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! 

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.