Joy is...

Joy is an intensive, good practice even after this.

Joy is walking and talking with her during our breaks.

Joy is the beautiful plants in bloom.

Joy is seeing three dear friends at Pizza Hut.

Joy is banana chocolate chip muffins, fresh from the oven.

Joy is having watched all five since 8:30, and having it be a good day.

Joy is getting to see EJ, Josh, Jenna, Elizabeth, Breanne and Brooklyn in Beauty and the Beast tonight.

Joy is also getting to see Veronica, Anna, Katherine and Annie tonight.

Joy is the knowledge that Jesus has provided for our needs already, we just have to wait and see what He has planned.

At this moment, what is joy to you?

Mrs. P

Yesterday was much more difficult then I would have imagined.

We all knew something was up, when the full HPA staff called our full cast to together at 10. I mean, most of them were supposed to be at Beauty and the Beast, which opened that night. and when Mr. G and Mrs. B got up there and then couldn't say anything for a moment, the tension only grew.

The short of it, our assistant director, Mrs. P along with her daughter Christina, have had to drop our show. We had a very emotional day, lots of tears from everyone, getting to hug them one last time and lots of prayers.

Mr G read us 1 Peter 5:6&7 after he told us the news and it reads

Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time. Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you. 

We are trusting that God is going to lift us up. We need His help right now. With only two practices left until Tech week, these final days are critical. and Mr. G can't do it alone.

Please be praying for our entire Fiddler cast. There was a gaping hole yesterday, both in the practice and in our hearts. Healing takes time, and we don't have much of it.

Mrs. P and her lovely daughter, Theresa. ::photo by my Veronica-Girl::

Mrs. P- This is my public acknowledgment to say thank you for being such an influential person in my life. I have been so touched by your kindness, your brilliant smile and your sweet words. Thank you for living for Christ through everything you do. I miss you so much already. HPA won't be the same without your shining presence. I love you.

No More {on being a chameleon and a brief review of Monumental}

Source: livedoor.blogimg.jp via Haro on Pinterest

For way too long, I was a chameleon.

It started back years ago, when I was the quietest, shyest girl you could have imaged. It was easiest just to agree and nod. I mean, if I said what I thought- people might actually notice me, they might scorn me. And I couldn't do that, could I?

But recently, I've took a stand. It's come slowly, starting with the little things at HPA.

Why, no, I don't listen to ____.
No, I doesn't really have an interest in watching ____.
Actually, I hardly watch any tv at all.

Even going to Christian school for K & 2-3, I was always the conservative one. I didn't watch the popular movies. I didn't even use the "s" word (stupid) or other words that I shan't mention on here. I stuck out as the girl who hardly said anything, and thus, I didn't have many (any?) friends.

And still, HPA isn't perfect. and I'm still the conservative one. But the funny thing is: I don't mind anymore. I get sad sometimes, wondering how things could ever work out, but I'm okay with it now. I have an amazing group of friends who - even if they don't agree with me on a certain topic- still love me and accept me for who I am.

Example: That new movie, the one hitting box offices all over America, Hunger Games. At our house, it hasn't even been talked about. Kristin and I have no interest whatsoever in watching people slaughter each other. and paying for it? This is the stuff that we race to find the off button on the remote for.

And is it God honoring? What about "You shall not murder?" What are we supporting with our time, with our money and our lives by watching something like this?

And a few days ago, I took a huge step and actually told someone why I didn't like The Hunger Games, why I wasn't planning on watching it, and where the Bible says it is wrong. No, my words didn't flow smoothly, yes, I stumbled, but it was good. I had peace about the whole thing.

And then last night, my family went to watch Kirk Cameron's Monumental. It was amazing. Such a beautiful picture of what our country used to be and yet horrifying how changed we have become. One of my favorite quotes would have had to be:

The Congress were the first to print Bibles in the United States and do you know what they were for? The schools. Congress wanted to get the Word of God into the hands of families and students all over the country.

Go see this movie, people. If it's not showing close to you, you can demand it come to a theater close to you here.

Let's show Obama that Christians are more then people who sit around and go to church occasionally. We care and we want change. Not healthcare, but positive change. We want liberty and justice.

We want to be able to worship our God.

What are you gonna do about it?

Disney {2012}

We were in FL for a bit in February... Thus the reason why the blog was quiet for a bit. We hit Disney World for a few days and then went to my grandparent's condo to relax for another few days before heading home.

First picture taken there... Yahhh, for Mickey stickers! :)

yes, we had a need.

It's a Small World!

Momma and I took the twins on The Blue Line Express while the others went on Space Mountain.

Tired out from our first day!

Eller girl

Ahhh, so pretty!

"Shooting" a bird. :)

And thus we left. :) More relaxing pictures next week.

Uninspired

 I've been feeling particularly uninspired over the past few days.  My writing has drooped.

I have material, I just can't get it typed out into this little white box. 

And so I make a list of things I will post about soon. 

• Our vacation we took in February
• An update on my Momma
• Hard anniversaries
• Sunday afternoons spent with friends- bringing so much joy to a heavy heart.
• My final Wonka post
• Stretching to new places
• Lessons from a cup of Hot Chocolate

and probably more. you can bet there will be some random pictures too. because my creative juices are pumping and it's time for school now. :)

But I'll leave you with this picture of my gorgeous baby sister. I can't believe how big she is!

see?

Just Read

So do something for me, will you?

Get up and grab your Bible. and maybe a pen.

and now open it. Something like Philippians or Colossians or Romans would work well.

Find the button on your computer that causes the screen to go blank.

And just read.

(You might have to use that pen.)

Absorb God's words to you. He wrote them for you. He died for you.

I think you can spare the time to write a Letter He wrote.

And you might just find yourself crazily, incredibly blessed by it.

Have a good weekend, folks.

The Desires of Your Heart

See this girl?

This is Anna- one of my closest friends. Ever since our beloved HPA announced that they were doing Fiddler, we wanted to be in it together. And when she was cast as a momma and I as a daughter, we mapped out the perfect family in our heads. It might have included each other. :)

But I have learned that "awesome in your head" plans don't usually come around. In fact, it's very rare that my super ideas "come true."

I'm a dreamer. and I'm okay with that.

I was in FL when Mr. G assigned everyone their families. Families were strange this year, I think the directors tried to mix us up because there aren't many friends together. True, Anna only had two sons- and no daughters- but I was pretty sure that we wouldn't end up together. and I started preparing my heart for that. 

Two weeks went by. I jumped with two eager feet back into HPA life. All through practices and choreography Anna and I pretended to be family- but we knew it wouldn't last. Soon I would be assigned a family and our dreaming would over. I was assured at every practice that Mr. G "had a family for me, he just couldn't remember who it was right now."

Until last Thursday. He called for us to get in our family group and sent me to Mrs. P to find my family. I stood there as she searched, wondering if I should suggest, but knowing that she would probably turn it down. I was slightly anxious, but content. 

She finally found the paper and I resisted the urge to find my name. "Okay, Lindsey... let's see. You're with Chase and Anna."

I think my heart momentarily stopped. 

I lifted my head, eyes full of shock. "Really, Mrs. P? Really?" She grew confused, "Yesssss..."

I spun around, found Anna's eyes. I nodded. Stepped closer. Murmured out "For reals." (not really sure where that one came from. :P)

All of a sudden, we were jumping up and down and squealing and doing our hyper routine from the days of AGYG. I don't think I stopped smiling the whole day long.

Texting her on my way home, I thought of Psalm 37:4

Take delight in the Lord, and He will give you the desires of your heart.

 And as I'm sitting here, He brought to my mind Matthew 7:11 as well.

If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him!

I feel so blessed to have received such an amazing gift. It was something I dreamed, plotted, schemed, but I didn't really think that anything would really happen. It brings to mind one more verse.

Jesus looked at them and said, “With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.”

 :)

{And on another note, it's kinda her birthday today. HAPPY BIRTHDAY MOMMA!!! I love you so much. I have been so blessed by your sweet spirit, your caring words and your prayers. So many memories... remember the sprees? and hyper mode? and the best weekend sleepover? You are one of the most amazing friends. ever. period. I hope you have a wonderful 17th, tell Davis to make it extra special, k? And remember, your parents will be home soon. You can make it. only 5 days left. I LOVE YOU!!!!}