Recital Week from You Know Where

So in order to complete my degree I have to complete a Senior Voice Recital. This includes a full hour of music, all by myself, dressed up, family in town, reception, etc.....well. God is funny, and I've realized things NEVER go as you plan.

Here is a rundown of my horrible week that turned out to be amazing because He was in control. :)

Sunday- Get in town after sitting at an airport for hours from a delayed flight at 1:30 in the morning

Monday- Work, run errands, a pretty good day :)

Tuesday- Start feeling a little sick, so of course this is causing stress and my mind starts racing a million miles an hour.....so I go to the doctor...

Wednesday- Walgreens tells me they can't fill my prescription!! What??!?! This leads to two trips to that same doctor and four trips to Walgreens and two calls to my insurance company...and lots of crying. Didn't get my prescription filled.

Thursday- Wake up and feel awful!!!!! Missed both of my classes to go to a different doctor, got some strong meds and felt so much better and encouraged about my road to recovery...mind you, this is now 2 days before my recital! 4 o'clock rolls around and Lubbock has a Tornado warning with golf ball size hail. My dress rehearsal is at 6. Fantastic. I make it to my dress rehearsal in the few minutes the weather has cleared up and I sing two verses of my very first piece and Ms. McNeil tells me to stop and to go home. My throat was super swollen, and I sounded like I was in pain. I was. So, now I am stressing out, worried to no end, and I can't cry because it will swell up my vocal chords even more. Last but not least, Mark calls me and tells me that he's not sure if he'll make it because Denver is having a huge snow storm. I wanted to cry...but I couldn't.

Let's just say I prayed A LOT this week...

Friday- Mom comes in town and some how makes me feel better instantly. :) I am feeling better but was told not to talk, or do anythings strenuous. So, naturally we get our nails done! :)

Saturday- Woke up feeling much better!! Also woke up to find my dad, Mark, and Sam asleep in our guest room...they got there in the middle of night!! I had a relaxing day, Aaron sent me flowers :), and my two best friends got into town from Dallas to see me sing! 6 o'clock came and I sang my recital, all in one piece, and I couldn't be more pleased with it.

God is good, He healed my voice and calmed my spirit. :) I'll post pictures soon :)

Nicole

I don't think I'll write today

I want to write but I really don't know what to write about. I have been sitting here for five minutes staring at this blank slate.

I was thinking I would write about how I am anxious for graduation, my recital, and moving but I told myself I wouldn't write about those things until they actually happened because I am trying to be less anxious and live in the moment.

Then I thought I might write about how Aaron found my first gray hair and what that could mean in my life?!?!

Maybe I should write about how God confuses me and sometimes I don't know whether I'm making the right decisions. I really just want Him to be pleased in all I do.

I could write about how I'm really nervous about growing up, but I know it's something I just have to do. It will probably be more amazing that I ever dreamed.

Or I could write about how I've been having inner turmoil about how music is going to fit into my life. I want to sing, but it's competitive and I'm not good at selling myself. God gave me this talent for a reason, I just know it.

I'll write out a list of all the things I need to get done this week, whatever, that's boring.

I don't think I'll write today.

Holy Week

Easter is probably one of my favorite holidays. It brings in the Spring, and it really feels like God is everywhere. I have been thinking earlier this week that I needed to take the time to realize the meaning of the season, and what it really means to me personally. So often I view God as being a judgemental God whom I am scared to really embrace. I feel that He is constantly shaking His head at the things that I am not doing, rather than what I am doing. It's hard to see God as someone that is so loving He smiles everytime I smile, He loves when I love, and He embraces every feeling and emotion I have because He Loves me.

Easter signifies Jesus raising from the dead after three days of being dead. What does this mean to me?? It signifies His promises. It signifies His power. It signifies His truth. He promises His grace everyday to me, and my prayer this Holy Week leading to Easter is that I really embrace that. I want to KNOW that He finds joy in me, that He sees me as an instrument, and He loves me more than I could love myself. What does Easter mean to you???

Much love,
Nicole

I'm a blond!!!!

Just kidding. That would be horrible. But I really was a blond for the musical Sweeney Todd a few weeks ago. This was my last show at Texas Tech and it was really bittersweet. I got teary eyed at moments, not because I am leaving Tech, but because it is the end of chapter for me. I don't know what is to come of my future with singing, so I really tried hard not to take my last week as Johanna for granted...with the help and advice of some friends, I think I've decided to stay a brunette. :)
Here are some pictures of me as a "white girl." Pretty crazy!!

My makeup artist and wig maker, Daniel. I don't know what I would have done without him!


Last finishing touches before curtain call


Some London townsfolk and I