Making and Fixing

 

BancoWe live in a small rural village in Virginia.  Close to the mountains with farmland and foothills all around us.  Yesterday our little corner of the world was bustling with activity.  The three doors down artist was outside in his field with easel and paints, capturing green fields and children playing.  The two doors down mechanics were changing huge tires on an even bigger tractor.  The next door cabinetmaker was creating new custom furniture from old beautiful wood.  And me?  Well, I was teaching students how to make music the best I could…sculpting and shaping their notes into phrases that communicate something, hopefully something beautiful.  Making, fixing, creating….it made me grateful for the neighbors, for their amazing work ethic, for how they find joy and fulfillment in what they do.  And it made me grateful that we are all made in God’s image….creating is what He does and continues to do every day.  He’s making new people, fixing old ones, and creating beautiful things everywhere you go.  And that is something to smile about.  :)Slainte, Lisa

I Will Not Fear

ireland crosses

I Will Not Fear
c2012 Lisa Lyons

I will not fear for You promise to stay by me

Who can I fear when You’re by my side?

You are my strength, giving me song

Keeping me safe in Your arms…

Help me to run to You when I feel scared and all alone

Knowing You’ll hide me safe within Your shadow

Let me love the way You love me, open my eyes to see

You desire only good for me…

I will not fear for You promise to stay by me

Who can I fear when You’re by my side?

Blessings to you for a weekend that is full of love, friends, family, and may you know without a doubt that the love of God is all around you.           Slainte, Lisa

Nostalgia and Innocence

lawrence welk

I’m feeling nostalgic today, missing the innocence of years past.  I had an awesome dream the other night where I was recruited to sing at the “Lawrence Welk Reunion Show”.  Now some of you are saying, “Who’s Lawrence Welk?”  I grew up watching this show with my parents, sitting on the floor of my family room, listening to Guy & Ralna, the accordion guy Myron, the Champagne Lady Norma Zimmer.  Now, this is a major nerd alert warning, but we actually got to see the cast perform live when I was a child, and they autographed a picture for me afterwards.  I remember everyone smiling and so gracious and patient.  It was quite exciting.  Even now, if I think of the closing song, “Good night, sleep tight, and pleasant dreams to you…” I can get quite choked up.  🙂

lawrencewelk2Now to the sad part of the dream…everyone else that had been recruited as an extra for the Lawrence Welk show didn’t want to be there.  They were complaining that they wished they could sing on something relevant and more cutting edge.  And it made me sad.  Because, yes, sometimes the show (and others of its time period) could be cheesy and corny, but it was innocent and lovely and sweet.  Don’t miss the sweet and lovely and innocent things in your life; they are truly beautiful.  “Adios, au revoir, auf wiedersehen….good night!”  Slainte, Lisa

Lisa’s Top 5 St Patrick’s Day Countdown…Number ONE!

Giant drumroll please……….number one on my top Irish groups/singers is here.  Let’s countdown my favorite 5 so far:

5. The High Kings  4. Muireann Nic Amhlaoibh  3. The Chieftains           2. Cara Dillon

And Number 1 is U2.  They have provided the soundtrack for many moments in my life, and I appreciate their music so much.  Here’s a favorite concert moment, “Where the Streets Have No Name” from Boston 2001.  “What can I give back to God for the blessings He’s poured out on me?  I’ll lift high the cup of salvation; a toast to God.    I’ll pray in the name of God;
I’ll complete what I promised God I’d do…”  (from Psalm 116; The Message) Be blessed today, and have a wonderful St. Patrick’s Day!  Slainte, Lisa

Lisa’s Top 5 St Patrick’s Day Countdown…Number 2

I’m counting down my favorite Irish singers/bands as St. Patrick’s Day approaches.  Cara Dillon, hailing from Northern Ireland, has the number 2 spot on my Irish playlist.  Her voice is unique and pure, and needs nothing extra to make it special.  But it doesn’t hurt that she’s married to an extraordinary pianist/guitarist, Sam Lakeman.  This is “Garden Valley” from the Transatlantic Sessions 2007.    Blessings, Lisa