I apologize…
…For the lack of posts over the…well, long time! 
And I’m afraid it might be like this for a while longer. *sniff* (Please don’t abandon me forever!) Life has been pretty busy. I wonder where my day has gone and then I realize it was occupied by by stuff, stuff, stuff. I can’t even post pictures because my camera is broken! Boohoohoo. But I really haven’t had time to do that or upload or post them. *sigh*
Let’s see…here’s why: For one, my camera is unable to take pictures; I’m also trying to make sure my schoolwork gets done along with my babysitting. (Babysitting’s my job. It’s like other jobs kids get before graduation, but better! It might not be a set income, but if I’m not available I can just say “no”. AND…I get to watch little kiddos-which I love. It can be spontaneous or God might provide a weekly time-which he has in my case. FOUR, actually! Sometimes, it can get pretty overwhelming.) Now don’t get the wrong impression, I’m NOT writing all this to complain about the things I have to do or brag about how much I’m doing. (I must admit though, there are times I start griping and then have to bite my tongue and remind myself these opportunities are from God. Work is not to be despised but God wants us to use it to create and be creative.)
Other WORK projects:
I started and am still working on my Psalms Project. (Notating doesn’t come very natural to me unfortunately.)
I’m also preparing for Music Progressions, so that makes me keep up with practice.
I have been doing lots of research for my orchestration program. And through God I have been able to make some great progress!
I have had the the wonderful experience of now fighting off being sick twice ; ) …and I’m pretty sure that number will be three soon. But I will still rejoice!
I’ve been doing other research.
I’ve been praying and thinking long and hard about different decisions I have to make.
I’ve been trying to fix computer problems.
Trying to learn and learn and learn!
And whenever I get on the computer I can never seem to squeeze in a post; I’m so glad I could this time. 
Even through the busyness of life I try my best to thank God for His blessings. And even through the stress somehow His peace surpasses all the load of “things to do”, and I still find SO MUCH JOY IN LIFE…and doing work! His strength is what keeps me going!
For this occasion I dug out some pictures of the little Baker’s I babysit every Thursday morning+one little girl Noelle was babysitting that day.
From farthest back: Tim, Nathaniel, Addy Jobe, Nora
Can’t you just see “mischievous” written
all over that smile?
“You can’t catch me I’m the gingerbread man!”
I hope you all enjoyed the post today! Have a great day!
~Song of the Year~
So here we are again; we’ve ended another year, and without a comforting song all year long, I don’t think I would have made it. Thank you Lord for using this song to turn my heart and eyes back to you and for helping me release all the impurities/dirtiness inside of me.
I’d Rather Have Jesus (Music by: George Beverly Shea/Words by: Rhea F. Miller)
(I was once told that if I hadn’t ever heard George Beverly Shea sing this himself, I needed to do so. So, I found a site that had a recording and I don’t think I have ever heard something so rich or heart-warming since.)
Here’s the link for the audio: Shea singing “I’d Rather Have Jesus”; below are the words:
I’d rather have Jesus than silver or gold;
I’d rather be His than have riches untold;
I’d rather have Jesus than houses or lands,
I’d rather be led by His nail pierced hand.
Than to be a king of a vast domain
Or be held in sin’s dread sway,
I’d rather have Jesus than anything
This world affords today.
I’d rather have Jesus than men’s applause;
I’d rather be faithful to His dear cause;
I’d rather have Jesus than world-wide fame,
I’d rather be true to His holy name.
Than to be a king of a vast domain
Or be held in sin’s dread sway,
I’d rather have Jesus than anything
This world affords today.
He’s fairer than lilies of rarest bloom;
He’s sweeter than honey from out of the comb;
He’s all that my hungering spirit needs,
I’d rather have Jesus and let Him lead
Than to be a king of a vast domain
Or be held in sin’s dread sway,
I’d rather have Jesus than anything
This world affords today.
TELL ME WHAT YOU THINK; I’D LOVE TO KNOW!
Verse of the Day~
A gentle answer turns away wrath,
but a harsh word stirs up anger.~Proverbs 15:1~
~When Life is Dark~
All around me is darkness; the light I once saw so clearly, that shone upon me, is nowhere to be found.
The wind ferociously howls and whirls about me…almost too much for me to bear.
My fear consumes me-a burden I am too weak to carry.
My enemies surround me – waiting to attack their feeble prey.
O Lord, my God, where are you?
You are the Savior, but You have not come to my aid;
Your presence is nowhere to be seen!
I once called to Your Holy Mountain and would be helped.
Now, though, I tremble and fear, for I am in danger…and all alone.
Where have You gone? Why have You forsaken me?
Save me before I am swept away!
Please, dear Lord, rescue me from this pit that I may see the light of day once again.
(Inspired by Christmas Eve’s Winter Storm when the cold wind was blowing like no other, hard snow flakes were falling from the sky, and the dark clouds made the sky so gloomy.)
Often times, we think God isn’t helping us or interested in our trials. Either we can’t feel His presence or our problems aren’t resolved. But this is not true! Such rebellious thoughts start coming to us when adversity strikes and we are not immediately helped. So we start thinking that God surely wouldn’t let His child go through such a thing. And when He doesn’t make it go away in short order we begin doubting and have a constant stream of “why” questions.
“Too many Christians live in constant despondency because they cannot distinguish between the rock on which they stand and the faith by which they stand upon the rock. Faith is not our rock; Christ is our rock. We do not get faith by having faith in our faith or by looking to faith, but by looking to Christ. Looking to Christ is faith.” ~Dr. John Gerstner
(ht: Natalie. Thanks referring this perfect quote to me!)
Christmas Pictures
Well, Merry Christmas everyone!…What?…I’m too late?…Rats!
Anyway, this year was pretty low-key for us because Nicole and Andy, and Nadine couldn’t come, but I guess it was partially okay because we celebrated virtually using Skype.
Enjoy the pictures!
Our traditional hor’dorves buffet and present hunt (using clues-thanks to our clever dad. Natalie did dad) / Christmas Day!
YUMMMMY!
Mom got an awesome camera!
I think Noelle had a bit too much Sparkly.
Noelle receiving her gift from me: Prince Caspian songbook
Learning how to use her camera.
Anyone want a “flamed” grilled cheese?
A night of movies & Progressive Rummy.
Joey decided to experiment with some Christmas gifts.
Here’s a video if you prefer that option.
Check Out My New Shoes…
…Can you figure out what brand they are?
So nice and clean!
I purchased them at a store in Kansas City and had a great experience working with them!
I would definitely buy from them again-even if they are a bit expensive. However, the shoes
they carry are good quality shoes and they carry other exercise tools and foot equipment, too.
Verse of the Day~
You will go out in joy and be led forth in peace; the mountains and hills will burst into song before you, and all the trees of the field will clap their hands.
~Isaiah 55:12~
Verse of the Day~
I, the LORD, speak the truth; I declare what is right.
~Isaiah 45:19~
Verses of the Day~
I will lead the blind by ways they have not known, along unfamiliar paths I will guide them; I will turn the darkness into light before them and make the rough places smooth. These are the things I willdo; I will not forsake them.
~Isaiah 42:16~
Who among you fears the LORD and obeys the word of his servant? Let him who walks in the dark, who has no light, trust in the name of the LORD and rely on his God.
~Isaiah 50:10~
