Where Has Lacy Been?

I'm sure some of you, by now, are wondering if I'm still out there in cypberspace. Well, the answer, is YES! BUT... life has gotten quite hectic for me. Between starting a new job, joining the local theater group, battling yet ANOTHER sinus/ear infection, taking a long weekend to California, and two weddings, I hardly have time to catch up with myself, let alone all of YOU! So, quick recap (HA! Like I even know HOW to do quick...):

In mid-May, I was trolling Facebook, when I saw a post by my {former, but always} music teacher announcing auditions for the Faifrield Area Community Theater's summer production of Beauty & the Beast. Naturally, I did a little squeal of excitement, as Beauty & the Beast is my all-time favorite Disney movie! Of course, a week later, I auditioned, and low and behold, I got the exact role I wanted: random chorus person! It's been a L-O-T of work, but I'm SO glad I did it! I was really struggling with a few life-y things, and I'm so thankful this dropped in my lap. Even though it sometimes leaves me frustrated (the cast this season includes a larger amount of young talent versus seasoned talent), I love that it allows me a solid chunk of time to escape from the "real world" and just have fun. We perform in exactly two weeks, and I can't even begin to imagine just how many hours we'll put in between now and then. In fact, next week, I get to learn a whole new choreography set for a scene we haven't even touched yet! Yikes! It's been so fun, though, and I even got the great fortune of making a new life-long {I hope} friend out of the deal!

Two weeks ago, I left State Farm and started a new job working as a receptionist/office relations/front desk service person at a local dental practice. I was a little nervous about making the switch, but I KNEW I needed to do something because lets face it: sales is NOT my forte, and therefore, working as a sales associate at State Farm was not exactly the fit we were all hoping for. Office-y jobs, on the other hand, such as working the front desk at a dentist office, is definitely a fit! So far (yes I realize it's only been two weeks), I'm loving it! I think we were both exactly what the other was looking for.

Last weekend, my cousin April (whom I affectionately call "Steve") and I flew to Huntington Beach, California, to attend the wedding of my dear childhood friend, Robert Kyle. I am SO glad we went! We had a total and absolute B-L-A-S-T!!! The wedding was held at a resort on the beach, and it was absolutely stunning. Hands-down the BEST wedding/reception/party/celebration I've ever attended! I'm so happy for Kyle & Kristina- they're a perfect pair! It was great getting time to celebrate with them, as well as catch up with another couple of friends from high school, Jeremiah & Jessica Teeter.

We had so much fun! April & I stayed at an airbnb, where we had just a fabulous time- an experience we're sure to repeat! On Saturday, before the wedding, we spent a few hours with Jessica & Jeremiah and their family at the beach, playing in the waves and relaxing in the California sun (where I got burnt bad enough I'm peeling this week). Sunday, after we had recovered from 5 solid hours of dancing the night before, April & I hit up some sights: Disneyland (just the shops outside the theme park, as Disney isn't really April's thing) and Balboa Island. LOVED experiencing both places, even though we were sunburnt and sore from the previous day's activities. We flew home on Monday, drove from Des Moines, and made it safely home around 11:30pm.

Last night, Helen & I got to witness the marriage of our dear Yellow House Brother, Christoper, to his exquisite Peruvian bride, Fiorella. The wedding was absolutely wonderful! What a joy to see how God worked through various circumstances to bring this couple together, and it's such a delight to see them reflect ALL the glory to GOD! It was wonderful to see our dear family-like friends for an evening, to eat, and dance, and laugh together! Our Delaware sister, Kirsten, even made it! We drove up AND back last night, and arrived home safely around 2:40AM this morning.

Next up: we'll celebrate Grandpa's 91st birthday & Alexxa's 5th birthday tomorrow, then family festivities for Independence Day before two weeks of NONSTOP rehearsals for Beauty & the Beast! Stay tuned... I'm going to try my hardest to keep up with blogging for the 6 people who read it! 

Right Now I'm...

Listening: I created a station on Pandora called "Beyond the Sea" and it's so great! All the greats like Frank Sinatra and Dean Martin... very enjoyable!

Watching: Several of my regular shows had their season finale this week, and one even had its series finale (yes, I said goodbye to Castle this week). One show is still standing, with the season finale of Chicago P.D. airing next Wednesday.

Reading: Reading? HA! Does rehearsal music count? That's about all I have time for at the moment. (Side note: I realize I clearly have time to watch t.v., but 9 times out of 10, I also multi-task while I have the show playing in the background. Hard to multi-task while physically reading a book.) I started a free trial of Amazon AudioAudible about three weeks ago, and I'm almost finished with "Buried Secrets" by Irene Hannon. I'll probably finish it today while I clean house.

Working on: Well, I'm still doing the Jamberry thing. I totally meant to write an awesome informative blog post all about it, but clearly we can see what happened with that. I've also joined the Fairfield Area Community Theatre for their summer production of Beauty and the Beast, set to show in mid July. Oh! And I was volunteered to play the piano at my sister's High School graduation tomorrow (which will also be the FINAL graduation at Harmony High School, as they combine the HS with Van Buren next year). Busy, busy, busy!

Wishing: I knew what was next. Potential details to come later on that one. Other than that, I'm definitely wishing I was independently wealthy so I could never have to work again and could just travel the world!

Needing: An extra day between Saturday & Sunday... that would still be part of the weekend. Every single week. (this hasn't changed one word since April's post... because it's still ridiculously true!)

Rejoicing: My little Jamberry business isn't doing too bad. I'm not an overnight millionaire by any stretch, but I signed up to be able to support my Jamberry <addiction>, and so far, I've had decent commissions coming in, so that's A-W-E-S-O-M-E!

Reflecting on: Life moves too quickly. Things change, and we are personally grown and stretched in ways we didn't see coming, but that's OK! God is still in control, even when to us, our lives look a little more like a jumbled mess than a masterpiece.  

Picturing:

Alexxa's preschool graduation from Thursday. She would NOT look at the camera... she was too busy looking at... well... anything else!

Right Now I'm...

Listening: The new Adele album 25 is just wonderful! 

Watching: We spent the day at "the old home place" watching movies with the fam and our friend Maggie. We watched everything from Hilary Duff to Seven Brides for Seven Brothers.

Reading: Still working on "Bed of Roses," but I also just ordered Candace Cameron Bure's book Reshaping It All (THANKS Amazon credit!)

Working on:  Two BIG things going on this month (stay tuned for blog post to follow soon): Changing my eating habits & JAMBERRY! I'm super excited about joining Jamberry, but I'm putting in a lot of work leading up to my Launch Party in a few weeks!

Wishing: to be successful. I know... it doesn't come over night. But I WISH it did!

Needing: An extra day between Saturday & Sunday... that would still be part of the weekend. Every single week. 

Rejoicing: I had a great month of bonuses at work, and I REALLY needed that! AND I'm already set to double that next month! WOO HOO!

Reflecting on: Life is full of choices, and for the most part every single one boils down to this: Do I choose ME or Do I choose Jesus? Talk about a slap in the face, but it's so true. 

Picturing:

This little teaser to my next post...

Memories

Memories

by Lacy Vance

Memories hit me in waves:

the memory of your eyes

your smile

your song.

Memories of carefree summer days:

the memory of your laughter

your voice

your sweet companionship.

Memories of joy-filled days:

the memory of swinging in the park

of ministering together

of being family.

Memories of parties and pie:

the memory of late night talks

of tears

of healing.

Memories of our perfect summer:

the memory of dancing in the rain

of hugs

of you.

As I stood in my kitchen talking to my sister tonight, a dull ache arose in my heart. People walk in and out of my life: some I remember with a smile, some I remember with a tear, and some... a handful of the most spectacular, incredible people I've ever known... make my heart ache because I miss their constant presence in my life more than words can even begin to express. My feeble attempt at poetry is the best I can offer.

And yet... in the midst of all these memories... the ache in my heart tells me that maybe, just maybe, our story isn't finished yet.

And I pray that someday, just maybe, we'll get another chance.

Right Now I'm...

Listening: I've had mostly Christian music playing for the last week or so. (1) It's helping me speak TRUTH to myself (2) It's helping set my focus for Easter (3) It just makes me FEEL better... starts my days off on the right foot.

Watching: Still have a season and a half till I'm done with Private Practice, but I had such a hankering the other day to watch Army Wives that I started that again, as well. Oh... and last night was the season finale of the Bachelor, so of course, I caught up on that today.

Reading: I finally finished Vision in White, so I've moved on to book 2, Bed of Roses. I also picked up a book during the thrift store outing with the church ladies last week entitled "Bad Women of the Bible," which sounds bad, but actually looks like it will be a very good read!

Working on:  This week? My attitude. And being honest with important people in my life. I've done a very good job of hiding some difficult things from... well... everyone (including myself), and Sunday afternoon while talking with my mom, I kind of just lost it. And let it all out. Which was good for me, but definitely showed me that I can't "LIFE" alone... I need my support system. But they can't support me if I'm not honest and upfront and open. I'm working on that. I'm also working on trying to find other ways (besides going to the doctor all the time) to improve my health. Because let's face it: I can't keep being sick all the time!

Wishing: That change was easy. That change didn't require so much hard work and dedication. And that someone could find a way to make me never get sick again (or at the very least, not as often).

Needing: Clear direction from God. And the continued need to speak TRUTH to myself.

Rejoicing: Spring is a mere 5 days away! But as excited as that has me, I'm so THANKFUL for my mom. Sometimes I find it hard to talk to her because I'm afraid of disappointing her. I know she prays for me, and I know that she loves me unconditionally, but having moments like Sunday make me really appreciate the encouragement she is to me. 

Reflecting on: I've said it several times in this post, but I've been really trying hard to speak TRUTH to myself. One of those ways is by reminding myself of God's Word and Promises. Helen and I started dedicating one hour a week as "Bible Time" because we both felt like we needed that encouragement from one another. We shoot for Mondays from 7-8 (ish), but so far, that's only worked out once. This week, we went with Tuesday from 7:30-8:30 because that's what worked. Anyway, I'm studying 1 John. Tonight was 1 John 1:5-10. TRUTH: God has cleansed me from ALL my sin. TRUTH: God is always ready to forgive and restore our relationship when I screw up. TRUTH: I must CHOOSE to walk in the light.

Picturing: I can't wait for consistently warm weather, but maybe not THIS warm. I can't look at this picture without feeling all sticky with sweat. It was like 100+ degrees out this day and the humidity was off the charts.... SO HOT!! But fun!