when i hear this song i feel like Jesus is telling me to let him be all i need. because He is and He should be. this is definitely something I need to work on... close your eyes, just believe.

i know i haven't posted to wish everyone a happy new year yet but i'll get around to it. this morning we attended a funeral for a family friend who passed away from liver cancer. she had been battling the disease all fall and on January 1st, she lost her fight. i really did not know her that well, but used to babysit for her three precious children when they were younger. it breaks my heart thinking about them being left without their mother at such a time in their lives.

they talked a lot today about Mrs. Utt's joy and love for life and for the Lord. how even in her final days she was content with the path God had chosen for her, and had found a certain peace in the face of her disease. it's heartbreaking and inspiring and confusing to loose someone like this. you can't help but just ask why? someone so vibrant and so committed to the Lord.

but what it does show me in some ways is how i want to live my life. with radiance and happiness and a certain peace. they used a metaphor from a poem today describing Melissa, it said: "a bride married to amazement." married to amazement, what a stunning image. i think it's one i'll always hold onto. i want to live my life as a bride married to amazement. with joy and awe and excitement for everything that God gives me, no matter what. on such a sad day I find that God still opens the door to hope.

what am i doing new years eve? i don't know yet. but this song makes me feel better about that. love them together.

this child would be like the star shining in the sky that night.

a light to light up the whole world,

chasing away darkness, fear and death.

a very MERRY CHRISTMAS to you and yours!!

some songs i'm especially enjoying right now. and adding to my joy on this wonderful Christmas eve (now Christmas), maybe tearing up a little and definitely wishing i was in church singing right now. thank you Lord for sending us the best gift of all and blessing us with your grace.