The moment we arrived in Santa Fe, New Mexico, I felt right at home in my cowboy boots! We stayed at the beautiful Buffalo Thunder resort, enjoyed a Mexican breakfast larger than a regular week of meals, and wondered around the casino and shops. We also enjoyed a short visit into downtown Santa Fe before our show, where we saw the incredible Loretto Chapel that has a miraculous story! In my travels, I have visited many beautiful houses of worship, but none quite like the Loretto. The chapel was constructed somewhere in the 19th century. After it was built, the nuns realized they had made a terrible mistake, as there was no staircase built to take them to the choir loft, and no way to build supports for such a staircase that was needed. The nuns began to pray, and after 9 days, a stranger knocked at the door and said that he was a carpenter who could help them build the staircase. The young man went to work and constructed the staircase, all by himself, and none knew how the staircase could stand by itself as it did not have a central support. Then the carpenter, who did not use a single nail or glue to construct this staircase, disappeared without even waiting for his payment. The nuns believed that this man was St. Joseph himself. The staircase has 33 steps, the age of Jesus Christ. Since then, the staircase has been called "miraculous", because to this VERY DAY, the identity of the builder is not known, and architects, engineers and scientists say that they cannot understand how this staircase can balance without any central support! Also, no one knows where the wood came from, as it does not exist in the entire region.
Life is good. And…. this is just more proof that magic truly is EVERYWHERE.
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I very rarely say this about a film, but if you haven’t seen the new “Wonder Woman” movie yet, I highly suggest you make some time to do so. Not only is it action-packed with a great storyline, but how she saves the world at the end of the movie is a life lesson we should all consider. I love facebook and believe it is an amazing communication tool. I get to see pictures of friends and family all across the globe that I rarely see in person, and it brings us closer together than ever before. My family that lives 800 miles away can all instantly see where we are on tour, and I can be a part of weddings or celebrations that I couldn’t fly in for. However lately, there has been a huge shift on facebook with many posts of hatred, much of the time towards politics and politicians.
Being a huge believer of the law of attraction, to me, these posts defeat the purpose of why they were posted. A lot of my friends say they are “fighting with love”, and yet still post negative and nasty words towards others they feel are being unfair or unjust. All this is doing is pouring energy into the thing that is “hated” in the first place. Have you noticed that the politicians who usually are the most disliked on social media are the ones who get elected over and over again? I believe that this is largely in part of a great deal of energy going into that person. Positive or negative, it’s still ENERGY, and things with more energy tend to grow. So today, I encourage whoever might be reading to stop pouring energy into what you dislike, and instead focus hard on what you do want. Truly focus hard on love. If you are anti-war, don’t post about being anti-war… post about how you are pro-peace. If you don’t like something a politician is doing, don’t post about it and complain, instead find something that can help the situation and post about what you love about it. I encourage each and every one of you to keep standing up for what you believe in, (and to appreciate the fact that if you live in America you CAN stand up for what you believe in because of our amazing freedom)! But instead of being anti-war…. be pro-peace. Instead of posting negative pictures and nasty things about politicians you don’t like, post about the good examples of the people and situations that are loving and making great things happen. Stop putting energy into hate, even if your intentions are pure. At the end of the film, confused and disappointed in mankind, Diana (AKA Wonder Woman) has a choice. She is told from all angles that mankind “doesn’t deserve” her help. And she comes to the realization that it’s NOT about “deserve”…. It’s about what you believe. That’s when she chooses love over destruction, and (literally) saves the world. Right now, take a deep breath, and a moment to find your inner happiness and love so that you can begin to share it. Think before you post and make sure you’re putting energy into what you want to be putting energy into. Every one of us has a small desire to be “Wonder Woman/Wonder Man”, and this is how to start. November is a great month, as my two favorite holidays, Veterans Day and Thanksgiving both fall inside. When the entire country takes a moment to stop and be grateful, I believe that it truly changes the shape and path of the universe to allow even more abundance all over the world. When we were in Texarcana (the city that is split between Texas and Arkansas) performing this week, we were invited to a Thanksgiving service at the Cowboy Church, a beautiful congregation built by the members of the church with a genuinely warm feel. One by one, each family in attendance got up to the microphone to say what they were thankful for this year. In under an hour, we heard close to 100 stories full of gratitude for engagements, new babies, friendships, everyday love, new jobs, new homes, foundations, pets, fulfilling hobbies and on and on and on. The fact is, if we look around, we will always find there is so much abundance around us. Even if you might be feeling “lack” in any area of your life, when you sit down and appreciate all of your current bites of happiness, you will just keep coming up with more and more and more. Not only that, but I have found that the more I appreciate something, the more I receive of it. It’s like a brain wave that keeps subconsciously putting things out there… the more I am grateful for the love in my life, the more love I receive and feel. As cheesy as it might sound, I hope that when you’re sitting around enjoying the company of others today on Thanksgiving, that you’ll share what it is you’re most thankful for aloud with a full heart. Stop and write down a list of all of the things you are grateful for since last Thanksgiving. I’ll post my “attitude of gratitude” list, and I hope that you’ll share yours in the comments below as well. But the first thing on my list is this: I am thankful for you… yes, YOU… sitting there at your screen taking the time to read what I am moved to write. I truly thank you from the bottom of my heart, and wish you all the love in the universe. xoxox Erinn’s ‘Attitude of Gratitude’ List, Nov 2016-Nov 2017:
I can’t tell you exactly how many public restrooms I have used in my lifetime, but between my daily traveling in the truck and trailer with Letters From Home, the road trips I took with my parents growing up, and living in two different states, I guarantee you it’s plenty to make me an expert. When I was a kid, my dad drilled into my head to always leave things nicer than I found them. Dad and I were always volunteering backstage at the Little Theatre of Winston-Salem, our community theatre in town, and after helping to strike each show, we would make sure that every dressing room mirror was wiped clean, every corner of the rooms and stage were swept and all the light gels were put back in the proper place… even if they weren’t when we got to the space in the first place. While driving through Texas this week, we stopped at a restroom that was a little less than our usual standards, and as I was tidying up, I caught myself saying in my head, “leave it just a little nicer”. Earlier this week, while we were eating out in New Mexico, after our meal, I caught Nelson straightening up the table, putting the trash and extra food on one plate, picking up the straw wrappers and stacking items… just to make the server’s day “just a little nicer”. I got a random email from one of my Spring Theatre kids this week, letting me know how influential my guidance had been to her, and how it helped make her who she was today. It came out of nowhere and was so sweet and made my day…. “just a little nicer”. While we were at the American Legion in Arkansas this week, there was a beautiful memorial honoring all 5 branches of the armed forces in the front. Courtney and I walked the path that was lined with small American flags, and one had been knocked over by the wind. Courtney stopped, picked it up and secured it, making it…”just a little nicer”. You hear folks talking about how “the little things” matter all the time. So today, I challenge you to make the world “just a little nicer”…... leave the spaces you visit nicer than they were when you got there, send someone a text just because, make a baby smile with a goofy face across the room, pay someone a genuine compliment, leave the public restroom just a little cleaner than you found it…
……and while you’re in the act of doing that, realize that you are literally making the world a better place. Veterans day has become my favorite holiday over the years. A day of celebrating those who served so that we can enjoy the freedoms we do EVERY single day. It’s not a day of mourning or remembrance, but a day to smile, feel proud to be an American and shake the hands of our true heroes. This veteran’s day was especially beautiful. We had the honor of being in the 21st annual Phoenix Veterans Day Parade in Arizona. This parade is one of the largest veteran’s day parades in the country, and it is truly a spectacle to see. There were over 45,000 in attendance, not including the 2500 participants who were in the parade! Our float was sponsored by APS, lead by the incredible Terry & Deb Ricketts. They are wonderful, warm and vibrant people who feel like family the minute you meet them. The float was surrounded by over a dozen clowns dressed like Uncle Sam and a beautiful eagle with a moving torso and head! As we were waiting for the parade to start, we had a few hours to meet so many of the parade participants. Active military, Korean war veterans, Vietnam veterans, Reenactors, The Miss Arizona's, and so many of the country’s supporters, including Colonel Martha McSally, who is now a congresswoman, and was the first woman fighter pilot in history! Martha flew in combat following the 1991 lifting of the prohibition on woman combat pilots, and flew the Fairchild Republic A-10 Thunderbolt 'Warthog' close air support aircraft over Iraq and Kuwait during Operation Southern Watch. One of the most amazing honors of the day was hugging and singing to Ray Chavez, the oldest living Pearl Harbor veteran who recently had his 105th birthday. Ray was in the United States Navy, and if you’d like to watch a short documentary the History Channel produced on him you can CLICK HERE. My hands were shaking as I met this true hero. As the parade started on it’s route, I was overcome with emotion. My dad would have been so happy to see so many patriots showing nothing but LOVE for our country. Not only were they honoring our veterans, but they were excited about America. Little kids, teenagers, adults and seniors alike were lined up on the streets in their red white and blue with genuine happiness, thanks and love towards our country. Even passing by the veteran’s home, there were dozens of men and women in their wheelchairs smiling, waving flags and saluting. It’s this kind of love that I talk about in every show. With things like the news and facebook trying to get into our homes and hearts with negativity, the beautiful acts of love are not always featured on the news and in the media like I believe they should be. Our lives are our own and free because of those who put their fellow man before themselves. I am a humbled, proud American and so thankful for our veterans every day. xoxox
Our country is outstandingly beautiful. Though I’m definitely a city girl at heart, there’s no doubt that the vast land of the west is truly a sight to behold. We left the theatre in Cedar Rapids, Iowa (see my previous blog about English River Outfitters and all they do for veterans!) and went to Kansas City, Missouri, where we had a small and meaningful show at a community known as Riverstone. Outside the tiny theatre, there was a wall of tribute to all of the veterans that were residents at Riverstone, complete with active duty photographs of these men and women when they were young adults. It was so emotional to see the wall, and to meet so many of the veterans in the audience. I’ve said it before, and it still stands true…. We truly have the greatest seat in the house when we perform Letters From Home. Sometimes we’ll see a memory flood back, sometimes tears of joy or remembrance will creep into the corners of their eyes. Young men who are now in their twilight are suddenly 19-years old again in their hearts. My cousin, Debbie and her family came to the show as well, and after we all went out to celebrate her birthday and taste some famous Kansas City barbecue. We left Missouri and went to WaKeeney, Kansas... a very small town… so small in fact that we only saw one car pass the entire time when we were loading in at the auditorium! This show was a joint venture put on by the Ladies Auxiliary of the VFW and the American Legion and was for all veterans and community members. And what a FUN crowd! We found out after the show that one gentleman we pulled up onstage had just recovered from serious health issues and his smile was broad as he beamed onstage. Some folks came from 5 hours away for the concert! It was wonderful to be in a new area with new friends. We had the opportunity to visit the stunning Kansas Veterans Cemetery as well. Yesterday’s show was in Dodge City, Kansas… tracing it’s origins to 1871 when rancher Henry Silter built a sod house west of Fort Dodge to oversee his cattle operations in the region. With a population of only 27,000, Dodge City is rowdy in spirit and old western heritage! Our performance was at the American Legion, and not only were several community members and veterans in attendance, but there was a busload of incredible veterans from the Kansas Veterans Home. These men and women all had their own unique story, but one in particular, Lewis, was a Prisoner of War from 1961-1980. It was an honor to meet such a hero, and what a strong man to survive everything he was put through for so long. A visit to the Boot Hill Casino & Resort after the show for dinner made for an enjoyable end to the evening. Well, we got out of Dodge (literally!) and traveled through Oklahoma! Courtney and Nelson cringed as I played the Oklahoma soundtrack along our way. The land was rich and beautiful with nothing but farms and oil drills for miles upon miles. We stopped at an adorable little place called Margarita’s for lunch and met the owner (Margarita) who made the most delicious warm, doughy sopapillas I have ever eaten! And now we’re back on the road… listening to some western music on the way to New Mexico where we’ll be stopping later this evening. Wishing you all a beautiful sunrise, health, wisdom and light.
Cedar Rapids, Iowa is an outstanding city! We arrived yesterday afternoon, and went to load in at the stunning theatre located inside the Veterans Memorial building in downtown Cedar Rapids. What an incredible building! Not only does the building host a amazing theatre, but there is a museum in the front, and a memorial to Spanish American War Veterans, Veterans of Foreign Wars, the American Legion, Disabled American Veterans, AmVets, The Marine Corps League and veterans of WWI. This show was a concert to benefit “Healing at English River Outfitters”, one of the most effective and humble organizations I have ever been honored to perform for. Healing at English River Outfitters (HERO) started on the belief that there is healing in nature, and they emphasize an outdoor experience where veterans can fish, hunt, and hike in the woodlands surrounding their facilities. Veterans with physical disabilities are able to participate fully using all-terrain wheelchairs that HERO provides. HERO all started in May 2008 by 23-year military veteran Chuck Geertz, During its first year, English River Outfitters hosted just 6 veterans. The property was a very primitive site with no buildings, electricity, indoor plumbing or water. It was so effective and there was such a need that during the next 5 years English River Outfitters experienced tremendous growth. The site now features a finished lodge that is 30 x 40 and can accommodate 10 veterans at a time. In addition to having running water and electricity, the facility also has a deck and patio with a fire pit and fishing pond for families to enjoy, and the grounds have numerous trails and woodlands for hunting and hiking. Now, over 2400 Veterans and their families have been served by HERO, 3 families have avoided divorce through HERO’s peer-to-peer approach, and 19 veterans with PTSD who were considering suicide experienced healing and restoration at HERO! There were Korean, Cold War, Golf War, Vietnam, Iraq and Afghanistan veterans in attendance, and I was especially excited to see so many lady veterans at the show who were a part of HERO. There were shared tears of remembrance, laughter and honor. My heart explodes with love for these men and women, and for humans like Chuck Geetz, who truly make a difference in this beautiful country. Support Chuck and his efforts at HERO by visiting his website at www.englishriveroutfitters.org
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