Sunday, December 22, 2013

......CHRISTMAS HYMNS......

I have always loved the spirit that can be felt when singing Hymns, or even children's primary songs.   The words of these songs contain soooo many powerful messages.   Many of the times in my life when I have felt the spirit the strongest, was while singing one of these songs.  I feel like sometimes these hymns are sung without much thought to the actual words & messages.
So naturally, one of my favorite things about December & the Christmas season is singing Christmas songs at church. In Relief Society today, we talked about favorite phrases in the Christmas hymns.  
Not that any are bad, but why is it that we only sing the same 5 or 6 over and over and so many of my favorites don't get any love?


Here are just a few of my favorite lines......


OH HOLY NIGHT

Led by the light of Faith serenely beaming,
With glowing hearts by His cradle we stand.
So led by light of a star sweetly gleaming,
Here come the wise men from Orient land.
The King of Kings lay thus in lowly manger;
In all our trials born to be our friend.
He knows our need, our weakness is no stranger,
Behold your King! Before Him lowly bend!
Behold your King, Before Him lowly bend!
Truly He taught us to love one another;
His law is love and His gospel is peace.
Chains shall He break for the slave is our brother;
And in His name all oppression shall cease.
Sweet hymns of joy in grateful chorus raise we,
Let all within us praise His holy name.
Christ is the Lord! O praise His Name forever,
His power and glory evermore proclaim.
His power and glory evermore proclaim.

ONCE IN ROYAL DAVID'S CITY

3. And our eyes at last shall see him,
Through his own redeeming love;
For that child so dear and gentle
Is our Lord in heav'n above,
And he leads his children on
To the place where he is gone.

OH LITTLE TOWN OF BETHLEHEM
3. How silently, how silently
The wondrous gift is giv'n!
So God imparts to human hearts
The blessings of his heav'n.
No ear may hear his coming;
But in this world of sin,
Where meek souls will receive him, still 
The dear Christ enters in.


I HEARD THE BELLS ON CHRISTMAS DAY

3. And in despair I bowed my head:
"There is no peace on earth," I said,
"For hate is strong and mocks the song
Of peace on earth, good will to men."

4. Then pealed the bells more loud and deep:
"God is not dead, nor doth he sleep;
The wrong shall fail, the right prevail,
With peace on earth, good will to men."

HARK THE HERALD ANGELS SING

2. Hail the heav'n-born Prince of Peace!
Hail the Son of Righteousness!
Light and life to all he brings,
Ris'n with healing in his wings.
Mild he lays his glory by,
Born that man no more may die;
Born to raise the sons of earth,
Born to give them second birth.
Hark! the herald angels sing
Glory to the newborn King!

FAR, FAR AWAY ON JUDEA'S PLAINS
2. Sweet are these strains of redeeming love,
Message of mercy from heav'n above
Glory to God, Glory to God,
Glory to God in the highest;
Peace on earth, goodwill to men;
Peace on earth, goodwill to men!

Wednesday, November 13, 2013

24 Things Single People Are Tired Of Hearing

As much as I would love to be married, staying home raising children, doing what I always thought I would be doing at 37, I am happy living the single life. 

With that said.....I do have those days when I get frustrated that my life has not turned out the way I imagined it would as a 10 year old child.   Days that the "grass" seems MUCH greener on "the other side," or at least a change in color....something different. Days when friends announce they are engaged and it seems like my pool of single friends is getting smaller and smaller.  Days when friends announce they are expecting  #1, #3 or even #5 and I realize that I have A LOT of catching up to do. Days that I would love to have a permanent "+1," or "and guest" to accompany me to a certain party/event/function and don't have to always show up to everything alone or as a 3rd wheel.     

I saw this list of "24 Things Single People of Tired of Hearing" posted on Facebook and totally identified with it.   To quote #7, some of these just "make we want to weep and then die," but mostly just laugh....depending on the day.  

1. “How are you still single? You’re so great.”

24 Things Single People Are Tired Of Hearing

2. “It’ll happen when you least expect it.”

24 Things Single People Are Tired Of Hearing

3. “Don’t you ever get lonely?”

24 Things Single People Are Tired Of Hearing

4. “Aren’t you worried you won’t be able to have kids?”

24 Things Single People Are Tired Of Hearing

5. “Are you seeing anyone?”

24 Things Single People Are Tired Of Hearing

6. “You should try online dating. My friend met their husband/wife that way.”

24 Things Single People Are Tired Of Hearing

7. “They don’t deserve you.”

24 Things Single People Are Tired Of Hearing

8. “You are such a catch.”

24 Things Single People Are Tired Of Hearing

9. “Don’t worry, you’ll find someone someday.”

24 Things Single People Are Tired Of Hearing

10. “He’s just not ready for a serious commitment yet.”

24 Things Single People Are Tired Of Hearing

11. “One day when you’re married, you’ll wish you were single.”

24 Things Single People Are Tired Of Hearing

12. “There are plenty of fish in the sea.”

24 Things Single People Are Tired Of Hearing

13. “You’re just too picky.”

24 Things Single People Are Tired Of Hearing

14. “Just don’t turn into some crazy cat lady.”

24 Things Single People Are Tired Of Hearing
NBC

15. “She probably just lost your number.”

24 Things Single People Are Tired Of Hearing

16. At a wedding: “You better get out there, they’re doing the bouquet toss.”

24 Things Single People Are Tired Of Hearing

17. “You’re just too busy right now.”

24 Things Single People Are Tired Of Hearing

18. “You have to love yourself before you can love someone else.”

24 Things Single People Are Tired Of Hearing

19. In reference to your best friend: “Have you guys ever thought of dating?”

24 Things Single People Are Tired Of Hearing

20. “I can’t wait to meet your future spouse, they are going to be amazing.”

24 Things Single People Are Tired Of Hearing

21. “We’ll all be laughing about this someday.”

24 Things Single People Are Tired Of Hearing

22. “You should let me set you up, I know the perfect person for you.”

24 Things Single People Are Tired Of Hearing

23. “Don’t give up, it’ll happen.”

24 Things Single People Are Tired Of Hearing

24. “You don’t need anyone.” DAMN RIGHT!

24 Things Single People Are Tired Of Hearing