Time is flying along.

Happy 11 days before Christmas! Isn't this a beautiful church? It's a Lutheran Church that we've always called "State Line Lutheran" that sits right on the border of Kansas and Nebraska about 20 miles south of Beatrice, Nebraska where my Grandparents lived most of my life. Probably over 1/2 of the people buried at the cemetery behind the little country church are my relatives in some way or another. When Alex was here before Thanksgiving he wanted to go to the cemetery as he has always been very interested in geneology and has traced my great-great grandfather to somewhere in Germany. Gosh, it was a cold and blustery day when we were there.

This is my Grandpa and Grandma Saathoff who imigrated from Germany when they were teenagers.

And my Uncle Ernie & Aunt Joyce, my Dad's only brother.  Their twin boys, Ricky and Jay, are buried right next to them.

There are dozens of Saathoff headstones there along with Hoefling, which was my Grandma's maiden name. Also Gerdes and several others. It's interesting to see all of the names you've heard all of your life there on marble and concrete and realize that most are your ancestors. I'm glad that Alex is taking such an interest in our history.

The next place we stopped was the Homestead National Monument in Beatrice. There is a beautiful museum there and a re-creation of one of the original homesteaders home. We saw a video telling the story in an impartial way of the way the land transferred from the Native Americans, to the government, to the homesteaders. It was really very sad, how we treated those here before us.

This is one of the original cabins that was rebuilt. Twelve family members lived in this tiny cabin. It was about 12 x 18 feet big with a sleeping loft for the kids. Look at Baby J. She had a great time running around the area, but it was SO cold and windy.

The inside. Stairs going to the sleeping loft.

The other side. We had a wonderful time learning more about the history of our area. 

Here's our Christmas tree. With me having this plague of a sinus infection, I just haven't felt up to decorating much. This was our little tree in the camper the year we lived in it and I just love the tree. It stays decorated and all I do is lay it in the box that Jenny made for it when she decorated the tree for us. Except for missing our special tree ornaments, I'm really liking the small tree in the window. I took all of our gifts to Mandy & Brads at Thanksgiving so they're under their tree now. Dennis has our lights strung along the balcony that looks so pretty at night.

This was in my advent stocking from Miss Piper and Mandy the other day. I love these kinds of decorations. Simple and the galvanized metals. Anything little red truck which is on a kitchen towel that was in my calendar one day. And snowmen. Anything snowman.

Just a little reminder for us all...

A photo I saw on facebook. It didn't have anyone to name for credit, but isn't it beautiful? A little red truck.

I've been working on Pipers sweater pretty consistently since I've been home sick. After 11 days, my voice is finally coming back but I still can't sing at all. That saddens me because I love Christmas caroling. My favorite time of year to sing joyous songs to the Lord of His coming to earth and all I have coming out is a squeak! Oh well. He knows my heart. So all I have left is half of the shawl collar and the pockets on the sweater. I have used an entire skein of yarn for half of the collar! It takes days just to knit it but I'm still enjoying the process.

Last night we had a dinner party at Curt and Barb's with two other couples. They fixed a nice dinner for the eight of us and we all dressed up in our finery. We ate on china and real silver that belonged to her Mom. Afterwards we played a Christmas questions game that was lots of fun. While we were there it began with freezing rain.  Luckily we only live about 2 blocks from them so although we slipped and slid those two blocks, it wasn't very far. We're still in a winter weather advisory today and my Jane Austin tea was cancelled today. Everything is closed this morning and we're enjoying a quiet morning at home.  

Take care and I hope all is well with you and your family. We're cozy in our condo and still have power so I plan to knit today in front of the fireplace and watch Christmas movies. What about you?

Blessings and love,

Betsy

On Dec. 25, 1863, Longfellow wrote from his Cambridge home, “I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day,” addressing the horrors of the American Civil War. However, when it was put to music several years later, the two stanzas that speak to the war were dropped. Of peace on earth, good will to men.”

I Heard The Bells On Christmas Day 

by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

The following are the original words of Longfellow's poem:

I heard the bells on Christmas Day
Their old, familiar carols play, 
And wild and sweet
The words repeat
Of peace on earth, good-will to men!

And thought how, as the day had come,
The belfries of all Christendom 
Had rolled along
The unbroken song
Of peace on earth, good-will to men!

Till ringing, singing on its way,
The world revolved from night to day,
A voice, a chime,
A chant sublime
Of peace on earth, good-will to men!

Then from each black, accursed mouth
The cannon thundered in the South, 
And with the sound
The carols drowned
Of peace on earth, good-will to men!

It was as if an earthquake rent
The hearth-stones of a continent,
And made forlorn
The households born
Of peace on earth, good-will to men!

And in despair I bowed my head;
"There is no peace on earth," I said; 
"For hate is strong,
And mocks the song
Of peace on earth, good-will to men!"

Then pealed the bells more loud and deep:
"God is not dead, nor doth He sleep; 
The Wrong shall fail,
The Right prevail,
With peace on earth, good-will to men."

A Great Week

Happy Tuesday my friends.  We had a wonderful week with our kids. We spent every day with them at Brad and Mandy's house.  Alex and family stayed there because they have so much more room and a floor to themselves. Plus, I don't think Piper and Baby J would have it any other way. They were joined at the hip all week and I love it!

They left for home on Saturday afternoon and arrived late morning, (for us), on Sunday. We crammed everything we could into those four days and, of course, I managed to get sick. Tuesday I lost my voice and I still don't have it back. Negative for covid, so I think it's probably a sinus infection as I still have a very sore throat and find it hard to eat or drink anything. If I'm not better by tomorrow I promised Dennis I would go to the walk-in clinic as my doctor doesn't have any appointments open. No one else seems to have gotten it and for that I'm very grateful.

The sweaters I made both fit "Baby J". Here is the hooded one. The sleeves are a little long, but it will give her room to grow. She also took three of Piper's outgrown sweaters home. She needed these sweaters as it was pretty cold while they were here.

We had snow flurries and she was fascinated as they rarely have snow where she lives in London. Look at that sweet little girl. Sure wish I could show her face, but I truly understand the reasoning of why I can't. For my newer readers, my dear daughter-in-law's job is such that she and Baby J's photos need to be offline for security. They are both gorgeous and I would love to share, but it's not meant to be. And guess what? We have a new little grandchild on the way in June or July! Baby J will have a new little brother or sister. Needless to say, Grandpa and I are very excited over this huge news.

My sister, Melanie, is called "the baby whisperer" by all who know her. She rocks NICU babies two evenings a week when she gets off work at her full-time job. She rocks every. single. baby who is born at church. There isn't aperson under 35 years old at church that she hasn't changed their diaper if they were there as babies! She worked her magic on Baby J on Thanksgiving. I think if you took her babies away she wouldn't survive. I sure love this sister of mine and I'm grateful that we live close together again and get to make up for lost years apart.

On Thanksgiving Eve, Alex, DIL and Piper made dinner for us out of one of Piper's cookbooks. It was delicious. Piper and "T" made appetizers, salad, green beans and desserts while Alex took care of the main dish. He is a great cook and loves to experiement with spices and new ingredients.

I was able to finish two blankets over the past couple of weeks. I crocheted in the evenings when we came home after full days with the kids. I used Bernat Baby in pink and white for both blankets.

They are similar but a bit different.

I also began an "Every Which-Way Filet" crochet baby blanket in blue. These will all be donated to the Open Door Mission.

Last night I started Piper's sweater using Hobby Lobby's "I Love This Yarn" in the Ivory Tweed Colorway. It is again the "Pure Comfort Cardigan" that she loves. She is getting to the age that she picks the pattern and yarn for almost everything I make her. She is almost a teenager! Twelve! When did that even happen?
She was so good with "Baby J" this week. She helped her with her meals. Helped her change clothes and just generally was the BEST babysitter ever! I just wish I could show you the photos and videos we took. The took of them performed a Taylor Swift Era's tour concert for us one night and it was fabulous.

Piper and I exchange advent calendars every year. I knitted 50 baby socks and made them into advent calendar's for each of us. I have so much fun filling hers every year. This was my day 1 gift. Yesterday and today I recieved chocolates. It's so much fun to check every day.

We had a couple of other adventures while the kids were here but this post is long enough. I'll share those next time. Thank you for forgiving me for not checking blogs last week while I enjoyed our family time. I think I'm caught up now. We missed Jamie's family, but this time of year isn't good traveling weather to/from Montana.

Take care and I'll be back soon.

Blessings and love,

Betsy

COME, THOU LONG EXPECTED JESUS

John Wesley

Come, Thou long expected Jesus
Born to set Thy people free;
From our fears and sins release us,
Let us find our rest in Thee.
Israel's strength and consolation,
Hope of all the earth Thou art;
Dear desire of every nation,
Joy of every longing heart.

Born Thy people to deliver,
Born a child and yet a King,
Born to reign in us forever,
Now Thy gracious kingdom bring.
By Thine own eternal Spirit
Rule in all our hearts alone;
By Thine all sufficient merit,
Raise us to Thy glorious throne.

A Bit of Everything

Another week has gone by and I’m not sure where it went! Doesn’t the time seem to be flying these days? I did manage to get all of the Christmas presents wrapped on Friday. I would wrap a few and then sit in my recliner for 20 minutes or so, then wrap again. It took me all day, but I got everything done. Sunday after church, I ensconced myself in my recliner and proceeded to spend nine hours addressing and signing Christmas cards. I think I am officially finished preparing for Christmas. It’s a good thing, because Alex and family will be here next Monday and we will celebrate our Christmas with them the day after Thanksgiving.  Although it makes me have everything ready fairly early, I like it this way because then I can enjoy December. I love every minute, from the Christmas songs to church services and Bible readings. I try to focus my thoughts on the real reason we’re celebrating the holiday. By doing this and getting all the busyness taken care of earlier in the year, it’s easier to be calm in spirit. 

Last Friday Dennis and I took mom out to lunch at Village Inn. She loves their biscuits and gravy. Afterwards, I took her to get her haircut. She loved it. It’s a real treat to have someone else wash your hair for you isn’t it? Although, we did pay for the excursion over the weekend. Whenever we take her out of her familiar surroundings, the next few days she’s very confused. We had lots of phone calls and lots of emergency trips to her apartment to reassure her that everything was fine and she was right where she was supposed to be. 

My orchid is getting ready to bloom again I think it was late last spring when the last bloom fell off this one and my other orchid plant completely died. This one however, still showed signs of life so I kept watering it and put it in a sunny window with diffused lighting. It must have liked it, because it’s doing pretty well. I expect the buds to open in the next few days.

The other night we had a fairly chilly evening. We had had the balcony door open all day and then all of the sudden it turned very cool. I think the condo was down to about 62° so we decided to turn the fireplace on for a little while. It was so cozy. Unfortunately, I cut off Zoey’s face. 😯

I finished Baby J’s cardigan yesterday. Can you see the huge mistake I made? I forgot a button hole. I’m so irritated with myself, but I wasn’t about to rip out half of the sweater when I didn’t have much time to re-knit it. I’m consoling myself with the thought that a two year old doesn’t stand still long enough for people to notice buttonholes! 🤣 At least I hope that’s the case. See my toes peeping out of the bottom? I should have edited those out, but I just saw them! Yes, I go barefoot all year long inside.

I started this blanket yesterday afternoon and it’s coming along fairly quickly. The pattern is the Baby Shower Blanket by The Crochet Crowd and it’s free on Ravelry. The yarn is big twist from Joannes in the color ivory. I have been making it for a lady at the over 55 building where we used to live. She’s expecting her 10th great grandchild! Daisy is a war bride from World War II. Her husband met her in France where she was part of the resistance. She asked me if I could make a blanket for the baby, and said she didn’t think she would be finding out if it was a boy or a girl until after it was born so wanted me to make a plain color. Well today she told me that they informed her yesterday that it’s a girl! I gave her the choice of this one or I could make her a pink blanket. She prefers a pink one. I may keep this one for myself in case we have a baby at church or I may donate it to the Mission. I haven’t decided yet. 

I think I told you a while back that I was thinking of trying English Paper Piecing or EPP as it’s called. I have gotten this far in getting organized, but I’ve had so many projects going on that I haven’t had a chance to do anymore. See my one hexie there in the box? I still have a sweater to knit for Piper and the other baby blanket to make so I guess this will be put on hold for a while again.

That’s about it. My sister found a 22 pound turkey for me last week while she was out shopping. It’s not quite as big as I would have liked, but will have to do. I paid her back for it so now I think I’m pretty much set for Thanksgiving, except for produce. We will probably pick that up Tuesday or Wednesday. I can’t believe it’s time for Thanksgiving, even though I know it’s late this year. And then the next Sunday is December already! Craziness! I haven’t even gotten used to writing 2024 and now I’m going to have to switch to 2025. Does anyone else have a hard time dealing with that?

I hope you’ve all had a wonderful week so far. Take care of yourselves in the midst of all of the world’s uncertainty. Remember, there is someone who you can always turn to and is ready to listen and be there for you. His name is Jesus, and all you need to do is ask Him. He’s waiting just for you. 💜

Blessings and love,

Betsy

This Is My Fathers World

1 This is my Father’s world,
and to my listening ears
all nature sings, and round me rings
the music of the spheres.
This is my Father’s world;
I rest me in the thought
of rocks and trees, of skies and seas;
his hand the wonders wrought.

2 This is my Father’s world;
the birds their carols raise;
the morning light, the lily white,
declare their Maker’s praise.
This is my Father’s world;
he shines in all that’s fair.
In the rustling grass I hear him pass;
he speaks to me everywhere.

3 This is my Father’s world;
oh, let me not forget
that, though the wrong seems oft so strong,
God is the Ruler yet.
This is my Father’s world;
why should my heart be sad?
The Lord is King, let the heavens ring!
God reigns; let the earth be glad.

Rainy days, but not Monday.

Hello my friend. It’s a rainy, rainy day here in Nebraska. Around bedtime last night we started having thunderstorms that went on through most of the night. It was a gentle rolling thunder, not the loud claps. And it was a gentle rain all night long. I absolutely love these kinds of storms. it has continued to rain throughout the morning, but no more thunder. Although I appreciate the thunder, Zoey doesn’t. She spent the night cowering under the headboard of our bed. She’s terrified of it. 

I just returned home from our ladies Bible study. I’m doing the BSF study, (Bible Study Fellowship parentheses), again this year. We are studying the book of Revelation and my goodness, I feel like we’re living in those days right now.

I did finish Baby J’s sweater that she requested. I don’t think it turned out too bad. Although the photo shows the colors a bit washed out, they are really pink, lavender and gray. That’s what she wanted and that’s what she got! It was a fun knit using JoAnn’s big twist yarn. It’s a very soft yarn that washes and dries very well which I think is important for a toddler. The pattern is the wonderful wallaby pattern.

I have now begun a cardigan for her that is taking a long, long time. The needles are sized two and three and it’s sport weight yarn. I have another 10 cm to go on the body before doing the ribbing and then I’ll need to knit the sleeves. I think this will be nice for her to wear with her school uniform. The pattern is by drops design and it is the Little Bee Cardigan, which is free online. There are directions to embroider a bee onto the yolk of the sweater, but I won’t be doing that.

Photo of the front page of the pattern. Just look at that baby’s face! 😂 I wouldn’t want to get in an argument with this little one. It looks like they have a mind of their own!

And because I don’t have much other news, here’s a blast from the past! That’s Kyleigh on the left, me, Piper and Caleb. Kyleigh is now in her second year of college in Bozeman, Montana. You all know Piper, and Caleb is a senior in high school. Where does the time go? How I would love to get these days back. And being that skinny again would be nice too!

I hope the week is going well for all of you. I think our summer like, fall weather is finally gone. I guess it couldn’t last forever could it? I was trying to find a 20+ pound turkey for Thanksgiving, and after visiting several stores I was having no luck. My sister was able to find one that was 22 pounds so I asked her to pick it up for me. I’ve gradually been buying the fixings for Thanksgiving dinner that could be bought in advance. These prices are enough to strangle anyone aren’t they? 

I cannot wait to see our kids in about two weeks. We’re planning a trip to the Kansas/Nebraska state line to visit where most of my family on my Dad’s side is buried. Alex is very much into the genealogy and he’s asked us to go visit the cemetery that is right on the state line. I’m hoping for good weather and no snow because it’s out in the middle of the open plain where the winds will truly get you.  We also would like to go to the zoo while they’re here. That’s become a family tradition. 

Take care everyone and remember how much Jesus loves all of us. He bled and died to buy our pardon so we can someday live in Heaven with Him.

Blessings and love,

Betsy

I’ve Got A Mansion 

I'm satisfied with just a cottage below

A little silver and a little gold

But in that city where the ransomed will shine

I want a gold one that's silver lined

I've got a mansion just over the hilltop

In that bright land where we'll never grow old

And some day yonder we will never more wander

But walk on streets that are purest gold

Don't think me poor or deserted or lonely

I'm not discouraged I'm heaven bound

I'm but a pilgrim in search of the city

I want a mansion, a harp and a crown

I've got a mansion just over the hilltop
In that bright land where we'll never grow old
And some day yonder we will never more wander
But walk on streets that are purest gold

It’s Over

Hello and happy day after the elections! It’s over. Finally. We have had an entire day with no ads in the mail or on the television. Hallelujah! Now, to get on with the business of living our lives.

I thought you might like to see the completed sweater with Piper trying it on. It had not been washed or blocked yet, but I couldn’t wait to have her try it on. I adore her smile. 

Do you see the cute little pumpkins Mandy crocheted on the end table by the sofa? She made one for Grandma too, and she just loves hers. When I was there yesterday, she asked if I had made it for her and I reminded her that Mandy had. A little while later she said to me, “Oh did you see the pumpkin Mandy made me? I just love it.” lol

Now look at her hair in the photo below! Just two days later and she looks like this! Isn’t it the cutest? She was growing it out so she could donate her hair for wigs for children with cancer. She needed to have at least 8 inches to donate. Her hair is just so thick and fun to play with. Mandy took this picture yesterday for me. She has on the sage green sweater I made her that she just loves.  You can also see the pink and white granny blanket I made for her on the bed and the turquoise blanket to match her bedroom. Papa also bought her the comforter set a few years ago because this girl loves Paris! 

Mandy told me that today she wore her new sweater and a pair of socks that I had knitted for Mandy. Mandy told her that her outfit for school was a “Today’s ensemble was brought to you by Grandma Queen kind of day.” Yes, she can wear Mandy’s socks now! I guess this girl has graduated to getting her own pair of socks from grandma for Christmas, along with the adults. She ended up coming home from school early this afternoon with a fever and congestion. Please pray it doesn’t last too long. You can get behind in school so quickly these days.

I think I told you before that “Baby J” requested a sweater from Grandma, because she’s outgrown the ones I’ve already made her and not yet grown into the ones she’s received from Piper as hand me downs. She wanted a purple, pink and blue sweater, so this is what I came up with. This is the Wonderful Wallaby pattern, that was so popular some years back One pattern gives you six sizes for children and six sizes for adults. I have more than made up for whatever it was that I paid for this pattern, because I’ve made at least 10 of these “Wallaby’s” so far. It is a super easy pattern and these little sizes go fast. This is a size 4 and I just started it last night. I was gone quite a lot today, so I don’t have a whole lot of time working on it and I’m already beginning the sleeves.

And just because I think this is so cute…. here’s Lizzie! Piper took this picture yesterday after school and sent it to me. Lizzie will do anything for her. Isn’t she sweet?

I had stopped by there earlier to drop the sweater off for Piper and Lizzy wanted to come home with me so bad. She actually cried when I left and gave me the “sad eye” treatment. Before I got home, Mandy had sent me a picture…

Along with the caption, “do you feel bad?”  She was so pitiful after I left that Mandy made up a bed for her in her office right next to her desk while she was working. These dogs! They know how to get exactly what they want. What a life!

I had planned to pick her up tomorrow morning to spend the day with Zoey, but since Piper will probably be home from school sick, we’ll do it another day. That way she’ll have Lizzie for company while she’s resting. There is nothing Lizzie likes better than to snuggle.

Gosh, this is truly turned into a Piper and Lizzie post hasn’t it? Oh well, you can’t have any better subjects. We are so blessed to be able to see her so often. And looking forward to seeing our London family later this month too. I want “Baby J” to be able to wear her sweater while she’s here,  so I definitely want to get it done quickly and maybe have time to make her a cardigan too. We will see if there’s time.

I hope you are all doing well and not too stressed about the election. God has the entire thing in his hands, just as he has had for the last 200+ years of our country’s history. The best we can do is to be kind to each other and everyone we meet. Lots of love to each and everyone of you.  

Blessings and love,

Betsy

The Solid Rock

Edward Mote 1934

My hope is built on nothing less 

Than Jesus’, blood and righteousness; 

I dare not trust the sweetest frame, 

But wholly lean on Jesus’ name.

On Christ, the solid Rock, I stand;

All other ground is sinking sand, 

All other ground is sinking sand. 

When darkness veils His lovely face, 

I rest on His unchanging grace;

In every high and stormy gale,

My anchor holds within the veil. 

When He shall come with trumpet sound, 

Oh, may I then in Him be found; 

Dressed in His righteous alone, 

Faultless to stand before the throne. 

On Christ, the solid Rock, I stand 

All other ground is sinking sand, 

All other ground is sinking sand.  

Matthew 7 24–27 

In For A Change

Less than an hour and it will be Wednesday. Halfway through the week already! I have no idea where time goes these days. It seems as if we’re busier than ever since Dennis retired. The change I was talking about in the title of this blog is that the weather is going to get much cooler very quickly. It was 84 today and we even had the AC on because the humidity was so high, but that is all supposed to change tomorrow. And we’re also supposed to get rain tomorrow! That’s exciting. Everything is so dry here. 

Here we are a half an hour before the polling place opened for early voting last Friday. It was our second attempt to vote last week. The first time we went, the line was about 4 1/2 hours long! This was along one side of the building and there were two more lines in the front. All in all, it took over two hours to get to the front door and maybe another half an hour to get the ballot to vote after that. But, we have voted and it’s done with. I will be so glad when all of the negative campaign ads from both sides are off of the TVs, radios and videos. We did have a great time while we waited in line chatting with people. It was all very friendly and jovial.

A group of seven of us met at our ministers house last night and we had a delicious chili dinner and carved pumpkins. After the photos were taken, we had homemade caramel sauce and sliced apples.

Lots of concentration went into the carving of these pumpkins.🎃

Here is Curt’s creation. It was supposed to be covering Angie’s face, but I didn’t quite get the shot the way I should have. He hollowed out a gourd and used half of it for each ear and another gourd for the nose. I wish I had that kind of imagination.

Here are all of our pumpkins lit up and lined up. Some of us only did one and some of us carved two. The one in the bottom row on the far right reminded all of us of one of the M & M faces! And look at Amanda‘s beautiful sunflower on the other end of that row. Mine was the boring one with the circles on the bottom row. It was supposed to look like a luminaria, but it just looks like a pumpkin with a bunch of holes in it!😂

Here is a close-up of Curt’s troll pumpkin.

And here is everyone holding our pumpkins, except for Dennis, he took the picture. Bottom to top: Me, Dennis’s cousin Curt, our pastor Jeff, his wife Angie, Amanda, and Curt‘s wife, Barb at the top.🎃

And to finish with the holiday theme, here is Piper dressed in her costume for Halloween. Can anyone guess who she is? She adores Taylor Swift, and that’s who she chose to dress up as this year. Lizzie is her Swifty, as Taylor’s fans call themselves.😂 I think she did a great job. That wig is something else isn’t it?

And here is the progress for this week on Piper’s sweater. All I have left is to finish is the shawl collar that I’m working on now. It needs to be about 6 1/2 inches wide, so I have a ways to go. Then I need to sew some ends in and it will be finished. I keep telling her I’m going to put a brick on her head so she’ll stop growing. She’s now wearing an adult size small, which is the same size that Mom wears. I took the sweater to Mom’s today while I was visiting her and knitted on it for several hours while we waited for the doctor to arrive. She wanted to try it on and now she wants a sweater too! It never ends. 😂

I guess that’s it for this week. Dennis and I got our flu shots on the way home from church on Sunday. I was surprised that for the first time in as long as I can remember, I didn’t get pretty sick from it. The worst I had this time was a small headache and a few aches before bedtime that night. I just took some Advil when I went to bed and woke up fine yesterday. Dennis’s arm was a bit sore during the night, but that was it for him too. We’re very thankful for that.

I hope you all have a great week. If you’re here in the US, don’t forget to vote. I’m praying for a calm and civil election process. I do miss the old days of elections where we went and voted and found out that night who was the winner and everything just carried on from there as normal. Please be kind and loving to everyone you meet. Always remember that God loves each and everyone of us.

Blessings and love,

Betsy

I Will Sing The Wondrous Story

I will sing the wondrous story
Of the Christ who died for me
How He left the realms of glory
For the cross of Calvary

Yes, I'll sing the wondrous story
Of the Christ who died for me
Sing it with the saints in glory
Gathered by the crystal sea

I was lost, but Jesus found me
Found the sheep that went astray
Raised me up and gently led me
Back into the narrow way

He will keep me 'til the river
Rolls its waters at my feet
Then at last He'll bring me over
Saved by grace and victory

Yes, I'll sing the wondrous story
Of the Christ who died for me
Sing it with the saints in glory
Gathered by the crystal sea