Glory.

Autumn in Beaver, PA

Scenic detour

I wanted to share a photo here that I took while driving back to DC from Pittsburgh last weekend. I got off the exit for Frostburg, Maryland in hopes of finding a McDonalds to get an iced coffee. Although the highway sign advertised a McDonalds, I was not able to find it along the sprawling mountain road. I was, however, awestruck by the gorgeous view from the road. Never having gotten off at this exit before, I had no idea that if you traveled up the road to Frostburg you would be rewarded with a breathtaking view of the rolling mountains covered with a faint blanket of fog, and beneath you a mountain town nestled into the mountainside. The sun was beginning to set at this point, and so the rays of the sun beaming down through the fog onto the mountainside was magnificant. I decided that although I couldn't find a McDonalds, I certainly had to take a photo of this beautiful scene. So I pulled into the Walgreens parking lot overlooking the view, and pulled out my camera. I was grateful as I drove out of Frostburg onto the highway. No latte. But even better, I got to witness a glorious mountainside panorama I never would have experienced if I hadn't gotten off that exit. It was worth the detour for the unique glimpse of His magnificent, beautiful creation.

For the beauty of the earth

"For the beauty of the earth,
for the glory of the skies,
for the love which from our birth
over and around us lies;
Lord of all, to thee we raise
this our hymn of grateful praise."


Some photos from yesterday's excursion to Brookside Gardens.
An afternoon spent enjoying the loveliness of His creation.

The way He loves us

I think that every once in awhile we all have powerful epiphanies of gratitude, realizing that what we have been given in this particular moment is not only good, but uniquely meant for us by the Heavenly Father. I had one of these moments the other day, when I was walking into an art museum cafe where I sometimes have lunch. It's a beautiful little cafe in the front of the museum, and it's just a fun, peaceful place to eat my lunch. I thought to myself, "Hey, this is pretty cool that I can come to an art museum cafe whenever I want!" I can also walk around the lovely grounds of Constitution Gardens or the Elipse on my lunch hour, taking in the lovely sights for a midday reprieve.

When I learned that I had gotten the job at my current organization, I was quite excited about the opportunity to work in such a beautiful, magnificent building. Though like any job where you get caught up in the routine and just get used to your surroundings, I too can just take for granted my working environment. But when it come down to it, I work in a lovely space; at least several times each day, I take the white rod iron spiral staircase in the library (for staff use only) just because it makes me feel like I am a character in a novel or some romantic scene. (Remember Marianne the Librarian? ) Or I like to watch the sunlight stream in the large windows of our office, with the regal marble columns framing the scene of the Washington monument and the bustling landscape. I love passing by the little museum rooms decorated according to different time 18th and 19th century furnishing styles, and hearing the classical folk music emanating from the museum gift shop. Working in a beautiful and pleasant environment has always been important to me – I am not the kind of girl that would take easily to working in a grey, monotone cubicle without windows.

Being in a place which is welcoming and inviting really affects the way that I am inspired and work. And so, when I found out that I got a job at this organization, I remember thinking, “How good God is. He knows how much I loves pretty things, old fashioned loveliness, and a welcoming space that inspires and soothes the soul. What a good Father, who gives me a job that corresponds with these little things that He knows will bring me simple delight and joy each day.” There was something so special about that realization: that God is an indulgent Father who surprises us beyond our expectations in the little ways He uniquely blesses each one of us with joy. So when I get frustrated with my job, or bored, or start questioning what I am doing at the moment, I like to think of this little reminder of His sweet faithfulness. I would encourage you to reflect on this as well. How has God given you blessings that correspond to you and the things you most treasure?

It’s kind of like when a family member or friend gives you a gift that you just love; that person knows you so well, is able to find something to give you that they know will bring you great joy. And so it is with Our Heavenly Father, who knows us better than we know our own selves; every once in awhile, we realize just how perfectly His little gifts “fit” us, and that indeed, His love is extravagant.

theater, faith, and truth

For the past several months I have been developing a renewed interest in theater, and scheming of ways to attend more theater productions. I have always enjoyed theater, especially musicals. Growing up I was in a few plays, including some homegrown productions of American Girl plays, musical theater camps, and a high school musical. I have also always enjoyed acting; maybe it has something to do with my ability to create impersonations or dramatic interpretations of everyday events to my friends and family. In college this was one interest that I really didn't have time to dedicate time to, although I attended a few theater performance.

Perhaps having friends, and now co-workers, who truly enjoy the color and inspiration that the theater brings over the past year have encouraged me to rekindle my interest in this art form. And then there was going to Broadway. In December a few friends and I took a trip to New York City, and it was my first time there. What was I most excited about? Seeing a show on Broadway, of course! It was so exciting to see the iconic Broadway theaters throughout New York - with all the lights, glitz, and famous musical bills posted on buildings. My friends and I saw the musical "Finian's Rainbow", which was just delightful. The acting was excellent, the scenery was exquisite, and the music was rousing and heartwarming. It was definitely one of those very uplifting performances where you left with a smile on your face, humming the tunes in your head for days. Musicals, although most times are unrealistic and sometimes borderline cheesy, have a way of doing that: bringing you out of your troubles, current life challenges, and daily struggles, and through song, dance, and acting, bringing you a sense of optimism and hope that truly touches you. Because I so interested in the Broadway legacy after seeing a Broadway show, I started watching a documentary series on PBS about the history of Broadway, called Broadway: The American Musical.

Although I have only watched two of the six volumes, I have thoroughly enjoyed it so far, as it weaves a narrative of how American culture intersects with the arts throughout the late 19th and 20th century.

As I have been gaining interest in theater over the past couple months, I have been thinking that it would be a lot of fun to be in a theater performance again. I am not sure where I would find this opportunity again -- perhaps in a community theater, but since I don't have a car yet, that's not really an option for me for a few months. It's a fun opportunity for me to think about, and I think I would enjoy acting and performing again.

Through my recent theater attendance and research, I have been convinced that there is something unique in theater that compels the human heart, speaks to it, and inspires it. I think that this can be experienced by both the actor or actress in the show, and the audience watching the show. However, even when thinking about it, I couldn't quite put my finger on how this art form uniquely communicates beauty and Truth to man. While surfing the internet, I was excited to come across this website, The Blackfriars Repertoire Theatre, which apparently a theatre in New York City which was started by Dominican Friars, and continues to "produce plays that reflect the spiritual nature of man and his destiny" as well as "produce high quality theater of all kinds that edifies, uplifts, entertains, and inspires."

On this site, I found a fascinating article by Father Peter John Cameron, O.P., that explains the reasons why theatre is such a poignant art form, and it's ability to uniquely challenge and inspire men and women. This article is entitled "The Role of Theater in the Evangelization of Culture," and brings together the thoughts of Hans Urs Von Balthasar, John Paul II, Monsignor Guissani, and a few pivotal theater figures and their commentary on the value of theater for evangelization and human inspiration. I would highly recommend reading this article if you too enjoy theater and the arts. It will encourage you to watch and participate in theater in a new way.

In closing, I will share one of my favorite quotes in the piece

"Von Balthasar notes that 'theatre owes its very existence substantially to man's need to recognize himself as playing a role.' Christ, who reveals man to himself, as actor reveals the contours of the role of the human 'I' in the human drama."