He is the Gift

  He is the Gift!

Grateful for Tender Mercies of the Lord

While I was taking down my Christmas tree I was watching or listening to movies and their music.
I often need a movie or music in the background to keep me going (if I'm not studying seminary lessons).

I started with Moana - it has some fun music.

I watched the most recent Beauty and the Beast.  Some of the music in these movies are just fun, and others have lyrics that inspire.  Great listening!

[Verse 1]

How does a moment last forever?

How can a story never die?

It is love we must hold onto

Never easy, but we try

Sometimes our happiness is captured

Somehow, our time and place stand still

Love lives on inside our hearts and always will

[Chorus]

Minutes turn to hours, days to years then gone

But when all else has been forgotten

Still our song lives on

[Verse 2]

Maybe some moments weren’t so perfect

Maybe some memories not so sweet

But we have to know some bad times

Or our lives are incomplete

Then when the shadows overtake us

Just when we feel all hope is gone

We’ll hear our song and know once more

Our love lives on

[Verse 3]

How does a moment last forever?

How does our happiness endure?

Through the darkest of our troubles

Love is beauty, love is pure

Love pays no mind to desolation

It flows like a river through the soul

Protects, persists, and perseveres

And makes us whole

[Chorus]

Minutes turn to hours, days to years then gone

But when all else has been forgotten

Still our song lives on

How does a moment last forever
When our song lives on

~ ~ ~

November and December are wonderful times of the year when we have holidays that help us remember the important things in life.    I feel blessed to have my darkest, most sorrowful moment (that of my husband passing away) be surrounded by these two holidays - Thanksgiving and Christmas - because it helps me, or almost makes me feel the love of God.

Still it is a solemn time of year for me and in the background of this wonderful time of year there is sorrow.  I am so grateful that even with that deep sorrow, there is still a great amount of joy - knowing that we have been promised to each other for eternity.  I do have much to look forward to. I know I sound wishy-washy but it really is a back and forth time of year for me.


With the mixed emotions I certainly had while taking the lights off my tree I heard something on Beauty and the Beast that pierced my heart.

It was while Belle and her father were in the dungeon with the beast, and Belle offered to stay there forever if the beast would let her father go free.

She was asking for a minute to say good-bye before her father was released and the beast didn't seem to think it was necessary.  Belle didn't give up, and replied;

"FOREVER CAN SPARE A MINUTE"

Wow!  I need to remember this!
Our time on earth is but a moment compared to our Heavenly Father's time - eternity.  So every suffering or sorrow we endure here on earth is but a minute to Him and we can endure it with His help.

In seminary we are studying the stories about Alma and Amulek (including, but not limited to Alma 14) and this quote, FOREVER CAN SPARE A MINUTE, is perfect - reminding us that any trial on earth, even all of our time on earth, is but a minute and we must continue in faith, with patience and hope of the blessings we will receive in eternity.

I was the one who had it all

I was the master of my fate

I never needed anybody in my life

I learned the truth too late

I'll never shake away the pain

I close my eyes but she's still there

I let her steal into my melancholy heart

It's more than I can bear

Now I know she'll never leave me

Even as she runs away

She will still torment me

Calm me, hurt me

Move me, come what may

Wasting in my lonely tower

Waiting by an open door

I'll fool myself, she'll walk right in

And be with me for evermore

I rage against the trials of love

I curse the fading of the light

Though she's already flown so far beyond my reach

She's never out of sight

Now I know she'll never leave me

Even as she fades from view

She will still inspire me

Be a part of everything I do

Wasting in my lonely tower

Waiting by an open door

I'll fool myself, she'll walk right in

And as the long, long nights begin

I'll think of all that might have been

Waiting here for evermore

~ ~ ~

Such a long post to say what I felt, and I'm not sure I've done it justice.  I'll just say - I am so grateful for tender mercies of the Lord to remind me of the important things in life and encourage me to move forward in faith.

Sometimes simple phrases in songs or movies can encourage and uplift and enlighten. They are a reminder to the heart, mind, and soul that all is or will be well, in the Lords time.



And I'll add one last song - by Josh Groban, I Believe

Memories On My Mind

There has been a place in my heart for Owl City music since our personal Hello [to] Seattle in 2010.  It's definitely a personal thing.

Today I was listening to some Owl City music and found a couple new songs I hadn't heard before - or at least I don't remember them right now.  They hit a chord in my heart and I just had to share.  If anyone reads this - I hope you enjoy - otherwise, I have them here To Remind Me!

Paperman "Owl City: I Found Love" (Disney Short)

This was so fun to watch ;)  I too FOUND LOVE!
FYI - I do believe in true love!

And I believe in miracles!

 The lyrics of this next one are great - my dad's a hero to me!

Owl City - Not All Heroes Wear Capes (Acoustic)

I love my mom and dad!  No Cape Needed!

I see their strength and their goodness and their love for the Savior and I feel their love for me. 

They are awesome!

I've been a bit nostalgic the last couple days and it has sent me back to my blog searching for some posts about Seattle and about Terry.   I had music playing in the background, which included this awesome song that fit so perfectly with what I was reading at the time.

Owl City - In Christ Alone (I Stand)

Before I go, and, in keeping with the Owl City theme, I found a Christmas song in this earlier post :) Veggie Tales (:  



FYI - I must add this disclaimer - this is not a paid advertisement for Owl City.  :)

I suppose he could pay me if he wanted, but I just felt like sharing a few of my thoughts, and today they included his music.

And, since he is not paying me, I am free to say that not every Owl City song strikes a chord for me, but some do, and I am grateful for talent and sharing talents that bless the lives of others.  And he has talent.  I can select the songs I like and skip over those I don't quite care for.  

I do love good and inspirational music!

Now I will share one more thing I found today just to cheer and delight -

What do you call people who are afraid of Santa Claus?

Claustrophobic!   

Okay, you've probably heard it before, but it is cute ..., right?  ;)

Have a wonderful day! 

last, but not least

There are many more Sounds of Christmas that we could share and enjoy, but my time is up - December ends, so until next year the Christmas music will take a back seat.  I might sneak it out every once in a while though.  (shhh! don't tell anyone)

The last of the year:

Adore Him - Kari Jobe

Holy Night - Arrangement by Garth Smith

I wanted to share this next song earlier, but it wouldn't play in Blogger so I add it here.  Just click on the title and it will link you to YouTube to hear / experience

A beautiful sound ... A beautiful message ... A beautiful feeling ... 


When Love was Born - sung by Mark Schultz



Now let's go celebrate the upcoming year!


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Do You Hear What I Hear

Music is sure changing.  There are many A Capella groups.  And many of them are really good.
This song is what I listen to from this group.

Do You Hear What I Hear - Home Free

Give This Christmas Away

I have been a fan of Amy Grant Christmas music for many years.

This year I heard for the first time, a beautiful song she performed with Matthew West.


A beautiful sound ... A beautiful message ... A beautiful feeling ... 


Give This Christmas Away - Matthew West with Amy Grant

It was fun to learn it was a Veggie Tales Official - :)

Today I choose to share a few of Amy Grant songs -
I have already shared Breath of Heaven by Amy Grant
but here are a few more.


Amy Grant - Emmanuel God With us

I Will Lead You Home - Amy Grant

Highland Cathedral on Amy Grant A Christmas to Remember (this brings memories of traveling to and from church with the kids, playing this song over and over again, sometimes as loudly as we could handle it...more smiles!  I'm sure we had air instrument players in every seat belt.)

A New Noel

There really are so many beautiful songs of Christmas.  This is another I can listen to year round.

A beautiful sound ... A beautiful message ... A beautiful feeling ... 

Chris Tomlin - Noel (Live) ft. Lauren Daigle

FYI - I was listening to that song play in the background as I was working on another tab.  That is how I listen to a lot of the music I listen to.  And a lot of it I have to go back and exit out because it's not what I want to hear.  Sometimes it's well worth it, and this was one of those times - the next song came on - so tender and soft for the first part of it.

Chris Tomlin - A Christmas Alleluia (Live) ft. Lauren Daigle, Leslie Jordan

I enjoyed hearing it.  I don't care to watch it, but I did enjoy hearing it.

My Savior

This is one of my favorites!  And it doesn't even have to be Christmas for me to listen to it.  It is beautiful.  Peaceful!  Reverent!  Inspirational!  ...

Do You Have Room?

This song seems to be the retelling of the Christmas story and what it means to each of us.  If each of us would answer the questions in this song it might open our eyes to what we might do better.


Do You Have Room? (New Christmas Song by Shawna Edwards)





This reminds me that    WISE MEN STILL SEEK HIM!

I wish to be wise! That would be my first wish if I had three wishes.   I can think of several I'd like to wish for, but I don't know if they would be best, so if I had that wish granted first my next two wishes would be the right two wishes.

Sounds so exciting right!  Well..., reality check - no three wishes available.

Oh Bother!

I can still be wise and SEEK HIM!

(from here, found in google search)

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What Child Is This

MERRY CHRISTMAS!

A beautiful sound ... A beautiful message ... A beautiful feeling ... 

What Child Is This -Josh Groban

AND

I could't decide which one to use - I like them both.  I'm running out of days and ..., well ...,


MERRY CHRISTMAS!

Son of God

Enjoy your day before Christmas with another Sound of Christmas.

Son Of God - sung by Michael W Smith

Infant Holy, Infant Lowly

I think I love this song because of the video that is with it.  It's hope for a better future, hope for repentance, hope for forgiveness, hope for peace ...


Infant Holy, Infant Lowly (Music Video) - Mormon Tabernacle Choir





My hope is in Christ!


Thanks be unto God for His unspeakable gift.  2 Corinthians 9:15

"Believe"

Another song with
a beautiful sound ... a beautiful message ... a beautiful feeling ... 


The Polar Express- "Believe"

Piano Guys

Among my favorites is The Piano Guys.  They are easy listening all year round.  Their arrangements are awesome - songs like This is Your Fight Song ,  A Thousand Years , Story of My Life  ...,  
okay, this is supposed to be about Christmas songs, but those songs I listed above are inspiring to me. :)


John Schmidt's daughter sings at the end of this first song and it is so sweet.

Where Are You Christmas - The Piano Guys, Sarah Schmidt

Oh Come, Oh Come, Emmanuel - The Piano Guys  

Angels We Have Heard on High - The Piano Guys

Carol of the Bells (for 12 Cellos) - The Piano Guys

OK, I'LL STOP!

This Is Christmas

This is new to me this year and when I first heard it I immediately pinned it to my Christmas board.

What is Christmas without Christ?

This is Christmas - Kutless




Because of Christ!
It's all because of Christ!

See and Hear

This song was shared earlier, but not by these guys.  Watching this one especially adds to the feel.

And so it continues to bring us

a beautiful sound ... beautiful message ... a beautiful feeling ... 

Come, Lord Jesus

Beautiful testimony surrounded by beautiful sound. Fills your heart!


 Come, Lord Jesus - BYU Men's Chorus at Temple Square





I am so grateful for the Savior's healing power.

Little Drummer Boy

Sharing ... A beautiful sound ... beautiful message ... a beautiful feeling ... 

I have always enjoyed the story and song of the Little Drummer Boy, and this arrangement is intriguingly beautiful.

Little Drummer Boy - Pentatonic

Silent Night

These guys are awesome to listen to and they give Silent Night a great new sound.

Silent Night by Celtic Thunder




This is an older video, but one of the good ones.  George Donaldson passed away in March of 2014 and I miss his voice with the group, but it's still a great group.  It's interesting to see the new additions through the years and it's fun to see their individual looks change thru the years as they get older and their styles change.  The nature of this group makes it easy for members to be replaced without too much difficulty for the listener/viewers, but we still have our favorites.

O Come, O Come, Emmanuel

Talent surrounds us.

A beautiful sound ... beautiful message ... a beautiful feeling ... 

BarlowGirl - O Come, O Come, Emmanuel