I do believe I’ve finally overcome my previous technical incapabilities with a little good ’ole cut ‘n paste… This is a picture of us on a class field trip where we explored the Kauai Museum and took a jaunt up to the beautiful and well-known Wailua Falls. L-R: Nalani, Emma, Madison, Kamu.

It came to me today as I was driving home, listening to one of my favourite songs. Sometimes we deal with difficult situations, have to carry a heavy load, or make a big decision. I find it can be so easy to be caught up in the “What if…?” syndrome — looking for a way to combat the unknown, a way to get the goods on tomorrow without living it. But what if we did know what tomorrow would bring?? Would we seriously want to add it to today’s “to-do list”? Would we be able to handle the joys or sorrows that only God knows are in store for us? We are so fragile, so weak. Who are we anyway that we should even ask? Is it not enough for us to know that all our times are in His scarred hands, the hands so marred by His unending love for us?

        Who Am I?

“Who am I, that the Lord of all the earth

Would care to know my name

Would care to feel my hurt

Who am I, that the Bright and Morning Star

Would choose to light the way

For my ever wandering heart

Not because of who I am

But because of what You’ve done

Not because of what I’ve done

But because of Who You are

I am a flower quickly fading

Here today and gone tomorrow

A wave tossed in the ocean

A vapour in the wind

Still You hear me when I’m calling

Lord, You catch me when I’m falling

And You’ve told me who I am

I am Yours, I am Yours

Who am I, that the eyes that see my sin

Would look on me with love and watch me rise again

Who am I, that the voice that calmed the sea

Would call out through the rain

And calm the storm in me

I am Yours

Whom shall I fear

Whom shall I fear

‘Cause I am Yours

I am Yours”
  -By Mark Hall

“Lord, I have a heavy burden of all I’ve seen and know

Its more than I can handle

But Your Word is burning like a fire shut up in my bones

And I can’t let it go

And when I’m weary and overwrought

With so many battles left unfought

I think of Paul and Silas in the prison yard

I hear their song of freedom rising to the stars

Chorus:

And when the Saints go marching in

I want to be one of them

Lord, its all that I can’t carry and cannot leave behind

It all can overwhelm me

But when I think of all who’ve gone before and lived a faithful life

Their courage compels me

And when I’m weary and overwrought

With so many battles left unfought

I think of Paul and Silas in the prison yard

I hear their song of freedom rising to the stars

I see the shepherd Moses in the Pharaoh’s court

I hear his call for freedom for the people of the Lord

And when the Saints go marching in
I want to be one of them

I see the long quiet walk along the underground railroad

I see the slave awakening to the value of her soul

I see the young missionary and the angry spear

I see his family returning with no trace of fear

I see the long hard shadows of Calcutta nights

I see the sister standing by the dying man’s side

I see the young girl huddled on the brothel floor

I see the man with a passion come and kicking down that door

I see the man of sorrow and his long troubled road

I see the world on His shoulders and and my easy load

                                                       
And when the Saints go marching in
I want to be one of them”
               -By Sara Groves

Whenever I hear this song, I find myself lifted up, past the troubles of today and the worries of tomorrow as I think of all the hardships those before me have endured. Yet, for as much as the courage and preserverance of others drives me on and encourages me in my struggles, I see something greater — no, Someone greater Who is orchestrating the song of the stars, the bright new beginnings broken people are longing for, the fullness of Salvation’s power throughout the generations…..  

I see the King of glory leave the splendour of His throne

I see the One who took my sin and bore it as His own

I see the Man who was sinless in a sin-filled world

I see the One to whom angry fists and words where hurled

I see the Lamb of silence wear a crown of thorns

I see Him plead my forgiveness as the jeering crowd scorns

I see the Father’s anger and the Son’s obedience

I see the alter open as in two the veil rents

I see the earth quake as finally the battle’s won

I see the world plunged in darkness so I can go on

And when the saints go marching in
I want to be…
           …with my King!

 Don’t try it — its not worth the embarressment of being offered baby teething aids or doggie chewtoys or being so sensitively told by your older brother “So that’s why you’ve been cranky lately!”

Did I mention the thought of root canals….

“Could you please pass me the laughing gas?”

 How often are we willing to admit that? To kill our perceived independance with one simple statement… to admit that we are actually dependant on another human being, to admit that we are dependant on God? To allow ourselves to be humbled to realize that we are not complete, not able to survive without God? without eachother? 

 Are we willing to become as a little child?
 

  It amazes me to think of how uniquely God has been working in my life. Its been a year of many changes, some disapointments, much travel, not much blogging (which I will try to change ), a couple weddings, both laughter and tears, plenty of reasons to rejoice. And through all these things, I still find the song “Great is thy faithfulness” rings more true than ever before. 
  As we begin this new year, many changes lie ahead. Many struggles, fears, joys, sorrows. All Unknown to us… but I know the One Who does, so it is Jesus to whom I turn with heart full and wonder widening my eyes… and, with the puritans of old, pray: 

“O Love beyond Compare,
Thou art good when Thou givest,
     when Thou takest away,
  when the sun shines upon me,
 when the night gathers over me.
Thou hast loved me before the foundation of the world,
               and in love didst redeem my soul;
Thou dost love me still,
    in spite of my hard heart, ingratitude, distrust.
Thy goodness has been with me during another year,
        leading me through a twisting wilderness,
               in retreat helping me advance,
        when beaten back making sure headway.
Thy goodness will be with me in the year ahead;
                 I hoist sail and draw up anchor,
with Thee as the blessed pilot of my future as of my past.
I bless Thee that thou hast veiled my eyes to the waters ahead.
If Thou has appointed storms of tribulation,
           Thou wilt be with me in them;
If I have to pass through tempests of persecution and temptation,
                                   I shall not drown;
If I am to die,
                     I shall see Thy face sooner;
If a painful end is to be my lot,
          grant me grace that my faith fail not;
If I am to be cast aside from the service I love,
                  I can make no stipulation;
Only glorify Thyself in me whether in comfort or trial,
    as a chosen vessel meet always for Thy use.

(Taken from: “The Valley of Vision”)

Sweet and innocent (though that status may have changed since he learned the art of opening doors), capricious and adorable, exuberant, loved and missed, he is Phillip, my favorite - and only - nephew. He is such a talented baby! 

 I’m thinking I might hire him to be both my chauffer and pianist-in-waiting, personally trained to drive me where I need to go and practice piano for me whenever I don’t feel like practicing.

 He is so dynamic - these are pictures of one of his first performances. Oh! The drama… a true performer he is! 

Now lets find out if his… um, technically challenged Aunt can actually get the pictures to post properly (unlike last time…).