Old hymns.

I have a thing for old hymns. It most likely comes from growing up in a youth groups under the influence of one who was leading up the revolution of rewriting music to them, combined with 4 years in RUF. The lyrics are so rich and the new music (especially coming out of the Indelible Grace project) is just incredible. Some days I just need to hear the lyrics, like today, for example, when I read this (hat tip to CGO):

Encompassed with Clouds of Distress

Encompassed with clouds of distress, and tempted all hope to resign,
I pant for the light of thy face, that I in thy beauty might shine.
Disheartened with waiting so long, I sink at thy feet with my load;
All plaintive I pour out my song, and stretch forth my hands unto God.

If sometimes I strive, as I mourn, my hold of thy promise to keep,
The billows more fiercely return, and plunge my again in the deep,
While harassed and cast from thy sight, the tempter suggests with a roar,
"The Lord has forsaken thee quite; thy God will be gracious no more."

Shine, Lord, and my terror shall cease; the blood of atonement apply;
And lead me to Jesus for peace, the rock that is higher than I.
Speak Saviour, for sweet is thy voice; thy presence is fair to behold;
I thirst for thy spirit, with cries and groanings that cannot be told.

Yet, Lord, if thy love has designed no covenant blessing for me,
Ah! Tell me, how is it I find some sweetness in waiting for thee?
Almighty to rescue thou art, thy grace is immortal and free;
Lord, succour and comfort my heart, and make me live wholly to thee.

... and make me live wholly to thee. Please, Lord.

Cheers!

The wedding weekend was incredible. Being up in the mountains meant that the weather was significantly cooler, which is nice considering the pilot told us that it was 100 degrees outside as my plane landed. After three years of living in the Big City, I am no longer capable of surviving 100-degree weather for very long! Thankfully my sweet party-van of a rental car also had air-conditioning that worked very well. Not only was it cooler up in the mountains, but it was also gorgeous. The view from the reception site was incredible:

Everything pretty much went off without a hitch. There was a small moment of panic when the florist realized that they had misplaced (ie, lost) three of the bridesmaid bouquets. They weren't panicked; they were actually so disturbingly calm that it seemed as if they didn't care that they had lost 30% of the bouquets. But they pulled through, found the bouquets, and in the end did an amazing job playing up the green of the green/brown wedding color combination:

The cake was also decorated to incorporate the green theme, with icing tinted every-so-slightly green that included incredible etched leaf-prints.

close-up of the leaves:

One of the funnier things was definitely the picture below, where all of the bridesmaids (and the bride!) lined up and took of running towards the photographer. This is definitely something that I've never seen before, so I'm curious to see how the official pictures turn out. You can tell who ran track in high school by their form. My form? Horrible.

All in all, a big congratulations and best wishes to G and J!

Preview to the reality

I am currently in the mountains on the east coast for a dear friend's wedding. (More to come on this later, most likely.) Since that's definitely not within driving distance of the Big City, I flew. And despite a grey, cloudy day, I managed to snap this shot of the downtown skyline as we flew past...


Nineteen days from today, I'll be driving out of town -- this time permanently. Scary! Exciting, too.

Thousand Miles?

For a good article about the soon-to-be-released new Caedmon's Call album, check out this one from Common Grounds by Todd Bragg (their drummer).

Also, you can pre-order a limited edition version of their new CD here -- $12 for not one, but two CD's is a pretty good deal!

This new CD may be a necessity for the cross-country drive....

Renewed faith

It's things like this that give me renewed faith in mankind in the midst of all the other awful things reported in the news.

ahhhhh.

Only could be better if there was sand in the background instead of my bookcases.

On being stressed

As I said in this post, the brain fascinates me. Recently, I've realized how my ability to handle stress has adapted from previous experiences. Last fall was horribly stressful, to the point of being overworked and burnt out. I survived the experience, and I would like to think that I am stronger as a result. With the impending move (both mine personally and that of the lab), I knew that things would get crazy and stressful. And they have. But I've realized recently that when my stress level has gotten really high at various points in time over the last few weeks, I just completely shut down and can't concentrate. It's as if my body has adapted to recognize the stress that led to burn out last time and that it's bad for me, and it stops me from moving further down that path to the super-stressed place by just shutting down. I realize that sounds kind of bad, but I also have learned that a 10-15 minute break and walk outside (by the water) lowers my stress level back down and will allow myself to "restart" and be able to think/concentrate again. So not only will my brain keep me from getting so stressed, but I now know how to handle it and lower my stress level. The brain is an incredible thing. And I guess the past did make me stronger!

"The LORD is my shepherd;
I shall not want.
He makes me lie down in green pastures.
He leads me beside still waters.
He restores my soul."
Psalm 23: 1-3a

So good.

Incredible lyrics (old, I know, but so good):


If You Want Me To (Ginny Owens)

The pathway is broken
And The signs are unclear
And I don't know the reason why You brought me here
But just because You love me the way that You do
I'm gonna walk through the valley
If You want me to

Chorus:
Cause I'm not who I was
When I took my first step
And I'm clinging to the promise You're not through with me yet
so if all of these trials bring me closer to you
Then I will walk through the fire
If You want me to

It may not be the way I would have chosen
When you lead me through a world that's not my home
But You never said it would be easy
You only said I'd never go alone

So When the whole world turns against me
And I'm all by myself
And I can't hear You answer my cries for help
I'll remember the suffering Your love put You through
And I will go through the valley
If You want me to


Lead of Love (Caedmon's Call)

Looking back at the road so far
The journey's left its share of scars
Mostly from leaving the narrow and straight

Looking back it is clear to me
That a man is more than the sum of his deeds
And how You've made good of this mess I've made
Is a profound mystery

Looking back You know You had to bring me through
All that I was so afraid of
Though I questioned the sky, now I see why
Had to walk the rocks to see the mountain view
Looking back I see the lead of love

Looking back I can finally see (I'd rather have wisdom)
How failures bring humility (than be)
Brings me to my knees (a comfortable fool)
Helps me see my need for Thee

Seriously?

Is it really going to be this crazy/busy/hectic up until the time I move? I feel like I'm about three steps behind in (almost) every aspect of my life! Sheesh. I mean, I love everything that I'm doing and every one that I'm spending time with, but just this once -- can't there be 36 hours in the day instead of 24 so that I can get everything done? Please?

Moving, part 2

Well, I'm not leaving the Big City for another 4 weeks, but my bed left today. Since I'm moving into a minimally furnished apartment there in California, I no longer needed my wonderful, spacious queen bed (I'll have a twin there) so I sold it to friends who're moving into a house and needed a guest bed. Waking up in my bed this morning was bittersweet. My bedroom does have a lot more room now that all I have is an air mattress! As you can see, I went from this:


... to this:


It's not the Ritz, but it will do well for the next few weeks before I leave. Plus, now I have an air mattress for anyone who comes to visit me!

I think the reality of the fact that I am actually moving in 4 weeks is starting to sink in. I anticipate that they will pass quickly in a whirlwind of activity, despite all my best efforts to stop and savor every moment. Ready or not, California, here I come!