Organizing and playing:
I've been trying to create while also continuing with the organizing. I don't know why I get bored so easily, not even sure if that's the right word. I decided, probably quite some time ago, that I would like to try making videos. It's lots of fun. This is my first attempt so please don't be too critical. :D Please note: On the slideshow called "wondering" there's a little speaker on the bottom left side just above the word "slide". If you click on the little speaker you should be able to get that music to stop.



It would have helped if I'd not put the camera in the vertical position for filming. I got kind of compressed. I don't care. It was fun. I WILL be making more.

Angels be with you,
Wendy

"I-I-I love JEESUS!": My soul feels so uplifted each time we go to pick up Cat after she's been at camp. She absolutely loves spending time there. This photo, while not a very clear image in reality, is a very good depiction. This last session was a teen camp with 125 campers ages 15- 17 years. This number fills the friendly camp to near overflow. On the last day there is always chapel at 11:30 a.m. Parents are invited to attend chapel. Seeing these young people standing on the benches and standing at the front of the chapel ALWAYS brings tears of joy to my heart. In those moments when the voices are uplifted in the words "I-I-I love JEESUS!", one can't help but feel surrounded by miracles.

Advent Concert -St. Peter's Chorus:
This photo shows a number of things. It shows tired me in concert black after the Advent Concert of St. Peter's Chorus. This is the 40th year of the chorus. I've sung with them for many of my last 27 years. I've taken some time off but it's difficult not being a part of this amazing group. We had a large choir this term, about 50 people. I always feel somewhat deflated after participating in a concert with the Chorus, because I have to say good bye to the wonderful songs we prepared, but I am pleased to be singing in a couple of other settings yet before Christmas. I am singing in a coffee shop on Thursday. That is much smaller, less formal. I'm not certain yet of exactly what's happening there. I'm also singing a solo and with a smaller choir of about ten people next Sunday. I'm not really ceratin of that performance either. But I love to sing and I love Christmas. I think it won't be difficult planning and preparing something.

This picture also shows our beautiful daughter who is back to her normal self. That is a wonderful feeling even though she will not be on medication for seizures until after we see a specialist. One pharmicist friend said it seemed Cat's body was revolting against the medication. She was so ill with side effects and possibly a bit of stomach flu also going around. It was frightening and energy draining for me. There were a couple of days I could barely leave her side because she was in such discomfort and so scared. It's great to have her back to normal even though that normal is sometimes a grouchy teen. Sigh.

AND, the picture also shows that I actually was able to get our living room cleaned so that we could set up our Christmas tree and I can do the other Christmas decorating which I love to do. The tree is not decorated and I have no idea when it will get decked. Regardless, I love the its scent. I can decorate as I find a moment here and there.

Until next time - my very best wishes for a relaxing season of advent as you prepare for the coming of Jesus. Huge hugs to all.

Singing; gladness; joyful:

I started this background while I was staying in a hotel room last Thursday night. I had my book, a few watercolour crayons, a cheap paintbrush and my caran d'ache crayons with me. It was getting late and I wasn't sure what to put on the background. Then I remembered that all hotel rooms have bibles placed by the Gideons. I'd been thinking of these Psalms for a time and decided this would be a good time to put them to paper. I ran out of time.

I got back to it later the next evening when we were staying at my parents house in the City. The Good News Bible my Dad had there did not include the Psalms. He brought out an old Bible which he had received about sixty years ago for his 24th birthday. There I found these Psalms.

I love to sing. I started to sing when I was young. Within the next two weeks I will be singing in four different performances. The first two are concerts with St. Peter's Chorus, a group which has been in the community for forty years. There are 50 people with the Chorus this term. We have a wonderful talented director. Next Thursday I am singing with a friend in a local coffee shop that has weekly entertainment. Our writer's group will also be doing some readings. If I have a chance to write something before then I may also do a reading. the fourth singing will be at a local Church with their Choir and I may do a song or two on my own. Our own Church is at a distance so will not be singing there. I think these four opportunities will be exciting.

How Can I Keep From Singing?
My life goes on in endless song

Above earth's lamentations,

I hear the real, though far-off hymn

That hails a new creation
Through all the tumult and the strife

I hear its music ringing

It sounds an echo in my soul

How can I keep from singing?

While though the tempest loudly roars

I hear the truth, it liveth

And though the darkness 'round me close

Songs in the night it giveth
No storm can shake my inmost calm

While to that rock I'm clinging

Since love is lord of heaven and earth

How can I keep from singing?

Text: Robert Lowry, 1826 - 1899

Music: Robert Lowry, 1826 - 1899, alt.