More than a Dream Come True

I started an obsession about 7 years ago. I started watching World War 1 and World War 2 movies and documentaries. I specifically studied the holocaust. I don't think many understood why I would investigate such a dark time in history. Some of my friends found it endearing, but they never fully embraced my interest. Most of the movies were rated R due to violence and nudity. If these films were true to the events, they were tragic and horrifying.
Here are some of my favorites: The Pianist, Boy with the Striped Pajamas, Fateless, and Life is Beautiful. I will mention Imaginary Witness because it was an interesting documentary. It explored how the holocaust has been portrayed in film.
Now to the part of the blog when I consider crying...
As I studied these holocaust actors and actresses, a longing grew in me. How would I portray the loss, the ache, the horror, or the faint hope...if I got the chance? Would I ever have the privilege of retelling such a story? The answer arrived: yes. I now have the play, We Will Not Be Silent.
This play is more than a "dream come true". That phrase fails to describe this experience. It MUST be a calling. When I stand on the stage and recite the lines, I know I am embodying who God created me to be. I believe God created these lines for me. I will only have this script for a moment, but for this moment, these lines are mine. The message originated with the White Rose, but God granted me the privilege to shout their message as well.
My friends, Rachel and Danny, came to watch one of the productions. I knew they would love the material. I met with Rachel in the foyer after the show. Tears were streaming down her face and she was trying to gain her composure. Danny and Rachel understand. The message is not something I am simply performing. It is something I actually prepare to live. I plan to die for my message. I plan to end injustice by confronting those who cause it. I know these moments on the stage are simply preparation. 
Our cast will perform We Will Not Be Silent for Chapel, which means most of the Taylor student body will see it. I pray they walk away with a respect for conviction and gain more power of voice.

Remember How Cool This Is?

Someone posted this on Facebook. I enjoyed it and wanted to keep it tucked away on my blog, so I could return to it time and time again.

My Sis's Battle

I cried last night. My younger sister was diagnosed with cancer. She will be going into surgery after Christmas. After surgery, she will start chemotherapy. She isn't in the states, so it is harder on me. I want to hold her hand. I want to be there when she is in pain. I spoke with her over the phone yesterday night. She sounded optimistic, but I know this can't be easy on her.
We need to wait till after the surgery to find out the seriousness of the situation. The doctors aren't certain, but they are saying the cancer is stage 3. They won't know more until after the surgery. I need your prayers.
My little sis is full of life. She is my joy! I will fight with her, but it will be a difficult road.

Brain-Involuntary Reaction

Mental illness has taught me one thing: most everyone elevates the brain above all other vital organs. We know the heart causes blood to pump, which is vital for life. However, we wouldn’t call our heart a murderer when it stopped working. However, if the brain miscalculates a situation or perceives something wrong, we blame it on ourselves. I think the brain is more involuntary than voluntary. I am no scientist, but the brain is not our savior. It will fail us and we can’t rely on our intellect or wisdom to save us in any form. Our brain will, at times, lie to us. We can’t will it to function perfectly, just like we can’t tell our heart to pump.

I wonder if there are any current studies about involuntary vs. voluntary brain function. Hmmm

Winter and sNOw.

Well it is now snowing...still. We are suppose to get three inches. I ran to the store before the nasty stuff covered the roads. I am crippled during this weather; however, I am making an effort to remain joyful. Even while performing in A Christmas Carol Musical, I crindged when the fake snow fell. It is just cold and messy. I don't see the point. I consider it a judgement on the earth. Okay too extreme...but still true. HAHAHAHA

My Greatest Pursuit

I will be performing in We Will Not Be Silent: The Story of the White Rose written by Willam Gebby. I have a hopeful expectation for the performances on Oct 14 and 15. The message of The White Rose resonates in my heart, and I know it will resonate in the hearts of others as well. If you are interested in attending, you can get information at this LINK.

I have committed myself to honoring The White Rose's memory. Not only in my performance, but also by living a life of fierce convictions.I am attracted to these students and love to endlessly research their cause.

I have never acted in a play where the characters are based on real people. It is surreal, especially because these students died for their awe inspiring words. These German citizens protested the Nazi regime and denounced Hitler. Their message has caught my affections, and I am humbled to tell their story on stage. There were such devastating stories of loss and death during Hitler's tirade, but within this struggle, The White Rose's voice gained victory through their enduring message and unyielding faith.

This play is my greatest accomplishment. I am serious. To this day, I can't compare it with any other venture. It is elevated above all of my other pursuits.

READ SOME OF THEIR LEAFLETS AT THIS WEBSITE!

UE vs TU

I will now compare the University of Evansville to Taylor University, as it relates to my experience. I attended UE in 1999 and withdrew late in the spring semester. Even after my withdrawal (which was due to an illness) I was convinced that UE was my perfect fit. I attempted to reapply, but it never came about. Looking back, that college was not the perfect fit, not even close.
My UE professors told me to avoid spiritual writing. Christianity wasn’t looked on with favor. I wrote from my heart, a lovesick Christian heart, and my professors discouraged that at every turn. Most of my professors were intellectual, but they made no attempts to befriend me beyond the classroom. They were reserved and rather boring. I think I was so enamored by the newness of college life that I failed to see the looming negative atmosphere. I use to look at UE with favor. However, now it seems like a dark, eerie, and depressing time in my life.
I am now attending Taylor, which is the number one midwest college according to US News and World Report. I am not surprised by this. Taylor professors care about students beyond the classroom. They don’t just voice their love and support; they show their love through actions. They pray with me. They encourage my love for God and beg me to incorporate it into my writing. When I had to withdrawal for the spring semester (again, due to illness) the professors, faculty, and my classmates called me back and renewed my confidence.
I don’t write this to bad mouth UE or to suggest Taylor is perfect. I only write this because I realize how much our perception of life can be skewed. We can love things that are bad for us and hate things that are good for us. Hind’s sight is always more clever than our expectations and perception