Happy 2012!

Wow, it's been a while! Shall I start by wishing you a happy 2012? Let me share a few bits of recentness from my life ~

CHURCH ~ In December my little church of 5+ years dissolved and disbanded due to financial hardship. We had been living off savings for some years, and with attendance and employment levels low the savings eventually dried up.

I have only checked out a couple churches since then due to the holidays falling on Sundays this year; I have also been attending somewhat regularly the Sunday PM service for a church in Escondido which Bible studies I've been attending for 2-3 years. I really like it there and the more I check out other churches the more I realize I would really enjoy going there. So next week I may check out their Sunday AM service...

HOBBIES ~ After my October visit to a friend in Abbotsford, BC (Canada) my enjoyment of painting was rekindled; I set up a desk and my painting supplies and began to paint again.

I also re-learned how to knit, thanks to my friend Val. She taught be how to purl as well, which I didn't know before. I learned a couple of patterns and we decided to start a blanket project where we would knit various patterned squares and sew them together into a patchwork blanket.

I'm not super great yet, and make occasional mistakes which send me calling on Val to fix... But I'm getting there! :)

WORK ~ I applied for a new position at work but didn't get it; nonetheless my current team was moved to the Risk department and given a different sort of focus and I am really enjoying the changes... And I am totally excited about the person who DID get the position, because I think it will make things a lot better (and my job a lot easier/ more interesting!).

We hired a 3rd person on our North America team this summer - And though I am still traveling around the country, I no longer have Texas under my belt. This is nice in a lot of ways but I will miss the people out there (and my visits with my dad's cousin who lives out there; she is awesome!).

MUSIC ~ Not much has changed on the music front. I did begin writing my first song of the new year, but lyrics have been slow in coming due to a lingering sinus infection which affects my singing ability (and thus lyric writing).

CONCLUSION ~ So that's about it for the end of 2011 and start of 2012! I'm excited to see what new things the Lord will do through my work, friendships and new church. :)

Happy New Year all!

Don't forget to check out my photo blog at 
www.blacklampphotography.blogspot.com 


I had the pleasure again last week to visit the beautiful Northwest - I just love Washington. The more I visit, the more I love it. Yeah, yeah, it rains a lot - Honestly I don't care one bit. 


First of all I like rain, but most importantly, it is so stunningly beautiful when it has stopped raining (storm clouds still in the sky) and when it is not raining (clear and bright outside) that it far overshadows the dreariness of sequential rainy days. 


While I am up there, I don't fear going outside - My pasty white skin does not sunburn in 5 minutes flat! At least not in October or February, the 2 months I've visited WA. I don't have to wear sunglasses or else feel my pupils dilating to a tiny 1mm circumference. And I can flaunt my love of scarves and layers without having to worry about 40-50 degree temperature fluctuations between day and night! 


Speaking of which, what is going on down here in sunny San Diego? The high today at my house was 84, and the low 39. WHAT?!? That's just freakishly bizarre. I in fact need A/C during the day while my house is baking in the sweltering sun, and then at night I use 3-4 blankets and bundle up lest I freeze in my 55-60 degree bedroom. 


55-60 degrees is okay outside, when you're moving around and such - But indoors, when you're laying still... It's a tad chilly. Though admittedly I do love it cold so I can burry myself in blankets while I sleep. I think it's just the psychotic temperature difference between day and night that is making it a little funky. That's autumn in SoCal for you though!


I can't believe it's already the end of October. When Tuesday comes, it will officially kick off the "holiday season" - Halloween will be over, and I can freely focus on sweet cinnamon spice, pumpkin, turkey, family togetherness, thankfulness, fall colours, and... saving up money to buy Christmas presents! haha. 


Happy Autumn everyone! I hope you enjoy it as much as I do! 
Cheers :)
~D

REMEMBER.

By Deanna L. Teske

I never thought I’d see the day when love was growing old;

When dreams that held the future still had simply all been sold.

What tiresome ways we follow in our old, begotten years;

When youth is buried, joy forgotten – Awaiting unknown fears.

What apathetic tones we sing which carry not too far;

Our hallelujahs cease their ringing and nary reach a star…

Oh love once filled these pews with patience, with unencumbered praise;

But sorrow’s woes have overcome us in these latter days.

What has come of Christ our Saviour, who set us free from death?

Our hearts once yearned though now have turned to seeking so for wealth.

Oh Lord have mercy, knowing that our frames are earthen dust;

And light a fire e’er burning which leads us to the Cross.

In humble adoration bow before the Throne of old;

Upon it seated, risen Saviour whose sorrows could ne’er be told.

The pain He suffered, cruelest tortures to purchase you and me;

None can fathom, time precludes it for all eternity.

Set your gaze upon His eyes which burn with holy fire;

Take up your cross and follow Him – He’s all of man’s desire.