I wish I knew who was singing this so I could download it on my iPod.  It's absolutely stunning.

Prayer Request

Our church family has had some very sad news.  A 5-year-old from our congregation passed away this weekend after an accident.  If you could please keep the family in your prayers, it would be much appreciated.

1. Abide with me; fast falls the eventide;
   The darkness deepens; Lord, with me abide;
   When other helpers fail and comforts flee,
   Help of the helpless, oh, abide with me.
2. Swift to its close ebbs out life’s little day;
   Earth’s joys grow dim, its glories pass away;
   Change and decay in all around I see—
   O Thou who changest not, abide with me.
3. I need Thy presence every passing hour;
   What but Thy grace can foil the tempter’s pow’r?
   Who, like Thyself, my guide and stay can be?
   Through cloud and sunshine, Lord, abide with me.
4. I fear no foe, with Thee at hand to bless;
   Ills have no weight, and tears no bitterness;
   Where is death’s sting? Where, grave, thy victory?
   I triumph still, if Thou abide with me.
5. Hold Thou Thy cross before my closing eyes;
   Shine through the gloom and point me to the skies;
   Heav’n’s morning breaks, and earth’s vain shadows flee;
   In life, in death, O Lord, abide with me.

There is sunshine in my soul today,
More glorious and bright
Than glows in any earthly sky,
For Jesus is my Light.

O there’s sunshine, blessèd sunshine,
When the peaceful, happy moments roll;
When Jesus shows His smiling face,
There is sunshine in the soul.

There is music in my soul today,
A carol to my King,
And Jesus, listening, can hear
The songs I cannot sing.

O there’s sunshine, blessèd sunshine,
When the peaceful, happy moments roll;
When Jesus shows His smiling face,
There is sunshine in the soul.

There is springtime in my soul today,
For, when the Lord is near,
The dove of peace sings in my heart,
The flowers of grace appear.

O there’s sunshine, blessèd sunshine,
When the peaceful, happy moments roll;
When Jesus shows His smiling face,
There is sunshine in the soul.

There is gladness in my soul today,
And hope and praise and love,
For blessings which He gives me now,
For joys “laid up” above.

O there’s sunshine, blessèd sunshine,
When the peaceful, happy moments roll;
When Jesus shows His smiling face,
There is sunshine in the soul.

Enviado soy de Dios

We sang this song in church on Sunday as a sending song for those of us who are going to El Salvador.  My favorite part has been an answer to a question, I think, from people who haven't understood our faith: Why does God allow bad things in the world?  The answer that this song gives is that the angels can't make the world a better place - only God's work through our hands can do that.  The angels can't fix it without our willingness, to put away the greed and pain of this world.

Here's the song:

Spanish:
Enviado soy de Dios,
mi mano lista está
para construir con El
un mundo fraternal.
Los ángeles no son enviados a cambiar
im mundo de dolor por un mundo de paz.
Me ha tocao a mí hacerlo realidad;
a yúdame, Señor, a hacer tu voluntad.


English:
Sent out in Jesus' name,
our hands are ready now
to make the earth the place
in which the kingdom comes.
The angels cannot change a world of hurt and pain
into a world of love, of justice and of peace.
The task is ours to do, to set it really free.
O help us to obey, and carry out your will.

For Making Me, Me

I remember growing up, NO ONE could say my name correctly.  When we got to the point where teachers (mainly new and substitute) would get to my name and pause.  Everyone knew it was me.  Since I went to a small school, all the other kids would yell out, "DANAE!"

I was never a popular kid either.  Ugh.  I was the opposite.  I got made fun of and teased constantly.  I even remember a teacher who made my life miserable!  I was always a little bit different.  Sometimes, it was more than a little bit.

(My brother and I in Hong Kong, wearing our Beard Heads)

But I grew up...maybe got a little bit weirder.  And one of the best times in college was when we were discussing names and, if everyone could have a different name, what would it be.  Finally, my friend turned to me and said, "You couldn't be anything other than a "Danae."

Yes, I do go to the mall food court to hunt spare change that people have dropped.  I eat with utensils that are shaped like construction tools (because they're awesome) and I still sing songs that I taught at Vacation Bible School when I'm walking down the street.  But I wouldn't have it any other way.

“Fear not, for I have redeemed you;
I have called you by your name;
You are Mine.” -Isaiah 43:1

If I Were A Butterfly

If I were a butterfly, I’d thank you Lord for giving me wings
If I were a robin in a tree, I’d thank you Lord that I could sing
If I were a fish in the sea, I’d wiggle my tail and I’d giggle with glee
But I just thank you Father for making me, me   

For you gave me a heart and you gave me a smile
You gave me Christ Jesus and you made me your child
And I just thank you Father for making me, me 

If I were an elephant, I’d thank you Lord by raising my trunk
If I were a kangaroo, You know I’d hop right up to you
If I were an octopus, I’d thank you Lord for my good looks
But I just thank you Father for making me, me

For you gave me a heart and you gave me a smile
You gave me Christ Jesus and you made me your child
And I just thank you Father for making me, me 

If I were a wiggly worm, I’d thank you Lord that I could squirm
If I were a fuzzy wuzzy bear, I’d thank you Lord for my fuzzy, wuzzy hair
If I were a crocodile, I’d thank you Lord for my big smile
But I just thank you Father for making me, me 

For you gave me a heart and you gave me a smile
You gave me Christ Jesus and you made me your child
And I just thank you Father for making me, me

Leaning On The Everlasting Arms