Two Big Events

....on opposite ends of the spectrum.
Our big news yesterday......Briana got a part in her very first musical!!!  We are so excited.  Remember back in July, just before she was supposed to start college, majoring in interior design, she had, what we call, her "meltdown"?  It was a very emotional few days for her, and ultimately me, as she made the decision, faced the fears, let go of some things, and embraced that it was okay to pursue what she loved. 
Of course, she won't have a speaking role.  Those go to the professionals, but she is thrilled to be in the "ensemble"....extra characters, singers, and dancers.  The play is Shenandoah, which is set in the Shenandoah Valley of Virginia during the Civil War.  This is also right up her alley, because she has been dying to get into Civil War reenactment, but lacked someone to do it with.  I'm so excited for her. 
It was all very fast.  This theater obviously does things quickly!  She is at the theater for classes 5 days a week, but only found out about the audition 3 days prior.  She had a monalogue and song ready, so then it was just a matter of her nerves as this was her first audition other than ballet.  She auditioned Friday, came home for the long weekend, went back yesterday (Tues.), and just as they were driving back into town, she got a call on her cell asking her to come to a rehearsal that night.  They acted like is was a call back, but when she got there, they told her her part, and she stayed for rehearsal.  The play opens on March 19th, so they only have one month of rehearsals.  It will run through June 14th, which also means she won't be home any, except maybe once at the end of May!  (She is also hoping for a part in the next play which starts June 17th.) 
Other than obvious thing, I have a problem!  Someone tell me what to do!!!  LOL.  Opening is March 19th.  Openings are usually big deals.  I'm her mom.  I REALLY, REALLY want to be there for her opening.  I"m supposed to be in Mississippi.  sigh.  We are supposed to go on Tues. that week to visit my grandmother who is in a nursing home and James' mom ~both of whom we haven't seen since Jan. 2007.  But, the reason it's planned for that week is that James is having a Scout reunion (he's an Eagle Scout) on the 20th and 21st.  He's really been looking forward to this, and not going is not an option.  I am considering and praying over changing the dates some, going to the opening on the 19th, then getting up early and driving to MS the next morning, and going to the Scout dinner that night.  It's a 6 hour drive, so it's doable.  I just know we'll all be really tired, especially the little girls.  Then, we could do the family visits the few days afterwards, since we don't have to have Briana back to classes on Monday.  The reunion had fallen on her spring break. 
Big thing number two~
For about 10 years, we have sponsored a young girl in Orbit, Kenya.  This is through a missionary who we know personally, so we have been able to have great communication and pictures of her, send her clothes and school supplies, etc.  We've also been able to help her mom a little over the years.  It's a great ministry and great program that I highly recommend!  Anyway, Ashley has become very close to Mokoi over the years, as she is the one who has written to her.  She calls her her African sister.  Almost 2 years ago, Mokoi was raped and became pregnant.  We greived so for her.  At first, she was going to place the baby for adoption, because she was still in high school, and they are very poor.  Ultimately, her mother told her that she would help her take care of the baby so that she could graduate, and they kept the baby.  They named her Ashley.  Our Ashley was so honored, and loved that little baby.  We got news 2 days ago that baby Ashley died that day.  They believe it was malaria.  She had just turned a year old in Jan.  Ashley is so heartbroken for Mokoi and herself.  She has longed to go to Africa soon to meet them both and play with her namesake.   She wishes she could be there now.  Would you please pray for them both? 
You know, it's hard to be so excited and happy for one, while you grieve with the other.  Like I said this morning, being a mom is like a rollercoaster for the mind!  Joys and sorrows.  Some days the mind feels overwhelmed with it all, but the Lord is steadfast. 
Thank and praise Him in ALL things!!