Music, Theatre, The Arts --#3 on the list

Ok so now that I have a list... I figure I should share how they all pan out.  Just so you know right off... they will not be in the same order as my original list, as I want to document them as they develop.  First off we have #3... My passion for Music, Theatre and the Arts...

There I am sitting with my feet cross cross applesauce surrounding by about a hundred kids all anxiously awaiting the start of The Sound of Music rehearsal..What am I doing here??  I thought to myself.  What am I thinking?  I look to my right and there sits another mom I had remembered from the first workshop.  That day she was there keeping her 5 year old company to help her adjust to a new experience.  I had introduced myself to her daughter those weeks ago... "I am doing the show too...And this is my first time too. It will be fun!"  I then briefly attempted to persuade the mom to do the show too.  At first she said in disbelief. "REALLY??? You are doing it too!"  (This is the pretty common first response. ) Then she claimed there was no way her schedule could fit something like that in, but did say it sounded like fun. "You should do it with me..." I had said.  She looked at me like I was a little crazy.

Well there she was... She was just as crazy.  Another friend of hers had joined also. So there we were....3 moms surrounded by a hundred kids. And yet... as we sang and crawled on the floor and pretended to melt like we were ice cream and admitted we were in the 40th grade or something like that.  Every time I looked over at them they were grinning and I know for sure a smile was plastered on my face the whole time.

So, right along with those kids I sang with all my heart "Do a deer a female deer,  Ray a drop of golden sun, Me a name I call myself, Fa a long long way to run, So a needle pulling thread..." Crazy yes... Crazy FUN even more so!!!  So what will I be doing in the show you ask?  Not sure about the lead parts yet... but I will for sure get to wear a habit and sing monastery chants in 3 part harmony,  I'll be a party goer and part of the Salzburg Festival.  That's a least 3 costumes. That's enough to keep this theatre nut totally content.  My kids were placed in groups too and of course we are all split up.  So this should get pretty interesting and... No! there is no way this will be a "boring" experience.

I have to admit.  I was almost as proud I had convinced someone else to join my craziness as I was with the experience of living theatre again.  Hmmmm.... it will be interesting what God does with this crazy idea.  Whatever I do... I plan to do it to His glory.

God in Heaven,
I praise you and thank you, Lord, for giving me the gift of music. For a voice that rings out with the joy of worship.  For a heart that soars along with every chord and for the desire to use my abilities to glorify you.  Thank you for this opportunity to fulfill a dream that began in me so many years ago.  A dream I believed would only come true in heaven.  May you bless all that I say and do to represent you and the gifts you have given me.  May there be many opportunities for me to bless others through this show. Thank you that you have uniquely made me who I am.  Thanks for giving a couple of new friends to journey through my crazy ideas.
In Christ holy name,
Amen

Update: In early November, I had the great honor of playing the role of Mother Abbess in the Sound of Music.  It was an extremely challenging part.  With 44 lines to memorize my mom brain was pushed to its limits and 3 solos, including Climb Every Mountain which challenged the highest part of my vocal range, I was pretty overwhelmed.  For about 3 weeks I was a brooding artist, barely eating or sleeping, living with my lines next to my bed so I could sleep on them...During rehearsals, just about every bit of stage fright I have ever known was in full force.  Yet, 2 times I went out on that stage and sang my heart out, successfully delivering my lines and brought the audience to tears on my last performance.  It was a God delivered experience, beyond my wildest imagination.  22 years ago, I left the stage in my last role as Brigetta, one of the Von Trapp children in this very same musical.  That girl, would not have believed I could Climb the Mountain and return to the stage at age 40 to continue the passion for theatre that had begun to long ago. To God be the Glory!

Turning passions into plans...

If you haven't noticed I have not stopped in to write in quite a bit.  I have un-expectantly found myself at a loss of words. What you say? You??  I know... weird huh...  I am no longer in the place of turmoil I was when I began writing but I still am not completely grounded.  I am drifting a bit.  I seem to have broken down so many walls and have left many boxes that have entangled me.  I am finally feeling free of it all.  Yet I do not yet find myself with a clear purpose or direction.  "Can this really be it?"  Seems like a question that I keep bringing up.  I have every reason to be happy, content, full. I have a great house, great husband, great kids, great neighborhood and an even Greater God.  So much to thank Him for... yet... how do I say this..."Is this it?"  This is the American Dream, no?  hmmmm....I must be missing something.  I find myself a little bored actually and can't really say my passions are taped into regularly.... Then again what am I really passionate about??
Ok... enough drifting... let's start with what I do know... my passions.  What makes Kelly "a sapphires and faded jeans girl?"


1. My relationship with the Lord and seeing others grow in their relationship with the Lord.
2. Art... enjoying it, creating it, giving it 
3. Singing, Theater and Music... listening to it and creating it
4. Travel and all the planning that goes along with it
5. Good education for all children... rich in content, creatively and passionately taught
6. Befriending young people and watching them grow into their unique talents
7. Deep friendships that I can share my heart with
8. The outdoors... enjoying the quiet, taking in the beauty


Since this is who I am... let's make it happen.


1. Find a summer bible study or start one.
2. Commit to regular scrapbook night.
3. Join a theater group... This one I have already done... I am signed up to perform the Sound of Music with my girls this fall.

4. Research a new travel destination beside St. Barts. Anyone who knows me well knows I'm a bit stuck on that place. Explore starting a travel assistent business.

5.  Education... take my kids and their friends to museums and other educational activities this summer.
6. Purposefully seek out some of my girls' friends to mentor and have friendship with.
7. Continue to spend time regularly with girlfriends.  Call at least one good friend every day.
8. Plan a camping trip to the great outdoors, bring a friend along.  Incorporate outdoor activities into date night once it warms up. Go to the beach weekly. Go hiking this summer with the girls.


Ok.. Let's start there and see what happens.
What are your summer plans....Do they incorporate your passions,  your joys? Does your summer reflect who you are?  I plan to be me...with no apologies. "Girl, get your record... sing me your favorite song... just go ahead let your hair down... sapphires n faded jeans.. I hope you get your dreams... just go ahead let your hair down... your gonna find yourself some how... some where."  That's me...