The Women God Has Used in My Life

The 2 009 PCC Women's Retreat is over but we had a good time. I thank God for the women who have played a big role in helping me see the importance of having the Holy Spirit order my steps in His Word. Many thanks to Pastor Enid Rios-Rivera who encourages us in our steps and even demonstrated how to do that walk throughout the weekend. I just had to join her in that step and so did many others that night in the spirit and with their bodies.

And many thanks to Dr. Liz Rios...a fabulous speaker who encouraged us in so many ways. I know that Seasons of Purpose needs to take some new steps so the ministry can grow, but God used Dr. Liz to inform me that the first step will be a big step. I will have to go to war in this walk in the Spirit. And my next step will be a crucial one. I thank God for her bringing a word to us that was not an easy word to digest but a needed word for such a time as this. I thank God that He used Dr. Liz. I know her personally and have worked under her at 2 different jobs in NY, so I know that the message she brings is sincere. In other words, she is not one way before the people and then another way behind closed doors. She keeps it real, and endeavors to apply the word when it is easy and when it is really, really hard.

I know that if I want to grow deeper in my understanding of this walk, the Holy Spirit and the ministry of Seasons of Purpose, I must get deeper in His Word. It's time to take the Big Steps!

Who is your Aaron?

I thank God for the dear assistant God has blessed me with in the dance ministry. She is like what Aaron was for Moses. She truly helps to lift up my arms and hands when I am weak and has more energy for ideas that I could ever possibly generate on my own. She has been a blessing. Watch her at work as we endeavor to polish the piece for the Women's Retreat 2009.



What a wonderful time we had in rehearsal today!!!! The battery powered candles were on all over the room and God's presence was so evident to us. We basked in the Presence of the Living God as we listened to the music we were to dance to. It was like hearing the song for the first time when we weren't concerned about executing choreography but about what the song means and to give the song back to God in a sense in worship, adoration, and thanksgiving. When we ended the rehearsal in prayer again I thought the roof would come off!!! And who was the loudest...yep...my Aaron. Heard her all the way down the hall. And others that I could call my Joshua and Caleb's but I'll discuss them at another time. Glory to God!

Under His Shadow

Keep me as the apple of the eye, hide me under the shadow of thy wings. Psalm 17:8 (KJV)

He who dwells in the secret place of the Most High shall remain stable and fixed under the shadow of the Almighty [Whose power no foe can withstand. Psalm 91:1 (Amp)

There are so many challenges in this life, but if I can just take a moment to hide in that shadow of the Lord, I will have courage to go on. Today I thought of my family and all the fun times I have had with them. I also thought of those who I couldn't enjoy the holiday with especially my brother. Although my brother passed almost 4 years ago, I am still really missing him especially over the holidays. But there is the shadow of the Lord. When I go under His wings I have comfort, peace, belonging, and confidence that God can take care of anything, and give me the power to accomplish all that I am purposed to do.

This Day

I am grateful for this day. I never would have made it without the Lord. When I look back on the last 2 years of my life and how God pulled me through when I was feeling stretched beyond my ability to go on. .. I know it was God. Like the song says "I'm stronger, I'm wiser, I'm better, much better" Four years ago when I prayed for my sick brother, I thought my insides were being stretched like rubber band to its farthest point. I had never felt my insides do that before and it was really my faith growing. I have had to stretch like that many times in the past 4 years.

I am encouraged this day by my former students who have written back in reply to my questions to them. I think of them as "my dancing daughters." How wonderful to hear how God has used what He has deposited in me to bless them so they could bless someone else and build God's Kingdom. And how wonderful to know specifically how to pray for them.

I feel really inspired today. I just got home from the movie "Julie & Julia" and saw the life of 2 women driven to cook their food with excellence, meet deadlines, and find purpose in their life. I want to fulfull God's purpose for me life even when it is not easy, is demanding, exhausting, and sometimes seems disappointing.

I am empowered today to cultivate a better marriage. It can't all be about ministry. Right. This minister has a husband and I thank God for the precious gift God has given me in this man. I thank God for the marriage ministry gathering at the Pope's household and being invited to be a part of that even though it is not our church. Good word, good food, good salsa (food and dance lesson). A precious night of sharing we won't ever forget.

I am who God is shaping and molding me to be. I am in transformation this day...a better wife, daughter, liturgical dancer, mentor, minister, and child of the King.

THE BIBLE

The Bible is often referred to as The Word. Seasons of Purpose was given the challenge of interpreting Isaiah 55:10-11 through movement. Martin & I came together and created something for Melodie Thompson's annual Gospel Dance Concert in Providence RI. In addition we choreographed to "Speak Lord" and "One Word" from Kurt Carr's One Church CD. When we ministered this at our home church (Primitive Christian Church), we dropped the "Speak Lord" section. I am forever changed, transformed, challenged, comforted, strengthened, empowered and built up by God's Word. It is a privilege to bring this powerful message to people through movement. People all over the world from every culture and belief have been touched by the truth found in the Bible. Even people who don't follow the Bible for spiritual reasons have used its princples and have found success. God does watch over His word to perform it.

Sistah friends...a.k.a everybody needs a posse

THE SISTAHS

I love the month of August because I get the chance to celebrate my birthday for about 2 weeks long. I think it is because most people forget the real date so I get phone calls, cards, sweet treats for a number of days...not bad? I want to praise God for the sistah friends (Jacqueline, Patricia, and Rachael) in my life. This is the group I call my posse. They maybe your peeps/crew/entourage/bff's....whatever you call them...but it really helps to have some. These are the folks you call after you've called on the Lord, consult with your husband (if you are married), and you need some girl talk. There are some conversations that only another sistah can help. YOU know that's right. I am sorry that Rachael is missing from this picture but you will find her in an earlier blog post. These are the sistahs who stood with my when I got married and have prayed me through when I thought I had lost hope. I thank God for them. They are some of the most creative sistahs on the planet and constantly feed me ideas when and even when I am not out of ideas, because their ideas are plen-ti-ful. Dance for Joy Ministries enabled me to meet some really great people, and a wonderful master teacher Iris Cloud. I don't think she will ever know how many lives she has touched and people she has brought together by the sheer act of being obedient in using her gifts.

Cousin Melodie

A Birthday celebration is in order for my cousin Melodie. She hits a big one today and we want to bless God for her!! I was so glad to marry into this family because I not only got a great husband but a great family as well. Cousin Melodie is a great mother, wife, dancer, choreographer, and dance ministry leader. She truly inspires me with her annual Gospel Dance Concerts. New England is truly blessed by her passion to bring dance to her area. We look forward to watch God fulfill the destiny He has for her as she walks in obedience.