Hymn of the Week

Beneath the Cross of Jesus               (the last 2 verses are my favorites!)
by Elizabeth C. Clephane


Beneath the cross of Jesus I fain would take my stand,
The shadow of a mighty rock within a weary land;
A home within the wilderness, a rest upon the way,
From the burning of the noontide heat, and the burden of the day.


O safe and happy shelter, O refuge tried and sweet,
O trysting place where Heaven’s love and Heaven’s justice meet!
As to the holy patriarch that wondrous dream was given,
So seems my Savior’s cross to me, a ladder up to heaven.


There lies beneath its shadow but on the further side
The darkness of an awful grave that gapes both deep and wide
And there between us stands the cross two arms outstretched to save
A watchman set to guard the way from that eternal grave.


Upon that cross of Jesus mine eye at times can see
The very dying form of One Who suffered there for me;
And from my stricken heart with tears two wonders I confess;
The wonders of redeeming love and my unworthiness.


I take, O cross, thy shadow for my abiding place;
I ask no other sunshine than the sunshine of His face;
Content to let the world go by to know no gain or loss,
My sinful self my only shame, my glory all the cross.

---

Heart Balloons and Chocolate

So usually Valentine's Day is not my favorite holiday. Lot's of people call it Single Awareness Day. And that has been the story of my life every Valentine's Day! But today was probably my best one yet. I realized that I am completely content in the stage of life that I am in! And I am so blessed to have such wonderful people who love me. Nonexistent boyfriend, you were not even missed! Today was so wonderful for many reasons. First of all, I had TWO classes cancelled. Beginning of a good day? I think yes. Second of all, the weather was some kind of beautiful. 70 degrees in February, and the sun shining on Auburn University = perfect! AOII handed out candy on the concourse. So that was really fun because I got to see a bunch of people! Then I gave away some of the funfetti Valentine's cookies I made all day Saturday. After lunch I had a wonderful cereal and ice cream Wal-Mart run with two pledge sisters. This afternoon I got coffee with my beautiful friend Drue from high school. She is always so refreshing to be around and such an encouragement! Then, as if my day hadn't been good enough so far, my sweet friend Benjamin took Laura and I to dinner. He brought us flowers and I got me a card that says "Happy Valentine's to the Best Mom Ever." Great success. After my last post, everyone can tell that I am well on my way to Mom-ness. I finished off the day with RUF and frozen yogurt from Chill with some more friends!

The best thing about today is that I have been reminded of the love that surpasses all human love. In fact, the greatest love we can have for each other is a mere reflection of the love the God of the universe showed us when he sent his only son to be separated from the Trinity, and to suffer and to die, yet to be raised again! He did this all because he loves us! Wow. That is a truth worth celebrating on Valentine's Day, and all the other days too!

I'll end with a few stanzas from some beautiful hymns we sang at RUF tonight.

From "Depth of Mercy"

Jesus speaks, and pleads His blood!

He disarms the wrath of God;

Now my Father's mercies move,

Justice lingers into love.

There for me the Savior stands,

Shows His wounds and spreads His hands.

God is love! I know, I feel;

Jesus weeps and loves me still.

From "Oh the Deep, Deep Love of Jesus"

Oh the deep, deep love of Jesus,
Vast unmeasured, boundless, free!
Rolling as a mighty ocean in its fullness over me!
Underneath me, all around me
Is the current of Thy love!
Leading onward, leading homeward
To thy glorious, rest above

A Stitch in Time

So I have not had very much homework this week. And I have been doing all sorts of fun stuff! Here's a few samples:
-Played bingo at a nursing home
-Drank a free smoothie from Panera
-Ordered some books online (Spiritual Mothering, Unveiling Islam, By Design, and Esta Patente Oscuridad in case you were wondering)
-Bought pretty stamps
-Went to Daylight Donuts at 230 in the morning
-Ate half baked chocolate chip cookies off a plate with a fork (fresh out of the oven!)
-Wrote some letters
-Put my sunroof back
-Listened to a CD of Christmas hymns

-Most importantly: I have been crafting hardcore. At our Bible study a couple weeks ago we were encouraged to get busy with our hands! When else in my life will I have this much time to do whatever I want to? So I made a bookmark for my mom for Valentine's day: The picture is dark and I can't figure out how to rotate it. But that's the gist. There's a scripture reference stitched in the middle!

This is my most exciting new work of procrastination... i mean art.. I have been working on it all week and it's finally done! I am so excited. The picture is dark again, but the colors are pretty in real life! I think embroidery is going to be my newest hobby. I forgot how much fun it is to make things!
I realize that these are some of the most random/grandmaesque activities possible. And I am perfectly fine with that. Because it's been a relaxing week. And I've loved it!

Midnight Musings

As I sit here in silence, fighting off droopy eyelids and trying to concentrate on Lifespan Human Development terms, I realize that a train is passing by. I’ve never lived close to train tracks before, so at first the long deep drone was a little difficult to get used to. Before long, however, I quit noticing it altogether. It’s noise is a sad one, yet also a complacent one. I am surprised to admit that the sound has almost become a comfort to me. It is interesting that a train would come into my life during such a transient time as college. Yes, that’s right, I’m going to take a normal life occurence and stretch it until it becomes a metaphor. But isn’t that what blogs are for? The train always comes and always goes. It moves on from one place to another. Nothing is certain except the movement. For a while, at least, my life will probably be very much like this train. Always   continuing, always looking a little different. A year ago today I would’ve never been able to guess what my life would look like right now. Nor can I even begin to fathom what it will hold in five years. But as the drone of a train carrying who knows what to who knows where is a comfort, so is the change in my life. That may sound strange, but you see, I know the man who made the tracks.

GDL

Guadalajara, Mexico is a city close to my heart. I've been there three times and actually almost moved there! (But that is a story for another day.) Recently the drug violence that has been such an issue in Mexico spread to Guadalajara as well. Please pray for this city, full of beautiful people. Pray for the missionaries (both foreign and local) that love them so much. Pray that our gracious God will use this time of uncertainty and danger to make his glory and his presence known in a big way!