Memorial Day 2011

Note: Binky looks like he has an aura because I had to use the "backlight" filter in order to have his features show up at all. The OOTC (out of the camera) picture looks like silhouette. For once, Raquel's eyes actually showed up without having to edit the picture at all. Black cats are VERY hard to photograph! Huber & Clovis, on the other hand, are easy (and usually irresistable!).

Abbey of the Genesee

This past week we did a road trip to the Abbey of the Genesee, location of a Trappist monastery, and also the place where Monk's Bread is made. You can find out all about them at www.geneseeabbey.org. I took some pictures of the grounds and the outside of the chapel. Cameras were not allowed inside, but it was very rustic and peaceful. Of course, I couldn't resist messing around with the pictures in Photoscape. The weather might be gloomy, but grey skies work great with the water brush filter and some backlighting.

Binky

Raquel

Clovis

Huber

Seasonal Changes

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Rise, My Soul, To Watch and Pray

This was one of the hymns we sang today. I thought it was interesting to see that it was written in 1697 by a German composer named Johann Freystein. Then in 1863 it was translated into English by Catherine Winkworth, who is responsible for many of hymns we enjoy today.

"Rise, My Soul, to Watch and Pray"
by Johann B. Freystein, 1671-1718
Translated by Catherine Winkworth, 1829-1878

1. Rise, my soul, to watch and pray,
From thy sleep awaken;
Be not by the evil day
Unawares o'ertaken.
For the Foe,
Well we know,
Oft his harvest reapeth
While the Christian sleepeth.

2. Watch against the devil's snares
Lest asleep he find thee;
For indeed no pains he spares
To deceive and blind thee.
Satan's prey
Oft are they
Who secure are sleeping
And no watch are keeping.

3. Watch! Let not the wicked world
With its pow'r defeat thee.
Watch lest with her pomp unfurled
She betray and cheat thee.
Watch and see
Lest there be
Faithless friends to charm thee,
Who but seek to harm thee.

4. Watch against thyself, my soul,
Lest with grace thou trifle;
Let not self thy tho'ts control
Nor God's mercy stifle.
Pride and sin
Lurk within
All thy hopes to scatter;
Heed not when they flatter.

5. But while watching, also pray
To the Lord unceasing.
He will free thee, be thy stay,
Strength and faith increasing.
O Lord, bless
In distress
And let nothing swerve me
From the will to serve Thee.

6. Therefore let us watch and pray,
Knowing He will hear us
As we see from day to day
Dangers ever near us,
And the end
Doth impend--
Our redemption neareth
When the Lord appeareth.

Hymn #567
The Trinity Hymnal
Text: Matthew 26:41
Author: Johann B. Freystein, 1697, cento
Translated by: Catherine Winkworth, 1863, alt.
Titled: "Mache dich, mein Geist, bereit"
Tune: "Straf mich nicht"
1st Published in: Hundert Arien
Town: Dresden, 1694