Cake

Something I started a long time ago.... (May 6th of 2009)


Can we have our cake and eat it too?

I volunteer at Easterby Elementary School doing outreach with Saturday Sports in a poorer section of Fresno.
I also have spent many hours volunteering at Neighborhood Thrift yet.....delighting in the fact that I live in a safe & affluent neighborhood.
Thinking these thoughts,
am I being hypocritical/inconsistent/insensitive?
Does this mindframe make my volunteering any less valuable or leave impressions in kingdom work without a kingdom life?
Am I living too simply?

Over the last few months my goal, anthem, and theme has been to: Simply Live.


Simply Live
Reading in Ephesians one day, I realized something I wasn't doing right. Although I was living, and living a life for God, I needed to adjust my focus. I needed to: live a life worthy of the calling (Ephesians 4:1). I needed to simply live.
Not necessarily live simply, but simply live. Live a life worthy of God's call of a life for Him. And that my dear, is simple. Not quite easy or uncomplicated, but not impossible or unachievable. And because of that, I can simply live. I must simply live

Polka dots and Moonbeams

mmm... this song just hits the spot!

A country dance was being held in a garden
I felt a bump and heard an "Oh, beg your pardon"
Suddenly I saw polka dots and moonbeams
All around a pug-nosed dream

The music started and was I the perplexed one
I held my breath and said "May I have the next one?"
In my frightened arms, polka dots and moonbeams
Sparkled on a pug-nosed dream

There were questions in the eyes of other dancers
As we floated over the floor
There were questions but my heart knew all the answers
And perhaps a few things more

Now in a cottage built of lilacs and laughter
I know the meaning of the words "Ever after"
And I'll always see polka dots and moonbeams
When I kiss the pug-nosed dream

mm, mm, mm-mm-mm!

For a late & light dinner, I had:
-a leftover potsticker with rice & veggies   and
-strawberry yogurt with some blueberries, strawberries, and cranberry, almond, cluster cereal all from Trader Joes.
yum!
so light, refreshing, yummy, and healthy!

WSM

Oh those three little letters. There are so many thoughts and memories wrapped up into that little acronym. sigh

I am involved with WSM (Well Student Ministries) and I am slowly starting to help lead a life group (Bible study) for junior and seniors in our high school group.
And although I have not been with WSM for very long, I have gotten to know my group of junior & senior girls pretty well.

While we have had many girls come and go, some consistent, some not so consistent, I have had a blast seeing God work in their lives.

Tonight was a fun time of reflecting, reviewing, giving advice, and honoring our graduating seniors & our three foreign exchange students. It was also definitely a time where I thought back to my senior night in high school. There was a lot of excitement finishing another school year, finally finishing high school, moving on to bigger and better, moving to another city to start college, and leaving the comfort, routine, and familiarity of home. Wow. The last few weeks of high school definitely included quite a handful of emotions!


Anyways, not that any of my girls will probably ever read this, but if you ever did, I want you to know that I am so grateful to have met you and get the chance to share life with you, and I will truly miss you next year Alex, Jenn, & Ally!
Good luck in your first year of college!
I know I certainly learned a lot during that first year! (which is definitely an understatement :) and I am so glad that I was fortunate enough to go to a school out of town just like two of you. My parents are huge supporters for me and I am so glad that you all have your parents' support and encouragement & finances to go into this next stage of life!
God has big things in store for all of you and knows how your first year out of high school will turn out- I urge you to continue following Him!

And now, onto the foreign exchange students who are returning to your home countries in a few weeks!
Tanya, Kristine, and Loretta, I am so glad that I met each of you, for every conversation we have had, and for the opportunity to live life with you!
Each one of you has taught myself and our group so very much about living in a foreign country, going to a new school, living with a new (and sometimes drastically different) family, about living in a completely foreign (for a lack of better words) environment, community, and world. You have taught us about God, your personal & host families, and about the struggle to live a 'normal' life far removed from your previous version of normal.
Thank you for stepping out in faith and choosing to live in the US, California, and in Fresno and Clovis.
Just as your lives will forever be changed by your time spent here in the US, my life will be changed from knowing you!

Lastly,
to all the junior, senior, and foreign exchange girls in our life group, Thanks!
Thank you for living with us, teaching us, and loving with us!
I have loved meeting every one of you and I am so thankful that God has placed you in WSM and in my life!
You are amazing, beautiful, and awesome girls and I thank God for each one of you!
You are a blessing, you are a gift, and you are a crazy amount of fun!

A few thoughts:

Hunger savors every dish.

and:


Luke 6:44-45
Each tree is recognized by its own fruit. People do not pick figs from thornbushes, or grapes from briers. The good man brings good things out of the good stored up in his heart, and the evil man brings evil things out of the evil stored up in his heart. For out of the overflow of his heart his mouth speaks.

among other things....

among other things, these songs have taught, touched, and resonated within me for awhile.
enjoy :)
Sort Of, The House of God Forever, Grace Like Rain,
'Tis So Sweet to Trust in Jesus, Only You,  
O, For A Thousand Tongues To Sing




oh my.
this song.
gets to me. every time.
the piano, the voice.
the melody, the harmony, the lyrics.
everything is beautiful & said quite loverly.

Sort Of  - Ingrid Michaelson

Baby you've got the sort of hands to rip me apart
And baby you've got the sort of face to start this old heart
But your eyes are warning me this early morning
That my love's too big for you my love

Baby you've got the sort of laugh that waters me
And makes me grow tall and strong and proud and flattens me
I find you stunning, but you are running me down
My love's too big for you my love
My love's too big for you my love

And if I was stronger then I would tell you no
And if I was stronger then I will leave this show
And if I was stronger then I would up and go
But here I am and here we go again

Baby you've got the sort of eyes that tell me tales
That your sort of mouth just will not say, the truth impales
That you don't need me, but you won't leave me
My love's too big for you my love
My love's too big for you my love

And if I was stronger then I would tell you no
And if I was stronger then I will leave this show
And if I was stronger then I would up and go
But here I am and here we go again

Tell me what to do to take away the you?

And if I was stronger then I would tell you no.
And if I was stronger then I will leave this show
And if I was stronger then I would up and go
But here I am and here we go again


The House of God Forever  - Jon Foreman

God is my shepherd
I won't be wanting
I won't be wanting
He makes me rest
In fields of green
With quite streams
Even though I walk
Through the valley
Of death and dying
I will not fear
'Cause you are with me
You are with me

Your shepherd staff
Comforts me
You are my feast
In the presence of enemy
Surely goodness
Follow me
Follow me
In the house of God, forever

God is my shepherd
I won't be wanting
I won't be wanting
He makes me rest
In fields of green
Like quiet streams
Even while I'm walking
Through the valley
Of death and dying
I will not fear
'Cause you are with me
You're always with me

Your shepherd staff
Comforts me
You are my feast
In the presence of enemy
Surely goodness
Follow me
Follow me
In the house of God, forever
In the house of God, forever
In the house of God, forever

Grace Like Rain  -  Todd Agnew

Amazing grace, how sweet the sound
That saved a wretch like me
I once was lost but now I'm found
Was blind but now I see so clearly

Chorus:
Hallelujah, grace like rain falls down on me
Hallelujah, all my stains are washed away, washed away

'Twas grace that taught my heart to fear
And grace my fears relieved
How precious did that grace appear
The hour I first believed

Chorus

When we've been there ten thousand years
Bright shining as the sun
We've no less days to sing Your praise
Than when we first begun

Chorus

Chorus

'Tis So Sweet To Trust In Jesus  - Alan Jackson

'Tis so sweet to trust in Jesus,
And to take him at his word;
Just to rest upon his promise,
And to know, "Thus saith the Lord."

[Refrain:]
Jesus, Jesus, how I trust him!
How I've proved him o'er and o'er!
Jesus, Jesus, precious Jesus!
O for grace to trust him more!

I'm so glad I learned to trust thee,
Precious Jesus, Savior, friend;
And I know that thou art with me,
Wilt be with me to the end.

[Refrain:]
Jesus, Jesus, how I trust him!
How I've proved him o'er and o'er!
Jesus, Jesus, precious Jesus!
O for grace to trust him more!

Only You - David Crowder Band

Take my heart, I Lay it down
At the feet of you whose crowned
Take my life, I’m letting go
I lift it upto You who’s throned

And I will worship You, Lord
Only You, Lord
And I will bow down before You
Only You Lord

Take my fret, take my fear
All I have, I’m leaving here
Be all my hopes, be all my dreams
Be all my delights, be my everything

And It’s just you and me here now
Only you and me here now

You should see the view
When it’s only You

O, For a Thousand Tongues To Sing  -  David Crowder Band

O, for a thousand tongues to sing
My great Redeemer’s praise
The glories of my God and King
The triumphs of His grace

My gracious Master and my God
Assist me to proclaim
To spread through all the earth abroad
The honors of Thy name

So come on and sing out
Let our anthem grow loud
There is one great love Jesus

Jesus, the name that charms our fears
That bids our sorrows cease
‘Tis music in the sinner’s ears
‘Tis life and health and peace

He breaks the power of cancelled sin
He sets the prisoners free
His blood can make the foulest clean
His blood availed for me

He speaks and listening to His voice
New life the dead receive
The mournful broken hearts rejoice
The humble poor believe

Glory to God and praise and love
Be ever, ever giv’n
By saints below and saints above
The church in earth and Heav’n

There are so few words
That never grow old
There are so few words
That never grow old
Jesus

current songs

New songs I have been loving:

first, and foremost: a little silliness:


and onto more important matters:



and another: