So I woke up this morning, completely determined to be very active in some quality solitude. 1) I wanted to go for a hike. I really didn't care where or what time, I just wanted to hike outside, in the woods, just God and me. 2) I thought a coffee shop might sound nice.
My schedule got pushed back because I realized that I needed to clean up the room in which I'm sleeping before randy taught a voice lesson later in the day. So I drove toward the only place I'd ever really been hiking in Nashville, which was "coincidentally" in the same direction as the coffee shop I was preferring on this particular day.
I decided to turn toward the park for a hike. I did not see the park as I drove by...it's been a few years, so I figured things could've changed. But I didn't turn around. I was very content with just driving, totally confident that Father was directing me, and would provide gas funding.
I drove for a while...even had to choose to turn R or L at one point, but sort of subconsciously chose R (really, it was the Spirit). I began to consider turning around when I saw a sign that read, "Hidden Lake Park {{{arrow pointing L}}}. And I thought, "I knew I was being directed." Not a minute up the road, there it was, the park. Quaint, but with a very visible walking trail. How loving was that of Father, right??? I got to walk on this wonderful path with a lovely stream that pretty much ran along the entire path. Just when I was considering stopping to take it all in, I looked ahead to see a bench - the first one on the trail! So I sat. And I wrote some poetry that I do believe the Spirit sang to me. Then I chose to put my journal away and head back. Right after I started walking, it started sprinkling. And I even ran a little bit - which I wasn't able to do yesterday. Obviously Father was prompting me to turn around and return because He knew the rains were coming!
Once I got in my truck and started driving, the shower got heavier. Supernaturally perfect timing, I do think so! Once I was in my truck and it was raining, I was texting and stuff....just kidding! Duh. ; )
I thought it was a really tender time, and it was so encouraging. It was the perfect timing for all of it. There is NO way that it wasn't all led by a perfectly loving Father. : )
Short Trip Back Here
So I journeyed back to Nashville yesterday because I made sure I could be back for a rehearsal last night. Half way here, I got a message informing that rehearsal had been rescheduled for Monday. Since I was already half way here, I chose to keep on so that I can see Randy in The Three Musketeers because I won't get another chance to see it. So I'm back in Nashville, but I will be headed back to Cincinnati either tomorrow or Tuesday. We'll see how this cold goes. If the cold I have is still making me groggy, I will wait until later in the week.
So I was praying about going to help a dear friend in Virginia who is needing a little extra help in her home . The drive is pretty far, and tickets aren't the cheapest. So I prayed, "Father, if I am to go help, please provide the money because I do not have it to spend." Within a few days, I received a message from a beloved sister in Christ, asking if there was anything I needed (specifically regarding money). At this point, I did realize that I was running very low on money for myself, but I believed the Spirit was saying, "I am providing for the trip." Thanks to the love of our Father through a sweet, amazing woman of faith, I now have a plane ticket to Charlottesville, and I will be headed there on March 24th!
YAY!!!!
So I was praying about going to help a dear friend in Virginia who is needing a little extra help in her home . The drive is pretty far, and tickets aren't the cheapest. So I prayed, "Father, if I am to go help, please provide the money because I do not have it to spend." Within a few days, I received a message from a beloved sister in Christ, asking if there was anything I needed (specifically regarding money). At this point, I did realize that I was running very low on money for myself, but I believed the Spirit was saying, "I am providing for the trip." Thanks to the love of our Father through a sweet, amazing woman of faith, I now have a plane ticket to Charlottesville, and I will be headed there on March 24th!
YAY!!!!
Must Lose It To Find It
Well God's timing and ways are so beautiful. A couple of hours after my last blog, I checked my account...the unemployment back pay (about which I was given the impression I would not get) for 7 weeks had been deposited! How loving of Him, right?? O me of little faith.
I had such a fun night on Saturday. We had dinner at Lauren's, talked, sang and danced to karaoke in the living room. What a great way to spend the evening!! Bethany was here too, and that was amazing. Those two girls are two of the greatest people in my life. It honestly never matters how long it's been since we've seen each other, it's like no time passes.
Another really sweet thing Father did for me: the other day, I noticed that my body doesn't adjust to many hours of dancing as easily as it used to, and I thought, "Man, I could really use a massage...but I don't know of anyone that I can ask to massage my shoulders...It'd be really nice, but I really just can't afford one. It's not really something I need, I guess...it'd just be really nice to have some of this immense tension alleviated."
Well I started talking to one of Lauren's friends at the party, and I found out that she is almost done with massage school, has been told that she's really talented, and gave me her card so that I can get a free massage next week!! He's a really good Daddy. :)
I just found out that the wedding at which I'm singing in May is actually in Destin, not Cincinnati. So I'll be in Destin, FL the weekend of May 14th!! Wahoo!! I've never been. And I'll be staying at a beach house. Holla!!
I send my love to all of you, confident that the Lord is working out His will in you.
I had such a fun night on Saturday. We had dinner at Lauren's, talked, sang and danced to karaoke in the living room. What a great way to spend the evening!! Bethany was here too, and that was amazing. Those two girls are two of the greatest people in my life. It honestly never matters how long it's been since we've seen each other, it's like no time passes.
Another really sweet thing Father did for me: the other day, I noticed that my body doesn't adjust to many hours of dancing as easily as it used to, and I thought, "Man, I could really use a massage...but I don't know of anyone that I can ask to massage my shoulders...It'd be really nice, but I really just can't afford one. It's not really something I need, I guess...it'd just be really nice to have some of this immense tension alleviated."
Well I started talking to one of Lauren's friends at the party, and I found out that she is almost done with massage school, has been told that she's really talented, and gave me her card so that I can get a free massage next week!! He's a really good Daddy. :)
I just found out that the wedding at which I'm singing in May is actually in Destin, not Cincinnati. So I'll be in Destin, FL the weekend of May 14th!! Wahoo!! I've never been. And I'll be staying at a beach house. Holla!!
I send my love to all of you, confident that the Lord is working out His will in you.
Tale of Two Cinci's
I am going to Cincinnati for Lauren's bachelorette party today. Seeing her is going to be so refreshing. To try and explain how blessed I am by her friendship would be the equivalent of an alto trying to sing "Glitter and Be Gay," which would be insulting to the ears. Human attempts are not adequate enough to explain just how much I love her.
I have gotten to my breaking point with trusting Father with my money. I know He provides. However, I am finally honest with myself and Him, that my lack of understanding is weighing on my emotions. And it's difficult to be unemployed. I do not like just waiting around. People say, "God helps those who help themselves." Well, that's not written in the Bible...anywhere. In fact, quite the opposite is written. I, as a human, do have a desire to make some type of income. However, God's part is to provide. My part is to trust. And I am asking Him for some type of income. But I also know that when I hear His voice, He is saying, "Wait. Let me take care of it." So I wait. I do not want to get a job just to get a job, making my source of provision something of my own effort. I want to allow God to lead me to the source of income that He knows is greatest for me. His ways are so much higher (Isaiah 55:8), and He satisfies our desires with good things (Psalm 103:5). His will is good, pleasing and perfect (Romans 12:2). However, I am also casting my cares upon Him by telling Him what is real in me, and what appeals to me.
It's good to finally cry over all of this. It's freeing.
I have gotten to my breaking point with trusting Father with my money. I know He provides. However, I am finally honest with myself and Him, that my lack of understanding is weighing on my emotions. And it's difficult to be unemployed. I do not like just waiting around. People say, "God helps those who help themselves." Well, that's not written in the Bible...anywhere. In fact, quite the opposite is written. I, as a human, do have a desire to make some type of income. However, God's part is to provide. My part is to trust. And I am asking Him for some type of income. But I also know that when I hear His voice, He is saying, "Wait. Let me take care of it." So I wait. I do not want to get a job just to get a job, making my source of provision something of my own effort. I want to allow God to lead me to the source of income that He knows is greatest for me. His ways are so much higher (Isaiah 55:8), and He satisfies our desires with good things (Psalm 103:5). His will is good, pleasing and perfect (Romans 12:2). However, I am also casting my cares upon Him by telling Him what is real in me, and what appeals to me.
It's good to finally cry over all of this. It's freeing.
Such fun!
I am blessed to watch young people perform their passions, free of charge, because I live in Nashville, where some of the most talented musical theatre students perform recitals, seminars...and then just perform all day, really. Heehee. It's endearing and refreshing. It also allows me to live in certain moments with a unique perspective and awareness.
Plus I am welcome to take as many dance classes as I wish. What an amazing blessing!
Friday, I went over to a friend's house. The husband of the couple was my math teacher at Belmont. He and his wife would often support me in various performances at Belmont, including Seussical, my junior recital, and Thoroughly Modern Millie. I had an extraordinarily fun time, and it was clearly appointed by the Lord. We not only had a blast playing games, but we had some really tender conversation as well.
On Saturday, I got to help Jessica Sebastian set up for Kate's bridal shower. I'm just so happily blessed and humbled that I got to be at the shower, which was so fun because Kate's family and friends are lovely!! They were pleasant, bright, and funny - just like Kate. And then Jessica and I had a blast being Jessica and Mallory...silly, giddy, loving. Such a refreshing weekend! Oh yeah! I also purchased my bridesmaid dress for Lars' wedding. I found one for less than $20!!! Pretty awesome, right?? I have thanked Father for leading me to the store He did, when He did.
So I got cast in Rent, which is not something within my comfort. However, I was absolutely at peace about auditioning, and it has led to some pretty amazing things since auditioning. My friend, Randy (the one with whom I am entering into a theatre mission), and I auditioned, which led to a meeting. During the meeting, the artistic director offered to let us utilize their smaller stage for our promotional cabarets. That's a huge praise because Randy and I had a pretty lengthy list of possible venues, but NDT wasn't even a consideration because we didn't have any ties to that theater...we did not even think of it.
I am going to Cincinnati on Saturday, to celebrate Lars' bachelorette party. I might be coming back on Sunday for a week, but if I don't, I'll be in Cincinnati for two weeks.
I had such a wonderful time with Pop Mundy today. Ugh, I can't even muster some type of description, it was supernaturally sweet.
I am really distracted in this post...hahaha...but I think it updates, at least. : )
Plus I am welcome to take as many dance classes as I wish. What an amazing blessing!
Friday, I went over to a friend's house. The husband of the couple was my math teacher at Belmont. He and his wife would often support me in various performances at Belmont, including Seussical, my junior recital, and Thoroughly Modern Millie. I had an extraordinarily fun time, and it was clearly appointed by the Lord. We not only had a blast playing games, but we had some really tender conversation as well.
On Saturday, I got to help Jessica Sebastian set up for Kate's bridal shower. I'm just so happily blessed and humbled that I got to be at the shower, which was so fun because Kate's family and friends are lovely!! They were pleasant, bright, and funny - just like Kate. And then Jessica and I had a blast being Jessica and Mallory...silly, giddy, loving. Such a refreshing weekend! Oh yeah! I also purchased my bridesmaid dress for Lars' wedding. I found one for less than $20!!! Pretty awesome, right?? I have thanked Father for leading me to the store He did, when He did.
So I got cast in Rent, which is not something within my comfort. However, I was absolutely at peace about auditioning, and it has led to some pretty amazing things since auditioning. My friend, Randy (the one with whom I am entering into a theatre mission), and I auditioned, which led to a meeting. During the meeting, the artistic director offered to let us utilize their smaller stage for our promotional cabarets. That's a huge praise because Randy and I had a pretty lengthy list of possible venues, but NDT wasn't even a consideration because we didn't have any ties to that theater...we did not even think of it.
I am going to Cincinnati on Saturday, to celebrate Lars' bachelorette party. I might be coming back on Sunday for a week, but if I don't, I'll be in Cincinnati for two weeks.
I had such a wonderful time with Pop Mundy today. Ugh, I can't even muster some type of description, it was supernaturally sweet.
I am really distracted in this post...hahaha...but I think it updates, at least. : )
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