Disclaimer/explanation: I wrote this post on my tablet, right before it went into a coma. Took til now to realize it had uploaded to the cloud and wasn't stuck in my device! More up-to-date information is being written, but in the mean time, here is what was new last month...
Okay so I've been promising an update for some time now, I think it's about time that I deliver!
Shortly before the Launch weekend in June, we asked for prayer for finances and discernment. Immediately after being prayed over at our weekly church prayer night, we were able to connect with someone else attending the Launch to be a roommate and split the price of the lodging. Fully believing that there is no such thing as a coincidence, we felt very strongly that God was telling us to move forward and watch so we did.
The weekend was remarkable. It provided Mairwen with much experience and acting instruction. We were able to gain a lot of knowledge about what is going to happen at SHINE. Mairwen once again excelled at cold reads (that means seeing the script for only a few minutes before performing it). We had a great time creating a fun product to advertise and Mairwen had an opportunity to get some more practice at her least favorite acting skill, improv!
God was working in our midst, as we hit it off wonderfully with our roommate, who lives outside Philadelphia, and told us that next time we should stay at her house Friday night and she would still split a hotel with us on Saturday. We have already made plans stay with her on the way up to the one day photo shoot in September.
AMTC is proving to truly be a family. The atmosphere at the launch was a mix between a professional clinic and a family reunion. The coaches had a wealth of knowledge and advice to impart and they did so in an astoundingly positive manner. The youngest participant was 6, and the oldest was almost sixty. Varying ethnicities and disabilities were represented and embraced.
As for Mairwen's personal experience, it took her most of the first day to loosen up and be herself, but she was game for everything they threw at her, she even jumped into a group improv, shortly after having a very challenging experience with the individual improv. I am astounded see her growing into this calling that God has placed on her life. We were able to connect with several other participants who live in the St afford/Fredericksburg area! In fact, we are working to organize a rehearsal event to allow them some practice in front of a real live audience before SHINE rolls around!
There is still much work to be done; online training, skills improvement, photo shoot. And we are still hoping to raise a significant portion of the lodging and additional fees for the remaining Launch weekend and for SHINE. God did bless us substantially this summer in a twofold way. Tim had the opportunity to go on temporary assignment as an interim engineering director at a hospital in New York state. In addition to giving him the opportunity to gain directorial experience, he is receiving a bonus for the assignment. This bonus more than reimburses for the money that we have already invested in AMTC activities, and goes a long way towards repairing the damage done by the financial attack we experienced. We believe that this was God's way of confirming for us that he is not intending for this journey to be a financial burden on us.
We are still hopeful that there are individuals out there who are interested and willing to support us financially in some way, or even businesses, however we stand confident that whatever the source he chooses to use god will provide the resources necessary for mary when to shine at SHINE!
In more recent news, both Mairwen and Hannah are participating in Frick and Frack's Art Is In camp this week. Friday night they will be performing in a musical titled, He's the One That I Want. Both of the girls have speaking parts and Mairwen will have her first vocal solo!
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