I learned this new word today, thank you to dictionary.com word of the day. Here is its definition:
amaranthine \am-uh-RAN-thin\, adjective:
1. Unfading; everlasting.
2. Of or like the amaranth flower.
3. Of purplish-red color.
My first thought was that this was a lovely word that could describe love! But as I read the examples, it seems like it's used more in mythical senses... so maybe nevermind. :)
Tuesday, August 9, 2011
Sunday, August 7, 2011
Uncle Sam
Today I had the wonderful opportunity of eating brunch with some good friends. They invited me to their lovely home and I was thrilled by the landscape as I drove - the contrast of the perfectly formed clouds with puffy tops and flat bottoms, drifting through the deep blue sky and the tall, deep green corn waving it's long rows of tasseled tops. My goodness, what glory in God's creation!
At any rate, I arrived at the appointed time, and offered to help as my friend was running a bit behind her food preparation schedule. She had invited a number of other friends over as well, and was worried that she wasn't ready. I didn't feel any rush, so tried to be helpful. We chatted as we worked however, and I think I must have distracted her entirely too much with my conversation. She suddenly couldn't remember what she had been doing with the quiche she had been working on. She was looking at two different recipes and was confusing them, and didn't know how much of things she'd already put in anyway. She decided to change course while the others started arriving.
We were perfectly content to snack on fruit and drink tea and coffee while my frantic friend tried to come up with some other way to feed us. We were all quite laid back, I believe, and tried to help our friend remain calm as well. It was pretty easy acutally. At one point she came over to the table area near the large front window to announce that she was still running behind and didn't know for sure what she'd give us, but she had to get going on something when another guest distracted her with a question of an Uncle Sam garden decor in the front yard. My friend's face changed immediately and she looked so happy and at ease. "Oh yes!" she said, and shared about how she had won a bid on it at an auction the day before. She stood and chatted more about the auction and other antiques and seemed to have quite let go of the anxiety of providing food.
By the end of the visit, I was stuffed with fruit, sausage, muffins, egg wraps, quiche, and blueberry scones. My goodness what a wonderful meal! The meal had played out in a lengthy, unusual way, but I wouldn't have changed a thing about it. It was refreshing, really. I felt perfectly comfortable and at home through the whole thing. Well, maybe I would have changed my friend from being anxious and frustrated part of the time to none of the time, but then I wouldn't have had that moment to enjoy when Uncle Sam, as he does so often, distracted from duty and brought to memory the glory of the purchase. Oh, Uncle Sam.
At any rate, I arrived at the appointed time, and offered to help as my friend was running a bit behind her food preparation schedule. She had invited a number of other friends over as well, and was worried that she wasn't ready. I didn't feel any rush, so tried to be helpful. We chatted as we worked however, and I think I must have distracted her entirely too much with my conversation. She suddenly couldn't remember what she had been doing with the quiche she had been working on. She was looking at two different recipes and was confusing them, and didn't know how much of things she'd already put in anyway. She decided to change course while the others started arriving.
We were perfectly content to snack on fruit and drink tea and coffee while my frantic friend tried to come up with some other way to feed us. We were all quite laid back, I believe, and tried to help our friend remain calm as well. It was pretty easy acutally. At one point she came over to the table area near the large front window to announce that she was still running behind and didn't know for sure what she'd give us, but she had to get going on something when another guest distracted her with a question of an Uncle Sam garden decor in the front yard. My friend's face changed immediately and she looked so happy and at ease. "Oh yes!" she said, and shared about how she had won a bid on it at an auction the day before. She stood and chatted more about the auction and other antiques and seemed to have quite let go of the anxiety of providing food.
By the end of the visit, I was stuffed with fruit, sausage, muffins, egg wraps, quiche, and blueberry scones. My goodness what a wonderful meal! The meal had played out in a lengthy, unusual way, but I wouldn't have changed a thing about it. It was refreshing, really. I felt perfectly comfortable and at home through the whole thing. Well, maybe I would have changed my friend from being anxious and frustrated part of the time to none of the time, but then I wouldn't have had that moment to enjoy when Uncle Sam, as he does so often, distracted from duty and brought to memory the glory of the purchase. Oh, Uncle Sam.
Lord, Take My Hand and Lead Me
Lord, take my hand and lead me
Upon life's way;
Direct, protect, and feed me
From day to day.
Without Your grace and favor
I go astray;
So take my hand, O Savior,
And lead the way.
Lord, when the tempest rages,
I need not fear,
For You, the Rock of Ages,
Are always near.
Close by Your side abiding,
I fear no foe,
For when Your hand is guiding,
In peace I go.
Lord, when the shadows lengthen
And night has come,
I know that You will strengthen
My steps toward home.
Then nothing can impede me
O blessed Friend;
So take my hand and lead me
Unto the end.
-LSB 722
Upon life's way;
Direct, protect, and feed me
From day to day.
Without Your grace and favor
I go astray;
So take my hand, O Savior,
And lead the way.
Lord, when the tempest rages,
I need not fear,
For You, the Rock of Ages,
Are always near.
Close by Your side abiding,
I fear no foe,
For when Your hand is guiding,
In peace I go.
Lord, when the shadows lengthen
And night has come,
I know that You will strengthen
My steps toward home.
Then nothing can impede me
O blessed Friend;
So take my hand and lead me
Unto the end.
-LSB 722
Rejection
Since moving back to the States, I've struggled with getting into any sort of... groove? I miss the rhythm of the busy week, the constant company of my time in Taiwan. Being year two, I've been able to evaluate some of the things I'm missing and set some goals to get more... involved? (See, the problem is I don't really need MORE things to do, I just need people with whom to do the things I already have to do.) But anyhow, I had heard a choir sing last year, the Ames Chamber Artists, and decided I would audition and commit to that group. They met every Thursday evening, did a number of performances throughout the year, and it would be a commitment, but one well worth it. I enjoy singing. I enjoy being around people. Voila!
I was contacted by a woman giving me the email of the choir's director, a man I had met at the choir's Christmas performance last winter. I scheduled an audition time, picked a hymn (okay, narrowed it down to two hymns - couldn't decide) as my solo, and drove to the Iowa State University music building.
There I found a line up outside of his office. The existing choir members also had to reaudition each year... and you could hear everything through the door. I was mortified. I was out of singing shape. I stunk at sight reading. And anyone standing outside the door was going to hear me in all my embarrassing glory... or lack there of.
*Gulp*
When my turn came, most people had already (mercifully) finished their auditions and left the hallway. There was one other new member waiting. A man who told me about his past choral experiences and about how getting back into it was just like riding a bike again after many years - no problem! I gave a nervous, weak laugh and dove into the office.
In situations like this, I'm discovering more and more how my mouth has no censor. I tend to say all the worst things about myself that I can. Thinking about it, I think I don't want anyone to have "false hope" or the "wrong idea" in a good way about me. I want them to know I'm terrible and... well... that usually doesn't fly in things like auditions or interviews. Good grief! (Note: Looking back on a couple of times I've done this very openly... when it's turned out that I haven't made it, it really worked out for the best - i.e. that crazy church/school job description in IL... and this choir audition. And if it's something that may have been good, I still got through the interview somehow - i.e. Immanuel Olivette.)
So in this audition, first of all, I talk OVER this top notch director. If we both started saying something, I was persistent in finishing my thing, where in uh, real life, I would usually let the other person say his part and then say mine if still applicable. But nope. I forged on ahead spouting out facts like I did indeed sing in A Cappella, but it took me THREE auditions to make it. I also stink at sight reading. We worked and worked and worked on it. Oh, and please don't tell Dr. von Kampen because he would be disappointed if he knew I was in choir for three years and 7 years later can't sight read... I was mortified at my lack of ability and at my wild mouth. And at my flusteredness. And it was a vicious cycle for about 12 terrible minutes. There were some good parts, however. Even though I couldn't keep my voice steady because I was trembling so much, he did instruct me to sing the notes more connected rather than separated and I was able to follow his instruction. I thought that said loud and clear, "Okay, I'm nowhere near a polished gem yet, but I'm willing and able to be taught and respond well!" Oh well. After trying to identify a key, a note, practice matching tone patterns, and sight read a line of music, he said, "That will be enough. It was nice meeting you and hearing your audition, but if you don't make it it's because of the sight reading and because you were a bit pitchy at times." (As in, waving in pitch, I believe.)
I was devastated. I was so embarassed, I just kind of ran out of the room, forgetting my purse. I had to dive back in to retrieve it and couldn't make eye contact with that kind, yet higher-expectation-holding-than-I-could-meet-at-this-point director. The new guy sitting in the hall gave me kind of a sorry smile. I ran out of the building, jumped into my car, and cried. So I called my mom. Thank You, Lord, for my mom and the ability to call her with these things. She always asks good questions and gives helpful understanding/advice.
As I thought about it, however, I realized that I didn't even want to be in a group like that right now. Good grief. Do you know how hard I'd have to work at that music? It would be demanding, and I know it would be wonderful and rewarding, but it suddenly dawned on me that I may not be willing to make that sort of time commitment at this time. Plus, on the audition sheet I had seen for the first time that there was a $75. membership fee. Good grief! I was working on a new budget for the year and didn't want to be spending that.
Plus, if I had made it, I would have had to break the news to my Thursday night Bible study group... and the closer back I got to that group, the less sure I was that I would be okay with missing out on that.
The following Thursday evening, catching the end of Bible study after our school registration, proved that I was NOT ready to give it up. There was my support group. People I could share with, people who checked up on me, people who asked how I was and wanted to listen. People who prayed for me. I started hoping desperately that I would not actually be ACCEPTED into the choir because then what would I do?!
I got the email a few days later and was relieved to read that I had indeed been rejected.
Now, that story is just the background for the thought I had in church today. Audition. Acceptance. Rejection. The world often provides these opportunities in various forms. But you know what, God doesn't. As far as the most important thing of all - salvation - God doesn't order auditions... as David writes, if You, Lord, kept a record of sin, O Lord, who could stand. But with you there is forgiveness. Therefore you are feared. (Psalm 130) Through Jesus Christ, our perfect performer who sang flawlessly, we are all invited to become choir members. Oh, the stress and anguish of auditioning. Oh, the fear of rejection. Yet with God there is salvation given freely to all through His one and only Son, Jesus Christ our Lord!
Hallelujah! Hallelujah! Hallelujah!
I was contacted by a woman giving me the email of the choir's director, a man I had met at the choir's Christmas performance last winter. I scheduled an audition time, picked a hymn (okay, narrowed it down to two hymns - couldn't decide) as my solo, and drove to the Iowa State University music building.
There I found a line up outside of his office. The existing choir members also had to reaudition each year... and you could hear everything through the door. I was mortified. I was out of singing shape. I stunk at sight reading. And anyone standing outside the door was going to hear me in all my embarrassing glory... or lack there of.
*Gulp*
When my turn came, most people had already (mercifully) finished their auditions and left the hallway. There was one other new member waiting. A man who told me about his past choral experiences and about how getting back into it was just like riding a bike again after many years - no problem! I gave a nervous, weak laugh and dove into the office.
In situations like this, I'm discovering more and more how my mouth has no censor. I tend to say all the worst things about myself that I can. Thinking about it, I think I don't want anyone to have "false hope" or the "wrong idea" in a good way about me. I want them to know I'm terrible and... well... that usually doesn't fly in things like auditions or interviews. Good grief! (Note: Looking back on a couple of times I've done this very openly... when it's turned out that I haven't made it, it really worked out for the best - i.e. that crazy church/school job description in IL... and this choir audition. And if it's something that may have been good, I still got through the interview somehow - i.e. Immanuel Olivette.)
So in this audition, first of all, I talk OVER this top notch director. If we both started saying something, I was persistent in finishing my thing, where in uh, real life, I would usually let the other person say his part and then say mine if still applicable. But nope. I forged on ahead spouting out facts like I did indeed sing in A Cappella, but it took me THREE auditions to make it. I also stink at sight reading. We worked and worked and worked on it. Oh, and please don't tell Dr. von Kampen because he would be disappointed if he knew I was in choir for three years and 7 years later can't sight read... I was mortified at my lack of ability and at my wild mouth. And at my flusteredness. And it was a vicious cycle for about 12 terrible minutes. There were some good parts, however. Even though I couldn't keep my voice steady because I was trembling so much, he did instruct me to sing the notes more connected rather than separated and I was able to follow his instruction. I thought that said loud and clear, "Okay, I'm nowhere near a polished gem yet, but I'm willing and able to be taught and respond well!" Oh well. After trying to identify a key, a note, practice matching tone patterns, and sight read a line of music, he said, "That will be enough. It was nice meeting you and hearing your audition, but if you don't make it it's because of the sight reading and because you were a bit pitchy at times." (As in, waving in pitch, I believe.)
I was devastated. I was so embarassed, I just kind of ran out of the room, forgetting my purse. I had to dive back in to retrieve it and couldn't make eye contact with that kind, yet higher-expectation-holding-than-I-could-meet-at-this-point director. The new guy sitting in the hall gave me kind of a sorry smile. I ran out of the building, jumped into my car, and cried. So I called my mom. Thank You, Lord, for my mom and the ability to call her with these things. She always asks good questions and gives helpful understanding/advice.
As I thought about it, however, I realized that I didn't even want to be in a group like that right now. Good grief. Do you know how hard I'd have to work at that music? It would be demanding, and I know it would be wonderful and rewarding, but it suddenly dawned on me that I may not be willing to make that sort of time commitment at this time. Plus, on the audition sheet I had seen for the first time that there was a $75. membership fee. Good grief! I was working on a new budget for the year and didn't want to be spending that.
Plus, if I had made it, I would have had to break the news to my Thursday night Bible study group... and the closer back I got to that group, the less sure I was that I would be okay with missing out on that.
The following Thursday evening, catching the end of Bible study after our school registration, proved that I was NOT ready to give it up. There was my support group. People I could share with, people who checked up on me, people who asked how I was and wanted to listen. People who prayed for me. I started hoping desperately that I would not actually be ACCEPTED into the choir because then what would I do?!
I got the email a few days later and was relieved to read that I had indeed been rejected.
Now, that story is just the background for the thought I had in church today. Audition. Acceptance. Rejection. The world often provides these opportunities in various forms. But you know what, God doesn't. As far as the most important thing of all - salvation - God doesn't order auditions... as David writes, if You, Lord, kept a record of sin, O Lord, who could stand. But with you there is forgiveness. Therefore you are feared. (Psalm 130) Through Jesus Christ, our perfect performer who sang flawlessly, we are all invited to become choir members. Oh, the stress and anguish of auditioning. Oh, the fear of rejection. Yet with God there is salvation given freely to all through His one and only Son, Jesus Christ our Lord!
Hallelujah! Hallelujah! Hallelujah!
Savior, like a Shepherd Lead Us
Savior, liked a shepherd lead us;
Much we need Your tender care.
In Your pleasant pastures feed us,
For our use Your fold prepare.
Blessed Jesus, blessed Jesus,
You have bought us;
we are Yours.
Blessed Jesus, blessed Jesus,
You have bought us;
we are Yours.
-LSB 711
Much we need Your tender care.
In Your pleasant pastures feed us,
For our use Your fold prepare.
Blessed Jesus, blessed Jesus,
You have bought us;
we are Yours.
Blessed Jesus, blessed Jesus,
You have bought us;
we are Yours.
-LSB 711
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