when we see you, we find strength to face the day.

praise is rising, eyes are turning to You
we turn to You
hope is stirring, hearts are yearning for You
we long for You

when we see You we find strength to face the day
in Your presence all our fears are washed away, washed away

Hosanna! Hosanna!
You are the God who saves us, worthy of all our praises
Hosanna! Hosanna!
Come have Your way among us
We welcome You here Lord Jesus

hear the sound of hearts returning to You
we turn to You
in Your kingdom broken lives are made new
You make us new
when we see You we find strength to face the day
in Your presence all our fears are washed away, washed away
brenton brown - hosanna (praise is rising)

i remember the first time i heard this song
i was at a women's leadership conference in ontario with my mom, theresa and ellen
i remember how the song was new but the words were my own

last night we were singing it at our practice for tonight's service and i realized that the first time i heard it, the first verse of this song resonated with me. i was praising and thankful for the hope Jesus gives us. for what he had in store for me, to give him all my praise!

and now i've realized that it is the last verse that resonates with me. my heart is returning to Jesus. our lives have been broken... at church i think we actually sing "broken hearts are made new" and that is true for me too. our lives and hearts have both been broken... but Jesus wants to make them new! he has been making them new. losing Jay was the hardest thing that could've happened but Jesus has not left our side. would i ask for that kind of pain again? NEVER. am i different than before? yes. Jay's life has changed mine! i will be forever grateful for the things i have realized and the ways my eyes have been opened. Jesus works thru our pain. not to justify death and sadness, but to show himself as faithful through it.

on another note, i am very thankful for the friends i have. last night we went to matt and shaunas, ate eggo's and watched sytycd. i am very thankful that we have lots of places to relax, be ourselves and enjoy fun, conversation and also talk about whats all going on in our lives.
and.. i miss jo! we're talking about maybe going to visit there in the fall or winter.. but i'm thinking it will probably end up being winter.. we shall see!