Where's the Line to see Jesus?

"Where's the Line to See Jesus?"
(An Original Song)
Performed by daughter of Steve Haupt - Becky Kelley
Inspired by grandson, Spencer Reijgers



The story behind the song, as told by Steve Haupt:
"While at the mall last year, my 4 year old grandson saw kids lined up excitedly to see Santa Claus. Having been taught as a toddler that Christmas is the holiday that Christians celebrate the birth of God's son, with the innocence of a child, he asked his mom, "where's the line to see Jesus"? If Christmas is Jesus' birthday, why don't we see Him more? As his grandpa, I was so happy that little Spencer understood the meaning of Christmas at such a tender age, and then the words for a song were jotted down in just a few minutes. The song was inspired by my grandson, and the message was inspired by my Savior. Out of the mouths of babes come profound truths that many adults can not understand. Hopefully Spencer's observation and our song will cause people to reflect on the love of Jesus, and the certainty that one day we will all stand in line to see Jesus. Merry Christmas everyone."

Once upon a time there was Grand Bob and the 2 granddaughters...

Operation Christmas Child 2009

Jessie wanted to be sure they knew they were getting "lots of stuf". Madi was going for the creative touch.

Once upon a time....

Jessie (7) and Madi (9)

Years ago Grand Bob started taking Christian, then about 8 or 9, shopping to fill the annual shoe boxes to give to Operation Christmas Child. They started with 2 I think, and over the years increased to about 8 boxes. The idea was Bob loved doing this and he needed an assistant shopper who could advise him on the choices suitable for a BOY just Christian's age.

Last year, 2008, when Christian was 14 and in 8th grade, Bob decided that it was time for the granddaughters to take over the advising. But he wasn't sure he could take both girls, then 6 and 8, without some help. So Christian went along as vice-president in charge of supervision. The four of them successfully filled 4 boxes of GIRL "stuf".

You have to think of just the right thing to say.

Grand Bob has gained in experience over the summer having taken the girls shopping and to the movies, etc.. He figured he and Madi Blake and Jessie could take on this year's duties on their own. They filled 4 GIRL boxes with everything from hairbands to socks and bouncy balls to microphones.

(Jessie turn the smeared ink into a new art technique!)

When the girls took over we started taking their pictures to include inside the boxes. The photos this year were printed on cards so the girls could write a note to each new girl friend who would receive the package. Give a kid an assignment and you never know what you'll see! The whole letter writing effort turned out to be a great joy to all of us. I'm sure the new friends will be delighted.

(Escher has nothing on Madi's 3-D Christmas box!)

November 5 - I'm on schedule again

Nice dinner at Panera's and now Bob has to come home and work on his novel. This is the time I want to be putting on my jammies and doing something completely mindless accompanied by a nice glass of red wine. Keeping these early hours getting Christian off to school has required my bedtimes to be around 9-9:30 pm. Now with the time change that's even easier since it gets totally darker than dark at 7:30! All in all this makes me glad I'm not attempting the 50K word trek.

Today I chatted with my friend Stacy, who is in fact a real writer...uh, "published author". She thought Bob's novel plan (pun intended) was "Bully for him!" I'm supposed to tell him that her last novel...which by the way is out being shopped for a publisher...was only 37K words. That should make him feel better.

I guess I'm more of the techie type than the one who can fantasize fiction. Today I've been working on teaching myself how to write code that makes web pages. I'm about half way through the book I purchased. I love learning new things that I can practice right away...the thrill of getting my little programs to do exactly what they are supposed to do. Or even if they don't, there's the hunt through every jot and tiddle for the missing semi-colon or errorously capitalized letter. Fix those and BINGO!

It's the fixing Bob is trying to avoid in his writing. The "infernal" editor who wants to cross every t and reign in the hanging participles like world peace depends on it. Just remember Bobby, let go and let the lingo flow...

Now..where did I put the corkscrew?

Opps! Did I miss yesterday?

Bob spent some time writing his novel last night while I attended my first Drama Boosters meeting for the high school. I think I decided that I could support their efforts but my student has not yet developed the level of involvement that would warrant my deeper participation. Not that I'm not willing, just that I have a problem becoming overly zealous and losing track that I am in a "support" role. So, since "drama" is not somethng I'm necessarily drawn too without some compelling reason I've decided to become a background supporter. (Actually I live in enough drama to supply day time tv with plots for years to come...ergo nothin extra needed.)

Oh yes, novel writing. Well Bob said he quickly learned that is was really hard to come up with the required number of daily words...that would be 50K divided by 30 days so that would be 1666.67 words per day. Geeeezzzzz - that does seem like a lot! Anywayz the trick is to just "write on" and not edit! So go Bob! Write on,Dude!!!

NaNoWriMo and I'm already behind!

November is National Novel Writing Month and a bunch of people, over 120,000 last year took on the challenge to crank out a 50K word novel from Nov. 1 to midnight Nov. 30. So you might wonder if I'm taking this on for 2009? Actually No. Never had any desire to write a novel - fast or slow - not to mention never had one single idea of a plot for one.

Not true however of my husband who has always wanted to write and has had a tons of ideas over the years. So, even today - November 2 - I am turning him on to NaNoWriMo. At this very minute he is only 1 day behind. Just consider that he had writers block for day one and now he's blasting out of the starting gate just a little behind the pack.

To be in total support and sympathy I purpose to blog each day along his way. It's the least I can do.

Bringing Violin to the Masses

Bob found this video..the kid is amazing. He is playing all of the parts and then has overlayed his work together...a one man band. Check out his other "popluar" songs.

Africa by way of Slovenia

"This fun YouTube video features a 1980s pop classic. The rock band Toto scored their biggest hit with Africa in 1982. The song is instantly recognizable. But it has been reinvented.

Perpetuum Jazzile is an a cappella jazz choir from Slovenia. It’s hard to think of something further from an ‘80s rock band. But their version of Africa may best the original. The group has amazing voices.

But the beginning of this video is really striking. Group members simulate an African thunderstorm with their hands. It’s really something to see and hear."
as listed on Komando's Video of the Day - 6/18/09

Make sure your speakers are UP...you don't want to miss a note :)

If you love Star Wars or John Williams' music...

This guy Corey Vidal is lip sync/performing this medley by "Moosebutter" - an acappella group also found on YouTube. Love it!

This makes me smile

Judi's Peeps Party

I had a party with a few good friends that featured Stacy Barton (another long time friend) reading from her book Surviving Nashville. I recommend it! The party was a benefit for another friend, Judi and that will explain the background for the slide show.

In the Palm of Your Hand - Lyrics

If I could have the world and all it owns
A thousand kingdoms, a thousand thrones
If all the earth were mine to hold
With wealth my only goal

I'd spend my gold on selfish things
Without the love that Your life brings
Just a little bit more is all I'd need
'Til life was torn from me

I'd rather be in the palm of Your hand
Though rich or poor I may be
Faith can see right through the circumstance
Sees the forest in spite of the trees
Your grace provides for me

If I should walk the streets no place to sleep
No faith in promises You keep
I'd have no way to buy my bread
With a bottle for my bed

But if I trust the One who died for me
Who shed His blood to set me free
If I live my life to trust in You
Your grace will see me through

I'd rather be in the palm of Your hand
Though rich or poor I may be
Faith can see right through the circumstance
Sees the forest in spite of the trees

If I could have the world

by Ron Block

In the Palm of Your Hand

Betsy sent me one of those 'powerpoints' that circulate around about being friends and encouraging one another. She doesn't normally send stuff like that so I really thought it was because of the background music...but when I said "nice song...who is it?" she didn't know who it was. Well, it was Alison Krauss from an album recorded back in 1994.

Watch the video below (You'll have to watch Letterman introduce her on This Late Show that aired 23rd of november 1995 in the Netherlands.)

Then read this interesting blog from Stone River Studio


I can hear Joni singing this...dang! I miss Joni!

His grace provides for me and you, too! In fact, we're standin' knee deep in it!

Jr Chefs at Work

"Cranberry Nut Bars"

Jr. Chefs Interviewed

Ok, This is amazing! Thank you Claudia for sharing.

wingsuit base jumping from Ali on Vimeo.