insomniac on an ipod

There's no way I can sleep right now...too wired, too jumpy. Tonight was our first performance of "The Promise." The adrenaline is still flowing.

It doesn't help to listen to TobyMac on my little iPod shuffle...especially "Turn on the Ignition" from the new Portable Sounds CD--a great album, but not good for resting one's heart rate. About 99% of the songs I put on here are for the sole purpose of keeping me jogging / power-walking / elliptical machine jammin', so they aren't exactly relaxing.

I don't usually listen to music while blogging or writing, way too distracting. But I have songs from the musical in my head that I want to LEAVE NOW, so I'm desperate.

Here's some visual images from tonight -

1. Taking the scissors to my "bleeding woman" costume to look more raggedy

2. Oooohing and Aaahing over baby Jesus. He's about 4 months old and very handsome.

3. Waving to Aaron up in the "tower" where he does spotlight.

4. I grew up on a farm, but I've never been very up close and personal with lambs. Tonight I watched them back in the "tent" where we hang out outside between scenes. I thought about the many sacrificial lambs that came before Christ bled once and for all. I never realized how vulnerable and tender they are. Their cries sound so much like a baby's cry. I can't imagine what it would have been like to have been a priest, hearing those cries endlessly.

5. Kneeling behind Christ as the bleeding woman, grasping his garment, waiting for his arm to lift me to my feet. My voice shaking, catching. After the song, I turn around and hug my friend Karrie and breathe, breathe, breathe.

6. The crucifixion scene. We sit close to the cross and the pounding of the hammer shakes me to the core. I can't watch when they lift Jesus and the cross into the platform; the whole stage shakes when it is put into position. Praying people will come to this cross...not just observe this scene...

7. Oh, praise the Lord for the empty tomb. Praise God for hope. The special effect fog was a little much tonight - that smell brings back memories! Thought of Lakeview Wesleyan from my IWU days, the "Arise, My Love" song where that lady always started the song with her funny accent, "Not a woid was hoid / at the tomb that day..."

Ah, now I've got a little Etta James on the ipod to chill me out. I'll just check a few more blogs before bed!