A Testimony from Francis Scott Key

Yesterday for offertory in church we sang this testimony of Francis Scott Key, the author of our national anthem. What a blessing to know that he was passionate about his country as well as passionate in his love for God. Sometimes reading the words impact our minds more than when we just sing them. What a testimony! May it be my passion as well.

Lord, with glowing heart I'd praise thee for the bliss thy love bestows,
For the pardoning grace that saves me, and the peace that from it flows.
Help, O God, my weak endeavor, this dull soul to rapture raise,
thou must light the flame or never can my love be warmed to praise.

Praise, my soul, the God that sought thee, wretched wanderer far astray,
found thee lost, and kindly brought thee from the paths of death away.
Praise, with love's devoutest feeling, him who saw thy guiltborn fear,
and, the light of hope revealing, bade the blood-stained cross appear.

Praise thy Savior God that drew thee to that cross, new life to give,
held a blood-sealed pardon to thee, bade thee look to him and live.
Praise the grace whose threats alarmed thee, roused thee from they fatal ease.
Praise the grace whose promise warmed thee, praise the grace that whispered peace.

Lord, this bosom's ardent feeling vainly would my lips express.
Low before thy footstool kneeling, deign thy suppliant's prayer to bless.
Let thy love, my soul's chief treasure, love's pure flame within me raise.
And since words can never measure, let my life show forth thy praise!

Shakespeare on the Green

Omaha has an amazing Shakespeare on the Green. This summer we went with our group to two different plays. Last Sunday evening we saw King Lear, depressing story! I wasn't going to go, but I do love my social life, so Den and I met up with everyone.

It's picnic time, too. We bring wine, cheese, bread, fruit, salad, crackers, all kinds of yummy food. Our friend lives nearby, so he went over and staked out the spot with tarps. We arrived about an hour and a half before the play to visit and eat. We bought the coolest low beach chairs. They recline, have a high back with a pillow, and a pocket in the back to store stuff. They will last us for many years of Shakespeare!

Last night we saw Much Ado About Nothing. It was the last performance for this season and the "green" was packed! This play was so fun. It's such a fun story and the audience clapped often. The actors engaged the audience directly a few times, making it even more fun. We love it that everyone gets together in the end. They even SANG the "Sigh no more" song from the movie. It was a great performance. We really enjoyed the company as well.

Will and Melissa hung out with us, sort of. Their chairs were beside our tarps, but we let them pretend we were far, far away! *smile* They did let me take their picture, though.

Boy, did we celebrate!

The beginning of a really fun evening that lasted into the morning! We grilled chicken and our friends brought side dishes. The kids had a great time in and out of the pool. The old Legos are a great draw! The neighborhood fireworks were incredible. I have never seen so many on our street. Because we have no back neighbors and can see for miles, we had a great view of literally scores of other displays going on all around us. It looked like everyone took their economic stimulus check and blew it up to celebrate Independence Day. (Sorry to you British friends!)

The nearly completed retaining wall came in handy for shooting off various fireworks. I might add, they were bought at the OCA tent, so our friends who bought them also gave to a good cause!! :)
We missed you Happy Wanderers!!

Oh, and another funny one

While talking to "Prone to Wander" this morning, she shared a funny YouTube that another friend had shared with her about Mr. Darcy. It's too funny to keep it to myself (and them), so I thought you all might enjoy the laugh, too! Obviously, the two guys are Australian.... Enjoy!!

Myers-Briggs Prayers

While I've been perusing various blogs this morning I came across these prayers. Being an ESTJ (I like to "run" things, they say), I thought you all would think they were funny, too. BTW, "What's for Dinner" has some links to some great blogs! Thanks, Em!

Prayers for Myers Briggs Types

ISTJ: Lord help me to relax about insignificant details beginning tomorrow at 11:41.23 am e.s.t.

ISTP: God help me to consider people's feelings, even if most of them ARE hypersensitive.

ESTP: God help me to take responsibility for my own actions, even though they're usually NOT my fault.

ESTJ: God, help me to not try to RUN everything. But, if You need some help, just ask.

ISFJ: Lord, help me to be more laid back and help me to do it EXACTLY right.

ISFP: Lord, help me to stand up for my rights (if you don't mind my asking).

ESFP: God help me to take things more seriously, especially parties and dancing.

ESFJ: God give me patience, and I mean right NOW.

INFJ: Lord help me not be a perfectionist. (did I spell that correctly?)

INFP: God, help me to finish everything I sta

ENFP: God,help me to keep my mind on one th-Look a bird-ing at a time.

ENFJ: God help me to do only what I can and trust you for the rest. Do you mind putting that in writing?

INTJ: Lord keep me open to others' ideas, WRONG though they may be.

INTP: Lord help me be less independent, but let me do it my way.

ENTP: Lord help me follow established procedures today. On second thought, I'll settle for a few minutes.

ENTJ: Lord, help me slow downandnotrushthroughwatIdo.

Groundbreaking!

Our board president and our school director take the first shovel full from the site of our new building.

It was an exciting morning as many parents, former parents, teachers, students, board members and local dignitaries gathered to celebrate the beginning of Omaha Christian Academy's first permanent building in their 35 years of existence. The ceremony started off with "The Star Spangled Banner" played by our school band. I thought we should be singing "Great is Thy Faithfulness" or as one mom said, "To God be the Glory"!! It is so completely of God that our school has finally come to this place. Then we should recite, "Not to us O Lord, but to Your name give glory forever." Or the Latin "Non nobis Domine, sed nomini tuo da gloriam!!!" (SING IT, like in "Henry V").

Several representatives got to join in on the shoveling. First of all the students, well represented by Harvest Community Church members!!!











Then the teachers' representatives. These two teachers have been at our school since the very first, or very close to the first years. They've seen A LOT of changes! And can rejoice that they are here to see this day.

Lilies of the field

"Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow; they neither toil nor spin, yet I tell you, even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these.""Therefore, do not be anxious for tomorrow,for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble!"