Unconditional Election put to Song

’Tis not that I did choose Thee,
For Lord, that could not be;
This heart would still refuse Thee,
Hadst Thou not chosen me.

Thou from the sin that stained me
Hast cleansed and set me free;
Of old Thou hast ordained me,
That I should live to Thee.

’Twas sov’reign mercy called me
And taught my op’ning mind;
The world had else enthralled me,
To heav’nly glories blind.

My heart owns none before Thee,
For Thy rich grace I thirst;
This knowing, if I love Thee,
Thou must have loved me first.

-Josiah Condor

A New Year

Somewhere along the way of life I stopped minding the changing of the year. All that bothers me now is that I'm getting older. It's a tradition in our family that we sit down together every New Year's Eve to plan and write down our group and personal goals for the year. It's fun and a good way to begin the new year. There's a long list this year; there's actually two lists: the list for if we move, and the list for if we don't move. Because of Dad's new position in the Church we are really praying that the moving list happens soon. Some smaller goals on our list are learning to sing in parts, practice more hospitality, and buy enough sofa beds to have overnight guests. On my list is buy a sewing machine, learn to quilt, and participate in some historical re-enacting. We also have several small trips planned and so we probably won't take a formal vacation this year. Jen and I hope to campaign more this year, and Jen's recital in May is also a big event since she now has doubled the number of her students.

A big goal on my not-moving list is another volunteer ministry trip. I've been searching for a while for opportunities, but so far all doors have been closed. I'm sending in some paperwork today to a certain missions group, but it may be months before I get a clear yes or no answer on whether or not they can use me. I have great hopes for the year. My greatest hope is that I would grow and learn whatever happens. I'm curious: What are some of your goals for the year 2010?

I'd just like to note: Yesterday the temperature dropped to -22 F. On average the it remains around -11 at night and 10 during the day. The cold is causing some car problems and we're burning more wood than usual. Is it always this cold or do I just forget it every year?

Texas was Absolutely Wonderful.

And not just because of the weather- which, compared to Nebraska, was great(we missed the big blizzard of '09 while in TX)- but because of the fellowship. I have to admit I was a little worried about staying in someone's house for ten days. We usually have to beg to stay at a friend's house along the road, and I always feel with our big family we are imposing, and we eat too much.

But our hosts in TX(a family the same size as ours, so I didn't feel bad about eating too much) demonstrated the kind of Christian hospitality I have yet to learn, and we all had a blast. Even in our church we haven't (as a family) found another family so similar to us in lifestyle, numbers, and ages.

Texas itself was alright. Warm weather, great, but I'm not sure I will ever understand the enduring Texan desire to secede. And during our stay there, a cockroach crawled up my leg, scarring me for life. Nebraska, at least, does not harbor monsters of that size. It was the fellowship that made our time in TX memorable. It was wonderful!