Lots of stuff

Well let me start by saying earlier this week my computer crashed. Jeff resurrected it by wiping out the hard drive, but not before making a back up thank goodness. However what was NOT saved were all of my email contacts I had since the reunion and more importantly work contacts. I also had to buy a new Microsoft Office suite (originally procured from my sister) and downloaded my printer program from the Internet. I don't have my digital camera program anymore, but realized I can still download my pictures as long as I can connect my USB. The computer is 6 years old and there's a possibility I may have to buy a new one here down the road.

This evening I went to my first production meeting for High School Musical 2 that I was asked to be stage manager for Houston's Center Stage. The production is being presented in conjunction with the Lone Star College Cy-Fair Campus where the rehearsals and shows will be held. There are a gazillion people involved in the production side. A producer, director, asst. director, music director, choreographer, set design person, sound, lighting, stage manager (me), props, costumer and three publicity people. I was taking notes during the meeting, but I about fell over when they said the budget for the set alone was $2,000 and between $800 and $1000 for the props! I have no idea what I spent for AAFC's HSM a few years ago, but I don't think not including royalties we spent over $1,000 total! I was told I'm the captain of the ship and I'll even have an assistant! Which means I'm not sure what the director and asst. director do - but I'll just tell you now I'm not sure about her (the director's) vision - but I'll keep my mouth shut. We'll see how it goes...we have auditions May 8 and 9 with callbacks on the 11th. Then rehearsals begin on May 16th and we rehearse four days a week until we open July 17th for 8 shows including two matinees.

As usual it's late. I'll post some more pictures tomorrow. I finally got Eli to get his hair cut last week! He's so cute!

Easter Sunday

So today was our first Easter away from Pennsylvania, but a busy one at that at least for me. I had thoughts of skipping the first service at 8 a.m., but then I realized I would be shorting the bell choir, so I was out of the house by 7 a.m., stopped at Wal-Mart for some doughnuts since everyone was to bring something breakfast-like for everyone participating in the three services. Our services were 8, 9:30 and 11. Of course our service was on a much grander scale than anything we had in Scottdale. Maundy Thursday was complete with a string quartet. Today we had a brass section, lots of singing and of course bell playing. The 9:30 service was standing room with extra seating in the two parlors and filling the wings. My family made it to the 11 o'clock service, and I was very proud of Eli that he behaved so well.

The Easter Bunny made an appearance Saturday night after everyone went to bed, much like Santa Claus. He hid the eggs and set out the baskets. I knew I wouldn't be around for the "big hunt," so I prepared Jeff with instructions of what people should be wearing and what time to leave the house.

It rained like crazy just before the 11 o'clock service began with thunder and lightening, but by this afternoon it was sunny and beautiful and Jeff, Eli and I were out washing our cars in the driveway!

Maia is having her friend Katylin stay over tonight since they don't go back to school until Tuesday, and at 12:20 a.m. it's time for me to head to bed!

Asian Alcohol Flush

Many of you who know me, also know that I turn red when I drink. I could eat a full meal with a glass of wine and turn red and not just my face, but my entire body. Drinking in excess also brings about an elevated heart rate, sweats, and throwing up - but I've never had a hangover. So I asked my Uncle about this condition I have and he said I was allergic to alcohol, but last week I was reading news on Yahoo and there was a piece on esophageal cancer. It said that those who have this enzyme deficiency and predominantly Asian in descent and lack an enzyme that does not allow the body to properly break down alcohol when it is consumed. How interesting! It never occurred to me that this was something other people dealt with, but after reading several articles about it - "I am not alone!" Ash Wednesday I had a glass of wine with some food at a ribbon cutting I went to. The glass of wine was $6, so I made sure I was going to finish it. Then I went to Ash Wednesday service at the church. My friend Michelle asked me if I had been working out because I was all red. I told her "no, I just had a glass of wine." I've read you can curb the redness by taking a Zantac or Pepcid prior to drinking. I don't drink that often, nor do I think it's a good idea to mix any kind of medication OTC or not with alcohol. I think I'll be giving away my last Mango Smirnoff I have in my fridge. I know Jeff's not going to drink them and I think I'll save myself the redness! Here's the link to what it says on Wikipedia - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alcohol_flush_reaction.

The Heart of Worship

I found this excerpt online about Matt Redman's song The Heart of Worship. We sing it with the praise team at my church and this Sunday was the second time Pastor Kevin referenced it in his sermon. It has become one of my favorite songs we sing. It's about returning to what worship has become to many of us and what it should be. I think it's especially appropriate for Holy Week.. you can also watch the video by following this link -
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HeAwBmb_x28

The song dates back to the late 1990s, born from a period of apathy within Matt’s home church, Soul Survivor, in Watford, England. Despite the country’s overall contribution to the current worship revival, Redman’s congregation was struggling to find meaning in its musical outpouring at the time.
“There was a dynamic missing, so the pastor did a pretty brave thing,” he recalls. “He decided to get rid of the sound system and band for a season, and we gathered together with just our voices. His point was that we’d lost our way in worship, and the way to get back to the heart would be to strip everything away.”
Reminding his church family to be producers in worship, not just consumers, the pastor, Mike Pilavachi, asked, “When you come through the doors on a Sunday, what are you bringing as your offering to God?”
Matt says the question initially led to some embarrassing silence, but eventually people broke into a cappella songs and heartfelt prayers, encountering God in a fresh way.
“Before long, we reintroduced the musicians and sound system, as we’d gained a new perspective that worship is all about Jesus, and He commands a response in the depths of our souls no matter what the circumstance and setting. ‘The Heart of Worship’ simply describes what occurred.”
When the music fades, all is stripped away, and I simply come / Longing just to bring something that’s of worth that will bless your heart… / I’m coming back to the heart of worship, and it’s all about You, Jesus
Redman remembers writing the song quickly in his bedroom soon after the church’s journey together, with no grand intentions, by any means, for it to become an international anthem. He viewed the words simply as his personal, subjective response to what he was learning about worship.
But when Matt shared “The Heart of Worship” with Pilavachi, the pastor suggested making a few small adjustments to the lyrics so any member of the church could relate to it as well.
Amazed by how God has since taken the song around the world for His purposes, the songwriter smiles in regard to his own lack of foresight. “It nearly didn’t go any further than my bedroom. But I love that…”
The trademark tune soon became the title track for Matt Redman’s 1999 album, The Heart of Worship. The recording process was consistent with the artist’s sensitive approach to being in the studio.
“We decided to not get all complicated, and just let the song ‘breathe.’ We’re always trying to create more of a church atmosphere in the studio rather than just a technical musical gathering. Something happens when the people of God gather together and play out the praises of God in the presence of God. Hopefully something of that passion and purpose transcends beyond that studio room onto the recordings themselves.”
Following Matt’s original release, which featured a guest vocal appearance by Martin Smith, lead singer of Delirious, “The Heart of Worship” became a new standard of the modern worship music movement, sung by fellow artists, choirs, and church families alike. Among the ever-rising number of reinterpretations, Redman is especially fond of Michael W. Smith’s from his 2001 classic, Worship.
“I honestly like them all,” he admits. “It’s a great encouragement when people take the songs and run with them. Perhaps my favorite is Michael’s— maybe because it’s a live version and therefore really captures and conveys the heart of the song’s theme.”
Even more encouraging, he says, is when other pastors get in touch to let Matt know how God has used the song to take their congregations through a situation similar to the one his church experienced.

Blue Belle Mocha Madness

Maia introduced me to a new flavor of ice cream this week. I guess she had it at her friend Katylin's house where she is tonight. Anyway - it's called Mocha Madness by Blue Belle. If you like Mocha's at Starbucks you will like this. (Not you mom - since I know you're not a coffee drinker.) It has the coffee taste, but is sweet and has caramel ribbons, chocolate pieces and pecans...yum! In fact while I'm watching a movie tonight with the boys I'm going to enjoy a bowl! :)

This week was good. Still putting finishing touches on the Summer issue that is in the design stage right now. I drove to Katy where our offices are, and touched base with the Assistant Editor Carlee, who actually handles most of the production stuff after my editing is done.

Yesterday due to high winds, we spent at least two hours without power at home. I guess some 2,000 Center Point Energy customers were without electricity in the Cypress area. Of course I was doing laundry and cooking stuffed peppers in the oven when it happened. Luckily by the time we got back from the dentist, the power was on! :)

Well Maia just called for me to bring her sleepover stuff over to Katylin's - so off I go! :)

Read The Shack!

I know some of you have heard me talk about the book The Shack by William P. Young. It was suggested to me by my friend Michelle at church who said, "You just HAVE to read this book!" Many of you also know that I am the slowest reader when it comes to finishing what I start reading. I think it took me years to read Anthony Rapp's "Without You" and I've read two books in the Wicked trilogy, but that was accomplished due to Hurricane Ike.

Go buy this book or go to the library and take it out. You won't put it down! It is indeed fiction, but puts a human face (or faces) to the Holy Trinity, and it puts into perspective how you would cope with the death of a child, what is your relationship with God, how do you reconcile and forgive? Young described the title of the book is a metaphor for “the house you build out of your own pain”.

Young never claims to have written the book based directly on the teachings of The Bible. In fact according to wikipedia.com, he initially wrote it as a Christmas gift for his children, and after sharing it with friends, was presuaded to have it published. Sure there have been critics who have come out against the book saying it is heresy, scripturally low and there are theological problems. Eveyone is entitled to his or her opinion. I suggest you read it and come up with your own conclusions.

One suggestion I have is to read it with pen or highlighter in hand. I wish I had thought of it sooner, but towards the middle, I started underlining the lines that stood out for me. The other is to talk about it with someone else who has read it to get their insight and perception of the book. Michelle, another friend Gretta and I plan on getting together Good Friday over lunch to talk about it. (They were waiting for me to finish it!)

If you read it, let me know what you think. It's a great book anytime, but particularly apropos for this Lent and Easter season.