Songs of Faith and Praise #470

"I heard an old, old story, how a Savior came from glory. How he gave his life on Calvary to save a wretch like me. I heard about his groaning and his precious blood's atoning. Then I repented of my sin and won the victory. Oh, victory in Jesus my Savior forever, he sought me, and bo't me, with his redeeming blood. He loved me ere I knew him, and all my love is due him, he plunged me to victory beneath the cleansing flood. I heard about a mansion he has built for me in glory, And I heard about the street of gold beyond the crystal sea; about the angels singing and the old redemption story, and some sweet day I'll sing up there the song of victory."

It's been exactly 3 years and 6 days since I was able to sing that song all the way through! The last time I sang it was December 22, 2005, at the Veteran's Hospital at the bedside of my sweet daddy as he won that sweet victory. For years that was our song - our little family of four, Daddy, Mom, Bill and I dedicated our life to making that song our theme song while I was growing up- whether it was ever verbalized or not. Daddy lived his life on this earth to be able to sing that song in glory, and I'm sure every time that I haven't made it through it in the last 3 years he has belted it out with his own little angel band.

When I hear the song leader announce that number I begin to talk to myself and think about how proud Daddy will be when I can sing it again, and never miss a note or verse. I almost made it this morning - that third verse gets me every time! But I know, even if I NEVER make it all the way through again here on this earth, - "that some sweet day I'll sing up there the song of victory" - and I won't be singing alone.

Christmas 2008. . .

I left my digital camera at school, and I've promised myself I'm NOT going to step back in there until the end of next week, so no pictures until I do the old fashioned developing technique - but they will come!
We've had a wonderful season with our children. Blakeley and I have made truffles and puppy chow by the pounds!!!! Kellby has kept us all in holiday laughter - AND abreast of all the latest on the NCAA, Fantasy, NFL & NBA Sports front.
But I think the climax came last night about 11:00pm, as I was turning off the Christmas tree lights and Kellby, almost 19, says - "Awh, man Christmas is over for another year. . " - no matter how old we get those of us who LOVE the season have a really hard time letting it go. I feel like the Ghost of Christmas Present in the Muppet Christmas Carole . . . " and know me better man" - it seems that I do LISTEN more intently when we're all at home together during the holidays, I want to capture every moment on my memory disc.
We will be travelling tomorrow to Danny's family home for sharing of the season with his mom, and brother and his family. It's sure to be a rowdy day with all those HUDSON boys! Sometimes it gets so loud it's hard to listen to what all is going on - but voices will soften and then one of those boys will make a wise crack and it will all start again - and I guess we wouldn't want it any other way! So, Merry Christmas and watch the mailbox for a New Year's card from the Hudson's. . . (I hope).

Two more days. . . but who's counting?

Well. . . me for one - and about 40 other women I know who spend their days diligently working with children who are so DONE with school at this point that there is absolutely no logical reason to be there other than we don't have another choice! (Is that a run-on sentence?)

When I get in my car in the afternoons I don't even turn the heater on because I don't want to listen to the noise, and it's been about 18 degrees for the past 3 days. But, I must say the excitement that children have in their eyes at this time of year just has to touch your heart - and the questions about, well you know - "believeing" - they get to a point when they want to believe so badly in the magic of the season but in their hearts they know there's got to be something we're not telling them. (Now that has to be a run-on sentence!) That's why I ALWAYS stress to my students that the traditions are real and many of the events really happened you just have to study on your own to decide what traditions you are going to believe in and pass down in your own family.

That brings me to another point - some things just never change whether tradition or not. Just like today, Kellby texts me and says "I'm DONE!" - (he means finals are completed) and then the next text reads - "have you been to the grocery store?" , which means he's home from the dorm and there is NO JUNK FOOD AT THE HOUSE. . .yet!