Story Behind the Hymn #3- Be Thou My Vision (and a meme)

I've been a follower of Christ for 36 years, but when I first heard this ancient Irish hymn about 20 years ago I thought it was brand new. You're probably saying "Where have you been". I just now read here how old it actually is (find hymn story), estimated between 400-700AD, during a time of great Irish missionary endeavor. I love the words to this song, I wish I really did have such commitment and abandon for the One who has rescued me, as we are instructed to in 1Peter 1:15-16.
If you choose to click on "listen" you may want to bring up another tab to put the lyrics on and sing along (unless you already know the verses). Sorry, I don't know if I'll ever be computer savvy enough to have it already here for you on my blog.

I was also tagged for this meme by Mimi's toes back on January 7th.

7 things you don't know about me (with an extra one thrown in)
1. I used to want 10 kids, and I admire large families. After my first childbirth I didn't want any more, until 2 years later when I thought 4 would be nice. But I waited 7 years to have my second. After that I wanted 1 more -later. I waited too late, I had to have a hysterectomy at 35.
2. I can't take the heat of summer. I think I might trade for winter instead, but my favorites are the mild temps of Spring and Fall, and the smells - ahhh.
3. I once scared a dog away from attacking our dog by putting myself between them and hissing like a cat, as loudly as one can hiss, and spreading my arms to make myself look big. The dog gave me a confusing look and backed away.
4. I don't make friends easily. Partly because I'm not a talker (so people think I don't like them), and partly because I'm afraid of people seeing my faults when they get to know me.
5. I don't like coffee, black tea or cola. I do like herbal tea, and occasionally a non-cola soda. I mostly enjoy water and 100% juice (especially fresh apple cider).
6. I had pets all through my childhood, from turtles to rodents to dogs (usually one at a time) so when my parents said we had to get rid of a stray dog we had for a week I got angry and said I was going to have a house and yard full of animals when I got married. My mom said "trust me, you won't". How did she know that? It's teenagers that know everything!
7. As a teen I would sneak out my bedroom window at night and walk down our street. I just enjoyed the quiet and dark. I only did it a handful of times til some eerie distant noises in the wind spooked me and I never did it again.
8. When Christ made me His child at 16 and my life was completely changed after reading John 3:16 (for the hundredth time in my life) I didn't know what was happening to me because, though I had heard of people living for God I never knew what "born again" meant and having a new life completely changed. I never sought this and I never "prayed the prayer" I just knew that I had a stronger love for Jesus with such a gratitude for His sacrifice like never before and wanted to learn about Him non-stop and how to live my life for Him and not me.

These are the blogs I'm tagging to do the 7 (or more) things you don't know about me. Please go to see their blogs.
Aimee @ c'est vrai - check out her cute knitted cupcakes in her November archive, she also has yummy vegan dishes.
Angie @ Sonflower - I've just started going there and find her very down to earth, and love the photos scattered through her archives
Barbara @ Ramblings From an English Garden - I especially enjoy going to her "labels" in the left margin and viewing her photos of The Cotswolds, and Sunsets