Christmas is such a wonderful time of year. I know many people get bogged down with all the details to take care of. Perhaps if I was hosting a Christmas party or dinner I would feel more like that. But as it is I'm not hosting anything and I just love Christmas. I like shopping for Christmas presants. I love the Christmas music that I get to hear for a whole month! I enjoy all the anticipation in and out of the church. In church there is advent and out of church there is the preparations of baking, shopping, plans and everything else. I get to wonder every year if we'll have a white Christmas. Where I'm living now there is usually snow long before Christmas so a green Christmas would be unusual but where I'm from it's always been a toss up. More often than not it snows a little on Christmas or there is lots of ice on the roads which makes for treacherous driving.
Every family has their traditions at Christmas time. One of ours is watching White Christmas. This year I'll miss seeing my family and it might break my heart. I'm also missing the extended family Christmas dinner for the 2nd year in a row. :( But I'll still get to celebrate Christmas with family who love me as their in-law. :) For this I am grateful. I'll get to have a Christmas adventure with different traditions and it will still be a great celebration.
But wherever I am on Christmas and however I'm celebrating I can remember the real reason to celebrate and that's really what matters. That reason is Jesus' birth. Jesus' incarnation where God became a man and dwelt among us. The miracle of a virgin birth and the beginning the life of Jesus who lived a sinless life and then received the punishment of death for all the sins of all the world.
What a reason to celebrate! :) Lets all remember Jesus and the miracle of his birth this Christmas.
Saturday, December 5, 2009
Saturday, September 12, 2009
Contentment
10I rejoice greatly in the Lord that at last you have renewed your concern for me. Indeed, you have been concerned, but you had no opportunity to show it. 11I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. 12I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. 13I can do everything through him who gives me strength. Philipians 4:10-13
There may be more on this later but for now I'd like to say this:
I like this passage. It humbles me and has made me realize more than once over the last several years that my situation is just fine. I can be satisifed with what I have because all my needs are provided for and I want for nothing. So I can do without the little luxuries or the things that I want but don't need to buy. And I can have this strong will to not overspend my budget or whatever it might be because God gives me that strength and helps me to realize that I have everything I need and have nothing to complain about. I can be content, stress free and calm in whatever situation I'm in.
Prehaps easier said than done in ALL circumstances, but we're all human, and therefore sinners. I hope to be reminded about this passage when I begin to stress or feel discontented.
There may be more on this later but for now I'd like to say this:
I like this passage. It humbles me and has made me realize more than once over the last several years that my situation is just fine. I can be satisifed with what I have because all my needs are provided for and I want for nothing. So I can do without the little luxuries or the things that I want but don't need to buy. And I can have this strong will to not overspend my budget or whatever it might be because God gives me that strength and helps me to realize that I have everything I need and have nothing to complain about. I can be content, stress free and calm in whatever situation I'm in.
Prehaps easier said than done in ALL circumstances, but we're all human, and therefore sinners. I hope to be reminded about this passage when I begin to stress or feel discontented.
Sunday, August 16, 2009
Jasper
In June, after our wedding, my husband and I went to Jasper in the Rocky Mountains, Here's a picture I took from the top of Whistler Mountin. Right across the way was this mountian called Pyramid Mountain. This mountain was my favourite because of it's red colouring unlike most of the other mountains which were all grey. Even in this picture I think you can see the colouring and you can also see the lines coming down. These would have been where water come down the mountian and etched it's signature into the rock. This peak is also the tallest in the area I believe.
Here's another view from up on Whistler Mountain. Here we're looking down at the town of Jasper with the railway going right by it. Jasper is not a large town, about 4500 people and is based around tourism. We spent some time in the town enjoying the unique shops. No two shops were the same. It was really neat. The water is all glacier fed and so has a turquois color to it. The cabin that we stayed at was right by one of the rivers. From up on Whistler Mountain there were mountain peaks all around us. This picture is one view of these spectacular mountains.
Whistler Mountain is named after the sound that the Marmots make that live on and around this mountain. The first picture here shows the tram line that we took up Whistler Mountain. The second I took looking down from most of the way up the mountain. Unfortunately we didn't make it all the way to the peak of this mountain, The air was a little too thin so we wore out quickly. You can see that we're above the treeline once we get to the top of the tramway. In the first picture you see a tower at the top, that's only half way to the station up the mountain. The white thing at the tip as we look out and down the mountain is the tram station. It was a 7 minute ride. To build the station at the top they used donkeys and people walking up the mountain with supplies as well as a helicopter. Pretty amazing what people do.
We saw some really high points like mountain peaks but we also saw the lowest point in the Rocky Mountains. This is the Maligne Canyon. This is a really deep and narrow gorge in Jasper National Park. Malign is Dutch for Evil and was named as such by a Dutch priest who attempted to venture down the river not knowing that it led into this treacherous gorge. Having almost died, he named the canyon, river and the lake which feeds them "evil" or "maligne". That gives you an idea of how dangerous this stretch of the river is. This picture shows the first water fall we came to when walking down the trail alongside the canyon. The water was gushing and quite loud. Probably echoing off the walls in this narrow space. If you got down there you could touch both walls with your hands easily in many places like this spot. Further down the river the gorge got wider, but the water was still moving very quickly.
Here you can get a sense of how deep the canyon from the bottom. The trail allows you to hike down to the bottom, right down to the water even (where it's safe and wider). We walked the whole length of the canyon and all the way back. The Malign Canyon was our favourite part of the trip, right in there with nature. You get rushing water and calm water, rock that towers over your head in some places and that you can see way down below you in other places. Trees growing right out of the rock face and straight up the wall. In this picture you can see that we're about 2-3 tree lengths down from the ridge where we started. You can also see a tree lying across the river. We saw this everywhere along the trail. Trees will just fall over. Probably what happened was that the trees became too heavy for the shallow soil to support them and they fall away from the rock and across the gorge and lie there. All in all an amazing part of nature, and found only a few hours away.One more picture of Maligne Canyon:
Rajaton
When I first heard this group sing I was impressed by the quality of music they do. For those of you who do not know who Rajaton are. They are a accapella singing group of 3 men and 3 women. They are all from Finland but have branched out into the English speaking world. I have even seen them in concert once.
I love the sounds they bring to the music. First of all they are all really good singers and musicians. Being accapella they do more than just sing the lyrics, but they also sing or make the sounds that would be played to instruments in a conventional group. They use some very unique sounds and uses of their voices to make each song a little different. This allows them to really bring out the character in the songs and also makes for some really neat arrangments.
They are so versitile and therefore able to sing many different styles. Some are Finnish folk songs, others are new tunes written for Finnish poetry. Others are just music, no lyrics and they make sound just beautiful. They have done some Beatles tunes, and have made whole albums of Queen and ABBA music.
Their ABBA cd is wonderful. I sometimes have to remind myself that it isn't actually ABBA singing but Rajaton. From the music I've heard them do when they are remaking songs they are very acurate in mimicing the original and when they do stray from the original they add something very unique to the song that I find I like. If I remember correctly they wanted to do the ABBA songs because they were Finnish too and Rajaton wanted the ABBA music not to get lost. They wanted to bring it back into the known music again. They found that their concerts of ABBA music were sold out. I think I also heard that when they did ABBA music this was their first experience working with an orchestra. It was really awesome, but I think my favourite ABBA song they do is one that they did accapella in concert called Voulez-Vous. I saw their ABBA concert when they were in Edmonton in 2008.
I first heard about Rajaton when they were going to be at the university I graduated from where my brother is currently attending. They were advertised as being an amazing group and a must see concert. I unfortunately wasn't able to see this but my family did and raved about it to me. Rajaton also did vocal masterclasses with the vocal students at the university and I heard through the grapevine. I also heard a recording of them, and decided that if I ever got the opportunity to see them in concert I would not miss it. And so when they came to my city I made sure I got tickets! It was so worth it!
So if you are interested in new groups, or accapella groups, or just really good singing, or energizing music check out Rajaton. I would suggest their album called Boundless. All but two tracks are in English. Some are new songs, composed for them, some are folk songs arranged for them or by them. Some based on Finnish poetry. The Finnish language is really unique to my ears and fun to listen to too.
Being someone who loves finding out about different cultures I find this group facinating, a little window into Finnish poetry, folklore and language.
Have fun listening.
I love the sounds they bring to the music. First of all they are all really good singers and musicians. Being accapella they do more than just sing the lyrics, but they also sing or make the sounds that would be played to instruments in a conventional group. They use some very unique sounds and uses of their voices to make each song a little different. This allows them to really bring out the character in the songs and also makes for some really neat arrangments.
They are so versitile and therefore able to sing many different styles. Some are Finnish folk songs, others are new tunes written for Finnish poetry. Others are just music, no lyrics and they make sound just beautiful. They have done some Beatles tunes, and have made whole albums of Queen and ABBA music.
Their ABBA cd is wonderful. I sometimes have to remind myself that it isn't actually ABBA singing but Rajaton. From the music I've heard them do when they are remaking songs they are very acurate in mimicing the original and when they do stray from the original they add something very unique to the song that I find I like. If I remember correctly they wanted to do the ABBA songs because they were Finnish too and Rajaton wanted the ABBA music not to get lost. They wanted to bring it back into the known music again. They found that their concerts of ABBA music were sold out. I think I also heard that when they did ABBA music this was their first experience working with an orchestra. It was really awesome, but I think my favourite ABBA song they do is one that they did accapella in concert called Voulez-Vous. I saw their ABBA concert when they were in Edmonton in 2008.
I first heard about Rajaton when they were going to be at the university I graduated from where my brother is currently attending. They were advertised as being an amazing group and a must see concert. I unfortunately wasn't able to see this but my family did and raved about it to me. Rajaton also did vocal masterclasses with the vocal students at the university and I heard through the grapevine. I also heard a recording of them, and decided that if I ever got the opportunity to see them in concert I would not miss it. And so when they came to my city I made sure I got tickets! It was so worth it!
So if you are interested in new groups, or accapella groups, or just really good singing, or energizing music check out Rajaton. I would suggest their album called Boundless. All but two tracks are in English. Some are new songs, composed for them, some are folk songs arranged for them or by them. Some based on Finnish poetry. The Finnish language is really unique to my ears and fun to listen to too.
Being someone who loves finding out about different cultures I find this group facinating, a little window into Finnish poetry, folklore and language.
Have fun listening.
Monday, June 29, 2009
Weddings
Weddings are beautiful. Include family and friends, the binding together of two people who share a love, two families who would otherwise not know each other. And all in the name of Love, which we know is a gift from God. So weddings are all about God and His love that brings us all together in happiness for a day of celebration.
So much Love, so much Emotion, so many Smiles, so much Happiness, so many People, some Tears - happy ones, so many pictures, so much attention. All for the union of 2 people in Christ.
Our faith in Christ, God's Love, our Love for each other and our desire to make our marriage strong will see us through many years of married life.
Coming out of the wedding and a week or so married now I am so happy. It's so interesting how afterwards all I can think about is the happiness I feel and I completely forget that before hand I was quite stressed and emotional worring that things will go well and run smoothly when all the planning and setting up is done. It's a wonderful feeling to be on this side of the wedding. Married and loving it so far. I try not to get discouraged when middle aged people joke with me that the happiness doesn't last in marriage, or other negative things about marriage. I know it's hard, but I've seen good marriages, I think it can be done!!
The wedding was lovely, small, just what we like. A wonderful wedding party who made many things easy the day of the wedding with their wonderful attitudes and helpfulness. Beautiful flowers, decorations, people and clothing to make the sights pretty and pleasing. Beautiful music to hear. And so much love that could be seen everywhere! Weddings can be a feast for the senses!
I seem to be unable to find all the right words to voice my feelings of happiness and joy. But I am greatful for all that went well that day, and all the people who came and were involved!
So much Love, so much Emotion, so many Smiles, so much Happiness, so many People, some Tears - happy ones, so many pictures, so much attention. All for the union of 2 people in Christ.
Our faith in Christ, God's Love, our Love for each other and our desire to make our marriage strong will see us through many years of married life.
Coming out of the wedding and a week or so married now I am so happy. It's so interesting how afterwards all I can think about is the happiness I feel and I completely forget that before hand I was quite stressed and emotional worring that things will go well and run smoothly when all the planning and setting up is done. It's a wonderful feeling to be on this side of the wedding. Married and loving it so far. I try not to get discouraged when middle aged people joke with me that the happiness doesn't last in marriage, or other negative things about marriage. I know it's hard, but I've seen good marriages, I think it can be done!!
The wedding was lovely, small, just what we like. A wonderful wedding party who made many things easy the day of the wedding with their wonderful attitudes and helpfulness. Beautiful flowers, decorations, people and clothing to make the sights pretty and pleasing. Beautiful music to hear. And so much love that could be seen everywhere! Weddings can be a feast for the senses!
I seem to be unable to find all the right words to voice my feelings of happiness and joy. But I am greatful for all that went well that day, and all the people who came and were involved!
Thursday, April 30, 2009
Thoughts from a long day
I've learned this year:
I learned that I'm a small group person. I socialize better with people in small groups rather than large groups.
I feel that fancy is nice but not expected.
I learned that I need people around/quality time to feel great. I need people who show they care.
I know that I am not a planner, I like to follow what other people have planned. Details/planning frustrates me - even when they are easy to work out.
I know that I made the right choice to quit school, for more reasons than one.
I learned that people care even when they don't show you in the way you'd like them to.
I've found that I like change in routine to a degree. My job being long term and permant has no visible end. In school, each class, semester, and year has an end and a break before something new. I'm grateful to have job security and a steady income, But I don't like the set hours, no way to get away, no change in routine.
I also like to believe that I am flexible and able to adapt to most circumstances.
So that's me....right now....on my 25th birthday....
I learned that I'm a small group person. I socialize better with people in small groups rather than large groups.
I feel that fancy is nice but not expected.
I learned that I need people around/quality time to feel great. I need people who show they care.
I know that I am not a planner, I like to follow what other people have planned. Details/planning frustrates me - even when they are easy to work out.
I know that I made the right choice to quit school, for more reasons than one.
I learned that people care even when they don't show you in the way you'd like them to.
I've found that I like change in routine to a degree. My job being long term and permant has no visible end. In school, each class, semester, and year has an end and a break before something new. I'm grateful to have job security and a steady income, But I don't like the set hours, no way to get away, no change in routine.
I also like to believe that I am flexible and able to adapt to most circumstances.
So that's me....right now....on my 25th birthday....
Psalm 46
I like this verse, it happens to be from one of my favourite psalms:
God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in truouble. Therefore I will not fear though the earth give way, though the mountains be moved into the heart of the sea, though the waters roar and foam, though the mountains tremble at its swelling.
Ps 46:1-3
God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in truouble. Therefore I will not fear though the earth give way, though the mountains be moved into the heart of the sea, though the waters roar and foam, though the mountains tremble at its swelling.
Ps 46:1-3
Sunday, April 26, 2009
Philippians 4:4-7
Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:4-7
There is a lot of stuff in this little passage but I think it all is linked together. I first looked up this passage because of verse 4 "Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!" That’s such a great verse and I wanted to know what came after those words. I think the general message here is to focus on God rather than ourselves. Does rejoicing in God and focussing on God allow you to be more gentle to others? Or is that unrelated? We know that gentleness is a fruit of the spirit and a gift from God. Gentleness is a wonderful trait to have. Children respond better to gentleness than yelling and anger, or impatient behaviour from their parents. But not just children, adults too respond well to gentleness.
It is a comfort to know that if we give our anxieties to God in prayer we will have the peace of God. That makes it sounds so simple but I have a hard time giving my worries to God when they are so real to me. I instead usually think through the worry a hundred times which no doubt gets me upset after a while. I guess I find it difficult to do because even though I could give the anxiety to God in prayer, I still have to make a decision regarding the issue. I still have to live with the consequences of my actions. But at the same time I trust God to take care of me and provide for me. Somewhere there you hit a wall that doesn't let you go further toward talking to God. Somewhere in the worrying I do God doesn't seem so close and I feel like even if I try to give it to God, I still have to make a decision and I still have to do something about the issue so I still have to think about it which makes me worry. Other times, when the decision is not mine to make, i can easily give the anxiety to God in prayer because I'm not directly involved. I don't have to make any big decisions. Others are making the decision for me. But if we trust God he and give our concerns to him all the time he will take care of us and provide us with peace. It's like another verse that says put your burdons on me and take my yoke which is light. I hope to do less worrying and more constructive thought in the future. And give my anxieties to God for him to work out.
I also see Joy in this passage. Joy of seeing God's glory that can be rejoiced over. And joy that God is all powerful and provides us with peace that passes human understanding.
What do others see in this passage?
There is a lot of stuff in this little passage but I think it all is linked together. I first looked up this passage because of verse 4 "Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!" That’s such a great verse and I wanted to know what came after those words. I think the general message here is to focus on God rather than ourselves. Does rejoicing in God and focussing on God allow you to be more gentle to others? Or is that unrelated? We know that gentleness is a fruit of the spirit and a gift from God. Gentleness is a wonderful trait to have. Children respond better to gentleness than yelling and anger, or impatient behaviour from their parents. But not just children, adults too respond well to gentleness.
It is a comfort to know that if we give our anxieties to God in prayer we will have the peace of God. That makes it sounds so simple but I have a hard time giving my worries to God when they are so real to me. I instead usually think through the worry a hundred times which no doubt gets me upset after a while. I guess I find it difficult to do because even though I could give the anxiety to God in prayer, I still have to make a decision regarding the issue. I still have to live with the consequences of my actions. But at the same time I trust God to take care of me and provide for me. Somewhere there you hit a wall that doesn't let you go further toward talking to God. Somewhere in the worrying I do God doesn't seem so close and I feel like even if I try to give it to God, I still have to make a decision and I still have to do something about the issue so I still have to think about it which makes me worry. Other times, when the decision is not mine to make, i can easily give the anxiety to God in prayer because I'm not directly involved. I don't have to make any big decisions. Others are making the decision for me. But if we trust God he and give our concerns to him all the time he will take care of us and provide us with peace. It's like another verse that says put your burdons on me and take my yoke which is light. I hope to do less worrying and more constructive thought in the future. And give my anxieties to God for him to work out.
I also see Joy in this passage. Joy of seeing God's glory that can be rejoiced over. And joy that God is all powerful and provides us with peace that passes human understanding.
What do others see in this passage?
Friday, April 24, 2009
Nature and Music
Nature and Music. The 2 most glorious things on earth that God has given to us. Music and nature both have the power to calm us when the stress is high. Both give us a wider view of things, a sense that there is more to life and the world is bigger than little old me. Both can display the grandeur of God. Both show just how intricate and beautiful God's world is.
Flowers with perfect patterns and intricate, delicate features.
Butteflies in such variety, each special in colour, shape and size.
Plants and animals all provided for by the Father/Creator.
Music with such beauty in melody and harmony.
Music can depict many emotions and scenes in creation.
Instrumentation that is just right to creat the best effect.
Music is in nature. Birds sing and the wind whistles.
Intervals in music are naturally made and can be found nature.
Music is a delightful, pleasing thing. As the saying goes "that was music to my ears."
Music can be inspiring, just as nature can be.
Nature uses all our senses.
We can see the grand mountain shining in the sun. We can smell the fragrances of flowers or of a fresh rain in the air. We can touch the green grass, and lie in it too. We can taste a ripe apple or a juicy orange. We can hear the wind in the trees, the rushing water in a river or the thunder of a waterfall. We can also hear the calm of nature and be comforted.
In music, likewise, we can hear a pretty melody and then angy harmonies, or we can hear the suspense of the melody and harmony working together. We can see the musicians put their effort into the music, we can see their feelings and be affected by them. We can see the orchestra working together as one instrument. We can imagine, seeing colours or scenes, stories that the msuci is telling. And everyone sees something different. We can touch an instrument and make the music ourselves. We can dance to the music, moving where the music takes us.
Flowers with perfect patterns and intricate, delicate features.
Butteflies in such variety, each special in colour, shape and size.
Plants and animals all provided for by the Father/Creator.
Music with such beauty in melody and harmony.
Music can depict many emotions and scenes in creation.
Instrumentation that is just right to creat the best effect.
Music is in nature. Birds sing and the wind whistles.
Intervals in music are naturally made and can be found nature.
Music is a delightful, pleasing thing. As the saying goes "that was music to my ears."
Music can be inspiring, just as nature can be.
Nature uses all our senses.
We can see the grand mountain shining in the sun. We can smell the fragrances of flowers or of a fresh rain in the air. We can touch the green grass, and lie in it too. We can taste a ripe apple or a juicy orange. We can hear the wind in the trees, the rushing water in a river or the thunder of a waterfall. We can also hear the calm of nature and be comforted.
In music, likewise, we can hear a pretty melody and then angy harmonies, or we can hear the suspense of the melody and harmony working together. We can see the musicians put their effort into the music, we can see their feelings and be affected by them. We can see the orchestra working together as one instrument. We can imagine, seeing colours or scenes, stories that the msuci is telling. And everyone sees something different. We can touch an instrument and make the music ourselves. We can dance to the music, moving where the music takes us.
Spring
"Spring has sprung" the old saying goes.
Warmer temperatures melt the snow
Warmth and sunlight fuels the soul
our ambitions more various, adventures and more.
There's so much to see in the spring
First, more sunlight, then green grass.
I can't get enough green after winter's greys and white
Then the first buds appear, leaves follow to fill the trees
plants poke through the earth telling us there is still life on this earth
Sprouts grow into plants, some with flowers to add beauty
Spring may be God's way of showing his people that life is wonderful vibrant and full.
Don't take God's beautiful creation fo granted.
Stop and smell the roses, stop and take in the view,
Enjoy the outdoors, cause life would be dull without creation to enjoy.
Warmer temperatures melt the snow
Warmth and sunlight fuels the soul
our ambitions more various, adventures and more.
There's so much to see in the spring
First, more sunlight, then green grass.
I can't get enough green after winter's greys and white
Then the first buds appear, leaves follow to fill the trees
plants poke through the earth telling us there is still life on this earth
Sprouts grow into plants, some with flowers to add beauty
Spring may be God's way of showing his people that life is wonderful vibrant and full.
Don't take God's beautiful creation fo granted.
Stop and smell the roses, stop and take in the view,
Enjoy the outdoors, cause life would be dull without creation to enjoy.
New Blog
So i just started this new blog. I hope to use as a outlet for my thoughts about things that interest me. I hope that people I know will get to know more about me this way. There are so many things I love and I'd love to share them here so more people can enjoy them. See you in a future blog. :)
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