As to your questions. We can't take notes during the meeting. I've been sitting by the same 2 sopranos from my ward at all the rehearsals. My ward carpools to the rehearsals, even though it is only 2 miles away. We manage to fit all 300+ women in the stake center chapel, pretty crowded, but boy, do we raise the roof.
There have been 5 rehearsals, each 2.5 hours long. We spend the first half hour singing through various hymns, then one of the stake presidents gives a thought, then a member of the RS general board will talk to us briefly. Then they go over "housekeeping items" which are the details of what exactly to wear, when to be where, how things are going to work, etc. Then we finally get to practice. We are singing arrangements of Sweet Is The Work, and The Morning Breaks. We are supposed to have the congregations hymns memorized too, though we have only practiced them as warm ups.
The director (Emily Wadley) is great.She's funny and engaging and exciting, and good at getting a great sound. She also spends a lot of time helping us have expressive faces. They video tape us at rehearsals, and have us watch right then. She hasn't directed for conference before, but has been in these choirs before and has been the musical director for Savior of the World. She was also Elizabeth in 17 Miracles.
We had dress rehearsal at the conference center last Saturday. That's where they lined us up by height and I ended up on the back row on the very furthest left corner. It's a long drop from there, but the person next to me promised to hold on to me if she thought I was going to fall. So now I have visions of my creating a domino effect of pulling the whole back row over. There were a couple of people missing when we were assigned our places, so depending on their heights, I might not be in the very corner, or even down a row. Well, only if the missing people are all 5' 11". So back row it is.
Singing in the vast space of the conference center is very odd. We are used to the huge sound that we create in the stake center. But in the conference center, the only way that anyone out there hears the choir is the dozens of microphones suspended over the choir. We don't get to hear any of that amplification, so you can't really hear anyone except for the people right next to you. So I can only hear the one person, since there isn't anyone on my other side. Even the huge organ doesn't sound that loud, but at least we can hear it well enough to stay in key.
We take a bus there today at noon. We are only allowed to bring a tiny purse and no cells phones. I think they would prefer if we didn't bring anything at all, except for our security badges. We will have a tech rehearsal where we get to see what it is really like to have the camera guy fly around with his big camera right in our faces. I was hoping to see what that was like last Saturday, but they only did audio.
My friend down the street had been asked to do it, but because she thought she might be moving, they chose someone else. She ended up not moving after all, but only 5 people are allowed from each ward. She is a fantabulous singer, and I'm still sad that she isn't able to sing with us, and was seriously tempted to give her my place.
I'm in the very back row, on the very furthest left (as you look at us) corner. The camera closeups tend to like to hover in the lower areas, or where the organ pipes can be seen in the background, so I'm not likely to be in any close ups. If you happen to see wall without pipes behind the singers, you might be able to see me. As far as making faces to attract the camera, we have all been practicing making faces ever since rehearsals started.
It will be streamed live on conference.lds.org and on the Mormon channel on Roku. So my family can watch, even thought they cannot come to the conference center (or as one coordinator joked, unless a husband can dress up really well)
My main concerns right now are that I can't decide if I want to wear my hair curly or straight, and that I keep mixing up verses on the congregational hymns.
Saturday, October 8, 2011
More about RS choir (written afterwards)
3 months ago, all the members of the choir were each called in to their bishop's office with their husbands. Richard and I panicked, because we didn't want to change callings. But instead he asked me questions about my availability, singing abilities, and whether Richard would be willing to support me in this. Then we were handed a page full of must and do nots in tiny font, and told to memorize all the words to all the hymns that were sung.
When we came to that first rehearsal, we were all petrified, sure that they meant to call someone else, sure that we didn't belong there, weren't capable enough, and couldn't possibly follow all the rules. (I never did manage to sit for over an hour without putting my hands to my face, or without crossing my legs/ankles, and believe me, I have tried). Our stake leaders checked us in and handed us a folder and told us what part we were singing. Then stake leaders, and general music directors talked to us, and told us how important this all was and went over more rules and requirements. Whew! We were so tense!
That's probably why the director (Emily) was being so funny, to get us to the point where we relaxed enough to be able to actually sing. By the second rehearsal we started loosening up and were talking to each other, and were much better able to sing and learn. Some of the people there had never been in a large choir before, and some had sung in many, and the rest of us were someone between. Rehearsal were fast and furious, and very little time was spent on individual parts, most was spent on getting a full mature tall sound. And a lot in talking about and practicing how to let what we were feeling show on our faces. The director has an extremely expressive face, and would really over exaggerate to get us to respond. Yesterday she was saying that some of us are "facially dependent" and that we still needed to keep our faces active, even when she turned toward the congregation. The choir members with the most "screen time" were the tall 2nd sopranos and 1st altos that were right behind the director and so were still in the screen during the congregational hymns.
The last rehearsal they projected that descant to "Hark All Ye Nations" just handwritten, and said that we had been asked to have us learn really quickly. They only got to go over it a couple of times. Fortunately they only had about 1/2 the 1st sopranos sing it, so I was off the hook.
Sister Beck spoke to us before the conference and talked about the "singing mothers" the Relief Society started during World War II, which are described in the new RS history. She also expressed how important she felt that music was as part of the conference and how much more likely people are to be touched by the music than anything else, so we were just as a vital part of the meeting as they would be.
Once the conference started, everything seemed to go so quickly. The songs seemed so short. I was glad that our two songs were right at the first, so that we could relax and listen to the speakers after that. The whole conference seemed to fly by, and before we knew it, it was over. Getting home, now that took forever.
Watching all the people come in and fill in the conference center was interesting. I believe it holds 20,000 people, and it filled all the way in. I knew that Becky was up in the back balcony, but that's a BIG balcony, and a long way from the back of the choir loft. The chance of us recognizing each other from that distance...it would have taken binoculars. To see the speakers from the front, we were watching small monitors that they have down by the podium. So it felt further away than it does in the balcony.
When we came to that first rehearsal, we were all petrified, sure that they meant to call someone else, sure that we didn't belong there, weren't capable enough, and couldn't possibly follow all the rules. (I never did manage to sit for over an hour without putting my hands to my face, or without crossing my legs/ankles, and believe me, I have tried). Our stake leaders checked us in and handed us a folder and told us what part we were singing. Then stake leaders, and general music directors talked to us, and told us how important this all was and went over more rules and requirements. Whew! We were so tense!
That's probably why the director (Emily) was being so funny, to get us to the point where we relaxed enough to be able to actually sing. By the second rehearsal we started loosening up and were talking to each other, and were much better able to sing and learn. Some of the people there had never been in a large choir before, and some had sung in many, and the rest of us were someone between. Rehearsal were fast and furious, and very little time was spent on individual parts, most was spent on getting a full mature tall sound. And a lot in talking about and practicing how to let what we were feeling show on our faces. The director has an extremely expressive face, and would really over exaggerate to get us to respond. Yesterday she was saying that some of us are "facially dependent" and that we still needed to keep our faces active, even when she turned toward the congregation. The choir members with the most "screen time" were the tall 2nd sopranos and 1st altos that were right behind the director and so were still in the screen during the congregational hymns.
The last rehearsal they projected that descant to "Hark All Ye Nations" just handwritten, and said that we had been asked to have us learn really quickly. They only got to go over it a couple of times. Fortunately they only had about 1/2 the 1st sopranos sing it, so I was off the hook.
Sister Beck spoke to us before the conference and talked about the "singing mothers" the Relief Society started during World War II, which are described in the new RS history. She also expressed how important she felt that music was as part of the conference and how much more likely people are to be touched by the music than anything else, so we were just as a vital part of the meeting as they would be.
Once the conference started, everything seemed to go so quickly. The songs seemed so short. I was glad that our two songs were right at the first, so that we could relax and listen to the speakers after that. The whole conference seemed to fly by, and before we knew it, it was over. Getting home, now that took forever.
Watching all the people come in and fill in the conference center was interesting. I believe it holds 20,000 people, and it filled all the way in. I knew that Becky was up in the back balcony, but that's a BIG balcony, and a long way from the back of the choir loft. The chance of us recognizing each other from that distance...it would have taken binoculars. To see the speakers from the front, we were watching small monitors that they have down by the podium. So it felt further away than it does in the balcony.
More RS choir details
It was fun, and we are sad that it is over. We wish that we could convince the director to just come and direct us some more, just for fun.
We were instructed to eat well before we left. They provided a sack lunch for us to eat after the tech rehearsal. We'd predicted that they would provide lunch that would not stain our nice white shirts, and we were right. No mustard for the sandwiches, no tomato, apple slices, plain chips, and a white frosted sugar cookie, and water. It was all really yummy. Wish that I had one of those cookies right now.
We got home about 10 pm, and yes, completely exhausted, but too wound up to get to sleep easily.
What else? When we got there, they apologized because the buses taking us were mostly old rental school buses. We were all worried about being on a hot sweaty school bus and having our make up, hair and white shirts survive. But you saw us, somehow, even with windows down to let air in, our hair survived, and our shirts looked okay.
One of the buses broke down just before we got to the conference center, but those folks got there some how. They fixed it up, and our stake must have drawn the short straw, because we got to ride the "broken" bus home. It was pouring out white smoke while we were stopped in traffic. We started singing hymns on the bus to distract ourselves with how slowly we were going. I think we had sung thru over a dozen hymns before we really started moving, and had worked thru to primary songs before we got on the freeway, We usually sang all the verses, if we could remember them. It took us a LONG time to go two blocks. We'd gotten thru all the verses of two hymns before we'd even pulled away from the curb. Everyone sang those first two hymns, but after that it was just those of us in the back. It was nice to finally have fresh air blowing through the bus once we got on the freeway, but it was really blowing.
The bus went what we all consider the "long" way home, which also meant we drove through construction we could have avoided. We were having trouble being patient with driver at that point. We also weren't sure the bus was going to make it up the final hill, and that we might have to push, but we got there. I hope the bus driver made it back to the garage.
We were instructed to eat well before we left. They provided a sack lunch for us to eat after the tech rehearsal. We'd predicted that they would provide lunch that would not stain our nice white shirts, and we were right. No mustard for the sandwiches, no tomato, apple slices, plain chips, and a white frosted sugar cookie, and water. It was all really yummy. Wish that I had one of those cookies right now.
We got home about 10 pm, and yes, completely exhausted, but too wound up to get to sleep easily.
What else? When we got there, they apologized because the buses taking us were mostly old rental school buses. We were all worried about being on a hot sweaty school bus and having our make up, hair and white shirts survive. But you saw us, somehow, even with windows down to let air in, our hair survived, and our shirts looked okay.
One of the buses broke down just before we got to the conference center, but those folks got there some how. They fixed it up, and our stake must have drawn the short straw, because we got to ride the "broken" bus home. It was pouring out white smoke while we were stopped in traffic. We started singing hymns on the bus to distract ourselves with how slowly we were going. I think we had sung thru over a dozen hymns before we really started moving, and had worked thru to primary songs before we got on the freeway, We usually sang all the verses, if we could remember them. It took us a LONG time to go two blocks. We'd gotten thru all the verses of two hymns before we'd even pulled away from the curb. Everyone sang those first two hymns, but after that it was just those of us in the back. It was nice to finally have fresh air blowing through the bus once we got on the freeway, but it was really blowing.
The bus went what we all consider the "long" way home, which also meant we drove through construction we could have avoided. We were having trouble being patient with driver at that point. We also weren't sure the bus was going to make it up the final hill, and that we might have to push, but we got there. I hope the bus driver made it back to the garage.
Saturday, June 11, 2011
Dry Shampoo
Suave recently came out with a dry shampoo, which I picked up at Walmart.
I'd always considered dry shampoo a specialty item that you had to get at a beauty supply, so finding in at a local store was surprising.
I liked how it added texture as well as absorbing oil. Gwyn liked it too but when we went to buy more, we couldn't find it there any more.
We managed to find another brand (for silver hair), but it didn't add texture, and had to be brushed out, which often causes frizzy-ness with my curly hair.
Tressemme also has a dry shampoo, but Gwyn wasn't impressed with that either. Their waterless mouse shampoo works okay for me though.
Managed to find the Suave shampoo again at Smith's. So now we are happy again.
I'd always considered dry shampoo a specialty item that you had to get at a beauty supply, so finding in at a local store was surprising.
I liked how it added texture as well as absorbing oil. Gwyn liked it too but when we went to buy more, we couldn't find it there any more.
We managed to find another brand (for silver hair), but it didn't add texture, and had to be brushed out, which often causes frizzy-ness with my curly hair.
Tressemme also has a dry shampoo, but Gwyn wasn't impressed with that either. Their waterless mouse shampoo works okay for me though.
Managed to find the Suave shampoo again at Smith's. So now we are happy again.
update: I will leave to your own imagination the myriad of possible uses for something that can keep your hair from getting oily by the end of the day, or getting through a morning when you woke up too late to shower, (or you aren't allowed to shower for some reason.)
Saturday, June 4, 2011
Fear Not I am With Thee
There are some scriptures that I have memorized just due to having sung songs based on those verses. "For unto us a child is born" or "All we like sheep"
One of my favorite hymns is "How Firm a Foundation"
I particularly like (and have memorized) verses 3, 4, and 5. But somehow I missed that they were based on verses from Isaiah.
One of my favorite hymns is "How Firm a Foundation"
I particularly like (and have memorized) verses 3, 4, and 5. But somehow I missed that they were based on verses from Isaiah.
3-"Fear not, I am with thee; O be not dismayed!
For I am thy God, and will still give thee aid;
I'll strengthen thee, help thee, and cause thee to stand,
upheld by my righteous, omnipotent hand."
Isaiah 41:10
Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness.
4-"When through the deep waters I call thee to go,
the rivers of sorrow shall not thee overflow;
for I will be with thee, thy troubles to bless,
and sanctify to thee thy deepest distress.
5-"When through fiery trials thy pathway shall lie,
my grace, all sufficient, shall be thy supply;
the flame shall not hurt thee; I only design
thy dross to consume, and thy gold to refine"
Isaiah 43:2 When thou passest through the waters, I will be with thee; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow thee: when thou walkest through the fire, thou shalt not be burned; neither shall the flame kindle upon thee.
Going home
Wednesday we went to a testimony meeting for missionaries leaving their missions to go home.
Friday we went to a funeral of a 10 yr old boy who also went home.
Those missionaries were sad to be leaving those they taught, and those left behind were sad to see them leave.
But the missionaries were also so excited to be going home.
And I promise those at home can't wait to see them.
We are so sad to be the ones that are left behind as this sweet spirit went home.
But we can imagine his excitement and the excitement of those that were anxiously awaiting his return home.
Friday we went to a funeral of a 10 yr old boy who also went home.
Those missionaries were sad to be leaving those they taught, and those left behind were sad to see them leave.
But the missionaries were also so excited to be going home.
And I promise those at home can't wait to see them.
We are so sad to be the ones that are left behind as this sweet spirit went home.
But we can imagine his excitement and the excitement of those that were anxiously awaiting his return home.
Friday, June 3, 2011
A Prayer for Womanhood
Trying to make a coherent introduction in the face of such gentle vivid wording is very challenging, which is why I mostly haven't tried.
A Prayer for Womanhood
God, give each true good woman
Her own small house to keep,
No heart should ache with longing,
No hurt should go too deep.....
Grant her age-old desire:
A house to love and sweep.
Give her a man beside her,
A kind man, and a true,
And let them work together
And love, a lifetime through,
And let her mother children
As gentle women do.
Give her a shelf for dishes,
And a shining box for bread,
A white cloth for her table,
And a white spread for her bed,
A shaded lamp at nightfall,
And a row of books much read.
God, let her work with laughter,
And let her rest with sleep.
No life can truly offer
A peace more sure and deep....
God, give each true woman
Her own small house to keep
~Grace Noll Crowell~1934
A Prayer for Womanhood
God, give each true good woman
Her own small house to keep,
No heart should ache with longing,
No hurt should go too deep.....
Grant her age-old desire:
A house to love and sweep.
Give her a man beside her,
A kind man, and a true,
And let them work together
And love, a lifetime through,
And let her mother children
As gentle women do.
Give her a shelf for dishes,
And a shining box for bread,
A white cloth for her table,
And a white spread for her bed,
A shaded lamp at nightfall,
And a row of books much read.
God, let her work with laughter,
And let her rest with sleep.
No life can truly offer
A peace more sure and deep....
God, give each true woman
Her own small house to keep
~Grace Noll Crowell~1934
Thursday, June 2, 2011
Open Your Eyes
And one that isn't by Crowell (whose poetry I am single handedly trying to resurrect, well since I found most of these on other peoples blogs, I guess I am not alone) just to keep you on your toes.
Open your eyes that you may see
The beauty that around you lies,
The misty loveliness of the dawn,
The glowing colors of the skies;
The child's bright eager eyes of blue,
The gnarled and wrinkled face of age,
The bird with crimson on his wing
Whose spirit never knew a cage;
The roadsides' blooming goldenrod
So brave through summer's wind and heat,
The brook that rushes to the sea
With courage that naught may defeat.
Open your eyes that you may see
The wonder that around you lies;
It will enrich your every day
And make you glad and kind and wise.
Emma Boge Whisenand
Open your eyes that you may see
The beauty that around you lies,
The misty loveliness of the dawn,
The glowing colors of the skies;
The child's bright eager eyes of blue,
The gnarled and wrinkled face of age,
The bird with crimson on his wing
Whose spirit never knew a cage;
The roadsides' blooming goldenrod
So brave through summer's wind and heat,
The brook that rushes to the sea
With courage that naught may defeat.
Open your eyes that you may see
The wonder that around you lies;
It will enrich your every day
And make you glad and kind and wise.
Emma Boge Whisenand
I Have Found Such Joy
I have found such joy in simple things;
A plain clean room, a nut-brown loaf of bread,
A cup of milk, a kettle as it sings,
The shelter of a roof above my head,
And in a leaf-laced square along a floor,
Where yellow sunlight glimmers through a door.
I have found such joy in things that fill
My quiet days; a curtain's blowing grace,
A potted plant upon my window sill,
A rose fresh-cut and placed within a vase,
A table cleared, a lamp beside a chair,
And books I long have loved beside me there.
Oh, I have found such joys I wish I might
Tell every woman who goes seeking far
For some elusive, feverish delight,
That very close to home the great joys are:
The elemental things--old as the race,
Yet never, through the ages, commonplace.
Grace Noll Crowell
A plain clean room, a nut-brown loaf of bread,
A cup of milk, a kettle as it sings,
The shelter of a roof above my head,
And in a leaf-laced square along a floor,
Where yellow sunlight glimmers through a door.
I have found such joy in things that fill
My quiet days; a curtain's blowing grace,
A potted plant upon my window sill,
A rose fresh-cut and placed within a vase,
A table cleared, a lamp beside a chair,
And books I long have loved beside me there.
Oh, I have found such joys I wish I might
Tell every woman who goes seeking far
For some elusive, feverish delight,
That very close to home the great joys are:
The elemental things--old as the race,
Yet never, through the ages, commonplace.
Grace Noll Crowell
Wednesday, June 1, 2011
The Common Tasks
The common tasks are beautiful if we
Have eyes to see their shining ministry.
The ploughman with his share deep in the loam;
The carpenter whose skilled hands build a home;
The gardener working with reluctant sod,
Faithful to his partnership with God—
These are the artisans of life. And, oh,
A woman with her eyes and cheeks aglore,
Watching a kettle, tending a scarlet flame,
Guarding a little child—there is no name
For this great ministry. But eyes are dull
That do not see that it is beautiful;
That do not see within the common tasks
The simple answer to the thing God asks
Of any child, a pride within His breast:
That at our given work we do our best.
Grace Noll Crowell
Have eyes to see their shining ministry.
The ploughman with his share deep in the loam;
The carpenter whose skilled hands build a home;
The gardener working with reluctant sod,
Faithful to his partnership with God—
These are the artisans of life. And, oh,
A woman with her eyes and cheeks aglore,
Watching a kettle, tending a scarlet flame,
Guarding a little child—there is no name
For this great ministry. But eyes are dull
That do not see that it is beautiful;
That do not see within the common tasks
The simple answer to the thing God asks
Of any child, a pride within His breast:
That at our given work we do our best.
Grace Noll Crowell
Tuesday, May 31, 2011
A Hungry Man is At My Door
I don't think that I mentioned it, but Grace Noll Crowell wrote the words to the hymn "Because I Have Been Given Much"
This next one reminds me the hymn, so I will post both here.
A Hungry Man is At My Door
Grace Noll Crowell
A hungry man is at my door,
What shall I do?
My fire is warm, my loaf is sweet,
And I have you,
Sufficient for my needs... but oh,
The wind is cold.
A hungry man is at my door,
And he is old;
And he is weary, waiting to be fed.
I cannot dine
Until I break in three this loaf
I thought was mine.
I cannot rest beside my fire
Unless I share
Its warmth with him, and find a cloak
That he can wear.
This done --- and he upon his way
Along the street ---
I find a warmer fire --- my loaf
Grown doubly sweet.
Because I Have Been Given Much
Grace Noll Crowell
Because I have been given much,
I too must give.
Because of thy great bounty,
Lord each day I live.
I shall divide my gifts from thee
with every brother that I see,
who has the need of help from me.
Because I have been sheltered,
fed by thy good care…
I cannot see another’s lack
and I not share-
my glowing fire,
my loaf of bread-
my roof’s safe shelter over head,
that he too may be comforted.
Because I have been blessed
by thy great love dear Lord,
I’ll share thy love again
according to thy word.
I shall give love to those in need.
I’ll show that love by word and deed,
thus shall my thanks be thanks indeed.
This next one reminds me the hymn, so I will post both here.
A Hungry Man is At My Door
Grace Noll Crowell
A hungry man is at my door,
What shall I do?
My fire is warm, my loaf is sweet,
And I have you,
Sufficient for my needs... but oh,
The wind is cold.
A hungry man is at my door,
And he is old;
And he is weary, waiting to be fed.
I cannot dine
Until I break in three this loaf
I thought was mine.
I cannot rest beside my fire
Unless I share
Its warmth with him, and find a cloak
That he can wear.
This done --- and he upon his way
Along the street ---
I find a warmer fire --- my loaf
Grown doubly sweet.
Because I Have Been Given Much
Grace Noll Crowell
Because I have been given much,
I too must give.
Because of thy great bounty,
Lord each day I live.
I shall divide my gifts from thee
with every brother that I see,
who has the need of help from me.
Because I have been sheltered,
fed by thy good care…
I cannot see another’s lack
and I not share-
my glowing fire,
my loaf of bread-
my roof’s safe shelter over head,
that he too may be comforted.
Because I have been blessed
by thy great love dear Lord,
I’ll share thy love again
according to thy word.
I shall give love to those in need.
I’ll show that love by word and deed,
thus shall my thanks be thanks indeed.
Monday, May 30, 2011
Poetry
Keep finding more of Grace Noll Crowell's poetry, so I will keep posting.
These next few are a in a different category than the previous consolation types.
April was Poetry month, so I am only a month behind.
May was Better Hearing and Speech Month, so maybe I will copy and paste a bunch of stuff applicable to that in June.
These next few are a in a different category than the previous consolation types.
April was Poetry month, so I am only a month behind.
May was Better Hearing and Speech Month, so maybe I will copy and paste a bunch of stuff applicable to that in June.
Sunday, May 29, 2011
I Shall Be Glad
These two are pretty similar, so I'm posting both of them at once.
I Shall Be Glad
If I can put new hope within the heart
Of one who has lost hope,
If I can help a brother up
Some difficult long slope
That seems too steep for tired feet to go,
If I can help him climb
Into the light upon the hill's far crest,
I shall begrudge no time
Or strength that I spend, for well I know
How great may be his need.
If I can help through any darkened hour,
I shall be glad indeed.
For I recall how often I have been
Distressed, distraught, dismayed,
And hands have reached to help, and voices called
That kept me unafraid.
If I can share this help that I have had,
God knows I shall be glad.
by Grace Noll Crowell (1877-1969)
If through some darkened hour a word of mine
Could shine
To light the road
For any heart grown weary of its load–
I would be glad today,
Gladder than I could say!
For through the darkest hours I have known,
Words have shown
That I shall not forget:
Those promises that have not failed me yet;
The ringing words of cheer
That I still hear.
(God give me words today
To light some darkened way.)
-Grace Noll Crowell
I Shall Be Glad
If I can put new hope within the heart
Of one who has lost hope,
If I can help a brother up
Some difficult long slope
That seems too steep for tired feet to go,
If I can help him climb
Into the light upon the hill's far crest,
I shall begrudge no time
Or strength that I spend, for well I know
How great may be his need.
If I can help through any darkened hour,
I shall be glad indeed.
For I recall how often I have been
Distressed, distraught, dismayed,
And hands have reached to help, and voices called
That kept me unafraid.
If I can share this help that I have had,
God knows I shall be glad.
by Grace Noll Crowell (1877-1969)
If through some darkened hour a word of mine
Could shine
To light the road
For any heart grown weary of its load–
I would be glad today,
Gladder than I could say!
For through the darkest hours I have known,
Words have shown
That I shall not forget:
Those promises that have not failed me yet;
The ringing words of cheer
That I still hear.
(God give me words today
To light some darkened way.)
-Grace Noll Crowell
Saturday, May 28, 2011
Let Me Come In
Let me come in where you are weeping, friend,
And let me take your hand.
I, who have known a sorrow such as yours,
Can understand.
Let me come in – I would be very still
Beside you in your grief.
I would not bid you cease your weeping, friend,
Tears bring relief.
Let me come in – I would only breathe a prayer,
And hold your hand,
For I have known a sorrow such as yours,
And understand.
-Grace Noll Crowell
And let me take your hand.
I, who have known a sorrow such as yours,
Can understand.
Let me come in – I would be very still
Beside you in your grief.
I would not bid you cease your weeping, friend,
Tears bring relief.
Let me come in – I would only breathe a prayer,
And hold your hand,
For I have known a sorrow such as yours,
And understand.
-Grace Noll Crowell
Friday, May 27, 2011
I think that God is proud of those who bear A sorrow bravely
I think that God is proud of those who bear
A sorrow bravely -- proud indeed of them
Who walk straight through the dark to find Him there
And kneel in faith to touch His garment's hem.
Oh, proud of them who lift their heads to shake
Away the tears from eyes that have grown dim,
Who tighten quivering lips and turn to take
The only road they know that leads to Him.
How proud He must be of them -- He who knows
All sorrow, and how hard grief is to bear!
I think He sees them coming, and He goes
With outstretched arms and hands to meet them there,
And with a look, a touch on hand or head,
Each finds his hurt heart strangely comforted.
A sorrow bravely -- proud indeed of them
Who walk straight through the dark to find Him there
And kneel in faith to touch His garment's hem.
Oh, proud of them who lift their heads to shake
Away the tears from eyes that have grown dim,
Who tighten quivering lips and turn to take
The only road they know that leads to Him.
How proud He must be of them -- He who knows
All sorrow, and how hard grief is to bear!
I think He sees them coming, and He goes
With outstretched arms and hands to meet them there,
And with a look, a touch on hand or head,
Each finds his hurt heart strangely comforted.
Thursday, May 26, 2011
A Prayer for Courage
A Prayer for Courage
by Grace Noll Crowell
God, make me brave for life,
Oh, braver than this!
Let me straighten after pain
As a tree straightens after the rain,
Shining and lovely again.
God, make me brave for life,
Much braver than this!
As the blown grass lifts let me rise
From sorrow with quiet eyes,
Knowing thy way is wise.
God, make me brave. Life brings
Such blinding things.
Help me to keep my sight,
Help me to see aright,
That out of the dark comes light.
by Grace Noll Crowell
God, make me brave for life,
Oh, braver than this!
Let me straighten after pain
As a tree straightens after the rain,
Shining and lovely again.
God, make me brave for life,
Much braver than this!
As the blown grass lifts let me rise
From sorrow with quiet eyes,
Knowing thy way is wise.
God, make me brave. Life brings
Such blinding things.
Help me to keep my sight,
Help me to see aright,
That out of the dark comes light.
Wednesday, May 25, 2011
Thank You Friend
Thank You Friend
by Grace Noll Crowell
I never came to you, my friend,
and went away without
some new enrichment of the heart;
More faith and less of doubt,
more courage in the days ahead.
And often in great need coming to you,
I went away comforted indeed.
How can I find the shining word,
the glowing phrase that tells all that
your love has meant to me,
all that your friendship spells?
There is no word, no phrase for
you on whom I so depend.
All I can say to you is this,
God bless you precious friend.
by Grace Noll Crowell
I never came to you, my friend,
and went away without
some new enrichment of the heart;
More faith and less of doubt,
more courage in the days ahead.
And often in great need coming to you,
I went away comforted indeed.
How can I find the shining word,
the glowing phrase that tells all that
your love has meant to me,
all that your friendship spells?
There is no word, no phrase for
you on whom I so depend.
All I can say to you is this,
God bless you precious friend.
Tuesday, May 24, 2011
This too will pass
This, too, will pass. O heart, say it over and over,
Out of your deepest sorrow, out of your deepest grief,
No hurt can last forever -- perhaps tomorrow will bring relief.
This, too, will pass. It will spend itself -- its fury
Will die as the wind dies down with the setting sun.
Assuaged and calm, you will rest again,
Forgetting a thing that is done.
Repeat it again and again, O heart for your comfort:
This, too, will pass as surely as passed before
The old forgotten pain, and the other sorrows
That once you bore.
As certain as stars at night, or dawn after darkness,
Inherent as the lift of the blowing grass,
Whatever your despair or your frustration,
This, too, will pass.
-- Grace Noll Crowell
Out of your deepest sorrow, out of your deepest grief,
No hurt can last forever -- perhaps tomorrow will bring relief.
This, too, will pass. It will spend itself -- its fury
Will die as the wind dies down with the setting sun.
Assuaged and calm, you will rest again,
Forgetting a thing that is done.
Repeat it again and again, O heart for your comfort:
This, too, will pass as surely as passed before
The old forgotten pain, and the other sorrows
That once you bore.
As certain as stars at night, or dawn after darkness,
Inherent as the lift of the blowing grass,
Whatever your despair or your frustration,
This, too, will pass.
-- Grace Noll Crowell
Monday, May 23, 2011
Poems
I've run onto this poet lately, and have been really touched by her poems, so I am going to share some over the next few day, like it or not. (Or whether or not I have already imposed them upon you)
Quiet Things
by Grace Noll Crowell
These I have loved with passion, loved them long:
The house that stands when the building hammers cease,
After wild syncopation, a sane song,
A tree that straightens after the winds' release,
The cool green stillness of an April wood,
A silver pool, unruffled by the breeze,
The clean expanse of a prairie's solitude
And calm, unhurried hours -- I love these.
I have been tangled in the nets too long;
I shall escape and find my way again
Back to the quiet place where I belong,
Far from the tinseled provinces of men.
These will be waiting after my release:
The sheltered ways, the quiet ways of peace.
Quiet Things
by Grace Noll Crowell
These I have loved with passion, loved them long:
The house that stands when the building hammers cease,
After wild syncopation, a sane song,
A tree that straightens after the winds' release,
The cool green stillness of an April wood,
A silver pool, unruffled by the breeze,
The clean expanse of a prairie's solitude
And calm, unhurried hours -- I love these.
I have been tangled in the nets too long;
I shall escape and find my way again
Back to the quiet place where I belong,
Far from the tinseled provinces of men.
These will be waiting after my release:
The sheltered ways, the quiet ways of peace.
Be Still My Soul
I tried to schedule this post for later, but blogger refused for some reason, and insisted it had to be posted NOW. So, here it is.
I like this hymn, a lot. (The whole poem has a couple extra stanzas not in our hymn book.)
Be Still, My Soul
Words: Katharina A. von Schlegel
Translated: Jane Borthwick
Music:Jean Sibelius
1. Be still, my soul:
the Lord is on thy side.
Bear patiently
the cross of grief or pain.
Leave to thy God
to order and provide;
In every change,
He faithful will remain.
Be still, my soul:
thy best, thy heavenly Friend
Through thorny ways
leads to a joyful end.
2. Be still, my soul:
thy God doth undertake
To guide the future,
as He has the past.
Thy hope, thy confidence
let nothing shake;
All now mysterious
shall be bright at last.
Be still, my soul:
the waves and winds
still know His voice
Who ruled them
while He dwelt below.
3. Be still, my soul:
when dearest friends depart,
And all is darkened
in the vale of tears,
Then shalt thou better know
His love, His heart,
Who comes to soothe
thy sorrow and thy fears.
Be still, my soul:
thy Jesus can repay
From His own fullness
all He takes away.
4. Be still, my soul:
the hour is hastening on
When we shall be
forever with the Lord.
When disappointment,
grief, and fear are gone,
Sorrow forgot,
love's purest joys restored.
Be still, my soul:
when change and tears are past,
All safe and blessed
we shall meet at last.
5. Be still, my soul:
begin the song of praise
On earth, believing,
to thy Lord on high;
Acknowledge Him
in all thy works and ways,
So shall He view
thee with a well-pleased eye.
Be still, my soul:
the Sun of life divine
Through passing clouds
shall but more brightly shine.
I like this hymn, a lot. (The whole poem has a couple extra stanzas not in our hymn book.)
Be Still, My Soul
Words: Katharina A. von Schlegel
Translated: Jane Borthwick
Music:Jean Sibelius
1. Be still, my soul:
the Lord is on thy side.
Bear patiently
the cross of grief or pain.
Leave to thy God
to order and provide;
In every change,
He faithful will remain.
Be still, my soul:
thy best, thy heavenly Friend
Through thorny ways
leads to a joyful end.
2. Be still, my soul:
thy God doth undertake
To guide the future,
as He has the past.
Thy hope, thy confidence
let nothing shake;
All now mysterious
shall be bright at last.
Be still, my soul:
the waves and winds
still know His voice
Who ruled them
while He dwelt below.
3. Be still, my soul:
when dearest friends depart,
And all is darkened
in the vale of tears,
Then shalt thou better know
His love, His heart,
Who comes to soothe
thy sorrow and thy fears.
Be still, my soul:
thy Jesus can repay
From His own fullness
all He takes away.
4. Be still, my soul:
the hour is hastening on
When we shall be
forever with the Lord.
When disappointment,
grief, and fear are gone,
Sorrow forgot,
love's purest joys restored.
Be still, my soul:
when change and tears are past,
All safe and blessed
we shall meet at last.
5. Be still, my soul:
begin the song of praise
On earth, believing,
to thy Lord on high;
Acknowledge Him
in all thy works and ways,
So shall He view
thee with a well-pleased eye.
Be still, my soul:
the Sun of life divine
Through passing clouds
shall but more brightly shine.
Sunday, May 22, 2011
Liquid pencil
Everything I write needs a lot of editing. Easy enough when I am typing on a computer. I just backspace like crazy.
But at work, I have to write a lot of things by hand. I like my mechanical pencils, but they tend to be smudgy, and I can't write most things in pencil.
The kids ran onto the new Liquid pencil at an office supply, and liked it so much that they requested it for Christmas.
This is my new friend at work. It looks like a pen, but erases well. After a while it becomes permanent too, which can be both a plus and a minus, when I wish I could go back and erase, but means I can use it on permanent documents.
It has a couple of downsides. It doesn't write as smoothly as smoothly pens, and has to be held at particular angle, unlike pencils, and the pressure of writing with it tends to leave an indentation even after it is erased. But those are my only complaints.
The students at school are all impressed with it. "Whoa! you can erase?!?"
And I've even gotten it at my local supermart, and not had to hunt it down at an office supply. Or you could get it pretty cheap at Amazon.
Maybe not everyone feels the need to erase all the time, but it sure helps me out!
But at work, I have to write a lot of things by hand. I like my mechanical pencils, but they tend to be smudgy, and I can't write most things in pencil.
The kids ran onto the new Liquid pencil at an office supply, and liked it so much that they requested it for Christmas.
This is my new friend at work. It looks like a pen, but erases well. After a while it becomes permanent too, which can be both a plus and a minus, when I wish I could go back and erase, but means I can use it on permanent documents.
It has a couple of downsides. It doesn't write as smoothly as smoothly pens, and has to be held at particular angle, unlike pencils, and the pressure of writing with it tends to leave an indentation even after it is erased. But those are my only complaints.
The students at school are all impressed with it. "Whoa! you can erase?!?"
And I've even gotten it at my local supermart, and not had to hunt it down at an office supply. Or you could get it pretty cheap at Amazon.
Maybe not everyone feels the need to erase all the time, but it sure helps me out!
Friday, May 20, 2011
decisions, decisions
Interviewed with Jordan first. She talked to my references first and was so excited to have someone with experience that it felt like she was going to offer me the job before I even had the interview.
But Jordan is so far north. And even time I pass one of the new schools, I think, hey, I wish I could work there.
Richard did so much leg work trying to find the person to talk to in Alpine (which I already knew) that I finally gave in and gave him the contact information for the person. She gave a somewhat encouraging email, so I gave in and called.
And got what I considered to be a "yeah, yeah, stop bothering me" response.
But then they asked for an interview, which was very positive. And I realized that what I took to be a "leave me alone" response was more of a "yes, sorry, we are getting to people as fast as we can"
And I won't ever know for sure if my calling triggered the interview or not, but the timing is good either way.
But I kinda wish Lakeview, with its closeness, its familiarity, the part time schedule that I could make match up with the kids' schedule. I wanted a new administration, but they are getting one. So, I'm sad.
For convenience sake, I would like the school right behind Lakeview. But as that is attached to the special needs school, they are likely looking for someone with different experience than I have currently.
Alpine offered me a job in the interview. But they can't tell a location until maybe July, which is nerve racking. After much debate I decided to trust that Alpine will work out somehow, and accepted that job, and sent an email turning down Jordan (though they sent a follow up email offering to work something out).
Lakeview's SLP fell through, and so they are contracting with the other company that I work for, though my contract with the current company probably still precludes staying at the school, but just switching companies. Either way it makes me feel pretty unsettled.
So confusing.
But Jordan is so far north. And even time I pass one of the new schools, I think, hey, I wish I could work there.
Richard did so much leg work trying to find the person to talk to in Alpine (which I already knew) that I finally gave in and gave him the contact information for the person. She gave a somewhat encouraging email, so I gave in and called.
And got what I considered to be a "yeah, yeah, stop bothering me" response.
But then they asked for an interview, which was very positive. And I realized that what I took to be a "leave me alone" response was more of a "yes, sorry, we are getting to people as fast as we can"
And I won't ever know for sure if my calling triggered the interview or not, but the timing is good either way.
But I kinda wish Lakeview, with its closeness, its familiarity, the part time schedule that I could make match up with the kids' schedule. I wanted a new administration, but they are getting one. So, I'm sad.
For convenience sake, I would like the school right behind Lakeview. But as that is attached to the special needs school, they are likely looking for someone with different experience than I have currently.
Alpine offered me a job in the interview. But they can't tell a location until maybe July, which is nerve racking. After much debate I decided to trust that Alpine will work out somehow, and accepted that job, and sent an email turning down Jordan (though they sent a follow up email offering to work something out).
Lakeview's SLP fell through, and so they are contracting with the other company that I work for, though my contract with the current company probably still precludes staying at the school, but just switching companies. Either way it makes me feel pretty unsettled.
So confusing.
Sunday, April 24, 2011
as He said!
Matthew 28:6 He is not here: for He is risen, as He said.
The quotes I have heard today leave off the "as He said." But the rest of the quote would ring in my head.
I think that part is important.
Jesus told his disciples He would rise again, but it seems they had trouble believing Him. So the angel reminded them, this is -as He said.
I wonder how many things there are in my life that might need an angel to say "as He said" before I believe?
The quotes I have heard today leave off the "as He said." But the rest of the quote would ring in my head.
I think that part is important.
Jesus told his disciples He would rise again, but it seems they had trouble believing Him. So the angel reminded them, this is -as He said.
I wonder how many things there are in my life that might need an angel to say "as He said" before I believe?
Saturday, April 9, 2011
Zenni Optical
I started scrolling through old posts to see if I had ever posted about Zenni Optical, but why does that matter?
I tell people about them over and over, so I can post it over again if I want to, especially since I can't remember the first time.
I have gotten my glasses from Zenni Optical for years now.
I love that I can get a decent pair of glasses for under $20 shipped, and I think everyone should know about it.
The prescriptions have been right, and they hold together as well as glasses that I have paid much more for.
I've read some online reviews of people having trouble with their support, but since I've never contacted support, that hasn't been a problem for me (I rarely contact anyone's support, so I rarely have opinions on that)
They have recently updated their website, and I haven't really used the new one much, so I don't know how user friendly it is.
You do need to have them adjusted somewhere, but I just walk into a Lenscrafters or other vision place, and they have adjusted them for free. With more people buying glasses online, they may be getting testier about that, but it has worked for me so far.
Any questions?
I tell people about them over and over, so I can post it over again if I want to, especially since I can't remember the first time.
I have gotten my glasses from Zenni Optical for years now.
I love that I can get a decent pair of glasses for under $20 shipped, and I think everyone should know about it.
The prescriptions have been right, and they hold together as well as glasses that I have paid much more for.
I've read some online reviews of people having trouble with their support, but since I've never contacted support, that hasn't been a problem for me (I rarely contact anyone's support, so I rarely have opinions on that)
They have recently updated their website, and I haven't really used the new one much, so I don't know how user friendly it is.
You do need to have them adjusted somewhere, but I just walk into a Lenscrafters or other vision place, and they have adjusted them for free. With more people buying glasses online, they may be getting testier about that, but it has worked for me so far.
Any questions?
Thursday, March 31, 2011
Intiut review
I used Quicken for over a decade, but got frustrated when they started "sunsetting" previous versions after only two years, turning off the sync with the bank feature. I hated that they were forcing me to pay for an upgrade when what I was using was meeting my needs just fine, I never wanted the new features that just complicated the system.
Just rude I say.
Also used turbo tax for years, great program. Then I missed a filing deadline last year, and they trashed all the data that I had entered. How hard would it have been to keep the data so that I could print?
Again beyond rude.
So Intuit has lost my business for both of those.
I was using Quicken online, but when they bought out Mint, they closed out Quicken online. I guess that should have come as no surprise.
I'm using Mint a little now, but under protest. I just hope that Mint survives the handicap of being under the Intuit umbrella.
This review would be scathing if I had actually finished it when I started it months ago. But the scathing has gotten lost, and just the sure knowledge that their business practices are cutthroat intentional obsolesce.
Of the financial software I have tried, I like Mvelopes the best, but it was also the most expensive. I've pretty much gone back to just using an excel spreadsheet.
Just rude I say.
Also used turbo tax for years, great program. Then I missed a filing deadline last year, and they trashed all the data that I had entered. How hard would it have been to keep the data so that I could print?
Again beyond rude.
So Intuit has lost my business for both of those.
I was using Quicken online, but when they bought out Mint, they closed out Quicken online. I guess that should have come as no surprise.
I'm using Mint a little now, but under protest. I just hope that Mint survives the handicap of being under the Intuit umbrella.
This review would be scathing if I had actually finished it when I started it months ago. But the scathing has gotten lost, and just the sure knowledge that their business practices are cutthroat intentional obsolesce.
Of the financial software I have tried, I like Mvelopes the best, but it was also the most expensive. I've pretty much gone back to just using an excel spreadsheet.
Wednesday, March 16, 2011
Chore Charts
Yep, time to post, been three or four months since the last one.
We've been using a fairly basic chore chart that i got from idea door.
It worked for a long time, but really needed updating.
I looked at various free charts you can get online, but even the "customizable" ones weren't quite what I wanted.
I finally decided to make my own, but then I had so many options that I got bogged down and didn't know where to start.
I did finally get something done and up on the wall.
I just saw this hyper cute chart and wished I had seen it before I made mine.
But really, where would I put that giant board? Mine attach to the pantry door with tape. And when I clicked on the list of chores she so nicely provided, it was nearly the same as my own chore pictures.
Hmm, did I finish the charts before or after the power connector broke in this computer?
Looks like after, cause they aren't on this computer, and I'm way too lazy to either take a picture or to switch computers either.
This post is too long anyway. I'll hunt down pictures for a later post.
We've been using a fairly basic chore chart that i got from idea door.
It worked for a long time, but really needed updating.
I looked at various free charts you can get online, but even the "customizable" ones weren't quite what I wanted.
I finally decided to make my own, but then I had so many options that I got bogged down and didn't know where to start.
I did finally get something done and up on the wall.
I just saw this hyper cute chart and wished I had seen it before I made mine.
But really, where would I put that giant board? Mine attach to the pantry door with tape. And when I clicked on the list of chores she so nicely provided, it was nearly the same as my own chore pictures.
Hmm, did I finish the charts before or after the power connector broke in this computer?
Looks like after, cause they aren't on this computer, and I'm way too lazy to either take a picture or to switch computers either.
This post is too long anyway. I'll hunt down pictures for a later post.
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