christmas song ramblings

Ever stop to think about the words in the Twelve Days of Christmas song? Does anyone seriously want their true love to give them so many birds? Between the partridge, turtle doves, French hens, calling birds, laying geese, and swimming swans, you’d really just end up with a whole lotta crap to clean up.

I would know. I have a bird.

And I can’t help but think of a horrible musical with all those milking maids, dancing ladies, leaping lords, piping pipers, and drumming drummers. Cue mental image of men in tights wielding musical instruments and frolicking about with large-chested women. Nothankyou!

The only thing in the song my true love is even allowed to give me is gold rings. (As long as they're white gold.) But, in all honesty, who needs five? Certainly not me.

K. Your turn!

What Christmas song do you totally hate? (Tell us why!) Is there one you really love? Any guesses which is my favorite? (I'll tell you in a comment later tonight!)

[repost, with edits]

everything's right

We went to a show downtown on Saturday. Having SweetFriend with me for my first concert in America in over twelve years was a gift. And, let me tell you, we had so much fun.

Apparently Mr. Man in front of us could tell we were having a blast. About 3/4 of the way through the night, he turned around and said---

"You guys definitely know how to have a good time. I think you're having more fun than anyone else in here."

Really!? We didn't think we were being loud or ostentatious at all.

Despite the fact that I can now say I've danced on a bar.

**ADDED** - Be sure you check out my disclaimer / confession.

four-minute friday: soundtrack

Go. Music moves me. That sounds corny. And I'm trying to think of a less cheeseball way to say what I mean, but with the clock ticking, I feel pressure to just keep rambling writing.

Music really is therapeutic to me. God speaks through lyrics and melody lines. He whispers through egg shakers and nudges me with notable percussion. I feel Him in a singer's voice that takes me by surprise.

My iPod is one of my most prized possessions; it carries a song for every occasion. I'm often behind the times with what others are listening to, but I'm okay with that. I have plenty of music from my favorite "genre": melancholy.

I didn't bring a car adapter with me to the States, so I've had to improvise. My $10 portable speakers now accompany me as I drive so that I can hear my tunage. I keep it cranked at almost-full volume and it's nowhere near as loud as I'd like it to be, but that's okay.

Because I love simply being able to hear the soundtrack of my life.

Done.

twelve: days of christmas

Have you ever stopped to think about The Twelve Days of Christmas song? Seriously, does anyone want their true love to give them so many birds? Between the partridge, turtle doves, French hens, calling birds, laying geese, and swimming swans, I’d say you’d really just end up with a whole lotta crap to clean up.

And I can’t help but think of a horrible musical with all those milking maids, dancing ladies, leaping lords, piping pipers, and drumming drummers. Cue mental image of men in tights wielding musical instruments and frolicking about with large-chested women. No thanks.

The only thing in the song my true love is even allowed to give me is (white) gold rings. But, in all honesty, who needs five? Certainly not me.

Is there a Christmas song you either totally love or totally hate? (Make sure you tell us why!)

flotsam and jetsam: shot through the heart

Some random thoughts and happenings:

• Someone sent me some pumpkin spice coffee creamer. I've been drinking heaven in a cup for the past few days.

• My brain's felt foggy for a few months now; I forget seemingly simple things. It's really frustrating.

• I'm back to teaching my intern class, twice a week now, and I'm really enjoying it.

• My Nkosi at Hope House isn't doing very well, and my visit on Friday left my heart feeling pretty heavy. The best part of the day was hearing the kids sing a song the interns wrote, set to the tune of Shot through the Heart by Bon Jovi.

• Chris Tomlin is one of my favorite worship leaders, but for the life of me I can't sing along with him.

• It's impossible for me to sleep in a hotel room without thinking of the semen-seeking black lights on CSI.

• Silas calls me and Niel Aunt Lizzy and Uncle Migel. And I love it every time!

• Since we've been back from the States, Niel's had to help fight three fires. Friday night a huge fire came awfully close to our property line; some intense prayers stopped the strong winds and kept the fire away. God is good. It was too sweet hearing Silas say, "Uncle Migel's fixing the fire! He's a hero!"

• Niel ministered at a church in Qwa Qwa this morning; it was great watching him get the shout on in an African service again! The pastors totally honored us, thanking us publicly for our input in their lives all these years and showering us with traditional Basotho gifts.

• Did you know I suck in my lips when I'm concentrating? I do.

• For anyone wondering how I replied to my pastor's comment that becoming a missionary was the worst thing I could do with my life, I finally joined the comment conversation over on that post.

• I've hardly been online at all this past week; I hope to catch up on emails and blogs soon!

i repent

I repent.I repent of parading my liberty. I repent of paying for what I get for free. And for the way I believe that I am living right, By trading sins for others that are easier to hide. I am wrong and of these things I repent.

I repent. I repent of trading truth for false unity. I repent of confusing peace and idolatry, By caring more of what they think than what I know of what we need, By domesticating You until You look just like me. I am wrong and of these things I repent.

(from I Repent by Derek Webb)