Crazy Times with the Sisters

It's week 2!

One of the things that has been interesting about this adventure, is spending so much time with my two younger sisters, Anna and Tabithah.

Now, I do spend a lot of time with them at home, but nothing creates comradery quite like taking three dance classes a day together, and then sharing the same cold room.

The three of us shared aching muscles for the first few days, and from then on, we have shared aching abs from laughing so hard.

Seriously, we practically haven't stopped laughing since we got here.

My sisters have been teasing me about breathing through my ears for a few days. Just to clarify, I do NOT breathe through my ears, but I made the mistake of mentioning to Carolyn (our teacher) that my ears keep popping during class and it's quite annoying.

Well, none of them could understand what I meant by "pop," so I said it felt like I was breathing through my ears. You know what I mean, right?

Well they didn't. So they all laughed at me, and Carolyn told me it might go away if I would focus on breathing through my mouth and nose. Sigh. Never gonna live that one down.

Anyway, our most recent escapade, I like to call, "The Canadian Homeschooler Prank," because it's a fabulous prank that none of us actually have the guts to do.

We came up with it Thursday morning when we were upstairs in the studio, partly practicing, partly stretching, and mostly just cracking up about anything and everything.

There is a part in one of the dances, in which you turn, and place your foot flexed in front of you. Well, Anna discovered that if you hop to the same position on the other side, and then repeat several times, it looks quite a bit like some sort of Russian folk dance.

Thus, we invented the most genius prank that we will ever not do, which was that the three of us would practice that in sync, adding things like turning around, prancing around the studio, and occasionally throwing your arm in the air and yelling, "Hey!" Then, in rehearsal, we would do the actual dance until we got to that part, and then flawlessly switch, making our teachers second guess themselves.

Yup. That was a good time. We laughed really hard, and then went downstairs and practiced like good Canadian, homeschooled students.

I do want to keep this blog semi-focused on what is really important, so I will finish by telling you about a moment I experienced at prayer meeting on Wednesday night.

As I was sitting there, my mind wandered a bit, and I thought about ballet classes, and how my ears kept popping. The worship team started playing a song just then.

It's Your breath in our lungs,

So we pour out our praise,

We pour out our praise to You only.

I had to laugh. I heard the words in my head as,

It's Your breath in my ears,

So we pour out our praise,

We pour out our praise to You only.

God does have a sense of humor, and ever since then, when my ears pop during class, my first thought is to praise Him.

Let every thing that hath breath praise the Lord. Praise ye the Lord. (Psalms 150:6)

A Place of Rest

At this moment, I am sitting in a car, watching rain hit the windshield. 

Okay, so I'm staring at my iPod screen, but in between sentences, I'm watching the rain.

Guess where I'm going? Home!

In my last two posts, I told y'all about my invitation to train and tour with 1:11 Ministries for two months. Well, I was thinking maybe you'd like to know how that's going, so I'm going to write about it.

We just finished week 1. I'm on the road right now, heading home for my sister's bridal shower, but we'll be making the trip back Monday morning, in time for my first class at 10:30 am.

This first week has been awesome. Every day I take two ballet technique classes, and a choreography class. We've been working on a different dance each day, so it's a lot to cram into my head, but it's been really good.

I'm not going to write a super long post, for your sakes, although I have a ton I could write about. The highlight of this week was definitely at the beginning, when God showed me something amazing.

Man, I'm trying to write short, but everything has backstory! Okay, so the synopsis of what you need to know, is that for a really long time now, I have been struggling hard. Spiritually, emotionally, not having a good time. I've been trying to cling to truth, and seek God in it all, but it's just been so blatantly obvious how bad I am at that.

Anyway, it kind of reached a peak recently, where I just felt like I was about to reach the end of my rope, and I needed...something. I honestly had no idea what I needed. Rest? Revival? Breakthrough? I didn't know anymore. I'm so glad Jesus did. :)

This trip, as much as it was like a dream come true, felt like another thing added to the burden I was carrying. I could barely even get excited about it, I just got stressed out.

I realized something on the road to my new house though, I was leaving a lot of things that were burdening me behind. Don't get me wrong, I LOVE my home, but I felt relieved to be going somewhere where some of my stress didn't exist.

We drove on Saturday, and went to church the next morning. I can't even tell you how amazing the service was. Mostly the worship, I wish I could remember the lyrics to tell you, but I can't. All I remember is God speaking, telling me He had provided a place of rest for me. 

Another major thing that was stressing me out He clearly addressed in one of the songs, and as I sang, I knew He wanted me to let it go, because He had control.

Another weight off of my back. I already felt like a new person. But there was more.

After that, I believe it was Sunday night, we were having dinner, and there was a little picture frame with a bible verse on it.

He brought me forth also into a large place; he delivered me, because he delighted in me. (Psalms 18:19)

Again, He brought me into this place to be a sanctuary for me, a place of rest. I might add, the house I'm living in is HUGE. He definitely brought me forth into a large place. :D

A few times, I have gotten discouraged during dance class, or stressed about something, and it's like I can almost hear Him saying, "Are you going to trust Me?"

I feel like He's given me one task. Trust.

It's very humbling, because I want to claim to be such a great Christian that I don't need two months to JUST trust, but it's what God has given me, and I think He knows what I need best.

That's really all I can say without repeating myself, but it really doesn't do justice to the peace I'm feeling.

Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. (Proverbs 3:5)

A Gift Under a Pile of Books

So you can read in my last post (A "WHAT???" Kind of Opportunity) about an awesome trip that two of my sisters and I were given the chance to go on, and that will help explain what I am about to talk about.

As you know, (or should know by now) we will be leaving in about a month. I have a job at McDonalds, but that's about our only source of reliable income.

We're applying for funding from Jumpstart, as well as having asked for donations from friends and family, but we haven't gotten the applications in yet, and there hasn't been a ton of money coming from anywhere else. So you can imagine that I, being the one who is planning all of the financial stuff, have been fairly stressed about it recently.

Well, in order to relieve some small amount of stress from myself, I decided to go online and look at my bank account, and actually count how much we have already.

What I found was that I had enough to cover my own cost, plus $300, which would cover one month's rent, but I still needed another $600 for the other two months.

So I was still stressed. Just waiting, praying that God would bring in the money.

You know... God really likes surprises, I think.

One day, recently, I was cleaning my room. Going through old stuff of mine that hasn't been sorted in ages, and one of those things was my bookshelf.

As I made piles and pulled off all things that were not books, (I confess, my bookshelf over time tends to turn into an everything shelf) I found an envelope. I picked it up and looked inside, it was money.

I wasn't TOO surprised, (confession time again) because sometimes I take money out of the bank in order to pay tithe, and pay people back for things, and stuff like that, so it's usually a fairly large amount, like $300-$400.

If it had been $300, I would have scolded myself for putting it in an envelope and forgetting about it, but after counting it... I still have NO reasonable explanation for how it got there.

$600!!

Let's make this even more clear, okay? I can't even withdraw that much out of the bank at once. Which means I would have had to withdraw on two separate occasions, and put the money in one envelope for a reason, and you'd think, if that happened, I would have some small recollection of doing it. Nothing.

I asked my family, no one else left it there. It had to be mine.

Mind. Blown.

It's like an angel left it for me!

Anyway, a couple days later I was explaining to my friend about what happened, and suddenly realized that I had counted needing $600 to cover the rest of my trip to Fort Erie, and that's how much was in that envelope.

I just can't get over this, God is so amazing!!

“Therefore I say to you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink; nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food and the body more than clothing? Look at the birds of the air, for they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they? (Matthew 6:25, 26)

Note:

If you would like to donate toward our trip, you can email me at keturahthomson12@gmail.com about the best way of getting the money to us.

A "WHAT???" Kind of Opportunity

Hello friends!

I have talked about dance camp, and 1:11 Ministries before, but just in case some of you still don't know what I am talking about, I'll explain a little bit, as well as encourage you to click on the link above.

My sister, Rachel Starr Thomson, co-owns a ballet company with my cousin Carolyn Currey, (a professional ballerina) and their friend Mercy Hope. 

For years, they have inspired myself and my sisters. Stories of Carolyn training herself and becoming successful in her career, as well as starting a professional company, have motivated us to work hard to hopefully become professional dancers someday as well.

I actually can't even explain how much I look up to all three of these ladies, not just in their success, but in their hearts for the Lord. I have learned so much from them.

Anyways, the point I am getting to, is that recently, my mother invited my younger sisters Anna and Tabithah and I, into the living room for a meeting with her, Rachel, and my dad. They explained that they have been thinking and planning for a while, on having the three of us go stay with Rachel in Fort Erie for a few months to train intensively with Carolyn, and then go on Christmas tour with their company.

WHAT?????

I mean, umm.... Yes, of course we would love to.

But seriously, WHAT????????? :D

So that's the news. The three youngest children of this family are leaving now from October 15th to December 18th, to practically a dream come true.

I tell you all of this because it's awesome and exciting, and also because unfortunately, we can't actually afford to pay for it all.

The goal is $4,136 for the three of us, (each of us needing $1,378.70) so if any of you feel so inclined, we would really appreciate some support. Any amount would be helpful, even if it's just $5.00, that would be awesome.

If you're not in a place to donate or something like that, you can still be a huge support to us by keeping us in your prayers!

Things you can pray for us about:

1. Funding

2. Strength, improvement in technique

3. Encouragement

I just spent this whole time talking, so I thought I would let the girls have a few words of their own about the trip, so this is what Tabithah said.

Hey y'all! I just wanted to say that I really appreciate all of your support and prayers. I'll miss you guys! -Tabithah

If you are interested in supporting us in any way, please email me at keturahthomson12@gmail.com, or Facebook message me, whichever you prefer.

Peace out!

~Keturah

"The Way to Get a Boyfriend is to Get a Job at McDonalds." -Customer

Hello!

Most of the time when I write on here, it's about the bible and stuff, but since this blog is about counting my blessings, I feel the liberty to also write a bit of other stuff sometimes.

What, you ask?

Well let's begin by saying that this past February, God blessed me with a job! I've been working at McDonalds, which has been great.

My recent theory is that I am now bound to live a long and prosperous life, since I have been blessed by so many people at McDonalds.

No, I don't mean just normally blessed, I mean verbally blessed. It's been interesting.

Anyway, I just thought I would share a few stories which I thought were funny, feel free to laugh, or judge... y'know, whatever. I won't be offended. Especially if you don't tell me you're judging. I would appreciate that.

So story #1! This one day at work, I was on my break, just chatting, while drinking water, life was good, but then all of a sudden, my voice stopped. In the middle of my sentence, words just stopped coming out. I kinda cleared my throat, took another sip, and tried to continue talking. Nope. No voice. 

I laughed and told my coworker, "I'm sorry," (in a very quiet raspy voice) "I don't know what's going on." I took another sip, but still nothing. So I went back out to work, and tried to call out an order number at the counter. 

"Now serving guest with the order number 901!" I croaked. I don't think my coworkers even heard me.

One of my wonderful coworkers then offered to speak for me, so all I had to do was put orders together, which worked well, until one of the regulars showed up at the counter. "Keturah!" He greeted me, enthusiastic as he always is.

(insert frog voice here) "Hello!"

Oh my goodness. Yeah. That was an interesting day.

One time I got offered a piano. That wasn't really a story, but like... Who gets offered a piano at McDonalds?

Recently, there was a guy who, upon giving him a coffee refill, decided to give me some advice and encouragement for how to be successful. He recommended universities, and strongly encouraged me to get a good education.

A few weeks afterward, I gave him another refill, and got a repeat of the speech. This time though, he actually asked what I was planning on doing with my life. I told him I wanted to do ballet, and he looked SO disappointed. After much questioning and passive agressive disapproval, he was still determined to bless me in my efforts, so he gave me a long speech about how to become successful in the arts, which, (he made sure to add) VERY few people are successful in.

That was not the last time I was to see him though! Yesterday I saw him again, and received another speech about how to be successful in ballet. I am getting the feeling he will be wanting regular updates...

Well, I'll leave it at that. I hope that was a fun read, next time I'm sure I'll be back to posting more serious stuff.

To everything there is a season, A time for every purpose under heaven:....... A time to weep, And a time to laugh; A time to mourn, And a time to dance; (Ecclesiastes 3:1, 4)

Israel

I was sitting in a bible study recently, and the leader was quizzing us on old testament facts. He went through Abraham, and his descendants, asking questions like, "What were Abraham's two sons' names? Which one was the promised one?" Then, "What were Isaac's two sons' names? Which one was blessed?" "What did Jacob's name become?" and "What does Israel mean?"

He asked other questions past that I think, but I confess I stopped paying attention. My mind stayed on the name that Jacob was given, Israel.

"What does Israel mean?" 

One of the kids had answered, and they were right, "Wrestles with God." "Contends with God."

Before that night, I had always thought of the meaning of Israel in light of the story found in Genesis 32, but all of a sudden it occurred to me that long after Jacob died, his children continued to be called by that name. They became a nation that was known as "Wrestles with God."

It's very appropriate, for that they did.

All throughout the old testament, you see them submit to God, then rebel, then suffer, then submit. (then rebel, then suffer, then submit, rebel, suffer...) They were constantly wrestling with God.

But here is the coolest part.

When Jesus made the final sacrifice, and fulfilled the law, they didn't stop being Israel.

Not only that, but Jesus didn't open the door for everyone to simply be followers of God, He opened the door for everyone to be a part of Israel.

Israel didn't get to be free from being called "Wrestles with God," we got to start being called that!

I feel almost like it is a reassurance to us now, that way back when God named Jacob Israel, He knew we would wrestle with Him. He knew that the ones He would save would fight Him, but He still chose to do it.

Today, as I was thinking about this, I happened upon a verse in the Psalms, which was so cool in light of all of this.

And he has raised up for his people a horn, the praise of all his faithful servants, of Israel, the people close to his heart. Praise the Lord. (Psalm 148:14 NIV)

What does He call them?

"All of His faithful servants, of Israel, the people close to His heart."

2016, Ice Cream, and Acknowledging God

Happy New Year!

I am taking a little break from Project: Who is I AM? for a minute to tell you about something I learned yesterday, but I am still planning on releasing Part 3 on Jan. 3rd if possible.

So yesterday, as my family all gathered around and played board games and snacked on a variety of treats and portzelkie, (a doughnut sort of thing) I got to thinking about 2015, and the year ahead.

I was about to ask God for direction in 2016, for His leading and a clear picture of what I should be doing, when a verse came to mind.

Trust in the Lord with all your heart, And lean not on your own understanding; In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He shall direct your paths. (Proverbs 3:5, 6)

It's a common verse, but somehow I had missed something.

The verse doesn't say "Ask the Lord to direct your paths," it's a promise. As long as you acknowledge Him in all of your ways.

I think our prayer for the new year should not be, "Lord, give me direction," but "Lord, teach me to acknowledge You in all my ways."

I thought of an analogy, it would be like if I said, "If you help me clean my room, I will give you an icecream cone." But instead of asking me where my things go, you, knowing that my desire was to give you ice cream, kept asking me, "Keturah, please give me an ice cream cone." That might be slightly frustrating for me.

Anyway, that is my verse for 2016, and if I accomplish nothing else this year but to learn to acknowledge God in all my ways, that will be enough.

But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you. (Matthew 6:33)