Love my Job

Every other Thursday morning we have intern training here at the CPAF offices. Today I was inspired as Patrick talked to us about goals and biblical goal setting. Annaka and I talked about what we learned over lunch and discussed what our long term goals look like, and what we feel God has put on our hearts.
It's been exciting the past few years to see God focus my goal more and more. Discovering through the book "Addicted to Mediocrity" that He designed me to be an actor and that it was not only okay to follow that passion, but that it was a calling, was a very exciting moment. That was when I was in AmeriCorps four years ago. Since then pursuing acting in ways that will bring God glory has been the focus. God has provided for me again and again and taken me from New York to home to Mississippi to Indiana.
I'm starting to settle in more to my year here at CPAF. We were in church on Sunday and the Sunday School leader asked what our passions were. Realizing that my own personal calls were almost exactly the mission statement of the organization where I work was an awesome realization. I'm gaining valuable on the job skills in arts administration (arts admin. not my goal, but lets face it, it's useful wherever you are in the arts), working with a truly wonderful group of people, connecting with a ministry that will support me in prayer and study resources when I'm in the field, and growing spiritually.
I'm excited to see what happens through this year and I'll try to keep better updated on this blog.

A Very Rich Woman

Binker-what I call him-is a secret of my own,
And Binker is the reason why I never feel alone.
Playing in the nursery, sitting on the stair,
Whatever I am busy at, Binker will be there.

Oh, Daddy is clever, he's a clever sort of man,
And Mummy is the best since the world began,
And Nanny is Nanny, and I call her Nan-

But they can't See Binker. ...

-A.A. Milne

This morning I was out the door earlier than usual because I had a meeting at Grace College. I rode my bike through the campus, my ears cold in the fall air despite the kerchief tied about my head. A lone orange lays on the pavement and I wonder if this campus haunted by Invisible Cows of Doom like Belhaven is. That would explain the orange, though I don't see any left shoes.

Today is Binker and my third anniversary. It's an Easterish sort of anniversary in that it changes every year depending on when the Arts Discover day is scheduled, because that is when we met. I was visiting the campus for the first time and during one of the social whatnots he came and talked to me.
At the time I didn't realize that the conversation was unusual for him. My very introverted friend did not appear so to me then. Since that day however I've learned that he doesn't generally talk to people he doesn't know. Now granted we'd had a Batman connection the day before thanks to Amy who was hosting me then and is now a dear friend too. Still, his out of character action continues to puzzle both of us, though we are happy for it.
If I were at Belhaven today the two of us would find some time in our busy schedules to walk over to the spiral staircase inside the Bitsy Irby Arts building. I would sit on one of the large steps and he would stand behind the railing. We would laugh about the conversation that took place this way three years ago and wonder at the friendship that has come after it.

I got to see him this week, which I'm glad for and can still hardly believe. He, Scott, Nod, Rin and Meg came to see me for fall break. The first four drove 13 hours and Meg came down from Chicago. Have I told you that I'm a very rich woman? It was wonderful to be with such dear friends and I miss them greatly.
~ ~ ~ ~

I get to the building where my meeting is and hop off of my bike. As I sit in the office I see the desk calender and can hardly believe how far we are through October. Where does the time go? This time last week I was anxiously awaiting the arrival of my friends and now they've gone. The first two paper square weekends represent two anticipated reunions, both over, both lovely, both which I'm grateful for.

Last night we had fellowship night and went to the Kavanaugh's for a play reading. Before delving into "Rosencrantz and Guildenstern Are Dead" we watched a CPAF promo video from 1988. As we chuckled over the dated content, the four founding members of CPAF talked about their old friends as they came on the screen.

"Where's Bill now?"
"Oh he's in Florida."
"Is he still in music?"
"I'm not sure. Oh there's Dan! He remarried five years ago."
"John's gone now isn't he?"
"Yes, he died last year."
"Janet's got three little ones."
"Whatever happened to..."

I listen to their reminisces and wonder about the younger generation present in the room. I wonder at our own conversations such as this in years to come. Where will life have taken us? How will we talk about one another? When I listen (my kids listen? Nephews and nieces?) to the recording of "Through the Looking Glass" will I know where each of those people are? Some of them? What will they be doing?
Reading the play last night (I got to play Guildenstern, oh what fun!) I read a description of Autumn sky which is exactly what I've been trying to say for the past three days. I've been calling the color change in the sky a "Thanksgiving sky". But this is so much better;

: Autumnal−nothing to do with leaves. It is to do with a certain brownness at the edges of the day...Brown is creeping up on us, take my word for it... Russets and tangerine shades of old gold flushing the very outside edge of the senses... deep shining ochres, burnt umber and parchments of baked earth−reflecting on itself and through itself, filtering the light. At such times, perhaps, coincidentally, the leaves might fall,somewhere, by repute. Yesterday was blue, like smoke.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

I don't know what tomorrow will bring. I have a lot of wonderful yesterdays and the todays are good too. I look forward to seeing what each of my friends do. They are talented, beautiful, loving people and I am excited to see what art they create, whether it be plays, paintings, or families (Some already are). I smile to think of how my little brothers will grow too. My not so little brothers. I pray that whatever these loved in my life do, they will do it to the glory of God, that their focus will be their relationship with Him. Because that's the most important really. And I'm thankful for the mystery and for the knowledge that whatever comes He has it in His hands.

Counting down to Knapples and Chuckles

It is a busy weekend. Our fourth intern arrived from Romania on Wednesday night. She and I are settling into the other side of the house now. She is a lovely girl and we're so glad to have her finally here. It will be good to have another actress here. This morning she made me breakfast and is disappointed that our American bread is so sweet.

Last weekend I went to Ohio for the 4th AmeriCorps reunion of my team. My former team leader and one of my team mates picked me up and we drove over for a wonderful weekend with our Amerifam. It was so good to see them and I'll write more about that when Mel sends out some of her beautiful pictures from our time.

Keeping with the reunion theme I am eagerly awaiting the arrival of my friends from Belhaven. They come in tomorrow and I have that Christmas Eve anticipation where I can't sleep or focus very well. I can hardly believe that I get to see them.

We have our first Second Sunday Concert this weekend so I'm a little anxious about that as I'm in charge of it. I'm sure it will be fine, there's just a lot going on at once so I'm feeling a bit stressed. It's going to be a good weekend though and I'm just praying the stress and anxiety will ease and I'll enjoy every second that my friends are here. It's pretty neat that they'll get to see the concert.

Counting down to knapples and chuckles. Thankfully there's a fun concert tonight that I'm not in charge of and can enjoy with Krisztina. And then I'll drink a double dose of bedtime tea in the hopes of knocking out without "Christmaseveanitcipatinsomnia"

Sunday Storms

I look forward to Sundays. They're quiet days. When I'm living the way I want to I go to church and nothing is required of me that day but rest. I read, spend time with friends, write letters or journal. This Sunday was rainy which makes it all the better. It was really really rainy. And windy. Hurricane effect I suppose. The lake was busy with droplets and wind.
In the middle of a journal entry one of my housemates, Annaka, starts calling my name. More than that. "Faith! Faith! We need your help!"

?

So I go out into the living room and outside I see Julie wrestling a boat. Yes, a boat. She was in the water with a boat. A large one. I ran outside in my cute pink sweater that was not meant for lake weed.

The boat was a rogue, a runaway and was threatening to run into our neighbors much smaller boat and crush his much smaller dock. Thus Julie being in the water.

Annaka and I helped hold the boat. We got on board to look for identification and Annaka called our friend Joy to ask what on earth we should do. Meanwhile the rain is pouring and the wind is getting stronger. And we're laughing our heads off with no idea of what to do except keep Fred (we named it) away from the rocks and the dock and the other boat. We are up to our knees in water. Julie's brand new galoshes weren't quite doing the trick since she was over them in water.
Joy calls the police and apparently there really is someone who handles this kind of thing. Only they like Sundays too. They aren't there. And the dispatch lady has no idea what to tell us.
So Joy comes with a camera. Our neighbor Pete pulls up in his truck and when yelling his name brings no results I run over and find him still in his truck.

"Pete! Pete! There's a runaway boat!" says the drenched girl in the pink sweater.
Pete looks at me.
"There's a boat and it's here and we're trying to keep it away from the rocks and the dock and the boat and we don't know what to do!"
Pete looks over my shoulder. Pete says he is headed to the police chief's anyway and will ask them about it.
I run back and hop in the water again because obviously I'm not wet enough.

"I hope we make some friends!" says Annaka
" I hope we make some money." Says Julie
"Ha!" say I

Pete comes back and the police again haven't much info for us. Apparently we're just supposed to let the boat do its thing. Not wanting Pete's property to suffer though we tie it up to the swing (and by we I mean Pete).

We thanked him and Joy and went inside, tired and cold, for warm clothes and hot tea. We laughed at the absurdity of the whole situation and looked forward to relaying the story later. The theme of holding things continued later when one of our common room windows came crashing open and cracked along its wood frame threatening to fall off and spill the glass pane. So we took turns holding it while trying to figure out what to do. And naturally we called Joy. Again.

The window has yet to be fixed (it's being held up by chairs and a funnoodle) and the boat was recovered rather anticlimactically (and with no interest in the story or much thanks either. Sorry Annaka, no friends. Sorry Julie, no money.) but the story has brightened the week and makes us laugh when it gets told. Ah bonding.

And now, I'm looking forward to Sunday. Which I hope is quiet...

Nutshell Beginning

“ I’m here, I’m here!” (see A Lad and His Lamp, Bugs Bunny cartoon). After a fourteen hour train ride on Sunday/Monday I arrived minus just one bag that I chased the Fed Ex man down for on Tuesday. Great fun.

My house is gorgeous and when I walk into my living room I can see the lake right there. Incredible. I say ‘my house’ but actually I’m staying on the side of the lodge with two of the other interns until our fourth intern gets here from Romania. Then she and I will move to the other side of the lodge where, thank heavens, the view remains.

I’ve learned a lot more about CPAF ministry since I’ve been here and I feel blessed to be working with such an amazing organization. God has really worked through them the past twenty years and I’m excited to be a part of it. I don’t always feel completely settled yet though and I miss people like crazy. The people here are very kind though and I look forward to getting to know them better. It’s lovely having housemates again. Through the year you’ll get to know them better to as I blog.

My job is managing community relations and most of what I’ll be doing is facilitating what is called the Second Sunday Concert Series. The second Sunday of every month we have a concert with various classical pieces played by our body of musicians. We’ll also sing hymns, have guest artists and I can perform pieces as well which I will most likely be doing with Kristina who is also and actor. My job is to put the word out, make and send posters, postcards, letters, co-ordinate the volunteers, create the program, etc. When I’m not doing that I’ll be looking for new ways to get us connected and known to the community. Maria (A*Corps) and Shannon (New Stage) have already given me some good advice on how to do that. Thank you ladies!

So in a very small nutshell that’s the beginning. More to come!

Stories

I promised Owl a new post and remember so as I lay in bed at 12:30. I can't really decide on a subject and figure it can wait but then I come up with too many possibilities and sleep doesn't want to come. So I get up and find that Henry is at the computer because she can't sleep either. After tooth fairy duties she goes to bed and I take the 'puter.

I still don't know which route to go with this though. Owl just went for a visit to our old school, Belhaven and attended the masquerade ball while there. Last year she and Binker won the best dressed couple award which was funny because, well they didn't co-ordinate their costumes and they weren't a couple. Wynken and I won cutest couple which was funny for the same reason. Owl and Binker wound up matching again this year which I found amusing. Or 'Amoosing' as some may say. ;)

So thinking about the ball and about my dear friend and about writing a post mostly for her reading enjoyment brought up numerous story possiblities. Such as when she tried to tell me a story that she swore wasn't scary and yet began "I woke up screaming...". Or when she got me to try to make up a story and the moral of it wound up being never ask Merc to make up a story again. There are also beautiful old classics such as "The Akward Luncheon" and "The Civil War Ball".

With Owl your life is filled with story. She is a natural born story teller. I don't give her enough credit for this because as a story teller she often makes things as colorful as possible. She also leaves out things like...perspective. Owl remembers things the way Owl remembe rs them and sometimes that isn't quite the way it happened. Binker and I were her self appointed story "referees" when we were around. But when she isn't around I miss the way she conveys things. How she can capture a person's essence with her voice and mannerisms and take you into that moment. I often wish she were there to help me bring a moment to life when I'm trying to get it across to someone else.

At Belhaven we had a great group of story loving friends too. We used to get together at my house on Sunday's and read children's books aloud together. 'Winnie the Pooh' was standard and we each had regular characters we read for everytime. I was Christopher Robin and Rabbit. Wynken, Binker and Nod got their nicknames from stories and stories are in fact what brought Nod into our little group to begin with. You can read about it on his blog.




Binker is an excellent writer and he loves fairy tales. Owl conveys stories from her life experience so that you feel as if you were there and Binker weaves new fiction. He used to narrate stories for us on the spot and we'd jump in as different roles as he brought new characters in. Despite the weird (and sometimes fantastic) bits we'd throw at him he could always turn it into a cohesive story.

As for myself I write about my story loving,telling friends in my journals. * My journals remind me how rich I am. My life has been filled with stories and characters of all different kinds. I miss the ones I write about here, enjoy spending time with those I'm with now (oh the stories of those characters known as my family!), and look forward to meeting those that I don't yet know but guess I soon won't be able to imagine my life without.

I recently got to spend time with my best friend from Americorps. I hadn't seen her in three years and it was so good to catch up. It was encouraging too. Because even though it had been so long, we still got together, we still made it happen. And we fell right into our old rythym. She's still part of my story and that gives me hope that others who are far away in time and space will be too. And not just in "happyland". Now there's another story...

*(I also like to tell funny stories out loud. Everyone laughs at them. Granted no one actually knows what happens in any of them. They can't understand what I'm saying because I laugh too hard to get the words out. But that in itself makes them laugh.)

New Job New Shoes pt. 3 of 3

Rubies and Emeralds

So after the square Lois Lane shoe incident Mom took me shopping for various things I'll need for the new adventure. We went to the Salvation Army while we were out and they had a much larger shoe selection than our local Goodwill. So I began the search. And lo and behold I found not just one pair of shoes that outdid the Lois Lane's but several good sturdy grown up shoes! Most of them were two dollars and besides the useful black Hushpuppy pumps and the go with everything brown flats and the dress up black heels I found fun green shoes and .... a pair of ruby red slippers! Mom bought me these literal gems and said she was getting me Rubies and Emeralds. Incidentally, I was glad she'd vetoed the Lois Lane's as I found everything I needed and more at the Sal Val. (Stupid nickname that doesn't actually make sense but I picked it up and A*Corps and haven't been able to drop it since.)

I wore the Ruby Red Slippers recently on a trip to DC with my brother. He'd never driven before and he was kindly taking me to visit a professor and dear friend that was in town. DC isn't exactly the easiest city to navigate so I told Dev I was wearing the shoes to get us home should we need them. While we had Dr. Lou and Mrs Laura we did fine (and had a delightful time!) but we had a little problem with a traffic circle in the middle of the city on the way back. That could easily be a blog in and of itself. Better yet just call me and ask about it. We did get back eventually though and in one piece and I was so proud of my bro for his terrific driving abilities. We didn't even need the shoes but they made me feel cute. And safer of course.
D.C. with Dr. Lou and Dev (and Mrs. Laura too!)

And so there is the long story of the shoes which is very strange for a girl who used to go barefoot EVERYWHERE. Rin dear I promised you I'd post it today and so there it is. I hope you enjoyed. ;)