I'm delighted to share with you that the teaching of some of our dances to a newly started church has been very successful. This group of people has showed up to learn and practice every time with enthusiasm and eagerness to learn as well as a desire to master all the movements completely. In our practice time we taught all ages from 4 to 50. Pastora Adina was thrilled and excited for us to share this with the congregation. As our practices continued, it became apparent that some people attending only wanted to learn the dances but they were uncomfortable sharing them in front of a group of people. What we did at this point was have more practices for those that wanted to share the dances with the congregation. This group had 10 that regularly attended. It was quite challenging teaching all different ages at the same time so Candice took the older group that was very quick in learning the movements and practiced with them. I took the younger group and taught them.
We are happy to report to you that we shared two dances Sunday at the morning worship service. The way we did it was Candice and I were in front and those that learned the dances (girls and guys) were behind us. They felt better being behind us in case they forgot the movements. Before we began our dances I prayed for us in Spanish. Praise God that my Spanish speaking skills and confidence has improved. It turned out that 12 did the first dance and 8 did the second dance. The congregation was very pleased to see their members participating in this presentation. Many hearts were touched as the group brought the words of the songs to life with their movements and expressions. The church plans to make liturgical dance a part of their programs at the church and to take this way of communicating God's love, peace, joy and hope to the community and area churches. They feel that this is a tool to capture the hearts of people and connect them to God and strengthen people's relationship with God. I am leaving with them the music to these dances along with copies of the words. I am also leaving several CDs of Christian Praise and Worship music for them to use in their services as well as dances in the future. It continues to amaze me the passion, adoration, and love of JesusCristo that is openly expressed in the people here. God sent us here to bring people closer to Him and to change lives... indeed this has happened. Praise GOD!! The sweetness is that God has touched our lives as well.
God has been tapping on my heart the last few weeks saying that I need to share more about HOW IN THE WORLD do I cope with these diseases that plague my body. I don't talk about the multiple sclerosis or the degenerative disc disease much because I see in the eyes of those listening to me talk that they do not know what to say. I can feel that the more I talk to them the more uncomfortable the person listening to me becomes. I don't like making people uncomfortable.... I have been hearing God's voice loud and clear lately encouraging me to speak up about HOW GOD IS WORKING in MY LIFE especially how HE helps me with the ongoing challenges that my body experiences. I'll begin with if you ask me how I'm doing I'm always going to say "GREAT!" I say that for me as much as it is for you because I want to believe that every day. The power of my faith and having a positive attitude must stay ever present in my awareness. I choose to feel and work at feeling great. I daily open myself to the power of the Holy Spirit and choose to allow this loving and hopeful presence to permeate my being. This is a CHOICE!
I choose to see the awesome gifts of each day. I choose to live in hope and freedom not bondage. Focusing on living life free from these so called perceived shackles everyday is what keeps me going. God has shown me that by honestly confronting and dealing with these difficulties in my life He can set me free. Physical and mental challenges exist for all of us and I certainly have my share of them. I consider it a miracle that I can even walk, talk, think and dance. I regularly have to monitor my body to keep the symptoms less so they don't overtake me and prevent me from participating in life. The miracle part is the way God has led me to actions that make a difference. By adhering to these actions I have less symptoms and currently less to zero progression. I do hear the gloom and doom messages of Satan in my brain, but I choose to cheer for God and listen to His voice of truth = a rewarding and abundant life is there for us all. It is the way we look at whatever is going on in our life that determines whether we achieve great victory in the face of impossible odds. We all have the Spirit Of God inside of us. This Spirit is the source of my confidence and strength...especially when my legs hurt and they are so tight they don't move well, especially when my upper body is on fire with burning pain and I feel like I can't take it any more, especially when the fatigue attacks me and I have ten more things that need my attention and I think I have to do them today, especially when I have to say "I can't do that because it is too much, too hot, too long, too early, too late or too something.....In these daily challenging moments God gets hold of me and says "Um, Lisa, remember in me you can have freedom from all this each and every day....just do what I've guided you to do... with us working together all things are possible!" As I hold JesusCristo tightly in my heart and mind, I feel empowered to move past the weaknesses knowing that in my weaknesses HE is made strong.
.....Oops....time is up....more to come :)
Loving and serving a GREAT GOD!
Lisa and Candice
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