Blaming the Economy and Giving Thanks at the Same Time

Well, (deep subject, as my dad would say) the weather turns towards warmer climes, causing us Floridians to enjoy the sunshine while it lasts as the pure, blissful sunshine of spring rather than the torpid, muggy sunshine of summer. Yesterday, my roommate and I were able to fully enjoy the gorgeous weather as we visited a record 29 characters in one day! :D

Work has become a bit challenging, and when I shared my frustration with a fellow cast member, I was told to blame the economy. My preferences for days off, number of hours per week, etc. were not being met, so, therefore, I blame the economy! Yet I have to give thanks that I still have a job. We were told that we were not allowed to have recyclable bottled water in the break rooms anymore but instead have plenty of styrofoam cups and jugs of water. So, therefore, I blame the economy! Yet I have to give thanks that I am able to get clean drinking water. My friend and I joked that we are going to make t-shirts that read "I survived the economic crisis of 2009, now please buy this shirt so I can survive the economic crisis of 2009." :P Ironically, the parks are seeing record numbers of attendance; hmm.. It is a true blessing that we do not have to put our hope or trust in an economic system! I'm so grateful I'm able to rely on God to provide all that I need. He is the God of abundance, never lack. Thank goodness!

On a tangent to that, I recently read the book The Art of Compassion, which meshes with my background in Compassionate Ministry in college. It talks about global poverty and the church's mission to help those in poverty. What amazes me is the shrinking of the world - we can see that we indeed need to make sure that villages in India, China, and parts of Africa are able to have basic, clean drinking water; we can also see that we need to make sure that our neighbors who have lost their jobs are able to make ends meet so that their children do not go without food or a good education. What can we as a church do? What can we as an American people do? What can I do, as a Christian blessed to be in America, who has heard the call to serve God's children? These questions do not have easy answers; the most I can do is to seek after His Kingdom and be prepared to have Him shine His light, life, and love through me.

In lighter news, I did get approved in my second track in the Fantasmic show, so I am doubly happy when I am over there. I love the show and hope to be there more often in the future. I also went to an audition recently to obtain a higher animation/movement score, and my score matches my ideal, so I am happy about that. At the audition, Casting told us that with the hiring freeze, they are hoping to make the most of the performers they already have, so for those of us who have not been trained in shows and parades, we will be; for those already trained in parades and shows, we will be cross-trained! More training opportunities? Blame the economy! :P These opportunities of course certainly expand the scope of my imagination, and if anything comes of it, I am sure to blog about it. :D

My roommate and I are also planning on moving into our townhome soon, which is still not soon enough. It will be a busy time, for as soon as we move, Star Wars Weekends starts, I have family coming in, roommates visiting their families, friends coming in, myself visiting home, and that's all in a couple months' time! :D I hope this blog finds you well and soaking in the sunshine. I pray that God's abundance would fill your lives with His love, joy, and peace, and if you find yourself eating mustard instead of Dijon, blame the economy! :P (Then give thanks that you have something to put the mustard on!)