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January’s Hymn

After my morning walk with all the kids to the bus stop I am filled with energy. Lungs full of fresh air I load up the audio clip I found and practice my new (well, new to me) hymn.

Check out my previous post to learn more about where THE HYMN PROJECT started.

MY METHOD_______________________

My method is simple, flip through the old hymnal I have till I spot one I don’t know. Once I have a look at the lyrics and find something that moves me I look it up on a couple different sites I know of that have the audio and the lyrics so I can learn the tune (I can’t read music). I then sing it through about once a day so I know it well by the end of the month.

MY CHOICE________________________

I chose from the peace and joy section of my hymnal for January’s hymn and came up with ‘Loved with Everlasting Love‘, written by James Mountain, please click on the authors name to link to an article from a favorite blog of mine on the author. I have to say, the authors name caught my interest too. I hadn’t heard of James Mountain before.

MY JOY___________________________

This is proving to be a lovely goal and interesting project for me. I grew up only knowing a few hymns. I think choruses where far more common in my church background. I am finding many hymns move me because of their wonderful poetic lyrics! I also love history so looking up the hymns and authors has been very enjoyable for me too!

Here is the site I found the audio for this hymn; http://www.hymnal.net/hymn.php/h/284 . I just noticed this site also has an option to get the guitar chords… hmmm… maybe this will encourage me to pick up my guitar and start playing again… maybe…

Heaven above is softer blue,
Earth around is sweeter green;
Something lives in every hue
Christless eyes have never seen:
Birds with gladder songs o’erflow,
Flow’rs with deeper beauties shine,
Since I know, as now I know,
I am His, and He is mine.
My Favorite Verse From January’s Hymn

TTFN

Menu Planning HELP!

I am all about trying new things when it comes to cooking. I get bored and wanna learn more and try new types of food. I also menu plan and used to find it hard to get enough material to quench my need for NEW RECIPES! Since we have become regular internet users that has all changed. I keep finding sites on line that make whipping up my monthly menu a breeze.

All Recipes is my current fav and most used site for recipes. It has a vast and varied collection put together by regular cooks with special finds. I have a profile so I can take advantage of all the special features like the recipe box, question feature and option to rate and review recipes. The review option makes it easier to avoid the dud recipes!

I have never doubted that ‘Mennonite Girls Can Cook’ but this beautifully maintained blog proves it. I just love eating this blog up and enjoy its big selection due to many contributors.

I also make it a habit of checking out the sites of my favorite food brands or products because they will often have really good recipes, since they want their product to shine!

Anyone else have a really great site I can check out? Let me know and leave the address in the comment box.

TTFN

Prayer Closets and Aprons

I have tried the prayer closet and the kids think it is cute to bang on the door and stick their little fingers under it and plead to come in too… I tried going to another room and usually the kids flip out and start pounding on one another at that time…

Yesterday I was inspired by Susannah Wesley… many of you probably know her story already but here is a link to a blog I just found. She gives a quick run down of the apron over head story and I think I am going to enjoy her blog!

http://susannahsaprons.blogspot.com

Basically, the mother of many many children would put her apron over her head where ever and when ever she needed to pray and then the kids new to give her time.

I have enjoyed her story for years but never thought of trying to put it into literal practice!

Now I love my aprons… but they wouldn’t go over my head well. The red work one is tied at both sides thus wouldn’t go up. The white one is too short and the pink one to fitted. The red was made by my mother just for me. It is a double bibed (front and back) apron with a big pocket on the front. Just like the one she has used for as long as I can remember. My white apron is very pretty and the first I picked out myself for myself! The pink was handed down to me by Garnet’s great aunt and used to belong to his great grandmother!

The other morning I put my wrap over my head, the fuzzy comfy wrap I wear in the mornings, and the kids actually sat around me quietly and let me pray. I think it took them by surprise and perhaps that is why they behaved so well but either way I have began a new thing in our home. When Mama needs to pray she needs to pray!

TTFN