I Stand All Amazed

I've done it! I have two more hymns to add to my list of memorized ones (which happens to double my number of 2 :P) I've got (my most favorite one EVER... it holds a very special place in my heart) "Teach Me To Walk In The Light", "I Am A Child Of God", "Lead, Kindly Light" and "I Stand All Amazed" down not exactly perfectly, but totally downnnn. :D

I went to the temple today and went through just about every page in my hymn book (don't worry I didn't like actually read every word to ALL the hymns... mostly just the titles :P) and chose some of the ones I want to memorize and internalize and find true love for... preferably by the end of summer, but you know, all things take time, especially the things that are worth the most.

And yeah. Another thing that has been on my mind lately is my Issues Paper for my Wrtg 150 class I'm taking this term. I'm researching reasons as to why BYU should have a GLBSA (Gay Lesbian Bi Straight Alliance). I think it's a more than reasonable idea to provide a support system based on chastity, charity and education that will be for everyone of any sexuality. I firmly believe that anyone struggling with any trial big and small, be it  getting along with roomies to gossiping too much to harboring negative feelings toward people to recovering from substance abuse to avoiding pornography to same sex attraction, can successfully live the honor code here at BYU, and be great active members in the church and positive role models for those around them.

I've reflected, because of this paper, and hymn-singing, and scripture study (and well, basically just kind of living my life from day to day, thinking about the past, planning the future, and living in the now), about how GREAT God's love is for all of His children. I realized I was reflecting upon this when I was recently writing in my journal and thought I'd share it with the interested people who follow my blog.

Here it is:
     Ashley [one of my amazing co-workers] has taught me to master I Stand All Amazed and Lead, Kindly Light, and it was super great singing today at the bakery :D... I'm really happy I get to practice things like hymn-singing at work. Yeah.

     I’ve found that my writing of this research paper on GLBSA has been a great testimony builder for me and helping me to better understand the Atonement of Christ. Between reflecting on that paper and memorizing and internalizing “I Stand All Amazed” I’m gaining so much understand of Christ’s love, and how fully His atonement covers all of my sins, all of the sins of my family, my friends, and everyone on an individual level. It’s mind-boggling, confusing even to understand His grace and his love, and that He would save me, suffer for me, and then multiply me times a few billion and then some, and suffer all of that pain… in one night in the garden of Gethsemane. I truly do stand all amazed… well I guess sit right now, but yeah, it’s so great, it really really really is. I am a child of God, and He loves me so much, the world so much, every single one of His children so much, that He sent His Only Begotten Son, Jesus Christ, to save us all individually, and how charity—the pure love of Christ—succeeded and He successfully atoned for our sins. It’s truly amazing. So truly amazing.

So yeah... that's a little part of my testimony of charity, and the power it has to help shape and SAVE our lives. Also, i guess if some of you don't know the lyrics to "I Stand All Amazed" I figured I'd put them in here :D

I stand all amazed at the love Jesus offers me,

Confused at the grace that so fully he proffers me,

I tremble to know that for me He was crucified,

That for me a sinner, he suffered, he bled and died.

Oh it is wonderful that He should care for me enough to die for me!

Oh it is wonderful, wonderful to me!

I marvel that he would descend from His throne divine,

To rescue a soul so rebellious and proud as mine,

That He should extend His great love unto such as I,

Sufficient to own, to redeem, and to justify.

Oh it is wonderful that He should care for me enough to die for me!

Oh it is wonderful, wonderful to me!

I think of His hands pierced and bleeding to pay the debt!

Such mercy, such love and devotion can I forget?

No, no, I will praise and adore at the mercy seat,

Until at the glorified throne I kneel at His feet.

Oh it is wonderful that He should care for me enough to die for me!

Oh it is wonderful, wonderful to me!

It is truly a beautiful hymn :D

This is my favorite work of Carl Bloch. I literally cried every time I saw it at the exhibit in the Museum of Art here at BYU when I saw it a few weeks ago.