Many of you know that I started LOFT on a wing and a prayer. I had finally figured out why I loved to dance so much. I was able to completely be in worship with my God and Father with my whole heart and whole body. As a struggling introvert, I had found my way that I could love on and communicate with those people around me by including them in my worship. I had finally found how I could fit into God’s calling to share His love and I couldn’t imagine a life without my dance/worship community.
The studio shouldn’t have worked. My first baby was four months old, I had no location, no start-up money, very minimal influence in the community (where I prefered isolation to group events), and I had “failed” several times as an entrepreneur ( feel free to read about those experiences in the “I am going to pretend I did not hear that” blog post). In very real human terms, I was not a good bet. I knew that. However, what I also knew was not obeying God when He called me to this adventure was probably more likely going to kill me with guilt. Thankfully, I am far more afraid of God’s “Old Testament Wrath” than I am of my own likely demise. I needed to surrender my pride. Easier said than done and always a work in progress. God is not done with me yet.
Fast forward a million experiences and here we are! We eventually moved to a home that could accomodate our little fledgling business. At first, we took up half of our basement. As our dancers grew it became apparent that we needed more space to accommodate their elongated appendages. Braydon and I got to work cleaning and emptying the additional space in our basement. “How big are you going to let this get?” was a common question from friends and family. Again, human logic would dictate that I had just had another baby, this is great but how long could it last? I know I asked the same thing.
Which brings us to our latest adventure. I had been asking God what His plans are for me regarding the studio since the end of our first full season. “That was fun,” I said, “but when will you introduce us to the real person who will lead this studio?” I think I was feeling more like a curator of a museum, not so much the museum owner. It wasn’t until recently that I’ve realized – that is exactly where God wanted me to be! Because if a human is not in charge, then who is?
For me, I can tell you with one hundred percent certainty that God is the real owner of LOFT Dance Studios. I am the Director because He put me here. And I am assuming because I make him look so good being so far from Christian perfection myself. I am learning everyday to be ok with that role, but it has been a humbling experience. Anyway, I was able for the first time to really sink my teeth into dreaming about what I could do to further God’s kingdom. How is God calling me to serve Him, and therefore this community he has trusted me with. Oh, shivers and goosebumps every time!
I have a vision for LOFT that scares me to the core and as always, it is so so so far out of my comfort zone that I can only assume God is calling me once again to learn to trust Him in a new and terrifying way. LOFT is going to be a name synonymous with God’s Light that will reach into the darkest corners of our local community, and also shine as a Global Ministry. I know that sounds way out in left field, and perhaps even a bit vague, and I do still think it is between 10 and 15 years away from us, maybe even more, but that is where we are headed.
Which brings us to our next step – a big one for my family, but a mere baby step in God’s plan: LOFT is moving into a Commercial Space!
I know we are going to continue to demonstrate the same environment you have become accustomed to here. We are going to continue to teach our students to love God and others through dance. We are going to be the light in the darkness. We are going to continue to LOVE the way Jesus demonstrated to us. We will OBEY God’s calling on our lives. Have FAITH that God’s plan is good and perfect, and TRUST that despite our limited perspective, He will have the victory!
I feel like that needs an AMEN!
I am going to continue to raise my babies alongside all of you raising your babies to be spirit filled individuals who are going to be the directors and not the owners of their lives. I want to work hard for my community because I feel the weight of our pain and know the relief that comes with complete trust in our Saviour. All ya gotta do is invite him in – He wants to have a relationship with you!
All that being said, the big Move Day is January 20th of 2020, when LOFT will resume the Spring semester in its new home! Logistically, it will be awesome! Ample day time parking, still in the same neighbourhood, two dance rooms that can operate simultaneously, two family-sized washrooms, and the list continues. I want to encourage you not to fear. This is not the first time God has asked LOFT to do something scary and it won’t be the last. Embrace the unknown – from my personal experience, God has always delivered and the view at the top of each mountain has been breathtaking.
I love ya all. Thank you so much for your continued support.
I’m goin’ a pray,
Dear Father,
I am so incredibly thankful for your calling on my life. I pray that you will continue to be the center of everything that we do here at LOFT. I ask that you encourage those who fear the new and different, and that if there are any who are feeling your calling on their lives that they would submit to their pride and just realize life is so much better not spent alone. Thank you for each person here at LOFT and may this move be a real blessing to each one.
In Jesus’s name
-AMEN