Compelled

Our journey continues...

Though I won't share details publicly through my blog, our hope of permanent employment for Fernando has yet again been put on hold.  Hope and anticipation were tossed about in unexpected waves rushing toward us, tumbling onto our shores.  It's so hard to hold on to Him, to hope and have faith, but so much inside my heart cries out that He is true, His plans are always good, He knows my heart, and He owns my life.  I am compelled to trust, when everything around me says otherwise.

Two of the girls in my driveway.

No matter the circumstances, His Spirit compels me--to trust, to hope, to sing.  When my trust wavers, He is faithful.  When my hope dims, His light shines.  When my song falters, His Spirit cries out in my heart.

Pink beard-tongue, a pretty flower that steadfastly grows, year after year.

I discovered a new hymn recently, thanks to a dear friend, Debbie.  She texted me last Sunday morning and suggested I look up a familiar hymn that had blessed her that very morning--My Father's World.  That prompted a YouTube search, and a discovery of some hymns by an artist I'm already familiar with.  And in searching her songs, I found this hymn I had never heard before.

And, although I'd rather cry yet again, I'd rather despair once more, I'd rather toss in the towel, His Spirit compels me to sing, through my tears, through my doubt.  Please listen, and read the words, and sing (and maybe cry) along with me.

My life flows on in endless song;

Above earth's lamentation,

I hear the sweet, tho' far-off hymn

That hails a new creation;

Thro' all the tumult and the strife

I hear the music ringing;

It finds an echo in my soul--

How can I keep from singing?

What tho' my joys and comforts die?

The Lord my Saviour liveth;

What tho' the darkness gather round?

Songs in the night He giveth.

No storm can shake my inmost calm

While to that refuge clinging;

Since Christ is Lord of heaven and earth,

How can I keep from singing?

I lift my eyes; the cloud grows thin;

I see the blue above it;

And day by day this pathway smooths,

Since first I learned to love it.

The peace of Christ makes fresh my heart,

A fountain ever springing;

All things are mine since I am His--

How can I keep from singing?

No storm can shake my inmost calm

While to that refuge clinging;

Since Christ is Lord of heaven and earth,

How can I keep from singing?

First published August 7, 1868,

in The New York Observer.

Titled "Always Rejoicing"

and attributed to "Pauline T."

Back to life,
Christine

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Danny Sings!!

Danny signed up for the UIC University Choir this semester, but something funny happened.  The choir director, Dr. Anderson, emailed his name over to the Chamber Choir director, Mr. Lewis, for consideration.  Danny sang a few scales and he was in the smaller, exclusive choir!

Another exciting fact:  Danny was singing a solo!  There is his name, in the program:

The first concert was held at Notre Dame de Chicago Church, a beautiful setting for what I thought was the best UIC concert I had ever heard.

The church's dome.

The combined choirs entered the sanctuary and ringed the seats with music before moving to the front.

If you want to hear the Danny and the UIC Chamber Choir sing, click on the link below!

UIC Chamber Choir Sings "Dark Night of the Soul" 

We took pictures afterwards to commemorate the evening.  We met Mr. Lewis, who praised Danny's talents and singing ability.  We are so thankful that Danny was able to sing with this group, which Mr. Lewis said was the best in all his years leading the Chamber Choir!

Back to life,
Christine

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The Lake -- Day Three

July 21.

Another beautiful day at the lake!  I snapped a few pictures around my parents' lake house before heading down to the dock.

Blue jay.

Mom's wind chimes.

The Jackson bears.

I set my camera aside at the dock so that I could chat with Judy (Allie's aunt) and play with little Sophia--we gathered stones and snails together, then lay them out on a little table to ooh and aah over our favorites.  She was such a cutie!

After lunch, we said our goodbye's to Allie's relatives and drove into Chaumont to visit Uncle Dave and Aunt Bonnie.  Allie took the opportunity to play beautiful music for us as we chatted on the porch.

Toward the end of the afternoon, my Aunt Bonnie sat down to play a bit, and Dad joined in with his harmonica.

We went to the Blue Heron for dinner, as is our tradition with Uncle Dave and Aunt Bonnie!

We made it home for another beautiful sunset, and I spent a peaceful evening down at the dock.

There was just enough clear sky to capture the sun sinking down before the clouds obscured it.  Such a beautiful reflection on the quiet lake, with the loon calling in the distance.


Back to life,
Christine

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Music Times Two

Danny was asked to sing a duet with his friend Andy, who takes voice lessons from Thomas Seidel.  So past Saturday morning, Fernando and I attended the recital to hear them sing.

Andy sang a solo first.

A little bit later in the program, Andy and Dan sang The Lord is My Shepherd.

They sounded wonderful!  We were so blessed to hear them sing.

We had to sneak out of the recital early, race back home, get ready and drive out west for Aelsa's graduation celebration.  Aelsa is daughter of the B. family, whose church is Grace Church, which Allie attends (I'm so sure you're keeping track of all our friends and their connections!).

As part of Aelsa's celebration, she planned a musical program for us!

Aelsa and her brothers perform a trio.

Allie accompanied Aelsa on the piano.

After the music portion, we shared refreshments (of course!) then retired to the field across the street to watch some of the attendees play volleyball.  And we sat and chatted with each other for quiet a while.  We talked away the afternoon, and everyone was invited back to the B. family's home for pizza and more fellowship, which we happily did.

Today was a great day for celebrating the accomplishments of our young people--these guys and girls who grew up and are living their lives for Jesus.  I thank the Lord when I see how He has worked in each of their lives, whether academically, musically, or spiritually.


Back to life,
Christine

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Almost Christmas

December 21.

A few days before Christmas, when our hearts are still filled with anticipation of celebrating the birth of Christ, sharing special time with family, opening our hearts with gifts to each other, spending sweet time in fellowship with friends...  It was a day for singing!

We hosted a neighborhood caroling party, with fellowship throughout the afternoon, a shared meal at dinnertime, and finally, singing from door to door in our neighborhood.  Here is the singing group, going through a few of the Christmas carols before heading out to knock on their first door:

They were gone for a long time, but--faithful as usual--they rang our own doorbell and caroled the few of us who stayed behind!

Gloria in Excelsis Deo!

Back to life,
Christine

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A Folksy Christmas

December 18.

My dad's folk music club put on a concert at the clubhouse at my parents' housing community last week!  It was a very special time for everyone--Fernando, Jacob, Danny and I went to enjoy it, and we surprised Dad with the guys' friends Caleb and Andy (brothers) who also love music.

My dad plays the harmonica.

When he introduces himself, he says he's the group's best harmonica player.  (Ahem--he's their only harmonica player!)

Singing and guitar playing, familiar Christmas songs, and some new to the ear.

Clapping along to the music.

This was a really fun evening out, especially to see my dad play and hear Christmas music!


Back to life,
Christine

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Step on Up, the Mic is Open!

Wednesday, August 6.

My beautiful sister-in-law's birthday was today, and after the sun went down, we headed over to the marina and the Phoenix for Open Mic Night.  The vast majority of the people there that night were family, and we all--family and friends--had a great time!

Yes, this is a bar.
Yes, there was beer. 
And pictures of beer.
Just so you know.

Back to life,
Christine

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