At Least We Made it to Superbowl VIII

FRIENDS.

I wanted to have a bright, fresh post for you on Monday morning, but I was too busy fighting off the purple and gold waves of depression that consumed me on Sunday night. My Vikings had a HEARTBREAKING overtime loss, and so I sobbed myself to sleep  on Sunday as I wrote hate letters to the New Orleans Saints. It has taken me days to recover. But at least I wasn’t quite as upset as this guy.

Honestly, I was not surprised by this loss. Any Vikings fan knows that the team will do well up until the game that counts. NFC championship game? Sure, why not?! Superbowl? Now, why would we want to go there?

I will say that the Vikings defense did a great job of slowing down the New Orleans offense. It was all of our offensive fumbles and that last-minute-just-for-fun interception that did us in. But oh well. I’m not mad. It was a fun season, and overall, I think it made me more Christ-like as I learned to love my enemy, Brett Favre.

Anyhoo. I started class up at Den Sem Monday night. I think I’m going to like it — the professor made me laugh out loud at least three times, which is always an excellent sign. Oh, and also, the Bible stuff looks interesting too.

There is something happening next Tuesday that I’m not going to go into detail about right now because the excitement might actually kill me. I’m trying to pace myself so that my level of anticipation doesn’t cause me to have a nerd attack. All I’ll say right now is this: “Ille qui nos omnes servabit.” Like I said — nerd attack.

Here is a thing that is fascinating to me. When poor Job from the Bible found out that he had lost his children, all of his property, and his wealth, he fell down on the ground and worshipped God. Probably not because he wanted to, or because he felt all in love with God, or because he understood what was going on. But he chose to worship the Lord in spite of his circumstances. He tore his clothes in anguish, and he said, “Naked I came from my mother’s womb, and naked I will depart. The Lord gave and the Lord has taken away; may the name of the Lord be praised.”

Wow.

OK, I best be going. It’s been a tough week or so, folks. My Ezekiel passed away, my Vikings lost, and it seems as though everyone has forgotten to buy me those red shoes. Depressing. But, I am going to perk on up because A) I’m awesome and can’t nobody hold me down and B) Refer back to A.

Hope your Wednesday is fantabulous!

R.I.P., Ezekiel

You guys. It is a day of gloom and solemn spirits. Tragedy has struck Cherry Springs Wonderland.

Ezekiel the Fish has gone on to be with the Lord.

I threw some food into his bowl yesterday morning and noticed that he was taking a nap on the bottom of the bowl. I didn’t think much of it, because in the two and a half years we’ve had him, he has looked to be dead about 99.7 percent of the time. He’s not been the most interactive pet…

Later that night, I came home and got my Turbo Jam on. While I was kickboxing my way to abs like the girls in the video, I glanced over at Ezekiel and noticed that he was in the exact same position he had been in that morning. I took a closer look and realized that he was not napping. He was, in fact, dead as a doornail.

It’s a tragedy, really. (Although, now that I think about it, I won’t have to clean out his bowl anymore, which tips the scales back to the not-so-much-of-a-tragedy side.)

I’ve come up with four possible reasons for Ezekiel’s untimely death:

1. He died of a broken heart because Jaci abandoned him. Seriously, we had him for two and a half years, and then he only managed to eek out about two weeks after she left. I think a convincing case can be made that the loss of Jaci was too much for him to bear. Just saying.
2. He went on a hunger strike. Ezekiel was very passionate about things like healthcare and foreign policy. It is quite possible that he refused to eat to make a point about his disapproval of the war or his opposition to a public option. If so, I will make sure his death was not in vain.
3. It’s a magic trick. He was able to stop his heart, and allowed me to flush him down the toilet, and in three days he will reappear on the mantle, perky as ever.
4. I forgot to feed him for multiple days in a row. It’s quite possible.

Anyway, we had a very beautiful memorial service for Ezekiel in which my friend Alecia decided to take pictures while I threw him in the toilet. What a sad time—my grief is overwhelming, and I don’t know how I can continue on with life.

Aren’t these shoes darling?!

Someone should get them for me. You know. Cause I’m sad about my fish. They might really help me overcome all of the grief and pain and sadness and such.

In other news, has anyone ever gotten a refund from Amazon? If so, why? I ordered some books online, and supposedly they have been sent, but also Amazon sent me an email saying that I got a huge refund on one of the books. So, is the book still coming? Was my order canceled? Or did Amazon just know that I needed that textbook for really cheap? Lemme know.

Speaking of books, have you seen these gorgeous fabric-bound classics? I have to get one or seven immediately.

OK, I better get back to my mourning. I am accepting homecooked meals, flowers, and those red shoes if you’d like to comfort me during my grieving process.

Hope everyone is having a wonderful day and appreciating the precious time you have with your pet fish. Also, really, you should get on getting me those shoes. Joves!

Updatey Times

Hello, my sweet dears.

I hope everyone is keeping up on all of their New Jear’s Resolutions. I have resolved to become even more awesome this year, which may seem impossible, but where there’s a will, there’s a way.

So, here is some sad news. Jaci, my kindred from the race of Joseph has abandoned me and run off to Austin to live with cowboys and big-haired people. Also, she got engaged and figured she should live near her soon-to-be-husband. Fine. Whatever.

So my heart is sad that Jaci is gone. But my heart is happy that she is engaged and especially that she is getting married on the 4th of July and will be having a Star Spangled Wedding! Jaci keeps pretending that she’s not OK with our suggestion that her wedding colors be red, white and blue, but we know that she is SO excited by all the ideas we keep sending her. Like this one. And also, this.

And best of all — this.

It’s going to be such a great wedding!

But Sarena and I did gain a great new roommate in our new friend, Jenn! She is super fun and cool, and also an extreme cheat when it comes to card games. Just saying. You probably don’t want to play against her.

So, remember how I hated Brett Favre last August? Yeah, me neither. I have blocked all of those comments about his old man shoulder from my memory, because he has become my favorite ever in the history of the world! The Vikings will be playing New Orleans in the NFC championship this weekend. It’ll be a tough game. I will probably spend most of it screaming and trying not to swear at the TV. Also, I will spend it eating a lot of Pioneer Woman snacks. You know, to support my team… SKOL, Vikings!

My friend, Rebekah, introduced me to this video. It gets a little off-color at the end, but you know what, the system doesn’t own me! Happy Birthday to the ground!

Speaking of NBC, how rude!! I am so with Coco.

So, my next few lessons that I’m writing for the curriculum I’m working on, have to do with Job’s story. I’ve mentioned it before, but I’m always fascinated by his situation. God allows Job to suffer, and He really never answers any of his questions. It’s just the way it is. I’m excited to go a bit deeper into these passages–I’m sure I’ll be reporting on it here with all of my many opinionated opinions. Look forward to that.

Speaking of suffering, if you haven’t yet, please donate to an organization that is providing relief to Haiti. I recommend Compassion International or World Vision. Also, check out Halogen TV for lots of updates about what you can be doing to help the people of Haiti. I wrote this article for them about products you can buy to help support the earthquake relief efforts. Also, Dan Woolley, the Compassion International worker who was finally found and rescued from an elevator shaft, used to work here at David C. Cook. Many of my co-workers know him, so it was quite tense around here until he was found. Continue to pray for David Hames, a Colorado Springs man who is still missing in Haiti.

OK, I gots to go. I am thinking I should do another fashion faux pas post again soon, because let’s face it, I continue to buy some ugly stuff.

Have a great day!

Merry Musings

Merry Happy, Everyone!

Aren’t these gorgeous gift-wrapping ideas? I love them. But also, guess who is not going to spend 47 hours wrapping that Transformers DVD I got you in wool and twine and feathers? Exactly.

Apparently I am going home in a few days! Who knew? Christmas just creeps up on me every year. Sneaky jerk. Luckily, I am an expert Christmas shopper and have gotten all of my gifts purchased and wrapped. Not in gorgeous fabric or anything, but still.

So normally I am against any kind of short, holiday-themed, book. I just don’t get into them. But let me tell you what. The new book “Touching Wonder” by John Blase is amazing. Honestly. It’s published by David C. Cook, which just happens to be where I work, but that is totally not why I am mentioning it. It’s just so very good. It is touching and earthy and unique. It made me tear up numerous times. Sometimes it is really difficult to find new joy or meaning in the Christmas story, but this book did it for me this year. So go read it. Do it now or I will be angry with you. In the spirit of Christmas.

So, yesterday I nearly died of a heat stroke. Nearly died. Normally our work building is so cold that my fingers barely have enough mobility to type, but I guess Cook decided to be gen-er-ous with the heat yesterday. And apparently I also bought some kind of extra-thick wool tights that were made for cold-blooded reptiles who spend their winters vacationing in Antarctica. Those tights keep a person good and warm, and along with the hot building it was a nearly lethal combination. Lucky for you, I managed to survive and pass on this spellbinding story to you, dear readers. Lucky for you.

I am writing a lesson right now about Jesus washing the disciples’ feet in John 13. As I was reading the story the other day, I was just so undone by Jesus’ actions. I thought about the whole big story of God, and how He’s demonstrated His love in so many ways. How He gently breathed life and energy into Adam and Eve. How He walked an ancient blood path to show Abraham that He was eternally committed to His covenant. I thought of the Psalms and how they weep and sing and plead over the beauties of God’s love story.

And then there’s Jesus. God incarnate, reaching down and rinsing the Jerusalem dust from the feet of His disciples. He did it to demonstrate what they should do for others. And He did it to show them the full extent of God’s love—to the very last, to the highest degree.

Wonderful.

After I marveled at my good God, I also thanked Him for Dave Barnes and this video. Because all I want for Christmas is joos. Chocolate milk joos.

OK, well you best get going so that you can buy my Christmas present and then wrap it in crystals and cotton and beauty. Joves and Kisses!

Almost Famous — Or Not

You guys. I’m sorry I haven’t blogged in awhile, but I have been so busy being VERY FAMOUS that I just haven’t had the time. Very. Famous.

As you probably totally noticed, since you scour every inch of my blog every time you’re here, I changed my header. I was getting a bit tired of my giant face. I like this picture because it is Artsy. Also, you can see less of my giant face. And it’s vintagey and turquoisey with pops of red. Also, it lets all the menfolks know that my left ring finger is in need of some bling. Wink.

So, Cherry Springs Wonderland, otherwise known as “our house,” is celebrating Christmas.

And perhaps a bit of Hanukkah.  

I really don’t go all out with seasonal decorating — this is mainly because I am too lazy to switch my laundry from the washer to the dryer, so do we really think that I’m going to switch out my house decorations based on the season? Exactly. So, I don’t go All Out for Christmas either, but I do enjoy a bit of holiday cheer.

My neighbors, on the other hand, love them every all bits of Christmas. One of our neighbors has a very realistic-looking Santa in their front yard. He is creepy, and it is possible that it’s a real man who is just sitting very still. Our other neighbors have an inflatable santa that pops out of a Christmas package and makes frightening shadows on the house. I think people need to calm down their tacky Christmas crap. Just my humble (and famous) opinion.

Also, I have been ON IT with my Christmas gifts this year. I am almost done shopping already! This does not usually happen until the night before I fly home for Christmas, so I’m pretty proud of myself. If any of you need ideas for what to get me, I just happen to have a short list of possibilities right here:

* iPhone

* Teacup piglet

* 2 years worth of tuition

* These

And speaking of ridiculous materialism during the Christmas season, make sure you don’t take a stand! at least not for the wrong reasons.

Have I mentioned that I am the most famous person in the world?

So lately I have been reminded that Jesus wants me to serve wholeheartedly as if serving the Lord, not men. He would also appreciate it if I would at least try to love my neighbor. It’s all so very difficult sometimes. And, honestly, a lot of the time, I just don’t want to try. But the sermon at church this week reminded me that God’s love is so merciful and faithful. He has given it freely, and I should at least make a pitiful attempt to do the same.

Oh, and one last thing. Did you guys happen to hear that I was mentioned by (screen) name on the front page (of the television blog) of a little local publication I like to call TIME Magazine (.com)? I mean, whatever. It’s not a big deal. Please don’t even bring it up. The constant fame and attention is a bit embarrassing.

Hope your week is off to a good start, friendsies!

Hi, Hi!

Here are the three jobs I would like to have: 1. Mom 2. Adjunct Professor of Awesomeness and 3. Professional Blogger. Unfortunately, I have zero of those three jobs right now, and instead have different job-type things, and school-type things, and life-type things to do, which means my poor bloggy suffers so much. So, if anyone figures a way to help me achieve my goals, lemme know.

There’s way too much to catch up on in my uber-fascinating life, so I’ll just give you a quick list of things that I’ve totally been consistently doing every day.

1. Running four miles daily.

2. Eating only vegetables and things without high fructose corn syrup.

3. Studying diligently for two hours a night.

4. Not spending too much money at Target.

5. Updating this blog three times a week.

And then there’s the list of things I definitely haven’t done lately.

1. Become best friends with the McDonald’s drive-thru staff because I get fast food on my way up to class each week.

2. Gone to only one workout class at the Y in the last 47 months.

3. Thought it was a good idea to buy trendy knee-high socks.

4. Registered for a class that may not count toward my degree program, simply because I am unhealthily obsessed with Jewish things.

5. Seen the new Twilight movie.

So, as you can see, I’ve been very busy doing and not doing a lot of things lately. I also took my dreaded midterm–I have never studied so much in my entire life. I memorized details of ancient Hittite treaties and festivals celebrated in extinct cultures. Not my idea of a super fun weekend, but I’m actually really glad that I learned all of it. It’s been great fun to learn more about the Bible’s context and people.

I’ve also been too lazy to blow dry my hair this week, which means I’ve been wearing it super curly. I look like I have a lion’s mane.

Those are most of the exciting haps. There have been others, but I’m sure you don’t need to hear the details of all my McDonald’s orders. I will recommend that every all of the people should see the show Wicked, because it is amazing (insert Kelly Kapoor voice here). Also, make sure to get your Operation Christmas Child shoeboxes dropped off by Monday. And, one last thing–you should get Switchfoot’s new album, “Hello Hurricane.” It is way good–both musically and lyrically. Check out their video, “Mess of Me” for a taste of the sweet goodness.

OK, just wanted to say “hi” and that “I miss you” and that “I totally haven’t been eating McDonald’s or seeing vampire/werewolf/love story movies,” and that “Jesus loves you.” Have a good weekend!

Highly Favored

Oh friends, my blog has suffered greatly over the last few weeks. Poor Mr. Blog. So lonely and neglected.

Let’s see, what has happened? I was sick with a bad cold for a bit. Over a weekend. Who wants to be sick during the weekend? No one I know. Sickness is supposed to happen on a Wednesday or something. Get it right next time, body!

I discovered my new favoritest thing ever in the world: teacup piglets! That’s right, a piglet. A piglet that is so small it fits into a teacup. Not convinced that you should love Tiny Teacup Tucker? Well, then take a look at this!

That’s what I thought! If that isn’t the most adorable thing you have ever seen in your whole entire all of life, then we should be friends so that I too can enjoy the adorable stuff that you get to see all the time. Don’t you just love him? How about this guy?

He is so vewwy thirstee.

He haz sleepy times.

So that’s what I’ve been up to lately. Pretending that I actually want a real, live pig living in my house simply because it is small and enjoys a spot of tea.

Anyway. As you can tell, I’ve been busy and unable to blog.

Other things have happened lately, I’m sure. But my memory is not so good now that I’m in my late twenties. All the naps and things run together. I am getting ready to fail my midterm for my Old Testament class in a couple weeks. It is going to be so hard because we’re supposed to memorize about 40 billion essay questions. And, as previously mentioned, the old memory is slippin’.

So, Martin Smith from the band Delirious?, came and sang at our chapel at David C. Cook last week. He’s written some beautiful worship songs over the years, so it was awesome to have him there. He’s just finished work with a ton of other artists (Michael W. Smith, Steven Curtis Chapman, Chris Tomlin, Tim Hughes, Matt Redman, Darlene Zschech, etc.) on a project called Compassion Art. They got together and wrote a bunch of songs, and all the proceeds of the album go to different charities committed to freeing people from poverty.

Martin talked about the project, and then he sang “Highly Favoured,” one of the songs from the Compassion Art album. (They’re British, so they spell things funny. Right, then.) Here are the lyrics to the chorus:

Majesty and mercy meet me in this moment, how can it be that I’ve been chosen by the King?

There’s no greater honour, there’s no greater treasure, than to be known and loved by You.

I am highly favoured; I am highly favoured.

The Watoto Children’s Choir from Uganda sings those words. The children in this choir are orphans. Many are HIV positive. Some were child soldiers in northern Uganda. Most have experienced more horror than any of us ever will.

And they sing joyfully about how they are highly favored by God.

It breaks my heart. It makes me ashamed. If these broken and battered children can sing about God’s favor for them, how on earth can I ever sit and pout when God doesn’t deliver the way I want Him to? I am supremely blessed. I have physical comforts most of the world cannot imagine. I am surrounded by a community of friends who care about me. I have a family who loves me. I have God’s very Word at my fingertips.

How do I ever doubt God’s love? If these children — suffering from HIV, missing their parents, scarred from war — can recognize God’s love and favor in their lives, how arrogant of me to choose to ever ignore it in my own.

It was a beautifully heartbreaking reminder. We are highly favored by God. It is true. Always. We have been chosen by the King. Praise Him for it.

My Thumb Was Injured. Injured Bad.

I am a hardcore softballer.

Well, people. It has been a busy week. I’ve gone to class, I’ve experienced winter and now summer again, I’ve napped, and I’ve avoided working out.

I’ve also sustained and recovered from a serious contusion to my phalange matrix. In other words, I bruised my thumbnail. But seriously, it hurt really bad, you guys! I was being a rockstar at my park and recreation, co-ed, slow pitch softball game … and I was trying to get an out at second base. Because of the rockstarness I totally got the out (let’s not mention the 83 other errors I had during the game), and when I came back up with the ball after the tag, my thumbnail was bent backward. My thumb was BROKEN.

Or actually it wasn’t broken at all, but I had to push my thumbnail back into place, which was disgusting, people. And then it was bleeding and we had to search far and wide for a band-aid — it was all very dramatic. But that is not all.

I woke up during the middle of the night because it was aching so badly. I could feel the injury spreading throughout my entire thumb — what if it had to be amputated? There was no possible way I’d be able to go to work the next day — how would I be able to type?! And I didn’t think it would be healed by next week — I’d have to quit the softball team forever and morosely watch the rest of the games from the bleachers, my thumbnail broken and heavily bandaged.

And what if my thumbnail was so badly injured that it fell off? The humiliation would be unbearable and I’d have to walk around wearing gloves for all eternity. Maybe I could buy something like Michael Jackson’s sparkly one for special occasions. What if this injury somehow affected my ability to have children?! I wasn’t quite sure how, but when you’re suffering from a bruised thumbnail at 2 a.m. all manner of tragedy seems possible. I dragged myself back to bed, convinced that it was my last night before my life was ruined by the pain and ostracization my mangled thumb would cause me.

When I woke up the next morning, my thumb was fine. I have lived to be dramatic another day!

Anyhoosy, after The Great Thumb Injury of 2009, I decided I needed some rest and relaxation. A few girls and I did a Bible study together this past summer, and we decided to do an overnight retreat in a cabin — a cabin about 20 minutes from home. But still — it felt getaway-ish. We had lots of fun — we went to tea, went apple picking, watched Lost, did a craft, played cards, watched FOTB, sat around a campfire, and ate lots and lots of food. We spent some time talking about our lives and where we’re at with trusting God. All in all, it was a good weekend with some lovely ladies.

Speaking of trusting God, I like these verses: “Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful. And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds” — Hebrews 10:23–24.

So today I will try to hold tightly to the hope I have in Jesus. And I will do my best to encourage those around me. This will probably be best accomplished by not continuing to whine about my perfectly fine thumbnail.

Have a good Monday, friends — He who promised is faithful.

I Laugh in the Face of Danger–and Sanity.

Let’s start this post with some conversation about current political events, like such as, The Emmys. I didn’t see them—what were the haps? Good, bad, funny? Let me know. In other news, the source of all my accurate political information, “Weekend Update,” was on last Thursday. That opening skit was hilarious. No one told poor Joe Wilson that the plan had changed—how embarrassing.

Here is a disturbing trend that has recently come to my attention: I eat constantly. As in, I am always eating and never not eating. This, coupled with the fact that I work out zero times ever, is bad news all around. I probably need to start training for something again, since the fear of the humiliation of collapsing in a giant heap during a race of some type is the only thing capable of motivating me in the slightest.

So, Colorado has decided that the last day of summer = winter. It snowed yesterday. It didn’t stick or anything, but still. Sunday was in the upper seventies, and Monday was Winter Wonderland. Colorado’s schizophrenia is in full effect. This cooler weather has allowed me to wear my new red boots, though! I am a boots fiend this year. I’ve gotten a few comments on them including, “Wow, those are sure a bright oxblood color” and “Hmm, those boots are saggy.” Fashion–it’s my middle name.

Last night as I was trying to go to sleep, I thought I smelled something weird in the house. Jaci had sprayed her boots with a leather protector thing (seriously, we are about the boots in my house), so I assured myself that that was it. However, I got a sneaking suspicion that maybe it was carbon monoxide and we would all wake up dead. But then I remembered that carbon monoxide is odorless, so that wouldn’t be causing the smell. However, I was not to be fooled! I figured that there was probably a gas leak, which I could smell, and also odorless carbon monoxide filling my lungs with death at that very moment. Suddenly I felt a headache coming on and I was having trouble taking deep breaths—due to all of the poisonous gases and also, the complete insanity.

Somehow I managed to fall asleep (it was probably the carbon monoxide putting me into a coma) and I dreamed about shopping at Target. And then I woke up not dead, which was such good news! So I hopped in the shower, breathing deeply and humming joyfully in praise of my renewed chance at life and boot-wearing. My enthusiasm must have been a bit much, though, because I totally tripped as I was stepping out of the tub. I fell completely down and ended up sliding around on the floor like a turtle. My shin is majorly bruised, and also, my life has embarrassed me yet again. Oh well. At least my body stood strong against the carbon monoxide.

Have you guys been hearing, “Say Hey” on the radio? It just makes me happy every time I hear it. Watch it and get happy too.

Have a good day, friendsies. I will be playing softball tonight in freezing temperatures and with a broken shin. But it’s OK because I defeated death last night and didn’t succumb to the non-existent carbon monoxide in my house, so life is good!

Loves!

Denise

A Little Bit of This. Oh, and Also, That.

Where have I been all my life? I have not blogged in ages. Ages, people! So, as a result of all of the letters I’ve been getting in the mail lately, pleading with me to please start blogging again, I’ve decided to write you a nice little post. I’ve also decided to quit sending myself letters in the mail.

Let’s see, what’s happened lately? I went to Steve and Ginna’s wedding in Fargo, North Dakota. Aren’t they sweet?

I also got to see my mom, grandma and grandpa while I was there. I would post a picture of that, but I didn’t take any because my mom and I were too busy walking around Target and telling each other secrets. That’s about what we like to do when we get together.

I also got to go to my friend Suzanne’s wedding, which was awesome. She got married at a really cool horse farm–it was delightful. Here we are being cutsey at the wedding.

I’ve attended my second grad school class. Is it bad that I spent most of it keeping track of how many times my curious friend spoke up during class? I think I’ll call him
Whiskers.

Whiskers was actually much more well behaved than I expected. He did walk into the classroom in the middle of asking someone a question about the quiz we had to take. And then he did ask a question of the professor during the middle of the quiz. And he asked a few during break time as well. But there were only one or two during the actual lecture, which I thought was pretty impressive.

Also, who forgot to tell me that “The Office” premieres this week? I had no clue! Have there been previews and such on NBC? This shocker is causing me to rethink my priorities. I’ve obviously not been watching enough TV lately, so I’m going to have to work on that.

I have managed to keep up on some media, though. This past weekend I saw the movie 500 Days of Summer which I loved. It stars the kid from “3rd Rock from the Sun” and the girl from Elf, otherwise known as Joseph Gordon-Levitt and Zooey Deschanel. (What kind of name is that, Zooey? Did your parents like J.D. Salinger? So do I! Let’s be friends.) I loved the style of the director, I loved the clothes, and I loved the plot — it’s not your typical romantic comedy. Also, it was hilarious. Like a ninja.

I turned 27 recently, so naturally, on my birthday I looked up Jewish birthday traditions. I need psychiatric help. But I did find something cool.

Jews have a yearly Psalm based on how old they are. You take your age plus 1. So, since I am entering my 28th year, I am supposed to memorize Psalm 28 and then recite it every day this year. So far, I’ve not memorized it, but I have been reading it. I like it.

Not only do I think it has some good advice/warning/hope for this year, but verse seven is one of my favorite verses ever. I memorized it a long time ago when I was feeling super depressed as I started college. I would repeat it to myself whenever I was feeling down. Anyhoo, here’s the whole Psalm so you can see what I plan to read/recite this year.

To you I call, O LORD my Rock; do not turn a deaf ear to me. For if you remain silent, I will be like those who have gone down to the pit.

Hear my cry for mercy as I call to you for help, as I lift up my hands toward your Most Holy Place.

Do not drag me away with the wicked, with those who do evil, who speak cordially with their neighbors but harbor malice in their hearts. Repay them for their deeds and for their evil work; repay them for what their hands have done and bring back upon them what they deserve. Since they show no regard for the works of the LORD and what his hands have done, he will tear them down and never build them up again.

Praise be to the LORD, for he has heard my cry for mercy. The LORD is my strength and my shield; my heart trust in him, and I am helped. My heart leaps for joy and I will give thanks to him in song.

The LORD is the strength of his people, a fortress of salvation for his anointed one. Save your people and bless you inheritance; be their shepherd and carry them forever.

Good times. My heart trusts in Him, and I am helped. What’s your Psalm for this year??