The Jobe Journal

Anna was blessed to be able to attend Ballet Magnificat‘s summer dance intensive this past July. She learned so much, made many friends and most importantly, was challenged in her walk with the Lord. Not surprisingly, she desires to attend again next summer and would love to stay a month. Because this was her first time away at a dance intensive, she had no idea what to expect. With a blistered foot and a nervous “newness,” she placed in a level 6 – just about right in the middle of the skill levels. While not at all upset with her placement, she’d love to work hard this year and place higher and stay longer next year. However, staying a month is out of our budget. So, since Anna’s return, we’ve been brainstorming ways for her to raise a little extra money this school year. One idea mentioned on the Ballet Magnificat! website is hosting ballet birthday parties. We are so thankful for Ms. Wendy, the owner of Northwestern Studios where Anna takes here in Boone. She is such an encourager and has offered Anna Northwestern Studio to host ballerina birthdays. So, with the help of her sisters, Anna has a new little business! With all the ballet party talk, Sarah, who turns 9 on Tuesday, decided she’d like to give the ballet party a test run – on her! Thus, on Friday, Anna hosted her first party. It was great fun, and we have Christina to thank for this video. Enjoy!

Another year of dance has come to an end. Anna and Bethany were my only participants in this year’s recital, Hansel and Gretel. Compared to last year, with four dancers and multiple costumes per dancer, this year involved very little stress. Both of my sweet girls danced beautifully, and yes, I was a very proud mommy. I have some dance pictures that I must share.

Anna danced this evening at our Good Friday service to a piece she choreographed. What a beautiful service and what a blessing for her to be a part of it.

Lyrics to “The Look” by Sovereign Grace

I saw one hanging on a tree
In agony and blood
Who fixed His loving eyes on me
As near His cross I stood
And never till my dying breath
Will I forget that look
It seemed to charge me with His death
Though not a word He spoke

My conscience felt and owned the guilt
And plunged me in despair
I saw my sins His blood had spilt
And helped to nail Him there
But with a second look He said
“I freely all forgive
This blood is for your ransom paid
I died that you might live”

CHORUS
Forever etched upon my mind
Is the look of Him who died
The Lamb I crucified
And now my life will sing the praise
Of pure atoning grace
That looked on me and gladly took my place

Thus while His death my sin displays
For all the world to view
Such is the mystery of grace
It seals my pardon too
With pleasing grief and mournful joy
My spirit now is filled
That I should such a life destroy
Yet live by Him I killed

“The Look”, Original lyrics by John Newton. Music and alt. lyrics by Bob Kauflin.
©2001 Sovereign Grace Praise(BMI). Sovereign Grace Music, a division of Sovereign Grace Ministries.
From Songs for the Cross Centered Life and Upward: The Bob Kauflin Hymns Project.

Finally…

THE MONKEY DANCE!!!!!!!!

Our wonderful dance teacher at Northwestern Studio choreographed this piece for her clogging class of 5 two years ago. Anna, Christina and Bethany were 3 of the 5 dancing monkeys. It was then that this idea was born. The girls sewed some tails and made some ears, assigned Daniel and me the “Mama and Doctor” role and we adapted her awesome dance for our church’s talent show. Yes, technically we have six dancing monkeys but who’s counting? Enjoy!

What are your dreams?

This was a question asked many times at the 2011 Revolve tour this weekend in Atlanta – a gathering of 6500 mothers, youth workers but mostly teen girls. These young girls were challenged to dream big and to trust God daily with their lives.

My daughter, Anna, loves to dance. She loves Jesus. She loves to dance for the Lord now and desires to do so after high school. In what capacity, she doesn’t know. She’d love to one day tour with Ballet Magnificat, a professional Christian dance company, or at least participate in their summer intensives. Dancing is a dream for her.

It was for Kathryn McCormick as well. Kathryn was a speaker at the Revolve conference. She told of being faithful in the little things… how her senior year of high school she wanted to dance to a Christian song by Britt Nicole but was scared. She was afraid she’d be misunderstood or ridiculed. She knew, however, God placed that song in her heart so she danced to it out of conviction and because it expressed her faith. Through that small act of obedience, the Lord eventually provided the opportunity for her to tour and dance with Britt – a dream even bigger than placing 3rd place in So You Think You Can Dance! She is living her dream – using her gifts for the Lord and speaking of His goodness to thousands of young girls. Her dance is a platform for her greater love – her Lord!

As I listened to this young woman speak, I was overcome with gratitude. “Thank you, Lord for this woman’s testimony. Thank you that my dance-loving Anna can hear this. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you!” I found myself saying over and over.

The next day, during lunch at the conference, I told my friend and our Women’s Ministry director, Marci, how I felt God placed Kathryn on the Revolve tour just for us. Kathryn spoke to Anna’s heart. She inspired her and I expressed that I sure wished Anna could meet her.

I think I said, “Marci, it would mean so much to Anna to meet Kathryn. I sure wish I’d thought ahead to get a ticket. I’m sure she’s ministered to many, but I felt her testimony was delivered especially to my daughter. There couldn’t possibly be anyone who could relate to Kathryn’s journey more…”

… And then without missing a beat, a young girl sweetly appeared from the masses of teens in the fast food line to our little huddle of friends. She was holding a ticket and approached us and asked, “Would one of you like to go meet Kathryn McCormick? I have a ticket but I don’t have time to stand in line and use it.” She then looked at Anna and handed it to her. For the next few minutes, I breathlessly attempted to keep my daughter in sight as she darted through the crowds to meet Kathryn during the allotted time of her ticket. As I ran, I prayed that I too would be able to accompany Anna even though I had no entry pass. Thankfully, I was privileged to witness their encounter and listen to their brief but encouraging conversation.

Kathryn encouraged Anna to follow after Jesus! “I am in awe that God has used my dancing like he has. I was absolutely terrified of public speaking – yet through my dance I know God is telling me to speak as well.” Anna told her how she wanted to dance with Ballet Magnificat and actually enjoys speaking and is taking Gavel Club (speech) now. Kathryn then encouraged her, “God will use that! That is so wonderful! Dance for Him and speak for him! Just be faithful daily and He will reveal to you His plan!”

And then we ran back to our little group of friends as the BIGNESS of the previous 10 minutes sunk in and became a reality. Just as I praised Him as Kathryn spoke to 6500 girls, I praised Him again as we made our way back across the conference center. God revealed to me that He did indeed orchestrate that little meeting between my daughter and Kathryn.

“That was SO COOL!” Anna exclaimed to her friends as she found the digital image of Kathryn and her on my camera to share with everyone.

And I am thankful – thankful for role models who can inspire my girl to dream on! God has a plan for her life and He is faithful! No doubt, Anna’s picture with Kathryn will be a reminder to her over these next few years that no matter what lies ahead, she can trust the Lord with her dreams and her future.

What a beautiful service we had tonight on Christmas Eve! The Christmas story was told and worshipful music sung. Candles were lit and held high to the final verse of Silent Night. A message was given. And my girls danced.

When our worship pastor asked several weeks ago if our girls would like to dance for this service, they accepted -  thinking their wonderfully gifted dance teacher would be able to work with them on the choreography. She comes to our house on Mondays for a class she teaches in our basement to some home schooled students. However, weather didn’t cooperate with our Monday dance plans. For three consecutive weeks, the icy roads prevented Ms. Rebecca from helping them. I told the girls, they’d have to do it themselves and they gladly took on the challenge. Hearing them discuss how to portray Christ here with us through movement blessed me the entire month of December.

I hope it blesses you too. Enjoy!

My girls love to dance and I love to watch them dance. They enjoy tap and clogging, but ballet is their favorite. It is so beautiful and graceful. For my girls, it also is a shared experience. They do  hair and make-up for one another and “ooh and aah” over the beautiful costumes. They practice together and encourage one another. I know that when they are grown and their tutus are put away, they will always remember the joy of dancing together. This year was the first year that all four of my big girls (Esther isn’t quite old enough!) participated in their dance studio’s spring recital, The Enchanted Garden. It was beautiful! They were lovely and I was so proud! I had a daughter in nearly every group which made each scene a moment my mommy heart just soared! Christina, because she had leg surgery in December, was unable to dance most of the year. However, she was invited to participate in the recital with an acting role. This was truly a blessing. What a joy to see my daughter on stage – so graceful – when a year ago I feared she may not ever walk without a limp. God is so good! I am so thankful she was given this opportunity. She was even able to partner just a little and she played the role of a peasant who turned into a princess… every girl’s dream! This year was little Sarah’s first official year taking dance lessons. (Though her sisters have taught her for years!) We made the others wait until they were eight to begin, but when Sarah turned seven, she insisted that she just couldn’t wait any longer! My girls love the spring recital – a time when our family comes to see them all dance. They are radiant and I am one proud ballet mom!