Tuesday, May 27, 2008

THE MUSIC BOXES


The Swiss Chalet music box on the right of this photo is quite unique. It was given to me by my sister on my 16th birthday.She purchased it at a local gift shop here in the U.S. We have always loved European design and rightly so as I am of German heritage, and I was also born in Germany while my father served in the Armed Forces overseas. This music box is one of few things I still own from my childhood.

This music box plays the song “Edelweiss”…. Many of you remember this song in the movie The Sound of Music.

Edelweiss, Edelweiss

Every morning you greet me…

Small and white, clean and bright…

You look happy to greet me.

Blossoms of snow may you bloom and grow

Bloom and grow forever…

Edelweiss, Edelweiss

Bless my homeland forever.


How noteworthy that Stephen was born in Switzerland and buried on a day it snowed and that his life touched Kathryn to the saving of her soul…forever. A blossom of the seed of God's work. Oh and how happy one day he will be to greet her.

Also “Edelweiss means Noble and White…short lived.

The other music box is also very unique. We purchased it in a village we visited and it is the exact same size and making of the other. This one plays another special song…

“Go Tell It On The Mountain”


Go, tell it on the mountain..

Over the hills and everwhere…

Go, tell it on the mountain…

That Jesus Christ is born.


And this is exactly what we did…we told those around us on the mountain…about our Saviour, the LORD JESUS CHRIST.

When I look at these two music boxes, life seems to emerge from them. People that we knew in this small country of Switzerland. The life we lived there among them and the heartfelt belonging I feel.

The tablecloth represents the Swiss people. The colors, the designs and the costumes. I purchased this on a visit to the village of Gruyere. A village known for the delicious cheese made there. I use this cheese today in a recipe I was given while living in Switzerland and converted it well to American ingredients. I will share it with you at the end of my story! It is a family favorite and my husband calls it his “comfort” food for the warmth and satisfying taste it brings; it also brings back the memories of God’s goodness to us.

Psalm 34:8 Oh, taste and see that the LORD is good: blessed is the man that trusteth in him.

Little things in our lives that mean so much to us. Precious reminders of the works of GOD. Who would have ever known back on my sixteenth birthday that I would live in Switzerland…that this song would be so noteworthy…and that there was another little Swiss Chalet to be bought complimenting one another’s songs?

10 comments:

Pam--in America said...

Wow... that is so amazing how God worked that all together. From a time before you were even saved, he was already weaving the events of your life to make such a beautiful picture of his love and care in your life.

Oh, and I can't wait to get the recipe later.... is that a ploy to make us keep reading? ;) (not that we need one!)

HOPE said...

Isn't it!! I'm in awe over things like this...makes you realize that DAY BY DAY God is working in your life...in desire to save your soul..or work his good work in you in the little things of life!

Yea..even little people ;)

The recipe...mmm? maybe I should wait and put it in the published book! J/K

~~Deby said...

This is so evident to me that we serve a God of details.
What nice memories, Hope.
Deby

HOPE said...

AMEN Deby....that is so true..and it gives us such confidence in the knowledge of how GOD knows us and loves us....

with perfection!

Liz said...

It has been a while since I have been to visit your blog. It seems I have some catching up to do. I thoroughly enjoy seeing how God has worked in you and through you. Thank you for sharing something that is so personal.

HOPE said...

I wondered if you had been by...
Thank you for sharing your thoughts Liz...my whole purpose and desire is to encourage others in knowing the good work God desires to do in our lives and the amazing ways he does it and his faithfulness manifested.

I really appreciate your commenting and letting me know you were here.

God bless you ..and hope you are doing well?

TO BECOME said...

It just amazes me how the Lord works. There is proof all around us of His care for us and His direction in our lives.

I love the music boxes and I love the songs. I can hear them playing now. What security it must bring to you to see God's directing in your life each day.

My sister, on my sixteenth birthday gave me a braclet that had the ten commandments written on little metal tablets. To this day, it is one of the things from my childhood that I most value.

Thank you Hope again for this sweet post. connie from texas

HOPE said...

Connie..yes proof all around us! and how we desire that people would just open their eyes of faith and SEE the LORD!

To ALL my readers..

THANK YOU for being here!

Heather said...

I too love how the Lord shows His amazing handiwork in the smallest detail of our lives...if I don't look closely I sometimes miss the little things until many years later :) I love the music boxes...so beautiful!

Domestically Inclined said...

How precious these stories are to you. God is so good to give us testimonies of His love in our lives. I remember my mom had a music box with Edelweiss as well. I picked up a key chain with an Edelweiss blossom in it over 20 years ago while I visited. The song still has such meaning, which I'm sure you understand. Both my paernt's were from Germany and German was my first language. Did you pick up the language as well?