and trees,

of skies and seas-

His hand the wonders wrought.

What a gorgeous day! It felt almost like summer again... I took a long walk with Jack on the road first, and finally alongside the creek near our house. It was so refreshing to hear the grass quietly wispering in the cool breeze beside the road. The thought of just going home to be cooped up once again was a little distressing to me, so we meandered off into the deep, dark, woods..... It was so beautiful -- the orange carpet of fallen cedar, the gurgling of the swollen creek as it revelled in the filtered sunlight....

After exploring for awhile, we headed home. Pedagogy and Violin still didn't appeal to me (though practicing Violin outdoors did cross my mind -- its the only instrument I can play that's moveable!), so I ended up on the deck in the marvelous sun, washing windows in my bare feet.... and wishing Essie could come and "help" me in her own unique way as she did this past summer.....

I should head for bed, but before I go, I want to share with you the passage we studied in Bible Study tonight:

"Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly ABOVE all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us, to Him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever. Amen."

Last Saturday I was able to see some wildlife - a squirl excitedly jumping from tree to tree, a fish struggling to swim upstream in a creek, and some crows eating the remains of some unsuspecting roadkill. Okay, that was pretty average wildlife I admit, but at about 8:40 that morning I had quite a shock (not an electric eel, for those of you wondering).

 I had to quickly feed Jack (my puppy) and then I would be on my way to hang out with Marshall for the day. I was about to grab his dog food container, when I happened to glance down at his water bucket, there at my feet. What I saw gave me chills and I inhaled quickly. Staring up at me from his watery grave was a large mouse, eyes glazed over, suspended with forepaws streched out as if to ask for help and long tail partly laying on the bottom. I half wondered if he would move if I touched the pail, but he didn't. I wanted to call Peter and ask him to get rid of it, but I didn't have time to do that. Plus, Jack was almost out of his "bed", and I wasn't so sure he'd like the idea of some creature swimming in his drinking water, so I took the pail outside and ran to the woods to dispose of Mr. mouse. How did he end up in the water, you might ask? Perhaps he was heroically attempting to get some food for his little family... my theory is that he was a lovesick Romeo, who, driven by unrequited love, thought to win Miss Juliet's affection by some act of bravery and by some terrible twist of fate, ended up romantically drowning... professing his love for Miss mouse to his dying breath.... ugh. I've studied too many operas... hence the tragic ending. 

 So, I guess I've learned that I am capable of disposing of dead mice (if they are in one piece, that is - with no blood and gore, etc.). I did think it a rather peculiar death though, don't you? Thankfully I have had no such surprises since... but I'll keep you posted. Btw, tonight Ben did the dishes for me -- sweet of him eh?! If only every girl could have a big bro like him..... CCM's at work, but not working too hard on his case yet....

Silence seems to be reigning on my blog right now... for those of you who wish to be updated on my current happenings, mood, feeling, etc. I will aspire to give it the best word fitting... BUSY. I'm afraid that pretty much sums it up. I feel like I've just been scheduling my life for the next 400 years and following... with only slight exageration. Not that that's a bad thing, only a, well, busy thing. Rach, I know you're going to warn me not to wear myself out, but don't worry, I'm still getting around 8 hours of sleep at night (more than you can claim, I'm sure!). I guess its the constant "changing gears" from one thing to the next that has left me starry-eyed, dazed, and half asleep all at once. Maybe I should start drinking coffee...

The only latest exciting happening in my life that I can let you in on is that I get to "babysit" my two oldest (and older) brothers for the next little while! Actually, if anything, I have the feeling that I shall be the one being sat upon... depending on how well I behave in their eyes... and you never can tell with "bothers" (as Mark so aptly put it as a baby)...;D ! Not to worry - I still love them. After all, they are two of my best brothers in the whole world (the other three are just as loved)! <3

Should be an interesting and exciting time... Perhaps another reason to post?

"A Place On The Earth"

Find me a place on the earth where a weary man can rest,

and listen for Your voice in the turning seasons.

A quiet place in the world where I can bow and confess

that I fear where You have brought me, Mysterious God.

All of my life

You have been with me.

My comfort in lonlieness,

My hope in the dark.

All of my life,

Lord, please stay with me.

Be my sustaining breath,

Guardian of my heart.

My days are passing by like fallen stars

that blaze across the night sky,

then they are gone.

But Father, at your side,

I will never be afraid.

For You have held all my days in the palm of Your hand.

Its SO good to know that God doesn't just watch us, but that He holds us in the palm of His hand... What better security could we ask for?!

I listened in horrified silence as 680 news described the way in which a 32 year old milkman coldly took the lives of 5 young, innocent girls (so far... there are more that may not survive their wounds - pray for them!). Americans and Canadians alike are asking "Why? Why did this man stoop to such an act of cowerdice?". He noted in one of the suicide notes to his wife that he hated God - perhaps the reason he chose the Amish for his target? 

Over the course of one week there has been three school shootings (in the USA). Many are wondering at the escalating violence that seems to have come out of nowhere... but I am reminded of a passage from the Old Testament that warns us: 

'"Behold, the days are coming," says the Lord God, "That I will send a famine on the land, Not a famine of bread, Nor a thirst for water, But of hearing the words of the Lord. They shall wander from sea to sea, and from north to east; They shall run to and fro, seeking the word of the Lord, But shall not find it."'  --Amos 8:11,12

The need for God in both Canada and the States was evident before these events unfolded - the knawing spiritual hunger that drives people...  to try to fill themselves with all the glitz, glamour and whatever else this empty world has to offer, or, in a case such as this, to the murder of beautiful children. Mr. Roberts must have been so empty, so hateful toward God to do such wrong -- what happened in his strangely twisted mind?

Yet, I too have commited murder - I have killed The Innocent One - the King of Kings. My sin was the cause of Jesus death... who am I to point the finger at someone else? Apart from God's cleansing grace I am just as guilty.

I'll refrain from rambling too much longer, but I just want to ask you all to continue (as I'm sure you are) in prayer, not only for the victims and their families, but also for the wife of Mr. Roberts and their three children... that God will work in their hearts to create healing and a saving faith in Him.

In Christ,

~Chrissy

Romans 8:28