Advent: Day 4

Advent: Day 4

Have mercy on me, O God, according to Thy great mercy.

According unto the multitude of Thy tender mercies remove my transgressions.

Wash me thoroughly from my iniquities, and cleanse me from my sin.

I knowingly confess my transgressions: and my sin is ever before me.

Against Thee only have I sinned, and done evil before Thee: that they may be justified in Thy sayings, and might they overcome when I am judged.

But behold, I was formed in iniquity: and in sin did my mother conceive me.

Behold, Thou desires truth in my inner most being: and shalt make me to understand wisdom secretly.

Thou shalt sprinkle me with hyssop, and I shall be clean: wash me, make me whiter than snow.

Open my ears and make me hear of joy and gladness: and my bones that have been humbled shall rejoice. Turn away Thy face from my sins: and remember not all my misdeeds.

Create in me a clean heart, O God: and make anew a righteous spirit within my body.

Do not cast me away from Thy presence: and take not Thy holy spirit from me.

Restore unto me the joy of your salvation, and uphold me with a willing spirit.

I will teach those that are unjust Thy ways: and sinners shall be converted unto Thee.

Deliver me from blood, O God, the God of my salvation: and my tongue shall sing of Thy righteousness.

O Lord, open my lips: and my mouth shall spring forth Thy praise.

For Thou desires no sacrifice, where others would: with burnt offerings Thou wilt not be delighted.

Sacrifices of God are broken spirits: dejected and contrite hearts, O God, Thou wilt not despise.

Deal favorably, O Lord, in Thy good pleasure unto Zion: build Thou the walls of Jerusalem.

Then shalt Thou be pleased with the sacrifices of righteousness, with small and large burnt offerings: then shall they lay calves upon your altar.

Advent: Day 3

Advent: Day 3 

Come, thou long expected Jesus,
born to set thy people free; 
from our fears and sins release us, 

let us find our rest in Thee.

Israel's strength and consolation, 
hope of all the earth thou art;
dear desire of every nation, 
joy of every longing heart. 

Advent: Day 2

Advent: Day 2

My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord,

my spirit rejoices in God my Savior

for he has looked with favor on his lowly servant.

From this day all generations will call me blessed:

the Almighty has done great things for me,

and holy is his Name.

He has mercy on those who fear him

in every generation.

He has shown the strength of his arm,

he has scattered the proud in their conceit.

He has cast down the mighty from their thrones,

and has lifted up the lowly.

He has filled the hungry with good things,

and the rich he has sent away empty.

He has come to the help of his servant Israel

for he has remembered his promise of mercy,

the promise he made to our fathers,

to Abraham and his children for ever.

**Note: You may find it worth the time to plug this into the best speakers in your house before listening. Arvo Part's setting of these words is breathtaking. **

Advent: Day 1

Advent: Day 1

A voice cries: 

"In the wilderness prepare the way of the Lord;

Make straight in the desert a highway for our God.

Every valley shall be lifted up,

and every mountain and hill made low;

the uneven ground shall be made level 

and the rough places a plain.

And the glory of God shall be revealed,

and all flesh shall see it together, 

for the mouth of the Lord has Spoken."

Sarah Beth and I, off to a Lessons and Carols service. 

First stop, Cafe Stella for Mochas. 

Then a deeply beautiful service of scripture, prayer and singing at Christ and St. Lukes Church.

My favorite selection performed by the choir tonight was new to me: 

Then home for a happy (southern) dinner. 

The Last of Fall

A country drive with Sarah Beth 

Room rearranging for a larger studio: Part I

Sunday Night Fire

 Lunch break reading at RSA

Laura from Oxford came to Visit! 

I performed for a benefit and got to wear sparkly silver shoes :) 

Laura competed in a two bike races and made it on the podium!

I got to lead a piece at the STAHR Bach Festival 

Then we went to Cafe Stella 

Wednesday Coffee with Melody at Cafe Mocha

My awesome group class at RSA! I already love these folks so much!

I got to go hear two of my students play in the pit orchestra for a very well done production of Children of Eden. Though they were playing keyboard for the production, it was such a delight to hear their expression and musicality throughout the night!

Saturday Night Pie

The annual Wednesday before Thanksgiving leaf collecting walk. 

Wednesday Coffee with Melody at Cafe Stella 

The artist was there that night! So fun to watch him work! 

Risk with Daniel 

Andy Griffith and evening stretches 

A special holiday breakfast 

Thanksgiving dinner with an Aunt, an Uncle, my Nanny and a handful of cousins. 

I came home from bow shopping on Saturday to find a very happy 5 page letter from a student-friend in Wheaton. 

Saturday night dinner! Peanut Curry Chicken, Rosemary Potatoes and a salad with delicious Bosc pears and pomegranate seeds!

Annnnnnd I sliced my thumb open while preparing dinner. So my wrapped thumb quickly became Theodore. He likes bow ties and has excellent taste in chocolate.