Looking Back at the 2012 Lamplighter Guild {part seven}

 As type A as I am, not wanting to have an oddly numbered series (seven?), I feel that it may be time to draw this one to a close.  I am looking forward to sharing more insights from the Guild with you all- but if I were to continue to publish it all- and in order- I'm not sure I would ever get back to "normal" posting!

I would like to wrap it up by telling you a bit about the last day.

The night before had seen us playing a rather heated, hilarious, and shall we say late game of Mao with Kathy Buchanan and Todd Busteed.  What a memory for the last night...

As I drifted off to sleep anticipation of the mixed emotions of wanting to go home, yet not wanting the fellowship or the blessed teaching to end.

 I woke up at 5am when my alarm on my phone went off.  Devotions were at 6:15am but if you wanted coffee you have to get down there sometime around 6.  My morning routine would take a bit of time to get ready, shower, makeup, hair...etc. But I sleepily picked up the phone, used my thumb to swipe the screen and turn off the alarm, and closed my eyes.  I'm just going to rest for a second. Ha.

(Just keep in mind: this was the last day!  All of the students were exhausted from the events of the week....)

Next thing I know, I opened my eyes and looked at the phone in horror: 6:05am. 

Panic.

There went my morning routine.

Blessedly, I had showered later in the previous day after swimming, and my makeup looked alright, so I jumped out of bed, slipped into my clothes for the day, and woke up my roommate as I was running out the door.  I didn't want to miss the very last day of devotions!!!

  There were two options on Thursday, to watch the making of (and perhaps act in) a short audio drama, or to practice/be in a play directed by Cathy Sara.  Being that my family would like to do skits and plays together, I figured it was probably the best use of my time to do the play... We had four hours to learn the script on Thursday then perform on Friday.  Believe it or not it went well!  I was a bit awkward...  I guess that's what happens when you've never acted before-but it was alright... :-)

Anyway, after the play in the Parlor, we all headed over to the Conference Center for the very last session.  

Romantically, it started to rain...  remember how I said that when I got there is was pouring rain?  Here it was, the day that we were supposed to be leaving, and again the rain came down.  Those of us that had been in Kathy Buchanan's class marveled at the sheer poetry.  Mrs. Buchanan had explained to use that usually in a story, when you want to get into the heart of a character, when you want to come to know them more intimately and get to their soul, you bring in a scene of darkness or rain- and it seems to open up the dialogue, to soften the mood and invoke a feeling of intimacy with the character.  At the beginning of the week, our hearts were opening up to God- we were willing and ready to learn what He had prepared for us that week.  Now, on the last day, our hearts were hurting a bit that the week had to end, but again soft and open to whatever God had next in store for us.

  That morning was such a treat!  All of the students were gathered together and were able to view/listen to some of the work that had been done over the week.  I was ecstatic as I watched and listened- everyone did such a fabulous job!

There were two "Film and Documentary" Electives... here are the videos that they made over the week:

Did you look for me?  :-D

Actually, believe it or not- most of the classes that were filmed in the first video I was in- I was literally just a few feet to the right or to the left of the camera view...  you do see me for one split second in the first one- but my hand is in front of my face.  (I was supposed to "be struck by lightening"-cut me some slack!)

We also got to hear the audio drama that they made the day before: Actor with an Attitude (or Felicity's Toupee)  They did such an amazing job (remember- FOUR HOURS to write the script, audition, record voices, add sound effects, compose music, etc. etc. etc) it made up my mind to definitely do the audio drama if I were to ever attend the Guild again!

I am so grateful for the opportunity that I had to attend the Guild- it was such a blessing to not only myself, for my own personal walk, and furthering of my talents, but I pray that I will be able to bless others around me with what I have learned.  I have already said to a friend at church how I have to get the notes from Kathy Buchanan's class for her!  

It was a growing experience for my in more ways than one... Let's just say, when I got home from this trip, my friends could barely believe some of the things that I did.

"You played Ultimate Frisbee- barefoot???"

"You went swimming in a lake???"

Thank you for reading, my dear friends!

I hope that you were encouraged and entertained as well as having gotten a little taste of my memorable week...

Be warned though, I do have some photos and such that I may be posting soon :-)

If you want more information on the Lamplighter Guild click here or feel free to email me with any questions!

aheartsurrendered(at)gmail(dot)com

Looking Back at the 2012 Lamplighter Guild {part six}

  One of the classes that I attended (I think there must have been smoke rising from my notebook as I furiously attempted to write down all of the amazing thoughts that were coming to mind) that blew me away and caused me to afterwards bound to my room so that I could call my dad and tell him about it was the Theology on the Book of Ruth with Pastor Colin Smith.

  I signed up for this elective expecting some good teaching- but as I sat in that third row, second seat on the left, notebook and fuchsia pen in hand,  I experienced awesome preaching.

 We had two hours to go through the book of Ruth- beginning to end.  (Maybe that's why my pen was smoking...)  Pastor Smith divided it up into four "Acts" and proceeded to point out the lessons, themes, character qualities and changes- he showed us what a true literary masterpiece this tiny book of the Bible is!

  I am not going to make a full dissertation on the talk (though I have enough notes that I probably could) but

Looking Back at the 2012 Lamplighter Guild {part five}

  The rest of the week was a blur of excitement, inspiration, and opportunity.

Morning devotions...

We usually split up into small groups for a more intimate setting, but one day Mr. Hamby thought that we should to up to "Eagle Point" impromptu all together.  So off we went- climbing rocky "steps" avoiding a couple of "cliffs" as we went.  

I was totally unprepared.  I had brought my dslr camera and my Bible in my purse- making it extra heavy, was wearing a rugged denim skirt, which- due to my excellent height- dragged delightfully on the ground, silver flip-flops, and coffee in one hand.  I felt like I was balancing the

Looking Back at the 2012 Lamplighter Guild {part four}

The remainder of Monday's Dramatic Arts classes were made up of Cathy Sara's "Voice and Stage Acting" and John Campbell's "Music Composition".

  Cathy Sara's enthusiasm and energy were contagious- her heart just seemed to be filled to the top with a love for the Lord.  Her desire to glorify Him with her skills and abilities through sharing them with others shone through as she coached and encouraged us- whether we were "wading through raging rapids" or "crossing a sandy desert", or any of the other wonderful scenarios that she had us in!

  One of the first exercises that she gave us was when we each had a copy of Isaiah 61.  We each had our own line according to our place in succession.  After we had read it through once, sitting around in a circle, she had us get up and walk around while we said our lines.  She then adjured us, her voice rang out in the

Looking Back at the 2012 Lamplighter Guild {part three}

  The next day (Monday) all of the students in the Dramatic Arts were able to go to all of the available classes for that track so that we might be able to see which ones we would like to pursue further after having a bit of experience in them.

  

  My group, rotation group #1, started out by going to Todd Busteed's "Sound Design" class.  At the beginning of the class, Mr. Busteed had each of us introduce ourselves, name our hometown and the most common sound that we would hear in it.  I inwardly snickered.  As some of the students mentioned church bells I was thinking- suburbs = motorcycles?  I would have loved to say, "The waves on the beach- clapping down on the sand, seagulls circling above, children laughing and squealing with delight..." ah, so romantic... but unfortunately I'm too legalistic for that.  Come on, would you really hear that above the cars zooming by on US1?  For anyone else who was in this class with me that may be reading this:  I can be poetic- just way too honest. :-)  I ended up mentioning common sounds in my household- it's home, right?

  One thing that really stuck out to me in Mr. Busteed's class was this: don't wait around for someone to "discover" you.  Don't be waiting for the "right opportunity" to arise in which you can

Looking Back at the 2012 Lamplighter Guild {part two}

  On Sunday afternoon I arrived at Mohonk.  Since it was pouring rain I wasn't really able to see much on the way over but it sure did make what I could see so dreamily romantic!  Everything was blanketed with a soft mist- a mild fog that wrapped around the trees and flowed down the hills and mountains.  The sky looked dark- the mood was reflectively melancholy. Looking back, those of us in Kathy Buchanan's script writing class can see the sheer poetry that God was writing into our lives during that first hour or so in New York... (more about that later.)

  After I had checked in with Mohonk, I went over to the conference center to check in with the Lamplighter Guild- to get my registration packet, name tag, etc.  During this time I was being greeted warmly by acquaintances from the conference back in May as well as being introduced to many new people- I was already having amazing conversations and I hadn't even been checked in for much more than an hour!

  The presence of brotherhood was thick- the common bond of Christ was so strong.  The love that Jesus said that they will know us by was ever present and electrifying the atmosphere.  It was such an amazing first impression!

  Because I was a scholarship recipient, I was asked to write a blog post

Looking Back at the 2012 Lamplighter Guild {part one}

  So, I finally have the time- and a bit of the brain- to write about my experience at the 2012 Lamplighter Guild.

Unfortunately, if I were to write it all into one post, I fear that I would lose you all after a while.  That's why I have decided to break it up a bit... ;-)

Wow... ok, where to start, where to start...

Well, first of all I suppose that I must explain a bit of the "before"...

First of all I must say, God truly seemed to have His hand on this trip.  You all saw my posts from before the Guild- how I was trying to scrape to get enough money for tuition?  Well, my graduation party just so happened to be a day or so before the funds were due- my dear friends and family were extremely generous with me and the Lord provided more than enough for my tuition.

But after the tuition was taken care of, next came the traveling...  how to get there?

  I had not flown since I was about 4 or 5 and my only option to get to the Guild was if I was to fly by myself.  At first the thought totally freaked me out.  Me, having not ridden on a plane for the past 14 years go by myself- go through security and all that creepy stuff- fly all the way

well, i'm back...

...to borrow from the words of a favorite literary character, Samwise Gamgee.

Back from where?

You may remember my previous posts on the Lamplighter Guild.

Yesterday I got back- what a week it was!  The only words that I can think of are the sweet yet slightly melancholy, "Well, I'm back..."  to describe how I feel at this moment.

After a much very much anticipated week- one full of sweet fellowship, glorious revelation, and rigorous encouragement- what more can one say?

{Mohonk}

During the week I wrote a guest post on the Lamplighter Guild blog talking about something that really touched me the very first night that I was at the Guild. (You can read it here).

Hopefully I will post more about my week soon- I need to go through my copious notes first. :-)

Have a fabulous day!

so....

Hello, my dear friends!

So.... some of you may be wondering about my "status" concerning the Lamplighter Guild.

Well...

...drumroll, please....

...I'm happy to announce...

...that...

I'm going!

I'm so excited- thank you so much all of my dear friends that were praying for me and supported me in this...  I feel so blessed- my heart is overwhelmed!

...

If anyone is still interested in purchasing any Lamplighter books, you can still use my code: GUILD66 at your checkout and 30% of the proceeds from your purchase will go towards my tuition until June 30th.  If you have any questions about any of the books- please do not hesitate to ask!

I also wanted to mention- there are only 2 days left in my Take Back the Land giveaway- don't forget to enter- it was a fabulous book!

Hoping on posting more soon- things have been pretty crazy around here recently- but you can probably imagine why :-)

Have a wonderful day!

I feel so blessed!

As I have been working and waiting upon the Lord concerning the Lamplighter Guild, two wonderful people have offered to bless me with fundraisers...  allow me to introduce you to them.

The first is a lovely artist, Lisa Mistiuk.

She is a wonderful woman who loves the Lord and glorifies Him through her gifts- painting and art!  I have been so blessed by her sweet disposition.  She is teaching my two younger sisters art- sketching at the moment and every time they get home from a class they say something like, "That was exactly what I needed to hear!" or "So that's what I was missing!".  She has been a true blessing to our family.

My sister and I babysit her sweet little boy who just turned one...

(this is one of her paintings of him when he was littler!  My favorite...)

http://lisamistiukart.com/

Aren't her paintings beautiful?

She generously placed one of her paintings up for auction as a fundraiser for my Guild tuition...  wasn't that the sweetest thing?

Here's the painting that she put up for auction:

It is one of my favorites...  I saw it in her house one day and loved it!

(She didn't realize this when she put it up for auction...)  :-)

Click here to view the auction.

~

The next wonderful person is my aunt, Caroline, who sells Lilla Rose products. She offered to set up an online party for me as a fundraiser!  She has always been such a blessing to me- taking the time out of her busy day of caring for her ten children to help me out...  I love you, Aunt Carrie!

Lilla Rose offers a beautiful assortment of classy, lovely and intricate yet practical hair accessories- they come in several different sizes so that you can choose the perfect fit for your hair type!

 Here are some of my favorites:

Click here to see all of the different sizes and styles that Lilla Rose offers. (If you need to figure out the right size for your hair, click here to watch an instructional video to help you out!) All of the profits from the party will go towards my tuition at the Guild.  If you are interested, I would encourage you to make your purchases by Thursday, the 14th.  My aunt has also generously offered a deal- 

buy 3 get 1 free!*

*Once you put in your order for three or more items, my aunt will contact you by email with a coupon for a free item!

Want to join the party?  Click here!

Thank you all for your prayers and support...  I feel so blessed and loved to have such wonderful friends!

"Yet those who wait for the LORD

         Will gain new strength;

         They will mount up with wings like eagles,

         They will run and not get tired,

         They will walk and not become weary."

Isaiah 40:31

this summer...

Hello, my dear friends!

A week or so ago I had the blessed privilege of volunteering at the Lamplighter Publishing booth during our state's annual homeschool conference.  I had a wonderful time- talking about books- all day- for two days- <insert angels singing, "Hallelujah Chorus"> and working with awesome people!

 I had the opportunity to meet Mark Hamby, the president of Lamplighter Ministries, and work side by side with him.  On the last day, before I went home, he prayed over me with my family for my future, and he encouraged me to start praying about coming to the Lamplighter Guild this summer.  I had been thinking about it- not very long because the price seemed too high for me- but now I decided to do just as he said, really seriously pray about it.

I am convinced that the Lord has His hand on the Lamplighter Guild and that I will be majorly benefited  and educated by attending.  Our family has been really pressing in on working on our family ministry- which I have been so "hush hush" about with you all- and it fits right into the vision.

Over the past couple of years our family has really been developing our musical gifts- singing together for nursing homes and in front of abortion mills.  At the same time we began a commitment to read the Bible together every day as a family.  Our dream is to encourage fellow believers in the faith with our music and by other means, to spend more time together as families- to read together, the Bible and good Christian literature, to bring them closer together.  Lamplighter books have made such a blessed impact upon our family that we are now selling them ourselves (more on that later) and we hope to someday soon create little skits and hopefully plays based on the books.

Before I say any more- what is the Lamplighter Guild?

"The Lamplighter Guild for Creative Disciplines is an entrepreneurial platform whereby masters will mentor apprentices through passionate, creative, and compelling instruction, motivating each lea rner to cultivate a high level of excellence in order to uniquely reflect the image of God in their work and life."

The event is taking place from July 15-20, 2012 at the Mohonk Mountainhouse in Catskills, New York.

(click here to learn more)

I'm hoping to go to the Guild to study the Dramatic Arts- especially script writing and musical composition.  I feel that these lessons would benefit me greatly for my father's ministry and encourage me in the direction of ultimately my Father's business by using the skill and talents with which He has bestowed me.

I am very excited about this and pray that the Lord will provide a way for me to attend this year.

I covet your prayers as I pursue this venture- that the Lord's will be done!

The financial barrier is the only thing that stands in the way- for the cost is $1950 and it is due by June 15th.  I had not considered attending the Guild until recently and this is why I have not been able to save sufficient funds.  I have applied for and been approved of a scholarship which covers part- but I am still in quite a great need of the rest.

I do not want to ask for you to give me money- I want to work hard for it!  That is why I have joined the Lamplighter Affiliate program.  Any purchase that you make from Lamplighter Publishing using my special code, 30% commission will go towards my tuition.

My Code: GUILD66

In addition to this I am using all of the profits from my Etsy store from now until June 15th to go towards my tuition.  

If I am unable to raise sufficient funds my June 15th then I plan on continuing to save so that I might go next year- but you never know what God may do in the meantime....  :-)

As I said, I covet your prayers!

So, do you need some suggestions on which books or audio dramas to buy?

Start here:

(click the images to be directed!)

This book my family read together- we loved it!

"This first book of the Lamplighter Rare Collector Series continues to be a best-seller. James, the king's gardener, teaches his 15-year-old daughter Mary all the principles of godliness through his flowers. She is falsely accused of stealing, and the penalty is death. Mary remembers her father had taught her: that it is better to die for the truth than to live for a lie, and that the worst pillow to sleep on is the pillow of a guilty conscience! This story will change your life forever!"

*Update: I had to add this book (below)- I couldn't believe I had forgotten it!  :-) *

One of the most inspiring books that I have ever read!  Ask any of my friends- this book is one of my top 3 favorite books...

"You will never read a story that is more inspiring and challenging than Ishmael. The heights of success achieved by this young man reveal little of the utter poverty into which he was born. He entered life motherless and poor, and despite the wishes of everyone around, he survived and flourished in his paltry environment. His commitment to character and integrity and his singular focus on preserving his mother’s name gave his life focus and purpose. His perseverance and determination to educate himself in law gave him the opportunity to influence the highest levels of government. E.D.E.N. Southworth captures the rich panorama of sights and sounds in rural Maryland in the decades prior to the Civil War. When you reach the end, don’t despair!—the drama continues in the sequel, Self-Raised!"

Everyone who has read this book says how much they love it- at the conference I described it as basically everything you could want in a novel wrapped up into one- mystery, suspense, a bit of romance, comedy...  

"Reader, beware! Once you begin this novel, you will not be able to put it down! The Hidden Hand is strewn with mystery and suspense that will keep you on the edge of your seat from beginning to end. You will find yourself laughing aloud at some of Capitola's antics. But don't let her feisty, mischievous character and Old Hurricane's cantankerous personality derail you from seeing the gracious providence of an all-wise God. His hidden hand can be seen at work in the most difficult situations. The Hidden Hand is the book to reach for if you're looking for a good dose of drama and adventure!"

This is one of my absolute FAVORITES...  Based on an actual historical mystery, this novel is like a historical Hidden Hand!

"This suspenseful, historical novel takes place during the period when France's King Louis XIV renounces the Edict of Nantes and declares Protestantism illegal. Tolerance is a thing of the past, and we find a band of Huguenot refugees bravely facing one narrow escape after another. But the peril of the tumultuous seas is the least of their worries‚--little do they know what terrors lie ahead! Even through the kidnapping and endless corruption, they stand firm and confident in the providence of God.

Prisoners of the Sea gives little relief from its unyielding tension and suspense, but the jaw-dropping revelation doesn‚'t come until the very last chapter!"

The very first Lamplighter book that I ever read...  Gerty's loyalty to Willie is something that has been mentioned more than once in our home as an example us about how we should love one another.  A sweet story- until you get pulled with the suspense towards the end!

"You'll soon discover why The Lamplighter outsold The Scarlet Letter ten to one in 1850! In fact, Nathaniel Hawthorne was livid about the moral truths presented in The Lamplighter, which overshadowed his attempt to influence society with a secular worldview. In this poignant novel, Gerty stands alone in the fearfully cold night until the old lamplighter sees what others cannot. Simple in mind but not in heart, he takes on the role of father and protector. His blind friend tempers the rough edges of Gerty's heart, as she becomes the instrument that God uses to open the eyes of the blind and bring light to those whose hearts have been scarred by life's dark moments. This story left such an impression on my life that I decided to name our ministry Lamplighter!"

I read this book myself and cried- even though my sister had already given away the ending!  My dad read it aloud to us- guess what?  I cried again....  such a sweet story :-)

"It takes unwavering courage to withstand the power of peer pressure, especially when it requires standing alone. Geoffrey's demonstration of true friendship and faith knows no bounds. The ridicule and taunting he endures does not prevent him from risking his life for the safety of his “friends.” But when he must face the ultimate challenge, will Geoffrey have the strength to remain true to the last?"

This audio drama is definitely one of the best that they have made- one of my favorites- the lesson is so simple yet sometimes so hard to follow...

"In a breathtaking story based on Psalm 32, David Aspinall is searching for something. Deep in his heart he longs for something better than home. The inheritance of the family farm just isn't enough to fill his longing for wealth and adventure. As the seeds of discontent take root, David makes a choice from which there may be no return. As he wakes one day in the desert of Africa, scorched by the sun and allured by a mirage, he begins to see what he was so blind to before. His father's parting words echo in his mind: Sometimes, one must lose what he has in order to gain what he needs. Is it too late for David to gain what he needs the most? Is there still time to return? The Wanderer is an epic drama that will powerfully influence its listeners to be "guided by His eye" in order to see that the greatest treasures in life are usually found at home."

The beautiful allegories in this audio drama inspire me...  my favorite scene was about the Keeper of the Well, how even those who are never recognized for their great deeds here on earth will be rewarded by God in heaven...

"Deep into the Vale of Promise ventures a young knight, Sir Constant, who desires nothing more than to be in service of the Great King. Though unworthy of this high calling, he sets forth on the perilous road that all who desire to serve the King must take -- the Splendid Way. His heart, courage, valour, and faith will be tested. His strength and endurance will be challenged. And his allegiance to the one true King will be proven.

Lamplighter Theatre presents this classic allegorical tale -- richly dramatized, scored with breathtaking music, and wrought with biblical truth. In a class all its own, Sir Knight of the Splendid Way will awaken your heart to this powerful truth: 'In the name of the King, I can do all!'"

...anyway- I hope that can help you in getting started!

Please feel free to contact me with any questions- about Lamplighter books, the Guild- anything!

Images and book descriptions copyright Lamplighter Ministries.