This is ME Monday (ummm...Tuesday)-Week 3

Week 3: What is your favorite hymn and why?
This is really tough for me because I absolutely LOVE church music!  I love it to death!  I love Primary songs and hymns.  It's kind of funny to me that that this topic came up this week because of a conversation I had with our Primary President this week.

We were sitting in the back of the room taking care of some business and I was just singing along during singing time.  I just couldn't help myself   Our Primary President looked at me and asked if it was strange to me to watch singing time rather than leading it.  Honestly, it is a little strange.  I led the music in our ward's Primary for almost 6 years!  It is hands down, the best calling in the church!  I absolutely loved it and I would NEVER hesitate to go back to doing it.  I do like being in the presidency, but there is something about those Primary songs that really touch my heart.

I definitely don't have one favorite hymn, but I do have some definite favorites.

Here are my Top 10, in no particular order:

I Know That My Redeemer Lives-Who could not just LOVE this song!?!  What a perfect arrangement and the words pierce my soul.

There is Sunshine in My Soul Today-A song filled with joy!  I literally sing this some days just because I am filled with joy!

Because I Have Been Given Much-This song is very tender to me.  It reminds me of what I have and waht I need to give.  It also reminds me to not overlook a single one of my blessings, no matter how small they may feel.

I Need Thee Every Hour-I sit at the piano and quietly pay this sometimes.  It helps me to feel peace when I am having a particularly rough or emotional time.

Count Your Blessings-I have been teaching this song to the boys and we really like it a lot.  It is a great song to march to.

Have I Done Any Good?-I gave a talk in church about this not too long ago and it really helped to remind me that everything I do needs to be in His name and I need to remember that I am standing as a witness to His at all times, and in all things, and in all places.  I need to make sure that each day I can say that I have done some good.

Teach Me To Walk in The Light-This song has been one of my favorites since I joined the Church   I memorized it at EFY, the summer after my senior year of high school.  I had just been called as a Nursery Assistant and I was really scared because I didn't know anything about Nursery or Primary (I had never even been in it as a child).  The second verse really touched me and I have continued to sing it almost every day since then.  I sing it to my babies every night.

Now Let Us Rejoice-I really thing the biggest reason I love this song is because I like to play it on the piano. I love the Hymns Simplified book!

Redeemer of Israel-A beautiful Hymn that is earth moving when a large choir of men sing it!

True to the Faith-Nothing like a good upbeat song to confirm your beliefs and call you to action!

I add these ones at the bottom because they remind me of something special that I never want to forget.
Onward Christian Soldiers-Grandma's favorite vacuuming hymn!

If You Could Hie to Kolob-James can play this on the piano, he learned it on his mission

Lean on My Ample Arm-I came home from church one Sunday when I was about 16 years old.  I asked my grandma what "ample" means.  She said, "Sufficient, or Fat"  From that day on we can't help but giggle as we sing "Lean On My FAT Arm"

My Favorite Primary Songs (There's 11, I couldn't narrow it down any more):

I'm Trying to Be Like Jesus-I love to hear children sing this song

Nephi's Courage-I Will Go!  I Will DO!

When I am Baptized-The imagery is perfect.  Alex is learning this on the piano now.

"Give" Said the Little Stream-This song makes me smile

I Feel My Savior's Love-This song is like a warm blanket being wrapped around you.

My Hands-My absolute favorite song to get out the wiggles

I Love to See the Temple-A gentle reminder of where we need to work on going

We'll Bring the World His Truth-Gives me similar feelings as True to the Faith!

On a Golden Springtime-The most perfect spring/Easter song

This is My Beloved Son-The gentle words of our Father

Samuel Tells of the Baby Jesus-Probably my favorite story from the Book of Mormon (we are actually reading it right now!).  I have a fond memory of this song.  A few years ago (almost 5!) we were invited to sing in our town's Hometown Christmas Celebration!  We were super excited as it was a huge honor.  This is one of the songs we sang and it was beautifully received.  The kids worked so hard to get it right and it gave me goosebumps to hear them sing it.

Okay, so obviously I love music as this has been my longest post I think.  My favorite scripture about music is:

Doctrine and Covenants 25:12-13
    12.  For my soul delighteth in the song of the heart; yea, the song of the righteous is a prayer unto me, and it shall be answered with a blessing upon their heads.
   13.  Wherefore, lift up thy heart and rejoice, and cleave unto the covenants which thou hast made.

Music literally completes me and is definitely a part of who I am.