I delight in looking at life through heaven's eyes.

through heaven's eyes, from the movie, prince of egypt

performed by brian stokes mitchell and the mormon tabernacle choir

Music is one of life's greatest inspirations. Last week, I listened to my first Christmas music of the season. I couldn't help myself. As my favorite season of Fall winds to an end (although it is not over until after Thanksgiving, but the leaves aren't looking quite the same these days)--I can't help but give a listen to the most inspiring music of the year.

Although, this song is not necessarily a Christmas song, the year Brian Stokes Mitchell sang with the Mormon Tabernacle Choir for the Christmas Concert, this song fit perfectly with the program (it came right after the Friendly Beasts--another fantastic one).

As I drove this evening I listened to this song a handful of times. Each time it ended, my heart felt so good, uplifted, and happy. What a great reminder, "look at your life through heaven's eyes."

And so...listen to this fantastic song, read the lyrics and be inspired.

A single thread in a tapestry
Through its color brightly shine
Can never see its purpose
In the pattern of the grand design

And the stone that sits on the very top
Of the mountains mighty face
Does it think its more important
Than the stones that form the base?

So how can you see what your life is worth
Or where your value lies?
You can never see through the eyes of man
You must look at your life

Look at your life through heavens eyes
Lai-la-lai...

A lake of gold in the desert sand
Is less than a cool fresh spring
And to one lost sheep, a shepherd boy
Is greater than the richest king
If a man lose everything he owns
Has he truly lost his worth?
Or is it the beginning
Of a new and brighter birth?

So how do you measure the worth of a man
In wealth or strength or size?
In how much he gained or how much he gave?
The answer will come
The answer will come to him who tries
To look at his life through heavens eyes

And thats why we share all we have with you
Though theres little to be found
When all youve got is nothing
Theres a lot to go around

No life can escape being blown about
By the winds of change and chance
And though you never know all the steps
You must learn to join the dance
You must learn to join the dance
Lai-la-lai...

So how do you judge what a man is worth
By what he builds or buys?
You can never see with your eyes on earth
Look through heavens eyes
Look at your life
Look at your life
Look at your life through heaven's eyes

I delight in believing.

Sometimes its hard to believe in the possibilities. But as this song puts it, "you gotta find someway, somehow to believe." And as you do, things will 'work together for you good.'

I delight in good music.

If you're looking for some great new music, may I recommend Meaghan Smith? She's fantastic. Tonight I had the opportunity to hear her perform live right here in Utah. You see, she lives in Halifax so the fact that she's here in my home state makes this perfect!!! With some fantastic company, I journeyed to Provo, checked out the burned down tabernacle (I have pictures, I'll load them later), and watched a concert on a rooftop. Ryan Innes (whose CD is now in my possession, thanks again!) and Mindy Gledhill were fantastic pre-performances to the big event. Honestly, it was like 3 fantastic concerts blended into one. I got to hear all my favorite songs from Mindy including, Its all about your heart and Anchor as well as my favorites from Meaghan--I know, 5 more minutes and heartbroken.

Expand your horizons, enjoy some new tunes.

I delight in U2.

I am my mother's daughter. We enjoy almost all the same music. She's taught me all about the music of her day. She can even tell you how old she was when certain songs came out. I teach her all about the music of today. She starts out not liking at all and then warms up to it and in some cases ends up liking it more than I do! Examples: Switchfoot, Ben Folds, The Fray, Lady Antebellum, and others I can't think of right now.
Well Tuesday, U2 came to Salt Lake City. They pretty much shut down the University of Utah campus by 2, clients at the clinic even cancelled their appointments to avoid the traffic.
I was so lucky to be invited to go by these fabulous ladies! I've nominated myself to be their adopted sister! I think I've been to almost every concert ever with Natalie. Christie and Emily have been along on a lot of the concert ventures as well! This one however, is one never to be forgotten. Natalie warned us that we'd be be speechless and that we were. We had fantastic (and bonus, probably the cheapest) seats. We even got to watch U2 jump in cars after and drive away. We also had a getaway route planned so we got back to my place super quick.
Another fantastic memory with my best friend!

I delight in 100.

This is my 100th delight post!

To celebrate, I'm sharing 10 what I consider to be

Christmas Music Must Haves--

since the last post was all about Christmas music

1. Amy Grant--Home for Christmas

2. Cherie Call--Gifts

3. Billboard Greatest Christmas Hits: 1955 to Present

4. How the Grinch Stole Christmas

5. A Currier & Ives Christmas - Favorite Holiday Instrumentals

6. Frank Sinatra--A Jolly Christmas from Frank Sinatra

7. The Carpenters--Christmas Portrait

8. Michael McLean--The Forgotten Carols

9. Celine Dion--These Are The Special Times

10. Mormon Tabernacle Choir--any Christmas CD is good!

ha ha...okay i take that back...apparently its only the 83rd post...i just have some drafts saved that i never published so i think its the 100th post. oh well!

I delight in Christmas Music.

I took this picture last week, when it snowed. It was beautiful and it made my heart SO happy. This week, I've had Christmas on the brain (thank you Christin). I've reflected a lot on the past two Christmases I've experienced away from my family. Needless to say they were different than any other Christmases I'd previously experienced. There were things I missed but at the same time, I had a lot of unique experiences--like not worrying about shopping or parties or planning or decorating or school (finals). Basically the 'commercial' part of Christmas was removed from my Christmas experience and was replaced with teaching people about Christ--the real reason for the entire season! It was absolutely amazing.

And so I'm currently brainstorming and pondering what I want this Christmas season to be like. What family traditions I'll get to experience again and figuring out what 'traditions' I started on my mission I want to carry on.

I'll let you know more on that list later. For now I've just got this one:

So as you may or may not know, Canadians celebrate their Thanksgiving in October. So, after Halloween, they don't really have anything holding them back from putting up the Christmas decorations (okay I guess they have Remembrance Day--aw, I wish I had a red poppy!), playing the Christmas music and getting into the Christmas holiday. I've decided I'll stick with the Canadians on that one and start listening to Christmas music now, after Halloween and before Thanksgiving (even before my birthday)!!!

As the song just said...that's the jingle bell rock! :)

I delight in this song.

If I could figure out how to embed it I would but until then...click here...your day will be better because you listened to it! Its the song featured in a recent Mormon Message featuring Nie Nie and her amazing journey she shares with us all. It is all about your heart!