Tag Archives: Dreamer in the Spotlight

They Have Room {November’s Dreamers in the Spotlight}

23 Nov

I have read a lot of amazing international adoption stories in the past few months. So many couples have decided to open their hearts and homes in order to provide a forever family to an orphaned child. Earlier this month, a story on the front page of one Sunday’s Tennessean featured a couple in their early thirties with eleven children – four biological and seven adopted! Talk about having faith – and living it!

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Kirk and Heidi Weimer began their adoption journey in 2007 after already having three biological children. Heidi writes about their life at We Have Room. A documentary, by the same name, about the Weimer family’s story was recently released. When I checked out Heidi’s blog, I was really impressed by some of the posts that she wrote, especially this one. In it, she discusses following God’s plan despite difficulties. Do yourself a favor and READ IT – you won’t regret it! I also love her mantra, and it reminds me of Katie Davis‘ Twitter profile: “It’s not about me.”

My life is not my own.

Amen! Those six words sum up what dreaming big is all about. This is obviously easier said than done, but if we focus on what God wants us to do for others, we will experience uncommon joy even amidst challenges.

Thanks, Weimer family, for inspiring us all to do God’s will even when the world throws obstacles in our way!

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Faith and Dancing (October’s Dreamer in the Spotlight)

26 Oct

This month’s featured dreamer is someone who I have recently met via the blogging world – professional dancer, Cecilia Rodriguez Schwartz!  After I read more about her faith and journey as a dancer, I knew she would be a perfect person to spotlight on A Dreamer’s Wife.  (Plus, she’s a Notre Dame fan and grew up in the mid-west!)

Cecilia Rodriguez Schwartz (Isn’t this photo absolutely beautiful?!)

On her website, Dance Immaculata, Cecilia shares “thoughts and insights of a Catholic Dancer and a Dancing Catholic.”  She further elaborates on this in her “About” page.

Not only am I a dancer, I am also Catholic. For years, I had the misconception, as many do, that dance and traditional Catholicism were at odds with each other. The delicate issue of whether or not dance as an expression is acceptable in this hyper-sexualized culture has often nagged my conscience. I kept the two aspects of my life separate until I realized that while dance is a part of my life, Catholicism is my life. My Catholic faith and dance have been co-existing for years; I just didn’t realize it.

Cecilia also has a personal blog, She Laughs at the Days to Come.  On this site, as evidenced by the title, she highlights Proverbs 31:25 and writes about having strength, giving up control, and trusting God.  Be sure to check out what she has to say!  Below is a teaser!

Learning to laugh at the days to come has stretched me beyond what I thought possible.  It requires a lot from me.  I have to give up control of the future and submit to God’s plan.  I have to surrender my dreams and wishes, trusting and hoping that God’s will for my life is more that I could ever imagine.  I have to live in the present moment clinging to the promises of God (Psalm 37).

I had the opportunity to ask Cecilia some questions and she was gracious enough to take the time to answer despite having a rather eventful past couple of weeks!  One of those significant events included getting engaged!  (You can read more about her relationship on her personal blog.)  Here is what she had to say about her journey:

So here’s the deal about me and my dream: I’m living it.  My dream was (and is) to become the best dancer I can be, to dance professionally, and to share the depth and beauty of Mexico through it’s artistic traditional dances.  There isn’t a huge demand for professional Mexican dancers, and I didn’t realize it was even an option for me until three years ago.  

I was living in Michigan at the time and was doing research to learn how apply professionalism and structure to the small dance group I was a part of.  I found a dance company in New York City and began corresponding with the director.  A dear friend of mine invited me to accompany her and her husband on a trip to New York so I could do more research and possibly meet with the director.  When there, I was invited to attend a rehearsal.  I was incredibly nervous, but I loved every minute!  It was intense and challenging beyond anything I had ever done before.  On my way home I emailed the director to find out what was required to join the company.  He told me that I was welcome to come to rehearsals and train with them.  This of course meant I would have to move to New York. 

I prayed about the decision for months.  Moving meant I would leave everything: my great job, my family, my friends, my home, my nice little life, everything!  Granted I had close friends in New York and New Jersey, but it was still a difficult decision.  I begged God to tell me what He wanted me to do.  Instead He asked me what I wanted to do.  “I want to dance” was my obvious answer. “Then dance!” He replied. “Go, pursue your dream!  This is what I want for you too.”  

I have to admit I was surprised.  I had forgotten that sacrifice didn’t necessarily mean I had to deny myself what I loved (dance) to do God’s will.  Following my dream has involved a lot of sacrifice, but I know without a doubt that this is God’s will for me.  It isn’t easy and it isn’t always glamorous, but it is blessed!  

Right now, I am preparing for the dance company’s annual show.  I am continuing to pursue my dream by taking other dance classes (ballet, modern) outside of the company rehearsals.  I don’t know that I have an “end goal” per say, but every day I get to go to the dance studio is a dream come true. 

Thank you, Cecilia, for taking the time to share more about yourself and your passion!  I’m sure many readers will be inspired by your trust and willingness to follow God’s will and go after your dreams!

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7 Quick Takes (#2): Dreamer in the Spotlight Edition!

28 Sep

7 quick takes sm1 7 Quick Takes Friday (vol. 188)

Check out Jen’s and other 7 Quick Takes posts today at Conversion Diary!

Hey, Ya’ll! (I’ve lived in the south for 7 years now, so I can say that, right?!) I was having trouble narrowing down who to feature for my monthly Dreamer in the Spotlight post, so I found a solution: A mini run-down of the various people and stories that have caught my attention this month! Consider this your big dose of inspiration for the day!

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Tisha UnArmed

I’m not sure if Tisha is a Christian or not, but what I do know is that this young woman is an amazing example of what can be accomplished if we make the choice to do so, even if it seems impossible. Tisha was born without arms and has recently received attention online for the YouTube videos that she has posted of her doing daily tasks, like making a sandwich with her feet. She hopes to inspire others to be more independent.

Often, we don’t have control over our circumstances, but we can control how we decide to react and deal with situations. We choose how we want to live. We constantly make decisions throughout the day that can either better ourselves or lead us away from our goals. We have the power to choose to take steps to follow our dreams, to help others, to love…

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Manti Te’o

Okay, so considering I’m a huge ND fan and my husband is OBSESSED with all things Irish football, I had to include the outstanding Notre Dame linebacker, Manti Te’o. The reason that I am talking about him, though, doesn’t have as much to do with his on-field talent as it does who he is as a person. Manti seems to be a very balanced individual who has his priorities in check. This is a young man who was set on playing football at the University of Southern California and the day before signing day changed his mind to attend the University of Notre Dame after praying to God to make sure he was making the right decision. A few weeks ago, Manti’s grandmother and girlfriend passed away within two days. Due to the overwhelming support he and his family have received from Notre Dame, Manti says he is now starting to see why God had him come to South Bend.

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Dave Ramsey

The Dave Ramsey Show is celebrating 20 years on-air this week! I know many people are familiar with Dave Ramsey‘s radio show, books, and financial advice. Being that he is a fellow “Nashvillian” and centers his work on biblical principles, I thought it fitting to add him to the list! He is a great example of a dreamer becoming a doer and using his gifts to help others!

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Karen Pullano of Godversations

Just a couple days ago, I read Karen Pullano’s story of her family’s choice to pursue the international adoption of her son. While reading her post I was also introduced to the non-profit Down Syndrome Adoption Ministry, Reece’s Rainbow. There are many ways to be involved with Reece’s Rainbow and help children find forever families, so please check out the website!

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Helen Phillips of Transformed by the Journey

I have been following Helen’s blog Transformed by the Journey for a couple months now. Earlier this week, she posted Career, Serving or Both and I loved reading the story of her career journey and her view of God’s will. I think you will, too!

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40 Days for Life Participants

The 11th 40 Days for Life campaign kicked off this Wednesday and runs through November 4th. Since these campaigns started in 2007, some amazing things have happened due to the prayers and sacrifices of so many!

  • 69 abortion workers quit
  • 24 abortion facilities closed
  • Nearly 6,000 lives have been saved

Be sure to check out the 40 Days for Life website for more!

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YOU!!

I’d love to hear your story! I know all of you bloggers and dreamers out there have some amazing “God moments” and I want to share them! I’ve been enjoying reading so many great blogs and getting familiar with the people behind each of them! Don’t be shy! Please contact me so others can be inspired and encouraged by your personal story of faith and trust in God and His will for your life! I’d love to feature guest posts in addition to interviews for my monthly Dreamer in the Spotlight series. My email is adreamerswife@yahoo.com. I can’t wait to hear from you!

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