Hallelu Yah

Little known fact: At Wake, I would lock myself away in practice rooms in Scales (the fine arts/music building) with the intention of practicing piano or piccolo, but my most often activity would involve turning on my favorite song, Hallelujah, and singing it over and over again. Hopefully you are familiar with the song- it goes through a series of Biblical allusions or just direct references, and with each, there is some negative or disheartened emotion and yet the chorus resounds with "Hallelujahs". Literally translated Hallelujah breaks into Hallelu (praise) Yah (Yahweh God) and so it results in a joyful praise and boast in God. (definition courtesy of Mary via wikipedia). And so my favorite song reminds me that at all times to praise God- in times of confusion, in times of joy, in times of frustration, in challenges, in victories- in all times. 

This past weekend I ventured up to Philly to visit Mary and the Mission Year Team of North Philly as well as college friend (and musketeer), Jeff. And it was amazing. (I mean, how could times with friends be anything but amazing?) And it's funny, because my arrival was less than ideal and yet, I didn't even care. When I arrived, it was pouring rain, absolutely pouring. My things were soaked and my umbrella was doing very little to keep me dry, so as I made my way to the sub station dripping wet and soaking through, I wore a smile big as ever, because I had arrived. Hallelujah. Unfortunately, the metro was flooded, and I was forced to wade through 6 inches of an awful colored mucky water to get to the metro. But I was en route to Mary, and didn't even hesitate to continue through the pool! HALLELUJAH! Mary and Emily and I spent Saturday afternoon at Rittenhouse Square, where we sipped the ninth best coffee in the nation (as according to USA Today) from Joe's, and then enjoyed each other's company while chatting, story-writing (verbally) and people watching in the park. Hallelujah. Additionally, we rendezvous-ed with my dear friend David, from high school which was wonderful!

The weekend came and went full circle, when I left Philly to head to Jersey to visit Jeff it was once again pouring rain. But I got to see where he grew up, went to school, worked, etc. We got to enjoy each other's company and fail at geocaching. (Which quite honestly, is almost as fun as succeeding at geocaching in this case). And despite all the rain it was a perfect day. And somehow, Jeff managed to get me to the bus with 6 mins to spare, even after I made us leave late and we got caught in rough rush hour traffic. And to all that, I say Hallelujah. 

This weekend was full of new friendships, and friendship building, as well as just genuine time and joyous celebration of already existent friendships. 

One of my favorite parts of the weekend was on Sunday night, my last night with the North Philly group, while we sat around and Mary broke out her ukulele and we sang a mish mosh of wonderful songs. And the last song of the night that we sang before the group separated for bed- well, I can't even use an adjective to describe it. It was perfection. And thank goodness I had the thought to record it beginning mid song- 

Sunday Night Song Link

Now, this performance is far from perfect, which is what in and of itself makes it perfect to me. It reminds me that in life, sometimes we fall flat (pun intended) and we can rely on those we love to pull us back up. Sometimes in life we fail individually, and sometimes we fail collectively. Sometimes we step back so others can shine, and sometimes we step forward to shine, not to put others down, but to support them and guide them when they can't rise with us. And most importantly I am reminded, that regardless of what else is going on, regardless of our circumstances, regardless of how we feel, we can at all times find joy by boasting in and praising an ever-loving, all-knowing God. 

Hallelujah. 

Rachel