let's hear it for new york.

This post is about six months in the making. I've gone back and forth numerous times trying to decide if I wanted to share this with anyone. But seeing as how this blog is devoted to my many adventures, I don't see why I shouldn't fill you all in on this particular one.

Early this Spring, I got the amazing opportunity to travel up to New York City and audition for two shows: Legally Blonde and Grease. These would be two of four shows put on by Shenandoah Summer Music Theater at Shenandoah University. During my over-night stay in the Big Apple, I kept a "video diary" of thoughts and experiences. After combining them into a cinematic masterpiece, I now want to share it with you all!

I hope you enjoy getting a small glimpse into my time in NYC. It is definitely an experience I will not forget and I can't wait to go back again! But for now, sit back and enjoy!!

Here is a link to the Hostel I stayed in:
Jazz on Amsterdam - click here

hang on for dear life.

I definitely couldn't pass up the opportunity to share this photo with you all. Whether or not you're having a good day, this little guy will make you crack a smile.

 

How awesome is this?! I think it's an awesome example of how we often feel. We add more and more to our schedules until we're hanging on for dear life. I challenge you to find something you can let go of...and find something that makes you smile!

l'angelus.

I meant to write this post last week, but between afternoon naps and Madea movies I just haven't had the time. Anywho....

Last week, I took my first adventure to the Rockingham County Fair to see Michael W. Smith in concert. For those of you who are familiar with him, you know that he's had a great career as a Christian artist. And if you don't know anything about him, check here for his website.

I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but I found him rather..."ehhhh". Maybe I just like to move around, stand up, heck stay awake, during a concert. But maybe that's just me. However, there was one redeeming quality to this show! The band he had playing with him, L'Angelus, was awesome! (Pronounced Lawn-Jay-Loose)

 

They combine the best of Louisiana’s music traditions: cajun fiddle tunes for the dance crowd, saxophone driven swamp-pop, and New Orleans influenced R&B. The group, who are all brothers and sisters, hails from Lousiana. But have family ties right here in the Shenandoah Valley...how cool is that?!

Their high energy and intoxicating “joie de vivre” radiates from the stage. This is definitely a band you should check out in your free time. One of my favorite songs of the night was "Vive Le Bonne Vie", which means Live the Good Life! What an awesome piece of advice! To make your own judgement call, check out this video...enjoy!!

fireworks.

Do you ever feel like a plastic bag, drifting through the wind wanting to start again?  Do you ever feel so paper thin, like a house of cards one blow from caving in? Now, these words may not be my own, but for the purpose of this post, let’s just pretend they are!

It’s so easy to get swept away by our everyday lives.  We get involved in sports and clubs, relationships take up hours of our time, and as if that all weren’t enough, throw in school work and nagging parents.  When you stand back and look at it all, it’s normal to think that there’s absolutely no way around this mountain.

Katy Perry speaks of a “chance” that we all still have because there’s this magical “spark” inside of us.  Now, I don’t know about you, but it would be pretty darn cool if I could shoot fireworks out of my chest (check out the music video here and you’ll see what I’m talking about).  But let’s take a different look at those lyrics…

What if that spark was, in fact, the Holy Spirit?  What if just by calling out His name, the Lord could send out His “fireworks” in the shape of love?  If we “ignite the Light”, HIS LIGHT, then there is no possible way that the world would not be in awe!

Maybe the reason why all the doors are closed, is so you can open one that leads you to the perfect road.  You just have to remember that the Lord has laid out His plans for you.  Jeremiah 29:11 says, “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”

So when the world has you down and feeling like you’re not worth much, just ignite HIS light…

Leave those around you standing in awe under His magnificent display…cause baby, you’re a firework!

be a passenger.

This morning as I was attempting to clean out my car (Rhonda - you'll hear more about her later), I stumbled across a note from a fortune cookie. I put it in my pocket and didn't really think too much about it. A couple hours later, as I sat in my office, I pulled out the fortune and was immediately convicted by it's words.  Take a look for yourself:

 
Now, at first glance you may think, "Oh that's nice." But if you know me at all, you know that I thrive on having things all planned out and rarely do you see me not in control. 

Lately, I've been struggling with my upcoming move to a new job. I've been playing "keep-away" with God, trying to hold on to the reigns for as long as possible. I've been attempting to drive my ship on the course that I want to go on.

I am a huge believer that God likes to show off at times and that He enjoys watching us squirm a bit before He swoops in and knocks us over the head with a little bit of grace and compassion. This is exactly what He did this morning. Now I'm sure whoever typed up this fortune in a factory somewhere wasn't planning on me finding their note, but what I do know is that God ordained for me to find this little piece of advice at exactly the right time.

Psalm 55:22 says,

"Cast your cares on the Lord
    and he will sustain you;
he will never let
    the righteous be shaken."

This is definitely something I need to work on in my walk with Christ. I think it's something we can all use as a reminder. When we attempt to do everything on our own, we are doing nothing but allowing ourselves to grow tired and weary. when we cease drawing closer to Him, the stresses and tortures of this world give way to sin. However, when we decide to be the passenger, when we cast our cares to the Lord, He gives us strength and rest. He promises to use us to do great works, to see marvelous sights.

I challenge you today to be a passenger, and see what awesome adventure God takes you on! Allow Him to provide rest in the midst of trying times. As Carrie Underwood sang, "Jesus, take the wheel!"