Category: advocacy

Faith, Dance, Books, advocacy

A review of Pretty Woman The Musical

This is all of the things you need to know, that I did not include in the podcast episode

1. I would highly recommend this musical, but keep in mind that Pretty.Woman is still pretty woman. There is lingerie style nudity, so in my opinion, I would keep the invite to mature family and friends.

2. The running theme in the show is What’s your dream? Everyone needs to have one.

3. My Adam Pascal Story

The first time I met Adam was in 2006; I was 24 years old. My mom and I went to see him in concert in a theatre in Westwood. He was playing the music from his album Civilian. We had third-row seats for the show, and, of course, I screamed my heart out in excitement because, OMG, It’s Adam in person, and he’s a hottie 😊

After the show, the audience got in line to buy his CDs and line up for a meet and greet with Adam. Being one of the last people to make it to the lobby, I asked the house manager how long she thought it would be before I would get to see Adam.

She kindly responded by saying,

Can you hang out for a minute? I’ll be right back

When she came back from outside, she said,

Adam said he will be back in the house in 15 minutes to meet with you one on one !

My heart started to race; I couldn’t believe what was happening!

Just as he promised, he came into the room 15 minutes later. I think I giggled and said hi, I’m Marie

To which Adam said,

Hi Marie, have I seen you somewhere before? You look familiar.

I giggled again, and I said

I don’t think so.

Adam tried to help me out by asking are you sure? Because he didn’t want me to fall flat on my face. I was so overwhelmed and flustered that that’s what happened. I didn’t pick up on the fact that he was trying to flirt with me as Roger, his character from RENT. He asked if I wanted to take a picture, and I said yes. My mom took our picture, he signed my cd, and we walked to our car.

It was then mom said,

Marie! You didn’t get what he was trying to get out of you.

It was then that I felt like I could kick myself.

Looking back and sitting with all those memories made me proudly realize that if we were to meet again, and he asked me that flirty question again I would be able to say

Have you been to the Expo? It’s where I work; I dance.

Then, I would probably pose in a cheerio, a move that we do in dance class. It’s the same move that Adam does for the word handcuffs in the song Light my candle in RENT ♥

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advocacy, Faith, Dance, Books, advocacy

Over Turning Roe V Wade

This is what I think

I am a Christian, a person who has accepted the gift of salvation that Jesus Christ offers to all people. I might get hate for what I’m going to say, but here it goes. If we are truly followers of Christ, we cannot force everyone to follow what we believe; that is what being a street corner Bible-thumping megaphone-using person is, and the Lord we follow is not like that. Yes, abortion is death, and it is wrong in God’s sight, but those that call themselves Christ-followers need to put into practice the gentleness and respect that we are taught in 1 Peter 3:15
Instead, you must worship Christ as the Lord of your life. And if someone asks about your hope as a believer, always be ready to explain it.
1 Peter 3:15 NLT
We need to learn how to love people to Jesus Christ not be bullies

Faith, Dance, Books, advocacy

The End of Stage 1

This morning I had my final zoom call with the ladies of The Boundless Babe Society stage one. If you had asked me a year ago if being connected to a group of women who use wheelchairs sounded like a good idea, I would have called you crazy, but my life has changed a lot in the past year, and I recognize the importance of living and not sitting around doing nothing.

Since I have been part of BBS. I have gained the ability to go out independently using a van service called access service. I have enjoyed meeting friends for lunch, hanging out with my family at life group, and having time to myself at cute coffee shops.

I can’t wait to see where God takes me next on this Boundless Journey.

Faith, Dance, Books, advocacy

Six things the class of 2022 needs to know

This is advice from a member of the class of 2000

1. Your graduation day is the beginning of your adult life.

2. You can do anything; choose to do something instead of nothing.

3. Know that keeping up your education does not mean that you have to sit in a classroom.

4. If you feel stuck in life, help someone else

5. Go out on your own often, even if you choose to live at home. Time away from your protective bubble will help you understand what you want in your life.

6. You’ve got this! Keep God at the center of your life, and all will work out.

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Faith, Dance, Books, advocacy

Just sayin’: The truth in Love

Words kill, words give life; they’re either poison or fruit—you choose.
Proverbs 18:21 MSG

What is confrontation?

A confrontation is a meeting between two friends for the purpose of restoring Godliness.

How does God call us to have a confrontation?

  1. We need to follow God’s leading carefully; if you’re excited to confront someone, it’s not from God.

2. Meet privately

“If a fellow believer hurts you, go and tell him—work it out between the two of you. If he listens, you’ve made a friend. If he won’t listen, take one or two others along so that the presence of witnesses will keep things honest, and try again. If he still won’t listen, tell the church. If he won’t listen to the church, you’ll have to start over from scratch, confront him with the need for repentance, and offer again God’s forgiving love. “Take this most seriously: A yes on earth is yes in heaven; a no on earth is no in heaven. What you say to one another is eternal. I mean this. When two of you get together on anything at all on earth and make a prayer of it, my Father in heaven goes into action. And when two or three of you are together because of me, you can be sure that I’ll be there.”
Matthew 18:15‭-‬20 MSG

3. Prepare tactfully and compassionately to confront.

The way to prepare:

  • Check your own heart first
  • Written prep
  • Approach with a story

Once you share the truth, be quiet and let God take over and do the convicting.

4. Offer grace and support

Questions to ask yourself and God:

  1. Is the sin dishonoring to God?
  2. Are others being hurt?
  3. Is the person being hurt

Challenge: I will compassionately confront if needed.

I will receive confrontation if needed.

Be open to what God wants to say to you.

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Faith, Dance, Books, advocacy

Around the World with John Lloyd Young

The Set List for the show:

1. Can’t take my eyes off of you
2. Oh what a Night
3.  What a difference a day makes
4.  Con Tigo la Distancia
5. Show and Tell
6.Annie’s song in Spanish
7. Usted
8. Hold Me thrill me Kiss Me
9.  California Dreaming
10.  Theme from Crazy Rich Asian
11. Mi RI tenia
12. You are everything
13.Theme from scar face
14.  Working my way back
15 Sherry
16 Cara Mia

My favorite songs of the set:

  • Usted
  • Con Tigo la distancia
  • You are everything
  • Annie’s song
  • Hold me, thrill me , kiss me
  • Can’t take my eyes off of you

Fun fact

John serenaded me with Hold Me, Thrill Me, Kiss Me, and Usted when I went to his shows by myself, and he felt the need to check on me

Usted
John and I 2016

Our friendship Story

I met John at his concert at Sterling’s Upstairs at The Federal on October 13th, 2014. During the show, he strolled through the audience, singing Hey There Lonely Girl. He made his way to my table in the back of the room, and he tried to hold my hand, but I wouldn’t let him.

After the show, there was a meet and greet! After taking a picture with him, I asked him if I could have a hug and he said,

How could I say no?!

He hugged me, and I left. I thought that would be the only time I would see him but to date I have seen John over forty times in Los Angeles alone.

In the past eight years, I have come to consider John, a true friend. During the pre-pandemic era, he always made time for all his fans and asked them about their lives. I loved the time I got to spend with him for a chat and a walker free photo

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Faith, Dance, Books, advocacy

Unfinished: Rolling the Dice

So they left the mountain called Olives and returned to Jerusalem. It was a little over half a mile. They went to the upper room they had been using as a meeting place: Peter, John, James, Andrew, Philip, Thomas, Bartholomew, Matthew, James, son of Alphaeus, Simon the Zealot, Judas, son of James. They agreed they were in this for good, completely together in prayer, the women included. Also Jesus’ mother, Mary, and his brothers. During this time, Peter stood up in the company—there were about 120 of them in the room at the time—and said, “Friends, long ago the Holy Spirit spoke through David regarding Judas, who became the guide to those who arrested Jesus. That Scripture had to be fulfilled, and now has been. Judas was one of us and had his assigned place in this ministry. “As you know, he took the evil bribe money and bought a small farm. There he came to a bad end, rupturing his belly and spilling his guts. Everybody in Jerusalem knows this by now; they call the place Murder Meadow. It’s exactly what we find written in the Psalms: Let his farm become haunted So no one can ever live there. “And also what was written later: Let someone else take over his post. “Judas must now be replaced. The replacement must come from the company of men who stayed together with us from the time Jesus was baptized by John up to the day of his ascension, designated along with us as a witness to his resurrection.” They nominated two: Joseph Barsabbas, nicknamed Justus, and Matthias. Then they prayed, “You, O God, know every one of us inside and out. Make plain which of these two men you choose to take the place in this ministry and leadership that Judas threw away in order to go his own way.” They then drew straws. Matthias won and was counted in with the eleven apostles.
Acts 1:12‭-‬26 MSG

How the first Christians made a difficult decision

  1. They were obedient
  2. They applied scripture
  3. They sought wise counsel
  4. They connected with God through prayer.
  5. They rolled the dice

Trust in the Lord with all your heart and do not lean on your own understanding. Seek his will in all you, and he will show you which path to take.

Proverbs 3:5 and 6

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Faith, Dance, Books, advocacy

Hi, I’m A Boundless Babe

Today I have my final #boundlessbabesociety check in call of stage one with my dear friend and mentor, Renee.  For me, being part of BBS for me has been one of the best types of therapy both physical and mental.
  When a woman is part of BBS, she has the ability to set her own goals without the word should.  She has the accountability of a monthly meeting with other women who  100% understand the frustration and joy of this life that looks different from the average woman can bring.  I am thrilled that I have met my goals of getting out on the town independently using access service to meet up with friends, and I have been using my walker basket to carry things by myself.  I haven’t been perfect, but I love the feeling of independence when I do stick with my goals.  I’m grateful for this community and I can’t wait to see what chapter two of my BBS journey brings

Faith, Dance, Books, advocacy

Unfinished:The beginning of the church

In my former book, Theophilus, I wrote about all that Jesus began to do and to teach until the day he was taken up to heaven, after giving instructions through the Holy Spirit to the apostles he had chosen. After his suffering, he presented himself to them and gave many convincing proofs that he was alive. He appeared to them over a period of forty days and spoke about the kingdom of God. On one occasion, while he was eating with them, he gave them this command: “Do not leave Jerusalem, but wait for the gift my Father promised, which you have heard me speak about. For John baptized with water, but in a few days you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit.” Then they gathered around him and asked him, “Lord, are you at this time going to restore the kingdom to Israel?” He said to them: “It is not for you to know the times or dates the Father has set by his own authority. But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” After he said this, he was taken up before their very eyes, and a cloud hid him from their sight. They were looking intently up into the sky as he was going, when suddenly two men dressed in white stood beside them. “Men of Galilee,” they said, “why do you stand here looking into the sky? This same Jesus, who has been taken from you into heaven, will come back in the same way you have seen him go into heaven.”

Acts 1:1‭-‬11

Having carefully investigated everything from the beginning, I also have decided to write an accurate account for you, most honorable Theophilus,
Luke 1:3

  1. The proof- Jesus appeared to his disciples
  2. The promise
  3. The purpose

Memory Verse

But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you. And you will be my witnesses, telling people about me everywhere—in Jerusalem, throughout Judea, in Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”
Acts of the Apostles 1:8 NLT

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Faith, Dance, Books, advocacy

Just Sayin’:Toxic Words

The tongue can bring death or life those who love to talk will reap the consequences

Proverbs 18:21

The mouth speaks what the heart is full of

A verse from the Bible in the Book of Matthew

Let no unwholesome word come from your lips but only what is beneficial for building each other up

Ephesians 4:29

What are Toxic words?

  • Lying
  • Slander
  • Gossip
  • Any speech that would tear someone down and dehumanize them.

Gossip is not only about the person spreading it or the person being spoken about it is also about the listener. when you hear gossip, it should stop with you.

Toxic language; defaces the image of God and us and in other people.

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