Then the seventh angel sounded; and there were loud voices in heaven, saying,
“The kingdom of the world has become the kingdom of our Lord and of His Christ;
and He will reign forever and ever.”
And the twenty-four elders, who sit on their thrones before God, fell on their faces
and worshiped God, saying,
“We give you thanks, O Lord God, the Almighty, who are and who were, because
You have taken Your great power and have begun to reign.
Night Songs
And Lord, haste the day when the faith shall be sight,
The clouds be rolled back as a scroll;
The trump shall resound, and the Lord shall descend,
Even so, it is well with my soul.
Worthy is the Lamb that was slain
to receive power and riches
and wisdom and might and honour
and glory and blessing.
To Him who sits on the throne,
and to the Lamb,
be blessing
and honour
and glory
and dominion
forever and ever.
Amen.
Sunshine State
Hello friends!! I have a couple quick minutes here before me and Maryanne go off to meet Mom for lunch(her work break!). I’m definitely a little more awake than the last time I posted here a few days ago…it definitely helps that it’s not almost midnight! We’ve been staying up late pretty much every night I’ve been here, but that is entirely proper and not a bad thing at all! Last night(Christmas night!) following our epic dinner of burgers, oven-roasted potatoes, asparagus and the remnants of the sweet red wine…we watched another episode of Jack as we enjoyed ice cream(with Dad’s honey-based chocolate sauce!)…then even though I think we meant to get ready for bed after that, we got distracted watching a 60 Minutes feature on Hamilton and I of course couldn’t say no to that. Hearing Miranda talk about his emotions and inspiration behind writing the musical – and seeing clips of it! – was well worth staying up a little later! Then…did we go to bed? Nah. Me and Dad and Maryanne stayed up even later watching the end of the Broncos/Chiefs game! Good times.
And I probably should describe more of Christmas day, but I shall not now. It was indeed sad that Laura and Caisson couldn’t be with us…we missed them dearly. But thank God for the miracles of technology – namely, the cellular phone – that enabled us to chat to Laura anyway!!
Now – I need to fly off to meet Mom…and then shortly I shall literally fly off to Houston. Sad day. I always get a little depressed on my leaving day, especially as I know not when I shall return. But now, I simply thank my God for giving me such precious times here in Florida with my wonderful most favorite family in the world…being here and having such lovely times talking with Dad and Mom and Maryanne…I cannot express all that is in my heart. And even above that joy…the peace and love that fills my heart as I think on the gift of God to me. The precious gift of salvation – eternal peace and unbounded joy and unsought for love and bliss indescribable. Oh Lord my God, I love you so – my light, my song, my salvation. Be near to me, God I pray – let me ne’er forget all You have done for me. My words are feeble, my eyes dim, yet I shall offer all I have in worship to my God.
What more can I say? Peace and love, dear friends.
Wonderful Life
Evening, friends. And…Merry-almost-Christmas!!!!! It’s 18 minutes away and I really should be asleep by now!! But I can’t help it – must write a few words, especially as I haven’t posted anything this whole holiday thus far!! I could write so much about how delightfully relaxing this past week has been, here with the family…but I shall refrain. Just know it’s been lovely. And tonight – oh what a perfect Christmas Eve night. Begun by a perfect dinner(Mom’s fettucine alfredo, salad, shrimp, and red wine….), after doing dishes, we(Mom, Dad, Maryanne and I – oh how I miss Laura, but she and Caisson are with his family…) continued by opening a few gifts and then reading the story of Christmas – God becoming man.. for us!!! Truly the most wonderful story ever told. We then proceeded on our annual Christmas walk. Went outside, and walked around the block and looked at all the Christmas lights and gazed up at the stars shining bright in the night sky. It was beautiful. Soon enough, we made it back to our house and we got down to watching another episode of Jack(…I mean, 24!! We’re continuing our grand tradition of watching 24 over Christmas break…season 6 currently) along with cherry pie. Once that was done(the episode and the pie!), we watched the end of It’s A Wonderful Life together and I just soaked in the beauty of the moment….
And so – yes, I have described much of the fun things we did tonight(and the food we enjoyed!!!), but the best part was just talking and laughing and discussing life and love and God Himself with my dear, dear family. Oh how deeply am I blessed. All my thanksgiving and praise to God most high. Forever and always.
Merry Christmas Eve, my most loved friends. Tonight, rest in the arms of our Lord Jesus Christ and be full of joy and peace as you think on the mercies of God. Oh! How good it is to be near God.
Faithful
Hello friends, and happy Monday!! On this beautifully cold morning, I cannot help but rejoice!! It was (seriously!) 33 degrees this morning as I drove in to work. What is this wonderful cold weather doing here!? I have no idea, but I am so thankful to God for granting such a gorgeous weekend to me. A very proper last day in Houston, I do say. I get to enjoy my peppermint mocha and slowly warm up here in the office…this is simply fantastic. And yes, last day in Houston! Tonight I fly off Florida way for a week – hurrah! Of course, I’ll miss my friends here, but a week with the family will be oh so much enjoyed…of that I have no doubt.
And this past weekend has indeed been one in which I have been blessed by God exceedingly. As I have been praying to God for guidance in various matters, I have been reminded anew how blessed I have been here in Houston with the friends God has given me. Saturday night – was able to enjoy a fun and relaxing night over at Camille and Erin’s place with John – we had dinner and watched The Secret Life of Walter Mitty. Then yesterday, after a sweet morning of worship at church, I went home and got a few things done…then went and picked up Julie for our Sunday movie adventure – LA LA Land. It was a simply lovely movie, bittersweet and tinged with nostalgia, yet currents of joy running throughout. I think I will buy this one when it comes out…that’s how much I enjoyed! It had lots of good music as well – that definitely didn’t hurt! Afterwards, Julie and I went out and got dinner and simply had a fantastic time talking and chatting about so so many things…this was our last time to hang out before I go to Florida tonight and she’s off to France tomorrow! So we made the most of it. Such a dear friend is she. And then I came home and me and John had some quality talking time. So encouraging is he!! I am oh so blessed to have him as a roommate. And then…I finished reading my book(Swiftly Tilting Planet – I have realised lately how influenced my writing has been by reading L’Engle’s works. My writing takes after hers more than I thought!!). My next book is going to be a re-read of Name of the Wind. It is time.
And now, I do write too much. One last day of furious work. Then…homeward bound.
Peace, my friends – peace and love.
Constellations
Morning, friends!! I am quite sleepy this morning…really, I felt like going back to bed as soon as I woke up. But I did not. Made my tea, read a few words(Psalms + Proverbs + Song of Solomon!) and then traversed the busy highways to my work place, where I am now sitting. About to officially start work, but wanted to share a few words that always comfort me during times like this…(And coincidentally enough…been able to hear these same words as I’ve been listening to the Messiah recently on my commute!)
Come to Me, all who who are
weary and heavy-laden,
and I will give you rest.
Take My yoke upon you
and learn from Me,
for I am gentle and humble in heart,
and you will find rest
for your souls.
For my yoke is easy and My burden
is light.
-Jesus Christ
A Note Upon the Wind
Happy Friday friends!! Now in the office about to rock this last day of the work week. Beautifully cold outside this morning – a brilliant forty degrees – so I was able to wear my black cashmere sweater today. Hurrah! And then I drove into work and got to listen to my very favorite Christmas CD – Trans-Siberian Orchestra’s sublime Christmas Eve & Other Stories. Beautifully inspiring and warmly encouraging and deeply moving. And now, my friends…time to wrap my hands around my peppermint mocha and continue to enjoy this day that the Lord has made. Peace.
Arrowhead
Hey friends!! Thursday night update here…just thought I’d write quickly as my burritos are five minutes away from being done. (And yes, this is my first grand burrito dinner – complete with avocado/tomato/lime salad! – in new flat) Earnie was going to come over tonight to hang out, because it’s been far too long…but sadly, we’re going to have to wait for that long awaited chat time a little longer since he had to take care of some things. But as I told him, it’s all good…since it’s Thursday night football time! Chiefs are playing the Raiders and it should be a pretty fun cold-weather game! So yes, that is my night…as temperatures drop outside, I’m inside nice and cosy in my flannel shirt, eating burritos and watching football. Simple pleasures. Have a wonderful night, my friends!!!
Sanguine Eyes
Hi friends, happy Thursday! Just jotting down a few words here before I start work…it’s a nice cold morning and set to get a lot colder!! According to our wise weather prognosticators, temperature is going to drop steadily throughout the day, possibly even to freezing point! I came fully prepared today, wearing my turtleneck and sweater – so excited! Sad how happy cold weather will make me, but there you go! Also, last night was simply beautiful. Sarah Hadley just started working at this coffee shop nearby(2nd Cup) and once I realised I could walk there in about 20 minutes…I got up and did just that! Had a great post-dinner walk through the crisp almost-wintry air enjoying walking through my neighborhood…then a nice cup of cocoa at coffee shop! Got to chat with Sarah for a bit before deciding not to distract her anymore. And so my evening was finished off by sitting and drinking my cocoa and reading Faith and Life by Warfield…meditating on the wonders that is the incomprehensible fullness of the love of Christ…for us. And that, my friends, is a good night.
Peace and love.
Traveler
Grey skies and white flakes of snow and wind billowing in indifferent harmonies
Pole strikes upon the hard-packed snow and soon enough the heavens part
Blue dazzling, triumphant, brilliantly defiant
And the sky cavernous beckons.
Something Weird 