Wednesday, October 21, 2009

Awards, Music, and Other Things


Neno’s Award — Rules and Regulations

1. As a dedication for those who love blogging and love to encourage friendships through blogging.

2. To seek the reasons why we all love blogging.

3. Put the award in one post as soon as you receive it.

4. Don’t forget to mention the person who gives you the award.

5. Answer the award’s question by writing the reason why you love blogging.

6. Tag and distribute the award to as many people as you like.

7. Don’t forget to notify the award receivers and put their links in your post.


It's been quite awhile since an award came my way, and I am pleasantly surprised by this one, passed on to me by my good friend and loyal reader, Hootin' Anni. Thanks, Anni!

The reasons I love blogging are many, which is why I continue to plug away at coming up with posts, and faithfully visiting my friends. Since I had to go private, I have lost many of my readers, but do so value those that still come around and comment. The world of blogging has made my world so much smaller - I love visiting Canada, England, every imaginable state each day and keeping DC up to date on the weather and news from everywhere!

Blog friends have prayed for me and my family with such passion and caring, and God has answered so many of those prayers.

My blog has become somewhat of a journal rather than informative, inspiring, or brilliant writing. But I know it will be great to have this diary of my life as I grow older - I do need to save it somewhere, though, so I don't lose it.

I have met 5 of my blog friends, and will be meeting 4 more in the next month. I can hardly wait to return with pictures and stories about these fun times. You, my friends, are as "real" to me as those I see face to face here at home.

I want to give this award to everyone who is loyal and comes by in spite of the difficulty of keeping up with me, since I have recently discovered that Blogger Follower does not notify you when I have a new post. Thank you all - you are important to me!


My new schedule is to pick up the twins on Tuesday morning so that Kristen can get to school and be a Mother Helper in Care Bear's class (she does Thursdays in Feisty's room, but I have the twins overnight on Wednesday). This last Tuesday on the way to her house, I was able to catch this beautiful sunrise. Since I don't get out and drive to work in the early morning any more, I have missed many beautiful sunrises, so I enjoyed this one tremendously. I especially loved it in retrospect, since we didn't see the sun for the rest of that day, or all day yesterday.










If you've been with me very long, you know that music is of huge importance in my life. I have written numerous posts with music as part of the theme, at least. I am privileged to attend a church where we still sing the wonderful hymns, which are timeless. We also still have organ and piano (I play the organ every other Sunday), and a choir, which DC and I enjoy greatly.

Recently I saw a small notice in our local newspaper about the choral society - they were inviting new members for the Christmas presentation. It is called "The Glory of Christmas" this year, which gave me an indication that it perhaps would be about the real reason for Christmas. I decided to show up for the first rehearsal and see what I thought. I got there at 6, because new folks had to be "evaluated" - not exactly an audition, but a check on part placement. We then went over all of the music, which includes approximately 20 pieces. I didn't get home until 9:45, tired, but so exhilirated that I could not get to sleep.

The next 8-10 Tuesday evenings (and some Mondays) will be spent preparing for 4 performances. I am enjoying it so much so far, after two rehearsals. We are doing several pieces from Vivaldi's "Gloria," which is classical. We are doing around 10 wonderful sacred pieces, and about 5 really fun secular songs. All are challenging, which makes it more fun.

To top it off, I have met a kindred spirit and we are so enjoying singing next to each other, though we don't have much time to visit, since talking during rehearsal is extremely bad manners (and not allowed)!



I heard this song on the radio the other day and it took me back to last year's cantata at church. It speaks to me of the need for prayer for our world situation.



Lord, hear our cry
Come heal our land
Breathe life into these dry and thirsty souls
Lord, hear our prayer
Forgive our sin
And as we call on Your name
Would You make this a place
For Your glory to dwell


Open the blind eyes
Unlock the deaf ears
Come to Your people
As we draw near
Hear us from heaven
Touch our generation
We are Your people
Crying out in desperation

Lord hear our song
Your children worship
As we sing out Your praise
Would You make this a place for Your glory to dwell



Changing subjects drastically, I just have to share this picture with you before I close. I am thankful that these little darlings don't know that their grandma used to bake cookies "from scratch" and now buys cookie dough! It looks and smells as good and is just as much fun to watch!





17 comments:

grammy said...

Glad you are enjoying the choir thing...I don't sing, so that has never been in my list of thing to do (o:
The girls look so cute there watching the cookies. They will never know (o: about the difference.
Nice award and you are a dedicated blogger.

Sam said...

Hi Dawn,
What you said about blogging is just beautiful. The friendships really are amazing, aren't they? Blogging has certainly fallen to the wayside in my life, but I continue to value my friendship with you and several others out there.

I can't tell you how much I wish I could hear you sing! I am so glad you're enjoying the chorus so much. It sounds absolutely amazing.

The girls are so cute in their red shirts! Thing one and thing two!! :-)

Unknown said...

Your Christmas choir will keep you busy I am sure. But it certainly sounds fulfilling too.

Love the pic of the littles with the cookies. That's what I do too. Watch em bake and eat em warm :)

nannykim said...

Pretty pic of the sunrise--really beautiful. My hubby loves singing in the choir and they are gearing up for the Christimas thingy. He finds it really ministers to him...and he ministers to us! (I can't carry a tune!).

Funny about the cookies!!! I still like making stuff from scratch, but I hardly ever make cookies any more since we are doing without much fat...!!!

nannykim said...

Oh....I love blogging, but hate tagging and awards stuff. I find the blogging very encouraging, inspirational etc

Sharon Lynne said...

That is so "cool" about your new choral experience. Something for YOU...because you're always helping others.

I'm so glad you are enjoying it!

Needled Mom said...

Just catching up since we got in late last night. Guess I am still on British time since I got up at 2 a.m. I feel a nap coming on this afternoon.

Congratulations on your award. You are well deserving for being such a great blogging friend.

I am so glad that the singing group has turned out to be such a good one. I know how you enjoy the chorus at church and what better reason for a good performance than traditional Christmas pieces?

We heard about your early winter blast when we were enjoying (?) record heat in Orlando. It does make for a short autumn.

I loved all the recent pictures of the girls, but my favorites would have to be by the lake. Beautiful!

I know that you will have a wonderful time meeting fellow bloggers on your upcoming trip. Wish I could be there with you and L.

Glad to hear all was well while I was gone and thank you for the FB birthday greetings.

jmckemie said...

Congratulations on the blog award - it is well deserved.
Was thinking about you this morning on the drive in to work. The rain here the last 36 hours has the leaves dropping but we have had such a wonderful explosion of color this last week. One street in particular I drive is absolutely breath taking with a canopy of red, orange, gold and yellow and I thought to myself - that is the kind of picture Dawn would share - I wish I had my camera!
Cute picture of the twinks watching the cookies bake. You can tell they are just full of anticipation. Precious memories in the making for all of you.
Wonderful about the chorale. So glad to hear that it is a real Christmas focus and not just secular. What a blessing to you.

nancygrayce said...

I love what you said about blogging! Those are most of my feelings too! When I'm talking about one of you, I just say "my friend in Colorado" or wherever....and sometimes I feel closer to you all than I do to my IRL friends! But shhhh, don't tell them.

We all need to be singing that song all day every day!

Hootin Anni said...

Awwwwwwwwww, Grandma's cookies!! Scratch or not, just look at those dolls so anxiously awaiting the first warm ooooey, gooey morsel!!! And those outfits...they're 'to die for'. Cute. I so enjoy 'having' granddaughters with you since my Irene's kids are both boys. I'd love to have a G-daughter. Just wasn't meant to be tho.

And the choir....how fun is that? I too love to sing.

And how you love blogging and keeping it as a journal....that my friend, is a superb reason. And meeting friends that are also blogging is an extraordinary treat in life.

Now, gotta a question....the choir...are you going to be singing in a church? Or in the city somewhere where they all come to see the program?

I do so wish that we COULD keep up with you as followers, but that too really isn't important...what's important is that we keep in touch.

Now, you go out and have a blessed weekend Dawn...[I don't know about the Broncos game Sunday...who do they play? Last week's was fabulous...of course!...they won!! LOL

Robin said...

I'm so happy that you are getting to sing in the choir - I can hear the joy in your voice as you talk about it! Keep posting about it - it sounds like so much fun.

In answer to your question, yes, our Peru kids will be staying with us the whole time! I can't tell you how excited I am! I don't need a single other gift for Christmas - this one makes me quite happy!
Your sister Vicki stopped by my desk when she was here last week but I was out. She left me a note telling me about her kids going to Peru. Such a small world! I will be praying for them.
You might remember Wendy in prayer - she is one of the 40/40's from our church. She is dealing with some pretty serious bug bites that have become infected. They flew her from Iquitos to Arequippa today so she can stay with Michelle and Michelle can go with her to the doctor to be sure she is being treated correctly. Her family is quite worried about her.
Sorry for the long post - lots of words today!

Nadine said...

I do enjoy visiting your blog and sharing your life through pictures. Congratulations on your award.

The picture of the twins looking at cookies baking speak volumes. Nice shot.

Nancy said...

Congrats on your award...which I admire now more than ever because I realize the time and energy it takes to continue the process.

The twins look so cute watching the cookies bake. I use the store bought dough too but the kids seem to enjoy it just as much.

I treasure your friendship and would never have met you otherwise. I look forward to hearing about your meeting more blogging friends...such an exciting way to meet friends.

Linda said...

They are just so cute Dawn. I am so glad you decided to join the choir. It is magical the way music can lift our spirits (well maybe not magical - a gift from the Father). It will be wonderful for you.
I feel the same way about blogging. I share news with my husband as though we were all friends in real life!
The sunrise pictures are beautiful!
Have a blessed weekend dear friend.

Mary said...

Dawn,

I enjoyed reading your post and congratulations on the award. The girlies look so cute in their red sweaters.

The autumn photo on my post tonight is about a 2 hour drive north from my house. It's a very picturesque area.

Have a great weekend.
Blessings,
Mary

Carole Burant said...

Congratulations on the much deserved award, dear Dawn, and thank you so much for passing it on to us. Like you, I love blogging and the many friends I've made through it, you included. I really don't know how I'd get through a lot of my days without all of you, you're all so special to me. How wonderful that you will be meeting more of your blogging friends...I hope that one day you and I can meet:-)

I love your sunrise pictures, so breathtaking. Whenever I see the sun's rays shining out from the clouds like that, I always say it's God's hands reaching out!!

I can well imagine how much you are enjoying the rehearsals for the Christmas presentation, I'd so love to hear you sing!!

Love the picture of the girls watching the cookies baking. They're too young to know if you baked them from scratch or not so shhhhhh! hehe xoxo

SentimentsbyDenise said...

Great thoughts!
I have wonderful memories of singing Handel's Messiah one Christmas a few years after I was married (after singing it in college several years in a row!) - it was different with the community choral singers, but just as fun! I love classical music!