In My Soul

The biggest(and most challenging) adventure of them all boiled down to this day: SHOW DAY.However, I need to rewind a bit.Hilariously enough, my hotel room is rather creepy. I'm not sure why, but I always get the "heebie geebies" right before bedtime. I fell asleep fairly quickly, but I woke up every two hours or so from nightmares(we're talking the end times/death/losing your sanity kind of dreams). To top it off, it was stifling hot in my room and I felt partially dehydrated.Naturally, when my alarm went off at 8:15,my only response was," Okay, I get it!!! I'm awake!!!". Grumpy Gale had arrived. As soon as I opened my eyes, I grabbed my Bible and read Isaiah 66:12-14
"For this is what the Lord says: I will extend peace to her like a river, and the wealth of nations like a flooding stream...as a mother comforts her child,so I will comfort you; and you will be comforted over Jerusalem. When you see this, your heart will rejoice and you will flourish like grass"
I immediately prayed for the Lord to pierce my grumpiness and give me a joyful peace to endure the day.
Fast-forward:
Usually, J and I construct the set and unload the truck on Wednesday, but due to complications this week, we weren't allowed to until today. We also usually organize the costumes into their appropriately labled paper bags(ex. "King Arthur-Blake Somebody") on Friday night. But, because of the same complications, we weren't able to do that until today, either.So, we arrived at 9:00am only to find that the multi-purpose room wasn't booked for Missoula Children's Theatre today.
"I don't have you down for today. Sorry"
Jacqueline: "What? So, you don't have a reservation for Missoula Children's Theatre on Saturday, July 10th?"
"No ma'am. Sorry. We had it booked all day yesterday, but not today."
Jacqueline:" You do know that today is Saturday,right?"
"Oh...right. Here's the key"
First challenge averted. Whew.(Thank you,Lord)
When we arrived at the building, load-in,costume inventory, and set construction took all of two hours.Miraculously, the kids arrived right as we raised the last wall. This was our fastest time thus far.And, it was actually enjoyable.(Thank you, Father)
We were able to make our makeup/set/costume speeches energetically and happily.(Again, thank you, Father)
Our first dress rehearsal was a theatrical mess. The kids weren't as prepared as we'd hoped and I was cueing almost everyone. Yet, the show must go on. During the lunch break, a discouraged "Keeper"(a.k.a. ME) reviewed the lines of the entire cast in preparation for the first show. I was exhausted at this point, and hope seemed futile. But, I felt a much-needed wave of grace right before the chaos began again after lunch. I re-read the aforementioned verse and kept repeating the phrase, "I will extend to her peace like a river..." in my mind. When a tiny Michaela grabbed my waist with a smile, I knew I could endure the next few hours.(Thank you, Father)
So,performance time arrived and before I could breathe, I was on stage beneath the lights. Surprisingly, the kids knew most of their lines. I was amazed, and once again, thankful.So thankful.J had to stand backstage and cue the Damsels and Knights, but that was understandable since they were sooo young for their roles. The second performance went as well as the first.

Joy moments:
1. When Michaela, the tiniest of the Damsels(only 6) pressed her ear into the fabric set and asked, "Who's line it it?". Everytime she stood onstage, she would point to her fellow Damsel(who usually couldn't recall her lines) to cue her and lean into the set to hear J feed her the correct lines.Just imagine that. Absolutely precious.
2. I found a drawing one of the kids made between shows that read, "Kings of the Quest"(instead of King Arthur's Quest) with little hearts circling it. <3
3.The teens(of which there are several) presented us with two lovely bouquets in gratitude to our hard work this week. Totally unexpected. :)
4.Our Yellow Knight approaches me to tell me, "I can't leave for Reno right now because my mom has my clothes!!" Then I reminded him that he was wearing a shirt underneath his costume, to which he responds with," Whoa! I am, aren't I?! And pants, too!!"
5.Having several parents approach me to thank me for giving their kids such a unique opportunity(this is the first theatrical endeavor Fallon Naval base has ever made for the kids)
6.Hearing two of our teens for the week, Johnnie and Hali, say, "This was one of the best experiences I have ever had. I've never done anything like this before and it really means a lot to me."
7. Receieving multiple hugs from all of the cast members. Particularly, Ms. Hali, who said that I was awesome and personally presented the flowers to me.

Wow. As I read over these highlights, I realize how truly gracious the Lord is. I was entirely too grumpy to function this morning, but the Lord found a way to morph those feelings into joy. Hm,this is what grace feels like. I found myself totally dependent on Him this morning, and I must say, I love feeling this weak! Merely knowing that everything about this day was determined in grace is a beautiful release for a weary sinner such as I.Thank you, thank you, thank you, Sweet Savior. You supply all that I need.Always.

Needless to say, I have peace like a river...

Learning how to love until all have heard,

Sus