Why I May Occasionally Burst into Song . . .

I just watched the Oprah episode about The Sound of Music, and I cried like a small child.  I cried because Julie Andrews is one of the classiest women I've ever seen.  I cried because she can no longer sing any more due to a botched surgery.  I cried because the grandchildren of the real von Trapps sang Edelweiss.  I cried because there's something magical about a group of people singing, dancing, and bringing joy to the world for 45 years.


I am an avid lover of musical theatre (and yes, I like the snobby spelling of "theatre" instead of "theater." Judge me.  I dare you. :) ).  If you've known me for longer than 5 minutes, you have probably figured this out.  I cry at every single production of a live musical that I've ever been to, whether it's a children's show, comedy or tragedy, whether I've seen it 16 times or one.  I find it to be such a powerful form of art that is indescribable in how it can connect with people.

I've been involved with theatre for about 17 years now--over 3/4 of my life.  It was clear that God really got me involved with theatre because it wasn't in my plan for me at all.  I've always been one with a plan, even at a young age.  I had my heart set on becoming a gymnast, and I knew just how to make this happen.  

By the time I reached kindergarten, I had been taking gymnastics for 3 or 4 years.  My coaches wanted me to move up to the next level, but that meant practice four times a week for one hour or two times a week for 2 hours.  I couldn't handle that--it simply made me too tired.  I remember Mom suggesting, "Hey, you like doing plays and stuff.  Why don't you try doing that Christian Youth Theatre that Leah does?"  (Leah still is a family friend and is also an amazing photographer. Check out her work here: Soul Fusion Photography ).  I started my first grade year with Spiritual Twist Productions/Christian Youth Theatre--check them out here: STP/CYT.  

Look how cute I was that first year:

I'm the little one in green sitting on the floor.  You know, the one whose bangs start at the crown of her head. And who looks like she's 7 going on 35.  Oh my.  Bless my heart.

Sorry, back to the point.  

CYT became majorly important in my life.  It was essentially my second home all throughout my growing-up years.  While other kids have their sports teams, I was developing my theatre family.  We practiced, performed, prayed, sang, danced, ate, laughed, and cried together.  I spent hours upon hours with these folks, especially during the final two "crunch weeks" before shows opened.  God brought so many amazing people into my life through CYT.  I have been mentored by the director, as well as made friends with some amazing people.  One of my favorite people in the whole world, Abbe and I met when we were 5 and 6 in CYT and have remained close ever since.  We share everything--including a brain--and it's so great to know that she'll always be there for me.  God provided an amazing group of friends who have truly shaped the person that I am today.  

I love the theatre, but I love CYT the best because it is theatre that does what I believe all the arts are intended to do--honor God, the ultimate Creator and Artist.  I am currently blessed to also work with Charlotte Christian Theatre Company, a group begun by a former CYT family who have relocated to the Charlotte area.  It is such a privilege to get to know these kids and work with them.  I hope that their friendships will grow, develop, and edify them just as my CYTers did for me.

I think the arts are a powerful medium, and I love them for that.  I am so blessed to be allowed to do what I love, but for a purpose that is so much bigger than a round of applause or the acclaim of man.  

Galatians 1:10 says, "For am I now seeking the approval of man, or of God? Or am I trying to please man? If I were still trying to please man, I would not be a servant of Christ."  

My performances, my work as an assistant director, and my work with students are only done out of a desire to please an Audience of One. 

So, if you see me burst into the song, remember that I've got greasepaint in my veins and take it all in stride.  :)

Whiter than Snow

I seriously love musicals.  Later this week, I'll tell you more about how this all came to be--how a once slightly shy girl became a teenager who sang solos and danced and how that teenager grew into an assistant director who makes a complete fool out of herself on a regular basis.  But for now you'll have to trust me when I say this:

I. LOVE. MUSICALS.

Now that we've got that settled, I believe we can move on. :)

One of my favorite movies of all time is White Christmas.  It's good to watch all year through, but it's especially magical to watch it at Christmas time.  

There's something just so wondrous about the combination of Bing Crosby, Danny Kaye, Vera-Ellen and Rosemary Clooney singing, dancing, and wishing for snow that can't help but make me excited.  Seriously, it's a glorious movie--check it out.

This year for the first time EVER, the weathermen predicted snow on Christmas.  A White Christmas.  My White Christmas.  I waited all day long for the snow to begin.  

Pacing back and forth between the recliner and the window.  Compulsively checking weather.com to see if any precipitation had arrived yet.  Talking back to the weathermen on the news who were reporting snow in our local area.  Looking out the window like a 5 year old.  And all day long, I saw nothing.

At 11:00pm, my patience was wearing thin.  I wanted my white Christmas--I had my heart set on it.  Just as my mom was getting ready to go to bed, she checked out the window for one final peep.  She looked at me and said, "It's started."  Please realize that by this point, that was about the 5th time someone has told me it was snowing.  I was jaded, folks.  Jaded.  I said, "You better not be kidding me because that is absolutely not funny."  "I'm not," she replied.  "Come see."

I peeked out the window and sure enough--snow!  Coming down on Christmas.  MY white Christmas.  Just like at the end of White Christmas, the snow came when there was almost no time left.  I tried to capture the few flakes that were falling on camera:

  

Okay, so it doesn't look like snow, but it was there.  Promise.

The next morning I woke up to a phone call from work saying we were closed due to weather.  I then peeked outside to see TONS of snow.  Mom sent me on a trek to take some pictures outside while everything was pristine.  Here are a few--

This would be my view as I was walking down my driveway.

Beautiful, picturesque.

"On the street where I liiiiiiiive."  Didn't I warn you that I loved musicals?

Yes, I did stick a ruler in the snow to see how much we got! :)  

Welcome to my backyard, otherwise known as a winter wonderland.

The trees were amazing when you glanced up into them.

Snow is lovely.  It's pure, it's fresh, it's delightful.  It blankets the world and makes it seem new.  Rob Bell, when discussing the relationship between experiences in the physical world and the spiritual life, says in one of his books, "This is always about that."  That seems like a ridiculous statement upon first glance.  But Bell's point is that everything we see here in the physical world isn't really about this.  It points to something much larger--a spiritual truth.  As I wandered through the snow this morning, I thought of this song:

"Whiter than snow.

Whiter than snow.

Jesus will wash you whiter than snow.

Though your sins be as scarlet,

Your wrongs He'll make right

When He washes you snow white"

~ "Whiter than Snow"

The anticipation of snow, the cleanness, the joyous feeling when you see it.  This is really about that--the feeling of redemption and newness through Christ.  As you're seeing inches and inches of this laying about, remember that.  Take note of that feeling of freshness and purity.  Be reminded that's what Christ provided for each of us--the ability to become whiter than snow.