My first blog ever...what to write?

Well kiddos, here I am. I have finally made my way into the great blogosphere. I've been meaning to write a blog for quite some time, but I kept putting it off thinking I had nothing to say that people would enjoy reading. After thinking long and hard (and yes, I spent more time thinking about what to write on a blog than I did studying for my last test), I finally narrowed down my options for my first blog to four.

1-Stories from Work

I have a job at an elementary school. I interact with grades K-6, though I work mostly with Kindergarten and first graders. You would not believe some of the stories and quotes and other hilarious things that happen when you are around children all day, every day. But I'll write more about this one later. I decided it wasn't quite awesome enough for my first blog ever.

2-My Weird Health Issues

I'm fond of saying that if I had been born in the old days they would have taken me out with the horse with the broken leg and shot me. Considering I'm only 22 you would think I would be in prime health. But no. I've had severe migraines since I was 7, I have a brain malformation called Chiari, I have jaw-wink, I've had lots of cuts, bruises, and stitches. I've had surgery, a couple MRI's, etc. etc. You get the idea. But I'll also write more about this one later. I decided it was a little too intense/gross for my first blog.

3-My Art

I am an artist. I love to paint and draw and create things. My dad is a very talented artist (he rocks at graphic design), and I think he's relieved that at least one of his children inherited his artistic talent and chose to pursue it. I have been painting/drawing ever since I was a kid. I'm currently working on some goals of getting prints made of my art, getting them in some galleries, and setting up a web site (just tooting my own horn a little bit here - my talent for art is one of the few things I'm really proud of). But once again, I'll write more about this one later. It almost won for being the subject of my first blog, but something else beats it.

4-I'm Pregnant

:)

WWJD?

I don't think we usually consider what Jesus is like as a person. If He showed up at your house to spend time with you, what do you think He would do? I think He would probably spend time with you doing the things you like to do. Maybe He'd even wash the dishes.

Kristen and I are currently rehearsing a comedic play called WWJD that explores exactly that premise. I highly recommend you all come see it. Performances are March 24, 25, 26, 28 (then skipping General Conference weekend) and April 8, 9, 10 at the Provo Theater Company on 105 E. 100 North in Provo. Tickets are $8 ($6 students – and if you come in a group of 5 or more, tickets are only $5 each). Okay, now that you know the what and where, let me pitch you on why you should come.

WWJD asks the question – what would Jesus do if He showed up at your house one day? Well, first off – he’d do the dishes your roommate has been putting off for forever. Then he’d skateboard with you, go miniature golfing with you, etc. The twist comes in the fact that one roommate (my character), who also happens to be the only religious person in the apartment, can’t see or hear Jesus, and thinks it’s all a big practical joke on him (at least, he does at first).

Seeing things through the eyes of my character, it’s helped me think more about what it means to have faith - is seeing believing? Or is believing seeing? At one point, my character is asked if it really matters that he can’t see Jesus. “Of course it matters! I’ve studied about Him my whole life…and now He’s here, and I can’t even see Him. What’s wrong with me?” Jesus then asks who sinned – you or your parents that caused you to be blind. “I’m not the wicked one, and my parents are just fine.” If you know that, then it’s not important to see.

Like all good plays, this one will make you laugh, it might make you cry, and it will definitely make you think. Please note that our interpretation of Jesus is respectful, but not conventional. For example, He will ride a skateboard, wash dishes, and lead a line dance. If you don’t think you can handle that, I understand. But for everyone else, you should definitely come.