Going to the big leagues...

I'm super proud of my cousin Logan Darnell, drafted in the 6th round, going to the Minnesota Twins.  Click here and here for more details!

music update

In my efforts to dwell in the truth of this song Jesus I Am Resting, Resting, I searched iTunes this afternoon.  I learned this song in college from my friend Julia Scott (now Yawn).  But I didn't have a copy on CD or anything.

So in my search, I found the Shelly Moore Band and downloaded her whole CD "A Hymn Project", which contains my heart song at the moment.  The song shows off her beautiful low vocals... I guess you'd call that alto.  [Click here to see a live version.]  My dad would like her to because she "hits the notes".  I remember singing around the piano as a little girl, and I would want to slide all around the notes (like I heard country singers do), and Dad would say "Just hit the note!"  He also said that angels just hit the notes, so if I wanted to sing like an angel, I shouldn't slide all around.  Ha!

Meanwhile I was reading Shelly's blog and heard her talk about another song, one called There is a Fountain Filled with Blood.  Here are her thoughts...

It’s one of the most moving hymns I know – the lyrics, so centered on the Gospel that we cherish. Singing that this morning brought me to tears as the voices in the room rang out louder than our voices and instruments coming through the speakers, singing…

The dying thief rejoiced to see that fountain in His day

And there have I though vile as he washed all my sins away

Singing alongside these strangers, most of whom I haven’t met personally throughout this weekend, I suddenly was pressed into a moment where I knew I was singing with brothers and sisters… People I would be worshipping with forever.

So I searched high and low for this song and found it on another hymn CD "Together for the Gospel - Live" from Sovereign Grace Music - aka Bob Kauflin.  I really enjoyed a book by Bob last year called Worship Matters.  Looking forward to dwelling in this song as well.

Good songs... powerful words... pointing to the beautiful Savior.

A Chance to Die

If you think the title is morbid, keep reading...

This week at the beach I got to know Amy Carmichael, an Irish missionary to India.  She lived (on the earth) from 1867-1951.  I read a book called A Chance to Die:  The Life and Legacy of Amy Carmichael by Elisabeth Elliot, another missionary who I very much admire and who is also encouraged and challenged by Amy's life.

A blessing came early on... chapter 3 contains a photocopy of the inside of Amy's Bible.  In 1889 she wrote the words to a song that I have been singing lately and actually shared with some friends last week.  The first part of the first verse is there, written in her handwriting.

Jesus, I am resting, resting

In the joy of what Thou art

I am finding out the greatness

Of Thy loving heart

She goes on to mention the song a couple of other times through the book.  How kind that God would confirm these promises to me!

By Jean S. Pig­ott and James Mountain, 1876
(Must have been a "contemporary" worship song back in her day!  Look past the Thee's and Thou's... treasures inside!)

Jesus, I am resting, resting,

In the joy of what Thou art;

I am finding out the greatness

Of Thy loving heart.

Thou hast bid me gaze upon Thee,

And Thy beauty fills my soul,

For by Thy transforming power,

Thou hast made me whole.

O, how great Thy loving kindness,

Vaster, broader than the sea!

O, how marvelous Thy goodness,

Lavished all on me!

Yes, I rest in Thee, Beloved,

Know what wealth of grace is Thine,

Know Thy certainty of promise,

And have made it mine.

Simply trusting Thee, Lord Jesus,

I behold Thee as Thou art,

And Thy love, so pure, so changeless,

Satisfies my heart;

Satisfies its deepest longings,

Meets, supplies its every need,

Compasseth me round with blessings:

Thine is love indeed!

Ever lift Thy face upon me

As I work and wait for Thee;

Resting ’neath Thy smile, Lord Jesus,

Earth’s dark shadows flee.

Brightness of my Father’s glory,

Sunshine of my Father’s face,

Keep me ever trusting, resting,

Fill me with Thy grace.

Springer got to know Hudson Taylor (Hudson Taylor's Spiritual Secret by his son and daughter-in-law Dr. and Mrs. Howard Taylor)... hopefully he'll write about his thoughts about the book soon!

If you're looking for a summer read, we highly recommend these two.

Pictures coming... I don't think I took a single picture on my camera!  So I'm depending on the kindness of others to share...

Oh yeah, and the title's referring to a chance to live out Galatians 2:20...

I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me.

And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.

At the Beach!

Sorry for the delay in blogging... we're beach bums this week!

State Champs!

FPD won the baseball state championship this weekend!  Go Vikings and Go Dave!

Growing Up-Date

Not Much Going On

I don't really have anything to blog about... so here goes.

Busy week at work... in Athens for SERC on Thursday and Friday.  Saw some old friends, cheered on the Columbus residents, ate some of my favorite foods.  I called Will to see if he wanted to eat lunch on Thursday and [crazy!] Dad and David were in town too!  Dave was at UGA for a journalism meeting, so Will, Dad, and I went to DePalma's downtown for lunch.  I got angel hair pasta with wild mushrooms and spicy marscapone sauce.  It was fantastic... and quite spicy.  We had a good visit... Springer and I are SO looking forward to Will being in Columbus this summer for his apprenticeship.

For dinner I went to The Last Resort with folks that I work with in Columbus.  We didn't have to wait very long at all (I was surprised... it's Thursday night in Athens afterall!)  Everyone's dinner was great.  I got praline chicken... stuffed with 3 cheeses and with a sweet pecan glaze/sauce on top, AWESOME grits, and grilled veggies.  It was louder in there than I remember (which honestly stressed me out), but my delicious food made up for it.

Today Springer and I  bought some new plants for the front yard.  Looking back at the house 3 years ago... it's really amazing what a little TLC can do to a home.  So come and visit!

Then

Now