I had the pleasure of taking a beautiful vacation filled with beautiful friends and family for a week and a half. I have so missed the joy of traveling and exploring new places and new things. The thrill of not knowing where you are going next and allowing yourself the freedom to change plans at a moments notice.
I started out my journey after finishing 2 shows and set out on a 17 hour drive with my dear friend and sister Jenny. We took turns driving through the night. We laughed alot and talked about life and where the Lord is taking us on our journeys with him. We encouraged one another in that quest for a deeper relationship with Christ. After hours and hours of driving and little bits of sleep as we could catch them, we finally made it to Lancaster, PA.
There I had the joy of staying with 2 dear friends who I worked and lived with in Tennessee,Wally and Andrea Calderon. I got to hold their sweet precious baby girl and catch up about life and how far we had come since out time at the Miracle theater. Those conversations continued as I met with even more friends from the Miracle Rachel and Daniel Stargel and Mary and Chris Bergamo. What an awesome privilege to celebrate with each other and what the Lord has done in our lives. The celebration continue as Chris and Mary drove me back to Wally and Andreas house. I think the thing that most impacted me is that fact that these friends are truly friends that will last a lifetime. I love each of them so much and know that, just like we did this visit, no matter how much time has passed we will always be there to celebrate and encourage one another.
The next day we made it into New York City and I got caught up, as I always do, in the hustle and bustle of that City. The sea of people surrounding me all on a mission to accomplish some task or errand. The smell of food carts and the sounds of street musicians filled the air to enrich this melting pot of culture and talent. The drive of this city is almost palpable. It makes my heart race!
We did a bit of shopping and although there were moments during that day, and the whole time I was there, that reminded me of my past, I had the privilege to see it through new eyes. New eyes of freedom from hurts that had once been experienced there. Praise God for delivering me and giving me sweet reminders of my freedom.
One of the sweetest reminders was getting to see the beautiful Anna Kelly, who has stolen my heart. What an awesome example of God being in the details of my life. I had been planning this NYC trip for months and just happened to start a relationship with Anna, who just happens to live in NYC, and this visit just happens to be in the middle of our time doing long distance before she comes back to Branson and work at Sight and Sound. Coincidence, I think not. I am finding that every time I see Anna for the first time...I have to catch my breath. Sappy, I know, but very true. I am always blown away by how beautiful she is and how that beauty is all the way to her core. It is such a precious gift to be in a relationship with her and I cannot wait for her to get back here to Branson!
Enough sap for now. I had so much fun exploring the city with Anna. We got to see Newsies on Broadway and to sit and share that moment with her is one I will always look back to. The show itself just brought my performing spirit back to life. It lit a spark in my heart that I felt had died or was at least very dim. To see those amazing talented performers doing what they love and giving it everything they have was inspiring. It challenged me to do the same in what I do. I started to feel the tug of the city calling me to come and audition and make it on the great white way! To pursue my passion for performing! The desire I have had for so so long to move there and make it.
I continued on my vacation journey to Vermont for a few days to enjoy my dear family up there. I never leave Vermont without feeling relaxed and rejuvenated. My aunt and uncle are probably some of the most hospitable and giving people I have every known, and I got the pleasure to spend 4 days with them. From awesome food and delicious wines, to great museums and farmers markets, I got to enjoy every ounce of my visit. To spend time out by the lake reading and enjoying the beautiful creation I was surrounded by. To climbing a mountain and siting and enjoy the view at the top. I was blessed indeed by the time to reflect and relax.
After all that travel and some amazing conversations and challenges I came back renewed in my desire to seek the Lord in my life. To make his desires my desires and to make bringing glory to his name my first priority. Weather that is in my interaction with friends and family, or with how I use my talents and abilities. I want to use the spark that was giving back to me by the talented performer on Broadway and bring that back here to Branson. Although I would love to move to NYC I know that for now that is not where God wants me. So, my Broadway is Branson, and my performance might not bring me Tony award, but I can challenge myself to be the best I can be in the role I am in. I can make an effort to allow the holy spirit to move in my performance and impact the way I do what I love. It is a gift that is not my own, and I have the pleasure of sharing it wherever he takes me.
So, now I sit at home with my sweet Charlie Dog, and I await what lies ahead for me. One step at a time, moment by moment. Thankful for the blessing he has so richly given me. Prayerfully holding the gifts he has given me with an open hand. Gifts or talents and relationship and family and asking the Lord to be in the center of all of it. To protect and make each bring Glory to him. Humbled that he loves me so well.
