So...we are doing well here at the Chapel. After being sick for two days (Friday and Saturday), it was awesome to get back to work on Monday. The most amazing feat of the summer, by the way, happened Saturday night when we had one of the biggest crowds yet and a working staff that consisted of: Isaiah, Chris Byrd, Teri, Katrina, and Ben: 5 people doing sound, MCing, acting, singing, manning the back, you name it! Susie and Sarah were on vacation, the Zozzaros were on vacation, I was sick in bed, and everybody else had gone home. (Ginni visited earlier in the week but was gone, and Mikaela peaced out mid-week.) I was incredibly proud of my husband who, when he returned home to his sick wife, told her of how stressful it all was, mentioning that once he introduced a skit (he was MCing), ran a mic to someone (he was stage crewing), and got backstage to change for his part (he was also acting!) only to have the lights come on signaling the start of the skit right when he got backstage. Everyone's night went very similarly to this.
Anyway, getting back on Monday was great. Teri's family came to visit and got to see the skit that she wrote: "Tarmac". It was really cool to see Isaiah, Katrina, and Ben in a skit; a very different acting crew than before. We are planning on putting "Worldview Airport" up once more this week with Sarah stepping into Mikaela's part and also a new rendition of "Crossed Lines" now called "Metro." Sarah will get to play an over-the-top Broadway singer, perfectly fitting! And we are hoping to get another recording from our good friend Mark for the PA Announcements (his voice is already recorded for Worldview Airport; he will now forever live in infamy at the Boardwalk Chapel!). Besides that, we're doing skits that we already have like "Parachute," "What Do You Need," and the Junior Staff (the kids') skits. We wish to challenge but not kill ourselves these next weeks.
I did enjoy acting (something I hadn't done this summer thus far) in some skits with Teri once Susie left last week. I got to be a rich, gangster's wife in "The Bill" (Alexandra's old part) and a "Fig Tree". But I must say, though I love acting almost as much as I used to, I much prefer directing and writing now. I had forgotten how nerve-racking trying to do all things well on stage can be. I also am such a mom and teacher; I just enjoy watching my babies (who are actually in college) do their "thang!"
Ben & I finished clearing and cleaning out the prop room yesterday after practice, leaving only what we need out for the summer and organizing all the rest, storing it for next summer. It was a little dusty and depressing, thinking about how it's all almost over. I also worked on a Youth Group packet for next year and revised the Description of the Drama Coordinator position (which Ben & I have both fulfilled this summer). These will still need to be reviewed and revised, but I'm happy to be getting things done here. I am feeling accomplished, like things are coming to good closure. I am always pleased leaving things neat & tidy when I depart. Whether or not I'll come back to the position, I know that whoever steps in will have a better idea of what's up here at the Chapel for Drama Coordinators.
I do hope that I will be here next year. I've loved it and have learned so very much. I feel very much like I did at the end of my first year of teaching: like there are so many things I know now and could implement, like I am proud of what I've done but know the next year could and will be so much greater with God's help! I don't think Isaiah & I will be in Japan my then. Our new date to finish and attend training is Feb. rather than Oct. and after that we've got a lot of fund raising to do! I mean, God could and might work a miracle and get us over by then, but I doubt that we'll be in the "Land of the Rising Sun" by next summer. I am feeling more & more that we'll have one more summer here. It just seems fitting right now.
Back to the Present: The Elwells (a family that's been here for years; the dad has a spot on the board) are here for this week at the Boardwalk Chapel, and we are loving it. They're used to running the show alone (most summer, all staffers are gone by this point), so having a group that can give us rest and relaxation via their awesomeness is great! Isaiah and I are excited to perhaps visit Lena, our Muslim friend, tonight for the first time in a while. She told Teri she missed me, which feels my heart with a lot of joy!
Chris, Isaiah, & I are wanting to do a picnic at the Zoo on Thursday (day off) and are hoping that the staff comes. These next few weeks may be our only time to really bond and hang before it's all over. Wait! That's not true. We are eternity! Legit. But seriously....We still just all want & need more chill & hang time for our bodies as well as our souls, which will all soon be thrown into transition from Chapel to Real Life (so to speak).
I have loved and continue to love everything about being here. Thank God for this opportunity!
1 Week of Regular Programs (this week). 1 Week of Almost Regular Programs with More Help. Labor Day Weekend with the Slacks here. 1 Week of Rest and Activities and Packing before heading home to N.C. Pray for us! Love you all.
Affectionately,
-The Englishes!
P.S. Other Updates: The Cummings are now living in the Dunn House, which means little kids! Yay! But seriously, I am loving it. And where is that Alexandra when you know she should be here? ;)
P.P.S Pray I get my singing voice & hearing back, so Isaiah & I can sing a couple song before we depart this FairyLand of Awesomeness!
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