Right Now I'm...

Listening: Don't tell anyone, but the last station I played on Pandora was... Christmas music! I'm usually a "wait till November" kinda girl, but for some reason, it's hitting me a little early this year.

Watching: I'm about to finish up "Pan Am" for the millionth time, and Helen and I started watching the new show "Timeless" the other day, which is in it's debut season. It's pretty fantastic!

Reading: Cheap Kindle Quick Reads (nope... not an official title of an actual book, by the way). I have several books in my "I must read this!!" stack, but I just haven't felt like reading a long book for awhile. But I will... winter is coming, so there will be PLENTY of time!

Working on: I just finished a two-day project (took probably 4-6 hours) of sorting through ALL my scrapbooking/card making supplies. I weeded out more than HALF of my stuff to divide amongst my sisters. My "office" (aka the corner of my living room where my desk is) is feeling much less cluttered now!

Wishing: Not really wishing for anything at the moment, which is kind of awesome. Well... technically... I'm kinda wishing I'd thought to grab another gallon of Apple Cider from Aldi when we were there yesterday, but...

Needing: again... can't think of anything to put here at the moment, which I think is probably good!

Rejoicing: For the last three months, I've been working on an on-going issue at work, and today I FINALLY got to see the fruits of my labor! That was a HUGE relief and definite cause for a happy dance!

Reflecting on: The way God brings me encouragement at the exact moment I need it. Every. Single. Time. Some people might call that coincidence, but I just know its HIM giving me every good thing!

Picturing: These. From last years Senior Photo shoot with my baby sister...

An Extraordinary Ordinary Life

All my life, I feel like I've struggled to be myself. Growing up, I knew who I was expected to be, and for the past 26 years, I've done a pretty good job of being just that girl. 

I don't know that I can point to an exact moment and say "that was it... that's the moment when everything changed...," but over the last four months, I've definitely been changing. I'm not saying it was an over night change, nor do I intend to lead you to believe that it has been easy, because I assure you, it has not, but I'm not the same person today that I was even a month ago.

Over the summer, I spent many, many hours with a group of people that, for the most part, didn't know me. I didn't realize at the time what a gift that was. Spending hours and hours every week with a group of people who had absolutely no idea who I am as a person (with the exception of one solitary person, who I know accepts me no matter what) really gave me the opportunity to open up and discover myself. 

These last two months have been particularly challenging as I no longer spend hours and hours with my FACT family every week. I'm back in the "real world," where people know me and have expectations. But thankfully, I've found the courage and boldness to continue discovering who I truly am, and  every day I embrace that person more and more. 

In the midst of all this change and self-discovery, I've really struggled with how my soon-to-be-27 life looks: Single. The struggle hasn't been that I'm single (although at times that in itself IS a struggle), but rather the struggle is that I've recently discovered I'm (becoming) completely happy with that. I know what you're thinking... "how is being happy in your singleness a struggle?" 

Let me tell you why that's a struggle. The older I get, the fewer and fewer single friends I have, which by default means that I'm the exception, not the rule (interpreted: why aren't you married yet??). For someone like me who has lived her entire life trying to be the person everyone expects, this is difficult. Because sometimes I feel like there is something wrong with me. Sometimes (most of the time, actually) I feel like it's not ok for me to be indifferent to -- even happy in-- my singleness. 

My other major struggle has been that I've finally found a job that I think I could end up loving for a long time. Again... "why the struggle?" you ask. Well, to be honest, the struggle is that my job isn't all that glamorous. I'm not doing amazing things for God (missionary, ministry, etc.).  I'm not even doing amazing things in general (firefighter, doctor, working for a big-name company). Is it really OK for me to be proud of and completely love my job, when it seems so menial?

It may seem like I'm rambling, but here's where it all comes to a point. This morning's message at church was on the life of Esther. I've known how her story goes since I was a little girl, but today it really hit home. I (not surprisingly) was brought to tears over the following (para)phrase spoken from the pulpit today:

"God has a specific role for you to play.  Don't waste your life worrying about who you're not, but rather focus on who God has made you to be. Embrace the person God has made you and the role He has made you to play."

We were reminded that Esther didn't choose the extraordinary life God had planned for her. She didn't choose to lose her parents and be raised by a cousin. She didn't choose to be uprooted from her home and taken to the palace. However, she DID choose to follow God. She DID choose to embrace the role God had for her to play. She DID choose to be used of God in the salvation of her people. 

The past four months have been a struggle-- the good kind of struggle-- as I discover more and more things about myself. And up until today, I thought that embracing this new-found me wasn't ok.

But maybe, just maybe, allowing myself to be who I really am isn't such a bad thing. 

And maybe, just maybe, God wants me to learn to fall in love with my extraordinary ordinary life.

Right Now I'm...

Listening: Rodeo is in a week, so that's put me in a bit of a Country mood... But also, Michael Buble has a new album coming out next month, so I've been on a Buble kick also. AND.... I ordered two tickets for my daddy and I to FINALLY go on our daddy/daughter date to see Celtic Thunder in a month (!!!!!!), so I've been rollin' the Irish, too. All the good listening material!

Watching: Quantico is on Netflix, in case anyone wondered, so I've been binge watching the first (and only, so far) season. Because it's SO GOOD!

Reading: At present? Nothing. Not. A. Thing. Unless text messages count.... HOWEVER, I'm...

Working on: putting together a Bible study group. So I'll be reading for that. Haven't quite decided on which study to do, but I'm leaning toward either a Proverbs 31 study or a James study. Decisions, decisions...

Wishing: That AUTUMN would hurry up and hit full-force! I can NOT wait for chilly days and sweaters and boots and warm bevereges and falling leaves and... all of it!

Needing: for this sinus headache to go away. I super hope it's just allergies... and that the meds I got kick in ASAPs!

Rejoicing: The few girls I've talked to are very interested in doing a Bible Study together!! I'm so glad! I wasn't sure if it would pick up or not, but I'm really excited about it!

Reflecting on: How God works in our lives. Sometimes it seems like all I do is W-A-I-T!! But I think God sometimes makes me wait because (1) He knows I'm not ready (2) I'll appreciate it more if I wait for it (3) He's preparing other people to participate in my life. But mostly, I think He makes me wait because what He has for me is SO MUCH BETTER than what I had planned for myself!

Picturing: Last year's Rodeo night... Looking forward to this year, even though this girl is gonna be a hundreds of miles away...

Tale As Old As Time

Yes.

Just a short little three-letter word. One I've said many times before. Little did I know that saying this tiny word in May would have such an impact on my life.

When I auditioned to be in the FACT (Fairfield Area Community Theatre) production of Beauty and the Beast, I figured I'd join the chorus, enjoy singing, have an alright experience, and move on. I almost didn't go because neither of my sisters were going to be able to do it with me, and I wasn't sure about going alone. But, I didn't want to disappoint G (my former music teacher/mentor/extra dad-type), so I said yes.

Auditions were interesting; definitely a step out of my comfort zone. But fun. That first night, I left having no idea if I would even continue. Not a single person was there that I knew except Blair (G's son who had no clue who I was, but had been told about me), the assistant director disliked me (or so I thought), and there were wAAAAAy too many kids. 

BUT. I said yes. And I spent the next two and a half months doing something I loved and spending time with some incredible people! 

During the first month of rehearsals, I was really struggling with some things in my personal life, and rehearsals were such an oasis for me! For a few hours several nights a week, everything else faded from view. I was able to get lost in a perfect little world of music and forget the frustrations of life. It was EXACTLY what I needed!

Then we moved into choreography. YIKES! Anyone who knows me knows that I am NOT a good dancer. And the choreographer was so cool. And hip. And I just KNEW she was going to find me ridiculously awkward. So when she asked me to help out on some extra stuff, I was shocked. But again, I said YES. I had no idea that saying "yes" to that request would gain me a new best friend! From that moment on, Rachel and I were connected at the hip! I basically ended up being her second in command, which I LOVED! Turns out, I'm not half bad at the dancin' thing! When all was said and done, I was told under no uncertain terms that I was her new permanent assistant for these shows. Which I love!

As we got closer and closer to the production, the FACT family spent more and more time together. Hours of rehearsals every single day, lots of hard work, and tons of togetherness. These people really became my Summer family (in fact, I spent more time with them than with my ACTUAL family during the months of June/July). As it turns out, the assistant director DIDN'T dislike me (she secretly loved me), and I had such a wonderful time being one of her go-to people backstage.

The three performances went {practically} flawlessly {to the public eye}, and Sunday night after the final curtain closed, everyone gave a sigh of relief. Everyone except me. I cried. Not in a big all-out tears streaming down my face kind of way, but in that single tear slips down the cheek kind of way. I hate when things end. After spending every single spare moment with this crew for the past 10 weeks, saying goodbye- even just temporarily- was going to break my heart.

After the final clean up was completed (of which I stuck around literally as long as I possibly could because I just couldn't bring myself to leave), and dinner with my crew was finished (you know who you are), I reluctantly got in my car and drove home. I may or may not have cried the entire drive.

I'm so thankful for this experience, and for the people I was able to meet, and the permanent friendships I was able to form. I had no idea I'd end up being sucked into the FACT family, but I'm SO GLAD I WAS! So many of you touched my heart in ways that you'll never even know.

Oh... and G? Thanks. Just... Thanks!

'Till Next Year...

Diana (the assistant director), Rachel (choreographer), & Me

Me & My Crew: Rachel, Me, Drew, Blair, & G

Me & My BFF Dancin' Rachel

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!