Friday, February 15, 2008
What is a Valentine?
According to Merriam Webster a "valentine" is 1: a sweetheart chosen or complimented on Valentine's Day Labels: Holiday, Personal Interest
When I went to WalMart yesterday I saw a familiar face loading groceries into her car. It was the waitress that usually serves me at a local diner so I said "hello!".
She replied and greeted me with "Happy Valentines Day!"
That got me to wondering why this person would wish me a happy Valentine's day? She only ever sees me at the diner alone so she has no reason to believe I have a valentine. I am virtually a stranger to her, at most an acquaintance I know from the restaurant, so I find it bizarre that I was greeted with a "happy Valentine's day".
Why do people wish "Happy Valentine's Day" to people they hardly know? What is this Valentine's Holiday anyway? What good is it for single people? If you have no valentine there really is no reason to "celebrate" it is there?
Posted by Susan L. Prince at 11:03 AM
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Friday, December 14, 2007
Yule Be Entertained!
Labels: entertainment, Holiday
Amy posted this YouTube video and calls in the Best Christmas Performance Ever. I followed a link from her comment at the Moral Science Club where Jim was calling the Bing Crosby and David Bowie duet the greatest ever. I do recommend viewing the above video, yule get a chuckle from it and be impressed by the talent as well.
I have so many Christmas favorites, it's hard to call any one of them the "greatest ever", but it sure is fun to bring out the old tunes year after year. It seems my true Christmas favorites are songs that take me back to my childhood.
Do they make any "classics" anymore? What is the most recent song that has become a Christmas standard? One might say "The Christmas Shoes" by Newsong, or possibly "Mary Did You Know" sung by many artists in the past few years. I'd say the Trans-Siberian Orchestra has created Christmas classics with their rock opera styled music and show, but classics are few and far between. Then again, that's what makes them classic.
Posted by Susan L. Prince at 10:50 AM
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Wednesday, November 28, 2007
Then He Smiled At Me
The Little Drummer Boy by the Harry Simeone Chorale is one of my favorite Christmas songs. It started to play in the car today on a burned disc I made of some Christmas favorites. When the brummm brummm brummm started I turned up the volume, but Katie grimaced and expressed disinterest in this song. Labels: christianity, entertainment, Holiday
Repost from December 14, 2005
I was puzzled, how could this be? I said "whaaat? This is one of my favorites and I can't listen to it and not tear up!" I decided Katie must not get out of this song what I do, so I decided to explain it to her and maybe give her some insight and perspective she has not considered before. After I was done, she admitted that she now hears the song differently and wants to hear it again!
While the song played, I would stop the player now and then to emphasize the lyric and what it means...what it means to me. (I don't know if how I interpret the song has anything to do with the author's/composer's inspiration or thought that was meant to convey, but it is what I get out of the song. This is solely my own interpretation.) Come, they told me (pa-rum-pa-pa-pum)
The first verse of the song basically sets the stage and this young boy was told that these people were traveling to see a newborn baby who would someday be a king. People are bringing all sorts of gifts to honor him.
A new-born King to see (pa-rum-pa-pa-pum)
Our finest gifts we bring (pa-rum-pa-pa-pum)
To lay before the King (pa-rum-pa-pa-pum
rum-pa-pa-pum, rum-pa-pa-pum)
So to honor Him (pa-rum-pa-pa-pum)
When we come
Baby Gesu (pa-rum-pa-pa-pum)
I am a poor boy, too (pa-rum-pa-pa-pum)
I have no gift to bring (pa-rum-pa-pa-pum)
That's fit to give a King (pa-rum-pa-pa-pum
rum-pa-pa-pum, rum-pa-pa-pum)
Shall I play for you (pa-rum-pa-pa-pum)
On my drum?
Mary nodded (pa-rum-pa-pa-pum)
The ox and lamb kept time (pa-rum-pa-pa-pum)
I played my drum for Him (pa-rum-pa-pa-pum)
I played my best for Him (pa-rum-pa-pa-pum
rum-pa-pa-pum, rum-pa-pa-pum)
Then, He smiled at me (pa-rum-pa-pa-pum)
Me and my drum
Now this is when the song gets really interesting!
"Baby Gesu, I am a poor boy too, I have no gift to bring that's fit to give a king" The kid identifies with the babe because he sees Him as "poor". He's born in a stable, wrapped in cloth amongst the beasts of burden, and it's cold. The boy probably thinks that this kid is in need of some of the gifts that are being given to him, yet, because he is a "poor boy too", he didn't bring anything. He didn't bring anything at all that would be worthy to give a king. I wonder, was the boy embarrassed? Was he curious as to what the fuss was all about? Maybe he felt somewhat self-conscious that all these people were there bearing gifts, and he had not one thing to give. Did the boy feel ashamed? Unworthy perhaps? Do you ever feel that way? Do you ever feel unworthy..unfit to see the King?
Imagine that...having nothing to give Him. We do have NOTHING to give Him that He has not already given everything to us! But, there is one thing we can give Him. The one thing we can give to God that He doesn't first give to us is praise and worship. So, the boy stands before the baby in a manger, with no gift to give Him, and asks him "shall I play for you on my drum?"
I had to stop the player at this point! Think about this...The kid says he has "nothing", but he has everything God has gifted him with. The kid plays a mean drum! So, what does he do with the gift God gave him? He gives it right back to God! I LOVE THAT! God gave us all gifts...we are supposed to give them back to Him! It is called worship!
I restart the song where we left off. So now what is the answer? Can he play his drum? Here is this tired mother who just hours ago gave birth to a seven pound, ten ounce baby (Obgyn 1:1) and here comes this dirty, poor, young boy asking to play a drum. It is quiet. The babe is resting, the mother is still and kindly accepting the gifts coming to him from the respectful visitors, the animals are hushed and the night is still. All that is heard is the crackle of the fire warming the area and casting a flickering, dim light on the people, and here comes a boy and a DRUM! A drum! I'm sure Mary was thrilled with the idea of him banging a drum! Imagine a kid coming to play a drum at the next baby shower you attend! Drums are not usually welcome at those events! LOL
The next verse is one verse that blows me away...Mary nodded. This is a nod of affirmation from a tender-hearted mother, and then the boy begins to play. Creation joined in when The ox and lamb kept time. (Psalm 96:9 "Worship the LORD in the splendor of his holiness; tremble before him, all the earth.") The moment was filled with praise and worship because one young boy played his drum, offering the gift God gave him back to His Lord. The Little Drummer Boy was the first worship leader!
I played my drum for Him, I played my best for Him! That's all the kid knew to do! He gave it his everything too and here is where the music really begins to crescendo. The animals have joined in, the people bearing gifts are listening and clapping maybe and tapping their feet to the sound of the drum. The music continues to build to an intense climax and then the drumming stops. It ends suddenly with a decrescendo, a brummmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm that fades away into silence. The little drummer boy stops playing.
Now the great pause!
Silence...for just a moment.
What transpires in that moment? The boy has just offered his best performance on his drum. Was it enough? Was it enough to please the king...the tiny baby lying before him? There is anticipation in the air...the animals are quiet, the gift-bearing crowd is awaiting the next moment, wondering if the boy's gift of drumming had any impact at all? Everyone is still and quiet waiting for something...anything...to happen next. Then....
(slightly slower tempo here to contrast the climax of the drummer's offering.)
He smiled at me,
Me and my drum.
That's the line that gets me every time! I can hardly listen and not have tears well up.
"Well done my good and faithful servant" is what that says to me!
The Little Drummer Boy is such an impacting story to me, and I enjoy the vocal interpretation by the Harry Simeone Chorale to help convey the tenderness, majesty, mercifullness and joy of this story. We come to the Lord with all we have, which without Him, is nothing. We deserve nothing. Yet, he gives. He gives us all we have. He gave us His One and Only Son, who died and was raised. We praise Him for that. We worship Him. We are to worship Him with everything that He gave us...our heart, soul, mind and strength! And a drum...or whatever else He has gifted you with! When you do that...He will smile at you. So, play your drum!
Posted by Susan L. Prince at 10:47 AM
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Friday, November 23, 2007
Another Black Friday in Retail
I made it! I made it through another "Black Friday"...this was my 12th Black Friday in a row, and it was just about the one that took me down! Whew! What a day! Labels: Holiday, Personal Interest
I don't know why it seemed so overwhelming today. We were organized, had a plan in place, we were ready! We were psyched! We were running on adrenaline! SUUUURGE! Then the doors opened and whooooooooooooooooosh! People everywhere!
It was like a tsunami!
We were all being pulled in eighteen different directions at once! It was almost comical how crazy it was! I love it!
Black Friday shoppers are pretty experienced about this annual craziness so customers for the most part were patient and understood when we ran out of items, and for that I am thankful.
So, after all that, business drops off to almost normal in about 3 hours. So, why on earth do retailers year after year open so early? Spending the extra labor and time when really all you do is shift the sales to the early part of the day? It's kind of like the shift in daylight hours for daylight savings? Maybe we need Black Friday Savings Time!?!?
Anyway, apparantly some number crunchers are gonna be watching this years Black Friday results with scrutiny.
Posted by Susan L. Prince at 5:21 PM
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Sunday, November 18, 2007
Elf Yourself
C'mon, you gotta try it! Labels: entertainment, Holiday
I guarantee it will put a smile on your face...you'll see!
CLICK HERE TO ELF YOURSELF!
LOL
I elfed me, my dad, Chief Wahoo, and Ma.
Posted by Susan L. Prince at 7:38 PM
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Sunday, November 11, 2007
Taps
Today was Veteran's Day. Labels: entertainment, Holiday, Personal Interest
Thank you veteran's of war...for fighting for the freedoms I enjoy as an American. Thank you families of servicemen and women for your sacrifice as well. Let us never take what you do, and have done, for granted.
Today I was honored to play "Taps" at the conclusion of the concert with the Jackson Symphonic Winds. This was not something I had planned to do, but was asked by the conductor shortly before the start of the program which was patriotically themed in honor of Veteran's Day. He came up with the idea to read the "unofficial" lyrics to taps, and then have me play it.
Taps is not a technical challenge to play, however, what makes it difficult is the fact that it is somber and it is to be played reverently. It's performance commands the attention and focus of an audience, therefore all eyes and ears are on the performer. I was humbled to perform it today.
Tonight, I received one of the best compliments on a performance I have ever received. It had to do with Taps and the email reads "...your taps gave me goose bumps." 
Day is done, Gone the sun
From the lakes, From the hills, From the sky
All is well, safely rest.
God is nigh.
Fading light, Dims the sight
And a star, Gems the sky, Gleaning bright
From afar, Drawing nigh,
Falls the night.
Thanks and praise, For our days,
Neath the sun, Neath the stars, Neath the sky,
As we go, This we know,
God is nigh.
Thank you to all veterans!
When I remember what freedom costs, it gives me goosebumps.
Posted by Susan L. Prince at 9:17 PM
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Saturday, December 16, 2006
Christmas
Labels: Holiday
Katie is the one responsible for the festive look of the house this year. Well, this year and every year. I think she did a great job again! (Click for a bigger pic)
I'm not one for doing all the decorating, I don't know why because I sure do like the look. I guess it is too much work and I'm too lazy!
I can't believe Christmas is a week away and it was +60° today. It just doesn't seem like Christmas without cooler temperatures, but I'm not complaining...I do not like it cold!
Posted by Susan L. Prince at 3:20 PM
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Thursday, December 07, 2006
The Little Drummer Boy
The Little Drummer Boy by the Harry Simeone Chorale is one of my favorite Christmas songs. It started to play in the car today on a burned disc I made of some Christmas favorites. When the brummm brummm brummm started I turned up the volume, but Katie grimaced and expressed disinterest in this song. Labels: christianity, entertainment, HolidayRepost from December 14, 2005
I was puzzled, how could this be? I said "whaaat? This is one of my favorites and I can't listen to it and not tear up!" I decided Katie must not get out of this song what I do, so I decided to explain it to her and maybe give her some insight and perspective she has not considered before. After I was done, she admitted that she now hears the song differently and wants to hear it again!
While the song played, I would stop the player now and then to emphasize the lyric and what it means...what it means to me. (I don't know if how I interpret the song has anything to do with the author's/composer's inspiration or thought that was meant to convey, but it is what I get out of the song. This is solely my own interpretation.) Come, they told me (pa-rum-pa-pa-pum)
The first verse of the song basically sets the stage and this young boy was told that these people were traveling to see a newborn baby who would someday be a king. People are bringing all sorts of gifts to honor him.
A new-born King to see (pa-rum-pa-pa-pum)
Our finest gifts we bring (pa-rum-pa-pa-pum)
To lay before the King (pa-rum-pa-pa-pum
rum-pa-pa-pum, rum-pa-pa-pum)
So to honor Him (pa-rum-pa-pa-pum)
When we come
Baby Gesu (pa-rum-pa-pa-pum)
I am a poor boy, too (pa-rum-pa-pa-pum)
I have no gift to bring (pa-rum-pa-pa-pum)
That's fit to give a King (pa-rum-pa-pa-pum
rum-pa-pa-pum, rum-pa-pa-pum)
Shall I play for you (pa-rum-pa-pa-pum)
On my drum?
Mary nodded (pa-rum-pa-pa-pum)
The ox and lamb kept time (pa-rum-pa-pa-pum)
I played my drum for Him (pa-rum-pa-pa-pum)
I played my best for Him (pa-rum-pa-pa-pum
rum-pa-pa-pum, rum-pa-pa-pum)
Then, He smiled at me (pa-rum-pa-pa-pum)
Me and my drum
Now this is when the song gets really interesting!
"Baby Gesu, I am a poor boy too, I have no gift to bring that's fit to give a king" The kid identifies with the babe because he sees Him as "poor". He's born in a stable, wrapped in cloth amongst the beasts of burden, and it's cold. The boy probably thinks that this kid is in need of some of the gifts that are being given to him, yet, because he is a "poor boy too", he didn't bring anything. He didn't bring anything at all that would be worthy to give a king. I wonder, was the boy embarrassed? Was he curious as to what the fuss was all about? Maybe he felt somewhat self-conscious that all these people were there bearing gifts, and he had not one thing to give. Did the boy feel ashamed? Unworthy perhaps? Do you ever feel that way? Do you ever feel unworthy..unfit to see the King?
Imagine that...having nothing to give Him. We do have NOTHING to give Him that He has not already given everything to us! But, there is one thing we can give Him. The one thing we can give to God that He doesn't first give to us is praise and worship. So, the boy stands before the baby in a manger, with no gift to give Him, and asks him "shall I play for you on my drum?"
I had to stop the player at this point! Think about this...The kid says he has "nothing", but he has everything God has gifted him with. The kid plays a mean drum! So, what does he do with the gift God gave him? He gives it right back to God! I LOVE THAT! God gave us all gifts...we are supposed to give them back to Him! It is called worship!
I restart the song where we left off. So now what is the answer? Can he play his drum? Here is this tired mother who just hours ago gave birth to a seven pound, ten ounce baby (Obgyn 1:1) and here comes this dirty, poor, young boy asking to play a drum. It is quiet. The babe is resting, the mother is still and kindly accepting the gifts coming to him from the respectful visitors, the animals are hushed and the night is still. All that is heard is the crackle of the fire warming the area and casting a flickering, dim light on the people, and here comes a boy and a DRUM! A drum! I'm sure Mary was thrilled with the idea of him banging a drum! Imagine a kid coming to play a drum at the next baby shower you attend! Drums are not usually welcome at those events! LOL
The next verse is one verse that blows me away...Mary nodded. This is a nod of affirmation from a tender-hearted mother, and then the boy begins to play. Creation joined in when The ox and lamb kept time. (Psalm 96:9 "Worship the LORD in the splendor of his holiness; tremble before him, all the earth.") The moment was filled with praise and worship because one young boy played his drum, offering the gift God gave him back to His Lord. The Little Drummer Boy was the first worship leader!
I played my drum for Him, I played my best for Him! That's all the kid knew to do! He gave it his everything too and here is where the music really begins to crescendo. The animals have joined in, the people bearing gifts are listening and clapping maybe and tapping their feet to the sound of the drum. The music continues to build to an intense climax and then the drumming stops. It ends suddenly with a decrescendo, a brummmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm that fades away into silence. The little drummer boy stops playing.
Now the great pause!
Silence...for just a moment.
What transpires in that moment? The boy has just offered his best performance on his drum. Was it enough? Was it enough to please the king...the tiny baby lying before him? There is anticipation in the air...the animals are quiet, the gift-bearing crowd is awaiting the next moment, wondering if the boy's gift of drumming had any impact at all? Everyone is still and quiet waiting for something...anything...to happen next. Then....
(slightly slower tempo here to contrast the climax of the drummer's offering.)
He smiled at me,
Me and my drum.
That's the line that gets me every time! I can hardly listen and not have tears well up.
"Well done my good and faithful servant" is what that says to me!
The Little Drummer Boy is such an impacting story to me, and I enjoy the vocal interpretation by the Harry Simeone Chorale to help convey the tenderness, majesty, mercifullness and joy of this story. We come to the Lord with all we have, which without Him, is nothing. We deserve nothing. Yet, he gives. He gives us all we have. He gave us His One and Only Son, who died and was raised. We praise Him for that. We worship Him. We are to worship Him with everything that He gave us...our heart, soul, mind and strength! And a drum...or whatever else He has gifted you with! When you do that...He will smile at you. So, play your drum!
Posted by Susan L. Prince at 9:07 AM
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Thursday, November 23, 2006
Did She Turn It On?
Katie is at a friends celebrating Thankgiving with them for a little while. Before she left, she put the turkey in the oven and planned to return home around 2:30 at which time we will share our Thanksgiving feast with turkey and all the trimmings. Labels: Holiday
Good thing Tiffany walked out here and checked on the turkey. She looked at the oven and asked "Does mom know she didn't turn the oven on?"
"WHAAAAAAAT?" I frantically inquired
"She didn't turn the oven on" Tif repeated.
So Tif called her mom and I heard a muffled "WHAAAAAAT?!" over the phone.
LOL
I guess we are going to eat around 4 now.
Until then I'll sing my "Gobble Song" and eagerly await dinner.
Posted by Susan L. Prince at 2:29 PM
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Tuesday, July 04, 2006
Independence Day
Its now Independence Day, 4:40 AM. Although my body is tired beyond any stretch of the imagination, I'm finding it difficult to find slumber for my soul. The restlessness I'm experiencing at this moment has been ongoing for quite some time. Some of this is due to health complications but, I think the majority of my restlessness comes from the deepest part of me, the core of my being that cant seem to stay focused on whats really important in life. Labels: christianity, Holiday
I find myself questioning what Im supposed to be doing. Am I doing the right thing? Ive lost a connection I once had with my Savior. Ive lost my childlike faith. So, I incessantly worry. This is the one thing I know God does NOT want me to do (see Matthew 6:25-28). I used to trust God with the most difficult circumstances. I remember the process of the divorce I experienced 5 years ago. I had so much peace during the worst time of my life. I trusted God and He took care of me. But, now, I don't even trust Him with the little things. Instead, I dwell on them day and night. I worry about not having an established career at age 38. I worry that I'm not making wise choices. I get depressed because things haven't turned out the way I hoped.
I find myself suffering from unhealed wounds due to spiritual battles I keep trying to fight on my own. I'm trapped in bondage to my own selfishness. I've struggled over the past year or so like I haven't struggled in many.
I find myself in utter despair over the fact that God called me to serve Him through ministry over twenty years ago and still I sit here doing no more than I was after surrendering to that call. In fact, it seems as though I am doing even less. In a previous Myspace post (June 17, 2006), I mentioned being in bondage to the call God has placed on my life. (I'm sure He's thrilled about that.) I know it was never His intention to place me in bondage when He called me to serve. He gave me a gift! What have I done with it? It hasn't always been this way.
When I was in my twenties I taught Sunday school and vacation Bible school. I sang in the choir, on the worship team, and even directed the childrens choir/theatre for a year. It was wonderful! I was blessed to lead several children to Christ. I learned all the ups and downs of serving in these areas. I experienced struggles and joys that were difficult and wonderful growing experiences. During this time, I don't believe I was experiencing the bondage that I am today. I believed it all to be a process of training for the original call to women's ministry. I was getting prepared.
Now, as I approach my forties, I've watched many young Christians (both in age and faith) jump right into service. Young women in their twenties have become great servants in ministry, speaking, writing, music, teaching, mentoring, or whatever the call. Yesterday, even, I read an article by a woman who has a ministry and a published book. She has only been a Christian for six years! Six years! I became so whiney when I read this. I even cried out to God, "Six years, God! What have I done with my faith? How come you can use her in such an incredible way but I just sit here? Why don't I qualify? What is wrong with me?" Me! Me! Me!
Today, when I awoke at oh about 3:30 or so, I was so frustrated because of my discomfort both physically and spiritually. I finally gave up laying there trying to do what wasn't going to happen (sleep) and went to the spare bedroom/laundry room. I began reading "The Practice of the Presence of God" by Brother Lawrence. Its a bit of a difficult read due to the language of the day, but it wasn't so difficult that I couldn't get the message. It brought about great conviction.
Here I am a victim of my own selfishness, bound instead of blessed by the receiving a gift from God (a call to ministry), when I should be celebrating the freedom I have in Christ, the giver of that gift. I have been enslaved to the very thing that was intended to bring me freedom. The very thing that should be drawing me into His presence is being used as a tool of separation. As I've said before, its become an idol, an obsession that has taken over my life and is making me miserable. This obsession, over the past year or so has actually stunted my growth. It's affected every area of my life because it's kept my focus on what I feel entitled to instead of Who's I am. I should be obsessed with Christ and having a healthy, thriving relationship with Him, nothing more or less.
I talk a good talk when I get inspired. I know in my heart what's right. I share these things at any given opportunity. But, then there's the in-between times. I can be so self-centered! I feel like I'm going nowhere in life, a misfit who just doesn't belong. I dwell on the lies from the enemy instead of the promises of God and the Truth of His Word! I believe that I have no place in church. I don't qualify for anything. (I even apply this to my personal life in the area of finding employment. I'm either under qualified or over qualified. Over qualified is still unemployed! It still means I'm not qualified.)
I should be dwelling on the fact that I am a princess and His mercies are new every morning! I am beautiful and loved by God right now, right where I am, unemployed or not, single or married, serving in ministry or not, sleeping or NOT (just had to toss that in there). He loves me and thinks I'm beautiful even as I wallow deeply in the muck and mire of self-pity. Why isn't that enough? It should be.
My focus should be on nothing more than loving God. I should be concerned with nothing more than fitting thoughts of Him into every moment of every day. I should be conversing with Christ instead of making a curse of His call. I should see everything in the light of the cross. I should be laying my burdens on the One who died for me. Nothing else should matter. Fitting in shouldn't matter, finding my place shouldn't matter, a career, a house, my appearance, a husband, good health, even involvement in church activities should mean nothing in the light of Christ. That's where I need to be. Thats where I so desperately want to be, in His light. I just want to be at the point when I can lay all of this "stuff" down at the feet of my Savior and say, its all nothing in comparison to You. My first and most important call in life is to LOVE GOD. That is the Truth (Mark 12:30) .
On this early Independence Day morning, I am reminded that true independence comes from complete dependence on Jesus Christ. God help me.
Posted by Katie at 7:22 AM
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Wednesday, April 19, 2006
The Day I Was Crucified
For Easter, Katie gave me a gift. It is a book called "The Day I Was Crucified" as Told by Jesus the Christ, written by Gene Edwards. Labels: christianity, Holiday
Now, I am usually a reader of non-fiction, so when starting this book it was difficult at first to stop thinking so critically about this book. I would read and think to myself how can he know that happened? That didn't happen! or that's not right! Once I finally relaxed and accepted this as a creative exploration of Jesus' thoughts on the day of His crucifixion, I was able to just embrace the thoughts and ideas and enjoy the read so far.
Last night Katie and I read some of this together and we read something very wonderful and profoundly impacting!
Here is the scene: Jesus is hanging on the cross very near death as the battle is raging in the heavenlies. We hear His thoughts as He fights against World System, Sin, Satan, Law and finally Death. In the physical realm, Jesus has just spoken to the thief on the cross next to Him, "Then he said, "Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.
Jesus answered him, "I tell you the truth, today you will be with me in paradise."
It was now about the sixth hour, and darkness came over the whole land until the ninth hour," (Luke 23:42-44)
Jesus physically dies and there in the tomb with Him lies World, Sin, and Law. Death also lay there, still and silent. This is the climactic part of the scene as Jesus is going "head to head" with Death in battle, and "all were awaiting".
The scene changes to the heavenly realm where angels are talking amongst themselves. They noticed that the door to their realm was missing, and they could look down upon the earth. They wondered aloud if that meant they would be able to go back and forth to the earth as in the days of Adam?
Or would they see mortal beings setting foot in the realm of the spirituals?
"I could not imagine," replied one of the angels.
One startled angel blinked and asked, "Pray tell what is that I see? Whatever it is, it seems to have only this moment appeared. It seems to be coming this way."
"Forbid that fallen man should gain entrance to the habitat of the heavenlies!" exclaimed a rather concerned angel. "But, what is that?"
"I have no idea" responded another angel.
"It is far to bright to be an angel"
It cannot be a human, can it?"
"Of course not! Fallen men are not allowed in the realm of thing spiritual under any conditions. Well, whatever it is, it is coming this way."
"Then we perhaps should prepare to make flight."
"Why?"
"Because! Whatever it is, so bright, so holy, we may not have a right to live in its presence."
"He stumbles, runs, and stumbles again. Look, no he is jumping. He is definitely...coming in...here!"
"I have never seen such conduct," mused another of the angels.
"As I said, we may have to find some other place to live. For one thing, has there ever been such purity and holiness?"
By now the entire angelic host had moved to the unguarded entrance to heavenly places. "What light!" The angels were dumbfounded with awe at the one approaching.
The author continues to describe the scene as it unfolds with the angels trying to understand the situation unfolding before them. They are curious, but cautious and unsure as to what to make of this creature that has now begun talking to them.
"I have never seen such innocence, purity, and perfection," whispered one of the angels. "He does not seem to be aware of how beautiful he is or how bright his light is."
The creature inquires "You have never seen anything like me, have you?"
"You are the first," stammered one of the angels, finally, "but...I have an idea you will not be the last. As to who you are...I would be pleased to tell you, but I do not know who or what you are."
"He told me that I would be here today. Is this today?"
The mouths of the angels fell open.
One said "At last we know who you are!"
Another said, "That is not possible. After all, remember what he was: He was an old thief. That old, cheating, lying thief."
"You are the first of the redeemed."
"You are the handiwork of Christ's redemption."
"You are the first of those for whom we have waited throughout the ages. We have long waited for this day to arrive."
"You are called a holy one."
I was delightfully fooled. I thought it was Jesus approaching the heavenly realm. It was not. It was the thief.
The thief.
Me.
Posted by Susan L. Prince at 11:24 AM
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Sunday, April 16, 2006
Justin in the Dogwood
Labels: Holiday
This is a picture of Justin in the dogwood tree during it's Springtime bloom. He loves the trees and spends much time in the dogwood reading his favorite books.
The dogwood was so beautiful on this Easter Sunday and we had some friends over to celebrate the day with an Easter meal. Carol and Gwen were here and as usual we spent the majority of the time laughing! What better way to spend the day than laughing with friends! 
Posted by Susan L. Prince at 3:33 PM
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Tuesday, April 04, 2006
My Lord and Savior
Jesus Christ is my Lord and Savior. Labels: christianity, Holiday
I said that for the first time seven years ago today.
:-)
It was Easter Sunday and I accepted Christ at First Baptist Church in Marshalltown, IA.
It is a day I will never forget, nor will I forget the people who were, and many still are, so influential in my life by introducing me to Jesus, so that I might have a personal relationship with Him.
He changed my life.
Posted by Susan L. Prince at 7:04 AM
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Sunday, December 25, 2005
THIS is a Framily!
We went from the four of us to five when we invited our neighbor, Miss Virginia, over for Christmas dinner... Labels: Holiday
...then God had other plans! There were ten of us sharing the meal by the time Christmas dinner was served! TEN! Talk about blessings!
After the initial concern being that we wouldn't have enough food, it turns out that we had TOO MUCH! Many guests took some food home with them and we will have plenty of leftover potatoes, turkey, ham and other goodies.
The only thing better would have been to have had my family from Ohio, and my sister and neice and nephew in Las Vegas, here to share the meal with us.
Christ is and always will be in our Christmas!
Posted by Susan L. Prince at 5:31 PM
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Will We Have Enough Food?
I just asked Katie "Are we going to have enough food?". Labels: Holiday
With a very affirming "yes!" she said, "He fed 5000 with five loaves of bread and two fish."
You see, we originally planned on sharing our Christmas meal with an ederly and lonely neighbor, Miss Virgina, just as we did last year. Moments ago, plans changed at church however, when one couple mentioned they had nothing special planned for the day. Katie then invited Harry and Paula over for dinner too.
But, that's not all...Vern, Vina and Miss Katherine were heading to IHOP for Christmas dinner. NOT ACCEPTABLE! So, Katie invited them as well.
Our meal for five suddenly swelled to a dinner for twice that!
We are scurrying about making new table settings and room for our special guests. How blessed we are! Tiffany is busy peeling potatoes, Justin and I are busy tidying up (I'm on break), Katie is glowing as this is the kind of thing she was made for, and in a few minutes, we will gather in His Name.
Posted by Susan L. Prince at 1:03 PM
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Framily Christmas 2005
I just got all emotional.
I have a framily for Christmas.
(Framily: Friends + Family This is a term I coined a few years ago to describe Katie's family (herself and her kids) and me, the friend, and our unique living situation. It has become a part of our everyday language, so much so that people from church will refer to us as a "framily". The neat thing about a "framily" is that any friend of the "framily" is a "framily member"!)
Gifts are nice and all, but nothing beats being surrounded by people that love you. Spending the holiday with the special people in my life is priceless.
Nothing beats knowing you are loved by family and friends, those who live close and those who live far away too.
Nothing beats knowing that we celebrate the birth of our Savior this season.
That's what makes this the most wonderful time of the year, because we take time to remember that and to remind each other how much we love them.
I love my framily!
Posted by Susan L. Prince at 10:39 AM
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Saturday, December 24, 2005
Only One More Day
*sigh* Labels: Holiday
Only one more day. Tomorrow, actually, today (I'm up too late!) is Christmas Eve. Merry Christmas everyone!
The last shopping day in 2005.
This elates me.
:-)
Whew, I'm tired.
Posted by Susan L. Prince at 12:34 AM
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Wednesday, December 21, 2005
Christian Carnival: Christmas Edition 2005
The Christian Carnival is posted at The Bible Archive this week. There is a lot of good stuff listed there so be sure to check it out!
Posted by Susan L. Prince at 9:53 AM
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Sunday, December 18, 2005
SaLT with WaLT Christmas Party
Salt with WaLT
Originally uploaded by susanlprince.
Great people! Great fun!
You can see a bunch more pictures by clicking on the photo at the right.
I'm so blessed to be loved by these people! I can't wait to see them all at church tomorrow!
Posted by Susan L. Prince at 12:36 AM
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Wednesday, December 14, 2005
Play Your Drum
Labels: christianity, HolidayThe Little Drummer Boy by the Harry Simeone Chorale is one of my favorite Christmas songs. It started to play in the car today on a burned disc I made of some Christmas favorites. When the brummm brummm brummm started I turned up the volume, but Katie grimaced and expressed disinterest in this song.
I was puzzled, how could this be? I said "whaaat? This is one of my favorites and I can't listen to it and not tear up!" I decided Katie must not get out of this song what I do, so I decided to explain it to her and maybe give her some insight and perspective she has not considered before. After I was done, she admitted that she now hears the song differently and wants to hear it again!
While the song played, I would stop the player now and then to emphasize the lyric and what it means...what it means to me. (I don't know if how I interpret the song has anything to do with the author's/composer's inspiration or thought that was meant to convey, but it is what I get out of the song. This is solely my own interpretation.) Come, they told me (pa-rum-pa-pa-pum)
The first verse of the song basically sets the stage and this young boy was told that these people were traveling to see a newborn baby who would someday be a king. People are bringing all sorts of gifts to honor him.
A new-born King to see (pa-rum-pa-pa-pum)
Our finest gifts we bring (pa-rum-pa-pa-pum)
To lay before the King (pa-rum-pa-pa-pum
rum-pa-pa-pum, rum-pa-pa-pum)
So to honor Him (pa-rum-pa-pa-pum)
When we come
Baby Gesu (pa-rum-pa-pa-pum)
I am a poor boy, too (pa-rum-pa-pa-pum)
I have no gift to bring (pa-rum-pa-pa-pum)
That's fit to give a King (pa-rum-pa-pa-pum
rum-pa-pa-pum, rum-pa-pa-pum)
Shall I play for you (pa-rum-pa-pa-pum)
On my drum?
Mary nodded (pa-rum-pa-pa-pum)
The ox and lamb kept time (pa-rum-pa-pa-pum)
I played my drum for Him (pa-rum-pa-pa-pum)
I played my best for Him (pa-rum-pa-pa-pum
rum-pa-pa-pum, rum-pa-pa-pum)
Then, He smiled at me (pa-rum-pa-pa-pum)
Me and my drum
Now this is when the song gets really interesting!
"Baby Gesu, I am a poor boy too, I have no gift to bring that's fit to give a king" The kid identifies with the babe because he sees Him as "poor". He's born in a stable, wrapped in cloth amongst the beasts of burden, and it's cold. The boy probably thinks that this kid is in need of some of the gifts that are being given to him, yet, because he is a "poor boy too", he didn't bring anything. He didn't bring anything at all that would be worthy to give a king. I wonder, was the boy embarrassed? Was he curious as to what the fuss was all about? Maybe he felt somewhat self-conscious that all these people were there bearing gifts, and he had not one thing to give. Did the boy feel ashamed? Unworthy perhaps? Do you ever feel that way? Do you ever feel unworthy..unfit to see the King?
Imagine that...having nothing to give Him. We do have NOTHING to give Him that He has not already given everything to us! But, there is one thing we can give Him. The one thing we can give to God that He doesn't first give to us is praise and worship. So, the boy stands before the baby in a manger, with no gift to give Him, and asks him "shall I play for you on my drum?"
I had to stop the player at this point! Think about this...The kid says he has "nothing", but he has everything God has gifted him with. The kid plays a mean drum! So, what does he do with the gift God gave him? He gives it right back to God! I LOVE THAT! God gave us all gifts...we are supposed to give them back to Him! It is called worship!
I restart the song where we left off. So now what is the answer? Can he play his drum? Here is this tired mother who just hours ago gave birth to a seven pound, ten ounce baby (Obgyn 1:1) and here comes this dirty, poor, young boy asking to play a drum. It is quiet. The babe is resting, the mother is still and kindly accepting the gifts coming to him from the respectful visitors, the animals are hushed and the night is still. All that is heard is the crackle of the fire warming the area and casting a flickering, dim light on the people, and here comes a boy and a DRUM! A drum! I'm sure Mary was thrilled with the idea of him banging a drum! Imagine a kid coming to play a drum at the next baby shower you attend! Drums are not usually welcome at those events! LOL
The next verse is one verse that blows me away...Mary nodded. This is a nod of affirmation from a tender-hearted mother, and then the boy begins to play. Creation joined in when The ox and lamb kept time. (Psalm 96:9 "Worship the LORD in the splendor of his holiness; tremble before him, all the earth.") The moment was filled with praise and worship because one young boy played his drum, offering the gift God gave him back to His Lord. The Little Drummer Boy was the first worship leader!
I played my drum for Him, I played my best for Him! That's all the kid knew to do! He gave it his everything too and here is where the music really begins to crescendo. The animals have joined in, the people bearing gifts are listening and clapping maybe and tapping their feet to the sound of the drum. The music continues to build to an intense climax and then the drumming stops. It ends suddenly with a decrescendo, a brummmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm that fades away into silence. The little drummer boy stops playing.
Now the great pause!
Silence...for just a moment.
What transpires in that moment? The boy has just offered his best performance on his drum. Was it enough? Was it enough to please the king...the tiny baby lying before him? There is anticipation in the air...the animals are quiet, the gift-bearing crowd is awaiting the next moment, wondering if the boy's gift of drumming had any impact at all? Everyone is still and quiet waiting for something...anything...to happen next. Then....
(slightly slower tempo here to contrast the climax of the drummer's offering.)
He smiled at me,
Me and my drum.
That's the line that gets me every time! I can hardly listen and not have tears well up.
"Well done my good and faithful servant" is what that says to me!
The Little Drummer Boy is such an impacting story to me, and I enjoy the vocal interpretation by the Harry Simeone Chorale to help convey the tenderness, majesty, mercifullness and joy of this story. We come to the Lord with all we have, which without Him, is nothing. We deserve nothing. Yet, he gives. He gives us all we have. He gave us His One and Only Son, who died and was raised. We praise Him for that. We worship Him. We are to worship Him with everything that He gave us...our heart, soul, mind and strength! And a drum...or whatever else He has gifted you with! When you do that...He will smile at you. So, play your drum!
Posted by Susan L. Prince at 4:32 PM
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Friday, December 09, 2005
Keep it Holy
What is all this talk from many Christians who are finally noticing that Christmas has become secularized? "Happy Holidays" is not acceptable because the reason for the season is not identified? We hear that some retailers are requiring employees to say "Happy Holidays" so as to not offend certain patrons, and this has Christians all riled up? Labels: christianity, Holiday
In Exodus 20, the fourth commandment reads:8 "Remember the Sabbath day by keeping it holy. 9 Six days you shall labor and do all your work, 10 but the seventh day is a Sabbath to the LORD your God. On it you shall not do any work, neither you, nor your son or daughter, nor your manservant or maidservant, nor your animals, nor the alien within your gates. 11 For in six days the LORD made the heavens and the earth, the sea, and all that is in them, but he rested on the seventh day. Therefore the LORD blessed the Sabbath day and made it holy.
Katie posted on this subject earlier and while it is upsetting to think about the fact that Christmas is so commercialized and that so much of the holiday season has nothing to do with Jesus Christ, the One and Only Son of the Living God, she did some research on the whole Christmas Holiday thing. Turns out that Christmas has it's roots in pagan celebrations. Not really surprising since I don't believe there are evergreens in the desert and the areas where Jesus walked, nor did the wise men arrive just after His birth (more like three years later probably). It is hard to discern the actual beginning of the Christmas celebration and holiday season because it seems to have come from so many different cultures and traditions and from times even pre-dating Christ!
This got us to thinking, and Katie said something rather profound: "You know, it makes sense that many Christian traditions derived from pagan celebrations since no one is born a Christian. Everyone is born a pagan, one must be born-again to be a Christian."
I thought about this a bit more and started thinking about how in some ways it is ridiculous that Christians are signing petitions and "boycotting" Target and other retailers over the "Happy Holidays" instead of "Merry Christmas" greeting and for the fact that the Salvation Army bell ringer is no longer allowed to stand outside the stores.
What I find more ridiculous is that Christians don't seem to take issue with the flagrant breaking of the Fourth Commandment that tells us to work six days and rest on the seventh. We are to set aside the seventh day and keep it holy. KEEP IT HOLY!
Maybe Christians would have more of an impact on society if we actually did set a day aside for worship. An entire day devoted to the Lord! Prayer, fasting, praising, fellowship, loving others, studying scripture, etc. Not to simply attend church, then head out for dinner at the local steakhouse or buffet, but actually "remember the Sabbath day and keep it holy". "On it you shall not do any work, neither you, nor your son or daughter, nor your manservant or maidservant...". Did you notice that part about your man/maidservant? I would take this to mean anyone who works for, or serves me...Christian or not, which would include anyone serving me...a retailer, or a waiter/waitress at the restaurant...any server!
If Christians haven't been responsible about keeping ONE DAY a week holy...how can we expect to keep an ENTIRE SEASON holy?
God intended the Sabbath to be a day of devotion to Him. Him alone. Not Starbucks. Not Burger King! Not Walmart!
Maybe if as Christians we actually started living a life that is holy and pleasing to the Lord, including setting aside the seventh day, the Sabbath Day, and kept it holy, we would truly make an impact on society. Maybe if retail business decreased noticeably on the Sabbath because Christians weren't shopping, and restaurants were noticing a decrease in patronage, and gas stations weren't selling as much gas because Christians were staying home, and families started spending more time together, society would begin to change.
Christians complain about how society is depraved, and that we live in a fallen world, and that it oppresses us, but, I can't help but ponder if Christians have no one to blame but themselves. We have not kept His Commandments. We have not kept the Sabbath Holy, and now He is allowing us to reap what we have sown.
Added 12/10/05
There are a plethora of posts from Christians on or around this subject of "Happy Holidays" and the "War on Christmas" in the Blogosphere. Blogs4God has neatly listed some of those in the article "What War on Christmas?".
Posted by Susan L. Prince at 9:19 PM
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Wednesday, November 30, 2005
Christmas Concert
Last night I performed with the Jackson Area Community Band at the annual Christmas Concert. We have a new conductor this year and Tom Grant has really raised the level of the ensemble a notch. We were challenged with more difficult music than what a community band normally plays and Mr. Grant is also a very expressive conductor which requires us, the musicians in the band, to react musically to exactly what he shows us physically. Tom Grant is one of those conductors that has a talent to play the band itself like an instrument. Labels: entertainment, Holiday
A good conductor can take whatever ensemble he/she is leading; orchestra, band, brass choir, string ensemble, and "play" it like an instrument. I love performing under conductors like that! 
Many people think that all a conductor does is stand on a podium in front of an orchestra and move a stick up and down...oh, a conductor is so much more than a metronome! 
A conductor studies music and interprets a written composition much like an artist interprets life. When the conductor is in front of an ensemble, his mission is to pull the music out of the written page and bring it to life. The musicians are trained to do similar things, however, the conductor's responsibility is to get every single player interpreting the music the same way. The conductor will often do this by expressing himself physically, either with facial expressions and/or arm motions and sometimes his entire body! Seeing some of the facial expressions and body language of these conductors can help you "hear" the music they are interpreting. 
One piece that was a particular challenge to me was The Procession of the Nobles. I think it was probably a challenge to most every band member because it is technically difficult...lots of double-tonguing (fast tonguing technique accomplished by mimicking "da-ga-da-ga" on the instrument) and many, many notes! I say take a fast tempo, that way the bad notes don't last as long! LOL 
We also played a beautiful piece called O Magnum Mysterium. It is one of those pieces when performed well, the listener will be absorbed into the music. I get goose bumps. It's amazing. It was composed for voices, but the transcription for wind ensemble is very beautiful as well. Wow. Very powerful.
I'm looking forward to the spring session of JACB now! Woohooo! I love music!
Posted by Susan L. Prince at 4:45 PM
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Monday, November 28, 2005
I'm Offended!
The Bible says the world will hate us. We get in trouble for "offending" people by public displays of our faith. But, what is it called when the public takes a holy holiday and makes a mockery of it and those who choose to celebrate it for the real Reason it started in the first place? Labels: christianity, Holiday
Tonight, I once again was reminded as to why I don't buy into cable television. I can't even stand most of what's on the only channel I DO get! The Christmas commercials make me so angry. I see nothing about Christmas. It's all about the "holiday" season. I am offended!
(Imagine the sarcasm in my fashion show announcer style voice.)
And now (da ta da daaaaaaaaa!) cast your vote for the Anti-Christ "Happy Holiday" commercial of the day!!!
Happy Holidays from the Tennessee Lottery
Buy a lottery ticket and bring life to your dull, lifeless gifts this holiday! Just attach a lottery ticket to your wrapping for that final touch with a gift that keeps on giving! Oh and the new trend this year is to decorate your holiday tree with the Tennessee Lottery bulbs! They come in greedy gold and envy green!
Happy Holidays from Victoria's Secret
Celebrate Christmas with the devilish temptations by Victoria's Secret! See the model. See the model prance. See the tempting, taunting seductress on her bed wearing the latest seductive negligee! Oh, and guys, be sure that your are very good this year and you might get a surprise visit from the voluptuous Mrs. Claus in her itsy bitsy teenie weenie Santa teddy. (Excuse me! I have children who watch television!)
Cast your vote in the comments section. Please note that the winner will receive an all expense paid trip to an eternity in Happy Holiday land where you will find no Christian...and no Christ for all eternity!
Happy Holidays to all those who choose to celebrate Christmas without Christ.
Merry Christmas to those who love Him.
There, now hopefully nobody will be offended.
Posted by Katie at 8:09 PM
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Sunday, November 27, 2005
Happy Holiday
I've really been experiencing a personal conviction about Christmas this year. There has been a big commotion over recent years regarding calling Christmas what it is. For years we have watched movies, cartoons, and listened to music that reminds us about Christmas. Often times they start out with celebrations of Santa and presents and then they turn into a lesson about the "real" meaning of Christmas. Christmas is supposed to be a time of giving, not receiving. It's a time that we celebrate God's greatest gift, Jesus. Labels: Holiday
For years Christians have been battling the secular world (in all of it's political correctness) to keep the freedom to display nativity scenes and other such things in order celebrate the One who was born to save the world. We battle a world that says that we're "offending" them. We're "pushing" our beliefs on them. Hello? Christmas is a celebration of CHRIST!??? It's a Christian celebration, a Christian holy day...or it's supposed to be anyhow.
In corporate America, today, many shopping centers avoid the use of the word CHRISTmas. Instead, they sell holiday trees, and use the idea of Santa Claus and presents to entice shoppers to spend spend spend. I've even heard a really stupid sounding advertisement over the television that sings, "We wish you a happy holiday. We wish you a happy holiday. We wish you a happy holiday and a happy new year". Give me a break! Do these advertisers realize how ridiculous that sounds? Nevertheless, Christians (including myself) are amongst the many shoppers participating in this madness! Secular society has stolen a Christian celebration. Or, perhaps we've just given it away by joining in on the wrong idea of what the holiday should be about.
For much too long now, Christians have bought into the greed centered commercialism that Christmas has become. Just a couple days ago, on Black Friday,in all the greed and madness, shoppers everywhere trampled other shoppers while trying to get the best deals. There were injuries, fights, stealing, and all in the name of "Christmas". What a joke.
Amongst the many shoppers in the stampedes, I'm sure were many Christians, also trying to get the latest and greatest gift at the lowest price. I believe that Christmas has been a thing of the past for a very long time now. We have been celebrating a holiday...not a holy day. Christ hasn't been a part of Christmas for a very long time. Retailers realize it. I only hope that soon, Christians catch on.
Over the next year, I will be reconsidering how I celebrate the holiest day of the year. After a lifetime of Santa and presents...along with reminding my children what Christmas really should be about, it will be difficult to change things. I will be praying for God to show me how I can stop worshipping Him and "Santa Claus" too. I really want my Christmas celebration to be about Jesus and giving. I want to say goodbye to the holiday and hello again to the Holy Day. I have really had an awakening this year.
American Family has sent out a petition against retailers who are leaving Christ out of Christmas. I say let the retailers have their holiday! But let us, brothers and sisters in Christ, remember the HOLY day...and celebrate it as if unto God. After all aren't we supposed to do all things for His glory? We have been created to worship HIM! Now is a wonderful opportunity for Christians to give Christmas back to Christ. Celebrate the Gift and not the presents. It's okay to give gifts, if it is done with the same heart that God gave us His. Let our gifts bring Him glory.
"For unto you is born this day in the city of David, a Savior, which is Christ the Lord." (Luke 2:11)
Posted by Katie at 6:09 PM
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Thursday, November 24, 2005
At First I Was an Egg, I Was Petrified...
* * UPDATED * * 11/15/07 Labels: Holiday
For whatever reason, American Greetings no longer posts this card. But, thanks to jth1963ut, we can all enjoy this Thanksgiving Holiday tradition again by clicking here. (I've also edited the links below to reflect the change in "venue". )
You just have to see this American Greetings Thanksgiving Card! LOL
You'll never hear "I Will Survive" the same again!
"Ain't choppin' my head to the floor!"
Posted by Susan L. Prince at 11:49 AM
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Saturday, December 25, 2004
One Big Happy Framily!!!!
Today could have been a day where three single ladies could have been very lonely and depressed. A few years ago, this divorced, single lady moved in with one of those other single ladies. Today we invited another single lady who was alone, to join us in celebration of our Savior's birth. None of us has any family here. I have my two kids but no extended family. This Christmas we came together...a single mom with two kids, a single woman who has never been married, and an elderly woman who's children are grown and husband is gone. We were one big happy framily!
If all the lonely people in this world reached out to other lonely people in this world....there wouldn't be lonely people at Christmas.
Posted by Katie at 6:38 PM
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Miss Virginia and Christmas Blessings
Whew!
Labels: Holiday
My compliments to the cook, Katie who prepared a fantastic Christmas dinner of ham and all the works! Mmmmmmmm, mmmmmmmmmmm!
When we invited Miss Virginia for dinner, as I shared in the last post, she baked a pecan pie. When she brought it over, it was still hot. What we didn't know at the time is that although it was hot, it hadn't finished baking! LOL Katie finished baking it today and she feared that Miss Virginia would notice that the pie was a bit darker. Miss Virginia came over and saw it and said "I hope it's not too done. My son called while I was baking it and I lost track and I am so worried that it is burned." Katie just said that she put it in the over to warm it and left it a tad longer than she had intended, but that it was not burned. It was a delicious pecan pie and we were blessed that Miss Virginia so appreciated being invited to Christmas dinner that she baked it for the framily.
Miss Virginia arrived for dinner at the 2 o'clock scheduled time. Katie wasn't quite ready to put dinner on the table so Tif and I were left to welcome our guest and commence the conversation. This idea terrified me because I am an introvert and do not do well in situations where I need to chat with people I barely know. I quickly learned that with Miss Virginia I had nothing to fear because when it comes to conversation she has a corner on the market!
We were told many stories, some of them twice. She shared all she knew about the neighbor's vocations and stressed the importance of a good education. She is a retired teacher and had some things to share about that as well. Many of the stories were fun, but the topper was when she shared about her experience as a new mother some fifty odd years ago. She said "I just didn't know what to do with all that poo poo" LOLOLOL "You laugh because you think it's a joke, but we didn't have all this disposable diaper stuff that there is now. We used cloth diapers that we had to hand wash. I didn't know what to do with all that poo poo! Giant piles of poo poo! I didn't have a mother or a father and I had no one to learn from. I remember the nurse giving me a list of things to expect with a newborn and that I read on there to expect 25 poo poos a day" LOLOLOLOL Tif and I busted out laughing so hard! I could barely breathe!
Oh boy that was funny!
Miss Virginia was so excited to have been invited and after dinner she made sure to take some pictures. She loved the tree and kept complimenting Katie on how she decorated the house for Christmas "it the prettiest one on the circle" she'd exclaim. She took some pictures of the framily and we made sure to get her in some of them as well. I'm so glad she accepted the invitation and joined us for Christmas dinner.
It was a great way to celebrate Jesus today, by inviting a lonely person to share a meal with us. On Christmas we celebrate the birth of the Christ, the Savior of the world, whom God sent to us to reconcile man to himself. Through Jesus we are invited to join Him in His Kingdom. Like Miss Virginia had a choice to accept our invitation or not, God too gives us all a choice to join Him. I'm so thankful that I accepted His invitation and all the blessings that come with it.
It has been a merry Christmas with the framily, and I hope that you too, found a way to celebrate Christ's birth in a special way today.
Posted by Susan L. Prince at 4:38 PM
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Friday, December 24, 2004
Miss Virginia, Our Very Special Guest
Miss Virginia is an elderly neighbor lady. She lives across the street and is very proud of her magnolia tree that invades the entire front of her yard. The kids like to hide in it, but she usually shoos them away and worries that they may have broken a branch or two. She is quick to nit pick the landscaping of each property in the circle, and watches everything that goes on.
Labels: Holiday
Miss Virginia is the neighborhood lady who always seems to know what is going on with everyone around here. Of course, what she "knows", or shares, isn't necessarily true, or maybe isn't even close to accurate, but she feels it necessary to offer an opinion about it anyway. She is harmless enough, and in conversations with her we usually end up shaking our heads in wonder and show quizzical expressions on our faces. Talking a short while with Miss Virginia, one will soon realize that she is "not all there". Many of her stories don't make any sense, and she will often "remember" things that never happened. It can be somewhat awkward to be around Miss Virginia, but she is a sweet lady with a kind heart.
Recently she mentioned to Katie that her grown children live too far away to visit her and rarely do they come, not even for special holidays. I can't think of a time I have ever noticed visitors at her house, although, I don't usually keep an eye on such things anyway.
This Christmas Katie and I decided to invite Miss Virginia over to share Christmas Dinner with the framily. It was one of those things that honestly, we didn't necessarily want to do, but we knew it was the right thing to do. It is what Jesus would do.
Well, it's amazing what God does as he multiplies blessings for those who choose to follow Him. As soon as she received our invitation, she must have immediately started to work. A few moments ago, Miss Virginia hand delivered a pecan pie, fresh from the oven! Still hot! She left a card with us that blessed us big. It is a simple friendship card, but it is what she shared in it that carries the most meaning. It is the part that affirmed that we did right by inviting her to dinner with us to celebrate the birth of our Savior.
She wrote:
"It is Christmas every time you let God love others through you...everytime you smile and offer your hand" (she quoted it but didn't name the source)
(of course, you do not need this pie, but I have just baked it for you--pecan pies freeze well, for New Years, Valentines, and Easter ~~~)
Then she wrote:
Dear, dear ones...what a nice surprise, and heart-warming gesture with this invitation~~just when I needed it most!!!!
Just when she needed it most! God's timing is perfect! I'm glad we followed His lead!
The card had a scripture that read "I thank my God upon every remembrance of you" Philippians 1:3 and to that Miss Virginia added how she thanked God for the time Katie rescued her from the Exxon when her car broke down. Problem is, Katie never rescued her and neither did I! LOL Who knows if she was ever really broken down! LOL
So, Christmas dinner should be very interesting tomorrow and I'm looking forward to it. For the past few holidays the framily has been invited to eat elsewhere, but tomorrow, we shall be the host for a very special guest in Miss Virginia.
It may be the start of a new framily tradition!
Posted by Susan L. Prince at 9:19 PM
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Yay! Christmas is Here!
Yay! I just got home from work, ate some Cocoa Puffs, because I'm cuckoo for Cocoa Puffs, and now I'm relaxing because Christmas is here!
Labels: Holiday
I'm very excited about it...not only is it a day off, it will be a day to share fun and laughter with the framily and celebrate Jesus' birth with scripture reading, a meal together and just some good framily time together.
Merry Christmas!
Posted by Susan L. Prince at 8:36 PM
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Tuesday, December 14, 2004
All I Want for Christmas
Katie is blessed beyond words that her 12-year old daughter asked for THIS for Christmas.
Labels: Holiday
I was listening to a Focus on the Family program this morning on WAMP 88.1 when I took the kids to school. There was an interview with a jewelry designer sharing about purity signet rings. Unbeknownst to me, Tiffany was listening intently and came home to share about what she heard with her mom and practically begged for one. I think that's cool!
These purity rings are signet rings. They are engraved with a special symbol significant to the owner which is used to press into wax that seals a purity commitment letter.
From the Samaritan Arts website:
Included with our Signet Purity Ring is a card that describes how the signet ring has been used for centuries to seal a letter so that its contents would remain secure until the one for whom the letter was intended received it and opened it. Our ring package also contains a covenant card in the form of a letter to the young person's future spouse describing the commitment before God to remain sexually pure as a wedding gift.
So, on the wedding day, the ring wearer gives the purity commitment letter to her spouse as a wedding gift, then he breaks the seal and opens it to read about her commitment before God.
It's beautiful!
We'll have to start saving up for that one!
Posted by Susan L. Prince at 10:23 PM
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Saturday, December 11, 2004
Madrigal Dinner
Back in college I had a gig each holiday season playing fanfares for the Madrigal Dinners at Stan Hywet Hall in Akron, OH. It was fun and I enjoyed it.
Labels: entertainment, Holiday
A Madrigal Dinner is a meal and entertainment set in the 13th - 15/16th century. We have to dress in costumes of the era, which tonight had me in a tunic as a trumpeter announcing different events of the evening. There is the court complete with King and Queen, and court entertainers including jesters and troubadours. Music is the madrigal, which was a popular form of secular music of that day.
The other trumpet player tonight I had just met for this gig. We ran down the four fanfares and were ready to go. As we chatted I learned that in the mid to late 1980's, he was studying music in Cincinnati. I quickly formulated that there was a good possibility that he may know one of my former band directors, so I asked "Do you know Scott Nelson?" and he said "Yes! I knew him well, and Tom (another trumpet player mainly responsible for me getting any gigs in Jackson, like that whole Johnny Cash Band thing last summer) knew him really well!" Wow! Small world!
Scott Nelson was one of my middle school band directors and my high school band director my freshman and sophomore years at Highland High School. He was a great director and wonderful teacher. One of those who taught life lessons, not just trumpet lessons, and I always think back to those days with fondness. Especially the Pictures at an Exhibition halftime show! Memories!
Have any memories of high school to share?
Posted by Susan L. Prince at 9:49 PM
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