Oklahoma

We know we belong to the land

And the land we belong to is grand!

and when we say

yeeow-a-yip-i-o-ee-ay!

We're only sayin'

You're doin' fine Oklahoma!

Oklahoma OK!

 

Big Tree Little Tree

For the first time in our lives, we had two Christmas trees up. 

One in the living room as usual, and one at the top of the stairs.

We loved them both.  

 

Oh Christmas Tree

The last couple of weeks have been a blur around here and we seriously could not find a second to go get our tree.  We had time between 4 and 6 pm tonight - and the tree farm closed at 5!  So, we shot out to Whites Tree Farm and picked one out in the dark. It took us about 5 minutes to find it and wouldn’t you know, we like it!  

 

Senior Photo

We found out that senior yearbook photos were due about 4 days before the deadline. We had no idea.  So we ran out early one windy morning before school and I snapped a bunch of photos of Anders hoping to get at least one good shot.   I liked a bunch.  Here are some of our favorites.

 

It’s Coming On Christmas

We’re cutting down trees.  

 

Veni Sancte Spiritus

Then Jesus said, 

"Did I not tell you that if you believe,

you will see the glory of God?"

John 11:40

It's absolutely true that my mother was a believer.  She had more faith than anyone I know.  It was her faith that pulled her through all 96 years of her life, especially at the end.  Soothing her through all of her aches and pains, her loneliness, her confusion, her loss - all of this was possible to bear because of her unshakable faith, love, and trust in God. I admire her belief; constant and unwavering.  I imagine that her ending was full of true happiness and light.  Father Richard Eneji, a Nigerian priest at the hospital, administered her last rights and ushered my mother across the threshold of life.  He was certainly a channel of the Holy Spirit and created a sacred passage.

Mom may your heart be at peace and your light shine on in us.  

This is the song that was playing as she passed from this world.  

Veni Sancte Spiritus (Taizé) [with lyrics for congregations] - YouTube

Veni Sancte Spiritus (Come Holy Spirit), known as the Golden Sequence.  It is commonly regarded as one of the greatest masterpieces of sacred Latin Poetry ever written.  

Veni Sancte Spiritus

Come, Holy Spirit,

From heaven shine forth 

With your glorious light.

Veni Sancte Spiritus.

Come, Father of the poor,

Come, generous Spirit,

Come, light of our hearts.

Veni Sancte Spiritus.

Come from the four winds 

Come breath of God

Disperse the shadows over us,

Renew and strengthen your people.

Veni Sancte Spiritus.

Most kindly warming light,

enter the inmost depths of our hearts

for we are faithful to you

without your presence

We have nothing worthy, nothing pure

Veni Sancte Spiritus.

You are our only comforter, 

Peace of the soul.

In the heat you shade us;

in our labor you refresh us,

and in trouble you are our strength.

Veni Sancte Spiritus.

On all who put their trust in you

And receive you in faith, 

Shower all your gifts.

Grant that they may grow in you

and persevere in the end. 

Give them lasting joy! 

Veni Sancte Spiritus.

 

Scallywag

We found this note outside Kuba's door the other morning.
It made Anna and I laugh. We found out later it was not written for us.  

Nope, it was left for his rascally brother. Kuba had stayed up all night at a sleepover, and he was exhausted, though not too tired to access his sense of humor.