A dancing life

After the Chaco

2009-07-21T14:15:00.000-07:00

After expriencing the Chaco, I feel that I have left a titch of myself there. The scenery is variations of greenery, palm trees, and this odd tree, with a middle swollen from absrbed rain, appears incongruously among the graceful rest.

Parrots and other similarly vocal air fowls make music among the tree tops, and one can hardly be angry at them for providing alarm-clock service! After three months of darkness and rain in Puerto Montt, the warm sun shining brightly pumps energy and hope into one's spirit at a surprising rate. I would love to return to the Chaco.
Our hosts there were Gabor and Katherina. Gabor is Hungarian/Croatian, and Katherina is German. They have brought many seeds from the Mediterranean area, which they planted in their gardens, mures in the Chaco, such as cooking for the prince of Saudi Arabia, who had come to hunt jaguars. We spent thaking every meal a feast for all the senses. Gabor regaled us with stories of his childhood in Europe, and adventree days with them, hugely enjoying the differences in culture and geography. Here in Paragauy there are huge German/Menonite colonies where you come across many people who only speak German, and this creates such an interesting conglomeration, when mixed with all the localities.
Right now we are in Gabor's daughter's house, back in Asuncion. Her name in Christine, her husband is Tomas, and they have two children, ages 7 and 5. Vic and Chris are having a ball with them, and Mom and I are enjoying Christine. She is exceedingly young at heart. We are leaving Sunday, and Dad is out right now, getting car parts, which he will take back to the car, which is in a little mechanic shop in the Argentine countryside.
I now shall go and sit in the sun, allowing Paraguay to work its charm on this girl.

On our way to Paraguay

2009-07-13T08:51:00.000-07:00

As I deam this trip to be a lifetime adventure, I also deem it worthy of note on this blog.

We planned the ginormous trip about one week before departure. It was pretty cut and dry: pack for a week; drive three days; spend five days in the capital of Paraguay, Asuncion, for the World Mennonite Conference Assembly; drive home, stopping in Bariloche, Argentina to visit friends. It's averaging 70 degrees in Asuncion, a definite incentive to make the long trek: escape freezing, rainy Puerto Montt. This was going to be so great!

Right now I'm sitting in a little hotel lobby in Eduardo Castex, in the middle of the Argentine pampa. The day was cold, but the sun shone brightly. It's exceptionally dry in this area, and my face feels tight, regardless of how much lotion I apply. The cars whiz by on the highway outside the window. Last night, we ourselves were whizzing through when the car's motor made a frighting bang and stopped. Dad steered us off the highway onto the grassy shoulder, and the rest of us put on our shoes and prepared to jump. Dad examined the engine and determined a serious problem had occurred. We gathered together and prayed the car would start, so we could drive back to the last town. A miracle took place as the engine sputtered to life, and we slowly made our way backwards. We arrived safetly to the little town, and a service station never looked so wonderful! After settling in at a lovely hotel behind the service station, we went out walking, searching for some Argentine steak. At the restaurant, a mechanic was waiting, and he and Dad talked about the car.

After a wonderful rest, the morning dawned gloriously and the day seemed full of hope. Dad stayed with the car, and the rest of us lounged in the hotel lobby. At lunch time, Dad gave us the lowdown: the car is out for at least a week. We will continue our journey by bus and will leave tonight at 9:30 pm.

In the afternoon, we visisted a park that has life-sized statues of dinosuars, watched TV and read at the hotel, and walked two miles further into the town where Dad and Mom bought bus tickets and Dad checked out the car's insurance. We children hung out in the quiet plaza watching folks zoom around on bycycles and motor bikes.

Life in God's will is good.

Cleaning my Glasses

2009-03-24T08:35:00.000-07:00

Why did Jesus take His disciples to the Mt. of Olives, knowing Judas was leading the temple guards there to arrest Him? Why did He re-fasten the sliced-off ear of a servant who was party to his arrest? How could Peter thrice betray Jesus, mere hours after he swore to follow Him even unto death?

Having been familiar with the oft-told sequence leading up to the Passion of Christ, none of these questions have crossed my mind for years, if ever. It just happened that way: it was God's plan for man's redemption, and Jesus was the consummately obedient Son. Sure it was hard; His sweat fell like drops of blood as He considered His near future.... but we all know how it ends.

Spending an hour every Monday night reading a chapter of John, with people who know the story only from the movies (and movies are nothing like the book), brings a new dimension to Jesus' life. What He did for us, and bears in us now even though we know better, is the same picture painted with a different color. I'm falling in love with my Savior all over again as I discover Him again through the eyes of those who have never heard of His goodness. He knows me better than anyone. I call out His Name, and He is already by my side. He is my personal friend. And I can see it all now clearer than ever.

VDM '09

2009-02-15T12:00:00.000-08:00

(The view from our window one afternoon.)

A "Verano de Misiones" (VDM) is a week-long camp provided by some Youth With A Mission (YWAM) bases where teens can get a week-long taste of missions. It involves teachings on Teamwork and Intercession (among many other things), choreography and skit workshops, and team games that illustrate the teachings. Street evangelism is always interjected sometime during the week.

I participated in one such camp three years ago in Pichilemu (up north), and just this past week joined my friend and attended a VDM on the big island of Chiloe (in the south). Both were a wonderful time.

Lessens I learned from this one past: God can reach you through people with a different theological background than yours, He use you when you are doing something you don't believe works, and He is always anxious to reach you, even when you acting as an observer. Important things to keep in mind.

(Riding a bus into Castro.)

(Catching a snack after some fearsome skits and evangelism.)

..... and a Happy New Year

2009-01-01T15:35:00.000-08:00

There is no place like home. No matter if you've just spent the last seven months in the Land of Plenty. No matter if you're thousands of miles away from family. No matter if you've left a pretty good life for one in a developing country. No place is like home.
We moved into our rambling old house when I was about two years old, and have spent the last fifteen years making into a comfortable abode full of good memories. Our city has grown, modernized, is constantly altered with bottles of grafitti spray paint, and confirms the theory that the world is faithfully degenerating in the never-ending downward spiral. Never the less, there is no geographical location that I know better or feel more comfortable in. As dad walked up the creaking stairs to his bedroom, he called across to my mother, "Oh, I love our house!"; only a verbalization of what I've been exalting in.
The first day of the new year was celebrated with a lamb and beef cookout in the bright summer sunshine, and the air breathed into my ear, "Home".

Merry Christmas.... in the US!

2008-12-26T17:35:00.000-08:00

Our first 25th of December in the US to spend with blood relations and new friends. We had a lovely Christmas dinner at Mommom's and spent a wonderful afternoon with Aunt, Uncles, and cousins, playing games and being a family.

At Eleanor's Christmas Eve.

Playing Scrabble 'round the table at Aunt Peggy's.

Zach, Deb, and Jon (home from Colorado!) checking out a Scrabble word online.

Mother looking beautiful.

Abby and Em checking out presents....

Modeling a pair of Uncle Dave's glasses....

When we came, little AJ was a month old.... Now he is so big....

Chrissy chatting with Uncle Ricky.

Austin (home from the Marines!) and Taylor chillin' on the couch watching basketball.

Crammed in the car on the way Blue Mountain.... What an adventure.

We leave in two days. We're packing up our little home. Trying to stuff seven months into 12 suitcases and six carry-ons. ONLY SIX of us are returning! This is our life. We can do it.

A Day Later....

2008-11-21T08:56:00.001-08:00

This morning we awoke to this!
Someone was busy dusting our world last night...

Tried to get rid of this shot but something's up with this page today...

These bright ladies aren't daunted!

Little Chrissy in her winter parka. Isn't she a doll?

The view from my bedroom window.

November

2008-11-18T12:45:00.000-08:00

IT'S SNOWING!!!!!!
Today winter began in earnest. Snow came in flurries twice today. WOW.

The flurries come and go really, but the temps have been in the 30-40 range most days this week.

Yesterday we as a family went to a musicale called Sounds of Christmas at the Living Waters Theater in Lancaster. It was truly wonderful. Christmas is coming and for the first time in my life, it feels as if Christmas were an adventure in an unknown winter wonderland. Christmas in the summer just doesn't cut it the same!

Today I'm going to the Harrisburg Area Community College campus in Bridgeport (close to where we live in Willow Valley) to see about internet courses I might take while in Chile.....

October

2008-10-13T12:08:00.001-07:00

Beautiful leaves!

L to R: Heidi (she's been to Chile), Deb, Rachel, Caitlin, myself, and Becky)
Our Church's Family Fun Night was last night. We went on a hay ride and roasted marshmallows and I read by the firelight. The fall chill was absent during the day but came out in full force once the sun went down!

We all.

Mom's new glasses don't co-operate for good pictures!

Tio Lee and Tia Pati & Our Old YES Team

2008-09-02T11:32:00.001-07:00

We had a wonderful last week wth our dear foster grandparents who flew from Colorado to see us. We love you guys so much!!

Friday evening we had a 2004 YES team reunion, (minus Alan :'( ). It was great to see these each other again and get to know the husbands!!

Dana was my "mother" the week the team took care of us in Chile when my parents flew up here for a funeral. I loved being her only "child"!

G'Bye Mayos.... Happy Birthday Chrissy!!

2008-09-02T11:17:00.001-07:00

My now 8 year old sister!

With our daddy...

I'm holdin my newest cousin, little Titus. Him and his parents are moving to Florida tomorrow. :'(

Love you guys!

Little AJ has grown so much! Deborah moved out today.

:D

2008-08-25T07:06:00.000-07:00

This past week the whole Hostetter clan (minus only two cousins) spent a glorious week at the bay together. We boated, tubed, fished, or read (I read an average of one book per day), and my uncles and aunts reminisced over their childhood, entertaining us cousins with hilarious stories until the wee hours. In short, it was one of the best weeks of the summer.

Myself, second cousin Clara, first cousin Emily, and Uncle Dave preparing for a ride.

Everyone had a blast on the boat!

Dad with his little girls and grandnieces.

Mommom and Mom in the huge kitchen.

This dock was always populated with fishermen, sunbathers, or the uncles and aunts talking.

Tubing! It was the most fun ever....

I can do anything!

2008-08-04T09:39:00.000-07:00

Yesterday was one of those days. You know, when everything could be totally awful, but turns out awesomely instead.

Our church met at this lovely retreat center called Black Rock and each one of us shared something about ourselves as missionaries. During "my turn" I did a worship dance. Yep. And I survived! Better yet, folks came up to me afterwards, thanking me for going out on the limb and blessing them. I am so amazed that God could use me...... He is so amazing and we are so undeserving.

The afternoon was wonderful..... Reading on the swings under shady trees, holding new babies, checking out the trails, and finding landmarks that remained familiar after a three-year hiatus. Since the last time I was there they installed this sweet pool where we whiled away the hot afternoon hours swimming or reading by the pool side. In the evening Deb and I hung out with some other girls from church, getting to know them better and feeding our souls.

Who deserves such a perfect day?

A Bit of Bliss

2008-08-01T17:25:00.000-07:00

Tonight we had supper with my dad's cousin Dale and his wonderful wife Dorthea. They work an enormous and very beautiful dairy farm here in PA, but they have an amazing world view, reflected in the fact that each of their five children have traveled extensively over the globe to further God's kingdom.

Playing with their four little kittens in the big ole barn, being observed by suspicious heifers (teenage cows!), and feeding a bottle to a ravenous calf under the shade of a grape vine fills me with the joy and peace evident in God's beautiful creation.

Some Ballet Mag! Pics.......... Finally!

2008-07-27T16:48:00.000-07:00

These are all the girls from my hall in Gillespie Dorm. (L to R top: Hannah, Stephanie, Kelsey, our counselor Naomi, myself, Rachel, my roomate Sarah, and Reagan. Bottom are: Alecia, Emily, Rebecca, Jaci, and Megan.)

Dear roomie Sarah and me.

Rebecca and me right before The Hiding Place performance.

After having a ball in the warm Mississippi rain. One of my best memories!

Well, I don't have any more pics in this pc..... so you'll just have to wait for more! :D

(sigh)

2008-07-27T14:43:00.000-07:00

All right..... Mississippi was insanely incredible. Like awesome. The hardest yet best time in my life yet. It's been kinda hard coming back to "the real world"...... But God is gracious.

The day after I got, back our church began its VBS week. I was assisstent pottery maker and it was lots more fun than I had anticipated. Children are really amazing! Just spending those five evenings of VBS with our church family helped me get to know them all better. Lots happens in three years!

Deb got back form her transition seminar on Friday so I finally got to see her after five weeks. Saturday I worked all day at the White Horse Mennonite Gift and Thrift Shoppe (which is the most fun ever!) I even learned how to man the cash register! I made a lot of mistakes..... but everyone was very gracious. I blushed a lot though.

Good weekend, though I caught a cold and feel rather stuffy.

Tomorrow we're off to Maryland!

Another Week..... Half-way Point!

2008-07-05T16:06:00.000-07:00

Well Saturday morning all the girls and guys here for two weeks left, and it was hard seeing some of the parents pick them up and know I am not to see my family for another two weeks. And yet I am very glad not to be saying goodbye to my dear friends. Soooooo...... This week we learned the Spanish variation from the Ballet Mag! ballet A Christmas Dream. The story is based on the Nutcracker, but it is about all the different countries coming to worship Jesus. It was so much fun! We have also learned a solo from The Hiding Place ballet. They are all so beautiful there is something so powerful in a dance created for the glory of God. Every time I dance one, I feel so close to God. It's like a prayer.

Jazz classes are insane as our teacher has been Ms. Kathy Thibodeux's (Ballet Mag's founder, directer, and Alpha Company principle still at the age of 52) daughter, Tara. Like mother, like daughter! Ms. Kathy actually taught our technique class Friday morning, and she is better than all the 20-some company members put together. The talent here in general is amazing and slightly overwhelming to observe when the company member, apprentices, or trainees perform or teach class. I am loving the beautiful art.

Last night we actually got off-campus to go to a Vicky Beeching concert at this mega-church called Pine Lake. Vicky is an English worship leader who has since moved to the US and released several CDs. It was a wonderful time.

People, my God is an awesome God!

2008-06-27T19:33:00.000-07:00

One of the lovely fountains (that we are not allowed to play in) outside the cafeteria.

A whole week has passed! Actually we have technique class for an hour and 45 minutes tomorrow morning, but that is nothing. My schedule has been: up at 7 for breakfast, then come back to the dorms to get into my 'tard and tights and do my hair. Chapel is at 8:30 and if my days classes are in the Ballet Mag! studios, I hop on a big yellow school bus at 9:30, and if not, I just walk down the hall to the Belhaven studios. Tech is actually a killer class after which I'm usually so tired I'm not even hungry. Lunch break ends all too soon and class (variations, improvisation, jazz, modern, etc) begins at 1:45 till 3. At 3:15 we have our last class of the day and stumble back to the bus or our dorms. I then shower before going to supper. In the evening we have small group, or Bible study, or a Ballet Mag! company performance (tomorrow we will see The Hiding Place! yay!), or free time. Lights out is at 10.

This evening we had creative worship, and perhaps God has me here to break the bonds I have put on myself in that area of just praising Him without giving anything else a second thought. In any case, it was beautiful and I was able to put this whole deal into perspective because God is so in control and I just need to do what I need to do where He puts me. So though these weeks are going to be incredibly challenging, there is nothing I cannot do. Last night after our halls' small group time I had a beautiful time with one of the girls as she affirmed that for whatever reason God had for bringing me here, He will do or reveal to me.

Anyway, I'm missing all the fun out there.....

God is good!

I'm....... HERE!!

2008-06-22T15:57:00.000-07:00

Yep, in Jackson, Mississippi, after all these years of dreams. The arrival was complication-free, with the exception that I almost missed my shuttle from airport to Belhaven College, and it all went very smoothly. The campus is lovely, if hot, and I have the sweetest roommate, Sarah T. In two hours I have my placement class, and I confess to a tangled belly of nerves. What if I'm stuck in the lowest level with a bunch of tiny 11 year olds?
If that tipped you off, yes, I am suffering from an acute case of intimidation. There are 150 wonderful ballet dancers, if they weren't, they wouldn't be here, and ME.
I am not sure when I will be able to update this blog, so don't hold your breath. I will do my best, though!
Off to stretch and warm up......................

2008-06-17T19:41:00.000-07:00

Saturday the 14th we left PA at about 8 in the morning, driving till 2 when we reached our destination, the house of Jay and Evie H., some old friends of my parents (Jay is also a cousin of my dad) about an hour outside of Richmond, Virginia. We spent a wonderful afternoon at their lovely house, splashing in their pool, reading on their porch, and enjoying the renewal of our acquaintance. We hadn't seen them in ten years. Jordan also learned in the ins and outs of a tree stand and bow hunting.

Sunday morning we were out early, driving to - Church in Richmond. Deb and I were born during out parent's involvement with their ministry and each person of the congregation seemed to have a special memory of my parents or Deb and me. It was truly a beautiful and filling service.

Immediately afterwards we began driving to New Bern, North Carolina to see Shawn and Jeanette S.; the last time we were in the US we stayed in their old house in PA. Not too many people will share their home with a family of seven! We miraculously found their deli in town and as miracle number two, Jeanette was there to meet us! Upon arriving at their new house we were delighted to find that they still had their fabulous 4-wheeler!! Wooowhoo! What a blast we had with it.

Monday morning we went to the beach where we frolicked in the Atlantic Ocean and got burnt a lobster red. At 2pm we cleared out and drove six hours to my Aunt Connie's home in Charlotte. There we spent the evening with the Zweibohmer/Linn/Hauck family.

Today we had some together time with Hunter and Emily, cousins Katie and Lauren's kids, respectively. Well!

Ballet Magnificat! minus 5!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

view pics here: http://picasaweb.google.com/elizabeth.hostetter/USTrip08

2008-06-07T14:56:00.000-07:00

With my cousin Abigail last evening.
New second cousin Wyatt.

Cousin Michael, his wife Kara with little AJ, Mommom, myself with Wyatt, Aunt Peggy, and Adrienne,

and my other darling new second cousin AJ, but first....................

In the plane coming here.... My favorite plane ride was this one, from Puerto Montt to Santiago. We were finally off!

In Santiago we spent five hours waiting, and when we went through customs we got a bit of a scare as Deb and I went through separately and were separated from the rest of the family. They finally caught up with us when our plane began to board!

Miami airport was an immense bore, as usual, but thankfully our time there was brief: only about two hours. What a welcome into the heat! That first step out the door was like a humid slap to the face and I wanted to scurry back to freezing Chile..... for about two minutes.

The plane from Miami to Philly was the LONGEST ever. There was an air-traffic delay during which we remained parked for an hour in the plane but I did make myself comfortable on mom's shoulder for a snooze. Do we look wasted or what?

We arrived in Philly at about 11:40, and the sight of our dear friends, the Stoltzfuses, there to greet was a sight from heaven! Lunch was at Friendly's and we were hugging our grandma hello about two hours later.

PA, prepare yourself for the invasion of the galloping herd.

Here and Lovin' It

2008-06-05T08:42:00.000-07:00

I'm wearing a tee-shirt and shorts, I'm at my grandma's house, yesterday I had supper at my Uncle and Aunt's, today it's at my cousin's...... I'm in PA, and so very, very glad.
My head still hurts, my ears ache slightly, I'm still getting dizzy spells, and eleven hours of sleep last night did not completely eradicate the effects of the trip here, but I'M HERE! And so very, very glad.

In The Middle Mish-Mash

2008-05-29T16:10:00.000-07:00

Tomorrow we fly out of Puerto Montt to begin our three month furlogh, and we are all stuggling with feelings of excitement, anticipation, but also sadness and the other mixed emotions that accompany the closing of a chapter in life, for when we return, we will not have Deborah with us.

Deb and I have been sleeping together since Monday night. We have stayed talking to the wee hours of the morning of everything under the sun (including everything not under it) and when I'm the oldest sister by myself, I know I'm gonna miss her so much. Deb and I are complete opposites, and we either are at complete odds, or in complete agreement, like two legos that clash until turned the right way and fitted neatly together.

Anyways, this week has been filled with goodbyes. Deborah's birthday was Tuesday. She turned 18 and we planned a surprise party for her. It was a fun time, but as the "last time" it was also tinged with goodbye blues.

Saturday morning I had my last ballet class here in Puerto Montt for three months. It was a nice time together, and probably the easiest goodbye because it is my greatest constant amidst all the change.
Pati, I will miss our jazz pose!

Saturday night we had a large group of our oldest friends over for another fun/sad evening.
Sunday afternoon the Four Sisters (best friends Coni, Cole, Deb, and me) spent our last time together......... for who knows how long.

Today is crazy packing and cleaning, and I just want to get out of here. How many mixed emotions can a person feel without going crazy?

The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian

2008-05-22T15:17:00.000-07:00

I love C.S. Lewis. I love how he invites us to partake of his genius with his clear explanations of the divine. I love his fiction and nonfiction, and I LOVE the Chronicles of Narnia, which I hold as my favorite series ever.

Introduced to us when I was about 7 by our dear friends, Lee and Patti H., the series captivated Deborah, Jordan, and myself over long winter nights curled up on the sofa listening to Tía Patti's voice bring the books alive. Aslan comforted me when the wind howled outside, Lucy infused me with the feelings of invincibility as the youngest and most faithful Pevensie, and as I grew older, the books never lost their luster or ability to pull me into the Narnia world.

My personal favorite book is The Horse and His Boy. Maybe because its a rags-to-riches story, or becuase it involves a Persian/Turkish influence, I don't know. But I do so love it and really hope they make the movie.

That said, I do like the movies that have been made so far. Inspite of the not-exactly to-the-letter faithfulness to the books, it has been fun to give the characters faces and to see the events made "real". Or as real as the silver screen gets.

Yesterday was a holiday, so Pati, Coti, Pili, and I went to the movie theater so see Prince Caspian; it was hilarious and so much fun. Hopefully we didn't bug too many people with our "whispered" comments! We all eagerly await The Voyage of the Dawn Treader. What will Eustace Scrubb look like?

La Lluvia

2008-05-19T11:46:00.000-07:00

Finally it has rained in Puerto Montt! After an abnormally dry year thus far, things are once again set aright. On Thursday it was very overcast with part clouds, part smoke and ash from the Volcano Chaiten that has been doggedly blowing north.

There was a hint of rain all Thursday, but mostly a tearing wind that buffeted to and fro. Friday the wind brought sporadic bursts of rain with it, as if the clouds parted with it painfully. I was hoping all afternoon to evade the imminent downpour long enough to get to ballet, and thankfully succeeded. In the evening the clouds finally unleashed their weightily burden upon the parched earth with much ferocity.

Coming home, I had to wait a full half hour for my bus under the eaves of a building by the road, and got thoroughly chilled. The rain was beautiful though, as it fell in enormous, shiny drops that burst on the street in clean splatters. The street lights were framed in auras of kaleidoscopical drops of rain, rain, rain.

2008-05-13T08:45:00.000-07:00

Coti and I sharing the dregs of dessert.

The Dare was to drink this unknown concoction .

I guess it was pretty gross!

Revving up for more with coffee at 4am.

Always energy for goofy pictures!

I didn't post on Saturday, Sunday, or Monday because I've been trying to process what all happened at the birthday party Friday night-Saturday and deciding on how to share it.
The hours between 9pm and 5am are almost indescribable. It was a riot. It was a time of laughter and fun as we spent two and a half hours playing Pictionary. It was a time of soul baring honesty as we played Truth or Dare. It was a time of tears, and it was a time to remember and cherish as probably the best times I've shared with my dear friends.

A Ballet Junta

2008-05-09T07:46:00.000-07:00

Before you look at the title and say "Golly, are they planning to rule the country, immediately after a coup d'etat, and before a legally constituted government has been instituted?", let me be quick to assure you that I am referring to "junta" only as Chilean teen slang for hanging out. Tomorrow we are presenting an excerpt of the Straussian waltz at a Red Cross event, but tonight my class is gonna party!(A junta relic. Don't worry! It only lasted three days.)

Before you conjure up an image of girls wildly carousing about in tutus, let me be quick to assure you that the purpose is to celebrate a birthday by having a sleepover. Maria Ignacia is celebrating another year of life and the rest of our class is going to help her do so. Who cares that we have practice this afternoon until 8PM and a show at 11AM tomorrow? We are going to have a rollicking good time tonight.(Sleepover at Cristina's over the summer. L-R: Pili, Cris, myself, Coti, and Pati)

These times of sharing together outside the studio have only just begin to occur over the past six months or so. Though everyone in our group of eight has known each other for at least six years, closer friendships have evolved slowly, and now are being solidified as we get to know each other for who we are individually, not as lumped with our backgrounds. Coti, Pati, Cris, Coni, Pili, Cata, Nacha, and I are so extremely different! Our ages range between 14 and 16 (I am third from the oldest), we represent five different schools, and our forefathers hailed from three different continents.

When we were younger these boundaries seemed unsurmountable, indeed, my younger years in ballet were painfully lonely. These past three years, however, as we began to have more classes together and more performances (both locally and outside Puerto Montt), we have spent more time together and are beginning to discover the uniqueness of each person.(Baking with Coni over the summer)

All the girls are from a staunch Catholic background, though some are more faithful than others, and my work has been to represent the Person of Jesus to them, as a personal Savior and Friend. We have had very in-depth and intense conversations, covering topics ranging from homosexuality to making good choices in the face of injustice, and I trust that God will orchestrate another such opportunity for me to represent Him in whatever pops up tonight!

2008-05-08T08:04:00.000-07:00

All right. I have just created myself a blog, and in that joined the more than 12 million people who have one. My personal purpose of blogging is to invite you all into the part of my life labeled "ballet".
Now that I have begun, I want to kick myself for not having sooner, because though this is my eleventh year in Ecuela de Ballet, Cristina Ortega F. ballet school, it is also my last. Maybe this will be my way of saying goodbye to this part in my life.
Meanwhile, I still dance, and the best opportunity in my world of ballet is coming up in June! On the 22th I will be in Jackson Mississippi to begin a month at Ballet Magnificat!'s (www.balletmagnificat.com/E_summer.html) summer intensive workshop. Here I will spend six days a week, six hours a day, DANCING! Classes include jazz, modern, variation (classical ballet repertoires, as well as Ballet Magnificat! company ballets), conditioning, contemporary, pas de deux, improvisation, and creative worship. If the last tipped you off, you're right! The best part of this whole deal is that it is centered on Christ. The ballet school and company is comprised of dancers who love Jesus and worship Him through the art of dance.
I first heard of Ballet Magnificat! through an article in a '99 Brio maganzine that somehow found its way to Puerto Montt, Chile. Our furlough after that I was still too young to attend and the last time we went to the US the workshop wasn't a priority. But in December of '07 I printed the scholarship application and began to prepare for the audition video which I filmed and sent in February. March was spent waiting and wondering, and in April I was emailed with the incredible news that it had been granted to me! The scholarship covered tuition, and I am responsible for room and board, which will be at the Belhaven College in Jackson. The workshop ends July 19, and by then I hope to have a clear vision of what place dance is to hold in my life.
Well, that is the beginning, and I plan update frequently, so keep stopping by!

Hasta Luego (until the next)-
Elizabeth L.