Cinderella 🎭 🎼

Being part of the "Cinderella" cast at Spiritual Twist Productions in the Raleigh, North Carolina area has been a highlight of my year thus far. I almost didn't go to auditions and wasn't sure I would be able to make the time commitment.

Then with Bumma's unexpected passing in April, it felt like an inconvenient time to be a part of a play. I see now though that God knew it would be a positive and uplifting thing for me to be involved in, especially because it's been a difficult season with other things going on as well. He knew I would need the fellowship, something to focus on, and the reminders of the themes found in the play. I'm clinging to these truths... that when we delight ourselves in the Lord, He grants us the desires of our hearts (Psalm 37:4). And when we face trials of many kinds, we are to count it ALL as joy (James 1:2), knowing He promises to work ALL things together for our good and His glory (Romans 8:28).

I've looked forward to each rehearsal and have enjoyed the time getting to know the cast and laughing and learning with them. It's also been interesting and has given me an all new appreciation for everything that goes into putting together one of the STP plays: the costumes, set, makeup, music, dancing, sound, lights, etc. I had been in an American Girl play as a child and was involved in Drama in high-school, but STP is truly special in that it's Christ-centered. My family and friends who came to see "Cinderella" were seriously blown away by how talented everyone is and how well-done it was.

My friend Lindy and I met in Colorado in the Fall of 2011 at Ellerslie. Out of all semesters we could have gone to, we went to the same one and discovered we live in the same area of the country. She told me all about STP while we were there and introduced me to the plays in early 2012. I've been hooked ever since! STP is a gem of Raleigh! If Lily were here, I'd want to sign her up. It makes my heart very sad that I can't. My sister-in-law Kala and I go to as many of the plays as possible together. It was a neat experience to be on this side of a play this time. It made it even more special that Lindy and I were able to be in one together and that she was Cinderella!

I played a mouse named Daisy, sticking with the flower theme in my life. :) It was special too since daisies were Bumma's favorite flower. I think we animals had the most fun of anyone. ;)

I am thankful for the friends and family who were able to make it to the play! One couple who are friends celebrated their Anniversary by seeing "Cinderella." My friend's adorable 4-year-old daughter came dressed as a princess and kept yelling my name each time I came on stage. Too cute! Kiddos asked for photos afterwards and for us to sign their programs. It was adorable.

It was fun for my family to see it brought to life after hearing me talk about it for months. I will be getting the DVD of the play and I know some of you have expressed interest in seeing it that way. Let me know if you'd like to! I've been trying to step out of my comfort zone and be more adventurous this year, so this was one of the ways I've done that. 😄 ❤️ 🐭 🐱 🐶 🎭 🎼 

Cinderella's animal friends

This is my "twin" Oopsie... Oopsie Daisy :)

Daisy and Cinderella

My friend Ashley gave me this in honor of being in the play :)

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A Guest Post from Lindy

Today, I have a very special guest post, written by my dear friend, Lindy, who was in my basic semester at Ellerslie this past fall. The Lord had many purposes for bringing me to Ellerslie when He did. I know partly because I was supposed to meet Bonnie, Sierra and Lindy. Lindy lives only thirty minutes from me and that is not by accident. Read this powerful testimony of how God is giving her a burden for the unborn and their mothers. Lindy wrote it on March 16, as a birthday present to Lily. :-) I asked Lindy to write a guest post sharing her journey, yet didn't know exactly what I had in mind. Only after reading what she wrote did I realize it was exactly what I had in mind.

Lindy and I with Eric Ludy at a recent conference in NC

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This is a story of God at work behind the scenes. What I am sharing may at first seem to be insignificant, unconnected bits of history, but don't be fooled by appearances! These are bits and pieces from the last 5 years of my life, and it is only now that I'm beginning to see a glimpse of how masterfully God is weaving it all together!

In the summer of 2007, while preparing for a missions trip, I met Mrs. Jan, a woman who simply radiates with love for God. I'm not exaggerating when I say that the very first thing we ever did one on one was pray together! Fast forward several years. God had placed on my heart the idea of beginning a prayer shawl ministry (knitting or crocheting shawls to give to those who are ill or grieving as a tangible reminder of the prayer on their behalf) at my church. I gathered information, prayed, and spoke to someone whose input I valued greatly, (Mrs. Jan), but never felt God's leading to move forward. Though I continued to knit and give the shawls, it never came together as a ministry on a larger scale.

In 2010 I graduated from highschool. I knew that college was not where God wanted me, and He was also closing doors for my long cherished dream of owning a yarn shop. This past fall I had the opportunity to attend a semester at Ellerslie, another long cherished dream. While there, God drew me nearer to Himself than ever before, and greatly deepened my desire to obey and follow Him. Something else happened too... I met Hannah Rose! We discovered that we lived only half an hour apart, and had a wonderful time discussing familiar landmarks and planning what we could do together once back in NC. 

Toward the end of the semester, Eric gave a sermon titled "The Company of Heros", in which he boldly addressed the horror of abortion and what our response must be. While Eric was speaking to us, God was speaking to me. I didn't know when, where, or how, but right then I knew God was leading me to stand on behalf of those unborn babies and the women carrying them. Though slightly overwhelmed by the possibility, I was so excited by what God was doing in my heart! One passing thought that afternoon, "...and I could knit baby blankets..." God also made it very apparent that, out of over 70 basic students from all over the world, it was no accident that Hannah Rose and I lived 30 minutes apart. 

I arrived home knowing what God wanted me to pursue, but not having the slightest idea of where to start! He gave me only step 1: email Mrs. Jan and get her input. (She is very involved in the pro-life arena.) We rarely got to see each other anymore, but still had a special connection. I sent her a message asking if we could get together, not explaining why, and suggesting a Friday. Her response left me laughing in sheer amazement at the greatness of my God. "On Friday mornings I go pray at an abortion clinic. Would you pray about going with me sometime?" Isn't He just amazing?

Needless to say, I went with her to the clinic. When we got there, I told her why I had wanted to get together in the first place. She told me that she had been asking God specifically for a young woman to join her at the clinic! Less than two minutes later, she mentioned something else... baby blankets!

I now go once a week with Mrs. Jan to pray at the clinic. Hannah Rose has also joined us, and her friendship is a gift from God! The vision of a prayer shawl ministry is now coming together in a different form - a ministry to make baby blankets for the mothers who choose to keep their babies. The ministry will, God willing, begin officially in June. It will be called "Knit Together" (Psalm 139:13), a name precious to me because it speaks of God's love for the unborn, but also because it so perfectly captures how God has faithfully orchestrated every detail of my life to lead me here.

"For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus ^for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them." (Ephesians 2:10) In the sermon I mentioned earlier, Eric defined Christianity as a recruitment office - God is the One who assigns, and we are each responsible to obey, trusting Him to guide and enable. The point isn't doing something big and exciting for God, but coming to Him daily, saying "Here I am, please use me." I pray that God shows you, as He is showing me, the beauty of a life yielded to Him. the way may not always seem clear, challenges will come, but be assured, it is the sweetest way, for Jesus is there with every step!

I pray that God gives you boldness, strength, and joy as you step out in Him!

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I hope this post has greatly encouraged you, dear reader! If you feel the Lord gently nudging you to step out in the Pro-Life arena, trust He will guide you each step of the way! Don't think "I am only one person, what can I do?" God uses just one person all the time. He has a plan for each of us and what's important is that we obey Him, even if nobody ever sees what we're doing except Him. That goes not only for working in the Pro-Life ministry, but any ministry. 

The first "Knit Together" baby blanket will be given in honor of Lily! :-)

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