I've Been Blessed

A home church is such a personal decision.  For several years, we visited church after church and never found what we were looking for.  One day, in the heart of the city, I happened upon this lovely little church...

I at once felt at home and spent almost eight years worshipping in this lovely space....

Not only was the church beautiful, but we were blessed with the awe inspiring music of these very talented people (my son and daughter would be included in this group)....

Madeline, first row, second from the left, and Paine, second row,second from the right. 

Recently, Lanier wrote about one of my favorite authors, Elizabeth Goudge, and shared that the cathedral depicted in The Dean's Watch was based on Ely Cathedral.  I had to share with her my connection, if but a paltry one, to this glorious cathedral.

In 2009, my beloved choir had the honor of a residency at Ely Cathedral.  I promised that I would post pictures....Enjoy!

Ely Cathedral as seen from the Lamb Hotel

The amazing architecture

There are no words...

The details are stunning....

                                                                   Dizzying heights....

The Cathedral song school...

                                                        The entrance to the choir stalls....

I am so proud of them!

Our choir practising....

The unbelievably talented Mr. Zach, our former Children's Choir Master, and the lovely Margaret from our Saint Cecelia's Girls Choir.

Is Mr. Zach truly talented?  Well, this is his new job site....The American Cathedral in Paris, France.  I am so proud to say that he was my daughters first music teacher!

We have recently moved to Georgia and it is heartbreaking to leave a place and friends, that are more like family, but I've enjoyed writing this post and getting to reminisce.

Visit here , the site of our Choir Master, to enjoy the sheer beauty of the music I was blessed to hear every Sunday. 

He Has Risen!

After the Sabbath, at dawn on the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went to look at the tomb. There was a violent earthquake, for an angel of the Lord came down from heaven and, going to the tomb, rolled back the stone and sat on it. His appearance was like lightning, and his clothes were white as snow. The guards were so afraid of him that they shook and became like dead men.

The angel said to the women, "Do not be afraid, for I know that you are looking for Jesus, who was crucified. He is not here; he has risen, just as he said. Come and see the place where he lay. Then go quickly and tell his disciples: 'He has risen from the dead and is going ahead of you into Galilee. There you will see him.' Now I have told you."

So the women hurried away from the tomb, afraid yet filled with joy, and ran to tell his disciples. Suddenly Jesus met them. "Greetings," he said. They came to him, clasped his feet and worshiped him. Then Jesus said to them, "Do not be afraid. Go and tell my brothers to go to Galilee; there they will see me."

Matthew 28:1-10

Don't you just love weddings?

A pretty little church....

Pews that have seen a lifetime of prayers...                                                                                                   

Pretty little brides-maids...                                                                                                                            

Last minute adjustments...                                                                                                                       

                                                                                                

The joining of hands...                                                                                                                                  

 

The formation of a new family...                                                                                                                 

Hark! The merry chimes are pealing,

Soft and glad the music swells,

Gaily in the night wind stealing,

Sweetly sound the wedding bells.

- Eliza Cook

Don't Buy Stuff

It's funny how it's the simply things that are often the hardest to learn lol

In Character

The canopy created by our family's apple tree was always a much loved place to spend a day reading.  I would grab an old quilt, a glass of sweet tea and a favorite book to while away the hours of summer vacation.  Complete immersion in my latest read would have me "becoming" my favorite characters.  I was Anne Shirley, a poor orphan, feeling alone in the world, but she was soon replaced by Jo March. Being one of several sisters, Jo suited much better, but ,alas, I am the youngest and lacked Jo's fearlessness. She was soon replaced.

A love of reading has continued into adulthood and it is well known that I would pass on food to buy a good book :)  Reading has always been my escape to foreign lands and customs, lifestyles that were completely different from my own, yet contained truths that I could not deny.  These characters, spun from the imaginations of truly brilliant writers, became a part of me.

From Jo I understand my desire to write and my love of family.  Charlotte (Charlotte's Web) taught me that the least likely friends are often the most loved. Anne made me realize that often what you wish for isn't what is right for you.  What little girl can't understand Anne's angst over her red hair and freckles?  Without said physical characteristics she wouldn't have been ....well....she just wouldn't have been Anne!

 "Tell me what you read and I'll tell you who you are" is true enough, but I'd know you better if you told me what you reread."    ~Francois Muriac

I re-read these books often.  They are not only the books of my childhood, but the gentle rasp that shaped my personality.  My sincere gratitude to those amazing writers with their God given gifts.

 

Once Again

We are moving....again.  Here is the short version of the story....


Sweet husband got new job and moved to Georgia.  We put house up for sale, found house to lease  and moved.  Within three days of our arrival sweet husband was sent to Korea for a few weeks. ( I wasn't believing him to be so sweet at that point).  Leased house had stinky, mystery smell, bugs, mold and as a bonus....scorpion in the basement.  Called sweet husband in Korea and cried.  Proving that he truly is sweet, he said for us to head back to Kentucky.

 That is were we've been since....

Now we are moving.....in three short weeks. 

It is just as hard to leave as it was before, but we know that it is for the best.  I will chose to be happy and look forward to what this new adventure has in store for us. 

I pinky promise to write if you'll pinky promise to comment....Deal?

It's The Simple Things

Bleak Winter

The ceaseless gray days of winter are starting to get me down.

Our lives are being dictated by the latest weather forecast and too many days trapped inside has left us feeling positively horrid. (Make sure to read that last sentence with your very best Boston Brahmin accent)

 In an effort to push back the dreariness, I've chosen to completely ignore energy conservation and leave the lamps on virtually all day.


I will drag myself from an attitude of abasement by making a list to remind of the simple pleasures life has to offer.  After all, it is the simple things that truly light up our lives....no electricity needed!

My list...

the warm, cosy fire that I've had burning for most of the day

a cup of tea while sitting in my favorite chair

hot, fresh croissants...that I made from scratch!

bouquet of tulips on the mantle... sent by my loving husband

a weekend trip to a warmer climate

the joy of seeing The Young Victoria

What makes your list?