insomniac on an ipod

There's no way I can sleep right now...too wired, too jumpy. Tonight was our first performance of "The Promise." The adrenaline is still flowing.

It doesn't help to listen to TobyMac on my little iPod shuffle...especially "Turn on the Ignition" from the new Portable Sounds CD--a great album, but not good for resting one's heart rate. About 99% of the songs I put on here are for the sole purpose of keeping me jogging / power-walking / elliptical machine jammin', so they aren't exactly relaxing.

I don't usually listen to music while blogging or writing, way too distracting. But I have songs from the musical in my head that I want to LEAVE NOW, so I'm desperate.

Here's some visual images from tonight -

1. Taking the scissors to my "bleeding woman" costume to look more raggedy

2. Oooohing and Aaahing over baby Jesus. He's about 4 months old and very handsome.

3. Waving to Aaron up in the "tower" where he does spotlight.

4. I grew up on a farm, but I've never been very up close and personal with lambs. Tonight I watched them back in the "tent" where we hang out outside between scenes. I thought about the many sacrificial lambs that came before Christ bled once and for all. I never realized how vulnerable and tender they are. Their cries sound so much like a baby's cry. I can't imagine what it would have been like to have been a priest, hearing those cries endlessly.

5. Kneeling behind Christ as the bleeding woman, grasping his garment, waiting for his arm to lift me to my feet. My voice shaking, catching. After the song, I turn around and hug my friend Karrie and breathe, breathe, breathe.

6. The crucifixion scene. We sit close to the cross and the pounding of the hammer shakes me to the core. I can't watch when they lift Jesus and the cross into the platform; the whole stage shakes when it is put into position. Praying people will come to this cross...not just observe this scene...

7. Oh, praise the Lord for the empty tomb. Praise God for hope. The special effect fog was a little much tonight - that smell brings back memories! Thought of Lakeview Wesleyan from my IWU days, the "Arise, My Love" song where that lady always started the song with her funny accent, "Not a woid was hoid / at the tomb that day..."

Ah, now I've got a little Etta James on the ipod to chill me out. I'll just check a few more blogs before bed!

Practice, Practice, Practice

I have been at church every night for 3 nights now, practicing with a large group of people for our upcoming musical, The Promise. It's an amazing presentation of the life of Christ, starting with his birth and ending with his ascension.

We have 7 performances and this Friday is the first. I play the part of the woman who touches the hem of his garment, or the bleeding woman, if you want to be technical. I sing "In the Name of the Lord" as Jesus heals several people in the crowd, and then at the very end, I make my way to him, touch his robe. He reaches for my hand and pulls me up. Very emotional! I pray I can make it through it without blubbering and crying...

Deep Theology with a 5-year old

I love to hear Gregory's thoughts about heaven and God. The other day he said out of the blue, "When I get to heaven, I'm gonna ask Peter if I can hold his sword." He obviously thinks Peter is still carrying around the sword that he used to slice off a soldier's ear. Hmmm....

He has also reached a stage where he asks some pretty tough questions. For example,

"How old is God?"

"Why don't angels die?"

"When is God's birthday?"

And this was just one car ride home...Lord, help me.

My $.02

Alright, alright, here we go. Season 6 - American Idol. Let's discuss.

It's been criticized for being boring this year, which I think is a little sad. Just because there's no Kellie Pickler or Bucky, America thinks it's boring. What I think we have are some actual normal people! Nice people!

One of my favorites is Blake Lewis, who I think is going to go farther than people think. He started as the "beat box" guy, but his voice really took me by surprise. He's got a really smooth, unique tone that I like. I'm looking forward to hearing him do a ballad; I think he'll hit a homerun with that. He's also very smart about his song choice and how to sell it.


Oh Lakeisha, Lakeisha, Lakeisha. This girl had me at hello. Does anyone remember that night she did "And I Am Telling You" from Dreamgirls? I thought I'd just about pass out. She is in another category entirely. It's like she stepped off Broadway and decided to do American Idol.

Then, this week she did "God Bless the Child" with such class and elegance...she is one smart lady. Didn't oversing it, like so many did that night. I just love watching her perform. She's confident without being cocky. So quiet and shy when Ryan asks her questions.

The only problem is if I watch the show too late into the evening (we usually tape it and watch later on), I can't sleep. I'm so tense and wired from watching the performances. I need to read for about 20 minutes just to calm down. Pitiful, I know.

My worship pastor told me the other week that he had read that Chris and Phil are both worship leaders at their churches back home! I thought that was interesting...

It's a Sandwich

When Aaron and I were hanging out in Pittsburgh, we ate lunch at this cool local place called Pistrami Bros. I think I totally just butchered the spelling, but oh well. The sandwiches had fries in the middle - a nice little heartattack in a basket.

Aaron really enjoys it when I snap pictures of him eating.

Ah, the luxury of enjoying a meal at a leisurely pace with someone you love. It is a small pleasure I have taken for granted. We must do this again sometime soon.

Sacred Ground

You are looking at pictures from the field where Flight 93 went down on 9/11/01. When we were in Pennsylvania, Ashley and I took a short road trip to find this place. It was only about 45 minutes from where we were staying.

I was amazed at what a sleepy little area of the country this is. You are driving through middle America, country roads, and then there you are - right in the middle of history. You drive up a hill and as you crest, your eyes are drawn to flags and a cross in the middle of an empty field.

The benches you see were handmade by area students and include the names of those on the flight.

The wind was so strong and the snow was whipping Ash and I in the face as we tried to take pictures. The very first picture on this post is the actual crash sight. The memorial is about 1/4 of a mile away from where the plane actually went down. So if you're looking at the picture, it's the area right before the tree line.

Words don't really do justice for this place. It is holy. A great battle between good and evil ended here. You can feel it.

By 2011, an incredible national monument will be built, but for now, this is where we remember how America redefined herself.

Back from the Getaway

The last time Aaron and I were away together for more than one night was back in 2005, when I was pregnant with Jonathan. It was time! We met up with our good friends, Patrick and Ashley, in Pennsylvania, where they now live. Aaron and Patrick hit the slopes while Ash and I shopped, got pedicures, and drank hot drinks. :) I'll post more about our trip after I unpack and do the laundry!! Much love and thanks to my mother-in-law for staying with the boys (and surviving being snowed in for 2 days...)

Here is where we stayed - Seven Springs in Champion, PA