My Story - 'so far'

I was born in the early 90's and my parents knew before I was born that I would dance. By the time I was walking, I was dancing, and at the age of two I was enrolled into a dance school and was there for 11 years. During those years a lot happened. I learned every type of dance (ballet, jazz, tap, hip hop, pointe, etc.). I loved to dance and knew it was my calling; I wanted to do it all day, every day. As I got older, I started feeling empty and dry and felt like I was just going through the motions. I competed in many competitions, won trophies, and cried when I didn't win.

I started attending an amazing Christian dance convention in 2001, called 'Dance Revolution'. It happened once a year and I would wait impatiently all year to go to that event because it refreshed me physically and spiritually. After several years I started realizing that something was wrong when I started dreading going back to my normal dance routine. Knowing that it was my calling, my parents couldn't figure out what was wrong until they started looking from the outside of the box instead of the inside. They saw that though the dance school, that I attended, was a good Christian studio, it had become very secular, forming into the World's standards in order to win competitions and a great name. We switched studios, and immediately there was a complete change. I started flourishing in that new environment. Instead of competing, they ministered to people the love, joy, and grace of God. It had an atmosphere of serenity and peace that I hadn't felt before in my dancing. He grew me spiritually, and physically. My dancing is becoming so much improved every year and He is still growing me in every way.

About four years ago I started having a heart for missions, when before I believed that I could never ever do that, but the Lord started shifting my Heart. I found out about organizations that use dance as their tool to minister the gospel to people. I was ecstatic at the thought of using my gift in other countries. So last year I traveled to Costa Rica (2008), with Arrows International, and a team of 12 dancers. We ministered day and night through our dance in parks, churches, etc. It was the most amazing time! My team bonded together and became unified as part of the Body of Christ. So many people gave their life to the Lord, and saw His love portrayed through drama and dance. The Lord ministered so much to me through the whole trip and gave me a realization that no matter what you may think the world says, He can use your gifts and talents for His kingdom. I'm so excited at what God is doing in my life and what he is doing in the world today and in this nation. This is my story to help you get acquainted with my life, but I'm not finished yet and neither are you, so set and world on fire for Jesus.

Here is an example of dancing with the heart of worship!
This is Ingredients Dance Company, and they are the most godly women of God and love Him with all their heart. I attend Dance Revolution (a christian dance convention), where the company is based out of. I attend the convention every year and I will talk a little more about it on my next blog. Please enjoy and be touched!

I am so excited about my first post; I'm hoping that God will use it all for his glory. I want to begin with how dance first originated. It started in the Bible with the Israelites dancing before their God with exceedingly great joy. One of the meanings of the word "Dance" is 'rejoice' which means 'to jump and spin about wildly' such as David & Miriam did in Biblical times. Our culture over the years has changed this innocent, pure & worshipful art to a style that is not fit for humans to see or even to do. What grieves me so much is that people rarely ever think of dance being dynamic and powerful for the kingdom of God. When someone hears the word dance, it is usually connected with sensual/sexy movement and immodest women and girls.

Each one of us is put on this earth for a purpose and that is to worship God with our soul & spirit. Everyone can dance. Many don't feel comfortable doing it, but in Gods kingdom you are going to do a lot of things that are uncomfortable to you flesh. Dance is a release between your Father, the maker of Heaven, Earth and you. Dance itself is very emotional and feeling-oriented. You might think of examples such as the first dance at a wedding, proms, nightclubs, etc. What we need to do as children of the Heavenly Father is to use this are and the emotions he has given us for Him and to glorify Him. At the beginning I said we were made to worship, which is true, but because of the fall of Satan and Adam & Eve's sin we now have to teach people how to worship our Father.

You might be wondering whether I'm talking about Worship or Dance. I am trying to explain that when a person worships, everything else will follow. Dance can be something you just do in the shower, your house, in a dance studio, or in a church. As long as it glorifies your Maker then Dance, Dance Yea!!!!!!