O the Thinks You Can Think!

Caleb & Naomi setting the stage for things to come.

"O the thinks you can think" was the opening number of Seussical the Musical--the production we just put on for the last time this weekend. As I sat and watched them perform, I mouthed the words along with them and started to think.  I remember when we first were making the proposal to do this musical.  Emily was wide-eyed and excited, and I shared in her excitement with a little reservation--feeling that my skills as a musical director would not live up to Barlow-standards.  As the semester rolled on, we all got overwhelmed as things didn't go the way we planned, but God worked it all out and made it worth it.  I'm so glad we did it, and even more blessed to have been a part of it.

Putting on Seussical the Musical was extremely tiring and trying.  It isn't the first time I have been part of a major production, but it is the first time I have been a director of a major production. Wow...that brings a whole different type of exhaustion.  I'm so glad to have worked alongside of Emily Barlow, and I'm continually in awe of how graceful she is when she directs these shows.  She is an inspiration in so many ways.

My favorite shot Horton (Tayo) talking to the Who's on the dust speck

If I could say one thing, among many, that I learned throughout this production it would be that "no think is too small for God."  I can definitely say that Emily and I were worried--there were so many things that were not in our control as we persevered through the entire show.  There was just so much going on.  The kids were doing an excellent job and working super hard, but we were stressed out pretty much the entire time.

Going into opening night, though, everything just gelled into place in a way that only God could do.  Everyone performed at their absolute best, and the kids did one simple thing: they had fun.  I couldn't tell you how many moments I sat there watching them with tears in my eyes and the widest and cheesiest smile on my face.  They did it.  God did it.  He took their very best and made it even better, for His glory.  I'm so proud of them and everything they worked so hard to achieve.

Amazing Mayzie & the bird girls singing to Gertrude

As I stumbled through a tear-filled prayer on Saturday night, I admitted to myself that Seussical was the bittersweet beginning to the end of an unforgettable and incredible year here at SCCLC.  There has been blood, sweat, and tears that have all mushed together to make this one of the most life-changing experiences I have ever had, and I would do it again if I could.

The end of the musical marks the beginning of my transition out of SCCLC and back to the States.  I will be leaving on June 14th, and I won't be returning to the SCCLC.  God is clearly ending this chapter of my life, and I will be returning to the States to find a teaching job in inner-city Philadelphia.  Though I am at peace with this decision--a decision made a long time ago, it is extremely hard to say goodbyes without knowing when I will see these kids, teachers, and friends again.

The Wickershams "Monkey-ing Around"

Please be praying for me and the ones I love here as I transition out of Bolivia.  I have been in denial of it being a difficult one, but I know that a part of my heart is going to be left here--and its going to be hard to let go.  But--as I said before "no think is too small for God" and I cannot wait to see what he has in store for me in the coming years.

Thanks for your constant prayers & love,

Rachel

Here a few more photos from the weekend:

The show-stoppers during their shining moments :)

Emily & myself after it was all over!

The Full Cast & Crew :)

I'm so proud of my kids & blessed by them daily.  I'm not sure what to do with myself now that its all over! :)

Life Lessons from a Director of an Elementary Christmas Program

I'm risking the label of sacreligious, but I'm going to go ahead and do it anyway.

If I could relate even a small portion of God's job to something tangible and understandable by a flawed human.  I'd say that an almost acceptable picture of God is a director of a Elementary School Christmas Program.  Something that I have learned an awful lot about.

The Director of an Elementary School Christmas Program might be expected to do any if not all of the following:

Convince a multitude of laughing, joking, screaming, playing, sinning, and downright awnry kids to do exactly what he wants at exactly the time he wants them to do it.

Gather all of the details of the show: time, lights, sound, location, program, props, costumes, etc.

Elicit help from selfless people who are willing to give up their usual things to serve

Encourage the kids who are scared, nervous, unsure, and the ones with attitude, to keep going and try hard.

Sit back, breathe, and believe that in the end they will do their best.

Do you see any of the parallels here?  GOD directed (and continues to direct) the show for me.

He Convinces ME: a laughing, joking, screaming, playing, sinning and downright awnry believer to do exactly what He wants done at the time He wants it done.

He gathers all of the details of my life & flawlessly figures it out without me even having to know about it.

He provides people to volunteer their time and energy in order to love me, pray for me, encourage me, help me, serve alongside me.

He encourages me when I'm scared, nervous, unsure, discouraged or hurt.  

When I have an attitude--he tells me to keep going.

He sits back and waits until it is finally time to tell me, "Well done, good and faithful servant."

I could not have done this directing thing on my own, mind you, but I believe that God could.  Well, to be truthful, He really DID.  Thank you all who were praying for me this week.  I'm blessed beyond blessed to have you all in my life!  GOD BLESS!

And Feliz Navidad!

Rachel

PRAYER REQUESTS & PRAISES

• PRAISE that the Christmas Program went well & that its over ;)
• Pray for FINALS WEEK this week, and that the kids and teachers finish well!
• Pray for all of the teachers and missionaries flying home for Christmas vacation, that they'll be safe and enjoy their time at home.
• Pray for myself and the other teachers and missionaries staying here in Bolivia during vacation.  That we will still find ways to celebrate without family and that we won't miss home too much.
• Pray for the 2013 SAM Mission Conference coming up the 2nd week of January.  That everything will run smoothly and that it will be an edifying and awesome experience for all of the missionaries.

THANKS FOR YOUR PRAYERS & SUPPORT!