A Weary World Rejoices

I love music. Sometimes so much that it makes me weep. Uncontrollably. People probably think I'm crazy, looking over and seeing a grown woman sitting in her car wailing over the Frozen soundtrack. It just moves me. I think the Lord gave me the ability to understand music in a ferociously deep way. To understand the emotion portrayed in specific melodies, movements, and intonation. I was a music major at one point in my life. This was before I ventured off to the magical land of Orlando. I was in my freshman year of college, and an insane vocal performance major. I took every class I could that semester for music. Theory, Aural and Keyboarding, Choir, Piano, and Voice lessons. I quickly learned that I am not good what-so-ever with music theory. Trying to analyze a piece of music and figure out which key, cadence, and chord measures was like math homework. Utter pain and torture. However, I did decent when it came to ear training, deciding whether a piece of music was in a minor or major key, and which era and composer it was. However, after coming back from Disney, I decided to venture into a new path for my future, instead of going the music route.

But I don't really want to talk about my past with music. Rather, I want to talk about the music I am listening to of present. I know most of you will probably shun me for this, but I have been listening to Christmas music. I know, I shouldn't be. I know, i'll be sick of it before Christmas even gets here. But I am still going to listen to it. I will tell you my reasons why.

Oh, holy night!

The stars are brightly shining
It is the night of the dear Savior's birth!
Long lay the world in sin and error pining
Till he appear'd and the soul felt its worth.
A thrill of hope the weary world rejoices
For yonder breaks a new and glorious morn!

Listening to Christmas music in advance allows me to pick and choose my favorite renditions of songs; some that have more heart and soul, others are peaceful and operatic, and many are fun and jolly. It allows me to broaden my repertoire of musicians, keys, instrument use, and uniqueness of the songs.

Fall on your knees

Oh hear the angel voices
Oh night divine
Oh night when Christ was born
Oh night divine
Oh night divine

Listening to Christmas music this early helps me not only hear the familiar tunes of most of these classic and monumental songs that everyone and their mother knows, but listen to the lyrics behind the tunes and melodies. Each song, is so unique in it's message when you stop and listen to the lyrics. They remind me of days of the past, my ancestors and heritage, of the legacy that has been bestowed on me. They remind me of the incredible message of what Christmas is all about. Reminding me that the story of Jesus' birth was something of whimsical beauty, and should be cherished. It is a way for me to keep my mind focused on the beyond wonderful gift that was given to us!

Led by the light of Faith serenely beaming

With glowing hearts by His cradle we stand
So led by light of a star sweetly gleaming
Here come the wise men from Orient land
The King of Kings lay thus in lowly manger
In all our trials born to be our friend

Especially songs such as "Silent Night", "Hark the Herald Angels Sing", "Joy to the World", "What Child Is This?", "O, Holy Night". All of these songs are so familiar to us. It can be hard to really meditate on the actual words being sung. They are about the most important, miraculous gift in the world!

And this is why I listen to Christmas music early.

Truly He taught us to love one another

His law is love and His gospel is peace

Chains shall He break for the slave is our brother

And in His name all oppression shall cease

Sweet hymns of joy in grateful chorus raise we,

Let all within us praise His holy name

What am I listening to this Christmas season?

Country:
Darius Rucker: Home For The Holidays (Favorite song: What God Wants For Christmas)
Brad Paisley: Brad Paisley Christmas

Big Band:
Michael Buble: Christmas
Idina Menzel: Holiday Wishes (What Are You Doing New Years Eve?)


Worship:
Michael W. Smith: Christmastime (BEST ALBUM)
Point of Grace: A Christmas Story (Emmanuel, God With Us/ O Come All Ye Faithful)
Joy Williams: Here With Us

Classics:
Perry Como: The Classic Christmas Album
Frank Sinatra: The Classic Christmas Album
Bing Crosby: White Christmas 
Carpenters: Christmas Collection


What are some of your favorite Christmas songs? Which ones move you, bring you to tears, bring a smile to your face, and remind you of the past memories and traditions?

Use the hashtag: #charmlfeblog on Twitter or Instagram and let me know, I am always wanting to broaden my music portfolio!

Perfectly Disorganized

Well my days of perfect homemaking are already over. A week ago, I would have gladly invited anyone over for any reason because of how pristine and tidy our cozy apartment was. Today, I would gladly invite myself over to someone else's home. Growing up I lived with parents that are both organized and incredibly clean. My father recently retired from the Navy after thirty-six years of service. With that being said, he taught me to always make my bed and put away dirty dishes right away.

Even though my parents taught me these wonderful values and habits, I was still the least organized of my family. I am a creative minded person, or that is my excuse. Once I got married, it was my goal to keep the house spotlessly clean and organized because I am lacking in that area. Well, I succeeded for a month, and now our bedroom is covered in my clothes that I have decided will make a nest there.

However, it makes our apartment feel like a home. A little disorganization and mess means I am using my time to not just obsessively clean, but to spend time with God, my husband, parents, and girlfriends. Don't get me wrong, I would love to have both.. but like I said, I am a creative minded person. The main thing that has taken my focus away from cleaning is starting a new job.

Last Thursday I began a new adventure of starting my training as a server of a restaurant. The restaurant is a take on Italian style cuisine with a modern twist. Since I am clearly not Italian in any shape or form, this was all new to me. Learning classic Italian style dishes done in a style that the chef designed, learning new cocktails with many Amaros (Italian herbal liqueurs), and many wines from various Italian regions. All this learning has made me want to travel across the pond to see and taste the real thing.

After three days of learning, I feel exhausted. I have been out of work for two months because of wedding planning and attempting to be a good wife. Yet, I could not just stay unemployed for too long. I enjoy working for a company, especially the one I am employed for. Two years ago, I started working for the company at a different restaurant in the hometown I grew up in. I never knew how that job would change my life. At this point in my life, I knew nothing of food. What good food was. What good quality food was. I knew what I liked, and at the time I was a major health freak so fresh vegetables, egg whites, and fruit was the majority of what I consumed. I got a job at a fine dining, white table cloth restaurant with foods I had never heard of before. What was Kohlrabi? What the heck was Celeriac? Foie Gras is what now?! My eyes had been opened to a beautiful art form I had never known. To work under an incredibly gifted chef who had dedicated his life to food was an experience.

I also experienced meeting the man I call my husband at this fine dining restaurant. On my first day, I shook hands with this tall, dark haired, incredibly handsome man with a dreamy voice. If you couldn't tell from the description, I definitely had butterflies during our introduction. It wasn't until a month later he finally asked me out, and little did I know we would have so much in common. We were on the same page with our faith and morals. His love for his family and the way he described them sounded so magical. It didn't take us long to realize we had been made for each other. And the rest is history.

Those two years have flown. I have moved from hostess, to switching to a diner style restaurant, to serving, to switching back to fine dining, and serving again. I have become a friend, girlfriend, best friend, fiance and wife. I have loved every minute of learning, blistering, and standing on my feet for ten hours a day. It has all been worth it. Even when at the end of the day I come home, make myself a cup of tea, see the dirty dishes and laundry and think, "I have so much to do tomorrow." I need to remember what is really important. It all started at small restaurant in a small historic city, when a boy met a girl. Only God knew they would be sharing silverware, piled high laundry, and blankets every day. I am grateful for the mess. Especially if it means I have love instead.

Practicing Gratitude

Make a joyful noise to the Lord, all the earth! Serve the Lord with gladness! Come into his presence with singing! Know that the Lord, he is God! It is he who made us, and we are his; we are his people, and sheep of his pasture. Enter his gates with thanksgiving, and his courts with praise! Give thanks to him; bless his name! For the Lord is good; his steadfast love endures forever, and his faithfulness to all generations. |Psalm 100|

Reminding myself to use this month as a utensil for showing the Lord my gratitude for all I have received and what I can give in return. I pray at the end of November thanking my Savior will not only be ingrained in my mind, but it will be a part of my lifestyle for every month, not just the one of thanks and giving. I plan on exercising my gratitude by saying something each day; whether it is of monumental value, or small and sweet. This should not be hard to do, for I have much to be grateful for. 

Let this month of November encourage you to give thanks in everything. Big. Small. Make a joyful noise unto the Lord for it, because He deserves our praise and thankfulness.