There is something about dancing that has always been so instinctual to me. Everytime my ears pick up a jazzy rhythm, or a powerful beat, my body finds motion. I can remember twirling around my living room, performing the “Let’s Go to the Movies” number from Annie that I had memorized from the screen. As I took a bow, the audience… I mean my parents, applauded my routine with enthusiasm. After that, it was a done deal. My mom enrolled me in dance classes, and it was there that I found my greatest passion. I attended Joy’s School of Dance, where I was formally trained in ballet, tap, jazz, hip-hop, modern, contemporary, lyrical and pointe.

For those of you who do not know me personally, my name is Megan! I am blessed with two amazing, supportive parents and two younger brothers. Last year, I attended Mclennan Community College and I am now a sophomore communication major at Texas A&M University. You may be questioning the relevance of these small details. However, they are apart of my story– my story that Jesus had already planned perfectly.

My senior year of high school I applied to Texas A&M University with high hopes of acceptance. I sat on the edge of my seat in class for what seemed like forever, waiting for an acceptance or denial letter. Seven long months later, the verdict came in. My dream school gave me a big fat “no” in 7th period British Literature. I was crushed, disappointed, and the tears were flowing. Although the primary emotion wasn’t even disappointment, it was fear. Questions began to flood my brain. Where was I going to go to school? Would I ever be accepted to my dream school? How was I going to continue my dance career? This last question sent spine-tingling dread throughout my body. I had my entire future meticulously planned out, and a wrecking ball had just demolished they keystone of the arch I had so carefully blueprinted.

I made up my mind that I was going to accept my offer from Tarleton State University. There I could audition for the dance team, and I could easily transition into A&M after a year. It wasn’t until I had already told all of my friends and family about my decision that I could feel God screaming at me. He was screaming “NO, this is not where your suppose to be”. I went to go tour the campus and meet the advising staff. Driving home with my Dad from my visit, I looked at him, afraid he would be disappointed and said, “Dad, this isn’t right. God doesn’t want me here”. He looked back at me, laughed and said “I know, I just didn’t want to say it first”. Tarleton never felt like home and I knew I was called to be somewhere else. In the hour and half drive from Stephenville to Waco we had made a new game plan, I would go to McLennan Community College, earn a high enough GPA to transfer to Texas A&M for the fall of 2018, and would move to an apartment downtown. I had spent my entire high school career longing to escape my hometown, but deep down I knew that Waco was exactly the place I needed to be.

It seemed as if I had all of my ducks in a row again. I had a gameplan and the support system necessary to execute it well. Although, the spine tingling lingered. I still has no idea where my dance career would advance. I prayed from June after my senior recital, throughout the whole summer. I was begging God to show me how to continue pursuing my love for dance, If it was what he wanted for me. God eventually revealed his plans for me. My former dance teacher, and owner of Joy’s School of Dance hired me on their staff. I was ecstatic and relieved. However, the opportunities did not cap there. In early September, I got a call from a co-worker who was choreographing a musical at Waco Civic Theatre. She informed me that a dancer from the cast broke her foot, and she asked if I could come learn the musical in a week. With zero hesitation I said, “YES! I’ll be over tomorrow to learn all of the dances, so we are going to need to move the coffee table in your living room!”

A week later, I had mastered the material and had committed my next two weekends to performing back-to-back shows. The musical was such a fun experience! It was a funny show, my hair was teased a mile high, and I had Go-go boots on! What more could a girl ask for? After the shows ended, I sat in my room thanking Jesus for the opportunity to dance again and try something new! Then it hit me like a bus with broken breaks, Jesus WANTED me to dance and teach others to dance, therefore I would.

Just when I thought he had given my fair share of amazing opportunities, even more arised! I auditioned for Waco Civic Christmas show as a dancer! I spent four great days dancing with friends in festive costumes, all while entertaining Waco! I could not have been more excited to wake up on my birthday, YES my birthday to go to a dress rehearsal to dance. Jesus gave me the greatest birthday gift last year, the gift of dance. He allowed me to share talent and passion he placed in my life!

In February, I was accepted by Texas A&M for the fall of 2018!! (Gig ‘em!) I was still loving teaching at Joy’s, and was offered the position as assistant choreographer of Grease the musical, at Waco Civic Theatre!! Grease was a blast. I was able to choreograph a few numbers, and I watched a cast work endless hours to produce an amazing show! This was first time I was seeing MY choreography on a stage. It was the most rewarding feeling I have ever experienced. Through this opportunity, I learned I love choreographing for others just as much as I enjoy performing! It is crazy to think that I never would have learned this about myself, if God had not guided me to stay in Waco.

In June, Joy’s recital program had my name listed not as a dancer, but as an instructor. It was an unfamiliar but exciting feeling. My sweet little first graders did an amazing job on stage, and executed their dance with grace. I shed a tear or two as I watched them from the wings, but I could not be more proud of their accomplishments. I was blessed with the experience of a year teaching at the studio that helped shape me into the woman that I am today. I was pushed to be the greatest person I could be, and as a member of the staff, I had the opportunity to do the same for other young dancers. My job at Joy’s was amazing, exciting and allowed me to share my passion with students that were on the quest for their own passions. Who would’ve thought that I would get to experience something this BIG in my little hometown? I had found wings in my roots.

As the weather grew hotter, and my time in Waco was almost up, I began preparing for my exciting move to College Station. I had an apartment picked out, my class schedule was perfectly lined up, and I had even landed a job teaching dance at a local studio. I finally could take a deep breath, and spend quality time with my family, friends and boyfriend before the move. Although, the deep breath was short-lived.

It was after one of the last Grease rehearsals when Waco Civic Theatre asked me if I would choreograph their summer musical, Newsies. Obviously I accepted! I was so incredibly honored that they liked my work enough to hire me, a 19 year old, to choreograph an entire musical. With my amazing assistant and best friend, Lee Lee, at my side, we casted and finished all the numbers in just three weeks. The cast was unbelievably talented, and an absolute joy to work with.

Once the choreography was complete, it was my time to move to College Station and their time to practice what I had created. My family and I loaded up a U-haul and made the drive to Aggieland. Sitting in my new apartment on my light pink bedding, I took it all in. I was finally at my dream school. I had worked incredibly hard, and it really had paid off. As classes began in mid-August, I began living my maroon-colored dreams. I kept up with my Newsies cast, and as their performance neared, I became so excited to see my choreography live. The second weekend of September,I made thedrive back to Waco for the musical. I have no words for how well the show was executed. It was obvious that The Lord had his hand over our show. We sold out at all of our scheduled performances, and due to high demand, we added three additional shows! To say it was a success would be an understatement. The newspaper raved about the production in multiple articles, and the audience members has wonderful things to say as well. I was so incredibly proud to be one of the creative minds behind the show. I am so grateful that Jesus presented me with such a rewarding challenge. He knew that I was ready, and he walked with me through every step.

The fear and disappointment I had at the end of my senior year was all for a reason.   If it’s His will, it will be done. Jesus wanted me in Waco. Even though His plans were different from my own, I placed all of my trust in Him. Little did I know, I would become a teacher, perform in two musical, be an assistant choreographer to another and choreographer my dream show. This was JESUS’ plan, not mine, and His was perfect. I promise He knows your heart and your desires, but you have to trust in Him. When I realized I was no longer in control, good things started happening. Not because of what I was doing, but because of where He placed me. This past year, Jesus showed me that His plans will always fill the desires of my heart. Whatever your passion is, give it to Him. He will fuel your talent and allow your passion to be used for his work. Do not give up, trust in Him and everything will work out. It may not work out as you had planned, but it will be according to His plan– which will be a million times better than anything you could ever dream up!! Surrender to Him and remember, he knows the desire of your soul.

I am now on Aggies in Motion Dance Team at Texas A&M University and I teach dance at On Our Toes Dance Studio. I share this story because I wanted to be honest about my struggles over the past year and share the fruitful journey that it resulted in. I am called to show how Jesus can change your life in just a year, and how many opportunities he provides. Please learn from me. Surrender to The Lord now, and you will never look back. He will fulfill you, lift you up and love you like no other!! For my fellow dancers, never give up! He will show you a path to continue, if you trust in Him. I am in love with dancing with Him. I hope after reading my story, you too can find joy in dancing with Jesus as well!

Love, Megan