What is Love?

An interview with musician Josh Garrels. Listen to his music here. Read their blog here.

Josh Garrels IN:5 // Love from IN:5 on Vimeo.

Happy Thursday

Joy unspeakable

I do most of my thinking at the piano. Decisions, ideas, thoughts, and prayers are made as my fingers trace the black and white keys of my old, faded piano. Music is itself a relief, happiness, and sheer joy. I can't tell you how many times I have heard musician after musician say, "Music helps me best express my emotions." But, as cheesy as it sounds, it rings clear and true. The feeling is unspeakable, inexpressible when I make music sing from my rickety, wooden piano and the sound permeates from room to room. The notes dancing on the page come alive and fill the house with vibrant life.
I'm no piano prodigy, I'm not even particularly gifted. But I revel in the utter bliss and unsurpassable joy that always goes hand-in-hand with the God-given gift of music.
My joys in life? To put it simply: serving my Lord, loving those around me, reading good books, and music - listening, making, learning - any form.

What's my life if it's not praising you

With every breath I take, with every heart beat,  

Sunrise and the moon lights in the dark street.  

Every glance, every dance, every note of a song.  

It's all a gift undeserved that I shouldn't have known.  

Every day that I lie, every moment I covet 

I'm deserving to die, I'm just earning your judgment. 

I, without the cross there's only condemnation.  

If Jesus wasn't executed there's no celebration.  

So in times that are good, in times that are bad, 

For any times that I've had it all I will be glad.  

And I will boast in the cross. I boast in my pains.  

I will boast in the sunshine, boast in his reign.  

What's my life if it's not praising you.  

Another dollar in my bank account of vain pursuit. 

I do not count my life as any value or precious at all.  

Let me finish my race, let me answer my call.

If this life has anything to gain at all I count it lost if I can't hear you, feel you, 'cause I need you. Can't walk this earth alone. I recognize I'm not my own, so before I fall I need to hear you, feel you, as I live to make my boast in you alone. 

Tomorrow's never promised, but it is we swear.  

Think we holding our own, just a fist full of air.  

God has never been obligated to give us life.  

If we fought for our rights, we'd be in hell tonight.  

Mere sinners own nothing but a fierce hand.  

We never loved him, we pushed away his pierced hands.  

I rejected his love, grace, kindness, and mercy. 

Dying of thirst, yet, willing to die thirsty.  

Eternally worthy, how could I live for less?  

Patiently you turn my heart away from selfishness. 

I volunteer for your sanctifying surgery.  

I know the spirit's purging me of everything that's hurting me.  

Remove the veil from my darkened eyes.  

So now every morning I open your word and see the Son rise.  

I hope in nothin, boast in nothin, only in your suffering.

I live to show your glory, dying to tell your story. 

Glory was solely meant for you, doing what no one else could do.  

With All I have to give, 

I'll use my life, 

I'll use my lips. 

I'll only glory in your Word. 

What gift to me I don't deserve. 
I'll live in such a way that it reflects to you my praise.

-"Boasting," Lecrae

A land called Honah Lee

Her girlish eyes were completely and entirely enraptured with the world he painted through his calm, deep voice. She knew the tale almost as well as the voice which told it. This time every night was sacred to her little heart. Hanging on his every word, she once again entered the land far away and full of enchanting fairies and delightful creatures - a world as real and familiar to her as our own is to us. He sang the words, while she lived them. Her ears tingled with glee at his tale, though she did like to imagine herself as a female Jackie Paper. Or just that she was a boy. (Because, truth be told, this girl truly believed - or wished so earnestly that she thought she did believe - she would one day grow up to be a boy, though evidence and everyone around her protested.) A soft, clear voice rang out these words and filled the little white room with melody, much as the sun fills the earth with light:

Puff, the magic dragon lived by the sea
And frolicked in the autumn mist in a land called Honah Lee,
Little Jackie Paper loved that rascal Puff,
And brought him strings and sealing wax and other fancy stuff. Oh

Puff, the magic dragon lived by the sea
And frolicked in the autumn mist in a land called Honah Lee,
Puff, the magic dragon lived by the sea
And frolicked in the autumn mist in a land called Honah Lee.

Together they would travel on a boat with billowed sail
Jackie kept a lookout perched on Puff's gigantic tail,
Noble kings and princes would bow whene'er they came,
Pirate ships would lower their flags when Puff roared out his name. Oh!

Puff, the magic dragon lived by the sea
And frolicked in the autumn mist in a land called Honah Lee,
Puff, the magic dragon lived by the sea
And frolicked in the autumn mist in a land called Honah Lee.

A dragon lives forever but not so little boys
Painted wings and giants' rings make way for other toys.
One grey night it happened, Jackie Paper came no more
And Puff that mighty dragon, he ceased his fearless roar.

His head was bent in sorrow, green scales fell like rain,
Puff no longer went to play along the cherry lane.
Without his lifelong friend, Puff could not be brave,
So Puff that mighty dragon sadly slipped into his cave. Oh!

Puff, the magic dragon lived by the sea
And frolicked in the autumn mist in a land called Honah Lee,
Puff, the magic dragon lived by the sea
And frolicked in the autumn mist in a land called Honah Lee. 

The Little Girl is not so little now, and her Daddy doesn't sing to her every night before bed anymore. But occasionally, she'll slip away to Honah Lee, rekindle old friendships and frolic with her dear magic dragon.

 {listen here}

And life goes by.

Hi, I'm Courtney. Remember the days when I actually wrote decent posts? Or maybe I'm just imagining this?

Life has been a little crazy over here. Tests, papers, midterms, babysitting jobs, applications, TeenPact staff prep, Bible study, etc.

But right now, I'm putting all that aside and writing. This time with thought.

I've just noticed that this blogging thing has all of the sudden become a trend with Tupelo girls. I'm not saying that like it's a bad thing, I think it's great. I just wonder what started it all? I don't know. There's something for you to ponder.

Here's another. Jamie's back home and Joseph will be here Thursday. It's been too long since we've all been together at home. This is yet another reason why I love Christmastime.

Tonight's sunset was absolutely beautiful. I actually had my camera this time. But a camera can't even really capture the vividness of the colors I saw in the sky. That pinkish color was actually a burning red. (By the way, photographers anywhere near the vicinity of a  certain pick-up soccer game will be hit. Holy guacamole! It's like they were aiming for me.)

The lights on the tree and the stockings above the fireplace make studying cozy and bit more happy. (If that's even possible. Well, I guess it is. You can always get more happy - happier - when in a state of complete misery.)

On first glance: Oh, what a cute little nativity scene.

Now look again.

I just found out our Christmas break is about two weeks. I was counting on getting a lot done over this break. Why can't we have a whole month, please?

I've also been thinking about the best movie soundtracks of all time. (You know, really using my time wisely. Taking advantage of every moment.) Here's what I've got:

1. To Kill a Mockinbird Theme

2. Gone With the Wind - Tara's Theme

3. The Fellowship of the Ring - Concerning Hobbits

4. Pride and Prejudice - The Secret Life of Daydreams

5. Sense and Sensibility - Throw the Coins

6. Master and Commander - Bach's Prelude

I hate to leave it at six. What a random number. I'm sure I'm forgetting a lot. I want to hear your favorites. Name three. Or one. Or six. Whatever floats your boat, suits your fancy, creams your twinkie, toasts your bagel. . .yeah, I think you catch my drift.

Oh, that was me putting thought into a post (not only thought, but actually time, too). This is sad. Maybe I left my thoughts back with those tests. Now I'm not even making sense. Do I ever?

And He shall reign forever and ever.

This video pretty much made my day. How amazing.

Also, remember Pearl Harbor. Never forget the "day that will live in infamy." (El Pensador)

Christmas happy.

I'm pretty excited. If you haven't already noticed.

Tell me about your favorite Christmas memory, or your favorite thing about Christmas time!

Roden's and some rustic loveliness.

Cookie dough must be good for the soul (since it sure ain't for the body).

The local music store makes my heart happy. It smells of sheets of music I've yet to play and lovely, shiny, enchanting pianos with perfectly white and black keys just waiting to be handled. I would live there if I could. And if I had 20,000 for a baby grand. Which I don't. So that would be a no. . .

Also, I'm in love with this rustic wedding from OnceWed. I love all the wood, her gorgeous red hair, and the unique bridesmaid dresses. So warm and lovely.

Some random and completely unrelated thoughts.

I live next door to a U.S. Congressman. This makes me famous.

Toy Story 3. Watch and weep. For real.

Synecdohes are my favorite figures of speech.

I'm listenin' to my Christmas music. Thank you, Caroline, for the lovely vintage Christmas playlist. Who cares about the after Thanksgiving rule? Besides, they're already decorating with lights and trees all throughout the mall and outlet stores. . .and basically everywhere else. So, I know we haven't even had Thanksgiving but 1) who wants to decorate with turkeys and pioneer people? That doesn't make me want to buy anything. Sorry. 2) Christmas decor transforms ordinary shops into magical places. Makes you feel happy. And buy more - which is a brilliant marketing strategy, just not so great for us consumers. Well, the heck with the After Thanksgiving Rule. It's a free country.

As you may have already figured out, I kind of love messing around with this blog and changing little things a lot. Well, I just went through one of those phases today. Check out the pages! (Which would mean the 'home,' 'de moi,' etc. buttons, for you "technologically challenged" readers. ;) I also added links to some awesome blogs - check them out!

Why is it so cold? What happened to Fall?

I have to wear make up every day this week. Way too much effort.

You may have already, unlike me, jumped on the Pioneer Bandwagon, but if not, check out Confessions of a Pioneer Woman. She never fails to crack me up. The woman is hilarious. Now I'm gonna lose hours of my life flipping through page after page.

Why don't we appreciate good oldies anymore?

Like this.

Or this, and this, and this.

Yeah, the list goes on.

It could go on longer, but maybe that will be another post for some other time.

P.S. If you disagree, then (you're wrong, but) just don't listen. It's as simple as that.

a happy song for a happy day

Because I just drove. By myself. For the first time ever.

It was quiet and peaceful and I had time to just. . .think. Time that I don't get a whole lot at home with two younger (and often crazy) younger siblings, not to mention three unruly dogs.

But I had one of my first whiffs of freedom, which I could easily neglect and take advantage of or use wisely. . .and drive safe. ;)

[And trust me, I do. Like a grandmother, actually. Just ask the car on my tail.]

Jason Castro - Somewhere Over The Rainbow

beautiful. enough said.

L-O-V-E

"Daisy, give yourself away. Look up at the rain."

Happy day.

The sun is shining, my window's open, birds are singing, Frank Sinatra's playing. Ahh. Spring.

A nice, long bike ride and reading Anne of Ingleside were simply perfect ways to top off this lovely day.

La vie en rose - Louis Armstrong

Christmas break

Wow. Thank goodness for Christmas break. Mine has consisted of:

-belting out Christmas carols as often as possible
-decorating the tree, hanging lights, and wreaths everywhere (can I keep the Christmas tree in my room up until...March? Is that okay?)
-making and decorating cookies
-watching White Christmas way more than once
-seeing Bourne Ultimatum for the first time with Katie and Savannah (that's intense stuff right there)
-wrapping presents
-laughing around a game of Balderdash with the family + Savannah
-waking up Christmas morning to a "spider web" (a.k.a, colored yarn wrapped all through the house)
-having our annual brunch with the Moellers and the Robbins
-playing Catchphrase with all the kids
-trying to make some progress on an impossible puzzle
-reading Mansfield Park (I'm still not finished. But I'm getting there!)
-dominating Kelley and Jonathan in a game of Monopoly
-catching up on the scrapbooking I've neglected

(This was the only remotely good picture of all the kids)

P.S. Can you believe we're only about a day away from 2010? 2010...wow, that looks so strange.

Is it just me or this incredibly beautiful?