Has It Been A Year?

One year ago.  That was the last time I blogged.  Today has been pretty chill so far and for some reason, I wanted to go back and read some of my old posts.  When I did, I saw that the last post I wrote was April 9, 2015.  Remember those days when I blogged at least once a week?  I never thought I'd be a blogger but for those of you who didn't know me a few years back, I did so because it was the best therapy for me after Dave passed away.  I didn't know how else to express my grief and pain and even though I've never been a strong writer, I felt so much better after each post.  Now, I don't blog hardly at all but once in awhile, I like to take the time and update people on where my life is going and how I got there.  

Some things haven't changed much.  I'm still full time at Universal's Super Star Parade and monkeying around in the jungle BUT I've gotten to try some other things as well.  I got cross trained into Despicable Me's unit last year and that's been so much fun!  I always love the days that I get to "brat around" with Edith and give the minions absolute hell :) again, not much has changed lol.  Another new thing I got this year was animated trainer for parade.  I train all our new animated friends before they go in to dance rehearsals so they have an idea of what character choices to make in their dancing.  That's always a fun time because the new hires are always so eager to learn and you can tell they really want to be there.  I'm not sure what my long term goal in the company is but all I know is I love working for Universal and I'm beginning to have the courage to branch out and try new things so we'll see what happens from there.  

Speaking of branching out, I got to do more performing outside of parade last year.  Since I've been getting more involved at First Baptist Orlando, I decided to audition last August for the drama ensemble in their annual Christmas show, The Singing Christmas Trees.  Even though the directors didn't know me from a sled dog, they cast me and gave me a chance.  That was just what I needed to take that next step into feeling more like a member of such a huge church.  I met people of all ages and have become friends with a few of them (and who doesn't love more friends?) And I understand why people look forward to doing that show every year, it builds community with the creative arts ministry at our church and it gave me a nice distraction from all the hustle and bustle of the holiday season.  Plus, I got to ride a freakin motorcycle onstage!  Don't freak out, I wasn't the one driving it and we were given permission by the fire marshall to do it lol.  It was pretty awesome, probably the coolest thing I've ever done in a production.  So add that to more community and new friendships and you can imagine I was pretty bummed when we wrapped up, especially because I forgot how much I love performing on the stage.  So much so that the creative juices began to flow again and I started praying that God would provide another chance for me to be involved in another production.  I remembered after Christmas had passed that a dancer at church told me about a show for the Orlando Fringe Festival that her friend was directing and said I might be perfect for it.  That specific audition never happened because somehow, I ended up stumbling upon another audition for a different Fringe show.  Which leads me to............

I don't even remember where I first saw that Summit Church was taking a show to Fringe, all I know is I saw it somewhere online.  I attended Summit back in college but never really got involved in the community so I didn't know what to expect, especially in their arts ministry.  But all I knew at the time was I needed to get my face out there again and see what would happen.  So I went to Summit and auditioned for an original musical called The Road to Zamboria.  Out of about 50 people, I only knew one person in that audition room so it was pretty intimidating.  I kinda stayed towards the back while the directors spoke to us, though that didn't work because several people came up and talked to me :) I wasn't sure what to expect when the audition was over but I thought it went pretty well.  It must've gone VERY well because the directors (who like our church director didn't know me at all) emailed me a few days later and gave me the lead!!  Of all people, they chose me for some reason :p so there was my answered prayer for more performing!  I knew it was going to be a big time commitment and who knew if the people in the cast would even like me?  However, I took that leap of faith and let me tell you, it was the right choice!  It's been a challenge to create an original character and not have ANY past performances to refer to.  I've never done that before, but it's pushing me out of my comfort zone and it's changed my way of thinking when it comes to making character choices and how to portray them.  And I get along great with the cast and crew, they've accepted me and brought me into their circle and it's been wonderful making new friendships with all of them :) again, who doesn't love new friends??  And not only are they so kind and welcoming but we've got some major talent in this cast!  Actors, directors, composers, writers, everyone is so passionate about what they do and that's why being a part of this process has been great.  We open in about six weeks when Fringe begins so keep your eyes peeled for dates :) 

I also recently starting worship leading for the children's morning services at FBC.  Through connections from Trees, I was contacted by a few people who were looking for volunteers to commit to a couple of Sunday mornings each month to help the kids' praise team lead worship and I immediately said yes.  Not only because I love helping lead worship but I also love working with kids who are into the arts and are potential future leaders.  In my experience, I have found that kids who are in the arts are often there because it's their choice and that's what they love and choose to do.  And it always takes me back to when I was a kid that loved to perform and how much knowledge I gained from my teachers and leaders so I hope that by the grace of God, I can eventually be that same kind of leader for them.  I know working with kids can either be wonderful or insane and thankfully, working with this group is nothing but the former!  And on top of that, they listen to all of their teachers and directors and are so focused when we rehearse that I can't help but have respect for them.  

Obviously, I have no problem keeping myself busy and occupied these days but during my down times, I do think about where I am now compared to where I was three years ago.  It was around this time three years ago that I wrote my first blog post after losing Dave and I wrote about how I didn't know what my next step was and I was just waiting for God to show me what to do.  I still don't have all the answers and it's never fun to think about that time of my life.  I've said this before and I'll say it again, it has been getting better each year!  Again, I know there will always be bittersweet moments, no matter how long it's been because there is no avoiding that.  But I've changed so much over the past few years and it wasn't just Dave's death that changed me, it was also through other experiences that God allowed me to have these past three years that have shaped me into who I've become.  I'd like to think that I've become much  more laid back and not as worrisome.  I still get stressed out like every human but for the most part, I feel that my faith has grown so much and with that, I'm getting a better idea of who God has called me to be.  Being surrounded by fellow Christian performers helps me grow because that's a basically my identity in a nutshell and they inspire me every day. 

So with my (most likely) one blog post this year, I'll first say thank you for reading this jumbled entry (again, not a writer).  But more so, thank you again for those of you who are still in my life and those of you who have recently come along and deal with this crazy ginger :) I may not always say it but I love all of you and how much your presence in my life shapes me into a better person.  To God be all the glory!!