seven- a person or a thing that has had a great impact on your life.

Okay, this one is definitely a cop out, but it would have to be my parents. So many of the things i'm interested in/LOVE are because my parents introduced me to it.

Did you know that my parents met in a theater? My Dad came to see a show my Mom was in, (although he came to see some other chick), and I guess it was love at first site. They had mutual friends and it just...worked out! My Dad proposed to her after going to see Phantom of the Opera together. Oh yeah, and they sung "All I Ask of You" at their wedding. I guess you could say that musical theater runs in my system...

Even though I'd like to take credit for the piano thing, (cuz i begged my mom when i was five to take lessons.) it would never have happened if my mom and dad didn't encourage me to work hard and practice. I wouldn't be were I am now if it wasn't for them! (well...OBVIOUSLY.)

Most people say it's your friends that influence you the most, but I think we all know it's really our parents. I couldn't and wouldn't have done everything that I've accomplished to this day without their support and encouragement. I am so blessed to call them Mom and Dad.


till the baby pictures come out,
lindsey.

every task seems to be harder for me simply cuz my name is lindsey...

It's come; the time for me to apply to colleges. Scary, I know. Just thinking about the fact that I'll actually BE in college by this time next year is so freaky! But by then, this whole ordeal with applications, auditions and all the PREPARATION involved will be over. And the only thing i'll have to worry about is how cute my dorm room will look. ;)

But, unfortunately I'm not there yet. I still have LOTS of work to do (good thing I have good teachers to kick my butt and keep my going!) As a Senior looking to audition for Musical Theater, there are many aspects of applying. Not only do I have write up multiple "creative" essays, but I also have monologue auditions, dance auditions, singing auditions, piano auditions, head shots, resumes, AND interviews that I have to prepare for and look forward too! And because I am applying to so many schools, all of them have different audition requirements, which in turn, makes more work for me.

I seriously, don't know how i'm going to get it all done in time! Along with all these fun, interesting tasks comes (believe it or not) my everyday life! I still have a job, work, piano lessons, voice lessons, swim team, and any shows that I will foolishly audition for and become over-committed with. :)

Yesterday, I was feeling a little overwhelmed. (no surprise there.) I was researching schools and then it hit me, I've got a LOT of work to do, and I have absolutely NO idea how I'm going to find the time to get it all done! I was thinking, I'm going to put all this work into my application, and I really have a slim-to-no chance of even getting in to most of these schools...but guess which verse I came across last night in my Bible?

JEREMIAH 29:11

"'For I know the plans I have for you.' says the Lord. 'Plans for a future and not for disaster.'"

THANK. GOD.

Cuz you know what? I couldn't do it without him. I know as tough as it's gonna get, God is gonna be right by my side and leading my the whole way! I KNOW that this is where God has gifted me, and by golly, I know if this is what he wants for me he's gonna make it happen!!

I just wish he would make filling out applications a little easier...

till the application deadline,

lindsey.

Chicago and College

What is it that I love about Chicago so much? It could be the towering skyscrapers, the sparkling night life, the downtown beaches, the fun festivals, the quirky tourist stops, or maybe just the fact that I was born there.

Whatever it is, I have always had a love for Chicago IL, even more so now that I live almost 500 miles away. I find myself in awe of this amazing city every time I visit it. For quite some time now I have dreamed of returning to this wonderful city and starting my (hopeful) acting career. Although many of these types of endeavors usually fail, I have more than a hunch that is where I'm supposed to be.

But it's all easier said than done.

Getting there is the hard part. And as much as I would LOVE to attend Columbia College of Chicago, I have a feeling my parents will do everything in their power to keep me in state. Though I may not totally hate the idea of staying in Tennessee, my biggest fear is that I'll never get my dream: performing on the 'big stage'.

Now don't get me wrong, Tennessee has so many things to offer me, including careers like being a recording artist, a musician, an opera singer, and a music teacher, but Chicago has always been part of the dream, and I have to at least try.

Fortunately, Columbia doesn't even require an audition to apply for the school, which makes my whole college application process a LOT easier, but also harder since my acceptance/rejection wouldn't be based on talent at all; but sheerly by my resume.

Oh boy, thinking about college hurts my brain, but I can't help but get so excited! Dreaming of going to school in a city like Chicago makes me so giddy and ready to jump into the next phase of life. Auditions start this fall!! :D

I. Can't. Wait.

till the applications are sent in,

lindsey.

this girl is finally getting ahead.

I have always been the type of person that has to work for EVERYTHING. I have to pay my dues and work very hard to achieve anything.

Or so I thought.

Lately, things have been going pretty good for me. I was awarded "Most Talented" and received a $200 scholarship through Junior Miss, I was recently cast in the role of Deborah-Sue in Bye Bye Birdie, and as of late, I have become a recipient of the Merit Scholarship for Voice at Belmont Academy. But instead of praising God for being so incredibly faithful, I automatically give myself all the credit.

Which is sooo not right.

After all, who got me here in the first place? Who provided me with a piano? Who gave me this passion for music? Who gave me my voice?

God did. And it seems completely unfair, for someone like me- who has doubted God so many times- to take all the credit. So many times I have underestimated his faithfulness and his ability to make everything right, yet He still proves his loyalty to me time and time again.

So now, everytime I fail (or succeed for that matter), I will still praise Him. I will thank Him, and rejoice in Him because it is HIM who got me here thus far. I have absolute faith He will make everything the way HE wants it to be. And although I don't agree with everything He does, I know it will all work out in the end.

till the rock crumbles,

lindsey.