Remembering the Loaves and Fishes

This week I did something I haven't done in years.

I bought a new music accompaniment track.

Years ago, I was very involved in the music ministry of my church, singing solos, acting in our huge Christmas and Easter productions, etc., etc., etc. But then came the difficult years and my voice was striken from me.

Not to mention my heart and soul.

As many of you know, in the last few years I've been on a quest to find my voice again. My doctor put me on some thyroid medication. Then we changed it after it seemed I might have an allergy to the binding agent in that particular brand.

Since then, I've gotten alot of my voice back but not to the capacity, clarity, and dependability that it once was, which has been very difficult for me to accept. Used to I never had to think twice about my voice cracking or just disappearing on me suddenly, but it is something I've had to work on and try to adapt to in order to sing these days (and some days are better than others).

A few years ago I wrote about having participated in a musical Christmas play at my church. Still not the best singing job but better, and it felt so great to be acting again and reaching others. Recently my music pastor has had me do some poems and scripture readings in services - can't tell you how wonderful that has felt. This week he also asked me to participate in the praise team in a couple of weeks.

That's gotten me to thinking.

When you've been used to having a clear and lovely voice, it's hard to accept anything less from yourself. But what if - just what if - God could still use whatever voice I have to reach others? No it isn't perfect, no it isn't what I've grown up being used to, but maybe just my willingness to put myself in the hands of my Lord, He might touch someone through the words of a song. I long to once again be an instrument played beautifully by the hands of God again, have His light shine through me and touch others. It's truly the most incredible feeling in the world.

So even though I expect perfection from myself, perhaps the little I have to give is all He needs to touch a life or two. I'll never know until I make myself available to Him in that way again.

Just can't help but remember what He did with a few loaves and fishes.

Reminiscing About Norma

Had something pretty interesting happen this week.

A young lady from Kentucky is playing my part.

As I wrote this time last year, I tried out and made the leading female role in my church's production of the play "I'll Be Home For Christmas", set near the eve of Pearl Harbor and the United States' official entrance into World War II.

Apparently they're doing it somewhere in Kentucky this year too.

She was looking for information about the play/musical after landing the part of Norma, where she proceeded to stumble across my blog.

Imagine that! The Chatter's Block came up under a search engine - wow, I feel important now (or pretty, but that's another musical).

So for a couple of days we've been commenting back and forth through the blog about the role, some of the music, and background from what I remembered. It was so nice revisiting those memories. Initially we were looking at doing it again this year, but other important things have come up this year at our church - namely the Michael W. Smith concert that our choir is participating in.

But that's fodder for another blog entry.

I certainly hope she touches base after their production to let me know how she felt about the character. She just found out she'd landed the role and hasn't even read the script - goodness gracious! I hope she's a fast learner.

Just glad to be getting some traffic going on the blog again - even if it is my own.

HSM 3 - A Brief Review

All my life I've loved musicals. Can't get enough of the oldies (one of my favorites is "White Christmas") with all the music, dancing, and show-stopping numbers. Of course they are all usually story lite, but they never were so much about the stories as they were about the music.

So now I have to admit something - I just love the High School Musical shows! Since I've been stuck at home sick most of the week, decided this afternoon that we'd take HSM 3 in (there was NO WAY I was going to try to see it opening weekend with all the tween girls screaming for a view of Troy and Chad). Once again, the musical numbers were outstanding.

Of the three, however, this one was definitely the lightest one in regard to the storyline. There were more songs and dance numbers galore. Yes, the story was about moving on with life, making choices, and following your dreams, but I gotta admit I missed more of the Sharpay focus on being the bad girl. They had a chance to pull away a bit from the Troy and Gabriella storyline and take in a broader scope, but they didn't take advantage of it. Little bit disappointing.

I do have to admit, I thought they used Ms. Darbus (sp?) very well in this one. There's a very poignant scene (I've noticed alot of those lately) where Troy opens up to her about his doubts about what choice to make and direction to take with his college focus. Some of her remarks were very much right on. She talked to him about this being the time to take the opportunity to explore and pursue those unexpected areas. Ten years down the road may be too late when life grabs ahold and drags one along.

My favorite song (and my son's too) was the scene where Troy and Chad reminisce about playing super heros at the auto junkyard when they were kids - "The Boys Are Back". Great percussian. Carried the beat. There was a cute little "aw" moment when Troy and Chad roll under a truck and come out the other side. I won't spoil it for you, but parents will absolutely love it. Completely adorable.

Just remember to stay into the credits. There are some great bloopers. I hope they have more on the DVD when it comes out.