My Miracle On 34 Street

Hello world! I bet some of you are anxious to hear how the New York trip went. For those of you who don't know, my dance team, the Texas State University Strutters had the privilege of "Kickin' in the Macy's Parade" this Thanksgiving.
Surprisingly there was a lot of stuff throughout the trip that tried to get me down, like it was really weird how "off" the week was for me. I always try to be aware of what the enemy is trying to ruffle me up over. I seemed pretty alert, so most of the weeks events I just shook off and moved on. It's so hard to not be grateful to God in the midst of everything when you're in New York and dancing on national television.

So from the top. After already experiencing some roughness that morning, we packed up a bus and then flew out of the Austin airport. Then we arrived in New York! We got picked up by another bus and before we even got off at our hotel we saw Scarlett Johansson and Jessica Biel. A day in the life. We had dinner in Times Square and then had some team meetings before bed. -- which we never really slept that week. Like at all. Like we got back to Texas almost a week ago and I'm still dragging because of New York week. But anyways, got up SUPER early then went to the Statue of Liberty! That was a fun day. I did my first street bargain for a designer bag that day. -- a proud moment for me.

That night we had rehearsal with NBC for the parade. This was when we all discovered the texture of the floor we were dancing on and the (lack of) friction with our dance boots. I actually bruised my tailbone this night. Kind of comical, kind of embarrassing and kind of disastrous considering I had to dance for tv just a few days after. Almost a week later it still hurts, but God is good and when Thanksgiving day came I ran off adrenaline and ignored it. On the plus side, when I got hurt the NBC camera people asked me if I was ok. I can't tell if that makes me cool because they talked to me or a loser because they saw my little slip up. Whatever.
The next morning the team went to Radio City Music Hall for their Christmas Spectacular featuring the Radio City Rockettes. I am like obsessed with the Rockettes. They're beautiful. And talented. The whole show was so inspiring, and they had the nativity story as part of the show and that just really made me love it even more. It was the 85th celebration for the Rockettes and I'm super glad I got to be there for it.

After the show we were let loose to go shopping and explore the concrete jungle that is New York. I went to FAO Schwarz-- a really neat toy and candy store, H&M along with a billion other stores on 5th avenue then I ventured into Rockefeller Plaza where I got to see the big tree! Fun times for sure.

The morning after that Strutters performed for Spirit of America dance & cheer. Another side note, my little sister got to be a part of the parade too through Spirit of America. So she got to see me perform, and my high school dance director was there too! I had so many people I loved with me in New York.
After our performance we went and shopped at Macy's! What a blessing to be able to dance for that huge company. I obviously purchased some new clothing while I was there :) we also walked around and visited some other stores, but Macy's was just so festive.

That night we went to Mamma Mia on broadway! It was the night before parade day and we didn't get back from the show until 11 that night, but it was worth it. The show was so fun, and because of my obsession with the A*Teens back in the day I knew all of the ABBA songs.

Then after a few hours of no sleep.. IT'S PARADE DAY! So much excitement throughout our hotel with all of the performers getting amped up so early in the morning. We took the subway to the parade route and began warming up. -- During this time Jimmy Fallon took a picture of the Strutters. Yup.
I also ran into sista. We got to feel like celebs that morning. We had people recording us and taking pictures of us because everyone thought it was insane that two sisters were in this parade with two completely different organizations. Saying we are blessed doesn't cover it. I'm so thankful to the Lord that we both got this opportunity. To Him be all of the glory. We worked our tails off to get there, but we still wouldn't have made it if God didn't do such mighty things for us. We missed our family that day, but they did such a great job cheering us on from Texas and South Carolina.
THANK YOU to everyone else who helped us live out this dream, your contributions and prayers and support all had an impact. So grateful for the kind hearts of those around me. All of the text messages after really made me realize what a great support system I have. Your sweet notes made my day and made me miss being home. But I had an incredible Thanksgiving in New York. After the parade (which was FREEZING by the way) the team piled up and we went and got some barbecue for our Thanksgiving meal and we watched our performance along with some footage of us throughout parade day -- so much went on that morning that national television didn't get to see. We spent Thanksgiving day basically laughing at ourselves. OH! We ran by Carly Rae Jepsen that morning. Can't forget that little detail.

I'm sure I left some parts out. Everything was so fast paced in New York -- now I know why God gave me some down time the day before I flew out. It was all kind of like a blur, all of the days meshed together because of the lack of sleep and we were ALWAYS doing something. You see the pictures of all the fun stuff we got to do, but there was also work being done every day we were there. We had rehearsals and meetings that took up time to. I'm so happy to be back home, but my trip to New York was a blast. Thanks again to everyone who supported me last week! Much love to all of you.

"I'll take you to my quiet waters. I'll restore your soul. Come rest in me and be made whole."

HELLO EVERYONE! Hope I am finding you all well on this wonderful day.
I had an extremely bizarre morning/ afternoon. I woke up and God was like "Let's go on an adventure!" So I literally woke up, put on some shoes and a sweatshirt and walked out the door with no clue what the day's plans consisted of. He was taking me on a date, it was exciting. We started out our day together getting some carrot cake pancakes (with a cream cheese topping of course). I'm addicted to all sorts of pancakes, even my Heavenly Daddy knows that. Then I took the pancakes and ate/ had quiet time at this cute little place by the lake. (Please keep in mind this adventure has led me out of my cute little town at this point. We weren't holding back!). From my point of view, I'm soaking up every sacred moment with my Heavenly Father. To the average onlooker I'm this weird chick who's eating pancakes by herself. Story of my life.
I thought my time and view of the lake was nice from where I was sitting up top. After I had quiet time I felt led to go on a walk. Also keep in mind that I'm still not in a place that I'm familiar with. I also am known for getting lost. Not sure what I was thinking. I've found myself to be a little more adventurous and brave lately. Part of it was this wasn't exactly my agenda to begin with, so I sort of rolled with it.
ANYWAYS, so I start to go on a jog in this foreign area and I'm like ok.. why did You bring me all the way here just to go on a jog. Like I do that at home all the time?

                                                So I walk and then I find this secret place under a bridge.

First I see this. I kind of have a nack for that artsy kind of stuff. So I was like ok, cool. Then I keep walking down and then I see..

THIS.

Except I was a lot closer. I went up top to get a better view so yall could get a better feel of the whole picture. I was like OH HOW NEAT! I was so excited, I wasn't expecting that.. at all. So after playing around there for a bit I kept walking into this unknown land. And just when I thought it couldn't get any better I found another place. Completely tucked away. I didn't get a very good picture of it because I couldn't get a wide shot of it, but I sat there, laid my head back and relaxed on a big rock and just soaked up God's awesomness. It was incredible. Absolutely incredible. He LITERALLY led me beside still waters. (Psalm 23:2)  God still gets cray in 2012 ya'll. Don't underestimate Him.

After THAT, I found a trail. 

(Like.. what? I don't know where I am.. how the heck did I just find a trail..)

During my first quiet time I had read part of Isaiah "The Lord will guide you always."..weird"He will satisfy your needs in a sun-scorched land and will strengthen your frame. You will be like a well-watered garden, like a spring whose waters never fail." Isaiah 58:11

And then He led me to a trail which took me to places like this.

This past week I had a day where I was sort of in panic mode wondering if needs would be met etc. It really freaked me out there for a little bit. Then today happened. I was completely filled. THE LORD WILL SATISFY YOUR NEEDS IN A SUN-SCORCHED LAND -- YES!

He has and He will!

The views just kept getting better and better as the day progressed. It was crazy.

I went through a period of about two years where I felt like every huge monumental breaking point in a person's life happened. I know I still have a lot more of those to go, it's a part of growing up. Life is slowly getting to a better place each day. It's like He was telling me .. "Hey, keep on going.. things get better!"  Like, my life is great right now. It truly is. Is it perfect and do I still wish I could change some things? Of course. No matter how great your life is, life is hard! But God has great things waiting on the other side. "Greater things have yet to come" is my mindset these days. 

I was just having so much fun on this adventure with the Lover Of My Soul. I couldn't get enough. I had finally realized after being taken to random places that day that even when things got hard during those different difficult seasons, Jesus  had never stopped pursuing me. Once I finally opened my eyes, I didn't want our date to end. Like I left at 11:00 that morning and didn't get back until almost 5:00 . But that was THE best way I could have spent my last day in TX for the next week. I fly out to New York tomorrow! Such a different life than the one I was living today in peace and quiet, but I am so excited! Eek!

Kickin' In The Macy's Parade

http://www.txstate.edu/news/news_releases/news_archive/2012/November-2012/StrutParade111512.html

We are in the single digits ya'll! I will be flying to New York in THREE days! I can't believe it.
Posted above is the link of an article the school posted about us. Basically lays out the logistics of everything and who we are as a team if you don't know those little pieces of our history.
We are the largest dance team in the nation. -- No wonder Macy's wanted us, eh?
So cool to be a part of something so historic. Over the summer at our camp we learned all about our history and foundations, it's so much more than what I knew I was getting into. So glad some of our school mates get to be exposed to who we are.

Prayers for safe flights to and from as well as while we're in NY are much appreciated.
I don't know if I'll be able to blog during the week that I'm there but I'm sure I will catch yall up when I get back!

For those of you who will be watching/ recording --
If for some reason we get air time while we are just walking down the parade route.. you won't be able to miss me. I stick out like a sore thumb because I'm in a row by myself. Yep, 103 of us and somehow I'm the lucky girl to walk solo style hahaha. Embarrassing, but hey you roll it.
During our performance in the parade I am in the front row of girls in maroon skirts on the far left! No clue what camera angles are going to be like, so just be alert I suppose.

I think that's all I have for now!
Love you all !