Making Lancaster County Home

Wow! I don't think I have ever swiped my plastic so much in one month, as I have this past August! Moving from one state to another sure is an expensive business, especially when moving to Pennsylvania! There is a fee for everything in Pennsylvania! After spending lots of money getting my car and drivers license squared away, getting background checks done for all my new teaching jobs, and buying the everyday household items needed to furnish my studio apartment with, I am finally beginning to feel settled. I feel like up until now, I have been so occupied with running around to and fro, like a crazy person, trying to get everything accomplished before the school year starts where I will then finally officially start teaching on staff year-round with Silver Springs Dance Conservatory, and Cavod Academy of the Arts. I've been such a busy girl lately, and now I'm a broke one too! I have nothing left in my pockets but lint! I won't be leaving my home anymore this month, not for anything!!! Unless it is to leave to make more money somewhere. You can giggle because I am exaggerating (but only a little ☺) Times get tight sometimes, but I am happy.

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"I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content WHATEVER the circumstances. I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do all this through CHRIST who gives me strength."
- Philippians 4:11-13

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It is good to be back blogging! Right now I am at the Barnes and Noble in town at the Red Rose Commons. It is not quite the same as the quaint Willie Morris Library on Jacksonian Plaza that I used to blog at all the time when I lived in Jackson MS. I guess I will have to find a new quaint place to blog at. I will have to check out the library here not far from where I live and let ya know how it is! I hope you like my "Weekend Whatevers" because here are 10 more for ya!

 1. I kinda wanna see this movie. ☺

2. Have you guys seen the new Ballet Magnificat website!? If not go check it out! It's updated and looks great!
3. I am so obssessed right now with Ben Platt's song Grow As We Go and it's video.

4. When things are tight, the first things I cut from my grocery list are the nonessentials such as chewing gum. I really miss this right now. haha. Take my word for it! This gum is the best tasting chewing gum you will ever taste in your whole life. It's like mint, but sweeter! It is hard to find but I can always count on Walmart to have it stocked. And did you check out the link? Amazon has it for less then 3 dollars! Who buys gum off Amazon?

5. Something else I am really missing right now is this. I am thankful for iheart radio that keeps me connected to "Hallellujah FM", my favorite radio station based in Jackson MS.
6. Has anyone ever heard of a "Noodle Board"? I had no idea what they were until I came across the concept on pinterest. Now I want one for my apartment! Especially this one on Etsy!
7. I love getting room sprays from Bath and Body Works. I went there the other day to get one for my new place and ended up trying a new one called Crisp Morning Air. It smells like a man, more than I initally thought. Not bad. If you like that sort of thing go check this out. I think I will get another scent next time.
8. This has yet to be publicized, but dear readers, I want you to be the first to get a load of this end-of-summer sale happening at LCDancewear for a limited time, while supplies lasts! All Shirt Skirts ordered in Tie-Dye are going on sale 30% off up until the last day of summer, September 22nd, so I'd get a jump on it if I were you! 

9. For anyone out there that loves to travel just as much as me, and loves saving a buck or two or lots more, you have to get this app I've just discovered! As described by google, "Hopper predicts flight prices with 95% accuracy up to 1 year in advance. No ads, no spam, no stress — just accurate predictions and the easiest way to book and save."
10. Lastly, I would like to leave you with this AMAZING note worthy quote I heard in church by David Dickson, “I have taken all my good deeds and all my bad deeds, and cast them … in a heap before the Lord, and fled from both, and betaken myself to the Lord Jesus Christ, and in him I have sweet peace!”

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...Like I said things are finally starting to slow down a little for me... before they pick up again I suppose. I only have one more week before I start  teaching with Cavod and I am so excited about it! Most things have fallen into  place quite well, though I am still trying to find a third job, possibly a hotel front desk agent?! That is what I'm praying for anyway.  I think I would be good at it and would meet lots of interesting people! I guess we'll see!
I hope you liked those "Weekend Whatevers"! Let me know what you think about this kind of blog format and if you think I should continue to do them! Keep a lookout for my apartment tour post  which will be going up soon!
Comment, follow, subscribe, to keep up with my adventures, and let me know what you want to here about next! Thanks for stopping by!

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Transitions

Hello Readers! SO many things have happened in my life since I last updated you! All good things I suppose, I just don't know where to begin! I guess I'll pick up where I left off!

"If you are not growing, you are dead" - anonymous

(click to enlarge)

In my last blog post, I reported to you about my final experience performing as a professional ballerina on tour with Ballet Magnificat. A night to remember, my final bow can be viewed HERE. Special thanks to my dear friend Ashley for capturing this footage for us. Even though May 10th marked the end of my touring career, I still assumed my position with Ballet Magnificat until the end of last month where then I officially retired myself from the world of professional dance. 
So what is next, you ask? Well, before I jump into that I would like to take a moment to touch on the amazing month I had this past July. It would be outrageous of me not to mention it! Every July, for the past nine years of my life, I've had the wonderful opportunity and privilege of participating in Ballet Magnificat's Summer Dance Intensive, my first year as a student, and each succeeding year after that as a ballet teacher and counselor to the students. This year I was put in charge of shepherding eleven 12-to-14-year-olds in the dorms. A splendid group of girls, they are pictured to the right. My responsibilities to them included, but were not limited to living in the Belhaven University dorms with them, caring for them, praying for them, planning weekend activities, and leading bible studies for them. It is Ballet Magnificat's busiest but also most exciting time of year! We all love it! The Ballet Magnificat Summer Dance Intensive is so much more than just an intensive for the students to perfect their ballet technique, but is also a time of intense growth spiritually as well, for students and counselors alike! I was blown away this summer by God's unabated presence, and by witnessing the awesomeness of his power soften hearts and change lives.
SO NOW that my last summer dance intensive with Ballet Magnificat is all said-and-done, and my contract with them, expired, the season of fun transitions begins! It was only five days ago that I pack up more than just my suitcase this time, but my whole life, into two vehicles and with the help of my parents, trekked back up north to Pennsylvania where I am originally from. 



I am thrilled to share with you that for the 2019-2020 school year as I reestablish a new life for myself in the Lancaster County PA area, I will be entering into a new career teaching ballet at both Silver Spring Dance Conservatory and the Cavod Academy of the Arts in New Holland.     These days I feel like I'm on a rollercoaster though! There are so many unpredictable ups, and downs, and twists, and turns, in this season of new opportunity, and I have so much to plan for that I've never planned for before. When my thoughts are directed toward my future, it's as staring at a plain white canvas just waiting to be painted on, and transformed into something new. I can't remember the last time I've experienced so much newness, all at the same time. Sometimes I get scared by it all; scared to "make the first brush stroke" so to speak. I don't know how to prepare for what the Lord is going to create in and through me. I don't know "what colors" to start with on my canvas. And I question, I almost fear, and wonder what this "masterpiece" will look like in the end. Some say taking the first couple steps is the hardest. Honestly, informing Ballet Mag leadership about my decision to leave this past January was a breeze, But a semester later, reality sets in now that I am actually in Lancaster with a long to-do list before me that though is daunting, I know will ensure a smooth transition into what's next for me.

"You are the Potter and I am the clay
You are the Artist and I am the paint
You are the Writer and I am Your song
I will be Your instrument my whole life long" - shannon wexelberg


I've spent most of my first week here getting housing details squared away. I think I've found the perfect studio apartment for myself which I am so excited about, and hope to be all moved into by the end of the week, just in time before I get started teaching next week with the new organizations. There is a special little nook in the apartment I plan to dub as my crafting corner. I am dying to get all of my craft and sewing supplies unpacked so I can get Lilly's Creations back up and running again. Should I take pictures of my modest little home to share with you? Let me know in the comment section down below if an apartment tour would be something you'd be interested in seeing. Maybe I'll also do a blog post sharing my best moving tips or another on small-space living. Let me know if those ideas interest you and while you're at it, If you have any questions or ideas of your own on what I should blog about next then I want to hear! Let me know!

Lancaster Country Horse And Buggy spotting. A new normal.

So, I presume my blog will change shape slightly. Naturally, you can expect that I'll be dishing out a bit more content about Lancaster County and teaching ballet, and a bit less content about traveling across country and performing ballet. At the outset, this may sound like a step down from my previous lifestyle, what may have been perceived as an adventurous and somewhat glamorous way of life, But join me in faith believing that Lancaster Country has a lot more to offer than any of us even know. Not to mention, the Holy Spirit has reassured me the adventure has just begun! 💗 Thanks for stopping by! If you're new then welcome! If you are a returning visitor then you deserve  my deepest thanks for sticking around! I know things might be changing  a bit around here, but I want to reassure you that you won't be seeing an end to me posting about ballet, travel, and other relevent topics. Those things will forever be a part of me.  You can only expect MORE! More of everything! Life is never boring. Now go live it! Be blessed!

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