It's her birthday!!!

My dear friend Elizabeth turns 17 today and I wanted to publicly wish her a very happy birthday. :) She is such an amazing friend, always leading me back to Jesus. I don't have much time to say anything right now, but hop over to her blog to wish her happy birthday. :)

And She's a Freshman {Again}

Friday, one of my bestest friends walked down the aisle and accepted her diploma from her parents. It's so hard to believe that she finally is no longer a highschooler, but instead a college freshman.

Over this past month and a year, we've made so many memories. Our friendship began in the midst of a rough time for her, but it really built our friendship upon Christ.

Let's see, my favorite memories include:

• praying together backstage before each AGYG show... and about every hour during those weeks.
• Writing out verses on torn notebook paper and leaving them in random places
• long talks on the phone over the summer
• looking for sea glass along the shore of Lake Michigan for hours
• being in Fiddler together!
• those really long practices where we both didn't want to move and did anyway.

•  The way we can look at each other from across the room and tell the other's emotional state
• Getting paired together in the Chava dance and being each other's "best friend" on stage as well
• All the tears we've shared, all the pain we've endured, all the laughter, the smiles and the fun that has all come from Jesus Christ.
• The extra special bond we shared on closing night...

Katherine, 
I've loved having my freshman year blessed with the friendship of you. You never fail to make my day, make me smile, make me laugh. My life has been forever changed because of you. And you know that words will never express how much you mean to me. 
Love always, 
Sunshine

Have You Been Waiting?

Have you been sitting on the edge of your seat, waiting for news about Fiddler? I know, I've been a little lax in posting about it.

I think it's because the experience was, in general, so awe-inspiring, Christ honoring and just plain amazing, that I haven't been able to put it to words. I'll definitely keep trying- because I want a written record of the beauty that was Fiddler.

And pictures! You knew I'd have some. :) These are my cast party pictures, when we were all try to stay calm and know that we really would see each other again.

Katherine and I, with a Frisbee game in the background

Montanna and I- isn't her haircut adorable?!?

Annalise

Abby-Doodle and Anna and I ... they are some of my dearest, closest friends.

Naomi was a daughter with me, and we had so much fun together.

Mrs. M.- Whitney- and I. She was one of our choreographers and she did an amazing job.

With Whitney's younger sister, Brye

Our devotion Committee, minus Asia. These people were my prayer warriors, my partners and my friends. Yeah, I miss them.

Standing in the shadows of the cross

I'll put my other pictures in order soon.

Just Send an Arrow Through My Heart Already

Source: Uploaded by user via Lindsey Marie on Pinterest

Cataloging Life

I've started carrying my camera around more. It sounds so simple- so easy. and it is. I mean, it takes a second and a half to clip my camera case to my belt loop.

and yet, that extra second and a half allows me to capture little moments that I might miss otherwise.

No, my pictures aren't perfect. Sometimes they're blurry and sometimes they turn people's faces yellow.

But they always mean something. They always carry a memory, they capture a moment in time.

Whether it's the feeling of my friends' arms around my waist, or the girls' excitement about milkshakes, every moment is worth the memory space it takes up.

I'm cataloging life.

And that is truly bliss.

A Prayer Surprise

I sank to the step, my stomach churning in the darkness of the room offstage left. I couldn't figure out why I felt so strange, and I could only ask the Lord to take away the ache and pain to let me perform this show at 100%.  People walked in and out of the room- staying quiet as to not interrupt the ongoing show. I heard steps and ignored them, but this time- they stopped.

"Hey Lindsey? Are you okay?" The masculine voice caused me to look up and I saw Andy standing there. Smiling weakly, I explained that I wasn't feeling very well, but I'd be okay. Looking at me straight in the eye, he asked "Well, is it okay if I pray with you?"

"Of course," I murmured and he took a seat beside me and placed his arm around my shoulders. His voice was sincere and strong as he called upon the Lord to heal me and keep me strong. When he closed, it was all I could do to get out a heartfelt "Thank you" as he left to make his next stage entrance.

Why did it surprise me that someone would care enough to pray with me? Truth hit me as I realized that this should not be a rare occurrence, that when something is wrong or someone is hurting, the natural response should be to pray with them.

I've prayed with people before, but it's not always my first response. Andy has inspired me to not hesitate to take someone before the Lord. Will you let him inspire you also?