Long-Due Update

 Hey all! 

Sorry it's been so long since I've updated you. Weeks seem to all mesh together and just like that I've been here 6 weeks!

We've had some interesting lecture topics including Pioneering a Ministry, Health and Fitness, Inductive Bible Study, Secularism, and Prophetic Dancing.  All have had some interesting points and I've taken something away from each one but the recurring theme God keeps bringing me back to is "what is my identity".  I've spent so much of my life trying to find my identity; even in coming to this school I was hoping to solidify my identity as a dancer.  But every week God has set something on my heart convicting me that my one and only identity is His daughter.  It's a long process, but I feel Him slowly breaking away all my pre-conceived ideas on who I am and replacing them with His truth; there's a freedom to living for Christ rather than for myself.  

Every week here is pretty much the same.  We have lectures in the morning Monday-Wednesday and then dance classes in the afternoon.  Thursday and Friday mornings we have outreach prep followed by 2 1/2 hours of rehearsal; the afternoon consists of more dance classes and homework time.  We're also learning Composition (the practical aspects of choreography), Pedagogy (learning how to teach), and Dance History. Scattered throughout our days we have time set aside for worship, prayer, and intercession. 

This last week we had mini outreach.  Monday-Wednesday we went to a Boys and Girls Club nearby and taught some dance classes.  On Friday, we went to the Lighthouse Christian Home, a home for adults with developmental disabilities. We performed some dances and taught them dances as well.  Unfortunately, I got sick this week and missed most of outreach.  I was only able to go to the Boys and Girls Club on Monday and the Lighthouse on Friday.  I experienced God's strength in the moment and  was fairly energized while there, although I was very mentally and physically drained afterward.  While I'm disappointed at missing most of this week's outreach, I am thankful for the rest I was able to get.  I was beginning to feel very burned out and it was a blessing to have a couple of days of rest. 

Going to the Lighthouse reminded me of how God views us.  One of the residents of Lighthouse has a guitar with no strings that he "plays" all the time.  While we were there he performed "Blessed be Your Name" and I was reminded that God takes pleasure in the heart of worship, not the action of it.  I've been struggling with perfection in my dancing lately; I mentally kick myself every time I make a mistake.  But going to the Lighthouse reminded me that God doesn't care how perfect we do things.  He only cares that we are worshipping Him. I can't fail if my focus is on worshipping my Creator and not on myself. 

While being here has been hard at times and sometimes I wish I could just come home, I do love the different ways I've been experiencing God. I was feeling particularly down on Friday and just wanted to be home and snuggling my cat.  God is so good and loving because while we were at the Lighthouse I looked out the door and saw a cat!  I went outside and was able to pet and snuggle it and, while it may sound weird to some, I feel like God answered the prayer I hadn't even asked. The Lighthouse is on 40 acres with cows and chickens and I just felt a little less homesick being at a place that was a lot like my childhood surroundings. I was reminded of Elijah hearing God in the still, small voice not the great wind or earthquake. While God is capable of speaking and showing Himself in big ways, I think He sometimes speaks the best in the personal, small things. 

Miss all of you and I'd love to hear from you! Watch my blog for future updates. :)