How do I put this into words??? It may not sound eloquent and well written, but it is my attempt of communicating a true blessing
A year ago Avery was doing tryouts for her second year of team/competition with a local dance studio. Through a series of events that her daddy and I found to be quite negative, we decided to remove her from that studio. Since she wanted to keep dancing, we gave Dunamix a try. She was excited to dance with her cousin Addy. Avery immediately fell in love: enjoyed the classes and thought the teachers were wonderful. From that first day, Dunamix has been a blessing by giving Avery and Hailey the ability to enjoy dance in a healthy, uplifting, and loving environment.
Then, came Avery’s disease – Juvenile Dermatomyositis… I can’t imagine if we would have been at any other studio… I can only think that Avery’s self esteem and feelings would have been destroyed and she would have been made to feel “flawed” and shunned. I imagine, she would have been unwelcome at the studio, and a true inconvenience with her condition. But, GOD knew and GOD is good!!! We got the exact opposite treatment at Dunamix!! Dunamix showered Avery and our family with love, support, prayers, kindness, hospitality, and encouragement. And SO many meals that nourished and fed my family for months!!!! Through all the physical changes and challenges Avery is going through, none of the dancers were ever rude or insulting to her. She was in a safe environment where she got hugs, complimented and included by all the girls and dancers at Dunamix. Not to mention how amazing it was that Avery had a special part made just for her that accommodated her disability in the production of Pinocchio. Also, my other daughter Hailey received extra love and support during the show and classes as people understood what she was going through with a sick sister and an absent mommy who had to be gone at the hospital many many times. Dunamix has been and continues to be a place where we are more filled with joy when we head home after dance classes!!
Now, as Avery gets stronger and is almost back to her normal strength and energy level, I am blessed to see her dancing again! These past 5 days, she attended the Dunamix dance intensive. Her energy level was dumbfounding! I sit here and remember that only 3 months ago she was napping 2 or 3 times per day, pushed around in a stroller to go anywhere, and at home she could barely walk from the couch to the bathroom due to fatigue and pain. But this week, she danced all day and still had an abundance of energy to play and run around until bed time!! She was so happy to be at the studio dancing that she wanted to stay for the full day-camp instead of the half day-camp! Continued prayers that she does not have a muscle flare up as we taper her off of the heavy prednisone (this medication has saved her life, but also cause so many nasty side effects.)
OK, as if all the things I have already said aren’t awesome enough, get this!!!!! On day 2 of dance intensive, Avery participated in morning devotions. She sat there and didn’t really know what to do, so she just flipped through her Bible (with a very serious and darling look on her face). The next day – day 3, she asked me what she was supposed to do during devotions, so I wrote down some verses for her to find and told her to copy what the older girls were doing (praying, writing, and reading)! This is the super cool part… That evening back at home, Avery couldn’t get enough of reading her Bible and finding verses!! Also, in the past, when we pray at dinner and bed time, Avery has never wanted to pray out loud – even though we ask her almost every night if she would like to say a prayer. Well, being at dance intensive all week, and hearing/observing all the other girls praying, reading their Bibles, and worshipping the Lord, Avery finally said the most beautiful prayer out loud at bed time!!! Her daddy and I were brought to tears and beyond blessed!!! Through dance at Dunamix, Avery (and the Paterson family) has seen more of Jesus and has a sweeter understanding of the Lord!!!
Jodi Paterson