Happy Christmas! I am visiting family in Texas and have been having a wonderful time. It's been a long five years since I've been here and this visit was overdue. We spent some special time with Bob's parents and are now with my family. It's all going way too fast, but we are making the most of every moment. Tomorrow is a travel day, so I probably will not get online much. I just wanted to say thank you to all who read this blog . . . friends, family and those I've never met. I appreciate each one of you. I hope this Christmas brings wonderful gifts, fond memories and lots of laughter. And if the holidays are hard, I'm very sorry. I know they aren't always full of only good things, but I hope you are blessed with glimpses of God's goodness in light in the midst of your pain. Blessings and love. xo
Disclaimer: I was given tickets in exchange for my honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my very own. Photos are mine, unless otherwise noted. My three girls and I went to see PETER PAN in the Threesixty Theatre Saturday afternoon and loved every minute of it. We didn't really know what to expect. A theatre, in a tent? A 360 degree theatre? And CGI (computer-generated imagery) mixed in? How were the flying sequences going to be accomplished? How could it all work together? I showed the girls this video before we left for the show so they had some idea of where we were going.
The Threesixty Tent
Facts about the show: The Washington Postdeclares, “PETER PAN flies high!” Featuring 22 actors, stunning puppets, epic music, dazzling flying sequences, and the world’s first 360 degree CGI (computer-generated imagery) theatre set,this unique production of PETER PANis presented in the striking setting of the Threesixty Theatre at Tysons Corner Center (8200 Watson Street, McLean, VA). The show is performed in the round in a 1,500-seat theatre-tent. The entire interior is lit with more than 15,000 square feet of Hi Resolution video, so that both cast and audience are immersed in a virtual Neverland.
This remarkable and beautiful production premiered in London’s Kensington Gardens, the original home of Peter Pan. Seen by more than 750,000 theatregoers worldwide to date, Peter Pan - The Boy Who Wouldn’t Grow Upwas created by Scottish novelist and playwright J.M. Barrie. One night, Peter flies into the London nursery of the Darling children, Wendy, John and Michael, teaches them to fly and leads them to the magical Neverland, “second to the right and straight on till morning,” where they live with Tinker Bell, the Lost Boys and meet the notorious Captain Hook. The tale of PETER PAN has been adapted many times, including a Walt Disney animated film, a Broadway musical, and an Emmy Award-winning TV special. However, it was not until this production, presented by Threesixty entertainment, that PETER PAN was performed in London’s Kensington Gardens, where Barrie was first inspired to create the character and where the original statue of Peter Pan has stood since 1912.
Making its triumphant return to the United States, PETER PAN features all new direction by award-winning director Thom Southerland, with staging and choreography by Gypsy Snider, co-founder of the internationally acclaimed Les 7 Doigts de la Main. Set, costume, puppetry, and 3D projection design is by seven-time Olivier Award winner, William Dudley. Additional music is by Howard Herrick and Chieli Minucci. The remainder of the creative team includes Don Holder (lighting design), Guillaume Lord (additional scenic design), Manon Desmarais (additional costume design), Jonathan Lipman (additional costume design), Sue Buckmaster (puppetry direction), Paul Kieve (illusions), Scott Cady (music director), and Freedom Flying (flying consultant).
About PETER PAN in the Threesixty Theatre:
·The world’s first fully 360-degree projected backdrop for live theatrical performance
·The largest surround CGI (computer-generated imagery) venue in the world
·12 projectors, delivering 360-degree projection
·10 million pixels
·15,000 square feet of CGI
·400 square miles of virtual London were rendered
·100 computers took four weeks to create the images (it would have taken 8 years for a single computer to render)
The final D.C.performances (at the time of this post) are as follows: Tuesday, August 11 - 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, August 12 - 7:30 p.m. Thursday, August 13 - 7:30 p.m. Friday, August 14 - 7:30 p.m. Saturday, August 15 - 11:30 a.m. and 3:30 p.m. Sunday, August 16 - 1:30 p.m. Wednesday, August 19 - 7:30 p.m. Thursday, August 20 - 7:30 p.m. Friday, August 21 - 7:30 p.m. Saturday, August 22 - 11:30 a.m. and 3:30 p.m. Sunday, August 23 - 1:30 p.m.
For more information about PETER PAN in theThreesixty Theatre, please visit peterpan360.com.
Tinkerbell was a favourite! (Photo credit: Threesixty Entertainment)
Our thoughts: Let me tell you, it was brilliant! The theatre was unique and amazing. Our seats were about midway up, which was perfect for us. We could see everything from where we sat and didn't have to crane our necks to look up, like I imagine those on the front row or two must have had to do. The music was enchanting. The actors had a fantastic energy and kept up a quick pace. The CGI was phenomenal and wowed us all. We actually felt like we were flying during the in-air sequences! I also loved how there was audience participation in a couple of scenes, although, I won't spoil it for you by saying why or how we were able to participate. Warning for younger children: I asked my girls, who are 8, 10 and 18, if they would've been scared during parts of the show had they seen it when they were younger. They all three said, yes, they would've been frightened. There was some shouting. Mr. Darling gets carried away and breaks Michael's kite. The pirates, of course, are a little creepy. The crocodile was ominous and loud. And there are two scenes that involve Captain Hook killing someone. I think most children 6 and up, especially those who are familiar with the story of Peter Pan, would be fine. Children who are especially sensitive should probably wait until they are a little older.
We highly recommend the show! My girls loved it and kept thanking me for bringing them and telling me how much fun it was. It was so enjoyable to look over and see their delighted expressions, that is, when I could pull my eyes away from the action long enough to watch them. I enjoyed it just as much as they did. If you stay after the show, you may get to meet two of the cast members. We met Wendy and one of the Lost Boys!
After leaving D. C., Peter Pan is heading on to the great state of Texas, so get ready Houston friends. Your shows start September 8. And Dallas, you'll be after Houston, with shows starting November 11. Put it on your calendar now! Blessings and love. xo
As I mentioned in my WIWW post on Wednesday, I want to introduce you to my beautiful friend, Kamilla, who lives in Texas! She has recently started a business making and selling headbands. These are so cute and stylish, you guys, and I want to help get the word out for her. And now, here's Kamilla . . .
Hey guys! Thank you so much for checking out Make it Dutch. My name is Kamilla Musser. I am a wife and momma! I have two incredibly sweet little girls, McKoy and Kambry. They fill my life with lovely little messes along with joy, excitement, and tons of giggles! God is growing and changing us daily and we are so thankful for what He is doing in our lives.
McKoy and Kambry absolutely love to dance. Now, I come from a family with a long line of athletes. So when my daughter wanted to dance, I didn't really know what to do. Our desire has always been to embrace what she loved and God showed me shortly after that it was a God-given talent that He alone instilled. At first, our headbands were born from necessity. Being dancers, we needed something comfortable, sensible, and cute of course; something that fit, that wouldn't pull out hair! I've always loved to create and things really just began to fall into place. It wasn't long until I was making them for friends and family. A business? I have always prayed that God would provide a way for me to help provide for my family while doing something I love and I believe He's done just that! So here we are with Make it Dutch!
I believe Make it Dutch is a long answered prayer that came about all in God's timing. Therefore, Make it Dutch wants to give God all the glory for this little adventure! As a family and business we have a real heart to help provide for others as God has done for us. Forget Me Not Ministries in Romania and Servants of Hope Costa Rica are two of the ministries God has opened doors for us to support and we are excited about what future doors will be opened!
The name Make it Dutch is a simple childhood memory that takes me back to being a little girl, when life was simple and silly! There is more to come with Make it Dutch, and I can't wait to share it with you!
Kamilla with her husband, Ty . . .
And their adorable girls . . .
Go to the Make It Dutch Facebook page. Like her page and then take a look at all the great colours and styles she has been hard at work making for us! Here is our modeling session with some of these fun headbands!
This one that Ava is wearing (and later, that Emma wears) is the Blue and White Stripe Knotted Turban style . . .
Maya is wearing the Batik Wire and Emma the Dark Gray with Metallic Gray Dot Wire . . .
Maya in the Black Wire (there is also black in the Knotted Turban style) . . .
Black and Red Floral Wire . . .
Gray on gray wire again (the same that Emma was wearing above), this time modeled by Ava . . .
And I guess we like our headbands "flat" on top, but this shows another way to "knot" the top. The wire is so versatile!
Head over to Make It Dutch on Facebook now and place your order! Kamilla is all set up with PayPal. And for those of you not on Facebook, leave a comment below along with your email address if you are interested in placing an order and I will get in touch with you. xo
I have been intending to sit down to write a thankful post from the past week. All seven of us share a laptop so I am grabbing the opportunity now before someone needs it for school! My mom and uncle drove up from Texas and spent a few days with us. Mom got sick before they came and didn't feel well the entire time they were here, so that was a bummer. But I was thrilled to have them here again and so very thankful that they made the very long drive. And the reason they drove was that they were bringing a wonderful gift. Mom had recently had trouble with her car and after a time of researching vehicles, bought a new one. I knew that she had found someone to put a new motor in her old vehicle and just assumed that she traded it in on the new one. But at Christmas she said she wanted to give us her old vehicle, now that it was repaired and in good working condition. What a surprise! So she and Gerald made the long journey to bring us our second vehicle (which we actually bought from her). It's been ten years since we've had two cars. We did not need two vehicles in Canada due to living in a very pedestrian-oriented community. There were only a few times when we had to rent a second car, in the event that we needed to have more people riding with us than just our family of seven. Of course, that has changed being back in the States and in a non-pedestrian culture. It's kind of sad for us in a way and one of the biggest adjustments, but we are adapting and it has been part of the journey and adventure to try to make one vehicle work. Bob and I have been having 10 "mini dates" every week whenever I drove him to and from work. I have enjoyed listening to several audio books as I taxi him and everyone else to their necessary destinations. It has been an adjustment (although this one won't take too long, I think) to realize I don't have to run him to work in the mornings or be ready to go and get him in the evenings. What a great freedom having a second vehicle is giving us. Thank you to Uncle Gerald for giving up your time and making the effort to do all the driving on the way up. And thank you to Mom for your continuous generosity and sharing. I am thankful, thankful, thankful!!! xo
And thank you, Father, for Your provision and continual love and blessings in our lives. I am amazed, once again.
Several good things to report since our last update 3 weeks ago:
·Growth - 700+ people praying together on IFA’s First Friday Prayer Call on October 5
·Consulting - I enjoyed being in Amarillo, Texas, speaking and praying with leaders from across the city including the mayor and assistant chief of police. The Lord’s presence was there, and it was a refreshing time of repentance and encouragement.
·Casting Vision - Some ground work was done with some friends in Greenville, Texas, casting vision and praying for unity, repentance and awakening for the city.
·Healing - I started a second job at Napa Auto Parts back in August. A few weeks ago while I was making a delivery, one of the mechanics was coughing horrendously, uncontrollably, had difficulty breathing, etc. With his permission, I placed my hand on his chest, spoke peace and healing in Jesus' name and cursed the infection. Within 1 minute he had calmed and was standing up working again. I stopped back by 30 minutes later, and he was working like nothing had ever happened. Powerful.
·Praying - Upcoming prayer requests
oTraveling - Saturday, November 3, Awaken Western North Carolina Sacred Assembly, 9 am to 9 pm, Asheville. www.AwakenWNC.com. I will be speaking and participating.
oExpanding Donor Base - Thankful for several new monthly supporters during this three month fundraising initiative. We have two weeks left and need to continue to build this team. The vision and calling is broader than we have known before and need to significantly expand our donor base.
It is a privilege to connect with folks around the country who are fasting, repenting and praying for our nation during these historically pivotal days. I have heard many say that nothing less than a Third Great Awakening from the Lord is what we need.
Here are a few more photos from our Christmas-time in Texas!
Bob and the boys, along with my brother and nephew, went to Lowell's ranch in Ranger to deer hunt. They only saw a few deer and only took shots at Coke cans, but it was a fun time.
I had a great Christmas eve breakfast with some of my sweet friends. From L-R, Lori, Tracey, yours truly, Lacy, Tonia and Denyse (Shannon was ill and couldn't make it...missed you, girl!) I love laughing with these girls! Christmas morning...
We went with my mom down to our friends Jim and Carolyn's house for Christmas supper. The food was delicious and the company was refreshing. And we enjoyed a few laughs watching the kids play Wii!
My dear friend Carolyn (a.k.a. CJ) and I have had a special connection for a long time and it is always wonderful to have some time together. She's like a sister to me.
My brother and his family arrived at my mom's the day after Christmas and we had some fun time together. Here are all of the cousins together again after two years!
Bob and I with my brother, Patrick, and his wife, Carmen...
Bob is leading the younger set into the living room for a calm and orderly distribution of stockings and gifts!
From oldest to youngest...
We had a fun visit with our friends, the Bosharts. Here is my Austin holding Rebecca's Austin. :)
My lovely friend, Cinda!
And two of Cinda's very fun daughters, Hannah and Rebecca...
Emma and Laura have been friends since they were born and we had lots of good time with Laura on this visit! They are sporting matching pj's in honour of old times' sake and memories of past sleepovers.
On the way back home, we had a little trouble with delayed flights and didn't make our connection to Buffalo. We ended up staying an unexpected night in Chicago and of course had to try Chicago-style pizza for the first time. It was a hit!
A picnic with pizza and a movie after a crazy day of travel. The kids are such troopers and had great attitudes about our "adventure" in Chicago.
A welcomed sight!
I do not know why it has taken me awhile to get back into life and a normal schedule, but I think I am finally on track again. I have not, however, re-acclimated to the cold. It was warm in Texas. Some days were too warm for me (like 28 C. on the first day of winter...what?). But this cold is COLD and I am not quite back to embracing it yet. The wind chill is -14 right now (that is 7 degrees Fahrenheit, by the way, for my southern friends)!
Hello! We are in Texas and have been so very busy seeing family and friends. I have pictures to share soon, hopefully today. In the meantime, I just wanted to share this song I am singing...
I was in Texas a week ago for a high school reunion. I actually graduated 22 years ago, but the class that was celebrating their 20th decided to include five other classes in the reunion besides theirs. It was a mega-reunion! And lots of fun! I did not go as camera crazy as I usually do. I think I was too busy chatting. :-)
The first night my mom, my uncle, my nephew and I went out to eat with Lowell (who is like my second dad, as you may remember from this post). We had a good laugh at the end of the meal when the server brought the bill...only there wasn't one!
Then the next day Lowell took me to the cemetery to see Carol's grave stone. The cemetery is a beautiful place, so peaceful and one of those places that you almost forget where you are. Because they have had so much rain, we didn't walk around too much, but we did enjoy driving around to look at the dates on some of the head stones. Quite a few of them are from the 1800's. It was a very special time and I will treasure it always (including the great conversation we had in the car on the way back to my mom's and sitting in her driveway). Thanks for giving me so much of your time, Lowell!
Reunion day...here is the group that came to the BBQ...
I was able to spend time with my sweet friend, Astrid, and her husband, Brit. It was an amazing time of reconnecting and talking about Kingdom stuff!
There was a football game, of course!
And lots of stories!!! These are my friends, Lacy, Connie and Wanda.
Me and my adorable niece Hallie!
Again with Astrid and our friend, Sandra.
I don't have pictures of the others, but I had so many amazing visits and conversations! I am blessed to have spent time with my mom, my uncle, my brother and his family, and friends (Jim and CJ and Sarah who lives with them, Kay M., Carolyn S., Carolann, Peb and Lori. I also stayed up visiting and laughing with my friends Lacy and Lori! It was a great way to end my time there. Love to all of you!).
Then I came back home to even more colour than we had before I left! Amazing. Here are some shots from a hike with our friends, the M's. Found a cool fort...
