Today's Song...

Every night I say a prayer in the hope that there's a heaven
And every day I'm more confused as the saints turn into sinners
All the heroes and legends I knew as a child have fallen to idols of clay
And I feel this empty place inside so afraid that I've lost my faith

Show me the way, show me the way
Take me tonight to the river
And wash my illusions away
Show me the way

And as I slowly drift to sleep, for a moment dreams are sacred
I close my eyes and know there's peace in a world so filled with hatred
That I wake up each morning and turn on the news to find we've so far to go
And I keep on hoping for a sign, so afraid that I just won't know

Show me the way,
Show me the way
Take me tonight to the mountain
And wash my confusion away
And if I feel light, should I believe
Tell me how will I know

Show me the way, show me the way
Take me tonight to the river
And wash my illusions away
Show me the way, show me the way

Give me the strength and the courage
To believe that I'll get there someday
Show me the way

Every night I say a prayer
In the hope that there's a heaven...

(Styx - Dennis DeYoung)

Reframing

I'm thinking about this word a lot lately. Mainly because we discussed it in my last Bethany class in connection with leadership, power, understanding situations, WIGIAT (Where is God in all this?), "What is really happening?," "Where do I come into the picture?"

I thought my short-term employment record may have come to a halt, but now, I'm not sure. As I reframe the past, I am now having to consider reframing the present.

So, what will the decision be...an alltogether new frame or one that's been used before - one that probably doesn't fit the new picture?

Do, Do, Do, Lookin' Out My Back Door

2 weeks...I thought that wouldn't be so bad...I could handle that...especially with a great housemate like Jen! Then...no sleep for 4 nights because I was so in tune with my pregnant friend across the hall who was so uncomfortable...spending an afternoon in the doctor's office with her...getting up at 4am to take her to the airport so she could go home...then...an entire week alone. Homesickness set in. I was ready to come home.

Then...the classmate from Rwanda speaks of his travels home after 3 years at Bethany. The new friend from Nigeria speaks of beginning his 3 years away from home. I feel guilty.

Then...the familiar mountains of Virginia come into view, the New River catches my eye, signs of Hokies begin to surface, the home Rob and I built together, Rob, the blooming Mountain Laurel, lilies and Morning Primrose in my back yard, my bed! my pillow! Cloverdale Church of the Brethren, "Welcome home!" "We missed you!" "So glad you're back!" "I hope it was a great class!" "Do you have all the answers now?"

I still feel a little bad that I could only take 2 weeks when others give up years, but still...I am ready to be home.

Eva Grace Stultz

Welcome little one.

Instruments

The instrument sits, silent

The keys untouched

The pedals still

The mechanisms created within

Meant to produce

Cannot do so alone

The master's touch

Soft and easy

Put all into use

The once silent instrument

Now brings sounds of beauty

Simple yet soothing

Those who hear

Are lulled by the sound

And the instrument

Is brought to life

"he will be an instrument for noble purposes,

made holy, useful to the Master and prepared to do any good work."

2 Timothy 2:21

Let the sun illuminate the words that you cannot find...

After several various failed attempts, I have decided that there are just some images that are not meant to be photographic...instead, they are to be experienced, enjoyed ...lived.

I do wish I could share the one I am living right now.

Sitting at my dining room table, surrounded by Granny Etta's chairs, china hutch filled with her dishes, Buck and Papaw's watches, Daddy's compass and Case knife, Mommy Belcher's and Granny Shaver's glassware;

the hutch that Max made filled with more memorabilia, including the miniature framed drawing Leah did of our last house and a jar full of marbles;

the photograph of my girls sitting side by side overlooking the fog covered Pacific Ocean;

the morning sun shining through the tall trees, casting long narrow shadows on the spring green grass;

shining through the tall windows upon peace plants received at Daddy's and Mommy Belcher's funerals;

the sound of birds sharing their songs;

the squirrels scampering about;

the buds on the dogwood tree almost ready to burst open and the redbud's purple hue;

the quiet of the house;

the peace it all brings to me.

Today's Song

thanks to B...

you think you`ll find some mountains in western colorado
fifty weeks of snowy peaks is where you`re gonna be
but babe the rocky mountains are gradually eroding
the hills of coors are nothing more than blue ridge wannabes

a turkey on it`s belly
a chicken on it`s back
anyway you look at it you`ll find her on the map
she revels in the seasons
shakes hands with the north
hugs the land of dixie while dancing on the porch

you think that autumns in new england
are the greatest of them all
but give me sweet virginia for the fireworks of fall
the prettiest october in all the fifty states
just drive up to the skyline park the car and wait

so grow up colorado
excuse me tennessee
if you don`t mind, north caroline
here`s where i want to be

(chorus)
when you`re talking home you mean the old dominion
just southeast of heaven to the surf and the hills
she`s the best of thirteen sisters
and thirty seven more
sweet sweet virginia always keeps an open door

they`re fiddlin` in galax
pickin` up in floyd
and in the land of patsy cline
they`re songs you can`t avoid

when you`re walking back after midnight
i`ll fall to pieces, too
i`m crazy back in baby`s arms with sweet dreams of you

they`re sailing down in norfolk
skiing up in bryce
climbing up the devil`s stairs against the ranger`s advice

they`re harvesting in loudoun to shenandoah winds
and in the land near washington they`re rooting for the `skins
fight for old d.c.

so grow up colorado
excuse me tennesse
if you don`t mind, north caroline
here`s where i want to be

(chorus)
pack up your impala
and make your move out west
past the blue ridge mountains you`ll find you passed the best
and when your dreams have ended
where mountains are concerned
me and sweet virginia will await for your return

(Eddie from Ohio)

Today's Song

http://youtube.com/watch?v=AratTMGrHaQ