For Such a Time As This

         This song has a special place in my heart. It has been used in both “King’s Theatre” presentations of “Esther-Ordinary Faith,” the first production Anna directed back in 2005, along with the more recent performance last summer. (In fact, the picture at the top of this blog is from last summer's version of "Esther.") In the musical, Esther dances to or sings the song as she contemplates the task ahead of her… the task that only she can complete. Over the last 7 years since the first “Esther-Ordinary Faith” production, that song has challenged me every time I take a moment to think about it.

“Now, all I have is now

To be faithful, to be holy

And to shine, lighting up the darkness

Right now I really have no choice

But to voice the truth to the nations

a generation looking for God!

For such a time as this/ I was placed upon the earth

To hear the voice of God/ and do His will, whatever it is.

For such a time as this/ for now and all the days He gives

I am here! I am here! And I am his/ For such a time as this

 

Can’t change what’s happened till now

But we can change what will be

By living holiness

So that the world may see Jesus!”

         Right now, God has placed me in the position to help administrate some of "The King's Praise Ballet" as Anna "moves on". Along with about 6 other girls, I face the task of replacing my amazing teacher and director. We have many varied interests and goals for our lives, from missions to film-making to music to college...but right now, God has put us here. Right now, our duty is to be the best teachers, choreographers, seamstresses, administrators,  and washers of mirrors that we can be. It's been amazing to see how for each task, there was someone perfectly suited for and trained in that area. (Aside from the mirror washing. That just sort of happens as it happens.)

        We're all still in high school. We all still have things to learn. For me, humility, gentleness, and time management are areas that need work. But as we go about our tasks, as we face challenges in teaching 4 year olds, or struggle to keep our priorities straight so we have time to choreograph, God teaches us to depend on Him for our strength, to please Him in the smallest, most tedious, or uninteresting detail.

      For such a time as this, He has placed me here. He has given me responsibilities and duties and opportunities to glorify Him. I often forget that. I often forget that the everyday things, even sweeping the kitchen floor and solving physics problems so I can get on to "more important things", are important. God's will for me is to do everything as if I were doing it for Him. That doesn't just go for the final ballet performances, or playing music durng my church service. That means everything, every moment, right now.

    Jesus said, "As long as it is day, we must do the work of Him who sent Me. Night is coming when no one can work." (John 9:4)

    I have a limited number of days. I don't know when my time is up. "Now...all I have is now." I know what my job is. I know what I need to do, right now. My choice is either to do it, and do it for God, or to miss the opportunities He's given me.

    Where has He placed you? Are you His? Are you ready and willing to do His will, whatever it is? He has placed you exactly where you are with the gifts and abilities you have, for such a time as this.

"Esther-Ordinary Faith" picture album

The cast did a great job presenting "Esther-Ordinary Faith." It seemed to get better each night, and the sanctuary got more full each night, with it being almost completely full for the Sunday presentation. God was so good to bring everything together!

Last week was busy preparing for the cast party, which was Saturday. By God's grace, the DVD was done in time to watch, and we had fun having a sing-and-dance-along to all of the songs from the musical!

An album of pictures with captions telling the story can be seen by clicking the link below. I had great photographers that captured wonderful memories!

Esther-Ordinary Faith

Zerox the scribe

Going into auditions, the character I knew we'd have a hard time casting was the part of Zerox the scribe. He's in almost every scene, doubling as a fun narrator, and so has the most lines as well as two solos. Most boys aren't confident in singing, so I knew that would probably lessen the number that would try out.

Daniel found out he'd be able to audition for "Esther-Ordinary Faith" last minute, but I'm so glad he did! When he read the part for us, we realized he'd be a natural. Plus, he could sing well!

He's done so well, taking on the challenge of the role, acting like he's recording all the action while remembering all the lines he had to memorize.

The parts where he reacts to what Haman is doing are some of my favorites.

His expressions are great!

His relationship with Mordecai is fun to watch, as the older mentors and teaches the younger.

And in the end, Zerox learns to have faith like Esther.

Great job, Daniel! It's been such fun having you in this production!

Picture credit: Robyn Clement and JP Lofgren

Casts Old and New

This isn't the first time I've directed "Esther-Ordinary Faith." In fact, it was the first musical I directed, 6 years ago when I was 15 years old. Little did I know what that first production would start...

The first time, I played the part of Esther. We also have a few people in this production that were also in the first one. So, we thought it would be fun to get a picture with the old and new casts together.

Those with old and new cast pictured:

Esther: Anna/Sadie
Zerox: Caleb/Daniel (Caleb plays Xerxes in this one!)
Mordecai: JP/Phil
Guard: Jubilee/Noah and Graeson
Suzie: Esther/Josie
Sue: Natalie/Allison

It's been fun to re-do my directing of "Esther" - keeping some things the same, and changing others. It definitely grew... My first cast only had 15 people total. This time around, we have a cast of 55.

Praise God for memories both old and new!

"What will you do..."

"...with the present?"

See what Esther did, tonight, tomorrow, or Sunday evening!

Picture credit: Robyn Clement

Rob's director shirt

Rob's infamous director shirt made an appearance last night. His wife made it for him last year, and it embodies well what we constantly remind the cast...

So, cast, remember tonight:

We want to hear you!

Give us those nice expressions! :)

Picture credit: Robyn Clement

2nd Dress rehearsal

The second and final dress rehearsal went well! Still had details to smooth out, but I'm trusting God will bring everything together for the presentations!

It's been fun, but tiring. :)

Picture credit: JP Lofgren

"Surely you wouldn't...."

"Surely you wouldn't harm me!"

Really?

Picture credit: Robyn Clement

Queen Esther

Sadie has done such a beautiful job portraying Queen Esther. When she sings and dances to "For Such a Time as This" you get the chills. She's risen to the challenge of the role!

Picture credit: Robyn Clement

Cast pictures

This afternoon I'm editing cast pictures for the slideshow that will play at the beginning of the presentations. God brought a great cast together for "Esther-Ordinary Faith": 55 people from 25 families, representing 12 area churches. From age 5 to adult, they've worked together well!

I have been very blessed to work with them, for just over a month now!

Picture credit: Robyn Clement

Radio interview

Want to know more about The King's Courts and the upcoming summer productions? This morning I had an interview with a local radio station, which was recorded and will play tomorrow (Thursday) at 7:05 AM (CST). Tune into Faith Radio, 89.1 FM locally, or online at FaithRadio.org!

Radio interviews don't fit comfortably with my natural, introverted personality. However, by God's grace I am learning to step outside of my comfort-zone. He gave me the words to say. May this interview to bring Him glory while spreading the word about what God is doing!

Picture credit: Robyn Clement

Promo video for "Esther-Ordinary Faith"

Natalie, a cast member, costume mistress, dance leader, and younger girl helper, is also talented in the realm of videography. She made sure the first dress rehearsal last Thursday was recorded, and then made the above promo clip, in time to show at church on Sunday morning. I am blessed to be able to work with many talented young people!

"Esther" - First dress rehearsal

I'm leaving on a weekend trip tomorrow and still need to finish packing, but I couldn't resist sharing some photos from this afternoon's dress rehearsal. "Esther-Ordinary Faith" is coming together well!

We took cast pictures today, then started the first full run-through with no stops.

"Zerox the scribe" serves as part-narrator for the story

Mordecai and the "Susans" provide a lot of drama

There are so many faces involved... 55 in the cast

So many sweet faces!

Things are coming together! We have just over a week to go...

I'm trusting that God will bring the final details together for this one - He always has in the past! And, though there's much to do and I look forward to sorting more pictures, I need to finish packing. The break away will be nice too. :)

Picture credit: Robyn Clement

Costume organizing for "Esther"

Last Saturday we had our first rehearsal with costumes. Before that could happen, we had to decide what everyone would wear - no small task for a cast of 55!

So, the Saturday before, my sister and 4 other girls I lovingly call "adopted younger sisters" helped me sort through our costume supply. Because of all we've made and gathered over the years, plus some things the cast members gave us to borrow, I only ended up having to make about 6 new things, plus alter a few more.

It's always a bit overwhelming to know where to start. First we brought everything we thought we might need into the fellowship hall, and then started working through the costume book. Characters first, then through the ensemble by age...

No matter how well organized we start out, extra things always end up in a jumbled mess! But, many hands made the clean-up quick.

The costume notebook records each item for each actor, to keep things straight and know if it's property of The King's Courts, or borrowed.

Food and music were necessary for an upbeat afternoon. :)

Sometimes the girls doubled as models for the costumes. We decided that a girl trying on a guy's costume (in the above case, the one for King Xerxes) always made the costume look girlish...

After almost 5 hours, we were finally done. A lot of work, but made fun by all the good help. Thanks girls!

Come to "Esther-Ordinary Faith"

Posting on this blog hasn't happened recently, mainly because of the above event! This summer I'm directing two productions, which has kept me quite busy. Auditions were June 6th & 7th, and two weeks from today, we'll present the first one, "Esther-Ordinary Faith!"

With a cast of over 50 from 24 families in the community, this has been a fun but challenging musical to direct. It's extra special for me, because this was the first musical I directed 6 years ago. It's been fun to revisit it, but challenging, as my cast is 4x as big as the first time! But, God is bringing it together, and I'm excited to see how He will bring it to completion.

Lots of work to do before then, though! :)