You know those songs you hear and you think, "hmm this song could be about jesus."? Well here ya go. I like to listen to classical music while studying and today's instrument choice was piano, of course. It's Jim Brickman with Lady Antebellum as the voices to the melody. It is a song from parents to their children, they can be young or old, and all i think about is how jesus tries to tell us this all the time:
May the angels protect you
Trouble neglect you
And heaven accept you when its time to go home
May you always have plenty
Your glass never empty
And know in your belly
You're never alone
May your tears come from laughing
You find friends worth having
With every year passing
They mean more than gold
May you win but stay humble
Smile more than grumble
And know when you stumble
You're never alone
Chorus:
Never alone
Never alone
I¹ll be in every beat of your heart
When you face the unknown
Wherever you fly
This isn't goodbye
My love will follow you stay with you
Baby you¹re never alone
Well I have to be honest
As much as I wanted
I'm not gonna promise the cold winds won¹t blow
So when hard times have found you
And your fears surround you
Wrap my love around you
You're never alone
Chorus
May the angels protect you
Trouble neglect you
And heaven accept you when its time to go home
And when hard times have found you
And your fear surrounds you
Wrap my love around you
You¹re never alone
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5pXrMPtCVcE
Don't we all love "cute" songs? I recommend that you only listen to it once and maybe use a verse as a lullabye to your kids (now or one day) because it is pretty repetitive. BUT, i hope you were reminded that jesus christ is a father that wants to hold you, protect you, and love you! ALL the time! You never have to feel alone!
"...and lo, i am with you always, even until the ends of the earth..."
smiles
Thursday, February 24, 2011
Thursday, February 17, 2011
Edelweiss
Children laughing, a fresh mountain river, waves crashing on the sand, crickets and bull frogs, horses running in a pasture, the key of G on the guitar, your mother's voice, sizzling fajitas, the coffee maker in the morning...etc. Do me a favor. Think about a "sound" you love. Just one sound. Now, close your eyes and really imagine this sound like it is sounding in this very moment. HA!! I bet you couldn't think of just one! You tried, but then the dryer's buzzer went off, a motorcycle rode by, or maybe you heard someone walking toward you. I bet you couldn't count all the sounds you actually hear on a 10 minute walk outside. Are our ears not incredible?!
I think my favorite of the five senses is hearing, or maybe that is a dominant sense of mine. Just the other day, I came home from my first swedish class and sat down and turned the tv on to find the cast of "The Sound of Music" together for a reunion on Oprah.
*Side note: I have a crush on Captain VonTrapp. His voice is close to perfection. End side note*
Anywho, I was also studying swedish because I started class this week. Now picture this: I look up from studying and find myself mezmorized by the simple tune of Edelweiss...with tears! I was crying! Something in my brain registered to me that the sound of these notes put together was beautiful! Not to mention the sound that Julie Andrews and Christopher Plummer make together! Gasp! Go to youtube or your itunes right now, and listen to how simple this tune is. It reminds me of the scene in "The Holiday" where Miles plays a tune for Iris and says, "iris, if you were a melody, i used only the good notes..." Edelweiss, also, uses only the good notes.
I started thinking about how often music alone does this to me. Music is one thing that can always bring me to life, meaning my emotions are affected more by music than people most of the time. If you know me well enough, you know that i am always singing, or if i am not singing, i have a song in my head at all times. It can be annoying, especially if you are Sam Giffin, my brother, and a 2-hour car ride home is nothing but, "OMG!! I LOVE this song!!!"...for every song...
*Side note: i also LOVE everything. End side note*
I am going to say it: I LOVE music! I can't help it! My mom used to have us listen to classical music when we were very young and pick out the instruments that were being played. I still do that today, except now i can pick out the rhythms and harmonies (shout out to my girl, ARG, my harmony partner in crime). It is incredible how many different sounds can be included in every song, and how many different songs and tunes exist in the world. I am blown away by how blessed i am that i have "ears to hear" (matthew 11:15).
It is not just the sound of music that i love so much either. I love the sounds of nature, the sounds that allow me to feel so close to my Lord Jesus. Think about the power in the feirce waves of the pacific ocean, or the peace of a mountain stream. Think about the calm before a storm, and then the wrath of thunder. Usually, it is what i see in vast places that make me feel so small, but also the sounds of His creation. The smaller i feel, the more overwhelmed and comforted i am by His love for me. And that is just with my ears! There are so many things God has given us to be able to experience an intimate relationship with Him that we take for granted.
"Even in the case of lifeless things that make sounds, such as the pipe or harp, how will anyone know what tune is being played unless there is a distinction in the notes?"
(1 Corinthians 14:7)
It seems silly that a simple tune such as Edelweiss, a tune that is familiar and old to many, can bring such a realization of the many blessings we have, including our ears. Our ears allow us to "sense" or experience joy, peace, love, sadness, thrill, and even fear. Whether it is the sound of an instrument, a simple melody, a busy sidewalk, or a library, try to be in "tune" with what you hear.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sFHujvkacNY
*Side note: yeah, i know, that line was super corny, but it happens so get over it. End side note*
I think my favorite of the five senses is hearing, or maybe that is a dominant sense of mine. Just the other day, I came home from my first swedish class and sat down and turned the tv on to find the cast of "The Sound of Music" together for a reunion on Oprah.
*Side note: I have a crush on Captain VonTrapp. His voice is close to perfection. End side note*
Anywho, I was also studying swedish because I started class this week. Now picture this: I look up from studying and find myself mezmorized by the simple tune of Edelweiss...with tears! I was crying! Something in my brain registered to me that the sound of these notes put together was beautiful! Not to mention the sound that Julie Andrews and Christopher Plummer make together! Gasp! Go to youtube or your itunes right now, and listen to how simple this tune is. It reminds me of the scene in "The Holiday" where Miles plays a tune for Iris and says, "iris, if you were a melody, i used only the good notes..." Edelweiss, also, uses only the good notes.
I started thinking about how often music alone does this to me. Music is one thing that can always bring me to life, meaning my emotions are affected more by music than people most of the time. If you know me well enough, you know that i am always singing, or if i am not singing, i have a song in my head at all times. It can be annoying, especially if you are Sam Giffin, my brother, and a 2-hour car ride home is nothing but, "OMG!! I LOVE this song!!!"...for every song...
*Side note: i also LOVE everything. End side note*
I am going to say it: I LOVE music! I can't help it! My mom used to have us listen to classical music when we were very young and pick out the instruments that were being played. I still do that today, except now i can pick out the rhythms and harmonies (shout out to my girl, ARG, my harmony partner in crime). It is incredible how many different sounds can be included in every song, and how many different songs and tunes exist in the world. I am blown away by how blessed i am that i have "ears to hear" (matthew 11:15).
It is not just the sound of music that i love so much either. I love the sounds of nature, the sounds that allow me to feel so close to my Lord Jesus. Think about the power in the feirce waves of the pacific ocean, or the peace of a mountain stream. Think about the calm before a storm, and then the wrath of thunder. Usually, it is what i see in vast places that make me feel so small, but also the sounds of His creation. The smaller i feel, the more overwhelmed and comforted i am by His love for me. And that is just with my ears! There are so many things God has given us to be able to experience an intimate relationship with Him that we take for granted.
"Even in the case of lifeless things that make sounds, such as the pipe or harp, how will anyone know what tune is being played unless there is a distinction in the notes?"
(1 Corinthians 14:7)
It seems silly that a simple tune such as Edelweiss, a tune that is familiar and old to many, can bring such a realization of the many blessings we have, including our ears. Our ears allow us to "sense" or experience joy, peace, love, sadness, thrill, and even fear. Whether it is the sound of an instrument, a simple melody, a busy sidewalk, or a library, try to be in "tune" with what you hear.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sFHujvkacNY
*Side note: yeah, i know, that line was super corny, but it happens so get over it. End side note*
Thursday, February 10, 2011
Faces and Places
My sales clerk yesterday looked EXACTLY like Chad Michael Murray!! I was in a cute homestore called HEMTREX to get some towels and such, and I couldn't stop staring! It was amazing! I most definitely creeped him out but he still smiled at me. I texted Chad while in the store and told him his twin lived in Sweden...SIKE
It has been such an interesting first week in my new home and with the whole house being sick (mom AND all 3 kids with high fevers), I have had to do most everything on my own with little direction. My first experience out on my own was this past Saturday, my day off. Magnus (dad) had the idea that I should use his tram card and venture into town. Originally, Jenny was going to go with me and show me but she was sick as a dog and wasn't going to be able to make it out of bed that day...so I was on my own (uh oh). I was very nervous but I decided to just go for it: get on a tram and find my way downtown, or as they call it in Sweden, "centrum." Magnus told me which tram to take and what station to stop at. He wasn't worried at all that I hadn't ever been out of the country and that I had no idea what anyone was saying when they tried to talk to me! I made it to the tram station, which is a 4 minute walk, and asked a couple of guys who were talking to each other in swedish, "this way to centrum?" They replied with "yes, correct." Okay, that wasn't so bad! I finally made it to the mall and walked around for a bit. There were SO many people there, nothing was in english, and I was trying my hardest to walk like I knew where I was going. I was so overwhelmed listening to the sounds and the language around in this crowded place. I've never been so intimidated about opening my mouth! Everyone can speak english, but swedish is their first language so that is all I heard, putting me comepletely out of my comfort zone. When I got home, I almost wanted to cry! I missed America BAD! But this is my home for the next 10 months so I have to make myself be ok. I WILL be ok!
Sunday was a better day. Jenny's (mom) parents took Elias (2 year old) and I to the harbor. They don't speak english very well, but they told me all about Göteburg the best they could, and even taught me a few words in Svenska (swedish). It was refreshing to walk around in the cold air, to think, and to listen. Already, I can say it is my favorite place, full of boats, pier cafe's, and a beautiful image of the city just across the harbor! There is a lot to do and see, especially in the spring and summer when everyone is ALWAYS outside :) And there's FRESH sushi everywhere. As DAve Barnes would say, "So gooood, so good!"
Sigh, I'm going to love it in this country, and after my Swedish course, it will be MUCH easier! I'll be able to make new friends, talk/understand the kids, and actually "live" in Göteburg! It is quite peaceful and friendly.
Here's to brighter days!
It has been such an interesting first week in my new home and with the whole house being sick (mom AND all 3 kids with high fevers), I have had to do most everything on my own with little direction. My first experience out on my own was this past Saturday, my day off. Magnus (dad) had the idea that I should use his tram card and venture into town. Originally, Jenny was going to go with me and show me but she was sick as a dog and wasn't going to be able to make it out of bed that day...so I was on my own (uh oh). I was very nervous but I decided to just go for it: get on a tram and find my way downtown, or as they call it in Sweden, "centrum." Magnus told me which tram to take and what station to stop at. He wasn't worried at all that I hadn't ever been out of the country and that I had no idea what anyone was saying when they tried to talk to me! I made it to the tram station, which is a 4 minute walk, and asked a couple of guys who were talking to each other in swedish, "this way to centrum?" They replied with "yes, correct." Okay, that wasn't so bad! I finally made it to the mall and walked around for a bit. There were SO many people there, nothing was in english, and I was trying my hardest to walk like I knew where I was going. I was so overwhelmed listening to the sounds and the language around in this crowded place. I've never been so intimidated about opening my mouth! Everyone can speak english, but swedish is their first language so that is all I heard, putting me comepletely out of my comfort zone. When I got home, I almost wanted to cry! I missed America BAD! But this is my home for the next 10 months so I have to make myself be ok. I WILL be ok!
Sunday was a better day. Jenny's (mom) parents took Elias (2 year old) and I to the harbor. They don't speak english very well, but they told me all about Göteburg the best they could, and even taught me a few words in Svenska (swedish). It was refreshing to walk around in the cold air, to think, and to listen. Already, I can say it is my favorite place, full of boats, pier cafe's, and a beautiful image of the city just across the harbor! There is a lot to do and see, especially in the spring and summer when everyone is ALWAYS outside :) And there's FRESH sushi everywhere. As DAve Barnes would say, "So gooood, so good!"
Sigh, I'm going to love it in this country, and after my Swedish course, it will be MUCH easier! I'll be able to make new friends, talk/understand the kids, and actually "live" in Göteburg! It is quite peaceful and friendly.
Here's to brighter days!
Sunday, February 6, 2011
Tinkers
Barnes & Noble is one of my favorite places to get lost. I like to take my time looking through each section, looking at people, flipping through pages, and drinking an amazing cup of starbucks brewed coffee. I thought it to be the perfect place to buy some essentials (a journal, new pens, a new novel...etc) before a long flight across the big pond. While walking by the ''New in Paperback'' table, The most interesting title called ''Tinkers'' caught my eye. I saw that it was the winner of the Pullitzer Prize for 2010 and I just had to have it. So here i am in Sweden trying to figure out what is going on, besides the fact that the back cover says it's about an old man finding himself before he dies. Every paragragh is a new subject, I can't figure out who i'm reading about, the conversations don't have quotation marks around them, and this guy won THE Pullitzer Prize? I feel like i have AD/HD...which is, of course, a possibility. Nonetheless, I am continuing on with it because i think i have figured it out. The author has captured the train-of-thought of this dying epileptic man who has so many thoughts running through his mind in every direction day after day after day. It's exhausting trying to figure out why he is concerned with the soap again only for the next sentence to be about a heart attack when he was 68!! (You'll just have to read it.) I might bite my right-middle fingernail over this novel! All that said, it actually is reminding me of my own train-of-thought. I am a thinker and I am thinking ALL the time...even when i'm talking or humming, i'm probably thinking about SOMEthing. The past few days have been an exhausting whirlwind of so many thoughts running around in my head. Living in Sweden as an Au Pair is going to be way more challenging than I thought it was going to be when the only common language I have is with the oldest boy (7-years-old) and that consists of ''Master Yoda,'' ''R2-D2," and "Jabba-the-Hutt." If you are a visual person, then yes, it is quite funny.
breathe.
As overhwelmed and anxious as I am right now, I know the language barrier will not be for that much longer, for I do have 10 months to learn Svenska (Swedish). With that, i hope there will be lots of positive experiences and stories to share. In the meantime, there is still a lot of thinking to do, and blogging (it's my first one!).
Feel free to figure out my train-of-thought or pick apart my brain! I could use any help with that one!~Uncharted
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)