prayer.

if anyone happens to happen along and see this little note, would you please pray for my throat? i've been feeling sick for over a week, but not really sick- just a very untalkative-feeling throat that is rather painful. no coughing, just hurts. it's been keeping me especially from singing. which is fine- my schedule is surprisingly free from singing engagements lately. but if it's all the same, i'd rather have the option to sing whenever i can! it's just a strange thing. maybe i strained it. i know the Lord knows and He can heal it! thanks for praying.

grey day.

i'd like to write a lot, but i don't really know what to include yet. plans keep seeming to change at the last minute, so i shan't inform you, dear reader, of my future plans beyond two for today: enjoying a day off, and doing my laundry. :)

we celebrated thanksgiving yesterday! it was a day late to american standards, but thoroughly worth the wait. i had been home with a sore throat and hoarse voice for wednesday and thursday, but by friday morning was feeling up to the challenge of cooking thanksgiving dinner for 80 people with inga-lill [the mastermind] and karen [her handy side-kick]. we sure had fun- karen and i took great delight in carving that turkey with the "power-saw" electric knife. i also was given charge over the green bean casserole [yay hotdish!] and the yams. cooking at the Bible College has taught me several life lessons: pray a lot, be flexible, keep laughing, and pray some more. so we did, and it was great.

i am getting excited to head home for Christmas!!!!!!! i'm ready to see my beautiful snowy minnesota, my wonderful family, my cozy house, my warm bed... all the good stuff. the semester ends in only 2 weeks with graduation on the 11th December. there are Lots Of Things To Be Done before then.. but it'll all get done.

hoping to visit the Christmas Market soon here in Siegen, and maybe in Köln sometime too...

next week brings another adventure, of which you shall hear in due time!

AND last but certainly far from least- there's a candlelight service in one of the big churches in town tonight... and i want to go! hopefully we'll make it...

"If the Lord wills, we shall live and do this or that!" - James 4:15

it still hasn't snowed here yet! i'm hoping it'll snow tonight to make the day after Thanksgiving all the more magical. it could only be better if i were 6 years old all over again, at the Christmas tree farm in PA, riding up into the fields in a horse-drawn wagon, bundled up to the nines and finding The Perfect Tree up on the hillside.. then riding back down and sipping steaming hot apple cider in the pine-scented barn. those, my friends, were the good old days.

lots of love.

mes amis.

before the throne, part 2.

today i:

cleaned my house

did my laundry

recorded before the throne and posted it on pv

enjoyed a cozy saturday in a warm, clean house.

the end.

bits of this and that.

doing a lot of thinking and praying lately.

been doing a lot of writing this semester, just little bits here and there, but plenty in general.

put together a little song tonight.. it's just where i'm at. you can hear it at my purevolume [called so see]. rough recording, but i'm willing to share.

looking forward to speaker's week, beginning tomorrow. ready to hear the things the Lord wants to speak.

enjoyed a lovely wedding yesterday, of two very dear friends. such a good day celebrating their marriage.

i boiled some pretty tasty carrots tonight for dinner, along with my basmati rice. just sayin'.

almost in the mood for christmas music, and definitely into wool socks season.

found an old copy of Hinds Feet on High Places in the bookstore this week! been loving it, and savoring every word. so encouraging.

better head on to bed- or maybe just a few more quiet minutes on my couch with the cozy silence.

xo.

before the throne..

Before the throne of God above, I have a strong and perfect plea

A great High Priest whose name is love, Who ever lives and pleads for me

My name is graven on His hands! My name is written on His heart!

I know that while in heaven He stands, No tongue can bid me thus depart

No tongue can bid me thus depart

When Satan tempts me to despair, And tells me of the guilt within

Upward I look and see Him there, Who made an end to all my sin

Because the sinless Savior died, My sinful soul is counted free

For God the just is satisfied, To look on Him and pardon me

To look on Him and pardon me

Behold Him there, the risen Lamb, My perfect spotless righteousness

The great unchanging all I Am, The King of glory and of grace

One with Himself, I cannot die, My soul is purchased by His blood

My life is hid with Christ on high, With Christ my Savior and my God

With Christ my Savior and my God