Lord, I Want To Be A Christian

 August 10 2008

Dad is back, leading The Gathering hymn - along with violin

3'10" BS? announcements/talking about the rain/birthdays, etc., some missed due to District conference no church th previous week

5'? Special Day song

6'30" announcement re loaves and fishes

11' ish organ

12"30 DM? call to Worship reading

13'14" This is Father's World with organ

16 Children's story (Paul said to be united) -- she mentions JL starting to be a preacher and SL teaching at home, and the importance of praying for your teachers.

Joys and concerns

25'50" Reading about putting God first/Offering

26'10" offertory

36' May Jesus Christ Be Praised

37ish BS? Reading?

42' DM? scripture?

45' Sermon with BS?

1' 04" ish hymn -- Precious Name

Dear Readers,

I've been told I come from a lineage of troubadours; it's in my blood. Today's opening song is simple. The tune has a limited range, and the lyrics are repetitive; this type of song is easily sung by people who have never heard it before. Similar songs: Where Have All the Flowers Gone, If I Had a Hammer, The Riddle Song, and many others. These songs are inclusive. The mantra-like quality of the words leads me to grasp the song's message deeply. Dad loved music and the meaning behind the lyrics; he sang from his heart. (Editor's Note: I think Dad led his life from his heart.) In my opinion, that is why his music is so beautiful. Unlike Dad, I have years of training, but what I find works best is when I play and sing from my heart, as my father gifted me by his example, and perhaps genetically. (Many music teachers have said to me it's hard to teach someone to play with feeling, thanks, Dad!) 

Speaking to my dad's sense of emotion and art, when I was young, as I'm sure I've mentioned before, Dad wrote poems for each of my sisters and me for Christmas morning. They were humorous reflections of our lives and personalities. I read a few recently and found myself at the point of breathlessness. As I read, what I found wasn't just how the words reflected my sisters and me, but rather how the writing showed us Dad himself, who he was, and how much he loved us. This state of grieving someone who has been gone for almost 13 years reminded me of You've Got Mail when Kathleen is putting up Christmas decorations and [paraphrased] 'missing my mom so much I almost couldn't breathe.' Lately, I've mostly been finding myself missing my mom. I have a new job starting this fall, and I want to tell her about it. Mom would have lots of questions about it and be excited for me. My husband and I are also moving to a new home, and I find myself missing that person, Mom, to call and tell. (Before mom passed, her memory would often slip when we spoke on the phone, she would repeat herself, and we would often have circular conversations. I would tell myself you're going to miss this, take it all in, this time is a treasure.) Mom would want to come and help me pack boxes and clean out cupboards. Mom would love our new home; it suits her and reminds me of a home she and Dad purchased right after I went to college.

I'm overwhelmed with feelings of blessedness. 

Thanks for reading.

Stay well,

Amy BH

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