We were so privileged to be part of a Christian dance company in Clemson, SC. When it comes to dance, for us, we do not have to do it. So if a studio promotes immodesty and raunchy moves and inappropriate music...we just will not be part of that. We can find other things. God created our bodies to glorify Him and some dance studios clearly don't realize that. When we moved, I wondered if I'd be able to find such a place again as "Faith in Motion," in Clemson.
I asked around and found Columbia County Ballet - part of the performing company, Augusta Ballet. They are a Christ focused and centered studio. I can trust what my daughter will be wearing, hearing, and doing will be appropriate and beautiful and that means so much to me!
Every year for 30 years or so now, Augusta Ballet has performed a very special production called, "The Roar of Love." This is a production of C.S. Lewis's novel, "The Lion, The Witch, & The Wardrobe." Most of us have grown up reading the novel but I'm not sure everyone was taught the Spiritual symbolism from the book. It is beautiful. A very brief synopsis is that Aslan, the great lion, represents Jesus. The White Witch represents satan. The four children, are humans, who are sinners and need the sacrifice of Jesus to cover their sins...particularly Edmund in this case as Aslan gives his life to save Edmund who was far too tempted by Turkish Delight! Aslan is resurrected...the White Witch is defeated/destroyed, all is restored to the way Aslan intended Narnia to be, and in the production we see a scene of the four children displaying their own crowns as new kings and queens to the throne of the true king...(in the novel, Aslan, aka: representative of Jesus.)
It was beautiful. There was not a moment lost in this production to teach, share, show, and glorify Jesus our great Savior. I teared up not only at my own precious daughter who played the part of a firefly....adorable!!! But, at the glory of God who gave all...absolutely all...with the most perfect love that we will ever know and possess, for us so that we may know God deeply and personally and one day be able to walk with Him and see His face. Chills, right?! Ah!
Ellie played as I mentioned, a firefly. Y'all! She wore a beautiful vibrant orange tutu with matching hair piece. She and the others held orange fiberoptic glow sticks. They circled around Aslan who at this part of the production has been struck down and is lying dead. They wave their lights at him and gather in center stage with their flashing lights! Then off, they fluttered to exit the stage! I was one proud mama of the longest legged firefly I've ever seen! She is so beautiful! I am always so proud of her. She loves to perform and be on stage. She loves dancing, singing, and playing piano for people. She told me she is brave and happy, and she felt so cool!
At the end, every character came out for the finale. Eric and I stood and she saw us! And you could see from our seats her already smiling face recognize and spot her mommy and daddy...her shoulders lifted, her smile widened and her eyes lit up! We screamed and cheered and clapped with hands above our heads. Our baby saw us! I later asked her how she felt when she saw us and she said, "I felt so loved!" That is what its all about, parents!
We took her to eat "at the place with the fire" as she calls it...Miyabi hibachi grill. Both sets of her grandparents were able to be present and that was such a treasured blessing! Each grandparent gave her a special gift and Daddy & Elias gave their girl flowers.
I am so thankful for the people like those at Augusta Ballet who keep Christ first in all things and for a production that was for our true King.
Oh, and Elias sat happily the entire time watching. He never cried or complained for the entire 2 hours. Even he was captivated!
