Priest Lake 2008

Our Glenice Day

It was lovely, wasn't it..... even when it was open season on topics big and--well, bigger. Tina leaned over to me at one point and whispered, "Here it is. We're talking about it. We wondered if this day would ever come, and here it is."

Some gems from that day:

• I don't have relatives worth visiting in the Philippines because they eat seeing eye dogs.
• Rosie doesn't care if Cheryl has a fork.
• Write down the sandwich orders, or have us make them our own selves, or just keep asking again and again.
  
• Glenice will answer anything with candor and as much honesty as possible.
• A middle finger holds extremely strong symbolism.
• Glenice is the keeper of the tangible history of the Ya-Yas. Oh, and here's the dues jar too. Happy birthday.

XO, ~c.

Happy Birthday, Glenice!

Happy Birthday to our princess of fun and games!

We love you dearly! XO


I always thank God for you because of his grace given you in Christ Jesus. For in him you have been enriched in every way—in all your speaking and in all your knowledge.”
~1 Cor. 1:4-5

And I Quote

This has our name written all over it!

"Brian Eno wants you to get some friends together and start singing.

Why?

Here's how he put it in a recent issue of Resurgence magazine: "I believe singing is the key to a long life, a good figure, a stable temperament, greater intelligence, new friends, increased self-confidence, heightened sexual attractiveness and a sense of humour. There! That got your attention."

Brian Eno is a 60-year-old electronic musician, and record producer. If you're familiar with the music of Paul Simon, David Byrne, U2, or Coldplay, then you've probably heard some of his work.

A few years ago, Eno and some friends started getting together to sing a capella. Some had musical experience and some didn't, but excellence wasn't the goal. In fact, there was no goal. They just got together on a regular basis and found they really enjoyed it.

Getting started is easy. After you get some friends lined up, you need just three things: drinks, snacks, and printouts of lyrics to a few songs.

Then once you're underway, Eno promises physiological benefits (deep and open breathing you wouldn't normally do), as well as psychological benefits. He writes: "Singing leaves you with a sense of levity and contentedness."

There are also "civilizational" benefits: "When you sing with a group of people you learn how to subsume yourself to the group consciousness – because a capella singing is all about the immersion of the self into the community. That's one of the great feelings: to stop being me for a little while, and to become us. That way lies empathy; the great virtue."

And while you're singing, you might also want to get out the pup tent and your dancing shoes. In his article, Eno cites a 30-year Scandinavian study that attempted to reveal which activities were most common among people who lived long, happy lives. Three activities stood out: singing, dancing, and camping."

I Need My YaYa's

Today I spent some time looking through those verses that contain that phrase “Whoever loses his life for me”. My NIV note says that Jesus is quoted as saying this 7 times in the Gospels and no other saying of His is given such emphasis.

This is one of those verses that would make it into the letter from Jesus to me. He has been bringing it up for years. And years.

Today this one from Matthew 16:25 in the Amplified hit me between the eyes:

“Whoever is bent on saving his [temporal] life [his comfort and security here] shall lose it [eternal life] and whoever loses his life [his comfort and security here] for My sake shall find it [life everlasting].”

Then while reading some commentaries I happened upon this: “Rejoice in your afflictions and glory in them.” I could not find a verse that says exactly that but 2 Cor 12:9-10 where Paul says he is proud to boast of all his weaknesses; the one about the thorn in the flesh and when I am weak He is strong, sure has the gist of it.

I was very convicted. Comfort and security are what I hold onto tenaciously and I hear Him telling me that this is keeping me from receiving the “life” He has for me.

Every morning I wake up in pain. I am never free of pain. Sometimes it is blissfully mild, other times it is wicked. I hate it. I want it gone. I’ve cried out more than three times. I refuse to accept what He says. (Leave it all quietly to God, my soul, my rescue comes from Him alone.)

I’ll try anything to get rid of it. I am a fool. I am indeed “bent on” protecting my “comfort and security.”

Today He said, “Rejoice in your afflictions and glory in them.” This is not the “In the midst of all things give thanks” genre, but the “For all things” kind. He seriously means I am to rejoice when I wake in pain. I am so bummed. Cuz ya know what that makes me think? If I do that, He’ll send more! It’s like giving up the fight. Resignation. That makes me think of Hinds Feet – Acceptance with Joy. Crud.

At any rate, I write to ask for prayer. I cannot do this. I know that He is 100% willing to do it for me. I need faith. I need grace. I need strength.

Matthew Henry again on the Matt 16 verse: Self-denial and patient suffering are hard lessons which will never be learned if we consult with flesh and blood, let us therefore consult with our Lord Jesus.

Pray for me please.

Qs

Miss Tina,

1. How are your Friday nights going? How are you liking it, what do you think of the whole thing, and what are your thoughts on this endeavor?
2. How are you faring these days so soon after Rhonda's passing?
3. Did you find the pumpkin muffin recipe Mae asked about?
   

Miss Glenice,

1. How are things in your world of late? (Things that are printable, hehe!)
2. Did you get a prize for your carved pumpkin at Moe's? Did you already know my friend, Betsy?
3. Any ideas for what you'd like to do this month for your birthday?
   

Miss Cheryl,

1. How is your neck?
2. How is Leslie's foot?

Love you guys! XO