Birch & Burlap

The Challenge

2025-03-22T07:59:00.002-04:00

This morning's devotion hit me, like a ton of bricks (as the saying goes); it hit me right between the eyes.

I have been stuffing down (and simultaneously exploding about) a situation at work. It has really gotten me frustrated over the past month.

A situation with a lack of respect, a lack of trust, and a lack of planning.

I was asked to be part of a team for our building, but in the end - and over the course of about four consecutive weeks - our team's planning and decisions have been usurped by someone above us - changing our decisions, telling us they don't like what we have decided, and making their own plans and decisions - effectively, rending our team useless and unnecessary.

I have been "exploding" with the other team members to each other. We all feel disrespected, not heard, and useless. We all want to quit the team. But we have all also been "stuffing" our feelings down and not addressing our feelings with Admin, going along with and acting like everything is fine on the surface.

When you read today's devotion (below), you will see what I mean. It explains this situation exactly, and it allows me to understand that, obviously, my team and I are not alone in our feelings or actions in these types of scenarios.

I am going to pray over my situation. God has shown me this morning that I am not acting with soul integrity, as James 3:17 teaches us to behave, and I want to act as God thinks I should.

I know I have work to do to reach this lofty goal James imparts upon us. I'm not even sure I can do it, but if Scripture teaches it, I am positive I have to try.

Read today's devotion from Lysa Terkeurst and see if any of it resonates with you. Maybe you can join me in the journey to soul integrity. It is my prayer, that no matter our age or where we are on life's path, we will find our own personal soul integrity.

Happy Saturday my friends.

PRETENDING I'M FINE, PROVING I'M RIGHT

If someone says something or does something that hurts me, what is the godly response? Is it to pretend that everything is fine so I can keep the peace? Or is it to confront the person to prove how wrong she is?

Neither.

If ever I catch myself pretending or proving, I know I'm processing my hurt the wrong way.

The right way is approaching this situation with soul integrity—responding in a way that's not only honest but peacemaking. James 3:17 says, "But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure (honest); then peace-loving… " Yes, I want this kind of wisdom, this soul integrity.

I want to be honest and peacemaking at the same time. But how?

Real honesty. Not all honest expressions of my feelings are real honesty. You see, my honest feelings may not be truthful assessments of the situation. I can be honest with how I feel and still exaggerate or misinterpret what is true. I can feel justified in being blatant about my feelings—not hiding a thing—and prideful for being so real, all under the guise of being honest enough not to stuff.

But in reality, honesty that isn't true isn't honesty at all. It may just be emotional spewing. That's why we need peacemaking honesty—honesty reined in by the Holy Spirit—if we're going to have authentic soul integrity.

So, if I want real honesty, I have to ask the Holy Spirit to show me real truth. I need to see things from the other person's perspective. I need to ask questions of that person with the desire to better understand instead of throwing out statements of accusation. Ultimately, my goal should be to add peacemaking to my honesty.

Real peacemaking. At the same time, it must also grieve God to see plastic versions of peacemaking that aren't reined in by honesty. That's what we do when we stuff and pretend everything is okay.

The upside of stuffing is that we have the semblance of peacemakers. But when we do so at the expense of honesty, we harbor a corrosive bitterness that will eventually emerge. Either it will erode our health and later present itself in a host of emotional and physical anxiety-induced illnesses, or it will accumulate over time and surprise everyone when the peacemaker eventually erupts. Saying, "I'm fine," to keep the peace, when we're really not fine, isn't honest.

Sometimes dishonesty comes in the form of saying things that aren't true. But it's also dishonest when we fail to say things that are true. It may seem godly in the moment, but it's false godliness.

Truth and godliness always walk hand in hand. The minute we divorce one from the other, we stray from soul integrity and give a foothold to the instability that inevitably leads to coming unglued.

Yes, we're after soul integrity—honesty that is also peacemaking that leads to godliness.

This soul integrity brings balance to unglued reactions. It makes us true peacemakers — people who aren't proving or pretending but rather honestly demonstrating what they are experiencing in a godly manner. And being a true peacemaker reaps a harvest of great qualities in our lives: right things, godly things, healthy things.

PRAYER
Dear Lord, through You I am able to bring all my exploding and stuffing under Your authority and truth. Thank You for Your Holy Spirit who gives me the wisdom to move beyond my reactions. Help me lean on You. In Jesus' Name, Amen.

Were You Let Down?

2025-02-14T07:41:00.000-05:00

Good morning my friends, and Happy Valentine's Day.

I am sitting at my kitchen counter this morning, with my little pink and gold mug full of hot coffee, trying to stay warm and positive.

Yep, you read that right - positive.

I don't know about you, but I'm getting tired of trying to make it work - okay, make everything work, all the time.

The County taxes went up. My homeowner's insurance went up. My mortgage payment increased $200. The basement pump is broken. The fence is falling down, and my yard now looks like Sanford and Son's backyard.

It just keeps piling on and on and on. I'm exhausted. I'm not sleeping through the night. I just wonder, "God, when does the hamster wheel end and I get some peace? When do I get to stop spending money on life and start spending it on others?"

And, a lot of times - our own personal woes with money, work, and staying afloat bleed into our own self-pity of being disappointed with others.

I can personally count on one hand - and probably two if I thought about it long and hard enough - the women around me who have been disappointed in the men in their lives. Affairs, mental health issues, abandonment, and marriage & family commitment issues are just a few of the hurdles these women have faced.

It's not surprising our stress levels are high, that we are developing emotional scars, and that we are losing trust in other humans.

I, too, struggle with trust issues. Our past paths in life create scars in our hearts that blur our outlook on both our current and future paths. All the women I am thinking about this morning are strong Christians, who have profound faith in God. Yet, we all still struggle with being disappointed with someone in our lives.

As I sat here this morning, after another night of restless sleep and worry, I opened my laptop to see what God had for me. I read this. It really hit home and opened my mind to the reminder that I am not alone at being disappointed in people. We all struggle with this one thing.

The key to remember - I believe - is to not let the devil see it and capitalize on it. He relishes in our failures. He delights in diverting us off God's path. So, to my girls this morning - I see you. I believe this devotion was for you.

I hope it touches you and reminds you - like it did me - that we must grieve; we must show God our tears and/or our anger; and we must accept that people fail, but God never will!

I see you. I love you. Embrace today - Valentine's Day - remembering that the greatest Valentine of all was Jesus and the gift of LOVE he gave us on that bitter, bitter Friday afternoon. That give of LOVE redeemed us all. YOU ARE WORTHY and not forgotten!

When People Let You Down

Disappointment feels like a heavy rock sinking to the bottom of my spirit—especially when others disappoint or deceive me. Often I ignore my disappointment, shut it in a box and hope the lid holds. Sometimes I gloss it over with a quick, “People will let you down, but God never will.” True, but does this really help me process the hurt?
One morning, I poured out my sadness, anger and disappointment to God about a close relationship. As the tears slipped down my face, I begged for an answer: What do I do with this? Show me. I’ll do it because what I’ve been doing is not working.
In my spirit, Jesus said, “Grieve.”
Really? I questioned. I remembered that Jesus knew disappointment—Peter’s denial, Judas’s betrayal and the disciples falling asleep during his anguish before his crucifixion (see Matthew 26). Jesus understood my pain.
So I cried, feeling every ounce of the disappointment. I told God all the things I wished were different, all the things I thought this person had done wrong, and what I wished this person would change.
After the winds of grief subsided, I was done. Grieving was the bridge I had to cross to move beyond the disappointment. On the other side, I could embrace the relationship for what it was, not what it wasn’t.
Only after we’ve allowed ourselves to grieve will we know how to respond in the way God wants. We may need to talk to the person who disappointed us or get godly counsel. We may need healthy boundaries or to just let it go.
Once we’ve completed those steps, the words “People will let you down, but God never will” will be comforting, not empty.
By Melanie Chitwood

2 Corinthians 1

3Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, 4who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God. 5For just as we share abundantly in the sufferings of Christ, so also our comfort abounds through Christ.

From Darkness to Light

2025-02-11T06:33:00.001-05:00

Don't you love these kind of moments?

I woke up this morning thinking about a friend of mine, maybe even two of them. How they took me from a place of sadness, held my hand, and helped me heal. Brought me to this current day, where happiness has returned and MAYBE I'm starting to find and see ME again.

I reflected back on things one of those friends said to me, as I compared and belittled my grief to his, a widow of four years. He encouraged me not to belittle or bury my grief or compare it to others.

He said, "Pain is pain." When I said, "Why am I struggling so much? Why did a broken heart hurt so much? Why did it dismantle me?" He said, "FIVE YEARS. It was FIVE YEARS. Give yourself some grace."

As I sent a Good Morning text to that friend this morning, I reflected back on these moments and what he has grown to mean to me. How our friendship has grown and blossomed. How we talked through our own personal valleys, as well as valleys we experienced together and yet, kept going forward.

My heart warmed as I thought about the journey.

And then I opened my laptop to read this morning's devotional. (Real-Life Devotions by Lysa TerKeurst, if you want to join the plan.) This is what I read.

I pray it blesses you like it did me. I love these moments when God not only shows up, but He says, "I heard you this morning. I have something for you."

Read on:

"Trapped like a firefly in a mason jar. Stifled, I peered out, watching others’ dreams, hopes and joys twinkle and fly by my stagnant ones. My own desires sat dusty in my valley of pain.
Extinguished. Exhausted. Expectant no longer.
“I’m so sorry your dreams are dashed,” my friend offered. “I wish I had known sooner how painful this disappointment has been. It would been an honor to walk it out with you.”
“Thanks. But a broken heart is silly. Especially in light of others’ pain.” Who was I to be sad about a mere breakup?
Silenced by self-doubt. Belittled by unworthiness. I diminished my pain, fearing it insignificant. In the process I belittled God’s care about my pain. Healing had been offered, yet I walked away, thinking it not worth his trouble.
My friend took my hand, and we journeyed back to when she had lost two children. Someone then had told her to check her pain at the door. Keep it in perspective to others’ pain.
We journeyed back to another time when pain was acknowledged, not tucked in a dark corner. Then she turned to the Lord, who administered healing from the grief of empty arms and empty cribs.
My friend took my hand again and we journeyed forward. “Don’t belittle your grief. Your pain is genuine. This valley is real. You must acknowledge the Lord is near and accept his help to get out.”
My friend granted me permission to feel my ache and loss. Drastically different than her own, yet no less honest. In that moment I realized I’d held my pain at a distance. Yet truth resonated in her words. No one loves us or offers healing like God does.
Perhaps it is time to acknowledge the pain, like Job did in Job 7:11. To become aware of the Lord’s care—an “always there” presence. No matter what other voices have said, your pain is valid. God cares deeply and longs to heal you. No pain is too great … or too small. Often we just need someone to remind us that God longs to remove the lid on our mason jar and fly next to us, out of the valley.
By Samantha Reed"

So, you see. God is listening. He does hear us.

Friend, don't belittle your valleys and your hurt. Don't compare it to others. Let God heal you.

As the saying goes, "Comparison is the thief of joy." Friend, don't let the devil win.

Go ahead. Open your mason jar. Let your firefly out and let the healing begin.

I love you, and so does God.

2 Corinthians 1

XOXO: An Exhibit About Love & Forgiveness” at Children’s Museum of Atlanta

2025-01-13T15:54:00.001-05:00

Children’s Museum of Atlanta’s first featured exhibit of the new year, “XOXO: An Exhibit About Love & Forgiveness,” will open on Jan. 25.

Visitors will share, listen, connect, ask, and learn about feelings and emotions. Through facial expressions, words, movement, art making, and other hands-on activities, “XOXO: An Exhibit About Love & Forgiveness” provides children and caregivers the opportunity to think about and explore feelings through a variety of activities designed to help them understand, appreciate, and express their emotions. Created by Children’s Museum of Pittsburgh with support from The Fetzer Institute and sponsored locally by Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta, this winter exhibit runs through May 4, 2025.

“It’s a priority for us to provide a space that teaches kids the power of connection and empathy,” said Edwin Link, executive director of the Children’s Museum of Atlanta. “As families explore the exhibit, they will experience many moments of joy and adults will find opportunities for conversations that help their children understand their feelings and recognize how important love and forgiveness can be.”

The exhibit allows guests to explore how we connect with others. Key elements include:

· Holding Hands – Hold hands to illuminate a hidden message about love.

· Reflection Table – Manipulate materials to uncover soothing sounds, promoting mindfulness.

· Empathy Blocks – Wooden blocks featuring diverse facial features allow children to create expressions, enhancing their understanding of emotions.

· Story Puzzle – A collaborative puzzle uses words and symbols to tell stories, encouraging conversations about love and forgiveness, ultimately, helping kids recognize emotions in themselves and others.

· Release the Negative – Encourages kids to write or draw negative feelings and shred them to symbolize the release of emotions.

· Response Wall – A space to share thoughts on love and forgiveness by responding to various prompts.

· Silhouettes – A creative station where children trace and compare profiles, highlighting individual uniqueness and similarities.

· Phone Booths – Private booths equipped with telephones for kids to learn the importance of communication.

· Tone Phones – Interactive display that visualizes how different tones of voice can affect communication and understanding.

Annual Memberships to the Children’s Museum of Atlanta provide the best value and can be purchased online, in person, and over the phone – providing families the gift of play and education through interactive, hands-on learning experiences all year long. Annual members receive unlimited, FREE timed entry for one year; 10% off general admission for accompanying guests; discounted admission to select ticketed museum events; discounts to museum store purchases, virtual programs, and parties; and invitations to members-only exhibit sneak previews.

Museum Admission:

Tickets are available to members and guests online, by phone, and in-person. Babies 11 months and younger and members are admitted for free. All daily programs and exhibits are included in the price of admission. For more information regarding ticket and membership options, visit childrensmuseumatlanta.org.

Museum Hours:

The Museum will operate in a timed entry model where guests can visit between the hours of 10 a.m. and 3:30 p.m. on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday and 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday. The Museum is closed on Wednesdays. Please check the Museum website to confirm hours of operation.

25th Anniversary Tour Of Mamma Mia! Headed to Fox Theatre!

2024-12-16T13:02:00.005-05:00

Regions Bank Broadway in Atlanta announced MAMMA MIA! will play in Atlanta February 25 – March 2.

Tickets are available at the Fox Theatre box office at 660 Peachtree Street NE, Atlanta, Georgia 30308 and by visiting foxtheatre.org/mammamia or by calling (855)-285-8499. Group orders of 10 or more may be placed by calling the Fox Theatre at (855)-285-8499.

MAMMA MIA! will play for a one-week limited engagement. The performance schedule is as follows:

Tuesday – Thursday, 7:30 p.m.
Friday, 8 p.m.
Saturday, 2 p.m. & 8 p.m.
Sunday, 1 p.m. & 6:30 p.m.

Since premiering in London in 1999 and on Broadway in 2001, the irresistible musical has captured the hearts of millions around the globe. The sunny, funny tale of a mother, a daughter, and three possible dads on a Greek island paradise, all unfolding to the storytelling magic of ABBA’s timeless songs, has now been seen live on stage by 70 million people across the world and turned into two record-breaking movies – MAMMA MIA! The Movie and MAMMA MIA! Here We Go Again.

To date, MAMMA MIA! has been seen in 50 productions in 16 different languages grossing more than $4.5 billion at the box office.

MAMMA MIA! opened on Broadway in 2001 where it played for a record-breaking 14 years, first at the Winter Garden Theatre and then at the Broadhurst Theatre. The show also toured North America from 2000-2017 with four different touring companies spanning this period.

Produced by Judy Craymer, MAMMA MIA! The Movie became the highest grossing live action musical film of all time upon its release in 2008. A second film, MAMMA MIA! Here We Go Again, opened in July 2018 and is the most successful live musical movie sequel of all time. The films starred a host of stars including Meryl Streep, Christine Baranski, Julie Walters, Pierce Brosnan, Colin Firth, Stellan Skarsgård, Amanda Seyfried, Dominic Cooper, Lily James, and Cher.

With music & lyrics by Benny Andersson & Björn Ulvaeus, MAMMA MIA! is written by Catherine Johnson, directed by Phyllida Lloyd, and choreographed by Anthony Van Laast. The production is designed by Mark Thompson; with lighting design by Howard Harrison; sound design by Andrew Bruce & Bobby Aitken; and musical supervision, additional material, & arrangements by Martin Koch.

The North American tour is booked by The Booking Group with casting by Tara Rubin Casting.

MAMMA MIA! is produced by Judy Craymer, Richard East, & Björn Ulvaeus for Littlestar in association with Universal. Amy Jacobs of Bespoke Theatricals is the Executive Producer in association with Work Light Productions.

The special edition cast recording of MAMMA MIA! is available on Decca Broadway.

For information about MAMMA MIA!, visit www.mammamiathetour.com

Follow on Instagram, TikTok, and Facebook @MammaMiaTheTour

Atlanta History Center’s New Immersive Children’s Experience To Open on January 11, 2025!

2024-12-13T10:16:00.000-05:00

The Atlanta History Center will unveil a dynamic new children’s experience in its Goizueta Gallery on January 11, 2025. The Goizueta Children’s Experience, a 5,000-square-foot immersive and interactive bilingual exhibition with the theme “Our Great Big City,” will captivate and inspire young minds as it teaches them about the vibrant history, people, arts, and culture that define Atlanta.

The Children’s Experience is designed for children ages 1 - 8, and an entirely new theme for the exhibit will be introduced each year. LINK to more information.

The opening day celebration will include hands-on interactive activities in the Atlanta History Center atrium for children to explore beyond the exhibition walls and goodie bags with Children’s Experience-related items.

Tickets are $27.000 for adults, $24.00 for children, and free for children 0 -3 years. More information is HERE.

Watch the video featuring renderings of the upcoming Children’s Experience here: https://bit.ly/ACHChildrensExhibit.

Highlights of the 2025 Children’s Experience Include:

Time Machine Climber: Embark on a journey through time on a colossal climber where kids can ascend to new heights, control a time dial for sensory surprises, explore history-themed games, and experience an illuminated Dance Party Zone.

Mini Fox Theatre: With ambient lighting and velvet drapery, the Mini Fox Theatre and Mighty Mo Organ create an intimate setting for storytelling and performance, encouraging kids to engage with the arts.

The Varsity’s Silly Scent Station: This quirky station is designed after the front seat dashboard of a 1930s car. As kids press dashboard buttons, diner-inspired scents waft from the car vents, offering a sensory experience of Atlanta’s iconic drive-ins, like The Varsity.

Tiny Toddler Town: Inspired by Atlanta’s vibrant neighborhoods, this cozy area is designed for little explorers (ages 1-3). Surrounded by plush, skyline-inspired elements, the space offers a safe environment for crawling, playing, and exploration.

Creator Hub: A vibrant space with hands-on activities perfect for school groups, young learners, and their caregivers. It encourages creativity and collaboration in an environment designed for imaginative expression.

In addition to the new Goizueta Children’s Experience, the Atlanta History Center offers a variety of engaging activities and spaces for families with children to enjoy throughout their visit. From exploring the historic Smith Farm with its sheep, goats, chickens and turkeys, and outdoor playhouses to climbing aboard the beloved locomotive, families can immerse themselves in hands-on history. Regular programs like Toddler Story Time, family holiday events, and interactive activities throughout the exhibits ensure that there’s always something new to discover.

This is the first of several transformations before the Atlanta History Center's Centennial Anniversary in 2026.

About Atlanta History Center

Founded in 1926, Atlanta History Center is an all-inclusive, 33-acre destination featuring the Atlanta History Museum, one of the nation’s largest history museums, including Cyclorama: The Big Picture experience; three historic houses— the 1920s Swan House, the 1860s Smith Farm, and the 1830s Wood Cabin; Goizueta Gardens; Kenan Research Center; the Grand Overlook Ballroom; a museum shop; Souper Jenny café; and BRASH coffee shop.

In addition, Atlanta History Center owns and operates Atlanta History Center Midtown, which includes Margaret Mitchell House, gallery space, and event spaces. For more information, visit AtlantaHistoryCenter.com.

Madeline’s Christmas returns to Horizon Theatre, Dec. 7 – 31!

2024-12-04T11:37:00.003-05:00

Madeline’s Christmas returns to Horizon Theatre for its 14th enchanting season from Dec. 7 – 31, 2024!

A cherished holiday tradition, this joyful musical adaptation of Ludwig Bemelmans’ beloved children’s book is produced by Horizon Theatre in collaboration with Atlanta Children’s Theatre. Featuring 24 talented local girls (8-13 years old) from all over Metro Atlanta performing alongside professional actors on a beautiful set, this magical production promises to delight both children and adults.

“It’s such a treat to once again bring back Madeline’s Christmas — a heartwarming show that has brought joy to countless families for many years now,” says Horizon’s Co-Artistic/Producing Director Lisa Adler. “Our intimate 160-seat theatre brings children and adults close to the action. And the audience is invited to meet the cast, take photos, and get autographs after every show. We’re grateful that so many in our community have made the show a beloved holiday tradition.”

Over the past 14 seasons, more than 330 local girls have fulfilled their dreams of performing with a professional theatre company. This year’s cast includes students from 4 metro Atlanta counties and more than 25 schools, highlighting the diverse talent across the region.

Based on one of the most popular children’s books of all time, this musical play follows Madeline and friends on a holiday adventure unlike any other. After a trip to the zoo on a December day, “achoo” echoes in the halls of “the old house in Paris.” All but Madeline have caught the flu! Will the girls be able to go home for Christmas? It’s Madeline to the rescue! With the help of a mysterious stranger, the “twelve little girls in two straight lines” end up with a magical and memorable holiday beyond their wildest dreams! A holiday treat for the whole family.

Madeline’s Christmas will run Dec. 7 – 31. Performances are weekends at 1 p.m. and 4 p.m. with additional 10:30 a.m. and 7 p.m. on select dates. Weekday performances will take place Dec. 19 – 20 at 4 p.m. and 7 p.m.; Dec. 23, 26 – 27, 30 – 31 at 1 p.m. and 4 p.m. School day matinees will be at 10:30 a.m. on Dec. 11 and 12. Tickets are $15 for youth (ages 21 and under) and $20 for adults. For School day matinees, tickets are $10 for school and home school groups. The play is 70-minutes long and appropriate for ages 3 and up. Concessions and Madeline Merchandise are available at the show. Purchases of $10 Star Wands benefit the Make-A-Wish Foundation. Tickets and information are available at horizontheatre.com or 404-584-7450.

PERFORMANCE SCHEDULE

Performances of Madeline’s Christmas will run Dec. 7 – 31, 2024.

WEEKEND PERFORMANCES – Dec. 7 – 29

Saturdays and Sundays, at 1 p.m. and 4 p.m.
Additional showings on Dec. 14, Dec. 15 and Dec. 21 at 10:30 a.m. and 7 p.m.
Additional showings on Dec. 22 and Sat. Dec. 28 at 7 p.m.

WEEKDAY PERFORMANCES – Dec 19 – 31

Dec. 19 – 20 at 4 p.m. and 7 p.m.
Dec. 23, 26 – 27, 30 – 31 at 1 p.m. and 4 p.m.

SCHOOL DAY MATINEES - Dec 11-12

Wednesday and Thursday Dec. 11 – 12 at 10:30 a.m.

TICKETING INFORMATION

General admission tickets for Madeline’s Christmas are $15 for youth (21 and under) and $20 for adults.

Madeline Club Sponsors ($250-$1,000) receive VIP tickets that include reserved seats, concessions, and Madeline toys/books. Tickets may be ordered by phone at 404-584-7450 or online at horizontheatre.com. Ticket prices are subject to change. Sales tax added to all orders. Internet convenience fee added to all online orders. No refunds, exchanges or late seating.

GROUP RATES

For select performances, special deals are available for school groups, Girl Scout Troops, and Boy Scout Troops. Contact boxoffice@horizontheatre.com or 404-523-1477 for more information.

Clue! Comes to Atlanta

2024-11-24T08:24:00.003-05:00

CLUE, the hilarious murder mystery comedy inspired by the Hasbro board game and adapted from the fan-favorite film, is coming to the Fox Theatre for a limited one-week engagement from Jan. 28 to Feb. 2, 2025 as a part of the Regions Bank Broadway in Atlanta 2024/2025 season.

Single tickets go on sale Nov. 22 at 10 a.m. at the Fox Theatre box office at 660 Peachtree Street NE, by visiting foxtheatre.org/Clue, or by calling 855-285-8499. Group orders of 10 or more may be placed by contacting sales@foxtheatre.org.

CLUE will play for a limited one-week engagement in Atlanta from Jan. 28 - Feb. 2. The performance schedule is:

Tuesday – Thursday, 7:30 p.m.
Friday, 8 p.m.
Saturday, 2 p.m. & 8 p.m.
Sunday, 1 p.m. & 6:30 p.m.

The cast includes Christina Anthony as Miss Scarlet, Mariah Burks as the Cook, John Treacy Egan as Colonel Mustard, Joanna Glushak as Mrs. Peacock, Tari Kelly as Mrs. White, John Shartzer as Mr. Green, Jonathan Spivey as Professor Plum, Jeff Skowron as Wadsworth, Alex Syiek as Mr. Boddy, Teddy Trice as the Cop, and Elisabeth Yancey as Yvette. The understudies are Greg Balla, Alison Ewing, Mary McNulty, and James Taylor Odom.

Led by Broadway Director Casey Hushion (Associate Director of Mean Girls and The Prom, Associate Resident Director of Aladdin, choreography for the Netflix series “Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt”), murder and blackmail are on the menu when six mysterious guests assemble at Boddy Manor for a night they’ll never forget!

Was it Mrs. Peacock in the study with the knife? Or was it Colonel Mustard in the library with the wrench? Based on the fan-favorite 1985 Paramount Pictures movie and inspired by the classic Hasbro board game, CLUE is the ultimate whodunit that will leave you dying of laughter and keep you guessing until the final twist.

CLUE is based on the screenplay by Jonathan Lynn. Written by Sandy Rustin with additional material by Hunter Foster and Eric Price. It features original music by Michael Holland.

The production also features scenic design by Lee Savage, costume design by Jen Caprio, lighting design by Ryan O'Gara, and sound design by Jeff Human.

The CLUE franchise began in 1949 with the manufacture of the ‘Cluedo’ board game. Currently owned and published by Hasbro, the game has since sold more than 200 million copies worldwide. A murder-mystery comedy film by Paramount Pictures based on the board game was released in 1985 and went on to achieve cult classic status with a passionate fanbase.

The North American tour of CLUE is produced by The Araca Group, Work Light Productions, Lively McCabe Entertainment, and Aged in Wood.

Originally produced at Bucks County Playhouse, New Hope, Pennsylvania, Alexander Fraser, Robyn Goodman, Josh Fiedler, Producers. Developed by Cleveland Playhouse, Laura Kepley, Artistic Director, & Kevin Moore, Managing Director.

“A very fun whodunit that strikes contemporary parallels on the way to its grand reveal.”-The New York Times

“Reminds you what a breezy night of pure entertainment feels like.”-Theater Mania

“Extraordinarily entertaining.”-Broadway World

For more information, visit clueliveonstage.com.

Children’s Museum of Atlanta Celebrates the Magic of the Holidays with Festive Fun throughout December

2024-11-22T14:57:00.000-05:00

Children’s Museum of Atlanta continues its holiday celebration with annual “Snow Days” activities to inspire joy and creativity.

In December, the Museum invites families to explore festive traditions, including Hanukkah, Christmas, and Kwanzaa, through interactive performances and story times. Family favorite Sockefeller Plaza is back for little ones to glide around the cozy rink. Children will also discover the scents of the season at the Science Bar. Culminating the celebrations, Museum goers will countdown to 2025 with the annual New Year’s Eve Bubble Bash. The Wallace and Gromit: Get Cracking! exhibit continues through January 2025.

December Programming
Snow Days
Through Dec. 31

Visit the Museum to continue the holiday festivities celebrating the long-standing traditions of Las Posadas with Alma Mexicana Danza Folklórica and Kwanzaa with an interactive drum and dance performed by Djoli Kelen. Little artists can dive into hands-on activities like making winter crafts and enjoying weekly toddler story times. The month wraps up with the Museum’s annual New Year’s Eve Bubble Bash, a fun-filled countdown celebration with dancing, games and bubble-wrap-popping excitement!

CMA On Stage
11 a.m. (weekends only) “The Snow Dancer” by Addie Boswell + Snow Ball Fight
1 p.m. Skiing Expedition
3 p.m. “The Snow Dancer” by Addie Boswell + Snow Ball Fight

Art Studio
Bundle up for a Solstice Art adventure while staying cozy on snowy days cutting, gluing, and folding to create winter masterpieces. Future Picassos can make their own mittens or craft fun snowmen, all while developing fine motor skills and boosting creative thinking. Younger children will enjoy making soft, colorful mittens, while older artists can design papercraft snowmen to decorate and display. The fun concludes with a “chill” story time!

Sockefeller Plaza
Thursday, Nov. 21 – Thursday, Jan. 2

Step into Sockefeller Plaza where little ones will slip, slide and sock-skate in to winter fun! Jane’s Innovation Station transforms into a mini skating rink made of soft, snowy white tiles, surrounded by a friendly fence to keep the fun on the rink. Kids can kick off their shoes and glide around in socks, showing off smooth moves and silly spins. Daring dashers and tiptoeing twirlers alike will find Sockefeller Plaza the place to sock-skate and commemorate the season in style.

Science Bar
Monday, Dec. 2 – Thursday, Jan. 2

Young scientists are invited to embark on a "Winter Smelly Science" adventure, diving nose-first into the fascinating world of scents and memories! Through a sensory journey, kids will uncover how tiny odor molecules dance into noses, sending signals that awaken cherished memories in the brain. With essential oils and a nose for discovery, children will try to sniff out signature winter aromas that bring to mind snowy days, festive gatherings and cozy fireside nights.

Los Posadas
Sunday, Dec. 8
Noon

Families are invited to a Las Posadas celebration, a cherished Mexican tradition that follows Mary and Joseph’s journey in search of shelter. Alma Mexicana Danza Folklórica joins the stage with swirling skirts and spirited steps, bringing this holiday story to life. Guests can join in the joy, dancing in the vibrant rhythms of the season!

Hanukkah & Christmas Observation
Sunday, Dec. 15

Gather to celebrate the season by exploring the rich traditions of Hanukkah and Christmas through festive performances and activities. With the warm glow of the menorah and the merry melodies of Christmas, children will be filled with glee and wonder all day long!

CMA On Stage
11 a.m. Hanukkah special performance by Michael Levine
1 p.m. Atlanta Women’s Chorus performance of “The Muppet Christmas Carol”

Kwanza Observation
Saturday, Dec. 28
Noon

Families are invited to honor Kwanzaa with an interactive drum and dance performance by Djoli Kelen! Experience the vibrant traditions and stories of Kwanzaa through music and movement.

Bubble Bash!
Tuesday, Dec. 31; Tickets are $10 for Members and $25 for Non-Members

Ring in the New Year – a little early – at Children’s Museum of Atlanta’s annual Bubble Bash! Families and kids will dive into a dazzling countdown event full of dancing, games, giggles, and more. Groove to the DJ’s beats and get ready for the ultimate bubble-wrap-popping celebration! Guests are encouraged to purchase tickets in advance. Walk-up ticket availability is limited, and ticket prices will increase Thursday, December 26. Purchase tickets at childrensmuseum.org.

Play Session A: 9:30 – 11:30 a.m.; Countdown at 11 a.m.
Play Session B: 12:30 – 2:30 p.m.; Countdown at 2 p.m.
Play Session C: 3:30 – 5:30 p.m.; Countdown at 5 p.m.

Building Blocks
Weekdays
10 a.m. - noon

Artsy Mondays
Dec. 2, 9, 16, 23 and 30

Little artists will paint their way into a snowy, hands-on activity, using pom-poms in a fun new way to create beautiful winter scenes. This engaging experience allows early learners to explore the feel of ‘snow’ and texture through sensory play and joyful mess-making. The fun wraps up with a cozy toddler story time at noon.

Tinkerin’ Tuesdays
Dec. 3, 10, 17, and 24

Build and experiment with floating cities, where toddlers and caregivers work together to design their own towering skyscrapers on water. This hands-on activity fosters resilience and patience as little architects test different ways to stack and balance foam blocks, constructing individual floating structures. Playtime will conclude with a cozy toddler story time!

Messy Thursdays
Dec. 5, 12, 19 and 26

Ready, set, roll! Tiny tots will roll, swipe, and splatter their way to colorful creations while developing fine motor skills and learning to use fun tools in play. This sensory-filled session is all about creating art and making a mess, all while building grip strength and coordination. The fun finishes with a toddler story time, making it a perfect morning of artistic exploration!

“Jammin” Fridays
Dec. 6, 13, 20 and 27

Toddlers get rockin’ with the Musem’s special Friday Jam activity in the Art Studio as families’ favorite hits are chosen and little ones play with instruments!

Jane’s Innovation Station will be transformed Dec. 2 – Jan. 2 into Sockefeller Plaza.

Continuing in December:

Through Sunday, Jan. 12, 2025
Wallace and Gromit: Get Cracking!

The Children’s Museum of Atlanta’s newest exhibit, Wallace & Gromit: Get Cracking!, transports visitors to the cozy North England home of the cheese-loving inventor Wallace and his loyal dog, Gromit. Visitors can step into their whimsical world, where they can blast off in Wallace’s rocket to the moon, fix the broken Autochef and design their own cracking contraptions. This interactive exhibit is designed to spark creativity and build problem-solving skills by encouraging children to tackle STEM-based challenges in fun and engaging ways. Ideal for ages 3 to 9, the exhibit also includes a “tot spot” for children under three. The exhibit is proudly sponsored by Georgia Natural Gas, with additional support from the City of Atlanta Mayor’s Office of Cultural Affairs and Fulton County Arts & Culture.

Museum Admission:

Tickets are available to members and guests online, by phone and in-person. Babies 11 months and younger and members are admitted for free. All daily programs and exhibits are included in the price of admission. For more information regarding ticket and membership options, visit childrensmuseumatlanta.org.

Museum Hours:

The Museum will operate in a timed entry model where guests can visit between the hours of 10 a.m. and 3:30 p.m. on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday and 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday. The Museum is closed on Wednesdays, with the exception of the Wednesday preceding Thanksgiving. Please check the Museum website to confirm hours of operation.

Shadows and Light

2024-10-15T09:12:00.002-04:00

I read this today in my morning devotional from Billy Graham:

Light and Shadow

All the masterpieces of art contain both light and shadow. A happy life is one filled not only with sunshine, but one which uses both light and shadow to produce beauty.

The greatest musicians, as a rule, are those who know how to bring song out of sadness.

Fanny Crosby, her spirit aglow with faith in Christ, saw more with her sightless eyes than most of us do with normal vision. She has given us some of the great gospel songs which cheer our hearts and lives.

In a rat-infested jail in Philippi, Paul and Silas sang their song of praise at midnight to the accompaniment of the jailer’s whip. But their patience in suffering and persecution led to the heathen warden’s conviction.

Daily Prayer:

Let my heart learn to sing when everything around me seems so dark. Give me Your grace to praise You, Lord Jesus."

Sometimes, life is just hard.

Single life is just hard.

When I was growing up, my Father used to say, "No matter what something costs, if you take care of it, it will last forever." He was a strong man. An Italian father in every sense of the word.

Large. In control. Expected perfection always.

While my brother didn't seem to be impressed by my father's tendencies, I - on the other hand - absorbed all of them. I absorbed and was consumed by them until his last breath.

To this day, they still resonate (and cause problems) deep within me.

I take care of all my things. My car has almost 300,000 miles on it, and I still wash and wax it regularly. I fix it myself. I attempted a paint job myself. (It's not perfect and needs to be redone.)

My house is almost 25 years old. It has rotten door frames, rotten wood on the roof, and needs a new fence. I am working to secure financing and working two extra jobs to make these repairs.

At the same time, I am working a full-time job I love that doesn't get me home until almost 5pm. I am attending college to earn my Bachelor's Degree. And I am active in Christian Counseling, my local CR group, and my church's Women's Bible Study.

It is a lot.

I am tired. And I am failing.

I've had two "breakdowns" the last two weekends. I can't do it all myself, on the time and finances I have. Yet, I keep going and the Lord has been more than faithful to me, my two boys, and my household.

Sometimes, it's just hard being single.

I've never been one of those girls whose main goal in life was to meet a man, get married, have kids, and stop working and depend on him for my livelihood. I've always wanted my own dreams and aspirations and have worked hard to obtain them.

But it's hard being single. Wouldn't it be nice to have a partner that comes alongside you to help? Not as your leader per se, but as a true partner - allowing you to lean in when you need to. One that speaks truth and love over you. Prays for you and helps carry your burdens and also - well - the physical tasks that occur day to day.

I recently confided my breakdowns to a friend. One I normally do not confide these deepest struggles with. He left me a beautiful voicemail:

"Hello Debbie.

I knew you wouldn't be able to pick up the phone because you're at work. But I wanted to call and tell you - I love you and I'm thinking about you; praying for you; and want to give you some bright sound first thing in the morning when you are able to listen to this voice mail.

You are a beautiful person. You have a heart of gold. I am so fortunate to have you as a friend and to be able to call you friend. You mean so much to me. I consider you a wonderful friend - one of my closest.

I love how you love my kids. I love how you show them how much you care about them. It means the world to me. You are an incredible person.

I am honored to be your friend, and I am here for you any time - day or night. It doesn't matter. Please reach out to me at any time. You are always there for me, and I greatly appreciate that. I love you. Have a beautiful day."

When I heard that message, my eyes filled with tears. Such words of support and love. What more could I ask for? Words I desperately needed to hear this morning.

While I wouldn't ordinarily share personal conversations here, I use them to illustrate and circle back to Billy Graham's words above - "All the masterpieces of art contain both light and shadow. A happy life is one filled not only with sunshine, but one which uses both light and shadow to produce beauty.

I needed to read those words this morning. ALL MASTERPIECES CONTAIN BOTH LIGHT AND SHADOW.

When my life moments seem to be shadow upon shadow, God pulls back the curtain to show me His Word and that the people surrounding me love me and speak words of love and light over me.

I needed to be reassured this morning and last week. I needed to hear God's Word and words of affirmation from those I love. Sometimes, you just need a physical presence, a hug - words - phone calls, messages, whatever - to let you know you are not alone. You need your inner circle to not wait for you to ask for help but to reach out and speak words over you, pray for you, and say, "What can I help you with today? What can I physically take off your plate?"

Hey - disclaimer here - I am only speaking from my point of view. I am equally guilty of not doing the same or being there for those I love. These valleys and moments of darkness are also good reminders to us that we should be reaching out as well as wishing our loved ones would lean in.

I will end this post with the small and simple prayer Billy Graham wrapped up his message with:

"Let my heart learn to sing when everything around me seems so dark. Give me Your grace to praise You, Lord Jesus."

Amen and amen.

2 Tim 4:5, "But you - keep your head in all situations, endure hardship - do the work of an evangelist, discharge all the duties of your ministry."

Broadway in Atlanta offers Student Rush and Lucky Seat lottery for THE LION KING!

2024-09-19T09:08:00.003-04:00

Regions Bank Broadway in Atlanta announced today that THE LION KING will offer special lottery and student rush tickets for the upcoming engagement at the Fox Theatre from Oct. 2 – 20. Tickets are on sale now by visiting foxtheatre.evenue.net/events/.

For those feeling LUCKY, Regions Bank Broadway in Atlanta is partnering with the digital ticket lottery platform Lucky Seat. Starting Friday, Sept. 20, participants will have a chance to win a limited number of $39 tickets for the Atlanta engagement of THE LION KING.

Entries for shows at the Fox Theatre will open at 12 p.m. on Friday, Sept. 20, with weekly winners. The final round of entries will close on Friday, Oct. 11, at 9:30 a.m. Lucky Seat will email winners weekly on Fridays starting at 10 a.m. and will continue throughout the day, as needed. Winners will have a limited window to purchase and claim their tickets. Participants must have a Lucky Seat account to participate in the lottery or create one by visiting LuckySeat.com. The weekly schedule is below:

Week 1
Entries Open Fri, Sep 20 @ 12:00 p.m.
Entries Close Fri, Sep 27 @ 9:30 a.m.
Drawing & Winner Notification Fri, Sep 27 @ 10:00 a.m.

Week 2
Entries Open Fri, Sep 20 @ 12:00 p.m.
Entries Close Fri, Oct 4 @ 9:30 a.m.
Drawing & Winner Notification Fri, Oct 4 @ 10:00 a.m.

Week 3
Entries Open Fri, Sep 20 @ 12:00 p.m.
Entries Close Fri, Oct 11 @ 9:30 a.m.
Drawing & Winner Notification Fri, Oct 11 @ 10:00 a.m.

Tickets are subject to availability. Limit of four tickets per patron. In some cases, tickets may be partial view and, while every effort will be made to seat multiple seats together, there is a chance that seats may be split up. Tickets can be picked up at the Box Office at the Fox Theatre with a photo ID starting two hours before the performance time.

In addition to lottery tickets, Regions Bank Broadway in Atlanta will also offer special $35 Student Rush Tickets for THE LION KING’s Atlanta engagement. College students simply need to bring valid college student identification with them to the Fox Theatre Box Office two hours prior to each performance. The Student Rush Ticket price will be valid for all performances with a two-ticket limit per student ID. Student Rush Tickets will be located at the box office’s discretion, and may include limited view locations.

THE LION KING will play for a three-week engagement in Atlanta from Oct. 2 – 20. The performance schedule is:

Tuesday – Thursday 7:30 p.m.
Friday 8 p.m.
Saturday 2 p.m., 8 p.m.
Sunday 1 p.m., 6:30 p.m.

*With a matinee performance at 1 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 11 and Thursday, Oct. 17.

For more information about THE LION KING at the Fox Theatre, please visit foxtheatre.org/the-lion-king.

More than 100 million people around the world have experienced the phenomenon of Disney’s THE LION KING, and now, you can too when Atlanta’s best-loved musical returns to the Fox Theatre. Winner of six Tony Awards®, including Best Musical, this landmark musical event brings together one of the most imaginative creative teams on Broadway. Tony Award®-winning director Julie Taymor brings to life a story filled with hope and adventure set against an amazing backdrop of stunning visuals. THE LION KING also features some of Broadway’s most recognizable music, crafted by Tony Award®-winning artists Elton John and Tim Rice. There is simply nothing else like THE LION KING.

Tickets on Sale Now for Children’s Museum of Atlanta’s Annual Trick-or-Treat!

2024-09-10T10:44:00.002-04:00

Summoning all ghouls, goblins, gremlins!

Children’s Museum of Atlanta is hosting its annual Trick–or–Treat, and it’s larger and more spectacular than ever before.

Saturday, Oct. 19 and Saturday, Oct. 26 from 5:30 – 7:30 p.m., families can look forward to frightfully fun crafts, a costume parade, a live DJ playing Halloween hits, trick-or-treating, and much more! Kids and grown-ups are encouraged to dress up in their best Halloween costumes. Tickets are $10 for members and $25 for non-members. Advance tickets are required; no tickets will be sold at the door. This is a fa-boo-lous event … that’s sure to sell out quickly!

WHAT: Tickets on Sale for Annual Trick-or-Treat at The Children’s Museum of Atlanta

Families have an exciting lineup ahead, featuring spooky and enjoyable crafts, a costume parade, DJ Dewayne, trick-or-treating, and other thrilling activities! 

WHEN: Saturday, Oct. 19 and Saturday, Oct. 26
5:30 – 7:30 p.m.

WHERE: The Children’s Museum of Atlanta
275 Centennial Olympic Park Drive, NW
Atlanta, GA 30313

HOW: Tickets are $10 for members and $25 for non-members. Space is limited and tickets will not be sold at the door. Prices will increase week of event. To purchase tickets, please visit: bit.ly/trickortreat2024.

“Wallace & Gromit™: Get Cracking!” Opens Sept. 21 at Children’s Museum of Atlanta!

2024-08-29T14:09:00.001-04:00

Imaginations will soar with Children’s Museum of Atlanta's fall featured exhibit Wallace & Gromit™: Get Cracking!, launching Saturday, Sept. 21.

Inspired by the beloved film and television characters, this interactive exhibit invites visitors to engage in creative, hands-on activities that promote problem-solving and resilience. Created in collaboration with Aardman and the Minnesota Children's Museum, the exhibit will educate and entertain kids through Jan. 12, 2025.

Designed for children ages 3 through 9, Wallace & Gromit™: Get Cracking! invites little inventors into Wallace’s world, where inventions and contraptions often go terribly — but hilariously — wrong. The program provides a natural opportunity for little ones to explore themes around adaptability and experimentation in a safe and lighthearted manner.

“Wallace & Gromit™: Get Cracking! is a thrilling blend of creativity, curiosity, and endless fun," said Edwin Link, executive director of the Children’s Museum of Atlanta. "As kids dive into Wallace's world, they’ll not only sharpen their problem-solving skills but also discover joy in making mistakes along the way. The Children’s Museum of Atlanta looks forward to bringing this eclectic exhibit to Atlanta as part of our commitment to inspiring families through the transformative power of play.”

In the exhibit’s interactive dining room, kids will experiment with basic principles of engineering and physics by setting the table for a tea party while navigating a range of quirky, comically-oversized utensils and tableware or launching porridge from a cannon. Young inventors will also face the challenge of repairing Wallace’s malfunctioning Autochef, learning about mechanical concepts through experiential learning, or soar to new heights by setting a course and blasting off to the moon in Wallace’s rocket. The exhibit promotes STEM-based problem-solving, making the process of tackling challenges exciting and entertaining.

A designated “Tot Spot” will be available to ensure that children under three can safely explore and engage in age-appropriate activities tailored to their developmental needs.

Annual Memberships to the Children’s Museum of Atlanta provide the best value and can be purchased online, in person and over the phone – providing families the gift of play and education through interactive, hands-on learning experiences all year long. Annual members receive unlimited, FREE timed entry for one year; 10% off general admission for accompanying guests; discounted admission to select ticketed museum events; discounts to museum store purchases, virtual programs and parties; and invitations to members-only exhibit sneak previews.

Eleven Months: New Life Rebirthed

2024-08-27T14:42:00.000-04:00

Today marks eleven months since (what I am now calling) my rebirth.

Our church is going through The Lord's Prayer this month, and this weekend's sermon was on forgiveness. Some of the sermon was familiar, but other parts of it resonated with me and made me look deeper into myself.

I think all of us struggle with forgiveness.

It's a hard thing to do - saying, "I'm sorry. I was wrong." Stepping out of our comfort zones and into another's personal space is daunting. Taking the added step of asking for forgiveness can be an insurmountable challenge to add on top of saying you are sorry.

I've written this before, but when my boys were younger and growing up together, I often had them add this extra step into their apologies. It's sometimes easy to throw out and mutter a forced, "I'm sorry!" and then run away and hide. But it's not quite as easy to reveal vulnerability and say, "Do you forgive me?" When we do this extra step, we allow the other party - that we have hurt or offended - an opportunity to show grace and to humble themselves as well. It's a great step, and one I 100% believe in the validity of.

When David and I parted ways, I didn't understand it. I couldn't grasp that a man I loved - and who purported to love me - could just walk away and elevate his parents above our relationship. It was a hard blow to stomach. I felt lost, betrayed, and unimportant and unloved.

I have tried hard to forgive him, and often times, believe I have. And then other times, a stray thought or feeling comes creeping back in, and I feel the hurt and betrayal all over again. Listening to my Pastor's sermon this weekend helped re-center me and put the focus back where it needed to be.

Sometimes, asking for another person's forgiveness doesn't work out well for us. I remember asking David if he could forgive me for hurting him. He shook his head and said, "No." That was a hard pill to swallow, but it propelled me from darkness to eventual light and I learned a huge lesson from that encounter.

It doesn't take a big event to hurt another person. I hadn't cheated on David, stolen money, or anything else "big," but what hurt him was big to him and it had become a deal breaker.

Putting yourself out there and following Scripture doesn't warrant a Get Out of Jail Free card for us. It doesn't put our heart back together. But it will help us learn and grow. And that is more important than healing us in a "moment."

I look at my life now - 11 months post breakup. It has radically changed. "I" have radically changed.

God has healed me. "I" have healed me. It's been a hard journey - and well, heck, it still is some days. But here I am, 11 months later. Just about fully healed and journeying forward.

New life has been breathed into me, and I could not be more humbled to have received it. I don't know what the path ahead of me is, but what I do know is that 11 months ago, I never thought I'd be where I am standing today.

Baby steps. Wisdom. Lessons learned. That's how life rolls.

I am excited, once again, for my future. A future I thought had been stolen from me. God is good. All the time.

If you are struggling with moving past something, maybe you should look deep within yourself. Is there something you need to let go of? Is there something or someone you have to confront or face? Someone you need to forgive?

The choice is always ours. You can stay and sit in your pain or you can choose to walk closely with the Lord, seeking healing and forgiveness, moving on with your life. God is waiting to bless you.

Why not invite him in?

"Father, I am struggling and I know I can't do this without you. Please come into my heart and help me to heal. I welcome your presence, and the help of your Spirit that lives inside me. Help me to lay my burdens at your feet and to heal from my past. I lay my hurts and betrayals at the foot of the Cross, giving them fully to you. I will try my best to forgive the one that hurt me and changed my life forever and then I will move on, knowing I rest in your hands, never to be let loose. I trust you to change my life, to make me whole again. Father, I am ready. Change my heart today. In Jesus' name we pray. Amen."

Carnival Offers FIRST Solar Eclipse 11-Day Cruise!

2024-08-26T14:41:00.001-04:00

Carnival Cruise Line is beginning to reveal its 2026/2027 deployment plans and today announced the first wave of sailings for summer 2026, including cruises to some of summertime’s most sought after destinations in Europe and Alaska, as well as the first time Carnival guests can take part in a special solar eclipse cruise. Reservations for these new summer 2026 Europe and Alaska sailings are now open.

For the first time, Carnival is introducing a special 11-day Carnival Journeys Eclipse cruise featuring stops in Spain, Portugal, and France on Carnival Legend departing from Dover, England on August 9, 2026. The total solar eclipse will take place on Aug. 12, 2026, when the ship is at sea, providing guests with a prime viewing vantage point for this rare celestial occurrence. Ports of call on this bucket list voyage include: Le Havre (Paris), France; St. Peter Port, Guernsey; Vigo, Spain; Lisbon and Leixões (Porto), Portugal; Le Verdon (Bordeaux), France; and Zeebrugge (Brussels), Belgium.

“The chance to see a total solar eclipse while having fun exploring the cultural richness of Spain, Portugal, and France aboard Carnival Legend, is a truly special opportunity – among a lineup of many phenomenal cruises,” said Christine Duffy, president of Carnival Cruise Line. “And as the popularity of Carnival Legend’s 2024 Europe sailings prove, it’s never too soon for our loyal guests to start planning their next summer vacation.”

Carnival Legend’s summer 2026 season in Europe begins with a 14-day transatlantic voyage that departs Miami on May 24, 2026 and visits Liverpool, England; Holyhead, Wales; and Dun Laoghaire (Dublin), Ireland before arriving in Dover (London), England. While homeporting in Europe, Carnival Legend will sail nine cruises from Dover, with varied itineraries that span 9-12 days and six cruises of either nine- or 12-day itineraries from Civitavecchia (Rome).

From Dover, Northern Europe sailings showcase destinations such as Copenhagen and Amsterdam. The ship will also cruise the British Isles, with several stops in ports across Ireland, England, and Scotland in addition to one cruise with four stops in Iceland. Scandinavia and Baltic cruises offer visits to Germany, Estonia, Finland, Sweden, Denmark, and Belgium while Western Europe ports include those in Portugal, Spain, and France.

From Civitavecchia, nine-day and 12-day sailings will bring guests to popular destinations across Italy, the Greek Isles, Turkey, and Croatia. Ports of call from Civitavecchia include Istanbul and Kusadasi (Ephesus) in Turkey; Piraeus (Athens) and Mykonos in Greece; and Naples (Amalfi/Pompeii), Italy; Split and Dubrovnik, Croatia. The ship’s final cruise from Europe in 2026 will be a 14-day Carnival Journeys voyage departing Nov. 1, 2026 from Civitavecchia to Tampa, Florida with visits to Cartagena and Malaga, Spain; Gibraltar; and Bermuda.

Interested in the Carnival Solar Eclipse cruise? Message me today for your free quote this week! I'd love to sign up for this one myself!

Palace Resorts Offers New Twogether Season Promotion!

2024-08-22T15:07:00.004-04:00

Palace Resorts is excited to announce their new Twogether Season promotion, perfect for low-season travelers.

Enjoy savings of up to 45% at Palace Resorts and Moon Palace and up to 30% at Le Blanc Spa Resorts, plus up to $500 USD in Spa Credit when booking direct.

Take advantage of FREE stays for kids & teens, roundtrip airport transfers, and more. Plus, book 5+ nights at Moon Palace Jamaica for travel between Sept 1 – Nov 22 and get a second room FREE.

The booking window is open from TODAY until August 29, with travel valid through December 20, 2025.

Click on the image above or email me for a free quote!

*We are a partner affiliate with Palace Resorts. Clicking on the image above provides this website a small incentive for helping promote their sales. Click their sponsored ad does not increase your vacation price. Thank you!

Grand Kyiv Ballet Presents the Magic of Nutcracker at Atlanta Symphony Hall!

2024-08-20T15:18:00.001-04:00

Join the Grand Kyiv Ballet on an unforgettable journey into a world of dreams, magic, and triumph over evil. The Grand Kyiv Ballet, including the most prestigious Ballet dancers from Ukraine, invites you to Nutcracker on Nov. 27, 7 p.m. at Atlanta Symphony Hall.

Tickets for the performance are on sale now and can be found here.

In this enchanting tale, a young girl befriends a nutcracker that comes to life on Christmas Eve. Together, they embark on a fantastical journey to a magical kingdom filled with dancing sugar plum fairies, toy soldiers, and other whimsical characters. Through their adventures, she learns that love, imagination, and kindness can overcome adversity and create wonder in our lives.

The Nutcracker was adapted into a ballet in 1892 by Pyotr Tchaikovsky with a libretto by Marius Petipa and was based on the story The Nutcracker and the Mouse King" by E. T. A. Hoffmann.

Act one: On the eve of Christmas, guests begin to gather at Doctor Stahlbaum's house. His children, Mary and Fritz, are waiting for presents with other children. The last guest to arrive is Drosselmeyer, Mary's godfather and, coincidentally, a magician. His ability to bring toys to life both fascinates and frightens the children. The godfather presents Mary with a nutcracker. The celebration ends, and the guests dance a farewell dance. Mary returns to her room and hugs the Nutcracker.

We are then transported into Mary's dream. The walls of her room slide apart, the Christmas tree begins to grow, and the decorations come to life. The Mouse King and his army of mice appear. The Nutcracker, together with his soldiers, fiercely fights and defeats the Mouse King. The Nutcracker transforms into a Prince.

Act two: Mary and the Prince, along with the dolls that came to life, rejoice, celebrate, and dance under the starry sky next to the fantastically beautiful Christmas tree. Around them, it's snowing heavily. Spanish, Chinese, Arab, and Slavic dolls dance in the joy of victory over the Mouse King, who is identified as evil. Everyone is getting ready for Mary and the Prince's wedding. Drosselmeyer appears, and everything changes around again. Mary wakes up and has Nutcracker in her arms.

The Nutcracker is a beautiful, intelligent, and relevant fairy tale! It is a heartwarming story about how dreams can change a life, good triumphs over evil, and kindness improves the world.

By performing this ballet, the Grand Kyiv Ballet Company also does good. Because part of the proceeds of this tour will go to restoring the Main Ballet Academy of Ukraine and repairing the children's dormitory. By attending the performance, audiences not only bear witness to a captivating ballet but also contribute to the preservation and enhancement of this esteemed institution which has nurtured generations of exceptionally talented dancers.

For more information on Grand Kyiv Ballet, visit Grand Kyiv Ballet or follow the Grand Kyiv Ballet on Facebook and Instagram. Show Time: 2 Hours with Intermission. Recommended for ages 5 years and up.

Staying with Universal Just Got Tastier - How Would You Spend a $1,000 Dining Card?

2024-08-15T15:04:00.002-04:00

Staying at a Universal Orlando hotel comes with

exclusive theme park benefits, and now

it comes with a whole lot of food for your crew

when you book this tasty vacation package.

There’s so much to do at Universal Orlando. From the thrills of The Wizarding World of Harry Potter to the chills of Universal Volcano Bay.

But did you know there’s also so much to EAT at Universal as well? From fast food to sumptuous dining and everything in between!

And now, Guests can receive up to a $1,000 dining card with select vacation packages!(Restrictions apply, see below.)

Starting today and running for a limited time, Universal Orlando's new dining offer will be good for most nights November 7, 2024 through April 10, 2025.

From Universal CityWalk to in-park dining options to the incredible offerings at the restaurants at all of the hotels, Universal is known its for food and drinks. This offer gives you the perfect opportunity to explore all that is new in the Parks while embracing the many amazing dining options around property.

In order to be eligible for this new Universal Orlando Dining Card offer, you must book a vacation package of 4 nights or more, including 4- or 5-day promotional theme park tickets.

Please note, this promotion applies to standard room types only, plus the 2-bedroom suites at Endless Summer Resort and Family Suites at Cabana Bay Beach Resort.

The value of your Dining Card will vary, depending on length of stay and which hotel you stay at.

Maximum value of the dining card is $1000 (when staying 5 nights or more at Loews Portofino Bay Hotel, Hard Rock Hotel, or Loews Royal Pacific Resort).

The Dining Card can be used at locations around both Universal Studios Florida and Universal Islands of Adventure theme parks, as well as Universal Volcano Bay, Universal CityWalk, and all Universal Orlando hotels. (*Important note – the Dining Card must be used to pay for food and beverage in person. It cannot be used for mobile food and beverage orders or hotel room service.)

Ready to book this incredible Dining Offer from Universal Orlando Resort? Message me on my social media platforms, email me, or get a free quote online.

So many new adventures coming to Universal in the future; it is quickly becoming one of my newest favorite places in Central Florida! I can't wait to eat all the things!

FOR FOOD & BEVERAGE PURCHASES ONLY. SAFEGUARD THIS CARD LIKE CASH.

This Universal Orlando Resort Food & Beverage Card is not valid for use until activated. This Card can only be used for purchases at select Food and Beverage locations throughout Universal Studios Florida, Universal Islands of Adventure, Universal Volcano Bay Water Theme Park, Universal CityWalk, and Universal Orlando Hotels. This Card cannot be used for mobile food and beverage orders (MFDO), Hotel room service/pizza delivery orders, or for online purchases at UniversalOrlando.com. No expiration date or additional fees apply. This Card cannot be used to purchase Gift Cards, Tickets, Universal Express Passes, Merchandise, or any other benefits. Unless required by law, this Card is not redeemable for cash, and cannot be returned or refunded. Will not be replaced if lost, stolen, or destroyed. Universal Orlando is not responsible for unauthorized use of this Card. Participating locations and benefits are subject to change without notice and additional restrictions may apply. This Card is issued by Universal City Development Partners, Ltd. (“Universal Orlando”). Use of this Card constitutes acceptance of these terms and conditions, which are subject to change. For balance inquiry, call 1-888-322-1565. © 2024 Universal Studios. All rights reserved.

2024-08-14T15:15:00.000-04:00

Are you ready for new Fall essential oil blends? I am!

Plant Therapy is currently dropping its new Fall line.

And in addition to fun Fall favorites, you can snag a FREE Diffuser with $60 purchase at Plant Therapy!

Ready to kick off your Fall essential oil season? Click below and embrace a new Fall fragrance available from the Plant Therapy website:

Apple Orchard Essential Oil Blend

Heading there now? Me too; I'm right behind you (that Cedar & Pine diffuser pictured above is super cute)!

*Affiliate links included in this post.

Fatheads NFL Sale!!

2024-08-14T14:35:00.000-04:00

Get ready for kickoff as we gear up for the NFL season kick off.

To show your love and support for your favorite NFL team, take advantage of this sale from Fatheads:

NFL Pre-Season Sale: Get 20% off sitewide with code GONFL20 at Fathead! Valid 8/6-8/18.

This sale ends August 18th so get your orders in quick!

Children's Museum of Atlanta Hosts TinyCON!

2024-08-09T14:12:00.004-04:00

Attention all young explorers! Children’s Museum of Atlanta announces the return of TinyCON®, celebrating beloved movies, games, characters and more!

TinyCON® is a favorite for members and guests; this year’s festivities will take place in a two-day extravaganza on Saturday, Aug. 31 and Sunday, Sept. 1. This Labor Day Weekend, children can design moon-moving devices at the Minions Maker Space, create “Inside Out 2” themed slime, and undergo special Jedi training.

Plus, young adventurers can embark on an epic Pokémon scavenger hunt throughout the Museum! Costumes are encouraged, and tickets should be purchased in advance. The Museum will be closed to general admission; reservations are required.

WHAT: TinyCON®

Enjoy Labor Day weekend with a two-day celebration of fantasy, adventure and iconic movie characters

WHEN: Saturday, Aug. 31, and Sunday, Sept. 1

Session 1:
9:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.

Session 2:
1:30 – 4:30 p.m.

WHERE: Children’s Museum of Atlanta

275 Centennial Olympic Park Drive, NW
Atlanta, GA 30313

HOW:  Tickets are available online at bit.ly/CMATinyCon2024 and must be purchased in advance. Tickets are $10 for Museum members and $25 for non-members. Ticket prices are subject to increase week of event.

For more information or to support Children's Museum of Atlanta, visit childrensmuseumatlanta.org or call 404.659.KIDS [5437]

Children's Museum Partners with Canine Companions and Lifeline Animal Project!

2024-08-09T14:06:00.004-04:00

Children’s Museum of Atlanta is collaborating with Canine Companions and Lifeline Animal Project for a memorable experience on Saturday, Aug. 24 with a special visit from several foster pups.

Canine Companions will make an appearance on stage from 11 – 11:30 a.m. with service dogs and their handlers to read “Raising a Hero” by Laura Numeroff and host service dog obedience demonstrations!

From 11 a.m. – 1 p.m., Lifeline Animal Project will be stationed outside with a number of foster dogs available for adoption. This event promises to be super “paw-some!”

WHAT: National Dog Day Celebration

WHEN: Saturday, Aug. 24
 11 a.m. – 1 p.m.
 Canine Companions on stage: 11 – 11:30 a.m. only

WHERE: Children’s Museum of Atlanta
275 Centennial Olympic Park Drive, NW
Atlanta, GA 30313

HOW:  Tickets must be purchased online. Members are required to reserve tickets online to gain entry to the Museum; for more information visit: childrensmuseumatlanta.org/planyourvisit

For more information or to support Children's Museum of Atlanta, visit childrensmuseumatlanta.org or call 404.659.KIDS [5437]

Ten Months and Counting

2024-08-06T09:19:00.000-04:00

A friend sent this to me today. I started reading it, and thought, "I'm not in the place she thinks I am anymore," but then, I kept reading.

And I thought, "Wow; now I know why she sent it."

I choose to remember the positives from being left. I choose to remember the positives from being in a relationship with a broken individual. I choose to remember not everyone knows how to commit and love at a deeper level. I choose to remember not everyone can love unconditionally, stay through rough patches or ill health, or be in it for the long run.

I choose to remember and embrace the gifts given to me by traveling this hard road. God has been more than good to me. This is my story...

I choose to remember you

Not by how you hurt me

But by how you taught me to heal

Not by how you left me

But by how you taught me to never abandon myself

Not by how you broke me

But by how you taught me to rebuild myself

Not by how you dimmed my light

But by how you helped me to shine

Not by how you kept me trapped in a place of comfort

But by how you empowered me to leave my comfort zone

Not by how you left me feeling weak

But by how you taught me what it means to be strong

Not by how you tried to control me

But by how you taught me to be free

Not by who you told me who I was

But by how you taught me to define myself

And above all

I choose to remember you

Not by how you were unable to love me

But by how you taught me

To love myself.

No matter where you are in your brokenness, choose to remember the things you were taught. Choose to remember the doors God opened. Choose to remember you survived!

I never thought I'd be fully healed and restored at ten months past David leaving our family. But here I am. New opportunities, new friends, new roads to travel. The hurt inflicted will not define me. The abandonment will not cripple me. The rejection will not define me.

I am a child of God, and I will embrace all that He bestows upon me. I hope the poem above will inspire you, like it did me, for the times of brokenness you may be traveling through.

God is good, and He will rescue you, protect you, and revive you! Happy Tuesday my friends!

Funny Girl is a Sheer Delight!

2024-08-02T07:21:00.001-04:00

Good morning friends!

Have you bought your tickets yet to see Funny Girl, playing through this weekend, in Atlanta?

Just like the original theatrical release, this musical is on target. So many of the songs you know and love intertwined with all the great traits of a Broadway musical.

As I always like to point out, this show is (in my opinion) rated G. It is family friendly. No nudity, no profanity (or relatively none, if I missed something), and so much personality!

The dancing in this show is fantastic (thank you Izaiah); the singing superb (thank you Katerina). The costumes? Va Va Voom! (I love anything from this period, so I thought the costume changes were amazing.)

Don't believe me? Take a peek at the show for yourself...

Honestly, I don't have much to write here for this review. The show is phenomenal. Go see it. The talent is amazing. Go see it. The cost of the ticket is more than worth it. Go see it.

At our show, I saw a lot of children. I saw Grandparents with grandchildren. I saw couples. I saw young people. Good show; great for all ages. Go see it.

Since this review is so short, let's take a peek at some of its star performers.

First up is Katerina McCrimmon (social media link above) - Katerina is originally from Miami. She has previously worked on Broadway in The Rose Tattoo along other NYC theater productions. She received her BM from FSU in Musical Theater. Her solos in this musical bring the crowd to their feet. It's no wonder she was chosen for the lead in this show. At times, if you close your eyes, you may actually believe you are listening to Barbra Streisand. She's THAT good. Prepare for a lot of crowd interaction in this show. It is well deserved!

Next up is Melissa Manchester - WHAT? I will admit; I missed this entirely. I had zero idea Melissa Manchester was in this musical. Melissa plays Mrs. Brice (Fanny's Mother) in Funny Girl. She is funny and (of course) multi-talented. Don't be a me. Pay attention and relish the opportunity to see Ms. Manchester live in Funny Girl! (Photo at top of review.)

Stephen Mark Lukas - Plays Nick Arnstein (oy vey) in Funny Girl. Love him or hate him; he's her guy. Stephen understudied this role on Broadway. He also played another one of my favorites - GASTON (!) in Disney's Beauty and Beast. You can follow Stephen on social media to keep up with this talented performer and his impressive resume.

Izaiah Montaque Harris - Follow this incredible performer on social media (link above). From the moment he first stepped on stage Tuesday night to perform his solo tap performance, I knew the entire Fox Theatre audience had fallen in love with him. He is efficacious. It is hard to believe this is his first Broadway tour! How has this amazing performer flown under the radar for so long? With a list of awards and a history of growing up taking tap classes, it is certain this will not be his last tour!

Honestly, I just culled the top four, main characters, but as is usual in musicals - every single performer is amazing. From the "stars" to the ensemble cast. What they do on a daily basis always leaves me stunned. Their talent, their physical shape, and their endurance. Just wow. (Honestly, that's one of my favorite things about seeing musicals. These performers never get the time, fame, accolades, or pay that main stream entertainers do, but I tend to think they are so much more talented and hard-working.)

Funny Girl plays in Atlanta through Sunday, August 4. There are still five performances left to enjoy.

Tickets can be purchased at the Fox Theatre Box Office (660 P'tree Street) or by visiting foxtheatre.org/FunnyGirl. You can also call 855-285-8499.

Have a group orders of 10 or more? Contact sales@foxtheatre.org.

Broadway in Atlanta offers Student Rush and Lucky Seat lottery for FUNNY GIRL!

2024-07-20T13:30:00.001-04:00

Regions Bank Broadway in Atlanta announced today that FUNNY GIRL will offer special lottery and student rush tickets for the upcoming engagement at the Fox Theatre from July 30 – Aug. 4. Tickets are on sale now by visiting foxtheatre.evenue.net/events/FUN.

For those feeling LUCKY, Regions Bank Broadway in Atlanta is partnering with the digital ticket lottery platform Lucky Seat. On July 19, participants will have a chance to win a limited number of $39 tickets for the Atlanta FUNNY GIRLengagement.

Entries for shows at the Fox Theatre will open at 12 p.m. on Friday, July 19 and will close on Friday, July 26 at 9:30 a.m. Lucky Seat will email winners starting at 10 a.m. on July 26 and will continue throughout the day, as needed. Winners will have a limited window to purchase and claim their tickets. Participants must have a Lucky Seat account to participate in the lottery or create one by visiting LuckySeat.com.

Tickets are subject to availability. Limit of two tickets per patron. In some cases, tickets may be partial view and, while every effort will be made to seat multiple seats together, there is a chance that seats may be split up. Tickets can be picked up at the Box Office at the Fox Theatre with a photo ID starting two hours before the performance time.

In addition to lottery tickets, Regions Bank Broadway in Atlanta will also offer special $35 Student Rush Tickets for FUNNY GIRL’s Atlanta engagement. College students simply need to bring valid college student identification with them to the Fox Theatre Box Office two hours prior to each performance. The Student Rush Ticket price will be valid for all performances with a two-ticket limit per student ID. Student Rush Tickets are subject to availability and will be sold from best available, which may include limited view locations.

FUNNY GIRL will play for a limited one-week engagement in Atlanta from July 30 - Aug. 4. The performance schedule is:

Tuesday – Thursday, 7:30 p.m.
Friday, 8 p.m.
Saturday, 2 p.m. & 8 p.m.
Sunday, 1 p.m. & 6:30 p.m.

For more information about FUNNY GIRL at the Fox Theatre, please visit foxtheatre.org/FunnyGirl.