Tag: Community

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Kristin Lim

About the Author:

Kristin Lim is from the sunny city of Cebu, Philippines. As a seven year-old, she had trouble finding books that were appropriate for her age so she began writing and illustrating her own stories. Now, as a mom, she’s thrilled to share this passion with both her children and her beloved readers.

First Name Acrostic:

Keen on

Reading and Writing

Inspiring

Stories

That

Ignite

Newfound wonder in Jesus

Travel Bucket List Items:

In the U.S.A. – To watch a theater production of Sights and Sounds in Branson, Missouri (I love how they make the Bible characters relatable).

Outside the U.S.A. – To visit more places in my country. We have 7,000 plus islands!

Adventure – Skydiving. I would also love to swim with whale sharks again.

An accomplishment she’s proud of:

Being able to write a story and invent new guiltfree desserts that family and friends get excited about.

Favorites:

Sweet Treat – Chocolate

Observation – Starry Nights

Book Series – Mark of the Lion by Francine Rivers

Season – Christmas

TV Series – The Chosen

Website: www.facebook.com/KristinLimStoryteller

Coming Soon:

The Aurorians’ Dwindling Light

Family Photos:

Above is the “Wacky family picture” — After 4 miscarriages, for Kristin, being able to have two children feels like a miracle.

Below is from Kristin and her husband’s adventure swimming with whale sharks in Oslob, Cebu.

 

 

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Brad Lee

About the Author:

Brad has been an active-duty Army Chaplain for over twenty-five years and will retire in June of 2024. He and his wife, Lori, have been married for more than thirty-two years and have six loving children. Their first grandchild is due in March of 2024. Their fifth child, Kaydan, was born with Down syndrome and later diagnosed with autism. The journey through the special needs world has not been an easy one but has also been one of rich experiences of God’s grace and faithfulness. Out of that journey was born the idea for “Walking with Kaydan: A journey of faith, struggle, and hope,” Brad’s first book that chronicles the challenges as well as the victories in the special needs world. As Brad enters retirement, he has plans to establish the Special Needs Marriage and Family Institute as a ministry and academic partnership in the Nashville area.

“Family Photos”

Website: www.walkingwithkaydan.com

Coming Soon: Walking with Kaydan: A journey of faith, struggle, and hope

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M. N. Kollar

Maxine’s Books:

* For more information on her book and/or the accompanying activity packet, click the pics above

About the Author:

Maxine says she is a Christ follower but she is really a Jesus jogger, pursuing Him daily. She lives in the Northeast USA with her loving husband, three truculent children and one very judgey cat. She likes to bake from scratch and organize things. She claims that she’s not much fun but she is an all-around good egg.

First Name Acrostic:

Mother of three

Always chasing Jesus

X-ray my heart, Lord

Immigrant, so I love America

Never giving up

Ending up on a small farm, someday

Travel Bucket List Items:

In the U.S.A. — Yellowstone National Park

Outside the U.S.A. — Vietnam caves

An adventure — “I hate heights so I think zip-lining over a forest canopy would be nice.”

An Accomplishment She’s Proud Of:

After years as a stay-at-home mom, I pivoted my way back into the work force to help pay for my kids’ college tuition. I is a different way of taking care of my children, but I feel proud knowing they won’t be saddled with debt as they start building their futures.

Five Favorites:

Movie – The Princess Bride

Childhood Gift – Being brought to America

Coffee Drink – Anything with a hazelnut creamer

Book – The Wind in the Willows, still

Season – Fall

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After Intermission

by Erin Shelby

Musical theatre is on intermission.

There isn’t much going on, in person that is.

The acting has arrived at a terribly long pause.

The singing is at an abnormally long rest.

The dancing has stopped.

The costumes are on the rack. Are they going to smell like mothballs when we’re ready to use them again?

In-person arts are on pause, for now, that is.

There are so many reasons why people are missing the performing arts. Why do people love the arts so much? What does singing and dancing and acting add to our world that we’re missing right now?

The arts are a community.

When theatre venues open their doors again, they will reveal themselves as community centers. Gathering places, if you will. Whether it’s to watch a play, see a musical, or go to the ballet, people use the arts to socialize. Relationships are formed in these places, and for some, it’s like a family. Everyone needs a place where they can go to be part of a larger community, and for some people, it’s the artistic places.

The arts are revealing.

In a world where loudness is often valued over quiet confidence, getting involved in an artistic production can allow people to analyze deep issues while exploring a script. The arts can be an equalizer for people of all backgrounds and personality types to come together around a common cause. Personally, I don’t thrive at a busy party or in an open-floor plan office, but in an artistic setting, I enjoy making connections with other people while we’re striving toward a common goal. No matter how you’re wired or how you would describe yourself, the arts can provide a place for you to create something beautiful alongside others.

The arts welcome you.

For now, the arts are mostly closed, but when this intermission is over, there will be a place for you. Community theatres will need people to fundraise, publicize, paint set pieces, help with props, sell tickets, and so much more. If you’re ready to play, the arts will welcome you.

That is, after this intermission is over.