2009 Life in Review – A Narrative of God’s Amazing work
2009 was a surprisingly very good year. The Lord intervened in my life and showed me the way I should go. To God be the Glory, Honor, and Praise!
To review my life in 2009 I’d have to begin in December 2008.
I just finished performing in “Once upon a Christmas” at Southland Christian Church and realized, it’s been 7 years since I did a musical and I’ve missed this creative outlet. Missed it so much that I believe it affected my overall well-being.
You see I made a decision to stop pursuing a career in the performing arts over 10 years ago. And my plans were to temporarily live in Lexington KY for 6 months before going abroad. But one Sunday morning in September ’08, I was compelled to respond to the audition announcement for “Once Upon A Christmas”. I thought why not, I don’t have a full-time job right now, might as well use this time creatively. Besides, I didn’t know anybody and it might be a good way to make new friends if I’m cast on the show.
Surprisingly, I was cast in the role of Olivia, an angel sent with a group of three other angels to tell “The Story” of the true meaning of Christmas to a teenage runaway. This production brought so much fulfillment and joy that has been missing in my life for such a long time. The experience also served as a wonderful reminder that I should once again use my creative talents to glorify God by sharing my gifts with others.
In January I was excited for what 2009 could bring and I was willing to do anything. I didn’t have a full-time job and I was disappointed because my plans for moving to Japan to begin a career as an ESL instructor had to be postponed because of financial difficulty. But the Lord faithfully intervened to provide work to cover my basic needs and show me the way I should go.
He orchestrated situations that made it possible for me to begin working as a Standardized Patient (SP) at the University of Kentucky (UK) College of Medicine. I love this work!! because I’m using acting skills to realistically portray patients presenting an illness not only to medical students, but also dental, nursing, and pharmacy students. I also use my teaching skills to evaluate the quality of care I received from the students and provide them feedback in areas where they need to improve. It would be great to do this full-time.
Meanwhile, I am also building my business as an Aflac Independent agent. But it is slow for me right now because I have to constantly motivate myself to go out there and find people whom I can serve as their agent. So in March I was inspired to create a website called www.ajoyforlife.com promoting my music and work as a performer as well as advertise my service as an Aflac agent.
In the beginning of April, I found out about auditions for the 2009 “It’s a Grand Night for Singing” production of UK Opera department. I went to the audition and while I was waiting, I saw the audition flyer for “Once on this Island” saying they were looking for a multi-racial cast. After finishing the “Grand Night” auditions I walked next door to audition for “Once on this Island” even though I knew nothing about it.
In June, I sang the solo number “Mira” at the 2009 “It’s a Grand Night for Singing” and in July I made my debut performance as Mama Euralie in KCTC/Summerfest 2009 production of “Once on this Island” . Both shows were great experiences where I’m thankful to have received critical acclaim.
God’s orchestration also allowed me the opportunity to be a featured artist at “The Gathering” at Southland Christian Church in June where I performed songs from my CD “Simple Song” and my favorite musical theatre songs. June was undoubtedly a very hectic month of performances and rehearsals. And then my 2009 Fall performance series began.
I was very busy juggling rehearsals for two shows opening in September:
“All Aboard for Murder” produced by Bluegrass Mystery Theatre
“Beguiled Again: The Songs of Rodgers and Hart” produced by Actors Guild of Lexington
By October, I was thankful for a break. Then by November I was ready to do another show.
Thankfully, I was invited to audition for and was cast in “Hark! A Christmas Cabaret” produced by Main St. Playhouse. But in the midst of rehearsals I grieved the loss of a fellow singer and actress who suddenly died two weeks after her wedding. Lauren performed with me last year in “Once Upon a Christmas” and she was part of the blessing I received from God gently reminding me to share the talents He has given me with the world.
And so I finished a busy and fun year performing around Kentucky by creating a new Facebook page where I can share my work as a performing artist with family, friends, and fans globally. But most importantly, glorifying God by sharing the Joy of Christ through the joy of music and coming back to theatre.
Though I have my own wishes and plans/goals for 2010, I surrender them all to the hand of God. He is the only author qualified to write all the days of my life. I want to be a good steward of His gifts and let “His Word (The Bible) be a Lamp unto my feet and the Light unto my path.”
How is God working in your life right now? I pray that after reading this narrative you are inspired to begin 2010 by allowing God to work in your life. If you have any questions, feel free to comment on this note and I will respond to you via FB e-mail.
