Bless the Lord, O My Soul!

Ten Thousand Reasons (Bless the Lord)

(sung by Matt Redman)

Bless the Lord, O my soul

O my soul

Worship His holy name

Sing like never before

O my soul

I'll worship Your holy name

The sun comes up, it's a new day dawning

It's time to sing Your song again

Whatever may pass, and whatever lies before me

Let me be singing when the evening comes

You're rich in love, and You're slow to anger

Your name is great, and Your heart is kind

For all Your goodness I will keep on singing

Ten thousand reasons for my heart to find

And on that day when my strength is failing

The end draws near and my time has come

Still my soul will sing Your praise unending

Ten thousand years and then forevermore

Jesus, I'll worship Your holy name

Lord, I'll worship Your holy name

Sing like never before

O my soul

I'll worship Your holy name

Jesus, I'll worship Your holy name

I'll worship Your holy name

(Click on Song Title to hear the music.  If you enjoy this song, please consider purchasing it through any of the usual outlets such as iTunes, Amazon, etc.)

All is Well in Candyland!

Maria and Eric have started teaching Cordelia to play several games, including Candyland.

She's loving it!

She follows the rules.... for awhile.

She takes it quite seriously!

Then, she makes some new rules of her own.

And in the end, the little guys play with each other... 

...and then, 

like many of Cordelia's toys, crayons, playdough containers, etc.  

they line up in perfect order

and

All is well in Candyland!

Moustache Monday

On Monday, when we were in Minneapolis, I had to stop a group of strangers as they were passing by us along the street.  They agreed to let me photograph them.  I guess I didn't tell them the photograph was for a blog but I'm thinking they would be ok with the attention.  Take a look!

They told us they were celebrating MOUSTACHE MONDAY.  I asked them if that was a real day on a calendar.  You know what I mean?  There seems to be a day for everything.  They told me it was Moustache Monday to THEM, so I guess it was just their own thing.  I was impressed.

Just after seeing that interesting family, we glanced up to one of the nearby 

apartments to see this LIP COUCH.

Minnesotans are full of quirky little surprises, aren't they?

Minnesota Tourists

On Monday we became full-on tourists for a day.  I love, love, love being a tourist!  

The main stop for our day was to visit some Minneapolis ruins.  What?  You didn't know there were ruins to tour in Minneapolis?  Well, it wasn't like the Mayan ruins we'd toured in Mexico, or Greek or Roman ruins overseas, but it was quite interesting.

What we were touring was Mill City Museum, known as "the Most Explosive Museum in the World". It is a museum built right into the burned out shell of an old flour mill.  The flour mill had experienced two disasters in it's past, a fire and a huge explosion caused by flour dust.  It turns out that flour dust is more explosive than gunpowder!  I bet you didn't know that!

The mill was right along the Mississippi River.  The area now is a mix of old, deserted mills as well as trendy restaurants and upscale condos, some built right into the old, old buildings.  The tour included a ride up to an observation deck where we could look out over the river, the city and down into the ruins.

After our tour of the mill, we crossed the Mississippi on the Stone Arch Bridge, open only to pedestrians and bicyclists.  We enjoyed a nice lunch, just happy to be together.  

I hope you enjoy the photos of our day as Minnesota Tourists...

The outside of the flour mill.  The observation deck is the top floor of that section above the ruins.

The sign was still mounted on top.

 Looking down from the observation deck.

 Our brother-in-law, Joe, looking very, very interested in the view.

 My very beautiful sister-in-law, Sue, reluctantly letting me take her photograph for my blog.

 Another mill across the river.  Parts of it are being made into upscale apartments and lofts.

 The Stone Arch Bridge across the Mississippi was quite charming.

 The weather was absolutely perfect for our lunch outdoors.

A Beautiful Evening for Croquet

As long as we were already in Minnesota for our nephew's wedding Saturday, we ran up to the Twin Cities to visit with Mike's sister and her family after we attended church on Sunday.  We really had just a day and a half  together so we made the most of our time!

My sister-in-law and brother-in-law have a really beautiful yard, making the perfect place to play croquet.  As it turns out, I'm not so good at croquet.  No matter... I enjoyed taking photographs!

I don't mean to frustrate you if you were wanting to see people's faces, it's just that again I didn't ask permission.  Sorry.

I couldn't remember when I last played croquet.  Do you play croquet?  Nothing says summer leisure quite like croquet, don't you agree?

We didn't leave their place until late Monday but I have SOOOOO many cool photos from Monday, I guess I'd better carry them over to tomorrow's post.  I'll say this, though, Monday was a lovely day! 

Sturgis Bike Rally

Mike and I just went to the Sturgis Bike Rally because we are that adventuresome.  Or, maybe Mike and I just made the mistake of driving across South Dakota as the Sturgis Bike Rally was happening.  Yes, that is the truth.  This is what it looked like for an entire day's drive across South Dakota!

Although this is usually an interstate that is a bit lonely, sometimes traffic was at a standstill.

We saw probably thousands of motorcycles as well as campers and trucks hauling motorcycles.

This is me and Mike (or not).

A Practical Bride

My nephew was married this past week-end.  Mike and I were lucky enough to be able to attend.  I enjoyed seeing my  nephew, his sisters and their families.  I took a lot of photos but since I didn't ask everyone how they felt about being on a blog, I won't post faces here.  However,  I don't think the Bride would mind if I showed your her shoes.  She told me she didn't do well in heels.

She had them special ordered.  Her new last name is printed on the heels.

I like her style!

You're Worthy of My Praise

One thing I've been thinking about lately is how much we (humans) try to make faith to be something about us.  I don't know if all cultures do this, but I know it occurs in the USA a lot.  Too often we choose a worship experience according to what it does for us, how it makes us feel.  Do we like the music?  Do we fit in with others in the congregation?  Do our children have enough activities available to them?  Are the sermons short enough so we don't get squirmy?  Is the service at a convenient time for me?

Perhaps all of those considerations are valid, maybe even important.  However, they should not be the ultimate consideration.  Worship, by definition, is about paying reverent honor.  We are to worship GOD.  Nothing is more important.  We are to show adoration and respect to God, creator of all that is.  We are to WANT to worship God just for being God!

Worship is not about us.  Worship is about God.  Worship turns our thoughts away from ourselves and toward the one who gives us strength, love, comfort and protection. When I heard this song on KLOVE, sung by Jeremy Camp, it reminded me that we worship God because he is the one worthy of our praise.

He IS worthy of our praise!  Worship is all about HIM.

You're Worthy of My Praise
(click on title to hear song)

I will give you all my worship

I will give you all my praise

You alone I long to worship

You alone are worthy of my praise

I will worship with all of my heart

I will praise you with all of my strength

I will seek you all of my days

I will follow all of your ways

I will give you all my worship

I will give you all my praise

You alone I long to worship

You alone are worthy of my praise

You are worthy of my praise

I will bow down and I'll hail you as king

I will serve you, I will give you everything

I will lift up my eyes to your throne

I will trust you, I will trust you alone

I will give you all my worship

I will give you all my praise

You alone I long to worship

You alone are worthy of my praise

I will give you all my worship

I will give you all my praise

You alone I long to worship

You alone are worthy of my praise

You are worthy, You are worthy

You are worthy of my praise

Oh, I will give you all my worship

I will give you all my praise

You alone I long, I long to worship

Well, you alone are worthy of my praise

You are worthy of my praise

More Pictures of Grandaughters

I know; I am shameless.

An Armful of Grandaughters!

First, in case you've not read my comment on yesterday's post, it was indeed a car wash photo.  I was shocked when I thought blue confetti was blowing down on me, then I also saw yellow and pink.  Within seconds it foamed out like that, much to my delight!  I get my happiness in all sorts of ways, don't I?

Maria took some photos of me with my grandaughters.  I love those girls!

What is It?

Anyone know what you are looking at here?

I will give you a clue. 

Although the photos don't show the color very well,

it was blue, pink and yellow.

I'm not making that up.

Leave a comment if you think you've figured it out.

I will give you the answer tomorrow!

Extreme Remodeling

A few weeks ago I pulled into Taco Bell, which I think is Sam's favorite restaurant.  I was thrilled to see that for once I'd come at a time when there was no line.  My smile soon faded when I saw a sign telling me they were closed for remodeling.  

Yesterday I drove by again and this is what I saw...

I've heard that remodeling can be quite frustrating but I never saw 

anyone just demolish the entire project before!

Do you suppose the boss was angry and said, 

"Just scrap it" 

and someone took him seriously?

In the photo below you can see they didn't even take time to remove the chairs from inside.

The entire building is gone; what you see standing is another restaurant beside it.

Puzzling.

Poor Sam.

It may be awhile before he can get his 5-layer burrito.

Be Brave Enough to Live Creatively

Mike got a great fortune in his fortune cookie recently.  It simply said, "BE BRAVE ENOUGH TO LIVE CREATIVELY".  Isn't that fun advice?!

I never really thought about how much courage it takes to be creative.  Think about it, though.  Start with fashion.  It is easy to just follow the crowd and wear what is popular and trendy.  What if you see something you like but it isn't currently in style?  Do you wear it?  I admit, I usually won't.  That's not to say that I only wear the latest trends but you know what I mean, don't you?  I want to fall somewhere within a category of "normal".

This applies to other things as well.  Have you ever seen any really funky furniture that you thought was cool but just a bit over the top for your home?  How about colors for your home?  What if you wanted to paint your front door grass green (I do)?  What if you thought a purple fence would be fun?

Let's talk about hair.  Way back when I was in junior high school I thought of a really fun haircut.  I've never seen it on anyone.  I'm too chicken to try it myself.  See?  I'm just not brave enough to live quite that creatively!  I even have a name for the haircut style.  I'm calling it the "terrace".  It's simply 5-7 crisply cut layers that go straight around the head like terraced rows, not blended layers.  Think rice paddies, only hair.

It would be quite sleek and not one bit messy.  I'd use a flat iron to make it look even cooler and I'd walk with my head kind of swinging to get a fun movement going.  Do you think it would catch on?  Too bad I don't have that much courage.  If I were a rock star, maybe I'd try it.

What would you do to live more creatively if you had the courage?  Do you think you will try it someday?

Paper Clip Necklace

Yes, I did it.  I made a necklace out of paper clips.  Is that too weird?  Well, take a look.  These were not ordinary paper clips but very COOL paper clips!  I bought them, not having a clue what I'd do with them.  One day I found my inspiration, creamy thread and a tiny crochet hook.

I picked them all up and went to work...

I used a chain stitch and hooked through each 

clip at two different places so that it wouldn't 

accidentally slip out the open side.  I just kept 

going until I felt happy with the result.  

I tied it off, added a droplet of 

super glue to the end knot and... 

Twa La!

I thought it turned out very pretty.

It has kind of a fun and funky look I think.

Then, I decided I may as well make some paper clip earrings.

They look lovely on my tomato plant so hopefully they will look nice on someone's ears.

I put it all together and felt mighty happy with myself.

Feel free to copy this idea.  Let me know what you come up with!

I'm so happy with it I am thinking of going to an 

office supply store to see what else 

I might want to crochet together!  

Or maybe a hardware store!   

Auto parts?

As your reward for following all the way through this tutorial 

I'd like to offer a discount to you 

today at Wyoming Rose Boutique at Etsy.  

When ordering, simply type the word DISCOUNT in all caps 

and you will receive a 10% discount on your entire order.

  

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