Yeah, did that on purpose.
Figured it was time for an update! :o)
Frozen Lake:
My first time on a frozen lake! It was exciting to walk on it-and a bit scary. I went with some experienced frozen lake people and my buddy Lance, who also had never been on a F.L. before. It was amazing to see the different patterns of cracks underneath the ice and to slide around on this mass of cold water. We could hear a "boom" sound that came intermittently while on the lake. It sounded like deep drums in the distance, but then I was informed that it was the ICE. Okay...a little more frightened. But, the kids on bikes on the lake in the distance reassured me it was safe. At one point, Lance and Cristina called David and I over to observed this amazing pattern of cracked ice on the lake, as we did we heard the ice *crack*, and all of us jumped back--then we made a quick exit to the shore again. It was quite funny actually. We kept exploring up the river and I got to throw big ice chucks into the thin ice along the shore, where water was partially flowing. A family of ducks also joined our adventure-all in all it was a wonderful outing.
Dancin' in the club:
We were invited by Kristine, a former student at the DTS last year, to go out to a Karaoke Bar where there was dancing. A good number of us decided to go. So, I waited until the second car came to get us at 12:30am to go to out dancing. First time I've ever done that! Our group brought a healthy party to the place and just had fun being with each other and dancing. I ended up singing a Karaoke "Somewhere Over the Rainbow" with Kristine (who has an amazing voice), which was fun, even though I was shaking a bit. (Always the nerves of singing in front of people...even if it's in a club/bar.) As the night went on, the others and I shot up prayers for the people who were there. We could all sense a feeling of emptiness in the place....lonely people.
There were some "interesting" encounters, as you can imagine, with some not-so-sober people. But then there were some beautiful encounters, like my friend Miriam talking to an older guy at the bar (and no, we're not allowed to drink at DTS, so we had coke. ;o), Maja leaving a note with some encouraging words for a guy who semi-joined our group, and me talking about the DTS to a woman in the bathroom of all places, and then meeting her again on the dance floor. (Her drunk boyfriend was "singing" "Living on a Prayer" and she asked me what I thought....my answer: "Good song choice...it was fun.") ;o) After this experience I respect people who have the energy and love to go into clubs and do club ministry. People-Jesus is in the clubs/bars. Jesus went into tax collectors homes, talked with prostitutes and LOVED the people into freedom. There was real love in the club that night. Amen.
Dancin' Feet:
It's been a busy month for me. In dance this week we've had a contemporary dance teacher from Switzerland We learned how to put a choreography together and on Friday presented our 15 piece. (Which included dancing in dirt! That was enjoyable-I've always liked the way dirt feels on your feet.) All month I've been working on my "testimony" dance/mime--each of us dancers had to choreograph a dance that presented something in our life that was impactful. I decided to do my dance on what God has taught me about receiving His love from others. The idea behind my dance is that there was a heart expansion as I encountered and received God's love from each unique individual in my life. A scripture that I've seen become reality is Ephesians 4:14-16
"As a result, we are no longer to be children, tossed here and there by waves and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men, by the craftiness in deceitful scheming, but speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in all aspects into Him who is the head, even Christ, from whom the whole body, being fitted and held together by what every joint supplies, according to the proper working of each individual part, causes the growth of the body for the building up of itself in love."
You may recognize this theme from an earlier post titled "Joints" in which I talk about this verse. Yep, God continues to reveal more of His amazing love to me through people and shows me how I need their support, wisdom, and encouragement. In my dance, I actually have a prop heart that expands as I dance/mime and show vulnerability with my heart. The four other students who are on my outreach team are in my dance/mime, being the people I entrust my heart with, who give me back a fuller heart as I share with them. Even in the process of choreographing with them and having to be vulnerable in teaching and presenting this to them-I was practicing what the whole thing was about! Psalm 119:32 says, "I shall run the way of Your commandments, For You will enlarge my heart." As I obey with love my heart expands!
We got to perform the dance as guest performers at the Music Track's concert they did one Friday night. Our music track students performed their original songs for us and a fellow dancer also performed her testimony piece. It was a beautiful night of shared passion, heart lessons, talent, and glory given to God.
I got to teach two ladies the mime "Warrior is a Child" today--it took me back to my mime days and was a great pleasure. Then I went down into the studio with my roommate and gave her a singing lesson. (In as much as my limited knowledge can supply.) It is so good to thrive and give what the Lord has given to you. Share, be open, be vulnerable be willing to not do things perfectly, be good in HIS goodness. Lean on God. His strength is so beautiful to lean into.
:o)
