Nov 14, 2017

Lessons from Tech Week


Dear Readers,

I promised today to update you on life, but I can't seem to.  I'm still struggling to get over post show depression (PSD).  It's a real thing.  It hurts when you leave your cast friends after being together for so long.  Even knowing that you'll see them again doesn't help.  So many "lasts."  I miss my Anne of Green Gables family.

But I don't want to sit here in tears.  This week was crazy.  It was emotionally draining, painful, and stressful.  But it was also exciting, joyful, and beautiful.  Even in the rough times, God was there.  So here's what I learned this week, despite the hard moments.

And, for those of you who weren't able to travel up here for the performance, I'm including some cast photos.  I hope they give you a little glimpse into the amazing people I was able to be with during this fall production.


Me, Anne, and Marilla

























God's Ready to Encourage Us

Before the performances started, I was becoming nervous.  I'm not a natural actress.  I don't like audiences, I don't like performing, and I'm afraid to mess up.  But at one point I randomly read a passage in the Message Bible that was such a source of encouragement.  And it came from a very unappreciated passage.  If you're struggling, I encourage you to read the entire chapter.  What a precious reminder.

I’ll never forget the trouble, the utter lostness,
the taste of ashes, the poison I’ve swallowed.
I remember it all - oh, how well I remember -
the feeling of hitting the bottom.
But there’s one other thing I remember,
and remembering, I keep a grip on hope:

God’s loyal love couldn’t have run out,
His merciful love couldn’t have dried up.
They’re created new every morning.
How great your faithfulness!
I’m sticking with God (I say it over and over).
He’s all I’ve got left.

God proves to be good to the man who passionately waits,
to the woman who diligently seeks.
It’s a good thing to quietly hope,
quietly hope for help from God.
- Lamentations 3:19-26 MSG 

Schoolboys (including Moody, Gilbert, and Charley)

























God can do Miracles

Our Monday practice ended up with us setting the stage and props.  Basically, I spent the whole time putting up wallpaper with some other friends.  The next day, all the wallpaper had fallen off.  And then our practice was terrible.  We missed entrances, forgot props, and basically ruined everything.  My family got home around 11:00 PM, and I was ready to give up on the play altogether.

In the morning, I didn't even want to wake up.  I was drained.  Discouraged.  But I asked an online group of Christian girls to pray for us, and, right before the practice, I grabbed a friend and a little sister to pray together with me.  God worked!  The practice wasn't perfect by any degree, but things weren't stressful like they had been.  We enjoyed it.  And, when the shows came along, prayer continued to make a huge difference.  The entire cast would hold hands and pray together.  It was beautiful.


Me as Mattie Cuthbert

























God Works in our Weaknesses

I'm a naturally quiet-voiced person.  All the vocal projecting began to wear on my voice, and every day it got a bit worse.  When our second performance came along (Saturday), I was at my limit.  I stepped on stage for one scene, and my voice almost completely left.

When I finished squeaking out my lines, I went backstage in a panic.  My emotions were everywhere.  The show would be ruined because I couldn't even find a voice!!  I was nearly in tears, asking God why this had to happen.  Why me?  Why now?

But when I felt torn apart, He held me together.  Our sweet backstage helper offered cough drops, and I made it through the show.  Even though my stress levels were flying, we did it.  No, God did it.  It was a great performance.  Because when we are weak, He is strong.


Diana, Anne, and Gilbert

























People are Deeper

When we see people, they only show us the side they want us to see.  But in Anne of Green Gables tech week, I was able to see some of their true sides.  We were like family.  I saw them when they were stressed and ready to give up.  I saw girls who smiled and offered constant encouragement.  We laughed together.  We nearly cried together.  We threw baby-powder in each other's hair to make us look like old ladies.  We teased each other in the mess-ups but only loved more.  Because we all messed up.  We were all stressed.  But it was like family.  It showed me that people are more than strangers or friends.  They have problems and mars, and they mess up.  But they're beautiful too.




So yes, I miss what we had.  I miss my Anne of Green Gables family.  But God showed me so much through the long, tiring week.  I could go on and on about each show, the special moments, the memories...so many things that touched me.  But instead, I'll pause here.

Embrace every moment because they slip by so quickly.  And if you're struggling, remember that He's always strong.

Even when it hurts
Even when it's hard
Even when it all just falls apart
...You steady my heart.
- Steady My Heart by Kari Jobe

~♥~

16 comments:

  1. This is beautiful Hosanna :)

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    1. I'm glad you enjoyed reading this post, Sarah! =) I like to think that God can use any situation to lead me closer to Him. It helps for me to pause and think, "How did God work in this moment?" Having a daily journal helps too. =) How do you take time to focus on God's goodness in the midst of life?

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    2. Well I do have a journal... though I don't write in it daily :). Sometimes it's hard to just pause to look at God's goodness in the midst of life but it's important to do so. In my alone time with the Lord I can focus on His goodness... though I suppose it's easy to start thinking about the day ahead instead of the moment then. I'm reminded of His goodness whenever I think of His love and of how He sent His Son to die for me, for everyone. His creations remind me of His goodness. And sometimes when we get really busy, or when we simply don't take time to dwell on His goodness, then it's good just to sit still and close our eyes and think about Him. Prayer is a great way to do it. We're always going to have things to be busy with, but sometimes we have to ask for God's wisdom whether there is something we shouldn't take on. For instance, recently there were several areas in the church I go to to serve and I was struggling to find out where God wants me. I want to serve and help everywhere and help everyone but when I do then I'm stretching out myself too thin and I can't give the best parts of me. I've gotten a little off topic here....
      Anyways sometimes we just have to prioritize things... sometimes we need to sit ourselves down for maybe just ten minutes to be with God. Maybe to read His Word, or to pray, or to listen to worship music, or to simply sit in His presence.
      I just realized I'm basically turning this comment into a blog post itself so I'm going to just say thanks for this reminder. To take time to focus on God's goodness in the midst of life. :)

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    3. I enjoy reading long, thoughtful comments! Thank you for taking the time to share your heart. =) Many of the things you're learning are also ones God's been revealing in my life. Isn't He amazing?

      Focusing on God's goodness is certainly hard when life becomes busy. (and isn't it always?) But what you said is true. We just need to let go and be alone with God. Tell Him everything. Forget life and turn our eyes upon Jesus. Soul searches are so important - being with Jesus and examining our lives.

      I'm also in that place. I know some things God's calling me to do,
      such as writing. Those need to be priorities, but other things get in the way. I need to have a special time with God to decide where to step in and where to step out. As you said, we can't stretch ourselves too thin. I do that quite often.

      Did you realize we have 30 something more days before 2018? Crazy how time flies! But let's resolve to use it for His glory and be radical for Jesus.

      Happy Thanksgiving!! Let's live remembering His beauty and living for Him. You're in my prayers tonight. ♥

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  2. OH ME OH MY THIS POST WAS AMAZING. It sounds like you learned so much in such a short time! And the pictures were awesome. <3
    AND THAT BIBLE PASSAGE. Sometimes the Message version just kinda hits you in the face and leaves you reeling in a really great way, huh?
    I totally understand what you are saying about those harder days--days when all you can do is hold yourself together and pray that God would keep you sane. But He can really meet us in those places if we let Him! I get stressed SUPER easily, so I can see where you are coming from. I am glad the play was a success, though!
    Aww, you poor thing, PDS sounds so hard! (I didn't even have a clue that that was a thing) I will be praying for you!!
    -Ariel

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    1. Thank you for your sweet encouragement, Ariel! The play did go very well, and I'm so thankful I was able to be a part of it. Funny how God drags us into situations that turn out for His glory. =) Although I miss the Anne cast, I know God has other things for us. We just need to keep on the adventure! =)

      Yes, isn't the Message Bible pretty amazing? Your comment on stress reminders me of a verse from Philippians, "Don’t fret or worry. Instead of worrying, pray. Let petitions and praises shape your worries into prayers, letting God know your concerns."

      Thank you for your prayers! God's in control over everything - what a wonderful promise. His love never fails. ♥ And let me know how I can return the favor and be praying for you! You're so special to me, Ariel.

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  3. I loved reading this post this morning! And your new blog design is beautiful. :)

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    1. Thank you for the sweet comment, Abi! I find it so comforting to remember the promises. God’s loyal love never runs out. He's always faithful. ♥

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  4. This is so cool!! Acting must be so fun!! BTW, who is Mattie Cuthbert? I have seen the Anne of Green Gables and read part of the first book and the name doesn't ring a bell.

    Love the new design!!!

    - Lilly Shyree

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    1. Acting is a lot of fun - friendship making and becoming a different person for a handful of months. =) And don't worry; I'm the only Mattie Cuthbert that probably ever existed. That happens when there's not a suitable guy for Matthew Cuthbert, so they turn him into a woman. =) I learned all his lines and parts. I couldn't have picked a better person to resemble too...basically, I smile all the time and start every sentence with "well now." haha. =)

      I hope you get a chance to act one day. I've never wanted to be an actress, but God drags me into it quite often. =) His plans are always good. Keep living for our Savior, Lilly!

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  5. Lovely post. I am so glad He is still strong in our weaknesses! :)

    https://tizziestidbits.wordpress.com

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    1. Me too, Grace! That verse stuck with me, "I’m sticking with God (I say it over and over). He’s all I’ve got left." So many times, I realize that life's falling apart, and He's all I got left. But He holds us together. Even when we don't deserve it. ♥

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  6. I really enjoyed reading through this and seeing all of the pictures, Hosanna! That's so cool that you were in a play! It's also wonderful that God was able to show you so much through it all! <3
    Have you been in other plays before or was this the first? :)

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    1. Thank you, Rebekah! I believe God can use every opportunity to stretch and grow us. Recently, it just happened to be the play. =) I've been in several performances. The last two were musicals (Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat and Seussical: the Musical), and this one was a play. =) I've also been in several movies. I never wanted to act, but I guess God did. =) What about you? Have you been in plays or musicals?

      Happy Thanksgiving! I'm praying that God is especially strong in your life today. Keep shining for Jesus, my friend. ♥

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    2. That's great! I was in a play a long time ago. Our homeschool group put on a Thanksgiving play. Then just a few years ago I was in a skit. That was a lot of fun! Acting is definitely something that I would like to do more of. :)

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    3. Acting is very fun and a good way to build relationships. I've enjoyed doing it, even though I'm not much of a social person. =) It's cool when God uses different areas of life to draw us out of our comfort zones!

      Thank you for the comment, Rebekah. It's always a blessing interacting with you. =)

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