Almond Blossoms Necklace - Rose Quartz and Fine Silver - One-of-a-Kind
Over this spring and summer I have slowly been releasing my newest collection called “Almond Blossoms.” It has been an interesting experience for me since it has all happened in and around some major events for this business: a move and an injury. It is funny how that new collection, despite how difficult it has been for me to release, is still speaking volumes. Its prophetic word has greatly encouraged me as I have struggled with getting tendonitis in my right hand.
The Jewelry’s Word Speaks to Us
“Almond Blossoms” has not only spoken to me as I have wrestled with what to do with a business that so acutely relies on the strength of my hands, but it took a surprising leap when it spoke to a young ballerina named Anna. Anna had asked me if I would help style and photograph her for an upcoming audition. Since I was in desperate need of photographing the new collection, we decided to pull double duty and make the photographs usable for both of us.
As Anna and I worked to snap the gorgeous pictures, she asked me what the collection was about. As I began to tell her, her eyes widened and she said “that word is for me!”
Almond Blossoms Rose Quartz Earrings in Sterling Silver
“Moreover the word of the LORD came to me, saying,
“Jeremiah, what do you see?”
And I said, “I see a branch of an almond tree.”
Then the LORD said to me, “You have seen well, for I am ready to perform My word.” Jeremiah 1:11-12
That Part of My Life is Dead
My simple summary was this “When God anoints your life for a purpose, even the dead things can come forth, blossom and produce fruit.” In Numbers 17 the tribes of Israel were arguing over who should be in charge of ministering to the Lord. Despite all that Aaron had done in the past to help lead Israel, not everyone agreed that he should lead the priests. To stop the fighting Moses had the leaders of the 12 tribes place their staffs in the Tabernacle of the Lord. “The next day Moses entered the tent and saw that Aaron’s staff, which represented the tribe of Levi, had not only sprouted but had budded, blossomed and produced almonds.” Numbers 17:8 God made Aaron’s dead stick bloom!
Almond Blossoms Bracelet - Rose Quartz and Fine Silver - One-of-a-Kind
Anna the ballerina started taking dance classes at the age of 13. Shortly after, she started intense training at a prestigious ballet school. During her years there she struggled to play catch up with the girls that were already in advanced levels at her age. But through passion, persistence, and patience she started to advance from one level to the next.
At the age of 15 Anna was accepted into her dream ballet school, Universal Ballet Academy (Kirov Academy), in Washington, D.C. Through the summer program and into the year round program she fought once again to play catchup to become the ballerina she dreamed of. She was greatly discouraged when she found out that some of her teachers didn’t think she had what it took to become a ballerina. The harsh words made her passion dwindle and she left the school to pursue other things.
Some times dreams and talents, visions and relationships die. Sometimes harsh words or harsh circumstances make them dry up. Sometimes it seems too much time has passed or the opposition seems too great. But when God anoints us for a purpose, no matter what kind of opposition we come against, He will cause our lives to bloom and bear fruit.
Can I Dance Again??
After a 2 year break from dancing Anna started up again and each endeavor helped her remember why she loved dancing. Part of Anna’s inspiration was reading the book Dance: God’s Holy Purpose by Dr. Ann Stevenson. This book transformed her every thought of what dancing meant to her. She came to a place where she realized that God had a BIGGER purpose for her dancing than just perfecting her technique in Swan Lake. So, Anna founded Dance Movement, an avenue for dancers who want to use their gift for Jesus Christ to touch the lives of people, in a hope to bring HIS purpose of dance back to its original state on earth… to purely worship Him and bring Him glory.
Almond Blossoms Chain Necklace - Antiqued Sterling Silver and Soft Pink Opal Nuggets
68“ Blessed is the Lord God of Israel,
For He has visited and redeemed His people,
69 And has raised up a horn of salvation for us
In the house of His servant David, …
74 To grant us that we,
Being delivered from the hand of our enemies,
Might serve Him without fear,
75 In holiness and righteousness before Him all the days of our life.” Luke 1
Can God do the BIG dreams too?
Ever since Anna started ballet, her dream was to become a professional ballerina. Over the years that dream never left, but she continued to put it off because of the words of her teachers. She simply did not believe she could, especially as the years moved on without heavy formal training on a regular basis. Anna prayed that the Lord would show her what to do with her passion for dance. Through an encouraging conversation she decided to not put her passion on the back burner anymore and to not miss the opportunity to dance with all her heart. Our photo shoot for her portfolio was right after she made that decision.
Anna threw herself in pointe shoes taking ballet classes and hit the gym. A week and a half later she auditioned for a dance company. Despite not taking ballet classes intensely for many years, the joy in her heart for pursing her passion shined bright. Throughout the whole audition she smiled and focused on her love of dancing for Him. Even though she says she was not perfect in her moves she prayed for the favor of God. Two and a half days later she received an email from the same ballet company offering a contract for THE LEAD role in an upcoming performance!!!
God’s Hand, God’s Anointing, God’s Spirit Was on Her
"Whatever you do, do all to the glory of God." 1 Corinthians 10:31b
Dance Movement’s website states exactly what happened to Anna:
“Not by power, nor by might, but by My Spirit.” Zechariah 4:6
Anna now looks back at how quickly things happened all because through her faith, God shined a little light on a dead area of her life that He wanted to bring back and use for His glory. She did not rely only upon her own abilities, but let God’s Spirit do His work.
God spoke to me through all of my problems with my hands and wrists to tell me that if He has anointed me to bring Him glory through my creative gifts, He will make a way to continue to grow this business and ministry. By your Spirit Lord! On your Spirit I rely!
May God’s prophetic Word, the Word of encouragement and life speak to you today and everyday!
When I was preparing our home to be moved, I did a lot of culling, sorting and organizing. One of the tasks I took on was going through all of our CDs and DVDs. I dumped the ones that did not work, gave away those we did not really use anymore, and organized what was left into CD books. I had one for Music, one for Wii games, one for “Kids’ Movies,” and very innocently I labeled the last book “Adult Movies.”
As friends started to encourage me with their prayers and speak words of life over my body, I got up the energy to hobble downstairs of the 3 story home I was staying in in San Francisco and got myself into a hot shower. As I stood under the hot water I felt a strength start to come over me and I began to speak over myself, my body and the city I was in. I began to pray.
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What Are You Saying?