Caroling Encore

We enjoyed an evening of Christmas caroling tonight. A good group of us met at our church and we went from there. We try to go to the homes of people we know who are shut-in or who for one reason or another might appreciate a serenade.

I always worry that we may make someone feel uncomfortable. Maybe that is because I'd feel weird to receive that kind of attention. Still, it does seem that people like it; some even join in the singing.

Besides going to private homes we also caroled at an assisted living center and a nursing home. When we arrived at the first, another group was just finishing their caroling.  It seemed a bit awkward but we sang anyway as a lady from our church was sitting waiting in the dining area there. Later, when we went to a nursing home, those same carolers were there! This time, we joined together and sang as an even larger group. It was really kind of sweet.

As we were leaving that last nursing home someone caught us at the door and requested that we come back. One of the residents had just turned 100 years old yesterday and she wanted us to sing "Happy Birthday" to her. I pretended we were asked back for an encore! 

Do you go Christmas caroling? Where do you go? 

It's Not About the Bunny!

I love, love, love Easter!

Yesterday we spent quite a bit of time at our church. We helped with decorating for Easter in the morning then I went back to practice singing with my friends in the afternoon. I snapped some photos while there and I'd like to share them with you now.

We have a lot of Easter Lilies...which I love.

Did you know my name, Susan, means Lily?

You remember my friend, Allen? 

Thank goodness, he is feeling better!

Sorry, I couldn't seem to stop taking lily photos. 

Believe me, I am holding back as there are MANY more!

We sang and sang.

Easter songs are the best!

Now, I think it is time for some very deep, very theological insight for you.

I thank my friend, Kiley, for sharing this via Facebook...

Have a Happy Easter!

Les Miserables - Movie Review

Mike and I recently went to see Les Miserables.  I even learned how to pronounce it!

This movie was so very different from "Parental Guidance" in nature, but actually I think both had a lot to say about forgiveness. Les Miserables is a very dark movie, though.  I mean that quite literally.  There are actually only a few scenes shot during a time of sunshine. The following trailer comes early in the movie and it gives you a sense of the hopelessness many of the characters felt.

One thing I really enjoyed was the singing!  It is quite beautiful.   The characters were not singing to a soundtrack; that was obvious. The whole movie felt a bit like watching a major play production, but with really, really good seats.

This trailer will give you an idea of some of the majesty of the film.  I would definitely use the word "gritty" to describe most of the scenes. At first it is difficult to imagine this film has any potential to be uplifting, but it really is in a way. It shows characters who are in the most miserable situations, who have been abused and mistreated. It shows good people resorting to theft and prostitution to survive. I  know, that still doesn't sound very uplifting.

The thing is, at the end of the film you realize you have seen depictions of people who are remarkable in their ability to let go of hatred.  Someone else may get something totally different from this movie, but to me, that was the central theme. And how important is that!? Even in our ordinary lives it is so easy to cling to hatred of those who have hurt us. Yet, that hatred just continues your own pain.

So, yes, I recommend this film.  You need to know that it is very, very long.  Mike said the guy in the seat on the other side of him kept sighing. You need to know that a lot of it is difficult to watch, emotionally wrenching and downright grimy.  You need to be in the right mood for it when you go. Afterward, though, I think it is one that you will be thinking about for awhile.  You'll get your money's worth and love wins out in the end...just as it should.

10,000 Reasons

Do you have a favorite Christian Contemporary Song?  Or maybe an old classic?  What is speaking to you right now?

I enjoy singing along with Matt Redman on 10,000 Reasons.  Do you know that song?  If not, please click on the name and enjoy it today.

The Voice - My Review So Far

Have you been watching THE VOICE?  I don't usually watch those kinds of shows.  It just so happened that I ran across it the night a young man from our area was on.  I was so surprised!  I don't know if you realize it but there simply aren't that many people in the whole state of Wyoming.  There are just over 568,000 people here.  That's to say that all of Wyoming has about the same number of people as the city of Portland, Oregon.  Wyoming is the least populous state of all!  Wyoming is pretty large, so as you can figure, there is a lot of open space here with no people at all.  Because of this, we don't all that often see people from Wyoming on national television.

Anyway, the young man on THE VOICE is someone people around here know.  He used to work at Sears here and I actually think I remember seeing him.  I may or may not have purchased shoes from him.  So, I watched the rest of that episode of the show and tuned in again a couple of other times.  Although I am kind of an anti-reality show kind of person, I have to admit I am enjoying this one.

One thing I like is that the judges, at least in this first round, don't see the contestants when they first sing.  They are focusing on the voice, not the look of the person.  That seems like a good thing.

Another thing I noticed that is different with this show from some of the others is that they really don't have any contestants on who are without talent.  You know what I am saying!  Some of those shows put people on who have no talent, just so they can make fun of them.  That is just mean!  THE VOICE, however, does not do that.  All of the contestants have enough talent to have some sort of a career with their voice, even if it isn't super stardom.

The best difference I noticed is that the judges are kind.  Really.  They are kind.  Even when they aren't choosing to select a contestant to go further in the contest, they still validate their talent and encourage them to keep singing.  I appreciate that!

So, since I've taken it upon myself to write this review, I'm going to give it a lot of stars.  I don't know how many stars should be available anyway, so I'm just saying I give it a lot of them.  Go watch it if you wish, or not, your choice.  I'm just admmitting that I enjoy it.

Lord I Lift Your Name on High

I love to sing.  I love to hum.  I do it a lot.  As I clean, as I drive... I'm sure that is not unusual.  Music has a lot of power!  It has so much power, I've decided to be careful what music I listen to as it influences me so much.  Several years ago I decided to keep the radio in my car set on KLOVE.  Why?  Well, they refer to their music as being "positive and encouraging".  Hey!  That's what I want to be!  I learned that if I listened to that on my way to work, I was able to maintain a positive and encouraging attitude a bit more throughout the day.

  

I am also on our Worship Team at church.  I enjoy that a lot!  

(stock photo from 123rf.com)

OK, that photo may not be of me but I'm pretty sure I look kind of like that when I sing...except I am older...and I would not wear sunglasses in church...and my microphone is on a stand which I am scared to approach... I don't usually wear a hat because I think my head is already kind of large... and the wind machine is not ever on me when I sing... there may be a few other differences as well.   OK, I'm no more than an average singer, I'm middle-aged and I generally sing standing very still with my hands to my side.  Even clapping when singing is difficult for me.  Other than that, I pretty much look like this person.

Seriously now...

Music has come naturally to me when helping a really frightened patient.  Whether starting an IV or wiping a bottom, humming lightens the moment.  Maybe it just lightens my mood but I think it helps the patient focus on something besides the task at hand as well.

I was once called to the side of a young adult patient nearing the end of her life.  She was conscious and uneasy.  She'd previously told me she was a Christian so with her permission I prayed for her.   Then, knowing she had been active in her congregation, I asked if she wanted me to sing to her to help her relax.  She said that she did.  I started singing Amazing Grace  then moved on to the The Old Rugged Cross.  She listened politely but I didn't feel it was calming her that much.  Then, I decided to sing Jesus Loves Me.  Even though she could only barely make sounds, she started to sing along!  I kept singing but tears were rolling down my face.  She looked and sounded so beautiful to me.  

I thought she fell asleep at the end of that song so I sat quietly by her side for a bit.  When I was about to leave she opened her eyes and whispered a question.  I had to ask her to repeat it several times but finally realized she was asking if I knew the song, Lord, I Lift Your Name on High.  I was so happy because it is a song our worship team sings so I knew all the words.   We sang that song over and over and over with her voice only a whisper and mine choked with tears.  The quality of our voices did not matter.  Finally, she was tired and able to rest.  I left quietly, fully aware that I'd just been allowed to be part of something truly beautiful.  

Maybe I will have the opportunity to sing with her someday in heaven when we will have strong, pure voices.

To hear a sample of the song that meant so much to her, click here.

Victory in Jesus

I love singing in church!  I always have.  This love is not because I have a great voice, but I do have enthusiasm!  My sister and I used to sing together for church services on occasion.  She had the stronger voice and better range so she sang the melody.  I played the piano and sang alto.  We were limited on song choices by my ability to sing the alto part (I love singing harmony but it just doesn't come naturally to me) and my very limited ability on the piano.  We had fun, though.

One of the songs from those years was "Victory in Jesus".  We sang it with some zip.  Actually, we sang most songs with zip because I liked to play fast.  It was probably a nervous thing, I don't know.  Anyway, I was excited recently because our worship team is singing an updated version of this song.  It is syncopated and fun and I will definitely be thinking of my sister as we sing it!  The picture below is from last Summer.  My sister, Tina, is holding my grandaughter, Cordelia.

In my zest for singing, though, I find that I am focusing so hard on notes and tempo, I forget to ponder the words.  For some reason, I get more out of the words at times if I just pause and read through the verses and chorus first.  This old song has some particular nuggets that speak to me.  I think all of us have times when we feel we have a broken spirit in need of healing.

Victory in Jesus

copyright 1939 by  E. M. Bartlett

I heard an old, old story, how a Savior came from glory,

How He gave His life on Calvary to save a wretch like me;

I heard about His groaning, of His precious blood's atoning,

Then I repented of my sins and won the victory.

chorus  O victory in Jesus, my Savior, forever!

He sought me and bought me with His redeeming blood;

He loved me ere I knew Him, and all my love is due Him-

He plunged me to victory beneath the cleansing flood.

I heard about His healing, of His cleansing pow'r revealing,

How He made the lame to walk again and caused the blind to see;

And then I cried, "Dear Jesus, come and heal my broken spirit",

Then I repented of my sins and won the victory.

chorus  O victory in Jesus, my Savior, forever!

He sought me and bought me with His redeeming blood;

He loved me ere I knew Him, and all my love is due Him-

He plunged me to victory beneath the cleansing flood.

I heard about a mansion He has built for me in glory,

And I heard about the streets of gold beyond the crystal sea;

About the angels singing and the old redemption story,

And some sweet day I'll sing up there the song of victory.

chorus  O victory in Jesus, my Savior, forever!

He sought me and bought me with His redeeming blood;

He loved me ere I knew Him, and all my love is due Him-

He plunged me to victory beneath the cleansing flood.

Do you know this song?