March 2020

From Social to Distancing

On March 6th, I had the privilege of helping with production for the Thrive Women’s Conference. This was a super amazing experience to hear from women worship leaders, artists, and speakers to share, encourage, and empower women in their faith walks. I got to be the audio stage hand, which basically means I was in charge of keeping all microphones clean, batteried, accounted for, and handing them off to the speakers and leaders as they went on stage. There is a picture above of me and some of my Thrive School friends at the conference.

On March 12th, I got to help with the first show of Seussical the musical, put on by Thrive Arts Academy at the Blue Oaks Bayside campus. Unfortunately, the rest of the shows had to be postponed due to COVID-19, but we were able to at least perform the first show for the families of the students that had been working so hard for months on the performance. I helped with audio by running the music for the show. This was both a sad (for the students) and exciting night.

March 13th and 14th, I was able to help with the filming process of our first round of online services at Bayside since all in person services were not going to happen after the release of information from Governor Newsom. I was part of our on stage audience for the filmings that went out to all our campuses that weekend. This was an experience filled with mixed emotions. I don’t think any of us realized how long it would be before we saw each other all together again like that. My Thrive Worship peers were excited and happy to be together, but we wouldn’t be again for a long time. 

As of March 15th, everything for Thrive School (including classes, D Times, D Groups, all staff meetings, and service were moved online. This was a huge adjustment and a sad one as Thrive Students were asked to leave their host homes and travel back to their families. Our annual Southwest Thrive Conference in Palm Springs we were looking forward to traveling to and helping with was cancelled. Our annual Mexico trip where we go down and encourage and build houses for the community in Guadalupe Victoria was cancelled. Our Thrive School Commissioning Ceremony, which would usually happen early May, was cancelled. And the Arizona trip we took at the end of the Thrive School year (late May) was also cancelled. Our internships have looked much different now. Instead of doing worship services and small groups, we have been reaching out to our community and congregation on an individual basis by making phone calls and texting people to check in and see if they need home deliveries or prayer. Small groups have moved online.

Music wise, I feel blessed to have instruments (a piano and guitar) at home, so I can continue to work on my music skills and practice songs even if I can’t be leading worship in front of people at the moment. I’ve been taking the extra time at home to write songs, read my Bible, spend time in prayer, knit, read books, catch up with friends and family over the phone, and make lots of food. I also am grateful for some of the beautiful weather we’ve been having, and have taken advantage by going for walks. God has been teaching me patience and showing me how to have peace and not let myself get overwhelmed, stressed out, or fearful of what’s to come. Even though this time has become much more unpredictable with the economy and COVID-19, I trust that God will show me what I need to do in this season. My God is bigger than my circumstances

Thanks for reading!