Blog number 1... the first if many, I'm sure

Hello!
Well, I did it! I started a blog. Yes, I gave into the pressure... everyone is doing it, you know... I guess that makes it the "thing-to-do." Yeah, I'm ususally a bit late to pick up the latest fad, but I'm excited about this cause it's a great way to keep people update on my happenings in NY!

It's January, and frankly it seems like a slow month. Bookings seem to be in short supply for the company in January, but I'm told that this happens every year. Our next show is the first week of February. So we're in the studio everyday. Working hard and getting stuff done.Our director, Ashley has been on a Pilates kick as of late so wehave been doing that a lot. But I have found that it's helping a lot with my class work. yay!

This week we have learning dramas that the Trainee level 2s have put together. They started them early last semester and now they are beginnning to set them on us. It's actually pretty fun! All of them have the salvation message. Who know? maybe we will use them at a show one day. Amy's is about a birthday party. We all get to be little kids (which surprisingly is that hard for us to do... haha) and eventually she finds that the gift of God is eternal life. It's pretty awesome skipping around and goofing off like a kid at a party. I think we are almost having too much fun. Alyssa I's Drama is about a girl, that get attacked by sins and oppression and finds freedom in Jesus. This one os fun too, but I actually got cast os the roll of Satan.... hmmmm. That is the second head evil person role I got cast in this year. haha. Not sure whether to laugh or to cry! Well, I guess it would ake sensze since I am, after all, the tallest and apparently I have eyes that can look intense (according to my roomie). Thursday we will learn Rachel's coreography. I got to hear her go throught the process of creating it, so it will be exciting to see it finally come to life! I was told that I'll be playing the role of drunkeness... fun! (she says sarcastically). I don't know how I a going to do it, but I'll take it as a challenge!

I am actually starting to enjoy this time off from performing as much. We have more time to get into other things. In our discipleship training, we are learning about prayer. And this week we are learning about worshiping in our prayer time. I don't know about the other girls, but i'm being challenged in new ways. And really, in that, God has shown me so much more of Himself. It's actually really cool! We have been taking time before every class to worship. We'll put on a song and worship in own own expression. I realized that is why I love dance. It's a way to express my worship to God. It's me, and I feel His pleasure when I'm dancing before Him. I feel at home when I'm in His presence, bowing my knee and giving Him all my praise. I heard someone say the other day that there is something about worshiping the Lord with all your might that not many people get to esperience. There is something about "laying yourself out there," as they say in the secular dance world and giving your all in worship. And it is so true! Like when David danced before the Ark of the Covenant. He danced with all his might. There is something I can't explain that occures in that moment. We were created to worship... our lives are worship... are service is worship... our love is worship. Let us give our all, in all we do, to live our lives to the glory of His name! if you think about all that He has done for us, how could we not? It would be selfish to hold anything back. I was listening to the song today,I love the Words. Let it sink into your hearts.


In Christ alone my hope is found,
He is my light, my strength, my song;
this Cornerstone, this solid Ground,
firm through the fiercest drought and storm.
What heights of love, what depths of peace,
when fears are stilled, when strivings cease!
My Comforter, my All in All,
here in the love of Christ I stand.

In Christ alone! who took on flesh
Fulness of God in helpless babe!
This gift of love and righteousness
Scorned by the ones he came to save:
Till on that cross as Jesus died,
The wrath of God was satisfied -
For every sin on Him was laid;
Here in the death of Christ I live.

There in the ground His body lay
Light of the world by darkness slain:
Then bursting forth in glorious Day
Up from the grave he rose again!
And as He stands in victory
Sin's curse has lost its grip on me,
For I am His and He is mine -
Bought with the precious blood of Christ.

No guilt in life, no fear in death,
This is the power of Christ in me;
From life's first cry to final breath.
Jesus commands my destiny.
No power of hell, no scheme of man,
Can ever pluck me from His hand;
Till He returns or calls me home,
Here in the power of Christ I'll stand.