Our Savior has come!!

Merry Christmas from JumpwithJoy!!!  May you dance with joy because our savior is born and we are set free!

Today we celebrate the birth of Christ the King - our SAVIOR!!!  If that's not a reason to dance, I don't know what is. :)

Merry CHRISTMAS!!

"Look to God that you may be radiant with joy" Psalm 34:6

Love,
Mandy

Barre Stretch!

I don't know about you, but my ballet class has a set barre stretch that we do at every class every week.  It's a nice rest after a difficult barre, and since it's the same each week, I don't have to think a whole ton about it, just sort of count and breath.  It's great after a difficult barre--or an easy one for that matter--it just feels great.

 Here is where I found another blessing: I can pray during barre stretch!  It's the perfect time to re-give your dancing to the Lord and to refocus while you dance.  It's calming and grace-filled - a present from God!

Pray during your barre stretch - it's a gift from God!!!

The joy of the Lord is my strength!

Mandy

P.S.  Another thing about a barre stretch: I personally think that you should always purposefully life your foot onto the barre during barre stretch.  Even just a 2 count develope, or a releve lent or anything rather than the lift-and-flop method.  Even after a hard barre, you owe it to yourself to make you dancing that much more polished.  Just my opinion there for y'all. P

Pics found on pinterest and tumblr :)

Who are you dancing for???

The countdown to the Nutcracker has started.  Only a few weeks away!!  Everyone is feverishly practicing and preparing for the show.  You can't let the choreographer down, or your family who is coming to watch, not to mention your entire audience who actually paid to watch you dance.  No pressure, right?

Oh-- and then there's dance class and school and Christmas shopping and homework and you actually need to sleep at some point too.....

This season is so great and so stressful.  I'm really excited to be in the Nutcracker, but I'm nervous too.  I want to do my absolute best, but I also have to do all of the stuff mentioned above.  Stress and excitement levels are really high.

So here's something to think about while you're running around during this season of preparation: dance for Jesus alone.  In your dance of life (homework, school stuff, sports, sleep, eating, etc), do it for Jesus.  He's the One who cares the most and matters the most, and He will give you a reason to keep dancing your life when you feel ready to drop.

And in your dance life, try this: dance for Him alone.  In class, during rehearsal, dance for the King of Kings.  Don't worry about the others; do your best for the One who matters!

I'm going to try this, and I think it's going to be difficult to remember and do at first, but I want to find true peace and joy during Nutcracker, class, and everything.

Jesus, I want to dance for You alone today.  Be with me and give me strength, Jesus, as I live for You!

The joy of the Lord is my strength!

Mandy