Thursday, April 17, 2014

Song for Sunday: (Very Late): Hosanna to Our King

I know it's Thursday. I'm extremely late with this. But this weeks Song for Sunday is tied up with nostalgia so I want to write about it regardless.

Hosanna to Our King by Lloyd Larson

Hosanna to Our King: Sung by a church choir


I remember many years ago in our church it was sung as the anthem on Palm Sunday. The Choristers sang the line "Who is this king of glory?" The adult choir responded: "The Lord strong and mighty....." Parts they sang together, parts the congregation joined in. It was glorious.

Our church is smaller now. We don't have any choristers. But this is still a frequent Palm Sunday anthem. This year, one of the choir members played the tambourine, adding excitement to the song. It, too, was glorious.


What is your favorite Palm Sunday song? How has the music in your church changed over the years?


Wednesday, April 9, 2014

Heroes: No Greater Love

Greater Love has no Man than this: that He Lay Down His Life for His Friends.




Sgt. 1st Class Danny Ferguson, Sgt. Timothy Owens, and Carlos Lazaney were already heroes when the woke up on Wednesday, April 2. They were members of the military, serving at a time when deployment to an area conflict was possible. They were heroes just for that.




But these three did not get to go to bed that night. They went instead, too soon, to the morgue.


They all died heroes, going about the business of defending their country, in a place that should have been safe.


Danny Ferguson died protecting others. He placed himself in front of unlockable door and held it shut. He died when bullets fired by the gunman penetrated the door. He saved a roomful of other military personnel. He gave his life for his friends.


I never met Danny, but his fiancé attended CYC, the ministry I volunteer with, several years ago as a camper. Though I haven't been in touch with Kristen really, except a little via Facebook, I still feel a connection through our camp sisterhood. My heart goes out to her and her family. I will be praying for her and for all the families as the memorial program happens today.


I pray for peace and comfort for the families. I pray for healing for the injured. I pray that our military bases will be safe places, that soldiers suffering from mental illness will get the help they need, that all mass shootings --all shootings-- will stop. I don't know what the answers are, I just pray.




God grant us peace -- all kinds of peace. 

Tuesday, April 8, 2014

Pantry Challenge: One Week Down

A week ago, I explained that I am participating in an April Pantry Challenge: Buying only perishable items to give my pantry a spring cleaning and save a bit of money.


Look at my earlier post: Pantry Challenge for details of how it works.




So far, so good.


I am within budget for the first two-week segment, although I am down to a little over $12 for perishable items if I am to stay within that goal. I have stuff on hand, though, and we are away for the weekend, so I may be able to pull it off. If not, perhaps I will take a little from next segment.


I have spent less than $20 from the "Treats & Meals on the Road" budget line. I am trying to keep $75 for the trip.


I haven't bought any pantry items and have used up bits and bobs - I am down to one packet of frozen vegetables and have only a little barley left.


There is still plenty of rice (white and brown), pasta, flax seed, etc. We still have two boxes of cereal, too.

So all in all, this is working out fine.


What are you challenging yourself with right now?  How's it going?

Sunday, April 6, 2014

Song for Sunday: Lullabye -Goodnight My Angel

 Today I get to go to a first birthday party for a beautiful baby boy. What a blessing!! Babies are a real gift from God -- and so are birthdays! Family of this baby and I enjoy Billy Joel, so today's Song for Sunday is Goodnight My Angel, a very sweet lullabye.


Goodnight, my angel
Time to close your eyes
And save these questions for another day
I think I know what you've been asking me
I think you know what I've been trying to say
I promised I would never leave you
And you should always know
Wherever you may go
No matter where you are
I never will be far away

Goodnight, my angel
Now it's time to sleep
And still so many things I want to say
Remember all the songs you sang for me
When we went sailing on an emerald bay
And like a boat out on the ocean
I'm rocking you to sleep
The water's dark and deep
Inside this ancient heart
You'll always be a part of me

Lu-lu-lu-lu-lu-lu
lu-lu-lu-lu-lu-lu-lu-lu-lu

Goodnight, my angel
Now it's time to dream
And dream how wonderful your life will be
Someday your child may cry
And if you sing this lullabye
Then in your heart
There will always be a part of me

Someday we'll all be gone
But lullabyes go on and on...
They never die
That's how you
And I
Will be



What is your favorite lullabye?

Tuesday, April 1, 2014

Pantry Challenge

Prompted by two friends, I have decided to try an "April Pantry Challenge."


The idea is to only buy perishables and use up all the foodstuffs in your pantry and freezer.


My food budget is in two monthly installments, beginning on the 1st and 15th of each month, and I do two large shopping trips each month, occasionally picking up things in between,  I decided to set the following parameters:




$80 for each budget period for perishable items.
$100 for treats (including the chips for the chocolate chip cookies I promised a friend) and meals on the road during April vacation (we'll take snacks and sandwiches as well)
Special dispensation for Easter treats/dinner items.


Only food counts. Cleaning supplies, toiletries and similar items are in a different budget line.


I did fill in two holes in my pantry before starting: white flour (those cookies require it) and Earl Grey decaffeinated tea (the boy's request.)


Did the first shop today. So far, so good.


I will need to menu plan, I think to make this work.


For this week's dinners:


Tonight: Potatoes with homemade salsa and cheese
Tomorrow: Soup with stock from the freezer, rice and lentils from the pantry, and vegetables
Thursday: Homemade eggrolls and Jasmine rice
Friday: Pancakes, Bacon, Fruit
Saturday: Leftovers/meal at a retreat
Sunday: Pasta with sautéed veggies
Monday: Brown Rice and Lentil Casserole




We'll see how this goes. I hope my pantry gets a good spring cleaning!




Have you ever tried anything similar?