The Simple Woman's Daybook - Tuesday, December 7th, 2010

Outside my window...Today was a much needed PJ day so I have no idea what was going on outside my window.  

Madi at the Table

I am thinking...about how proud I am of my daughter, Madi who is progressing fantastically in her home preschool materials.  She has begun to read and write and it's a delight.  (hey, that rhymed.)

I am thankful for...good friends, food and fellowship.

I am wearing...My PJ's of course!

I am remembering...Our first Christmas' as the Elliott family.  I was going down memory lane while uploading new pictures of this holiday season.   

I am currently reading...a ton of email and a couple new Christmas books on my Kindle. 

 

I am hoping....for a fantastic holiday season and a house for Christmas.  (fingers crossed)

On my mind...Holiday baking and crafting, gift-giving, not getting overwhelmed by all there is to do in a day. 

Noticing that...exercise can really be fun.  The kids and I tried out an exercise show I had set to record on the DVR the other day.  The show is called "Shimmy" and you really do as you work through a simple routine of belly-dancing moves.  Madi and I are already discussing costume ideas so we can shimmy and jingle like the ladies on TV.  I had taken lessons way back when so it was fun to dust off what I remembered and try something different.  We will be back at it tomorrow for sure.

Pondering these words...

"Lord, may we entertain joy during this Advent season regardless of our circumstances. Empower us to sing and shout out of our sickness, to dance in the midst of disability, to praise you through our pain, and to expect that you will turn our wilderness to fruitfulness for your glory. Amen."

Laura Bachman, The King’s Closet - Burlington,... WI

From the kitchen...fantastic food!  A few nights ago I got a little help from the store and made pizza.  It was so marvelous I took a picture of it.

My Yummy Pizza Creation

My mother came over on Monday and helped cook a holiday feast of green bean casserole, deviled eggs, sage dressing, southwest corn casserole, turkey breast with vegetables, veggie cutlets and pumpkin pie.  I am still eating on the leftovers but they are going fast. 

Our Beautiful Christmas Tree

Around the house...Christmas decorating has begun and is in full force.  My little tree is looking quite fantastic.  I am practicing more Christmas music on the piano and really enjoying myself.  I just love enjoyable practice time. 

One of my favorite things...my homemade pumpkin pie with lots of whipped cream.   

From my camera...a few early pictures of the holidays.  Enjoy!

Beautiful Poinsettias on the Kitchen Table

Oli & Madi Under the Christmas Tree

Dazzling Christmas Tree

Would you like to linger on the simple things...then join me and many others at "The Simple Woman's Daybook" in taking a little look into the day plans and thoughts of those who are focusing on simplicity...beauty of the 'everyday moments'. I will be posting a weekly update using this unique and simple format.

Peace: Advent Devotional - Week Two

Welcome to week two of this Advent season!  I have put together a series of musical devotionals that take us on a journey from Advent to Epiphany.  Each devotional in the series will include a visual word cloud that I hope aides in your reflection time, a Scripture passage, a music video, and a prayer.  If you missed last week's devotion, click Week One.

So take a minute to light a candle and reflect on today's message of Peace.

Scripture: Isaiah 2:1-5 (New Living Translation)

Isaiah 2

The Lord’s Future Reign

 ¹ This is a vision that Isaiah son of Amoz saw concerning Judah and Jerusalem:

 ² In the last days, the mountain of the Lord’s house
      will be the highest of all—
      the most important place on earth.
   It will be raised above the other hills,
      and people from all over the world will stream there to worship.
 ³ People from many nations will come and say,
   “Come, let us go up to the mountain of the Lord,
      to the house of Jacob’s God.
   There he will teach us his ways,
      and we will walk in his paths.”
   For the Lord’s teaching will go out from Zion;
      his word will go out from Jerusalem.
 ⁴ The Lord will mediate between nations
      and will settle international disputes.
   They will hammer their swords into plowshares
      and their spears into pruning hooks.
   Nation will no longer fight against nation,
      nor train for war anymore.
 ⁵ Come, descendants of Jacob,
      let us walk in the light of the Lord!

Song:  Casting Crowns - "I Heard The Bells on Christmas Day"




Prayer: O, Lord help us to find comfort in the quiet so that we may hear your voice and feel your peace.  Amen. 

*Special thanks to these online resources who helped me pull this together.

http://www.merriam-webster.com

http://thesaurus.com

http://www.wordle.net

http://www.biblegateway.com

Quote of the Week: "Christmas is a necessity. There has..."

"Christmas is a necessity.  There has to be at least one day of the year to remind us that we're here for something else besides ourselves."

~Eric Sevareid

Emily Elliott and Friends Sing

Some time in October I was approached by Paul, one of the Vice Presidents for our District United Methodist's Men here in Kansas City about sharing some music during their next Prayer Breakfast.  I was honored by the request and was even more excited when I learned that Rev. Congressman Emanuel Cleaver II was going to be the keynote speaker and it was going to be held at my church.  How could anyone pass that opportunity up?

When asked about specifics not too many parameters were given.  There was no theme for the day and the only songs that were requested were "Angel" by Sarah McLachlan and they wanted me to finish with "Amazing Grace".  The total music time did have to add up to at least 15 minutes.  Easily doable in my book.  Now I just had to pick out the songs and line up some friends to help.

I am quite lucky when it comes to having great friends in music.  I enlisted the help of Sharon on piano and Roger on guitar.  We have been playing together for the last year in One Spirit UMC's praise band so it wasn't a stretch for us to collaborate on another church music project. 

It took me a few weeks to narrow down the music selections.  I wanted to make sure that everything worked well together and would show our strengths as musicians.  I finally decided on this list of songs:

• "Be Thou My Vision"  arranged by Jars of Clay
• "Restless" by Audrey Assad and Matt Maher
• "Church in the Wildwood" by Dr. William S. Pitts
• "Angel" by Sarah McLachlan
• "Winter Snow" by Audrey Assad
• "Untitled Hymn: Come to Jesus" by Chris Rice
• "Amazing Grace" adapted and arranged by John Coates, Jr.

I always over plan for this type of performance.  I believe it is better to have too much music than not enough.  You never know when someone is going to come up and ask you to stretch things a bit because the speaker hasn't arrived yet, etc.  Well, we didn't have to worry because they actually had to cut us off before we were to sing "Amazing Grace" due to the fact that Rev. Congressman Cleaver had another obligation that day and couldn't stay much longer than his talk.  

Rev. Congressman Emanuel Cleaver II was very complimentary and even offered to take me with him to sing at his church when he left that day.  He spoke about our community and about our nation and how much we are in debt.  How our young people's values have shifted from the values of our older generations.  He charged us to be responsible with our money and not to be afraid to work hard to make a better life for ourselves and our children.  It was a very empowering message.

If I were to mention a downside to the day I would say that it was the fact we had to be there so early in the morning to set up and practice before breakfast was served.  I am not a morning person especially since I have had children.  No one seems to sleep when you want them to.  On a positive note I was able to put together a program of songs that I have always wanted to perform and that are some of my all time favorites.  I look forward to sharing more performances like that in the future.   

Video of the Week: O Come, O Come, Emmanuel

This traditional carol has been arranged in both English and Latin by Enya and Nicky Ryan and was a part of the 2008 album "And Winter Came..."

Enjoy this song of expectation for the Advent season!

O Come, O Come, Emmanuel - Enya 

 

Song Lyrics:

Oh come, oh come, Emmanuel
To free your captive Israel
That mourns in lonely exile here
Until the son of God appear
Rejoice, rejoice, oh Israel
To you shall come Emmanuel

Veni, veni Emmanuel
Captivum solve Israel
Qui gemit in exilio
Privates Dei Filio
Gaude, gaude, Emmanuel
Nascetur pro te, Israel

Gaude, gaude
Gaude, gaude
Gaude, gaude
Gaude, gaude

Gaude, gaude, Emmanuel
Nascetur pro te, Israel
Gaude, gaude, Emmanuel
Nascetur pro te, Israel