Tough realizations.

Things you’d rather not admit to yourself that they are true. Ever feel like this?

Anyway, I got a little slap on the hand from my heavenly Father today. You know, one like the Bible says that His children get when they deserve a little “chastening.” (Revelation 3:19)

I’ve been in Music Man rehearsals all this week up in Jax, and I had planned to go down to Orlando today to get some blocking for the Hanukkah show that they blocked this week. Nice plan, except it was MY plan.

Needless to say, my car overheated. I pulled off at a rest area and waited for my dad to get there over an hour later. We, I mean “he,” added necessary liquids, check things out, but then it wouldn’t start. He had brought tools but not jumper cables. Fast forward 15-20 min. of asking random people for cables, and someone finally had some. I was back on the road after things seemed to be running fine, having lost about 2 hours. I pulled off (I needed gas) and it started to overheat again, called my dad (who was still around St. Augustine), and told him that I was going to try to make it home. The temperature was okay again, but the “check engine” light had come on. So, I didn’t make it even 10 minutes up the highway when it overheated again.

Dad came and got me, my car is now on I-95 near Ormond Beach…..bummer. He just left after finding a car dolly to rent to bring my car home.

Here’s the chastisement realization: After my car overheated the 2^nd time, obviously I was a little upset. I asked God to show me what He was trying to teach me in all this. I had grabbed my Bible on the way out the door this morning…I felt like I was supposed to read. Now I’m not a “point and read” type a girl, but a piece of paper in my Bible caused it to open to Job 34, a little passage where Job’s friend Elihu was sharing his opinion of Job’s trial.

v. 10-11 “So listen to me, you men of understanding. Far be it from God to do evil, from the Almighty to do wrong. He repays a man for what he has done; he brings upon him what his conduct deserves.”

Ouch. Blow number one. God highlighted a pretty sucky attitude I’ve had this past week, one that I’m not proud of. But that wasn’t enough. After all, that was just Elihu’s opinion...man’s opinion, not a word from God. A quick fumble to find something else brought me to Haggai chapter one. Ok, God, I’m listening.

v. 5-6 “Now this is what the Lord Almighty says: Give careful thought to your ways. You have planted much, but have harvested little. You eat, but never have enough. You drink, but never have your fill. You put on clothes, but are not warm. You earn wages, only to put them in a purse with holes in it.”

Ouch. Blow number two. Not only have I had a bad attitude, but I’ve been taking all of God’s blessings in my life for granted…a new job, new place to live, new friends…but not only the “new”……family, old friends, church, Music Man, etc. God, please forgive my selfishness. Continue to work Your will in me regardless of my shortcomings. You have ordained ALL my steps, not just the ones I WANT you to.

Wow, this past week has been a whirlwind of craziness and hours of driving.  Here's the overview:

Tuesday--auditioned in Orlando for the Holy Land Experience, asked to come to callbacks on Wednesday

Wednesday--drove back down; had a dance audition and sang some of their music; toured the park and saw 3 shows......I have a good feeling about this.

Friday--George left a message for me to call him; called him but he was already gone for the day =(

Saturday, 9 a.m.--Awakened by phonecall from George offering me a fulltime position.....few details.....have to meet with HR on Monday at 2 p.m.

Monday--drive down AGAIN; have lunch with my new friend Scherezada after HER meeting w/ HR; met with Wendy from HR.....

DETAILS SO FAR:

Trinity Broadcasting Network (TBN) owns HLE since June, and the board of directors has changed.  The old board--not really active; the new--very.  They are beginning to make some changes.....firstly, hiring an entirely additional cast....I'm not sure of the exact number of us, but I'd venture to say at least 10.  HLE has 7 daily shows and additional seasonal ones for Christmas and Easter.  We are coming in at the time to learn Christmas as well.  Each show runs approx. 30 minutes, displaying various scenes from the life of Christ, or celebrating Jewish feasts or history....some are mostly acting, some are mostly singing, almost all have dance.

On the days that we work, we will be assigned to 4 shows for that day.  We will have to learn all the shows, multiple parts in each show b/c of the rotating schedule of other performers.  Their Christmas shows begin the week of Thanksgiving, so rehearsal will begin soon......they'd like to get us down their by the end of this week, but it will probably be Monday.

Right now, I am waiting to hear of my specific roles and compensation based upon what they are assigning me.  I have to be honest, I'm a little worried from the financial standpoint.  I mean, I know God will take care of me, but the move to Orlando, learning music, rehearsing, etc., is quite intimidating.  Yes, it is something that I've prayed for......I have a peace......but my mind is flesh and tends to worry about such things.  Please pray for me as I go through this transition.  They are working around my Music Man schedule up here since it is a previous committment, but that is going to make things more difficult for me since the 2 weeks before the Christmas shows start, I'm not going to be able to rehearse.........yikes!

I'll probably be staying with friends for a week or so in rehearsals before I can actually get to looking for a place to stay.  I'll post more as I find out!

Shalom!