As mentioned in yesterday's post, Lydia, Tasha and I had a fine old time driving to and from the Sacred Harp convention on Saturday. We really enjoyed the old houses - even the rundown ones - and especially the farm animals.
We were stopping (safely) alongside the road and parking at the end of lanes to see close-up views of the animals. I really miss the country, and I especially enjoyed looking in on one pen. I wish I had some of these particular animals in my back yard, but I don't think the city government will allow me. Anyone want to take a guess at what this animal might be? (Some of you have seen me admire these animals before - especially on long church trips in TX.)
Feel free to weigh in with a comment. I'll try to post a picture or two tomorrow afternoon which will reveal the answer. If I were to start a farm, these would be the first addition to my current collection of two cats and innumerable dust bunnies.
Do you have a favorite farm animal you'd like to add to your imaginary (or real) farm?
Tuesday, March 13, 2007
Monday, March 12, 2007
Join In A Song With Sweet Accord
This past weekend, the 22nd Annual Missouri State Sacred Harp Convention was held outside of Pinckney, MO. The setting as very close to the well known Katy Trail, and the scenery on the drive to the St. John's United Church of Christ was gorgeous. Huge trees, steep hillsides, crooked creeks, large farms and pastures, small towns with old storefronts and homes, winding roads... It will be an even more beautiful drive this summer and fall.
Because I have been dealing with a cold and didn't have much energy on Saturday, I was not able to take pictures of everything that I had hoped to share here. But, I have included a few pictures here of the "class." I have not yet seen the official record, but there were well over 150 singers in attendance on Saturday. My hearing (and singing) was inhibited by my illness, but I could still tell the singing was beautiful and ringing throughout the old church building. It was a true joy to spend so much time with our friends from the St. Louis Shape Note Singers, visit with Sacred Harp friends we've met at conventions, and meet even more new friends who we hope to see in the future. There were visitors from all over the country - at least fifteen states. Even one from Canada!
Looking through the altos to the trebles, and looking through the basses to the tenors.
For those of you who aren't extremely tired of my posts about Sacred Harp and who have not been to a singing, you might consider viewing the video below. This is a video of 3 songs being led in the Alabama Capitol Rotunda in 2006. While you won't see much of the class, you will clearly see the leaders for the 3 songs. You may wonder, "Why is the leader turning all around in circles?" The woman who leads the first selection, for example, makes a effort to lead in each part as it enters the fugue portion of the song - even when the group sings through the songs the first time in the shape notes (fa, sol, la, and mi.) You will also see her turn around to indicate to the class that she'd like to skip to the 3rd verse.
She leads one of my "new favorites" in Sacred Harp, #373 Homeward Bound. This is followed by #137 Liberty and #171 Exhortation, a song we sing often in the St. Louis group.
I enjoyed a wonderful day of song and fellowship (and delicious food!), and it was especially nice to spend the time with Lydia and Tasha while we drove to and from the convention in such nice weather. Thank you, ladies, for being so kind to help me and keep me encouraged while I am not feeling well.
Because I have been dealing with a cold and didn't have much energy on Saturday, I was not able to take pictures of everything that I had hoped to share here. But, I have included a few pictures here of the "class." I have not yet seen the official record, but there were well over 150 singers in attendance on Saturday. My hearing (and singing) was inhibited by my illness, but I could still tell the singing was beautiful and ringing throughout the old church building. It was a true joy to spend so much time with our friends from the St. Louis Shape Note Singers, visit with Sacred Harp friends we've met at conventions, and meet even more new friends who we hope to see in the future. There were visitors from all over the country - at least fifteen states. Even one from Canada!
Looking through the altos to the trebles, and looking through the basses to the tenors.
For those of you who aren't extremely tired of my posts about Sacred Harp and who have not been to a singing, you might consider viewing the video below. This is a video of 3 songs being led in the Alabama Capitol Rotunda in 2006. While you won't see much of the class, you will clearly see the leaders for the 3 songs. You may wonder, "Why is the leader turning all around in circles?" The woman who leads the first selection, for example, makes a effort to lead in each part as it enters the fugue portion of the song - even when the group sings through the songs the first time in the shape notes (fa, sol, la, and mi.) You will also see her turn around to indicate to the class that she'd like to skip to the 3rd verse.
She leads one of my "new favorites" in Sacred Harp, #373 Homeward Bound. This is followed by #137 Liberty and #171 Exhortation, a song we sing often in the St. Louis group.
I enjoyed a wonderful day of song and fellowship (and delicious food!), and it was especially nice to spend the time with Lydia and Tasha while we drove to and from the convention in such nice weather. Thank you, ladies, for being so kind to help me and keep me encouraged while I am not feeling well.
Monday, March 05, 2007
Grateful for Grandpa
Late Saturday morning, my grandfather, Mr. Sheldon Rasho Stremmel, was called home to heaven. Born on August 14, 1907, he is the son of Charles and Estella Stremmel and the older brother to two sisters, Fern and Frances. He was a devoted and loving husband to my grandmother, Ruby Margaret Webb, and she preceded him in death exactly ten years ago this week in March 1997.
He is the father of Norma, Richard, Dennis, and Roger. He is the father-in-law of Charles, Billie, and Phyllis. He is, to so many of us, Grandpa... Great Grandpa... Great Great Grandpa. To even more, his nieces, nephews, brothers-in-law, sisters-in-law and church friends, he is simply "Shed."
A long-time member of Mt. Zion Primitive Baptist Church (Astoria, IL), Grandpa was a man of few words. But, his actions spoke volumes... about his love for his wife, his family, and his Saviour.
Our entire family realizes we had a great blessing in having him in our lives for such a long time. There are so many memories to recall about my stays over at Grandma and Grandpa's house: Grandpa showing me the iodine that he placed on his cuts, timing how long it would take for Grandpa to fall asleep after sitting down to watch TV, enjoying Lawrence Welk and Andy Griffith together, helping him out in the garden, picking strawberries and going mushrooming, watching him walk around the yard with his hands behind his back, listening to him recall the old days back in Astoria when he "set up house" with Grandma, just sitting and holding hands,... and especially the three little clicks he'd make just after kissing me hello and goodbye each time I saw him.
I'm sure going to miss those clicks... and kisses... and Grandpa.
Thursday, March 01, 2007
Boldly Unto The Throne of Grace
There are many in need at this time, and I would appreciate it if you would keep these individuals in your thoughts and prayers:
* Jimmy Zimmerman, brother of Brother Jeff, who has been battling cancer. Was admitted into the hospital this week in an attempt to lessen his pain, run even more tests on his brain tumors, seek out a new treatments for tumors on his torso, and understand his recent rapid decline in certain abilities. Please remember Jimmy, his parents, his brothers and their families, and the doctors - that all may stay encouraged during this fight.
* My grandfather, Sheldon Stremmel, who was admitted to the hospital Tuesday evening. He became dramatically weaker in recent weeks, and doctors discovered his problems were due to large gall stones and an infection. Grandpa is 99 (will be 100 in August), and the doctors worried what the necessary surgery would do to his condition. We are thankful that Grandpa is now recuperating but still extremely weak. And, the doctors also fear that his liver may be failing. Tests results are to be returned soon. Please remember Grandpa, Uncle Roger (who cares for him daily), Dad, Aunt Norma, Uncle Dick, Aunt Frances (Grandpa's sister), and all of our family, in addition to the doctors.
* The family of Walter "Wally" Wolff. Wally is my cousin's step-father and a loving, Christian man who has been an extra uncle to Aaron, Ketra, and me. Wally passed away after preparing for bed Monday evening. Please remember our "Aunt Phyllis", our cousins, their families, Wally's children, and their families during this time of missing Wally. While their sorrow is great, they know Wally is having a wonderful time in heaven praising his Father face to face.
Last night, we did not hold our usual worship services. Instead, we took a great deal of time making requests for prayer. It seems it is a trying time for many of us, surrounded by family and friends who have experienced a loss or who are in much physical and emotional pain. What a wonderful gift it is to be able to share these concerns with our loving brothers and sisters as we had a special time of prayer with each other. What an even more awesome gift it is that we can speak directly to our Saviour through prayer!
While the day seemed dim, we also know how much we have to be thankful for. Blessings to our left and right. In family. In friends. In jobs. In our country. In our safety. In our relationship with God. Even in the weather. Spring seems like it has arrived just overnight, bringing rain, then sunshine and warm temperatures to us here in St. Louis area. It brings thoughts of new beginnings, especially as so many friends are preparing for a new beginning in their own lives after God so providentially brought each couple together this past year. So, we also ask that you please remember George and Liz, and Asa and Karla this weekend... and Luke and Morgan in two weeks... and Dani and Gary in July. We pray these couples are not only blessed with a wonderful celebration on their special wedding days but, more importantly, are blessed in their lives together long after the ceremony. We pray they will be surrounded by love, encouragement, and support. We pray they will be role models for those following them in marriage. We pray their households will serve the Lord and God will be the center of their union.
* Jimmy Zimmerman, brother of Brother Jeff, who has been battling cancer. Was admitted into the hospital this week in an attempt to lessen his pain, run even more tests on his brain tumors, seek out a new treatments for tumors on his torso, and understand his recent rapid decline in certain abilities. Please remember Jimmy, his parents, his brothers and their families, and the doctors - that all may stay encouraged during this fight.
* My grandfather, Sheldon Stremmel, who was admitted to the hospital Tuesday evening. He became dramatically weaker in recent weeks, and doctors discovered his problems were due to large gall stones and an infection. Grandpa is 99 (will be 100 in August), and the doctors worried what the necessary surgery would do to his condition. We are thankful that Grandpa is now recuperating but still extremely weak. And, the doctors also fear that his liver may be failing. Tests results are to be returned soon. Please remember Grandpa, Uncle Roger (who cares for him daily), Dad, Aunt Norma, Uncle Dick, Aunt Frances (Grandpa's sister), and all of our family, in addition to the doctors.
* The family of Walter "Wally" Wolff. Wally is my cousin's step-father and a loving, Christian man who has been an extra uncle to Aaron, Ketra, and me. Wally passed away after preparing for bed Monday evening. Please remember our "Aunt Phyllis", our cousins, their families, Wally's children, and their families during this time of missing Wally. While their sorrow is great, they know Wally is having a wonderful time in heaven praising his Father face to face.
Last night, we did not hold our usual worship services. Instead, we took a great deal of time making requests for prayer. It seems it is a trying time for many of us, surrounded by family and friends who have experienced a loss or who are in much physical and emotional pain. What a wonderful gift it is to be able to share these concerns with our loving brothers and sisters as we had a special time of prayer with each other. What an even more awesome gift it is that we can speak directly to our Saviour through prayer!
While the day seemed dim, we also know how much we have to be thankful for. Blessings to our left and right. In family. In friends. In jobs. In our country. In our safety. In our relationship with God. Even in the weather. Spring seems like it has arrived just overnight, bringing rain, then sunshine and warm temperatures to us here in St. Louis area. It brings thoughts of new beginnings, especially as so many friends are preparing for a new beginning in their own lives after God so providentially brought each couple together this past year. So, we also ask that you please remember George and Liz, and Asa and Karla this weekend... and Luke and Morgan in two weeks... and Dani and Gary in July. We pray these couples are not only blessed with a wonderful celebration on their special wedding days but, more importantly, are blessed in their lives together long after the ceremony. We pray they will be surrounded by love, encouragement, and support. We pray they will be role models for those following them in marriage. We pray their households will serve the Lord and God will be the center of their union.
Amazing Grace, The Movie
After enjoying a delicious lunch at Jeff and Tracy's on Saturday afternoon, Dad and I started our adventures by heading to the St. Louis Mills Mall, right by my workplace. We were heading there to see the film that had just opened the night before, Amazing Grace. The film focuses on the life of Parliament member William Wilberforce who made it his life's work to abolish slave trading in England. I had many "favorite parts", but the portion that keeps sticking with me is the second time we see John Newton in the film. As you surely know, John Newton penned the words to the hymn Amazing Grace. He was also the pastor of the church Mr. Wilberforce attended in his youth. By the second time we see Mr. Newton, Mr. Wilberforce is in great need of encouragement and Mr. Newton's physical health had greatly declined. But, despite the trials - even blindness, John Newton provides spiritual encouragement so that William Wilberforce may fight on. To the contrary of his physical condition, John Newton explains that he was blind while participating so long in the slave trade industry but he has been blessed by God to clearly see - both the evil of what he has done and now what he must do.The film is based on actual events but, of course, is supplemented with dramatic dialogue. It probably won't win an Oscar. But, Dad and I enjoyed it very, very much. In fact, when I clapped at the end of the movie, others joined me. (That is not always the case.)
If you have the opportunity to find a break to catch a movie at the theatre and you enjoy movies about historical events, I encourage you to see this one. Rated PG, it would a be a good movie to see with older children who understand the concepts. It is a rare situation where one can go to the movies these days and not worry about what will be said or shown. While the tragic details are provided in how slaves are transported across the sea, the movie is a good history lesson, suitable for all.If the parents of young children came to you and explained they were wanting to start a "movie library" full of suitable movies for their children and family - now and in future years, are there movies you would suggest as "must haves?"
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