Pure Bliss

I had the most PERFECT weekend. Ugh. Why do weekends always have to end?? The one and only Patrick Herndon came to visit and we had such a blast! Living in a different state than him is challenging to say the least. I love living in New York and I know I am right where I am supposed to be, but I still don't feel fully invested or at home yet because a part of me is still back in Texas. But this weekend that part of me was here and it felt so right. We had the most fabulous weekend jam-packed full of exploring, food, adventure, fun, laughs, and love. I couldn't stop smiling the entire time.

This is Patrick. On a subway. With me!

Of course his flight was delayed because it is Southwest and who knows what's been happening with them recently. So.... he got to my itty bitty apartment around 2 am Thursday night. But whatever he was HERE! After a goodnights rest and a lazy Friday morning we took the train down to the Chelsea area and I showed him where CAP21 is and he got to meet a couple of my cutie friends. We then headed up to Madison Square Park [one of my most favorite places ever] for Patrick to try the infamous Shake Shack! After waiting in the ginormous line we finally got to indulge and man oh man was it worth it! I think he would definitely agree! I mean how could you not love a burger with a deep fried, cheese filled mushroom on top? After completely pigging out it was time for a little shopping in Union Square to work off the calories. So perfect. 

Yummmm

Can't forget the milkshakes!

Later that night we met up with Kelsey and Alekza and went to City Wide Worship. What is that you ask? Well basically a bunch of churches throughout NYC get together and put on this worship night at a neutral location. How amazing is that? I never would have expected to get so much Jesus in this city, but I ain't complain! After the service we all went to this completely perfect little Mediterranean restaurant called Stix. If you live in the city and you haven't gone... GO!

Such a great meal!

Saturday we spent hours in Central Park. I had never explored much of the park before. [What was my life before this?] Central Park is PERFECTION. What a beautiful oasis in the middle of such a hectic fast-paced city. There is so much to do in the park and so many little spots to explore or to just sit and enjoy. I am in love. 

We started off by walking over to Strawberry Fields [the John Lennon Memorial]. It's in the park right next to the Dakota where he lived in. That building... oh my... so beautiful. He was shot outside the gate to the building one night in 1980. The memorial covers 2.5 acres of Central Park and was dedicated on what would have been his 45th birthday.

This is what happens when you ask a tourist to take your picture

Of course we had to take a picture on a bridge :)

We found the Boathouse Restaurant... the most perfect little restaurant on the water. You can sit out on the terrace and watch the rowboats and duckies. We waited in line to get a table, but of course it was booked for the entire day. Looks like we will have to go back and make reservations way in advance. But I WILL eat there at some point in my life. I HAVE to!

After we grabbed a bite to eat at the to-go cafe at the boathouse we headed to the Bethesda Fountain. Why have I never been here? First of all it's beautiful and I feel like I am in another country somewhere in Europe, but it is also filled with different street performers and artists. It is just such a fun little spot.

Bethesda Fountain

After a beautiful afternoon in the park we headed all the way down to the most southern part of the city to visit The Shrine of St. Elizabeth Ann Seton. Patrick's mom had asked me to visit and get her a prayer card, so Patrick and I thought it would be fun to go together! The church is settled into the home she lived in. It is the only home from the 18th cenutry left in that area. It is now completely surrounded by buildings. It is such a little treasure to find. St. Elizabeth is known because she started the very first Catholic school in the U.S. and she was also the first native-born American to be canonized. 

We finished off the jam-packed day with a little vaunt over to Queens for the Annual Pumpkin Carving Party at Karina and Victoria's [Baylor friends! BUTS in the city. Sic 'em]. We had such a fun night of pumpkin carving, apple cider, and delicious treats. Thank you for hosting us Victoria and we missed you Karina! :( [she's on tour being all awesome]

Mine and Patrick's is the far left!

After a late start the next morning and almost not waking up in time we made it to church! We decided to go to St. Patrick's Cathedral because my Patrick had been before and loved it and I mean come on it's absolutely breath-taking. Why aren't churches built like this anymore? What an amazing setting to be in to worship our God! Only downside is that it was soo packed that we had to stand in the middle of one of the aisles and they are completely renovating it so most of the walls were covered in scaffolding. Womp. Nevertheless it was still gorgeous.

After church we made a short trip to Greenwich Village to have brunch with Kelsey. We ate at the cutest little restaurant called Cafe Angelique. I will definitely be going back there. If you are going to be visiting New York in the future make sure you spend an afternoon in Greenwich. I'm slightly obsessed. It kind of feels like you are in a small town in England or some other cool place like that. Beautiful old brick buildings with tree lined streets and precious little cafes. It was a fabulous way to spend Patrick's last few hours in the city.

I then had to take Patty to the train and say my farewells. After a long hug and few tears I sent him on his way :( It will be a little over 6 weeks before I get to see him again. I know it is going to be so hard, but Thanksgiving is going to be so great! I cannot wait to be in his arms again. 

I love you Patrick! Thank you for a perfect weekend.

The Great Unknown

I have been to Radio City Music Hall twice in my life and they happened to be in a 4 month period.

The first time I was in that beautiful venue was for the Tony Awards this past June. What a wonderful experience that was. I was surrounded by thousands of people all there because their love for theatre. They all were there to acknowledge the beauty that is presented every year on stages throughout New York City and to honor the many talented people who make it possible. Everywhere I turned were people I have admired my entire life and people I still aspire to be like.

Friday night I had the opportunity to go to Radio City once again. This time it was for a very different reason. Kelsey and I got free tickets to go to the VERY FIRST Hillsong Conference in the US. And what an amazing city to have it in right? The Big Apple [the city of temptation]. I mean who needs it more?! Once again I was surrounded by thousands of people, but this time it was because of their love for Jesus Christ! WOW! Every single person in that room was there to worship and honor our Saviour! Such a moving experience.

It was so crazy and powerful to think that I was in the same place that I was a few months back (both times for something I am EXTREMELY passionate about), but for a completely different reason.

The lights came on and the music started and I saw people standing on the same stage that people like Bernadette Peters and Patina Miller had stood on, but this time they were worshipping my God! Mind blownnnnnn!

It has always been my dream to stand on the stage at Radio City for the Tony's, but last night that dream became SO much more real and deep. Sometimes you lose sight of your dreams. You let the struggles and the obstacles cloud your vision and get in the way of the ultimate goal.

But the minute I saw those hands go up and I heard the voices of thousands of people singing to The Lord on that stage I knew right then and there that I wanted to be up there praising my God one day too. Not in the same way as these worship leaders from Hillsong Church, but I decided that my goal is to one day be on that stage as an actor worshiping Him. Praising Him for the talents he has blessed me with. I want more than anything to be a light in this industry and bring glory to our beautiful Father's name!

I have BIG dreams, but I know The Lord will be with me through it all! Through the joy, through the struggle, through the tears, through the smiles. He has never failed me and I don't expect Him to start now. Yes, I know these dreams might not come true, but I know I am exactly where I'm supposed to be right now. He is with me and I know he will guide my path. 

Brian Houston the senior pastor at Hillsong spoke on Friday about the Great Unknown. Every word he said went right along with the vision and dream that I had at the beginning when the lights came on and the worship started. He based his message on the Hillsong United song "Oceans". One of my absolute favorites! 

[You should have seen Kelsey and I when they started singing it!!! SO HAPPY!]

The song says, "You called me out upon the waters. The great unknown where feet may fail. And there I find you in the mystery. In oceans deep my faith will stand... Your grace abounds in deepest waters. Your sovereign hand will be my guide. Where feet may fail and fear surrounds me. You've never failed and you won't stop now... Spirit lead me where my trust is without borders. Let me walk upon the waters wherever you would call me."

The will of God is FULL of the great unknown but there are no guarantees... We just have to trust Him and make the jump. Brian challenged us to be like Peter. Not to be the people who stayed on the shore watching as the disciples got into the boat and to also not be the ones who stayed in the boat and didn't trust Jesus when he said to step out onto the water. Peter did. His faith was without borders. He stepped into the unknown and he got to walk on water with Jesus!!

Moving to New York was a scary thing! I can't tell you how hard it was to leave the people I love and everything that was comfortable to me behind and come here. But I knew it was what God was calling me to do. I don't know exactly what The Lord wants to do with me here, but that's the exciting part. I have no control... That is terrifying, but it will be so rewarding. The mystery is what makes Christianity exciting!

In the dictionary a Mystery Tour is described as a pleasure excursion to an unspecified location.

That is exactly what I am going to call this new adventure. A mystery tour. The Lord called me to New York City, for what reason I am not sure yet, but I cannot wait to find out!!

I am committing right now to step into the great unknown and follow whatever path He lays before me and praise Him and thank Him every step of the way. It will be hard I know [and my feet may fail] but He has never failed and I know he won't stop now!

"Take me deeper than my feet could ever wander and my faith will be made stronger in the presence of my Saviour."

Thanks for reading :)