Category Archives: Music

The Simple Woman’s Daybook: June 29, 2015

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Simple Woman's Daybook

FOR TODAY June 29, 2015

Outside my window… dark. It was hot and humid today, humid enough that we were getting drops of water from condensation. I haven’t been in humidity like this since I lived in Ohio!

I am thinking… about plans for tomorrow and everything going on, especially getting my rental car if I can.

I am thankful… that we had a good first night of VBS and that Daniel gets to come with me tomorrow.

In the kitchen… we had pizza and build-your-own salad tonight at VBS. Tomorrow will be walking tacos and fruit kebabs.

I am wearing… my Momcat shirt and capri sweats.

I am praying for… a call for Jon, for my friend Krystin’s baby to be released from the NICU, for Krystin’s healing after emergency surgery, and for a bunch of special intentions. Oh yes… also for VBS to go well for Daniel.

I am going… to physical therapy tomorrow.

I am wondering… if I’ll have my rental car by tomorrow. (I kind of need it PDQ for VBS.)

I am reading… Ming Tea Murder by Laura Childs. I just finished up the Classic Diner Mystery Series by Jessica Beck.

I am hoping… I sleep OK tonight with all the congestion in my face!

I am looking forward to… singing with the kiddos at VBS.

I am hearing… various silly songs I’m checking out for VBS tomorrow.

Crocheting… Daniel’s big boy blankie and the amigurumi stuffed animal for my friend.

Around the house… silence. I’m loving it.

A favorite quote for today… “”When I pray for another person, I am praying for God to open my eyes so that I can see that person as God does, and then enter into the stream of love that God already directs toward that person.” — Philip Yancey

One of my favorite things… my kids laughing and getting silly.

A few plans for the rest of the week: VBS every night, PT tomorrow morning, and a special lunch on Saturday.

A peek into my day… One of the songs we did with the kids!

Hosted by The Simple Woman.

7 Quick Takes: Seriously Wanting Friday to Come Soon!

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7 Quick Takes

— 1 —

Sadness. We had to put my in-laws’ cat Nicholas to sleep today. We brought him into the vet for what we thought would be an antibiotic shot and they found a tumor in his abdomen. Given that he had lost something like 2 lbs in the last month and was very noticably in pain, it was actually not a hard decision. I am sad for my in-laws though and we seem to lose at least 1 cat per year and the rest of the cats in the house are relatively young — I think the oldest one now is maybe 13 years old and the second oldest is 12 with the rest being between the ages of 6-8. (Nick was 15.5 years old.)

— 2 —

Seriously?!?!?!?!? We were leaving the $tarbux parking lot today when my battery light flashed on and I couldn’t restart the car. Daniel commenced having a meltdown as I tried to find a tow truck company that we could afford. (Thankfully, my auto insurance comes with Roadside Assistance so we didn’t have to mortgage anything to get towed to my mechanic.) Jon came and got Daniel and I settled in to wait for the towing company. Apparently, I was blocking the way for a delivery driver because he told me he was going to give me a push aside. Well, I was suddenly in the bushes in the parking lot of the Chevron station next door. The delivery driver didn’t speak much English and I had to tell him to leave me alone to keep him from pushing me out and messing my bumper up more. Thankfully, I managed to get the information off of his truck while he was making deliveries so my insurance company is pursuing the claim and I will have a rental car while they fix mine. (I’m pretty sure the underside of my car has some damage as a result of the push and my bumper has a new dent.) Not the best day by far!

— 3 —

A good reason for the rules prohibiting the marriage of two people if one (or both) are intoxicated. A few people here know that my husband is a pastor who performs weddings as a way of paying the bills. When I saw this article, I had to send it to him. I don’t think either the bride or groom was intoxicated while the wedding was performed but they sure were after! It’s probably not a good thing to leave your wedding in police-issued handcuffs or in an ambulance to the hospital with alcohol poisoning.

— 4 —

Joy joy joy! My in-laws have been singing “I’ve Got the Joy Joy Joy” to Daniel every day to teach him about God (because his mother totally doesn’t listen to *ANY* Christian music in the car EVER) and a few days ago, he said “joy joy joy!” so they sang to him. He now requests the song every day and I told him that we would sing it at VBS next week… which led to him starting to sing it (or at least try). It was seriously cute but that’s normal for my seriously cute boy.

— 5 —

Daniel and VBS. At the VBS meeting on Monday, I asked my priest if there was any way that Daniel could attend because we’d need someone to shadow him and I didn’t know if we had enough people. It turns out that one of the dads can do it… and the woman running VBS is also willing to have him be her “helper” if need be. (Daniel likes to help.) I also have some church members who are former special ed teachers who will be there and others who are totally excited about finally meeting Daniel. (He goes to a church closer to the house for Sunday school because my mother-in-law is the one who takes him most of the time.) I am so thankful to be part of a church which really wants to make it so that EVERYONE can participate and has clergy who absolutely love my kiddo.

— 6 —

We are family. Some of Jon’s relatives on his dad’s side are in town for a wedding this weekend (including his aunt who reads my blog — HI AUNT JANICE!!!!! *waves*) so we all had lunch on Wednesday. It was the first time meeting a couple of them for Daniel and the first time seeing others in a few years. He came home to a house with 10 people when he got off the bus and he did extremely well at eating at the table (better than many adults) and he was pretty calm the whole time. He did love it when we sang “I’ve Got the Joy Joy Joy” to him and started banging the table in rhythm.

— 7 —

Prayer request. If you could pray for a special intention for Jon and me, I would greatly appreciate it. Please and thank you!

For more Quick Takes, visit Kelly at This Ain’t The Lyceum.

The Simple Woman’s Daybook: June 14, 2015

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Simple Woman's Daybook

FOR TODAY June 14, 2015

Outside my window… dark. It was foggy this morning and got up to 84F this afternoon which is not too bad.

I am thinking… that the takeaway messages from my church’s VBS later this month are going to be that God created hippos and penguins drink tea.

I am thankful… for the awesome food at the Practice the Tithe picnic today.

In the kitchen… leftover brisket that was thawed out.

I am wearing… charcoal v-neck from Old Navy and black capri sweats from Target.

I am praying for… many many things.

I am going… to the dentist with Daniel tomorrow. Denti-Cal is refusing to just give me a peds dental consult for Daniel so we have to see a regular dentist first. I’m really not thinking this will end well.

I am wondering… if I have a sinus infection or if this is just allergies.

I am reading… A Chili Death by Jessica Beck. Vanishing Grace by Philip Yancey is still on hold.

I am hoping… to sleep well tonight because I have to get up at 6:40 tomorrow morning to get Daniel off to ESY.

I am looking forward to… my massage and TENS machine time on Tuesday.

I am hearing… stuff from Mission Bible Class that I’m doing for VBS.

Crocheting… all the same stuff as before — Daniel’s big boy blankie and an amugurumi stuffie for a friend’s baby.

Around the house… silence as everyone else is asleep.

A favorite quote for today… “Prayer is not a means of removing the unknown and predictable elements in life, but rather a way of including the unknown and unpredictable in the outworking of the grace of God in our lives.” — Philip Yancey

One of my favorite things… Vacation Bible School. I’ve missed helping with it. (It’s been 8 years since the last time I got to help.)

A few plans for the rest of the week: Daniel’s dentist appointment and ESY on Monday, PT on Tuesday, whatever errands come up the rest of the week, and possibly dinner with my parents on Saturday night.

A peek into my day… Here’s the rainbow that came with the apocalyptic storm that welcomed me back to southern California last week.

The rainbow that welcomed me home.

Hosted by The Simple Woman.

#FiveFaves: Miscellanea (XXXVI)

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#5Faves

One

Jenna. For those who don’t know Mary Lenaburg, she lost her 22 year old daughter Courtney at the end of December after 22 years of taking care of her through daily seizures and other medical issues. Jenna sent this to her.

Two

Trader Joe’s Greek Yogurt Spinach-Kale Dip. This stuff is freaking awesome! I love it for dinner with carrot sticks on hot days. It also works well on a baked potato when someone in your house has consumed all the regular Greek yogurt you bought. (Not that this happened this past week or anything…)

Three

This graduation video. My class was so bad during graduation that subsequent classes were required to come in their pretty clothes and only allowed to put robes on AFTER they were searched! I wish we had done something like this instead.

Four

My priest. At Bible studies with new people, she introduces me as follows: “This is Jen. She’s a Lutheran pastor’s wife but we claim her.” Adding onto that, Jon was supplying at the Lutheran church across the street from my Episcopal church and I went over after my worship ended to catch part of his. I stayed for about 3 minutes at coffee hour (known as the third sacrament for Lutherans) which led my priest to tease the pastor of the Lutheran church about her indignation that “[HER] Lutheran went to [HIS] coffee hour.” I love her.

Five

Jessica Beck’s writing. I fell hard for her Donut Shop mysteries… and enjoyed a donut for the first time in years while finishing the last one. I was less than enthused about the donut (too sweet) but her books are fabulous. I’m starting her Diner series next.

Go love up Jenna and the others.

The Simple Woman’s Daybook: May 31, 2015

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Simple Woman's Daybook

FOR TODAY May 31, 2015

Outside my window… dark. It’s been quite warm here lately with temperatures around 80F but humidity that makes it feel hotter.

I am thinking… about my week and if I should ask my physical therapist to work on my leg tomorrow as I’ve got a muscle that is severely tensed in it and not relaxing.

I am thankful… for the concert celebrating Dr. Wilbur Held’s memory that I was blessed to attend yesterday. It was mostly organ with a little bit of choral music and a BIG piece at the end which involved, choirs, organ, and hand bells.

In the kitchen… I had some trail mix as my pre-bedtime snack.

I am wearing… my Run for the Little Flowers 2014 shirt and capri sweats.

I am praying for… my father-in-law, a call for Jon, relief from the muscle pain I’ve been having, and for a bunch of special intentions.

I am going… to take my car in to figure out what is up with the A/C on Tuesday morning. I’m hoping I’m not car-less for too long or that I can borrow Jon’s car if I need anything on Tuesday.

I am wondering… what I did that is stressing out my back and my calf muscles.

I am reading… Powdered Peril by Jessica Beck and I finished Killer Crullers a few days ago. I’m taking a break from Vanishing Grace by Philip Yancey to keep up with Beck’s Donut Shop Mysteries.

I am hoping… the issue with my leg isn’t something nasty like a blood clot.

I am looking forward to… seeing my family on Friday. We’re spending a week with them while Daniel is off school before Extended School Year (summer school) starts.

I am hearing… various YouTube hymn videos.

Crocheting… nothing new — still the big boy blankie and the amigurumi stuffed animal.

Around the house… I managed to push this until a late hour yet again so I’m the only one awake.

A favorite quote for today… “The main purpose of prayer is not to make life easier, nor to gain magical powers, but to know God.” — Philip Yancey

One of my favorite things… the smell of anointing oil.

A few plans for the rest of the week: PT and errands tomorrow, taking my car to the mechanic on Tuesday, VBS music meeting on Wednesday, Daniel’s last day of school on Thursday, and heading up to San Jose on Friday.

A peek into my day… I love how Twila Paris does this particular old gospel song.

Hosted by The Simple Woman.

#FiveFaves: Miscellanea (XXXV)

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#5Faves

One

Vacation Bible School. I get to help lead the music for VBS at my church at the end of June and I’m seriously excited. I’m going through all of Wee Sing Bible stuff on iTunes and my CD’s of church camp music for songs to sing.

Two

Mission Bible Class songs. I’ve been using the following playlist from Mission Bible Class to learn some hand motions and new songs for VBS because we’re creating our own VBS curriculum this year.

Three

All my former Fundamentalist friends. Some of my ex-Fundie friends like Elizabeth Esther and Melissa are being quoted on the Josh Duggar issue. Eschet chayil!

Four

Phillip Yancey. I’m reading his book Vanishing Grace and it’s an interesting answer to his 20+ year old book What’s So Amazing About Grace?. One of the major premises is that it helps to think of the “lost” as the “thirsty”. As with What’s So Amazing About Grace?, he is unfortunately not having to struggle to come up with examples of Christians failing to treat others with grace.

Five

The “Arky Arky” Song. My church choir director hates it (or loves to claim that he hates it) and I’m sorely tempted to add it my list of VBS songs because he’s helping with music.

Go love up Rachel and the others.

The Simple Woman’s Daybook: May 25, 2015

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Simple Woman's Daybook

FOR TODAY May 25, 2015

Outside my window… dark. I was planning to get this done early but ended up having to spend 5 hours in the dark fighting a migraine. It was cold this morning but it seemed to get nicer later.

I am thinking… about VBS and what songs to teach because I’m co-leading the music and trying to come up with appropriate songs for the day, especially on the days that I’m leading it all. (We’re coming up with our own VBS curriculum this year which involves Legos and creativity.)

I am thankful… for Wycliffe, Lutheran Bible Translators, and all those who work with similar organizations that translate God’s Word into languages that others do not speak.

In the kitchen… I made myself some leftover pulled pork and baked beans for dinner.

I am wearing… grey v-neck shirt and navy/white-striped pj bottoms.

I am praying for… a call for Jon, the water sitch here in California, my father-in-law who is fighting cancer, and a few special intentions.

I am going… to physical therapy tomorrow. I’m seriously looking forward to it.

I am wondering… about so many things at this late hour. This must be why I’m still up! 🙂

I am reading… I finished Tragic Toppings, Drop Dead Chocolate, and Illegally Iced this week and am taking a break from murder mysteries (I had some Livia J. Washburn ones that I just couldn’t get into) to read Vanishing Grace by Phillip Yancey.

I am hoping… to get all the Jessica Beck books I’m missing through the library.

I am looking forward to… seeing my parents on the 5th for a week and getting to spend some time with Rebecca.

I am hearing… various VBS-type songs on one of the Mission Bible Class YouTube channels.

Crocheting… blankets and amigurumi stuff from the last few months.

Around the house… quiet as I’m the only one up.

One of my favorite things… silence.

A few plans for the rest of the week: PT tomorrow, Bible study/errands/choir on Wednesday, and a concert on Saturday in addition to whatever else comes up.

A peek into my day… One of my favorite Bach pieces (the “Fugue” movement from the Concerto for Two Pianos BWV 1061). I wish I could make this my ring tone for my cell phone.

Post Script… At Bible study last Wednesday, my priest was talking about how she doesn’t like to do Pentecost readings in multiple languages at once because the point was that everyone understood despite the myriad of languages present. She then said that she’d love to post different languages up on the walls of the sanctuary and I offered to help because languages/linguistics is one of my geeky pleasures. While putting Daniel to bed on Thursday night, I compiled a bunch of interesting languages and sent them to her, thinking that she’d pick 4-5 of them.

I walked in on Sunday morning and found all of them — 35 in all — posted on the walls. I was seriously jazzed and also kind of wishing that I’d gotten them in every language off of Bible Gateway and Unbound Bible. People were impressed and it was honestly a really fun way to serve my church in helping to put it together.

I think my next task is going to be going in there and getting every language possible to post.

Hosted by The Simple Woman.