Daybreak in Alabama

When I get to be a composer
I'm gonna write me some music about
Daybreak in Alabama
And I'm gonna put the purtiest songs in it
Rising out of the fround like a swamp mist
And falling out of heaven like soft dew.
I'm gonna put some tall tall trees in it
And the scent of pine needles
And the smell of red clay after rain
And long red necks
And poppy colored faces
And big brown arms
And the fiend daisy eyes
Of black and white black white black people
And I'm gonna put white hands
And black hands and brown and yellow hands
And red clay earth hands in it
Touching everybody with kind fingers
And touching each other natural as dew
In that dawn of music when I
Get to be a composer
And write about daybreak
In Alabama.

Langston Hughes

It's on its way...

...I'll turn 30 in two months. What an odd concept. I don't feel like I'll be turning 30...I'm pretty sure I still think of myself as 21. Yup, I do. It seems like so many women dread turning 30, thinking it means they're old. Well I guess I'll be older but that happens every year. Not to mention the fact that working with many an 18 year old I feel "old" every day!

Thus I realized something yesterday. I am trepidatiously giddy about turning 30. My hesitation is that I don't feel like I'm supposed to be giddy about it...but I am! I am so ready for this coming year, this new stage in life. It's a new season. A new adventure to take hold of. New things to learn and risks to take. There are things the Lord will be able to do with me at 30 that He didn't at 20 because I just wasn't ready.

There are many things I thought I would have done by now that I haven't. When I stop to think about it I'm glad for that. I wasn't ready. I wasn't prepared. Oh the grace of the Lord!

So here's to a new year, a new season, new adventures, and taking a chance on living life celebrating where the Lord has me at each and every moment!

Words I Like...

glean: to gather slowly and laboriously, bit by bit; to learn, discover, or find out, usually little by little or slowly.

Ruth gathered in the field of her kinsman redeemer, her bridegroom.

Do I do the same with my Kinsman Redeemer and Bridegroom?

There was a relative of Naomi’s husband, a man of great wealth, of the family of Elimelech. His name was Boaz. So Ruth the Moabitess said to Naomi, “Please let me go to the field, and glean heads of grain after him in whose sight I may find favor.” And she said to her, “Go, my daughter.” Then she left, and went and gleaned in the field after the reapers. And she happened to come to the part of the field belonging to Boaz, who was of the family of Elimelech. Now behold, Boaz came from Bethlehem, and said to the reapers, “The Lord be with you!” And they answered him, “The Lord bless you!” Then Boaz said to his servant who was in charge of the reapers, “Whose young woman is this?” So the servant who was in charge of the reapers answered and said, “It is the young Moabite woman who came back with Naomi from the country of Moab. And she said, ‘Please let me glean and gather after the reapers among the sheaves.’ So she came and has continued from morning until now, though she rested a little in the house.” Then Boaz said to Ruth, “You will listen, my daughter, will you not? Do not go to glean in another field, nor go from here, but stay close by my young women. Let your eyes be on the field which they reap, and go after them. Have I not commanded the young men not to touch you? And when you are thirsty, go to the vessels and drink from what the young men have drawn.” So she fell on her face, bowed down to the ground, and said to him, “Why have I found favor in your eyes, that you should take notice of me, since I am a foreigner?” And Boaz answered and said to her, “It has been fully reported to me, all that you have done for your mother-in-law since the death of your husband, and how you have left your father and your mother and the land of your birth, and have come to a people whom you did not know before. The Lord repay your work, and a full reward be given you by the Lord God of Israel, under whose wings you have come for refuge.” Then she said, “Let me find favor in your sight, my lord; for you have comforted me, and have spoken kindly to your maidservant, though I am not like one of your maidservants.” Now Boaz said to her at mealtime, “Come here, and eat of the bread, and dip your piece of bread in the vinegar.” So she sat beside the reapers, and he passed parched grain to her; and she ate and was satisfied, and kept some back. And when she rose up to glean, Boaz commanded his young men, saying, “Let her glean even among the sheaves, and do not reproach her. Also let grain from the bundles fall purposely for her; leave it that she may glean, and do not rebuke her.” So she gleaned in the field until evening, and beat out what she had gleaned, and it was about an ephah of barley. Then she took it up and went into the city, and her mother-in-law saw what she had gleaned. So she brought out and gave to her what she had kept back after she had been satisfied.

RUTH 2

30 Day Song Challenge:Day Three:Makes Me Happy

Oops! Too much homework...forgot to post my happy song!!!

I'm a smilin!

30 Day Song Challenge:Day Two:Least Favorite Song

Oh dear! I don't know why, but I can't stand this song...sorry if there are any lovers out there!!

What is the point...

...of serving someone if it is not for the glory of the Lord? This has been a common theme my thoughts since quitting my job back in September. I have a heart that loves to serve. It may not always be in a way that people take notice of or appreciate, but the desire to serve and give of myself is what sparks passion in my heart.

How do I reconcile the passion to serve with a shy or introverted personality? I challenge that aspect of my personality. I take action that makes me step outside my box where I am comfortable. I focus on the fact that the need of the people is greater than anything I might feel.

But is that where it ends? If so, there is a huge disconnect. Where is the Lord in all of it? Am I simply challenging my flesh or am I allowing the Lord to show me that He is my strength and the One who calls me out of who I think I am? Do I rely on my own ability to take action steps or do I know that the Lord will present specific opportunities each and every day to step out in FAITH? Do I just see a physical need or do I see a spiritual need that only the Lord can fill?

These are things I must keep in mind as the path of service is laid before me.

"And whatever you do, do it heartily, as to the Lord and not to men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the reward of inheritance; for you serve the Lord Christ." Colossians 323-24

30 Day Song Challenge:Day One:Favorite Song

Honestly, I'm not sure if I have a favorite song. There are so many I like and that remind me of different times in life that it seems odd to pick a "favorite" out of them all...like picking a memory that I like best of all! I digress.

This song is one that I remember from a very poignant time in my life. It was a time of great growth, deep friendships, and learning what it meant to really and truly love the Lord. The memories that flood in when I hear this song: brokenness (in a good way), challenge, seeing friends step forward in faith, intimacy, THANKFULNESS.

Not only are there the memories, there is ultimately the message of the song. When I was nothing the Lord redeemed my soul. I didn't just have nothing, I had a deficit. But He can do all things. He saved me from death.

Thank you Lord for giving your Son for me. I had nothing and you had everything.
Thank you Jesus for sacrificing your life for me. You were sinless but you paid my debt.

Working on #44...

This past weekend I was blessed to spend sometime on a road trip with one of my best friends. On the way there we sang (very loudly) with Whitney, visited a store we had never been to before, and had some great heart-to-heart conversations.

Once we got where we were going we spent time with MOG helping prepare for the 2010 Caring for Women High Tea. Every year over 200 people contribute their time, effort, and sanity for the event which benefits Caring for Women Pregnancy Resource Center in Oroville, CA.

It was quite an unusual event for me to attend, being that I don't care for tea, but "Learn to like tea" is #44 on my 101 Things list so I went for it!!! I didn't flinch and actually kind of enjoyed the tea...baby steps...baby steps...

Later that night we headed over to Tong Fong Low's for some YUMMY food...and some more tea! We had a great time enjoying each others company and taste testing everyone's different selections.

Overall I'd say this was a superb way to start out tackling a goal on my 101 Things list. A big thanks to Amy and Evelyn for making this weekend possible and oh so enjoyable!