Keturah's Summer: Ballet Magnificat

Hello everyone!

This post is going to be a little different than usual, because I really just want to tell you all about my newest exciting adventure. Or at least, what I hope will be my newest exciting adventure.

You may have heard of a ballet company called Ballet Magnificat. If you haven't, they are America's premiere Christian ballet company. I saw their performance of The Hiding Place once when I was little, and have been inspired by them ever since.

Every year Ballet Mag runs a dance intensive in the summer, they have a 2 week and a 4 week program.

I've set a goal to go next summer.

The company is based in Mississippi, so that is where the intensive will be. The tuition is $1,931 and then there are travel expenses on top of that.

(You can watch a video and find out more about the intensive HERE)

I've tried for the last few years to earn enough money for classes, intensives, and equipment, but I've been finding more and more that this is quite a challenge. To really earn enough money, I would need to stop spending and just save money for at least a year, but I can't afford to lose that time of training.

All of the money I'm making from working is going toward classes for September-June of 2018, so I have to come up with some creative ways to raise money for the Summer Intensive.

One of my ideas is a Gofundme page! Super original, I know. ;)

I had to have a picture for my page, so I took the opportunity to have a little photoshoot just for fun. I thought you might like to see some of the pictures!

I feel like I look like a ballet-modern version of a Jane Austen character.

For all you concerned dancers out there, yes, my pointe shoes are fine.

I'm just going to take this opportunity to promote my brother Jon, he has a juice/smoothie business. He also sells apple cider. Go to the City Market on Walker Road, buy it.

My niece wanted to wear one of my ballet shoes. How could I resist? (She was previously playing with that stick on the ground. She gave that up for the shoe. There's a true dancer at heart right there.)

Anyway, if you'd like to support my trip, please consider donating HERE. :)

Here are a few IQWATWPBFA's: (If Questions Were Asked, These Would Probably Be Frequently Asked)

-What if you don't raise all of the money, or your application is denied, what will happen to the donations you did get?

Good question! If for some reason the trip falls through, the money will still go toward my ballet education. As I mentioned earlier, I have been struggling to just pay for regular classes, so if I can't make the trip to Mississippi, the donations will still be really helpful.

-....I had another question I thought of, but I can't remember now. So if you ask, or if I remember, I'll just update this later.

Even if you don't donate, (I know a lot of you have donated to help me with things before, so I am not expecting anyone to twice) please consider sharing this post, or just my Gofundme link on your Facebook!

Just one last note: Gofundme is a great tool, but it does deduct a small percentage from each donation I receive. If you see me in person semi-regularly, it might be better for you to find a way to get it to me in person, with cash or a cheque.

Thank you in advance for any way you are going to help me out!

~Keturah

No, I'm THE Big Fat Panda

This week has been similar to the previous ones here in Crystal Beach, lots of laughing amidst dancing, eating, school, dancing, pain, housework, and more dancing.

I will say though, it definitely had it's moments to stand out from the rest. For one thing, I have officially become The Dragon Warrior. Well, Po anyway.

One day I was thinking about how much I am like Po from Kungfu Panda, seriously, the more I thought about it, the more clear it became. We are the same.

I'm all inspired by other dancers, and wish I could be just like them.

But then I try...

"There is now a level zero."

But I am determined to improve!

"Don't worry master, I will never quit!"

And then my weakness was discovered.

And so Carolyn assumed the role of Master Shifu, and made me pirouette in a circle of chocolate bars on the ground. No word of a lie.

I couldn't help but laugh, as I had JUST been comparing myself to Po, and then she came up with that. Totally independently, I didn't say anything about Kungfu Panda before the chocolate bars.

So yes. This is my life.

But one day, I will BE the Dragon Warrior. I believe it.

In the meantime, God has given me so much to be thankful for!

The other day I was sitting in the loft above our garage as it rained. The rain was pelting down on the roof just above me, I had epic music playing, which mixed really well with the rain, until you couldn't hear the music anymore because the rain was so loud! It was lovely.

Anyway, it was the perfect time to just pray and be alone with Jesus, and a verse came to mind that I had read the day before.

Sing unto the Lord, O ye saints of his, and give thanks at the remembrance of his holiness. (Psalms 30:4)

I love how this verse encourages us to give thanks just at the very remembrance of His holiness. Every time it comes to mind, it is the perfect time to thank Him.

Because no matter what is going on, whether you are dreaming about ballet while making noodles in your father's restaurant, or sitting in a loft enjoying God's presence, or fighting an evil kungfu master, God is holy, and unchanging, and good.