For Him Alone

Psalm 149:3 Says......

Oh, come on.  If you've seen it once on this blog you've seen it a thousand times!

Do you remember?

Ok, I'll let you cheat.  Below are the words in the verse scrambled up:

"dancing Let praise with His them name "

Do you have it now?  Here it is:

"Let them praise His name with dancing."

The only reason that I lead all of you readers through that crazy experiment is this:  As a dancer I want to be the best at what I do.  I realize that (without a miracle) this isn't going to happen.  Maybe I could get so good that I get to the top of my class and then to the top of my dance school.  Maybe I could get so good that I begin to get all of the main parts in the ballets.  But I will never be the best at dancing.  

To many, many dancers out there (including me!) this hurts to know.  It really hurts.  But this blog isn't jump-with-pain.com, is it? No.  And Psalm 149:3, along with Jeremiah 29:11 and many more verses (not to mention the strength given to us through the Mass and the sacraments!) give me a reason to dance.

Jesus doesn't call us to praise our own names with dancing.  He calls us to praise His name.  Philippians 2:13 says: "For God is at work in you, both to will and to work for His good pleasure."  In whatever I do, I believe that God is at work in me.  So when I dance, I believe that God is at work in me.   Therefore, I am not afraid to dance with what He has given me, even I'm not the spectacular prima ballerina that I think would be best.

"For I know the plans I have for you, says the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, to give you a hope and a future." -Jeremiah 29:11

I believe that Jesus has a beautiful future in plan for me and for you too.

Will you dance for Him alone?

Imperfect but Loved

I am not perfect.
I am filled with shame when I sin.
I forget that my life is beautiful.
I cry.
I want Jesus, but forget to run to Him.
I run away from who I think Jesus is.
I cry.
I want my life to be perfect and everything to be easy for me.
I want to have a perfect body.
I am not perfect.

Lord, this is who I am.  When I look up at Your cross, and see you loving me, I cry, because I don't see what there is to love. I am not perfect, but You love me anyways. You will never stop loving me.  Someday, in heaven, I will know what that means, and I will rejoice with You.  Forever.

But right now, I am waiting.  

I trust in You.  Show me how to trust in You.

Amen

Just One

How often do I forget that I'm not the only one who feels alone?

Time and time again I find myself down and discouraged.

But to hear one encouraging voice, just one word of love - 

That can change it all.

One smile, one small action can be a reminder of God's love.

Just one.

Ballet, embroidery, gifts, oh my!

This project doesn't have much to do with ballet technique...but it does have an image of pointe shoes on it, so it counts, right?   Anyways, this is a gift that I made for my friend Sarah.  She is one of my dance buddies and has inspired me to do my best in many areas.  Well, what better way to say "happy birthday" to my ballerina friend, than with the gift of an embroidered pointe shoe?

The shoe was from a template from A Dancer's Book of Ballet Crafts (by Christina Aleta Haskin), and I just drew the letters myself.  I popped the finished product into a wooden frame that I got from JoAnnes (for a very convenient price!)  I wrapped it up in a piece of grocery bag, wrapped in blue ribbon, and voila!  A great gift for my friend.

Happy Birthday Sarahlina!  May this year be filled with joy, peace and lots of dancing!

Rejoice in the Lord always. I say it again: rejoice! Philippians 4:4

-Pandy

Prayer of St. Therese

Today may I know peace within

may I trust God that I am

exactly where I am meant to be.

May I not forget the infinite possibilities that are born of faith.

May I use the gifts that I have 

received, and pass on the love that has been given me.

May I be content knowing I am a child of God.

Let His presence settle into my bones, and allow my soul the freedom to sind, dance, praise and love.

-St. Therese Lisieux

Beatiful

Why do I dance?  What is the reason for all of my struggles and hard work?

To show others how amazing I am

So that I can be fit and healthy

So I can say that I can do the splits

I look cool doing it

I love it

Because I am responding to the call to create something beautiful for Christ.

This is the call of Christ to every dancer:  Make something beautiful for me.  Give me something beautiful with what I have given you. 

Lord Jesus, I want to make something beautiful.  Show me how you want me to use what you have given me!

En Pointe

If the goal of my life is not to be like everyone else, why am I discouraged when I don't wear the "right" clothes?

Why, if I try to live like the saints, do I put myself down for not having a model body or face?

If I pray every day, why do I always slip into sin?

We are human. God loves us that way.  We can have the right ideas, but not be grounded in Him, and that is like trying to go en pointe in shoes without a shank*.  We are broken, dead.  Jesus never wears down or crumbles, and even though our emotions and feelings change, He won't.  

Jesus never dies, never wears out.  Sure, you might get a blister or a scab, but is that the fault of the Him?  He will let you fall, but He will never drop you.  If you put your feet into a pointe shoe, will you get mad at it because you can't pointe your feet?  Well,  maybe. (:D)  What I am getting at is this: your foot is what is working, but without the shoe, it would all be impossible.  We are willing to undergo pain so that we can achieve beauty and grace in dance.  Isn't that the same with Christ?  We will go through hard times and difficult moments, even with Christ, because by nature, we make mistakes and sin.   Even with Jesus, we will always desire more.  Why?  Because the earth isn't perfect!  Heaven is the perfect place for us - the place where we belong.  There we will achieve the beauty and grace we desire.

Back to the pointe shoe analogy: a shoe with no scratches, rips, marks, or soft spots may look pretty on the outside, but it only shows that it's owner doesn't work hard in them.  A shoe with tears, a pliable (but not too pliable) shank, black marks at the tips etc., shows that it's owner has taken the time to work in them and gotten used to the feel of trusting the shoe.

If we don't trust God, or are too scared to follow the impulse of His Will, our shoes will be clean and shiny on the outside.  If we choose to give our fears to God and follow His Will, our shoes might become battered or a little shabby (we all make mistakes and we all sin, so how could they keep from looking worn?), but God loves us for following Him in our human way.

The more you dance en pointe, the easier it becomes.  As we pray more, God comes into our life, and living in His Will becomes less painful.

Don't be afraid to break in* your shoes!  We all sin, we all fall.  Now, all you need to do is hold up your hands and God will pick you up.  Don't stay on the floor, or your shoes will never break in!   Some days you will hardly be able to point your feet, and some days you will feel as light as air.  Just trust Him, let His strength carry you.

Are you ready? Get set? Dance the Divine Dance!

* For the non-dancers reading this post: a shank is the sole of a pointe shoe.  The shank supports the foot and holds most of the dancer's weight en pointe.
* "Breaking in" pointe shoes is working in new shoes until the paper mache they are made of softens and adjust to the dancers foot.  After they are "broken in" pointe shoes are easier to dance in and ready to perform in.

God Knows

The people that you don't expect to seem to be the ones that can teach you the most.  I have learned to serve others more when my cousins were here.  I have learned more of what it means to be emptied of yourself and to truly give.  And what really brings happiness.

My wonderful aunt an uncle came up from Virginia this past week, and with them they brought the two kids that they were hosting from the Ukraine.  These kids were orphans, with no Christian base to their lives.  

Just being there with them, learning how to "speak Russian", and getting to know them made me realize how amazing it is to have parents -  loving truthful, God-fearing parents.  God answers prayers in different ways than I think He will, and that is definitely true for everybody in this world.  I prayed for these two kids a whole ton, and I still do.  

Giving of yourself even in small ways is so strange.  God seems to fill in the gaps.  There does come a time when you need to fill yourself with God, and give yourself up.  My parents have helped me so much - they give to me, and through their Christ-like love, I have seen a witness in how to give of myself.  

Life isn't perfect down there in Virginia with my Ukrainian "cousins".  They need lots of prayer, which my family has been giving them.  I have no idea how God will answer my prayers for the lives of these kids.  I say "God please help them.  Give them a good life.  Find them a family", and the rest is up to God.  

My aunt and uncle are giving themselves to these kids.  That don't know how they are going to affect their lives.  Maybe they will never know.

But God does.  That's all I can say right now, and maybe that's all I will say for the rest of my life.  But it's true.

"God is present as my helper; the Lord sustains my life".
Psalm 54: 6

True

You know what?  

You are loved by Christ.   

He is pining away for your heart.  

It's true. 

Will you believe it?

I Will!

To everyone who is reading my blog:

I will follow God's Will.  I will trust in His love.

I  now am accountable to all of the people following my blog.  I pray that I will be able to always do this, and when it seems imposible, or if I loose my way, I will work to pick myself up and start again, trusting in His forgiveness.

Will you?

Cross

I am feeling lonely - bad about myself.
I look on the internet, but somehow, I know it won't help.  I begin to surf through my favorite webpages.

WAIT!!!  THIS IS NOT WHAT WILL GIVE ME COMFORT!  NO!

The cross is what I will look to.  I will look to Christ and Christ alone.

Beautiful

{Love Him with My Life}

I haven't Forgotten!

I have promised that I would post more about releves and pirouettes.  I haven't forgotten!  I have been just a little busy lately.... as I'm sure many people can understand.

I will post more about both topics!

Joy in Jesus,

-Mandy

Carried

Keep holding on, it will be worth it.

On Your Toes!

 Today is releve day.  I enjoy releves.  They seem to make everything shorter, or perhaps they make me taller, or a little bit of both. :D  Anyways, I would like to adress the subject of sickled feet in releve.  We are going to focus on 3/4 releve, not full pointe.

There are two main mistakes that can be made in a releve, and both are consequences of sickling the foot either out or in.  Pictures of these are below:

 As you can notice in picture #1, I am leaning on the big toe for support and the pinky toe and the fourth toes aren't even touching the ground.  This is sickling forward.  The feet can look more "archy" and "beautiful" in this position because the ankle is rolling forward, but all toes must be reaching for the ground and preferable touching it.  Keep the ankles forward, but don't sacrifice by lifting your toes from the ground.

Number 2 is also brought about by sickling, but sickling backwards. This often occurs when you begin to let go of the barre, because your balance gets off.  Now the weight is on your pinky, fourth and middle toes, and the ankles are rotating back.  Try to feel as if a magnetic force was pulling your heels towards each other, and turn out your entire leg so that your heels come forward.

This is the "correct" position, or as correct as I could get it.  In reality, my heels should be slightly more forward and my pinky toe touching the ground.

Hints on how to improve your releve will come soon!

The joy of the Lord is my strength!

-Mandy

Burning

I want to be a flame for Christ.
You can tell when a flame is there,
And you can tell when it's not there.
A flame can never be there and not show itself to all around it.


I will not be lukewarm!
I will shout to all that Jesus is Lord!
They can yell and scream at me,
but with Jesus I am strong.


I will yell to all that Christ is King!
He is the reason that I stand.
Without Him I am nothing,
but WITH Him, there is nothing I cannot do.

Jesus, set me on fire.  I am tired of being lukewarm.  I live for YOU!

Drifting

I am drifting, far away.
Things I do will never stay,
You are far - I've gone astray!
Jesus, show me - You're the way.

I am on a path that rocks
Around the bend my future knocks.
I'm scared to stay - afraid to go!
Jesus, break my rusting lock.

O Father, I am losing You!
Bring me to a creation - new.
I need Your love, you are enough.
Jesus, bring me joy anew.

Father, I need You in my life.  If I fill myself with things of this world, I am just as empty as I started.  Give me a motive, a reason, a burning fiery zeal for You that never dies. Amen.

{ACTION}

"Let us Love, not in word or speech, but in TRUTH and ACTION." 
1 John 3:18


Now is the time to act.  Stand up and live for Christ.

Turning

Pirouettes don't like me, and I don't like them.  The main reason, is of course, that my pirouettes are far from perfect.  I'm practicing though, and hopefully, God has some improvement planned for my future.

Here are some tips to try: (I am still working on these.  You really need to find out what works for you and then concentrate on that.  Focusing on one of these aspects a week would also be a great idea.)

1.  Use your plie.  Practice engaging your gluteal muscles at the barre.  Feel the control of the rise and fall, then take it to the center.  Your plie should be just as it was at the barre - this gives you a firm foundation to spring from.

2. Don't sit!  Even though your plie is important, don't sit in it too long.  Feel the engaged muscles and then go straight into your turn.

3. Be on count. Since you shouldn't sit in your plie, make sure that your turns are timed correctly.  Don't stop too soon, because then you will have to wait to prepare.  Feel the counts, and try to be right on time.

4. Spot, Stop!  Control when you stop.  If you do not spot, you won't know when to stop, and if you don't know when to stop, you get confused, and chances are, you won't end your turn correctly.  Spot your turn, and keep your retire position.  If you lose the reitre, the turn will fall apart (I speak from experience).

More coming soon!  I will try and share as much as I can as I discover more about turns!

The joy of the Lord is my strength!

-Mandy

Selfish

Dear God,

Try as I might, I can't connect with You.  What is my problem?  I pray about my concerns, I bring You everything!  I tell You about what I have done and all of my fears.  Nothing is helping!  I don't feel any better than when I started.

Still searching.....

Love,
        Selfish

~+~

Dear Selfish,

Stop looking at yourself.  I have been waiting for you to come to me, and you have "come", but all you do is focus on yourself.  If you want to connect with me, you must look at the cross.  Abandon your hopes and dreams to me.  Your confidence in me will not be wasted.

I am with you.  I have always been with you.  Give me your burdens - stop taking them back.  I promise to set you free.

I am with you always.

With more love than you could ever imagine,
                                                   
                                             Your Father in Heaven

Sweat......

Sweat trickles down my face. I clench my teeth as I finish my 32nd entrechat. I sigh in relief as the music stops. I can rest! Somehow, though, I'm not satisfied with my dancing. It feels like however hard I work, I don't look as splendid as I want to. Now, of course I'm not going to look like an astounding prima ballerina, but I'm never satisfied. Something is always wrong with what I do.

How many times do I feel like this? Is it always, or just once in a while? I will never be quite as good as I want to be, but setting a high caliber for myself will help me get better...right?


Work, work, work!  Try to be the best you can be, pray to Christ to make you the best and give you the strength to do this well.  BUT -- try harder to follow Him.  Use what you do to pointe (:D) to Christ.  In everything you do, let it reflect Him.  


The readings at Mass are calling us to act.  What better time than the post Easter season?  Now is the time to get up and shout.  Hear the call.  Work, work!  Get out there and work on who you are, what you are to other people, and how you stand with God.


Then, it's back to your entrechats.  It is great to work on what your passion is, but never forget the one who experienced The Passion for you.

For you need endurance, so that when you have done the will of God, you may receive what was promised.  -Hebrews 10:36  

-Mandy

In His Arms

Imagine that you are dancing up on stage--the perfect dancer, doing everything right, with a supreme smile on your face--and as you leap off stage, the mask of happiness and joy falls off, and you are just you, just nothing.  You gasp for breath, and suddenly, God scoops you up in His arms, and you are strong again- but this time, His strength carries you.  He carries you onto the stage and you dance through Him.

He is carrying you today. Look around. He has a plan and knows what will happen, so don't be afraid.

He is holding you!

Praise

Photo courtesy of Capturing Love Photography 

The Plan

YAY!

I have been a bit exited recently.  Just this past week, I performed in my school's dance showcase.  I love performing for people and thrusting my entire self into the dancing.  Also, there is that wonderful camaraderie of sitting in the wings with your dancing chums and mentally dancing the steps being performed.

Oh--it's not perfect, by all means.  I just went to my friend's dance performance, and to the audience's dismay, a piece of the archway which she passed through fell onto her head!  She stood dazed for a moment, bravely (but a bit dizzily) danced through the rest of the dance (a short one, thank heavens!) and ran from the stage.

As you may have guessed, quite a few fervent Hail Marys were thrown heaven-wards during those few moments--and praise be to God--my friend was fine.

So... what next?  Life is un-predictable, at least, we humans don't know what is going to happen tomorrow, but God does.  He has a plan, and not just any plan, it is THE plan.  Only for you, not re-used, not one just tossed out there.  Your plan is a plan that is for no one else.  God made your plan for you, it's for no body else.  Go and live your life the way He wants you to, because His plan is the best.

"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you a hope and a future." 

Jeremiah 29: 11

He has a plan, watch it unfold.

-Mandy

Hope

May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope.

-Romans 15: 13

Photos courtesy of Capturing Love Photography

A Great Ballet Dictionary

This ballet video dictionary is a fabulous source of information for those of you who would like to know how various steps are executed.  The dancers are gorgeous!  This website also holds written info on steps, and other cool and informative stuff.

Look at grand battments on there--the dancer's extension and flexibility is stunning! 

The joy of the Lord is my strength!

~Mandy

Rotating the Upper Leg

Here is another (not quite as conspicuous) turn out exercise.  This is great to work the upper thigh, and should be repeated as much as possible!  A great way to practice this is while watching TV or a movie, reading a book, or anytime you find your self sitting on the floor!  It is also fun to challenge your friends to try this.  It takes a surprising amount of endurance!   

Step One

Step one: Sit on the floor with your feet stretched out before you.  Sit up with a straight back, and make sure that you are aligned correctly (e.g: head over shoulders, shoulders over ribs, ribs over hips, etc).  Turn your feet out into first position.  Make sure that you can feel your entire leg working to turn out.

Step Two:  Lift one leg up off the ground about seven to nine inches off of the ground.  Lower to the ground and repeat on each leg.

It is really up to you as to now many you would like to do, but I suggest doing ten on each leg, and repeating at least once so you do twenty on each side.  

Practice, Practice!

For you need endurance, so that when you have done the will of God, you may receive what was promised.  

-Hebrews 10:36

Dancing Through The Mall- Turnout Exercises For Every Day

My lovely dance teacher has given my class some exciting new exercises to try.....at the grocery store.  Many dancers are known for their rambunctious attitudes, so this wouldn't be a problem for them.  If you are not quite as rambunctious as these dancers, just slip on your socks and do these exercises on your kitchen floor.

This is how they work: While shopping at the grocery store, or mall (any where that has a cart), turn out your legs and scoot forward with small "steps", making sure that you are turning out correctly and not shifting your weight from leg to leg.  Another variation of this is to shase through first position while pushing the cart.  Both are acceptable.

A video is below:

If you muster up enough courage to try this, perhaps you should wait until you are in an isle vacant of other humans.  :)

More is coming soon!

The joy of the Lord is my strength! 

 -Mandy

Another Note: Do your best not to sickle your feet as I did.  Make sure to feel your arches!

This Week's Theme: Can You Guess It?

This week, I am going to talk about turn out.

Turn out is a difficult and beautiful thing--imperative for dancers.  I am still working on this, but I am going to try and post a few of the techniques I've learned over the years.  

So, keep on the lookout for some helpful hints!   

See how much turn out she needs to extend her leg in the back?

~Mandy

Turn Out!

A I read my religion textbook, I stumbled across the fact that Catholic's disinterest in Christ is proven by the poor turn out at Mass.  Only 25% of Catholics go to Mass every Sunday.

"EEEEK!" My heart began to pump wildly, me head began to spin, my throat got choked up, everything got fuzzy.....  Well, that's not exactly how it happened, but I was astonished.   I am blessed to belong to a church that is well atended at all times, so I didn't realize what was going on.  

The words "turn out" continued to twirl through my head.  Each dancer wants more turn out.  It is the desire of each ballet dancer.  Not every dancer has perfect turn out, in fact, hardly anyone does.  "Stunning" turn out is attempted by sickling the ancles, destroying the knees by cranking the feet further than possible, sticking out your hind-quarters, and thousands of other "personalized" methods.  But the true way to get turn out is to work and exercise, to become stronger and more flexible over time.        

Is the same true about going to Sunday Mass?  Often, people don't even try to show up at Mass.  They can say "Oh, yeah, I'm Catholic" but the only time they show up at Mass is on Christmas and Easter!  They are witnessing to the truly stunning Catholic faith, by turning it into a twice a year event!  Just like dancers who crank their feet out while leaving their knees behind, these Catholics go to Church and then act as if Christ doesn't even exist! 

The way that we achieve turn out in ballet is work and practice, practice, practice!  And the way we achieve Sainthood is practice, practice, practice, practice, and more practice!  But, just as in a dance class, we aren't alone on this journey.  Turn out requires patience on our part and the help from an instructor who will tell you your mistakes over and over again.  So with "turn out" at Mass, it is just the same way.  We have the ultimate dance instructor, the one who "loves us as if there was only one of us" (St. Augustine).  He is attentive, loving, kind and holy, and always picks us up after we fall.

So practice your turn out this week.  Get to Mass, pray the most amazing prayer ever.  Maybe you won't "feel" anything.  Maybe it will be the most stunning and awe inspiring event of your entire life.  Either way, it is the greatest gift  you could have, so don't pass it up!  If you had the chance to work under the personal instruction of George Balanchine or Enrico Cechetti, you wouldn't pass that up, would you?  Today, this Sunday, you have the opportunity to work under the best coach ever.

I'll see you in Mass! (that's where I'm headed today!)

The joy of the Lord is my strength!               

~Pandy

The Whole Pointe

I saw the first quote on line:

"If dancing was easier, it would be called football"

As I wiped the tears of laughter from my eyes, I began to wonder, Do people really think that dance could be easy? Dancing is such a big part of my life that I haven't often questioned the thought that some people don't know what a dance class is like. At all.

Then it hit me: Is this how some people feel about Christianity? There are people out there that think that Christians hide behind their faith--use it as an excuse for why things are like they are. These people don't know what it's like.

The next quote was on the same site:

"Life without dance is pointeless"

As I wiped tears of laughter off of my face a second time, I considered. Yes, life without dance would be pointeless and really quite tragic, but not pointless. See, life without God would be pointless. We wouldn't exist without God, so what would the point be? So here comes our first quote, "If dancing was easier, it would be called football". I agree, but imagine this: some people don't know that!

Life without dance is pointeless, life without God is pointless. People don't know the amazing realities of our faith. And without God, life is pointless. Living without God, their lives--so many lives--are pointless.

We have the treasure, we have the pointe (so to speak)! So get out there--show them what their missing! All of these pointless people need a point, so point them to the cross.

Christ is the point.

-Mandy

Alleluia!

Jesus is risen! He has redeemed us and enabled us to get to heaven. WOW.

At Easter Vigil Mass, I got so exited about singing the Alleluia. The drums started thumping and the piano began pounding, and the guitars started thrumming, and I became so excited! I had been waiting all of Lent to say "Alleluia!" and I finally got to shout it out triumphantly to all around me--with the entire chorus of heaven. While the deacon walked up to read the gospel, we sang:

Alleluia, alleluia,

alleluia alleluia,

alleluia alleluia,

alleluia, alleluia!

Jesus is alive,

risen from the dead,

the stone is rolled away,

now He is glorified.

The tomb is empty!

Over sin He has conquered!

Death where is your sting

now that Jesus lives?

Alleluia, alleluia,

alleluia alleluia,

alleluia alleluia,

alleluia, alleluia!

I got tingles as we sang "death where is your sting?" Singing the alleluia is a way of taunting the devil. It shows that Jesus Christ WON! We are not afraid of death, for we know that that is not the end of the story! We are the victorious people of Christ who's savior has defeated what humans fear most - death! We are not afraid any longer.

As you sing the alleluia next Sunday, remember that death has no sting any longer, for HE HAS WON!

The joy of the Lord is my strength!

-Pandy

Bring Him To Class

As a Christian, as a Catholic, I want to bring the joy, peace and truth of Christ to others. I once asked my friend if she knew of any dancers that were saints. Her reply was "I think one was a dancer for a court of something...until she converted to Christianity." Now, that wasn't exactly the answer I had been hoping for. I wanted a handy little book that had facts about a bunch of dancer saints and some cute ballet photos..... Well, too bad :)

How do I bring Christ into my dancing? Where do I find time during class to surrender my dancing to him? Before I go on, I understand that sometimes, once you are in class, all else flits from your mind. I also understand that sometimes when in class, everything except dance comes into your mind. Both have happened to me. So, here are some things to try. They don't have a guarantee I'm afraid, but just keep in mind that God wants to be with you everywhere.

1. As you journey to dance class, take five minutes to commit the class to Him. Tell the Lord that you want to dance for Him. Remember to ask to dance with Him forever in heaven! Pray that you will be able to do your best and glorify His name. Ask for humility and respect for your teachers. This is where the second commandment comes in. Just because your teachers aren't your biological parents, they are guiding you and teaching you. Respect is essential, even if you don't see eye to eye with your instructor.

2. While your teacher compiles combinations, pray that you will have the strength and ability to do what your teacher asks. Pray that you will be uplifting to others and be aware of them as well as your self.

3. Think about it. God is with you all the time, right? So He is the ultimate dance partner. How great would it to be to dance with someone who loves you so much that He died for you? Someone that won't look down on you because you don't have a perfect body, or if you don't do the steps right. He loves you for who you are, and He loves you when you dance. So take Him with you.

4. Don't forget Psalm 149 verse 3: "Let us praise His name with dancing!" We are praising the Lord's name! Dance can be worship--try to make it worship.

So bring Him to class! He loves you and wants to be with you always. Dance with Him.

The joy of the Lord is my strength!

-Pandy

When Should I Rejoice?

A couple days ago, my dance teacher told my class, "It doesn't matter if you're good at dancing or bad at it. What matters is how you show God through that dancing. If you say 'woe is me, I am a terrible dancer!' or, 'Look at me, I am an amazing dancer!', neither is right." By bemoaning how awful you are or rejoicing at your gifts, you aren't showing Jesus--you are giving a wonderful example of how selfish you are.

So, how do I find a mediator between "I'm awesome" and "I'm terrible"? First, find your bible and look up Psalm 149 verse 3, which announces, "Let us praise His name with dancing!" We aren't supposed to praise our name with dancing, we are supposed to praise His name. Next, remember Luke 1 verse 39, which states: "Nothing is impossible with God." Even if you feel like an awful dancer, nothing is impossible with God. He can help you through even the toughest times. Even if you never improve, He will get you through.

"For is anyone thinks he is something when he is nothing, he is deluding himself. Each one must examine His own work, and then he will have reason to boast with regard to himself alone, and not with regard to someone else; for each will bear his own load." -Galatians 6:3-5

The next time that you dance, remember that God gave you your gifts for a reason, not just to show off. Dancing is a way of showing Jesus to others, so don't let that opportunity slip by! Each time you dance, thank God that He gave you the ability to dance. Ask Him to work through your abilities.

Dear Heavenly Father, I give you my talents and shortcomings. Please help me to use them for your glory. Please give me the strength to trust in your un-abounding love and forgiveness. I want to praise you with dancing!

The joy of the Lord is my strength!

-Pandy

Afraid of the Light

I had heard of this Jesus fellow, but his whole story sounded far fetched to me. I have always been decisive, and quick to show my opinion. My father encouraged my coming to many trials over the years. He believes that woman should do more things--I agree with him on that. Ever since I was a little child I have enjoyed watching trials. I had never taken part in such a huge crowd as this, however.

Jesus said he came to testify to the truth. I began to jeer as soon as the words “truth” came out of his mouth. I wanted to yell those words away, make sure that they would never bother me again. I have often wondered when the Messiah will come, and I know that when He comes he will reveal all, he will reveal the truth. I was to afraid to find out the truth, so I yelled and yelled at the afflicted man. I didn’t want to stop yelling.

The first time Jesus fell, a woman next to me cried out. Someone whispered to me that she was the mother of Jesus. I glanced at the woman. The pain in her face made me yell all the louder. I yelled “What do you think now, king?!” I will never forget the look on that woman’s face.

My yells increased as a young woman rumored to be called Veronica wiped the face of Jesus. I saw her veil. The face of that man, that Jesus, was there on the cloth. It was an image too pain full to look at. Anger bubbled up inside of me. I will not change! a voice inside of me yelled.

I had chosen that Jesus should die. I had helped make the decision. If I was wrong, and that man was the Messiah, it was partly my fault. That is why I yelled and screamed. That is why I taunted and sneered at this man. I felt as if my shouting would make it true that he wasn’t the king. He couldn’t be the Messiah, could He?

For God did not send His son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world might be saved through Him. Whoever believes in Him will not be condemned, but whoever does not believe has already been condemned, because he has not believed in the name of the only son of God. And this is the verdict, that the light came into the world, but people preferred darkness to light, because their works were evil. For every one who does wicked things hates the light and does not come toward the light, so that his works might not be exposed. But whoever lives in the truth comes to the light, so that his works may be clearly seen as done by God.

John 3:17-21

Homeschooling!

This picture practically explains my whole life! Well, not really, but it's pretty close. :) Ah, the joy of school at home!

One of my friends made a startling discovery the other day: If a homeschooler wanted to ditch school, they would have to pack up their books, walk to the bus stop, and go to a public school.

Home-schoolers do school work. Public-schoolers do home work. :)

The joy of the Lord is my strength!

-Pandy

Full of Grace

Mary, The Mother of God, is the pinnacle of grace and beauty. Everything she did, was good and beautiful behold. Beauty is the goal of dancing. That is what we work for day after day, straining our muscles until they shake. But it's hard. So many times I never let go of the barre. So many times I decide to stop. Mary never stopped. She worked and worked, and I'm sure she ached too. She was always grace-full, full of love, pushing temptation away, never resisting God's love, balancing perfectly.

Hail Mary, full of grace!

You are full of grace, Blessed Mother. That's why, as a dancer, as a human, I come to you. You understand my trials. So every time I don't want to let go of something, I'll look at you. I bring my life to you, bring me to your son. Please give me the grace to dance well and the grace to live a holy life.

I am broken and patched. I follow Mary. She brings me to her son, to dance a dance of everlasting joy.

"Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with thee. Blessed art though amongst women and blessed is the fruit of thy womb Jesus. Holy Mary, mother of God, pray for us sinners, now and at the hour of our death. Amen!"

The joy of the Lord is my strength!

-Pandy

Yes. . . . It is Possible to Patch Ballet Shoes!

This is a little trick that I figured out so that I could go to a ballet workshop with out holes in the toes of my shoes (yes I am a bit of a nerd :). It has helped my shoes stay intact longer than they would have, and it really isn't very noticeable. Note: My ballet shoes are canvas- I don't think it would work on leather.

Step one: Choose the Correct Fabric. Make sure that the canvas's weave is about the same size of the weave of your ballet shoe. The fabric in the picture is a little too patterned, but if you have a pattern that isn't extremely colorful or busy, you can use the wrong side.

Step Two: Cut, Pin and Sew. Cut a circle out of your fabric that has a half of an inch extra all around. Fold the fabric under and pin it onto the shoe. The more pins you use, the easier it will be! Use as small stitches as possible, making sure they are close together. Don't sew on the leather sole of the shoe. This part can be difficult, but it's doable.

Tada! The canvas will stretch a bit and mold to your foot. It is much easier to dance in un-ripped shoes- believe me! It is a pretty simple project that is quite effective!

The joy of the Lord is my strength!

-Pandy

Counts

One, two, three, four, five, six, seven, eight! One, two...... Coupe on six, remember?

Lord, Sometimes I feel like I can never get the counts right. Somehow I slip and then I have to fumble to the right spot. Lord, I want to stop fumbling. I know I can never stop totally, but please give me the strength to keep on. I realize my misteak too late. I fumble. But You never fumble. So I come to You. I'll follow You, Lord, because you're the only one who ever gets all of the counts right.

The joy of the Lord is my strength!

The Climb

She looked up to the mountain high,

and began ascent, feet on the fly.

She swiftly ran up yonder hill,

quenching all anguish with her will.

She now began to climb the slope,

her heart so full of joyous hope.

And quickly passing all the rest,

she climbed up to a higher test.

Sweat rolled down her work-tight face

And carefully she slowed her pace.

“I don’t see need to hurry hear,

my courage daunts all far and near!”

And turning with defiant glance,

her eye caught a girl up yonder path.

So then, in haste she climbed again

sure not to lose, too sure to win.

She climbed up higher and tried to trip

this girl who made all of her dreams slip

With faster pace and stronger lead,

she felt that she just must succeed!

As higher climb slowed her quick trod,

a hand reached down from that coveted spot.

“Just a bit more and then we’re there.”

Said this strange girl with motherlike care.

And then together, both in lead,

They were humbled to succeed.

So when you feel your sure and true

to be the best at what you do,

just follow those who take the lead

and that is the key to succeed.

For to aspire to be their best

is God's humbling improvement test.

The joy of the Lord is my strength!

I've got this Joy-Joy-Joy-Joy Down in my Heart!

Yes, I talk about joy allot on my blog. Why? Why didn't I call my blog "Sit on the floor with depression"? Well, aside from the fact that that name sounds downright awful, that's not what I want the world to see in me. Here are my reasons:

Reason Number one: When walking into WallMart, Cub, Target, or really any other store, I see billboards and pictures plastered with smiles. The smiles of models who pose in a very exuberant manner, smile, and wait for the camera to click. But what happens afterward? Do they continue to smile and skip about, carefree and unaware of their troubles? I don't think so. Now, to the casual observer, the world doesn't seem to have much to be joyful about. But look harder. There are thousands of miracles happening all around us every day! People are recovering from diseases, babies are being born, Mass is being celebrated, friends are being made...etc, etc. That is one of the reasons that I want to be joyful.

Reason Number Two: Granted, all of these miracles are happening, but babies are being killed through abortion, Christianity is outlawed is several countries, and people are dying from diseases......etc, etc. I'm not ignoring all of that. Remember Saint Paul? He rejoiced even though he was put in prison and killed. Remember Saint Agnes? She was as happy as a bride when she was lead to her death. Why? Because the peace of Christ was in them! They had the God-given batteries of joy- knowledge of God's love and confidence in salvation.

Reason Number Three: Bored people. So many people look bored on the outside. Too cool to be impressed, to show respect, to be kind. Too sad or lost to live a life of true joy. And that is sad. Wait! I'm working on being joy-full, not sad-full. And this is why I am joyful because of sad/cool/both people: First of all, by nature, I like to oppose people. I am working on this, and someday I hope to over come that. Secondly, those un-joyful people aren't lost! I want God to shine through my joy, showing others that they need something to fill their lives like that. And the only thing that will fill their lives in that way is a relationship with Jesus Christ.

Yes, the world needs more joy. And I hope, by God's grace, to bring about a small part of it.

Lord, please give me the courage to spread your joy! I want your peaceful happiness!

~Pandy