Lead Me

Because this will be the last official song of this long blog series, I didn't want make it a Christmas song (you know, keep the variety going).

 Lead Me

I look around and see my wonderful life
Almost perfect from the outside
In picture frames, I see my beautiful wife
Always smiling, but on the inside

[Chorus] Oh, I can hear her saying
Lead me with strong hands
Stand up when I can't
Don't leave me hungry for love
Chasing dreams, but what about us?
Show me you're willing to fight
That I'm still the love of your life
I know we call this our home
But I still feel alone

I see their faces, look in their innocent eyes
They're just children from the outside
I'm working hard, I tell myself they'll be fine
They're independent, but on the inside

[Chorus]
So Father, give me the strength
To be everything I'm called to be
Oh Father, show me the way
To lead them

Won't You lead me?

To lead them with strong hands
To stand up when they can't
Don't want to leave them hungry for love
Chasing things that I could give up

I'll show them I'm willing to fight
And give them the best of my life
So we can call this our home
Lead me 'cause I can't do this alone

Father, lead me 'cause I can't do this alone
-Sanctus Real

This song, though it is not necessarily a deep song (under a microscope it, as all songs, has it's flaws) there is a strong point in it.
The first time I heard this song, the songwriter's cry rang loudly, and it still does:

"So Father, give me the strength
To be everything I'm called to be
Oh Father, show me the way
To lead them"

This songwriter knows that all strength, guidance, and vision of a christian father/husband can only ever come from the Lord.
What a beautiful and humble cry of a man, a father, and a follower of Christ!

A friend and I are reading "It's {Not That} Complicated" (really good book!) and in one of the chapters, it talks about how our feminist culture, has in the past and is trying to, take over manhood, a.k.a dominate the role that men rightly have. But reading how weighty this role of being a leader is, makes taking it over seem silly. It is true that at the bottom of the feminist movement is the sin of Eve -wanting to be greater than her husband and God (two leaders/authorities in her life)- but to me, looking practically, being a leader would be tough.
Being a leader is being selfless, not "Chasing things that I could give up" . It's fighting against the evil things that creep in and root in families, similar to a shepherd of a flock. It's being responsible to proclaim Christ to your "flock", as well as those that surround you. It's late night talks (with an early morning the next day). It's being wise enough to make choices, show grace, protect, and yet be humble enough to know that all these things are from God.
Not to say that women are physically incapable; single moms can do it, but is this where women should be? There is a better, and customized, role that women belong in.

"Then the Lord God said, “It is not good that the man should be alone; I will make him a helper fit for him.”
" And the rib that the Lord God had taken from the man he made into a woman and brought her to the man. Then the man said,

“This at last is bone of my bones
    and flesh of my flesh;
she shall be called Woman,
    because she was taken out of Man.^{'"  {Genesis 2:18,22-23}}

All that to say, this song hits to home. No, really.

Oh, by the way, happy New Years!
Love,
       Caro :)

Gather Round Ye Children

November 2010 -driving in Pennsylvania on Thanksgiving day

  This is the first song on this album and it is a great start to a unique Christmas album. I don't usually like listening to new Christmas albums (I like to stick with the classics our family grew up with), but this album is not your typical Christmas album.

Gather Round Ye Children 

Gather ‘round, ye children, come
Listen to the old, old story
Of the pow’r of death undone
By an infant born of glory
Son of God, Son of Man
Gather ‘round, remember now
How creation held its breath
How it let out a sigh
And it filled up the sky with the angels
Son of God, Son of Man

CHORUS

So sing out with joy for the brave little boy
Who was God, but he made himself nothing
Well he gave up his pride and he came here to die
Like a man
Therefore God exalted him
To the place of highest praises
And he gave him a name above every name
That at the very name of Jesus, Son of God

CHORUS

We would sing out with joy for the brave little boy
Who was God, but he made himself nothing
Well he gave up his pride and he came here to die
Like a man
So in heav’n and earth and below
Every knee would bow and worship
And ev’ry tongue would proclaim
That Jesus, He reigns with the angels

CHORUS

So sing out with joy for the brave little boy
Who was God but he made himself nothing
Well he gave up his pride and he came here to die
Like a man
So gather ‘round, ye children come
Listen to the old, old story
Of the power of death undone
By an infant born of glory
- Andrew Peterson

Interestingly this song is based off of Philippians 2:6-11,

  " who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, ⁷ but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant,^[a] being born in the likeness of men. ⁸ And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. ⁹ Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name, ¹⁰ so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, ¹¹ and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father."

I love how this song captures the significance, but also the point of this "old, old, story" that is celebrated this month.
"An infant born of glory...Who was God but he made himself nothing".
This reminds me of this past chapter in my history which talked about the Gnostics who  claimed that Jesus did not really come down and take on human flesh, it just seemed like it. That got me thinking how if you tweek one little part of this story of redemption, the rest of it won't fit. If Jesus only seemed human, then he must have only seemed to suffer God's wrath, right? But then again, the Gnostics also believed that sin was not are real problem, but ignorance of our spiritual self/destiny. Which reminds me of this quote,
" So there are really only two religions in the world: a religion of human striving to ascend to God through pious works, feelings, attitudes, and experiences and the Good News of God's merciful descent to us in his Son." (Micahael Horton). 

Another neat aspect of this song is how the only mention of "me" is singing, rejoicing and praising the name of our beloved Savior! So, " gather ‘round, ye children come listen to the old, old story".
I hope you will appreciate and love this song as much as I do!

 





P.S Check out the new bands on
the Curly Designs page!
:)

Happy 22nd!

E.

So Elena wanted a birthday party with lights, hot yummy things, singing, and with a few friends. It was a hit!

At first it kinda seemed silly that Elena was planning her own party but it wasn't that big of a deal (plus, she knew exactly what she wanted).

Eva and I "getting ready for the party"

Aunt Gaby and the birthday girl!

Our lovely Aunt Gaby and Grandma graced us with their presence and added a "specialness" to the party

As the sun begins to set, the lights come on!

Originally a ton of people had said they were coming, but sadly some of those people didn't end coming. And afterwards we remembered a bunch more people we had forgotten to invite (isn't that how it always is?). I guess we'll know for next time...

I.Love.Lights!

The night was chilly, but we had hot soup and beverages to warm your inside, as well as extra scarves and hats handy!

Getting ready to sing to Elena

After the majority of people had their fill of cake, we all moved into the living room and sang some hymns, then had a sweet moment of prayer.It was a good night.

Happy Birthday, Elena!

Let All Mortal Flesh Keep Silence

 {March 2007, France}

"But the Lord is in his holy temple;
    let all the earth keep silence before him.”
{Habakkuk 2:20} 

Let All Mortal Flesh Keep Silence

Let all mortal flesh keep silence,
And with fear and trembling stand;
Ponder nothing earthly minded,
For with blessing in His hand,
Christ our God to earth descendeth,
Our full homage to demand.

King of kings, yet born of Mary,
As of old on earth He stood,
Lord of Lords, in human vesture,
In the body and the blood;
He will give to all the faithful
His own self for heavenly food.

Rank on rank the host of heaven
Spreads its vanguard on the way,
As the Light of light descendeth
From the realms of endless day,
That the powers of hell may vanish
As the darkness clears away.

At His feet the six winged seraph,
Cherubim with sleepless eye,
Veil their faces to His presence,
As with ceaseless voice they cry:
Alleluia, Alleluia
Alleluia, Lord Most High!

-French Carol

Not your typical Christmas carol. Yet, I think this hymn carries something that is, more often than not, missed in this upcoming season. Food for thought..

A beautiful song based off of Hab 2:20. This has been previously posted on our blog, but...it's been awhile. The tune of this song matches the solemn but reverent lyrics of this hymn. Basically the hymn tells how Christ came down (verse 1), became a man ( verse 2), "That the powers of hell may vanish" (verse 3), and now read verse 4.... yeah, I like this hymn too.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Happy Thanksgiving!

You'll here from us...later.

:)

How Sweet and Aweful

So...dare I again say that this is another a favorite song? But, 'tis very true.

Why? Well, read the lyrics:

How Sweet and Aweful

How sweet and aweful is the place
With Christ within the doors
While everlasting love displays
The choicest of her stores

While all our hearts and all our songs
Join to admire the feast
Each of us cry with thankful tongues
“Lord, why was I a guest?”

“Why was I made to hear Thy voice
And enter while there's room
When thousands make a wretched choice
And rather starve than come?”

’Twas the same love that spread the feast
That sweetly drew us in
Else we had still refused to taste
And perished in our sin

Pity the nations, O our God
Constrain the earth to come
Send Thy victorious Word abroad
And bring the strangers home

We long to see Thy churches full
That all the chosen race
May with one voice and heart and soul
Sing Thy redeeming grace

         -Isaac Watts (1707)

 Note that the "aweful" is not awful. It's not a horrendous awful, but an awesome aweful.
Yes the Lord may be awful in the sinner's eyes, but He is aweful in the eyes of the saved.
Just a side note.
 From verse 1, "While everlasting love displays, the choicest of her stores ", we can't even comprehend "everlasting", let alone "everlasting love". Yet that is Christ's love, everlasting.
"Each of us cry with thankful tongues, “Lord, why was I a guest?”", only recently has this rang so true, to me, but it has always been true for every soul who has been bought with the blood of Christ.

  Verse three continues this thought with such tenderness. In the second to last verse, "Send Thy victorious Word abroad, and bring the strangers home", we see that the author is pleading for the gospel to be spread, bringing those "Chosen race" into God's flock.

 The last verse slides into home base with, " May with one voice and heart and soul, sing Thy redeeming grace" -similar to The Church's One Foundation,- singing as one body, worshiping our Savior, and bringing Him glory.
In my perilous Google search, I came upon this cool-looking blogger, and some of his thoughts on the fifth verse.

Introducing Curly Designs

{Please note the new tab above this post}

I am happy to announce the opening of my shop -Curly Designs.

About this time last year, I started working on selling the things that were costing me a lot of  time, enjoyment, and money. I had tried selling my products via an open house, and though I was able to break even (and some), it wasn't a good long term solution. At the beginning of this year, I was all ready to open shop, but for some bizarre reason, you and me couldn't see my page when it was published. Now, eight months later, I have finally pulled my act -and my editor's act- together.

One fine, chilly evening I really wanted Elena to make me a headband for me, so she told me to pick out the colors and band. She really encouraged and pretty much forced me to try sewing it by myself after she walked me through the first rose. After that I went off lickety split, making headbands left and right. I tested out different types of fabrics with the same type of rose. Since then I have been trying out different designs of flowers, that I can't wait to share.

One more thing, I have started out with a few items, just to see how business goes, I hope to add more variety as time goes on. I also plan to sell some in local businesses, but want to first try this out. I am newbie to this, but I have my business cards, my products, and packaging.

Be My Escape

I remember walking into that Christian bookstore, nine years ago, clutching my $15 giftcard. I already knew what item I would buy. I had heard Relient K via Elena, and I was finally purchasing their Anatomy Of The Tongue In Cheek album.

Pretty close to the front!

Caro, Joseph and I

Ever since that fateful day I've been a huge fan. Until August, I had never seen them in concert! My good friend, Joseph (pictured above), invited me to their concert. They are definitely still one of my favorite bands and I was so excited to be at their concert. 

In Christ,
~Micaela Marques

All To Us

{2006}

 Looking at this song, reminded me of "O Church Arise". There is this time of waiting, but this time is not a free license for worldliness and idleness. Instead," Let the glory of Your name be the passion of the Church, let the righteousness of God be a holy flame that burns, let the saving love of Christ be the measure of our lives, we believe You're all to us". What a beautiful picture of what Christ's church should be. 

All To Us

[Verse 1] Precious cornerstone, sure foundation
You are faithful to the end
We are waiting, on You, Jesus
We believe You're all to us

[Chorus] Let the glory of Your name be the passion of the Church
Let the righteousness of God be a holy flame that burns
Let the saving love of Christ be the measure of our lives
We believe You're all to us

[Verse 2] Only Son of God sent from Heaven
Hope and mercy at the cross
You are everything, You're the Promise
Jesus, You are all to us

You're all to us
You're all to us
You're all to us
Yes, You are

When this passing world is over
We will see You face to face
And forever we will worship
Jesus, You are all to us

-Chris Tomilin

Jumpy Places, a Wedding, and Camping

The Webbies, Apadocas, and Burdell kids at the the Jumpy Place!

Hurrah for Jumpy places! Those are awesome places to go in the morning (no grimy kids...besides ours), have kids burn energy (without being attacked by mosquitoes and heat stroke), and all in one room. Also, it is such an amazing spark for me kids to use your imagination. We celebrated Mia birthday with going to the Jumpy Place and having pizza and cupcakes with the fam.

That evening we all attended Emily and Nathan's Celidah. Everyone had a lovely time dancing. Bedtime that night was usual (which is somewhere close to, or past, twelve).

All the lovely sweets!

At 6:00 am I woke up and convinced myself that taking a shower would make me happy and awake. It didn't. I could still have gone to bed just as well. 

But once we went to the church I woke up.

Many people had come two hours early, thinking we would be short on time to prepare. But (thankfully) we finished everything with plenty of time to spare.

And yes, if you were wondering, I am aware that the "N and E" picture is upside down.

Dear Elizabeth Knippa with (some) of her faithful work on the table

The Reception.

As we sat around the the table and talked, the girls requested Eva's presence, and being the youngest at the table, I brought the baby over. :P

Eva can be quite the catch! She was making everyone work for her smile. Sarah was able to get a smile, after a cell phone was given to Eva, and then Eva was transferred to Anna and Eva gave another smile. 

As the reception came to a natural close (everyone was getting hungry for dinner), Nathan and Emily began to make their escape.

Becca, after a long day of attending a wedding. :)

The new and fresh, Mr and Mrs. Nathan Serven! 

One of my favorite family's.

Mia took a little, unintentional, dip into the lake

Eva and I stole a quick footsie shot (my toes compliments of Aunt Gaby and Eva's are compliments from mommy).

Dom with Grandma's eye shades and Grandpa with Dom's sunglasses!

The Girls. A little side note is that Elena did Emmy's hair in this style.

So, on Thursday after Emily's wedding we geared up and went camping to Pedenales falls. I'm afraid I didn't take too many pictures besides these :(. But other more dedicated bloggers captured some photos.

This is the third or fourth recommendation from our dear friends the Loyd's, and I'm a little bit hooked.

I gobbled read this book in five days. I always forget how much I like fantasy/ adventure/ fiction books, till I read one. Haven't decided if I completely like this one, so I'm reading the series. 

If you've read it tell me what you think.

I told Mica this looks like the place for some really artsy person to make an inde-music video. Can't you see some artsy people coming down the hill with their guitars?

Down at the splendidly cool creek (or river depends where you're from).  This song came to mind almost every single time we came down to the river.

Love, 

            Caro :)

All in one day.

 Friday.
 We had a day of two events that have nothing in common besides that they were all in one day. 

We were on the road by dark-thirty in the morning, and arrived at our friend's farm by 7:30.

A beautiful, foggy morning! The pastures with their horses (or cows) looked so picturesque.

The Chickens. Or "The Meat"

Bringing in the chickens

Ben

Sophia was a little bit shy at first, but by the end she was in there catching the chickens

Cameron after a -ahem!- water hose war...

How many clowns fit in the car ?

"The last melon!"... or chicken. We had started cleaning when the last chicken was discovered, it also was one of the heaviest.

Literally, when we got home, we showered, talked, then went to our next event:

Bruce Munsterman and  Peter Steigerwald.

A dear friend of ours gave us tickets to join him at KHCB's 50th anniversary celebration at 1st Baptist.Though I'm not a dedicated radio listener (for any station) it was neat to see all the talkshow host in person and see all the volunteers too.

Kristyn Getty reading some scripture.

Part of the celebration was a little concert from Keith and Kristyn Getty. They sang "By Faith", "In Christ Alone", "The Power of the Cross", a beautiful lullaby to their daughter, and a unique rendition of  "God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen".

Space shuttle astronaut, Colonel Jeff  William, gave a testimony of his time in space looking at the world...

John MacArthur was the speaker for the evening.

He spoke on Isaiah 53

Not what My Hands Have Done

The Grand Canyon

Another favorite -actually, I think all of these songs have been my favorite- that gives such a poignant reminder of "not what my hands have done". A dear friend of ours from church pointed out how by just reading the beginning of each verse there is such a beautiful picture of redemption.

 Let's see, "Not what my hands have done can save my guilty soul;" no works righteousness, self-help, can save us. Not just plain save us, but save, " guilty soul" us. Guilty before who? God. "Against you, you only, have I sinned and done what is evil in your sight," {Psalm 51:4}. 

" And God said, “Let there be light,” and there was light." Isn't funny to think of all the things the Bible records God said and it happened? That may seem like such a vast and childish thought at first, but go read and ponder. This same Lord that has spoken so much, is the same Lord that, "can speak to me of grace;". In this second verse is the solution to the first verse, "Your voice alone, O Lord, can speak to me of grace;"

  For God, who said, “Let light shine out of darkness,” has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ." {2 Corinthians 4:5-6}

This third verse pretty much fly's in the face of all other thinking (christian or not), "Thy work alone, O Christ, can ease this weight of sin;"  It is Christ, and only Him, that can clean our slate, erase sin, and clear the guilty soul. His sinless life in a sinful and fallen world was, and is, significant. Therefore His death was just as significant because He took on God's full wrath, though there was no sin in Him, yet, "We know that Christ, being raised from the dead, will never die again; death no longer has dominion over him. For the death he died he died to sin, once for all, but the life he lives he lives to God." {Romans 6:9-10} It is Christ's who saves us. Where have we gotten the idea that there is a corner of us that is untainted by sin to choose God? There is nothing here about what we do besides sinning (but later praising and loving).

"I bless the Christ of God; I rest on love divine; ", the  sinner is now resting in the loving and gracious arms of the Savior that he has been speaking of. Not only does he rest in, but also blesses the, "Christ of God". This Christ of God, connects to same God that the sinner can't make peace with in verse 1. Also there is such firm trust and reassurance in this verse.

This last verse, "I praise the God of grace; I trust His truth and might;" is a continued growth from the previous verse. Reminds me of the first question in one of our church's catechism, "What is the chief end of man? The chief end of man is to glorify God and enjoy Him forever." He truly is The All in All, the great I AM, and Lord! And He, "calls me His, I call Him mine, My God, my joy and light." This last verse kinda sums up the hymn, reminding, that is God who saves, pardons, and loves. It is only through Christ that we love and forgive. 
"  In this the love of God was made manifest among us, that God sent his only Son into the world, so that we might live through him.  In this is love, not that we have loved God but that he loved us and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins." 
{1 John 4:9-10}

Not What My Hands Have Done

Not what my hands have done can save my guilty soul;
Not what my toiling flesh has borne can make my spirit whole.
Not what I feel or do can give me peace with God;
Not all my prayers and sighs and tears can bear my awful load.

Your voice alone, O Lord, can speak to me of grace;
Your power alone, O Son of God, can all my sin erase.
No other work but Yours, no other blood will do;
No strength but that which is divine can bear me safely through.

Thy work alone, O Christ, can ease this weight of sin;
Thy blood alone, O Lamb of God, can give me peace within.
Thy love to me, O God, not mine, O Lord, to Thee,
Can rid me of this dark unrest, And set my spirit free.

I bless the Christ of God; I rest on love divine;
And with unfaltering lip and heart I call this Savior mine.
His cross dispels each doubt; I bury in His tomb
Each thought of unbelief and fear, each lingering shade of gloom.

I praise the God of grace; I trust His truth and might;
He calls me His, I call Him mine, My God, my joy and light.
’Tis He Who saveth me, and freely pardon gives;
I love because He loveth me, I live because He lives.

-Horatius Bonar