It was a six-hour drive. When I have that much dream time, watch out - I can really get going! As I rounded the curve into the beautiful Iowa farmland, I thought of all the people from my childhood in that lovely state who had encouraged me to dream big.

One was my high school drama director, Don Stribling. Thanks to him I was able to play roles many young women dream about - Liza in "My Fair Lady," Fanny in "Funny Girl," Aldonza in "Man of La Mancha."

It was the La Mancha role that then took over my imagination. I recalled how my senior year he encouraged me to audition for the Community Theater's production and how, at 18, I had been given the lead over many older and very talented women.

My beloved director played the part of Don Quixote.

As I drove I began to sing the songs in the show. After one rousing rendition I laughed as I thought, "I could play that part today with more grit and gumption! And come to think of it, he is probably the age of Quixote now. Wouldn't it be fun if we...?"

It's interesting how just when you get going on a dream your left "logical" brain kicks in. Mine kicked hard.

And you'll perform this for one weekend?? it bellowed. Where do you think you'll come up with the sets and the costumes???

So I thought of how I might use someone else's set and costumes for a weekend, but my inner critic was quick to point out no one does that old show anymore!!! I got tired of listening, so I gently changed my focus to the gorgeous scenery of Dubuque.

A few minutes later I drove up to the hotel entrance to see if that was where I was speaking. "No," corrected the woman at the desk,"your talk is at the conference center next door." I thanked her and walked out, and there, right next to the door of the "wrong" building was the poster for "Man of La Mancha" - the community theatre production that month.

All right now, does that mean that it's a SIGN FROM GOD that I am supposed to organize this show? NO! It's a sign that we have been given by God an amazing grace that can be summed up as what we think about we bring about. When we surrender, relax, play and feel good, good things - just the things we'd been hoping for - really do happen.

Want another example? Read on...