Maroon, Purple, & Cream

 Last color day of the semester!

Maroon

Purple

Cream

Wee 2 (yellow) pictures!

Smiling girls - a joy to teach!

Practicing an arabesque...

Sky Blue, and Violet

 Wee 1 - Sky Blue!  The girls had fun wearing something different today!

Wee 3 - Violet!  They worked hard as we started learning their dance in class, even with the distraction of wearing pretty colors :-) 



Green, Royal, Cream & Maroon

More colorful classes were held today!

Green - they said they felt a little like leprechauns, especially with the Irish-sounding music I used for jumps. :)

 

Royal Blue - splash of color!

 This class has a LOT of girls, with all of Ballet IV-B (maroon) and part of Ballet IV-A (cream)

But they work hard and are a true joy to teach!

Red, Peach, Pink, & Lime

This week it's "class color day" for The King's Praise Ballet!

This year we've assigned each class a color nickname to make things less confusing. So, this week students are invited to wear something fun in their class color for class!

 

  Red

Peach

Pink

Lime

For Such a Time As This

         This song has a special place in my heart. It has been used in both “King’s Theatre” presentations of “Esther-Ordinary Faith,” the first production Anna directed back in 2005, along with the more recent performance last summer. (In fact, the picture at the top of this blog is from last summer's version of "Esther.") In the musical, Esther dances to or sings the song as she contemplates the task ahead of her… the task that only she can complete. Over the last 7 years since the first “Esther-Ordinary Faith” production, that song has challenged me every time I take a moment to think about it.

“Now, all I have is now

To be faithful, to be holy

And to shine, lighting up the darkness

Right now I really have no choice

But to voice the truth to the nations

a generation looking for God!

For such a time as this/ I was placed upon the earth

To hear the voice of God/ and do His will, whatever it is.

For such a time as this/ for now and all the days He gives

I am here! I am here! And I am his/ For such a time as this

 

Can’t change what’s happened till now

But we can change what will be

By living holiness

So that the world may see Jesus!”

         Right now, God has placed me in the position to help administrate some of "The King's Praise Ballet" as Anna "moves on". Along with about 6 other girls, I face the task of replacing my amazing teacher and director. We have many varied interests and goals for our lives, from missions to film-making to music to college...but right now, God has put us here. Right now, our duty is to be the best teachers, choreographers, seamstresses, administrators,  and washers of mirrors that we can be. It's been amazing to see how for each task, there was someone perfectly suited for and trained in that area. (Aside from the mirror washing. That just sort of happens as it happens.)

        We're all still in high school. We all still have things to learn. For me, humility, gentleness, and time management are areas that need work. But as we go about our tasks, as we face challenges in teaching 4 year olds, or struggle to keep our priorities straight so we have time to choreograph, God teaches us to depend on Him for our strength, to please Him in the smallest, most tedious, or uninteresting detail.

      For such a time as this, He has placed me here. He has given me responsibilities and duties and opportunities to glorify Him. I often forget that. I often forget that the everyday things, even sweeping the kitchen floor and solving physics problems so I can get on to "more important things", are important. God's will for me is to do everything as if I were doing it for Him. That doesn't just go for the final ballet performances, or playing music durng my church service. That means everything, every moment, right now.

    Jesus said, "As long as it is day, we must do the work of Him who sent Me. Night is coming when no one can work." (John 9:4)

    I have a limited number of days. I don't know when my time is up. "Now...all I have is now." I know what my job is. I know what I need to do, right now. My choice is either to do it, and do it for God, or to miss the opportunities He's given me.

    Where has He placed you? Are you His? Are you ready and willing to do His will, whatever it is? He has placed you exactly where you are with the gifts and abilities you have, for such a time as this.

Ballet Organization

 Have the student handbooks, hair ribbons, newsletters, and payment coupons been helpful? Thank these girls (and a few others not pictured)! 

The Thursday before classes started, these helpers were sweet to come together and help formulate everything. Many hands make light work!

Cutting out close to 70 family's payment coupons takes time...

Putting final touches on September's newsletter. 

Just remind me to not leave my computer up and logged into Facebook when I go to buy things we run out of and leave them there alone... ;)

Thanks for your help, girls! We had a smooth, organized first week of classes thanks to you!

In Him I Am

Alone I am nothing but a lump of clay;
In Christ I am fashioned, molded day by day.

On my own, I'm finite, not enough for a task;
In Him I have strength - never will I lack.

Apart from Him I worry, get tired and overwhelmed.
In Him I rest secure, by His love compelled.

My motive for working is based in His work done.
It's not my skill or merit - apart from Him, there's none.

So I can live and do, and yet in Him just be.
And when others see what's done, I pray they see Christ, not me.

To Him belongs the power, priority and praise.
So I rest and leave the "how's" to Him, as in prayer I raise...

"Grant time, grant peace, give guidance, strength and much wisdom.
Be Lord of all the details; Holy Spirit, come.

Have Your way in me, in this, in all that is ahead.
I trust You to continue, as You've always faithful led."


Praying through details about dance classes and workshops, and how to transition to other teachers & leaders (as I'll be getting married in January and moving away!), I was starting to feel overwhelmed again last night... But God reminded me that I need to keep trusting Him; He's in control. He WILL faithfully lead as I take one step at a time.

We serve an Awesome God!