Sunday, February 19, 2012

Piano Concert!!!

Gerald, Gabrielle and Samuel went to a piano concert up in the Saratoga Hills last Saturday. The pianist was the amazing Daniil Trifonov, a Russian pianist. He is 20 years old, and has been studying music since he was 5. You can see a video of him playing at a different event here:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UzI6gAUhtIA

We had a great time!

Wednesday, February 15, 2012

Valentine Day Cookies!

My sisters enjoy baking and decorating little cupcakes and cookies. Here are their latest culinary creations :)






























Tuesday, February 7, 2012

Martin Luther on Prayer before Meals

One of the books I have been reading recently is "Taking Hold of God" by Dr. Joel Beeke and Brian G. Najapfour. This is an excellent book and I highly recommend it. I was especially struck by the first chapter on the prayer life of Martin Luther. So I wanted to share the prayer that Martin Luther recommended for fathers to teach their children before every meal. As someone who was raised with prayer before mealtimes, this prayer was very refreshing and reinvigorating on how we give thanks to God for His wonderful provision each and every day. Hopefully, this will also do the same for you. Enjoy!

"When children and the whole household gather at the table, they should reverently fold their hands and say:

'The eyes of all look to Thee, O Lord, and Thou givest them their food in due season. Thou openest Thy hand; Thou satisfiest the desire of every living thing.'

Then the Lord's Prayer should be said, and afterwards this prayer:

'Lord God, heavenly Father, bless us, and these Thy gifts which of Thy bountiful goodness Thou hast bestowed on us, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen!'"

Monday, February 6, 2012

Poem by Amy Carmichael

This is a poem by Amy Carmichael, that I have often read and love.
Gabrielle

Lord of the Lilies

God, whose glory fills the sky,
God, whose glory fills the sea,
God, whose name is very high,
Lifted up in majesty.

Here among the hills afar,
By Thee planted, by Thee fed,
Lonely under moon and star
Lo, a shinning lily bed.

How didst Thou take thought to plant
Such a garden in the wild?
Say to it, "Thou shalt not want,
Just as to a human child?

Dressed like queens in white and gold,
Through all weather here they be,
Singing, singing as of old,
Lord of the lilies, unto thee.