Sunday, February 28, 2010

Jesus, Rose Of Sharon

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I am the Rose of Sharon, and the Lily of the Valleys.
Song of Solomon 2:1


Jesus, Rose of Sharon, bloom within my heart
Beauties of Thy truth and holiness impart
That where’er I go my life may shed abroad
Fragrance of the knowledge of the love of God

Jesus, Rose of Sharon, sweeter far to see
Than the fairest flowers of earth could ever be
Fill my life completely, adding more each day
Of Thy grace divine and purity, I pray

Jesus, Rose of Sharon, balm for ev’ry ill
May Thy tender mercy’s healing power distil
For afflicted souls of weary burdened men
Giving needy mortals health and hope again

Jesus, Rose of Sharon, bloom forevermore
Be Thy glory seen on earth from shore to shore
Till the nations own Thy sov’reignty complete
Lay their honors down and worship at Thy feet

Jesus, blessed Jesus, Rose of Sharon
Bloom in radiance
And in love within my heart




Song: 'Jesus Rose of Sharon'
Words by Ida A. Gutrey
Music by Charles H. Gabriel

Wednesday, February 24, 2010

A Glimpse Of Spring

February days in my part of Oregon are usually gray and rainy but this year we’ve had some gorgeous, sunny days. The skies have been blue and there are glimpses of Spring all around my home. The weather changed a bit yesterday bringing rain showers and more were expected today. This morning we were surprised with more sunshine and bits of blue in the sky. There is something special when the sun shines and the promise of Spring fills my heart. I love the sight of raindrops hanging on the barren branches of the Japanese Maple tree at the corner of my home. . .

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And on the soft, green needles of the little evergreen tree near my window. . .

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But most of all I love the blue of the sky overhead!

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Someone else loves the sunshine, too!

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He enjoys it so much he doesn’t even mind sharing it with Miss Savannah!

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When the sun shines I find myself singing this little song I learned as a child:

Heavenly sunshine, Heavenly sunshine,
Flooding my soul with glory Divine,
Heavenly sunshine, Heavenly sunshine,
Hallelujah! Jesus is mine!

Don’t you think I should sing it everyday, no matter if the sky is gray or blue?

Sunday, February 21, 2010

Follow The Light

Bible and Roses

‘Your Word is a lamp to my feet
and a light for my path.’

Psalm 119:105



Artwork: ‘Bible and Roses’
Artist: Lynn Pitard

Sunday, February 14, 2010

Loved

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I am my beloved's, and my beloved is mine.
Song of Solomon 6:3


He brought me to the banqueting house,
and his banner over me was love.

Song of Solomon 2:4



Happy Valentine’s Day!




Scripture: King James Version
Photo: photography class project,
accomplished with exposure and flashlight

Friday, February 12, 2010

Birthday Blessings

Carol

Today is a very special day – it’s the day we celebrate my dear little mother’s birth. Eighty seven years ago. Born at home, she arrived in the world two months early and was lovingly cared for by her dear grandmother until her mother was strong enough to continue . A tiny two-pound baby grew to be a tiny woman – loved by so many and used by God by touch the world with His love.

Happy birthday, dear mother.
You are a treasured blessing to each of us.

Monday, February 8, 2010

Reunion Reflections

Oh, my – I realized that I never told you about my college reunion this last summer. It was six months ago today and I’ve been thinking about it today and remembering the dear friends from long ago who shared that day with me. I shared our vacation in San Francisco here and here and here, but I didn’t tell you about the highlight of our week - my college reunion on the former campus of my alma mater. It was my home for nearly four years. I attended a small Christian College in the heart of the city. When I was there, the school looked like this:

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And I looked like this (from public relations photos for the school catalog):

Adrienne - Simpson Catalog

Twenty years ago the college sold the San Francisco campus, bought property in Redding, California – in north California - and built a beautiful new campus. The new campus is beautiful but it has never felt like ‘home’ and I often longed to see the place where I spent those important years of my life. Once, while on vacation, we drove by the 'old' campus – but it just wasn’t the same. Even more than walking those halls again, I longed to renew friendships from those days – friendships that were so dear to my heart. It was just a dream – an impossible dream - until one day over a year ago when a notice of the reunion on the ‘old’ campus arrived in my mailbox.

Simpson SF Reunion Ad

I couldn’t believe it! I was determined to be there – whatever it took, I was going to be there. My sweetheart and I began to plan. And then last August that dream came true! For one day I walked those familiar halls again with friends from long ago. Come with me and share that day as I reminisce and reflect on it again.

This is what the campus looks like today. The front lawn is gone and all the gorgeous trees had to go to make way for parking. A church and Christian school bought the property. They have kept the personality of the historic buildings and the updates they have done are wonderful. The new building at the far end is a gorgeous school and cafeteria/meeting facility.

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When I attended college there were women’s dorms behind the far end of the main building. Two five-story ‘wings’ off the central building were home to many of my girlfriends and me. When my sweetheart drove me by the campus earlier in the week I was dismayed to find that the women’s dorms had been torn down and replaced with this.

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I was disappointed that I wouldn’t be able to walk into the dorm rooms that had been my home – I wanted to walk into them, see them again and show my sweetheart the place I had lived throughout those important years of my life. During a tour of the campus on the day of the reunion we learned why the women’s dorm buildings had been demolished and it made made sense - it was alright! The buildings had been severely damaged during the nineteen eighty nine San Francisco earthquake. They were unsafe – could no longer be used – so they had to be torn down. Their demise made way for this gorgeous, new school building.

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Reunion day arrived and within minutes of our arrival hugs and smiles were the order of the day. I often heard my name across the room and as I turned I would find someone I had so hoped to see! Many parts of the building were familiar – and some were different. I always loved the old brick hallways with the arched windows.

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There was one place where I spent a lot of time during those years. The ‘Ladies Lounge’ connected the two women’s dorm ‘wings’ – it’s all that's left from that part of the building. I spent many hours seated near this fireplace. There were windows on either side that looked out between the dorm buildings. This was the public place where we often spent time together on campus. It was the ‘living room’ for our dorm rooms - a central gathering place where our family and friends could meet. And I remember several pajama ‘parties’ here after hours. Time for the ‘girls’ to come in pj’s and have a fun time together. Now it’s part of the front office waiting area for the school. The office at the end of the room has been added since the new school bought the campus.

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The highlight of the day, for me, was the chapel service we shared together in the campus chapel where we had spent many hours during our college days. Chapel was a daily requirement and those of us who were musicians often participated in the music. I often played the nine-foot grand piano during chapel services. Many evenings, just after our dinner in the college dining room, it wasn't unusual to find several of us in the chapel enjoying time together as we took turns playing the piano and the huge pipe organ. During my first two years I was part of the concert choir. We had a close bond with each other as a result of time spent together during rehearsals, performances, weekend concerts around the Bay area and our several-state concert tours during our Spring Break each year. Hours spent on a bus together made for solid friendships. Imagine my delight when I was invited to join the Reunion Choir that would sing during the Reunion Chapel Service. It was an experience I will never forget! We met at the host hotel for rehearsal. Walking into the rehearsal room was such a fantastic experience because immediately the hugs and smiles and chatter began to draw us together. At the beginning of the chapel service we gathered on risers on the platform – the very platform where we had performed so many times before. We sang together with the ‘congregation’ as we lifted our voices together. It was a very emotional experience and I had trouble keeping the tears from pouring down my face! Here we were again – singing together – in the very place that had been such an important part of our lives then. And ever after. It was there, on that platform, in that chapel, with the students, faculty and professors in the ‘congregation’ that it had all started. Our adult lives were molded and influenced in this place. And here we were again so many years later. The melody and the harmonies poured from our hearts as we sang together again.

Choir - Me

The chapel service was filled with happy memories and laughter as a panel of our professors reminisced with lots of humor and joy. Our main speaker was a dearly loved former president, now in his eighties. He shared many memories and challenged us to continue to hold to the things we learned in this place as we face the future. Following the chapel service there was time for tours and visits with former classmates and class photos. The time went too fast and soon it was time to gather in the new cafeteria for a wonderful dinner together. After the meal a few speakers shared about the college, now a university. Thoughts of the past and the present – and a challenge for the future. And then it was over. Time to say goodbye. Some of us would meet again the next day for fun together but, as we left the campus we knew there would never be another day like this. It was a once-in-a-lifetime day together in a special place where we once were young and eager to change the world.

I couldn’t leave the campus – this place so dear to my heart – without getting a few more photos. One more look at the ‘rotunda’ and entrance into the chapel.

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And one last look back - to seal it forever in my heart - as we left this place in San Francisco, the place 'high on a hill that calls to me'.

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It was a day that will never happen again but it will live in the hearts of each of us who shared time together in this special place. There was no doubt about it – we all left a bit of our hearts in San Francisco!

Sunday, February 7, 2010

Wondering

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With the goodness of God
to desire our highest welfare,
the wisdom of God to plan it,
and the power of God to achieve it,
what do we lack?
A. W. Tozer

Saturday, February 6, 2010

Prayer Request

Pray

I recently shared an update here about our daughter and the baby girl she is expecting. Our new granddaughter, Miss H., is due to arrive around the first of May. As I write this our daughter, Mrs. M., is being transported from one hospital to another where she will be admitted because she is having very regular contractions and some signs that our sweet baby may arrive too soon. Mrs. M. and Mr. K. were told that she is not in labor but a test was done to determine the possibility that she will go into ‘real’ labor within the next two weeks – it came back positive. We would appreciate prayer for Mrs. M. and Miss H, We want a healthy baby and a healthy mommy and we are asking God to keep this precious little one safe in her mommy’s tummy until HE knows she’s ready to arrive. Safe and sound. Please pray for Mrs. M’s three children. You may remember that their daddy died a short time ago and their experience with a parent going to the hospital is not positive. Their daddy didn’t come home! My sweetheart and I are standing by to help wherever we are needed. I will share updates as we learn more. Thank you for your support and prayer for each of us.

(A few hours later) Edited to update: Medication to stop the contractions was given, an ultrasound was done and a few other tests and exams. The outcome was excellent - everything looks good with Miss H. She is growing as she should and everything with her and her mommy looks to be exactly as it should! The doctors feel Mrs. M. has overdone in the last week (they moved last Monday!). Mrs. M. was sent home to rest and go a slower pace. We are thanking God for His touch on her and our dear little expected granddaughter. The children are relieved that their mommy doesn't have to stay at the hospital. Mr. K. was so tender and gentle as we talked on the phone - we appreciate him so much. He was concerned about ME! Concerned that I would worry or lose sleep tonight. I told Him I learned long ago to place my children in God's hands and let Him take care of them. He asked me to thank each of you who have prayed for them. Our hearts are a bit lighter tonight as we realize how much God cares for our dear little Miss H. and her mommy. Updates will continue as we approach the day of her arrival.