Well guys, this is it! We are thrilled to be twenty-two hours away from our "A Walk With Paul" premier! The lights have been set, the props have been prepared, the costumes have been sewn, and the last minute touches have been made to the choreography. Every single thing that we can conceivably think to do has been done. This concept occurred to me as we were praying this morning before our final rehearsal: we have accomplished everything humanly possible, and now the show in it's entirety is out of our hands. However, this is just where the Lord desires for us to be! We have nothing to do but place our complete trust in our God, and guess what? He has promised that if we commit our way to the Lord and trust in Him, He will bring it to pass! (Psalm 37:5)
The show will open with "A Worship Project," a collection of choreographed worship songs that are designed do just as the name conveys- worship! After a brief intermission will follow the premier of "A Walk With Paul," a forty-five minute dramatic ballet recounting the life, testimony, trials, and death of the most infamous apostle in the Bible.
Tomorrow is going to be insane. We are probably going to be out of our minds. People are going to be stretching, practicing, sewing, sleeping, decorating, folding, eating... most likely simultaneously! When seven o'clock hits, though, all of that will mean nothing to us. Our purpose is twofold. We long to worship our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ and relay the good news of the Gospel to everyone in that building. Our prayer is that not one person leaves the show untouched by the Holy Spirit's presence.
Ours is going to be a powerful account of the story, and lives are going to be changed.
Will yours?
~"Fun Size"
Thursday, November 20, 2008
Thursday, November 13, 2008
I KNOW IT'S LATE.....BUT HERE'S A FEW THOUGHTS
For those of you who keep up with our blogs on a weekly basis, you may know by now that you can expect to find a new blog on Monday. And if it's not there by the time you go to bed on Monday, it's sure to be there at least by Tuesday. So where has the blog been this week?!? I know you are probably worried that we have fallen off the face of the earth. But alas....WE ARE STILL HERE! I blame this late blog on the costumes for the new ballet. I literally have been dancing in the morning, sewing until its time to make dinner and enjoy some time with my husband, and then it's back to sewing until it's time for bed. But aside from some purchasing some essential items for the roman soldiers and a few stiches here and there- I can say that costumes are about done. And its a good thing too since tomorrow's Dress Rehearsal. And since the costumes are so close to being done- I feel obligated to inform you all on what's been going on with us.
So let me rewind to last week so that you don't feel left out. We had a crazy week of rehearsals. On top of the usual, we had an extra rehearsal on Friday night from about 9:30 pm to midnight. And after a couple hours of sleep Friday night, we were up to drive to Leavenworth to perform at a woman's conference. We rented a 15 passenger van for the day. Talk about hilarious! 10 girls and 2 guys on a 3 1/2 hour drive both ways. And even though the van seemed to be falling apart and had gum on the seatbelts- it was so fun to be all together. If you were able to be a fly on the wall for that roadtrip, you would find Cathleen sewing wine skins, Audrey and Sarah giggling to no end- driving Tennille (and probably Joel) crazy, Amanda making roman soldier arm guards, Michael thinking that we were all too crazy and trying to tune out the giggling, Cara squished in the very back seats next to stinky costumes and everyones bags and all of us singing along to the ever so famous "Friends" by Michael W. Smith. Let me tell you that there is nothing like being with the Paradosicals in the van for 7 hours!
But about the performance- it was great! I (and others) felt very out of it. I mean we literally jumped out of the van and onto the stage. And we all learned that God works best when we are weak. Thank you Jesus for that! It was an amazing time of worship with these women. Their workshop theme was "Be still and know that I am God" and I think that is a great thing to remember for each of us.
Aside from the crazy weekend of dancing- we are finishing all the details for our Premiere! It is officially about a week away and we see the light.
Please keep praying for us. (as you can tell by this blog- we are all a bit crazy and need all the prayer we can get!)
Enjoy your weekend and we will see you next Friday!
Blessings to you all!!!
Amanda
So let me rewind to last week so that you don't feel left out. We had a crazy week of rehearsals. On top of the usual, we had an extra rehearsal on Friday night from about 9:30 pm to midnight. And after a couple hours of sleep Friday night, we were up to drive to Leavenworth to perform at a woman's conference. We rented a 15 passenger van for the day. Talk about hilarious! 10 girls and 2 guys on a 3 1/2 hour drive both ways. And even though the van seemed to be falling apart and had gum on the seatbelts- it was so fun to be all together. If you were able to be a fly on the wall for that roadtrip, you would find Cathleen sewing wine skins, Audrey and Sarah giggling to no end- driving Tennille (and probably Joel) crazy, Amanda making roman soldier arm guards, Michael thinking that we were all too crazy and trying to tune out the giggling, Cara squished in the very back seats next to stinky costumes and everyones bags and all of us singing along to the ever so famous "Friends" by Michael W. Smith. Let me tell you that there is nothing like being with the Paradosicals in the van for 7 hours!
But about the performance- it was great! I (and others) felt very out of it. I mean we literally jumped out of the van and onto the stage. And we all learned that God works best when we are weak. Thank you Jesus for that! It was an amazing time of worship with these women. Their workshop theme was "Be still and know that I am God" and I think that is a great thing to remember for each of us.
Aside from the crazy weekend of dancing- we are finishing all the details for our Premiere! It is officially about a week away and we see the light.
Please keep praying for us. (as you can tell by this blog- we are all a bit crazy and need all the prayer we can get!)
Enjoy your weekend and we will see you next Friday!
Blessings to you all!!!
Amanda
Tuesday, November 4, 2008
Back and Forth
16 days, 384 hours, 23,040 minutes and 1,382,400 seconds. That's how long we have until our "A Walk With Paul" premiere- and I can't decide whether or not to be terrified or excitified. (just thought I'd throw in a made up word for all you scholarly types out there.)
This past weekend, we did a piece from "Paul" during Puyallup Four Square's weekend services. It's called "Potter's Wheel" and I must say, it's my new favorite song of the week! Why? Well, let me just say that our first try on Saturday night was a little shy of disaster by our standards. We had sound problems, we had choreography problems, we had costume problems-then I was thinking-"but who cares?" It's not about us "looking" good, or "feeling" good. It's about our Dad. Period. Our HEARTS must be focused on Him and that's all that matters. Whether or not they actually were- that's our problem, but His grace is sufficient! God used our mistakes that night for His glory. Nothing positive Saturday night was because of us, (seriously!) but because He Is.
The good news is we made up for those Saturday glitches on Sunday morning. The reason I love this song? Because from now on, it will remind me of my inability and His ability! Oh yeah, and the words aren't that bad either! :o)
Wrapping things up, I'm overwhelmed at the thought of how many times my God has turned what I see as my disasters, into His accomplishments!
On a larger note, in light of the election news that is now flashing across my screen, I am reminded of this: Proverbs 21:1 "The king's heart is in the Lord's hand. He directs it like a watercourse wherever He pleases." and of Romans 13:1 "There is no authority except from God, and those who exist have been instituted by God." I'm thinking... If God can create the universe- he can handle our country! And if God can create the universe, He can handle my crazy mixed-up attempts at writing this blog!!!!!!
Blessings,
Audge
This past weekend, we did a piece from "Paul" during Puyallup Four Square's weekend services. It's called "Potter's Wheel" and I must say, it's my new favorite song of the week! Why? Well, let me just say that our first try on Saturday night was a little shy of disaster by our standards. We had sound problems, we had choreography problems, we had costume problems-then I was thinking-"but who cares?" It's not about us "looking" good, or "feeling" good. It's about our Dad. Period. Our HEARTS must be focused on Him and that's all that matters. Whether or not they actually were- that's our problem, but His grace is sufficient! God used our mistakes that night for His glory. Nothing positive Saturday night was because of us, (seriously!) but because He Is.
The good news is we made up for those Saturday glitches on Sunday morning. The reason I love this song? Because from now on, it will remind me of my inability and His ability! Oh yeah, and the words aren't that bad either! :o)
Wrapping things up, I'm overwhelmed at the thought of how many times my God has turned what I see as my disasters, into His accomplishments!
On a larger note, in light of the election news that is now flashing across my screen, I am reminded of this: Proverbs 21:1 "The king's heart is in the Lord's hand. He directs it like a watercourse wherever He pleases." and of Romans 13:1 "There is no authority except from God, and those who exist have been instituted by God." I'm thinking... If God can create the universe- he can handle our country! And if God can create the universe, He can handle my crazy mixed-up attempts at writing this blog!!!!!!
Blessings,
Audge
Wednesday, October 29, 2008
oh yes, He's still GOOD.
"Do you have a wooden staff? Do you have Roman-looking sandals? Do you have a very large artificial rock? Do you have a fake (but realistic looking) chicken? Would you like to donate a very expensive item to our ministry that we can auction?" These are some of the questions that we have been asking in order to prepare for the A Walk With Paul premiere. I have termed my car the "prop-mobile" because it feels like I am carrying the entire ballet inside of my trunk.
Lately in the studio, most of our discussions have centered around aesthetic decisions for the ballet or how the costumes will work with the choreography or where the extras (the friends we have dragged into the ballet) should stand during the scenes. We have been focusing on the details of the choreography, the acting, and the very-hard-to-hear musical cues. This week has been very productive---working up until the last minute so that everyone must run out quickly when we are done so that we can make it to work on time.
With all of the things that need to be done and the work that needs to be put in, I can get pretty caught up in the details. I even found myself wishing that we could have an extra month to prepare. But when I sat down to write this blog, all I could think about was how excited I am for November 21st. I feel privileged to be a part of a production like this. I am awed by the way the Lord has inspired Joel and Tennille. I look forward to seeing how God will provide for the ministry through the auction. But most of all and more than anything, I am so excited because I believe that God is going to change lives through this production. And for that reason, November 21st cannot come soon enough!
Which just reminds me that in the details of life, it's all about the big stuff (i.e Jesus). There are things that constantly try to steal my attention from the joy and hope that I have in Christ. And there are a million things that bring my eyes towards myself when I should be looking to Him. And yes, this is very frustrating. But it makes make truly thankful for God's patience with me and his ever-willingness to bring my focus back to Him. He's just really great like that :-)
"So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal."(2 Cor 4:18)
So there ya go, there's my thought-nugget for the week. And I hope that you are as excited as I am for November 21st! Please be praying!
God bless and bless our God!
Cathleen
Lately in the studio, most of our discussions have centered around aesthetic decisions for the ballet or how the costumes will work with the choreography or where the extras (the friends we have dragged into the ballet) should stand during the scenes. We have been focusing on the details of the choreography, the acting, and the very-hard-to-hear musical cues. This week has been very productive---working up until the last minute so that everyone must run out quickly when we are done so that we can make it to work on time.
With all of the things that need to be done and the work that needs to be put in, I can get pretty caught up in the details. I even found myself wishing that we could have an extra month to prepare. But when I sat down to write this blog, all I could think about was how excited I am for November 21st. I feel privileged to be a part of a production like this. I am awed by the way the Lord has inspired Joel and Tennille. I look forward to seeing how God will provide for the ministry through the auction. But most of all and more than anything, I am so excited because I believe that God is going to change lives through this production. And for that reason, November 21st cannot come soon enough!
Which just reminds me that in the details of life, it's all about the big stuff (i.e Jesus). There are things that constantly try to steal my attention from the joy and hope that I have in Christ. And there are a million things that bring my eyes towards myself when I should be looking to Him. And yes, this is very frustrating. But it makes make truly thankful for God's patience with me and his ever-willingness to bring my focus back to Him. He's just really great like that :-)
"So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal."(2 Cor 4:18)
So there ya go, there's my thought-nugget for the week. And I hope that you are as excited as I am for November 21st! Please be praying!
God bless and bless our God!
Cathleen
Monday, October 20, 2008
Today I stand amazed at our God's faithfulness. Each day I wake up and wonder how He's going to do it, how He's going to supply all that I need personally and all that we need as a ministry.
When worry, fear and frustration creeps in He's consistently reminds me "I've got this". He teaches me EVERY DAY to leave it at His feet
And you know what? I am so encouraged when my head hits the pillow and I reconsider my day, He shows me how He's done it. It's often not how I expect, but how boring would life and my walk with Him be if He only accomplished things just how I expected Him to?? That's the excitement of the road He's leading us down. Not knowing how or when but only being sure that He will. That is His promise to us, that He will provide in every way, in His perfect timing. And He's never late.
As I look at where we are as a ministry, I am overwhelmed with the ways the Lord directs us, through counsel, through prayer, through peace.
I'm blessed with the way He unifies us, though difficult sometimes, we have all decided we are willing to walk through it to receive what He has for us on the other side. And He's quick to show us how He wants to use us when we obey, truly amazing.
I'm encouraged by the people He has standing with us, family, friends, prayer partners, pastors and congregations, the support and encouragement we daily receive is mind blowing.
But that all goes hand in hand with His promise to us; that He will supply our every need and He will refine us, teach us, move us and redirect us as He sees fit. I know the vision is great, but our God is greater and stronger and eager to show us how much He loves us. I pray that I will be eager to show Him how much I love Him by trusting Him, obeying Him and just spending quality time with Him each day. I pray that encourages you, just journaling what He's currently doing in my life encourages me.
As we hit our 30 day count down to our big premiere of A Walk with Paul, we are excited (and breathing very deeply!), the production is so much bigger than Joel and I are capable of putting together (even with the help of 8 wonderful women) but I know that is exactly where the Lord wants us so His strength and power will show through, we have no choice but to rely on Him! It may feel so redundant but we really appreciate your prayers, we currently are praying for energy, stamina and focus! Especially during the 2 o'clock hour, when the giggles and exhaustion sets in. Oh we have a lively bunch, I can honestly say my sides hurt every day from laughing so hard, these ladies are so great and such a bunch of fun. Now back to cracking the whip...
Thanks so much! We love you all.
Blessings,
Tennille
Tuesday, October 14, 2008
Questions and Answers
Do you ever wonder why God does things, like make you go through something hard, or put you in an uncomfortable situation? I just finished reading "The Shack" and it makes you think, or at least it made me think. Recently my family found out that my Grammpa has pancriatic cancer, and I hate it, in fact it makes me want to cry just thinking about it. It makes me want to be mad about it and yell,"why God, why?" Well the answer is clearly stated in His Word. "For my thoughts are not you thoughts, neither are your ways my ways," declares the Lord. "As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts. As the rain and snow come down from heaven, and so not return to it without watering the earth and making it bud and flourish, so that it yields seed for the sower and bread for the eater, so is my word that goes out from my mouth: It will not return to me empty, but will accomplish what I desire and accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it. You will go out in joy and be led forth in peace." -Isaiah 55:8-12
He knows the exact number of my Grammpa's live, His timing is perfect eventhough it might not be mine. He is in control in everthing! What a comforting thought that we don't have to worry about anything. One of my favorite verses is Philippians 4:6-7 which says, "Do not be anxious about anything, but in verything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus."
What a great God we have! He has given my Grammpa peace and I pray that I would have that same peace and confidence in Him. He is the Great Healer, and I pray in faith that He can heal my Grammpa.
On a lighter note, classes are going well, and "Paul" is coming together, slowly but surely. Since the beginning of the year, we, as a company, have been struggling with being united, as you might already know. Well, I believe that the Lord has been working and changing our hearts and I think this verse sums it up. "If you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any fellowship with the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and purpose. Do nothing out of selfish ambition of vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves. Each of you should look not only to you own interests, but also to the interests of others. Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus." Phillipians 2:1-5
Blessings,
Mr. Whittacker
He knows the exact number of my Grammpa's live, His timing is perfect eventhough it might not be mine. He is in control in everthing! What a comforting thought that we don't have to worry about anything. One of my favorite verses is Philippians 4:6-7 which says, "Do not be anxious about anything, but in verything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus."
What a great God we have! He has given my Grammpa peace and I pray that I would have that same peace and confidence in Him. He is the Great Healer, and I pray in faith that He can heal my Grammpa.
On a lighter note, classes are going well, and "Paul" is coming together, slowly but surely. Since the beginning of the year, we, as a company, have been struggling with being united, as you might already know. Well, I believe that the Lord has been working and changing our hearts and I think this verse sums it up. "If you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any fellowship with the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and purpose. Do nothing out of selfish ambition of vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves. Each of you should look not only to you own interests, but also to the interests of others. Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus." Phillipians 2:1-5
Blessings,
Mr. Whittacker
Tuesday, October 7, 2008
" Our Lord is determined that we shall feel and recognize this hourly dependence, for He alone permits us to pray for 'daily bread', and alone promises that 'your strength will equal your days.' Isn't it best for us that it should be so, that we may often go to His throne, and constantly be reminded of His love? Oh! how rich the grace which supplies us so continually, and does not refrain itself because of our ingratitude!... O Lord Jesus, that we would bow at Your feet, conscious of our utter inability to do anything without You, and in every favor which we are privileged to receive, we would adore Your blessed name and acknowledge Your unexhausted love."
- Charles H. Spurgeon
This past Friday we had the privilege of dancing at Patriots Landing. a local retirement home. One of our biggest supporters, Grandpa Pratt (Jim), made this program possible. What a blessing it was to fellowship with our brothers and sisters in Christ of an older generation. We danced to six of the nine songs in the "Worship Project", one of the pieces of our repertoire. It was wonderful to talk with the residence after we danced. What an encouragement to hear patrons of the faith say how the Lord used us to bless them. How Jesus could take mere youths to declare His glorious praises is a humbling thing. Lord make us more grateful for what You, in Your sovereign grace, allow us to partake in!
If you would like to pray for us, we would love it. There is a probable space available to us for starting Surrendered School of the Arts. Please ask the Lord for wisdom and provision to be imparted to our leaders as they continue forward with this exciting prospect. God is so good to supply all that we need! The Lord used this piece of scripture to confirm to me that He is pleased when we seek His will above all else.
" In that night God appeared to Solomon, and said to him, "Ask what I shall give you". And Solomon said to God " You have shown great and steadfast love to David my father, and have made me king in his place. O LORD God, let your word to David my father be now fulfilled, for You have made me king over a people as numerous as the dust of the earth. give me now wisdom and knowledge to go out and come in before this people, for who can govern this people of yours, which is so great?" God answered Solomon, " Because this was in your heart and you have not asked possessions, wealth, honor, or the life of those who hate you, and have not even asked long life, but have asked wisdom and knowledge for yourslef that you may govern my people over whom I have made you king, wisdom and knowledge are granted to you. I will also give you riches, possessions, and honor, such as none of the kings had who were before you and none after you shall have the like." "
2 Chronicles 1:7-12
-Holly Hill
- Charles H. Spurgeon
This past Friday we had the privilege of dancing at Patriots Landing. a local retirement home. One of our biggest supporters, Grandpa Pratt (Jim), made this program possible. What a blessing it was to fellowship with our brothers and sisters in Christ of an older generation. We danced to six of the nine songs in the "Worship Project", one of the pieces of our repertoire. It was wonderful to talk with the residence after we danced. What an encouragement to hear patrons of the faith say how the Lord used us to bless them. How Jesus could take mere youths to declare His glorious praises is a humbling thing. Lord make us more grateful for what You, in Your sovereign grace, allow us to partake in!
If you would like to pray for us, we would love it. There is a probable space available to us for starting Surrendered School of the Arts. Please ask the Lord for wisdom and provision to be imparted to our leaders as they continue forward with this exciting prospect. God is so good to supply all that we need! The Lord used this piece of scripture to confirm to me that He is pleased when we seek His will above all else.
" In that night God appeared to Solomon, and said to him, "Ask what I shall give you". And Solomon said to God " You have shown great and steadfast love to David my father, and have made me king in his place. O LORD God, let your word to David my father be now fulfilled, for You have made me king over a people as numerous as the dust of the earth. give me now wisdom and knowledge to go out and come in before this people, for who can govern this people of yours, which is so great?" God answered Solomon, " Because this was in your heart and you have not asked possessions, wealth, honor, or the life of those who hate you, and have not even asked long life, but have asked wisdom and knowledge for yourslef that you may govern my people over whom I have made you king, wisdom and knowledge are granted to you. I will also give you riches, possessions, and honor, such as none of the kings had who were before you and none after you shall have the like." "
2 Chronicles 1:7-12
-Holly Hill
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