Life Update

Life here has been pretty...

Insane.

It really has been a crazy few weeks, so I felt like it would be a good idea to give you a quick update on my life. Especially since I don't actually talk about my life all that often on here.

I feel as though a lot is changing, yet staying the same. It's as though things around me are changing, but I'm still right where I was before. It's strange.



This week I am in the middle of wrapping up a play with the community theatre I'm involved with. (River City Players, and the show is called A Night at the Theatre.) Therefore, I have been practically living at Port Cape the last few weeks (and clinched the four-square mayorship of the historical bar) and haven't had a whole lot of time for much else other than work. It's been stressful at times - but the cast is hilarious and we've had a blast with the performances so far. If you're in the area come see it! It will be weird next week though when rehearsals have come to an end and my nights are suddenly free.

Auditions for the next play are coming up in a few weeks, and I'm still undecided about whether or not I'll audition. I can never stay away from the theatre for too long but my summer is going to be pretty busy.

Then my crazy summer is up ahead. Most people see summer as a fun and relaxing time. Not for youth ministry! Fun? Yes. Relaxing? Not so much. Since the youth are all out of school, that means my schedule is jam packed with trips, VBS, impromptu ice cream trips, and other activities we can't do during the school year. Hopefully I'll have time to blog, but I might be looking for another 30 day challenge to keep it going.

My place setting for the wedding-
I sat at the Wicked table!

Two weeks ago I went up to Chicago for a few days to be at my friends wedding (which you all know). It was such a great trip! I was really glad I could get up there and help her with her big day. It was good to see so many of my old college friends and see what they are up to in life. It's amazing to see where everyone is now compared to where we were a few years ago. Also, I know I promised you a video blog about my favorite wedding memories. But, my camera's memory card ran out of room as I was recording. So I need to finish that up.


Then, just before I left for Chicago I found out my roommate was moving out. (Thankfully while I was up North I was able to have some great conversations with people about life, my worries about my now former roommate and my future one, etc. It helped me A LOT.) My mom asked me the other day if it was any different now that she's gone... and it's really not. (Other than the absence of her cats - and that I am NOT complaining about!) My roommate worked nights and was a student. So when I was in the apartment most of the time she was either sleeping or in class. We saw each other sometimes, but not all that often. The only other difference is that I am paying all of the bills on my own this month. Boo.

Did you know that roommate searching is a pain? It's really hard to find someone good and that you'll get along with. I've done two interviews with people already, and I have at least one more coming up. It's going to be strange this summer having someone new pop into my life. I'll keep you all updated on that situation.

Last week I went up to St. Louis and had to say goodbye to a lot of people. Every month during the school year I go up there to meet with other ministers in the area. A lot of the people in our little group are now leaving. I'm really happy for them because God is leading them in new directions. It's just sad to see them go. We've all become really good friends over the last few years (some of us all started ministry at the same time) and I'm going to miss them a lot. Thankfully there's the Internet so we'll be able to keep in touch. I'm curious to see what our group is going to look like come September.

Then, the most exciting thing (at least in my opinion) that is happening is in 10 days...

I'M GOING TO NEW YORK!

It's only for four days, but I am so excited. I have never been there before and I'll be able to see my first Broadway show. (Newsies - squee!!!!!!!!!) I'll be going with a friend from Chicago and we'll meet up at the airport there in NYC. We don't have a whole lot planned yet (working on it) and for someone who spends her summers planning every minute and detail of youth trips, I'm a little nervous about not really having an itinerary. I have to keep reminding myself that this is a VACATION and not a youth mission trip. It's okay to not have everything planned and ready to go 3 months in advance. It's going to be such a great experience and I can't wait. Pictures will be coming, I promise!

My tickets for the show! I'm the king (er... queen?) of New York!

What's strange about all of this is that I've had a wave of peace come over me the last couple of days. I think it's because of the busyness. I know that's the "wrong" answer. Most people say that you need to take time to smell the roses, slow down life because it's sweeter and simpler that way, etc. And it's true. However, I think when I have too much "down time" on my hands I get restless and agitated. When I'm busy, I usually am busy with things I enjoy. Theatre. Spending time with people. Helping others. Catching up with old friends. Hanging out with my dog. Then when I do have my down time, I appreciate it so much more and I can really reflect on what is happening in my life.

The book I'm currently reading.

The last few weeks I've had glimpses of myself, a self that I've really missed. For awhile I wasn't reading (a schocker, I know), but I've been able to get back into my books and favorite characters. I've felt more free to talk to God lately. Before my first roommate interview He and I had a good long talk as I drove there - something we hadn't done in a really long time, and it felt so good. I'm finding that I'm wanting to dig back into the Word more than I had before. I'm spending more time listening to my favorite musical soundtracks instead of the local radio stations. My fingers are itching to write more fiction lately.

I have a feeling God is doing a lot of changing in my life and in the lives around me. I don't know why, or what He's changing, but I can feel it in the air. Maybe it's my friends moving, people getting married, the great roommate search of 2012, or my upcoming trip to NYC. But I just have a feeling God is changing things.

I just have to be ready for the ride.

What's going on in your lives? Any big changes?