Category: family

Catch the dream – you’re invited!

Posted on by Susan Panzica

Her dream began in a village in Uganda. A dance major in college, she saw the ability to communicate without words through dance and the arts. That seed of a dream took root, and after college, she studied dance ministry at Hillsong College in Australia. She returned with a massive dream where, like the one-for-one model, affluent area arts/community centers would help to support those less fortunate in the US and around the world. “She” is my daughter, Lauren, and I couldn’t be more proud of her.

Lauren moved to Harlem and worked as a dance teacher in an elementary school for 7 years. During that time, the nonprofit Greenhouse Arts Center was born. Their mission: “to offer a welcoming place of hope where creativity thrives and the arts are a vehicle for the community to grow together and make a difference locally and globally, connecting with other cultures and raising future leaders.”

Greenhouse is and has been making an enormous difference in the lives of students in Harlem. And they are at a crossroads. Even though Greenhouse operates on a shoestring budget, finances are extremely limited. The teachers at Greenhouse are amazing artists who would be paid a lot more somewhere else, but they are committed to the vision and dream. They have seen first hand the impact they are making in their students and community.

Greenhouse needs your help now. To help meet their financial need, they are hosting their first benefit concert next weekend (11/12 in NYC, 11/13 in NJ). If you are local to either event, please click below to purchase a ticket. The events will feature dance, singing, basket raffles, and refreshments. Buy your ticket today – they will not be sold at the door. If you are busy or not local, you can contribute via the link below (you’ll receive a link to view the show afterward).

Beside an evening of great entertainment, with your donation, you can be guaranteed of a few things:

  • You will be making a difference in the life of a child.
  • Your money will be well spent: all the proceeds go to student programming.
  • Your donation is tax-deductible.
  • You are contributing to the growth of a future world-changing enterprise.
  • You’ll feel good having done something very good!

Here’s the link to donate

Here’s the link to buy tickets

Here’s a 6 minute video about Greenhouse (grab a tissue!)

#DreamCreateThrive

End Injustice For All

Posted on by Susan Panzica

spread the word

Most people think (if they stop to think about it) that slavery ended in 1865. Sadly, that is false. Human trafficking (aka modern day slavery) is the second largest and fastest growing criminal enterprise in the world. In 2014, by Presidential Proclamation, January was declared National Human Trafficking Awareness Month. By definition:

  • Human trafficking is a form of modern day slavery involving the use of force, fraud and/or coercion for the purpose of sexual exploitation or forced labor.
  • Human trafficking does not require movement of people across borders.
  • Human trafficking can be forced labor, sexual exploitation, or in the case of minors, sexual exploitation without the use of force, fraud, or coercion.

Most people think (if they stop to think about it) that human trafficking occurs out of sight and/or in faraway places. Sadly, that is also false. It happens around the world, but it also happens in our backyards, our schools, our malls, our families. No one is exempt from risk.

And most people think (if they stop to think about it) that there is nothing they can do to stem the tide of human trafficking. This too is false.

As believers, we are mandated to seek justice for all.

… what does the Lord require of you
but to do justice,

and to love kindness, 

and to walk humbly with your God?

Micah 6:8

 

Of the things that God requires , “doing justice” is in the top three!

Four years ago, I was just starting to learn what human trafficking is. From my story, Somebody’s Daughter, (published in Chicken Soup for the Soul) which tells of my journey into abolition work:

I knew so little about an issue that was so big. I was afraid and wondered what we could do. After all, there were just two of us. That phrase “just two of us” reminded me of a Bible story where the prophet Elisha and his servant were facing an army of evil-doers. The servant feared that there were just two of them, but the prophet answered, “Don’t be afraid. Those who are with us are more than those who are with them.”  (2 Kings 6:16) I realized that even though there are 29.8 million caught in slavery, there are over  7 BILLION people in the world. And most of those people would be opposed to slavery. IF they knew about it. And if they knew what to do about it.

Since our humble beginning, we at Justice Network have our mandate: to raise awareness, work for prevention, support survivors, AND mostly – to let people know that they too can do something about it!

For example, coffee and chocolate are two industries that are notorious for using slave labor.

If everyone bought fair trade or slave free coffee/chocolate, the industry would only make slavery-free products. Look for the logo Fair-Trade-USAor visit our website that provides lists of all kinds of items that are produced slavery-free.

Of all people on earth, we the church should be the most proactive in spreading the word. Human trafficking is an abomination to the God who came to set the captives free.

Encourage your pastor to speak about trafficking this month. There is a wealth of information online including sample sermons and other resources. Visit global organizations like IJM or A21. Or seek out local resources like Justice Network or the NJ Coalition Against Human Trafficking in New Jersey.

Edmund Burke who famously said, “The only thing necessary for evil to triumph is for good men to do nothing” also said, “Nobody makes a greater mistake than he would did nothing because he could only do a little.”

Do a little, my friends. Feel free to contact me for information. You can be the difference in someone’s life!

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i am somebody

To Be a Child of God

Posted on by Susan Panzica

John 1-12

I don’t think I ever really understood what it meant to be a child of God until I had children of my own. My relationships with my natural parents were often strained, so when I became a Christian, my understanding of the Father nature of God was more head knowledge than heart knowledge.

That is until my daughter was born, and I was overwhelmed with unconditional love for her and began to catch a glimmer of the love the Father has for me. Then when I was pregnant with my son, I was terrified that I wouldn’t have enough love for the child in my womb because my love for my daughter seemed the max that a person could have. How amazing that when that little boy arrived, the measure of love in my heart grew exponentially!

And I began to glean glimpses of how completely and unconditionally my heavenly Father loves me. I’m still learning what it means to be a child of God, but there are a few things I’ve gathered:

  • As His child, I am secure.  I can’t become more a “child of God” by anything I do or achieve. And I can’t become less a “child of God” no matter how many times I fail. When God is your Father, you are His child, and nothing I do can change that. I am His eternally.
  • As His child, I must not be childish. The Apostle Paul wrote, “When I was I child, I spoke as a child, but when I matured, I put away childish things.” (1 Cor. 13:11). Being childish includes being selfish, self-centered, immature, jealous, wanting MY way instead of HIS way.
  • Yet, I must be childlike.  Jesus said, “Unless you become like a child, you cannot see the kingdom of God.” (Matt. 18:3) Being childlike means that I see the world through childlike eyes. I trust; I am teachable; I am not prejudiced; I am generous, innocent, care-free knowing that my Father has all things under control.

As a child of God, we have complete assurance that we belong to our Father. He loves us with an unconditional love. When we are born-again of the Spirit, we are both born and adopted into the family of God and become a joint heir with Jesus Christ. This relationship gives us rights and privileges, as well as responsibilities.

Knowing the difference between being childlike and childish is the key to maturity. Our Father God, our Abba – translated Daddy, is not distant or aloof. He invites us into an intimate, secure family relationship.

My relationship with my earthly dad may have been difficult, but now I celebrate my heavenly Father each Father’s Day!

“Yet to all who received him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God.” John 1:12  

 

 

 

Be An Oyster!

Posted on by Susan Panzica

2 cor 4-17-18 sp

My friend, Cathy, showed up one day sporting an eye patch. She’s a stellar athlete who has triumphed over hard-hitting competition, but thanks to a tiny grain of sand that scratched her cornea, she was kept on the sidelines, out of the action. A microscopic irritant grated against the delicate tissue producing redness and tears and would ultimately cause permanent destruction if not removed.

But take that very same grain of sand, that source of irritation to the eye, place it in an oyster, and something magical happens. When that irritant is caught inside the oyster’s shell, the oyster starts to secrete a substance called nacre. This substance coats the irritant and encapsulates it. According to Wikipedia, “Nacre, also known as mother of pearl, is strong, resilient, and iridescent. This substance is called ‘mother of pearl’ because it is literally the ‘mother’, or creator, of true pearls.” What begins as an irritating annoyance is transformed. The insignificant grain of sand has become a valuable pearl.

It’s important to note that the irritant in the eye is exactly the same as the one in the oyster. What is different is the response! Scripture is clear that God allows tribulations in our lives. Jesus said, “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” (John 16:33) The phrase, “you will have trouble” is sandwiched between “you may have peace” and “take heart. I have overcome the world!”.

If you have someone, or something, in your life that is a source of irritation, it can suck the joy and peace right out of you. Just the sight of that person can raise all sorts of emotions. Just the reminder of that difficult situation can cause physical responses such as tightening of the muscles, headaches, stomach pains … do I need to go on?

Like sand trapped inside an oyster, whatever your source of irritation, it can be transformed into a valuable pearl. You can be “strong, resilient and iridescent” (reflecting the light), receiving your irritation as the beginning of a beautiful transformation in your life. Surround the grain with beauty and grace. Forgive them for being themselves. They really don’t know what they are doing. (Luke 23:34) If you recognize that God allowed this person or situation for your benefit, you will be creating pearls!

Don’t let yourself be troubled by what really is a small matter compared to eternity! Allow that nuisance to bring about transformation – Christlikeness – the most precious, priceless, valuable quality you could ever possess.

For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison, as we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen. For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal. 2 Cor. 4:1

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A Dream Fulfilled

Posted on by Susan Panzica
And He began to say to them, “Today this Scripture has been fulfilled in your hearing.” Luke 4:21


Jesus said these words to His followers, bringing their attention to the fulfillment of the vision, promise and prophecy of His coming. I share that verse now because yesterday a vision, promise, and prophecy about Lauren’s future was fulfilled in your hearing (or reading ;D). 

Yesterday the Greenhouse Arts Center opened its doors to cultivate the dreams of the next generation and encourage these little dreamers to make a difference in their world.

After returning from one her many mission trips several years ago, my daughter Lauren’s passion for dance and the arts began to develop into something more – a vision for a global arts community. Before going to Uganda, she had wondered what she could possibly bring to the people there that would impact their lives in a positive way. Upon her return, she realized that although she provided meals to those in need and helped to build the local Dream Center, it was when she led them in dance that she saw them experience joy. 

She saw a vision for a global community arts center, one where people in comfortable economic situations could support those around the world who wonder where their next meal is coming from. The arts allow people to express and experience their emotions, gifts and talents, and thus a joy that isn’t found in their daily sustenance. 

In the years that followed, she dedicated herself to learning her craft and the business of running a ministry. After graduating with her BA and BFA dance degrees from MSU, she spent a year and a half in Australia at Hillsong College learning and serving in dance ministry. Through the prophecy of leaders, God confirmed her vision revealing more and more layers and details daily. She saw it form in her mind, and yesterday she saw it in person. As did people from all across Harlem. 

So great was the outpouring of families and students to the grand opening of the Greenhouse Arts Center that they ran out of registration forms and had to add an extra class to accommodate the new students. Her staff of teachers and administrators mingled with the families sharing the love of Jesus through smiles and hugs. 

On what she calls her “golden birthday” weekend (turning 27 on the 27th), she saw what is both the fulfillment and the beginning of her dream. Twenty seven years ago, I held in my arms the most beautiful bundle of baby that the world has ever seen. I never imagined how amazing the journey that we’d experience together would be. 

And it just keeps getting better. 


The Hero Mom

Posted on by Susan Panzica
Mohonk Mountain House, New Paltz, NY
One of the hundreds of gazebos along the trails 


She sat peacefully in a wooden gazebo by the water’s edge, half facing the water, head swiveled backward  keeping a watchful eye on her howling daughter standing on the rocks behind her about 10 feet away.
At Mohonk Mountain House, the breathtaking scenic vistas, rock climbs, miles of hiking trails, crystal clear mountain-top lake, can be best described as serene.
At least it was until the silence was broken by the little girl’s screaming tantrum.  
“M . O . M . M . Y…!!!!!!!!!!!!!!” The rest was unintelligible and unrelenting. Tears streaming, arms outstretched, begging Mommy to come and carry her to the gazebo.
And Mommy sat, not moving. But, gently repeating the same few words, over and over again. “You can do it. Just take one step at a time.”
It would have been so much easier to pick up her daughter, to comfort her, to coddle her, than to remain steadfast in the face of such despair. She could have worried what passersby thought of her, letting her daughter cry on like that. But she demonstrated a resolve to help her daughter overcome fear. One step at a time.
I wanted to go over to her and encourage Mommy and tell her what a great mom she was.  She probably didn’t feel like a great mom then. But I kept on walking. I rationalized that it would have spoiled the moment, but I still regret it. Maybe she’ll read this.



She was a hero that day. Not the kind we read about on the front page. But the kind that makes the tough choices in the trenches to stay the course, to teach her child, to allow her child to experience a victory that would be missed if she took the easy way. Or maybe a failure that would be a stepping stone for a future victory. It is just one moment that will build upon the next and the next, ultimately creating a life of character and courage.
When my daughter was little, she had lots of fears. So did I. And so when Lauren was afraid to order ice cream at the local snack bar, she’d ask her younger brother to order for her. I remembered being the oldest of 3 siblings, but the most afraid. And I remembered how bad I felt about myself when my younger siblings would easily do things that terrified me, like go on rides or speak up for themselves. So when I saw my daughter following my footsteps, I became a “mean mom.” With sorrow, I told Lauren that unless she ordered the ice cream herself, she couldn’t have it. Many times she did without her favorite snack because she was afraid to ask for it. 
I didn’t feel like a hero. I felt like a heel. 
But now 20 years later, Lauren not only orders her ice cream, she has traveled the world on mission trips and lived in Australia for 1½ years. She has a grand vision to build a unique powerful ministry. She dreams big dreams that we all know will come true. She has impacted the lives of students in her classes and young girls in youth groups. When she faced rejection and difficulties pursuing her studies and career in dance, I gently repeated the same words over and over again. “You can do it. Just take the next step.”
I was, and am, far from a perfect mom. But in this, I’m thankful that I was able to stand firm. And so is Lauren.
To all the moms being honored today, I salute you. Not just today, but for what you do each day that goes unnoticed or unappreciated. Making one seemingly small decision or action will build upon the next until a million small hard moments build a lasting legacy.
And you moms who experience fear, God tells us “You can do it. One step at a time.” He orchestrates opportunities for us to face and thus overcome our fears. Today is Part One of my series on Vanquishing Fear. In the weeks to come, I’ll share some stories of my battles to overcome fear. 
What do you think?
Do you struggle with personal fears?
Is it hard to be the “mean mom?” If so, look for my friend Joanne Kraft’s book later this year. The Mean Mom’s Guide To Raising Great Kids
  

If It’s Possible….

Posted on by Susan Panzica
Illustrated Wall Art by Mandipidy
http://www.etsy.com/listing/105657216/live-peaceably-with-all-romans-1218

If I’m honest, I have to admit it. It’s not easy to always live at peace with everyone. People can be foolish, angry, bossy, hostile, offensive, stuck-up, needy. Some people push our buttons. Sometimes it’s deliberate. Other times it’s unintentional.

The to-do list of behavioral mandates the Apostle Paul gives us in Romans 12 seems daunting:

     v. 2 Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind
     v. 14 Bless those who persecute you
     v. 19 Do not take revenge
     v. 21 Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good

But tucked within these verses is a beautiful sentence that qualifies the rest. Click here for my post about Romans 12:18 and the possibilities for peace-filled relationships it brings.
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Something That Matters – Part One

Posted on by Susan Panzica
This afternoon, my daughter takes off for Hillsong International Leadership College in Sydney, Australia. One giant step closer to realizing her dream.

It seems like yesterday but 20 years ago, Lauren took her first dance lesson starting a lifelong love of dance and all things “arts”. Middle school spirit team introduced her to worship dance.

In high school, she started teaching others what she had learned. Mission trips expanded her understanding of the world and increased her compassion for those in need.

This month, she graduated college earning two degrees – a BFA in dance performance and a BA in dance education. And now she’s off to study Leadership in Dance Ministry at Hillsong in Sydney.

Why?
Why study more?
Why so far away?
Everyone asks these things [especially her dad wondering why she wants to go to the other side of the world for a year – and possibly meet some nice young Aussie gentleman – horrors!]

She smiles when she responds. Actually she more than smiles. She glows.

She has a dream, has had it for years. It sprung up from seeds planted and has grown and developed in unimaginable ways.

Her mission trips have taken her to remote undeveloped areas of the world. And she wondered what she can bring these people whose basic needs of water and food are barely met. Don’t you need to feed them before you can share the gospel? Yes. But she discovered something else. Through her dance and the arts, she was able to communicate love, and everyone needs love. Dance and art transcend language barriers. They connect different cultures.

Here is Lauren last year teaching preschoolers in northern Uganda, a region slowly healing after the world’s longest civil war: http://tinyurl.com/74dye2r 

Lauren’s dream, in a nutshell, is creating an Arts Center – a place for students to hang out, learn dance, art, acting, all varied ways of expression. But there’s more…

In 2006, a young man named Blake Mycoskie founded a shoe company with a new premise: “With every pair you purchase, TOMS will give a pair of new shoes to a child in need. One for one.” Blake traveled to Argentina, saw the disease and the dire need for shoes for the children there, and founded a company that would provide a quality product and also meet that need.

Lauren wants a “One for one” program for her future Arts Center with a “sister school” in Africa. Every student here will support a student in Africa. Lauren has the vision. Her studies this year will provide the leadership training she’ll need to bring it to fruition.

Our family asks for your prayers as Lauren takes this next step of her life journey. You can follow her throughout at the year at:
Blog: laurenpanzica.wordpress.com
Twitter: twitter.com/laurenpanzica
YouTube: www.youtube.com/LaurenElizabethDance

I’m traveling to Australia with Lauren, spending a few days helping her get established.

My next post is a review of Blake Mycoskie’s book Start Something That Matters. As part of the review, I will be giving away 2 copies. It tells the story of TOMS shoes and inspires us all to purse something that matters. Keep tuned!!

Here’s The Latest!

Posted on by Susan Panzica


Here I go asking for you to keep me accountable and then no update for almost a month! Please accept my humblest apologies, but what a month it’s been! Crazy busy, but all good!  


Right after my last post, I served 5 days at the Touch The World training camp, teaching child evangelism and kids Bible stories to youth going on mission trips to Haiti, Costa Rica, Honduras, and Uganda. It was exhausting. And exhilarating. [btw- my son just got back from Uganda. He’ll be sharing with you in the near future.] 
I spent the following week preparing the message for our church’s Sunday morning sermon. I was week #2 in a four part series on John 11. We four each shared a different aspect of the raising of Lazarus story. My assignment – Mary and Martha. Click here to listen to the message for a different perspective on these two well-known women of the Word. Hint: “Martharization”  [click on download, not streaming]
The following week took me on a trip to Phoenix to visit my mom’s sister who has terminal pulmonary fibrosis. It was the living definition of “bittersweet.” My aunt has survived 2 years beyond expectations, but it is not without increasing difficulty. Despite that, my mom, sister, and I had a wonderful time with our extended family. Hours were spent reminiscing, laughing, eating, driving, eating, swimming, eating. Did I say we did a lot of eating? Please keep my aunt and her family in prayer during this difficult time. Thanks.
As for writing, I’m working on refining my book proposal which I hope to share with an interested editor or agent at the Philadelphia writers’ conference in August. Looking forward to connecting there with blogging friends Jeanette Levellie and Susan Reinhardt. If you’re a blogger, maybe you and I will connect face to face one day! If you’ll be at the conference, please be sure to let me know.
Well that’s the latest news. I will tell you – after the writers conference and a [long overdue] family vacation, be on the lookout for the promised “i am” series featuring a wonderful cast of characters!
Still need that accountability though. It’s so-o-o-o-o easy to get distracted. 

Hope you’re all having a fantastic summer! What’s new with you? 

And if you listened to the message – has your view of Mary and Martha changed? If so, in what way? 

Separation Anxiety

Posted on by Susan Panzica
In a parking lot near my office, I spotted the cutest family parade: four little goslings marching single file, Mother and Father Goose in front and rear, on their way to a nearby stream. 






Unfortunately, one little fella wound up on the wrong side of the fence. Hearing his family on the river side, he franticly scuttled along the barrier. A mere one foot high, for the little bird the fence might as well have been Alcatraz. 



you can spot his little head all the way to the left



Nearby, Mother Goose hovered and honked loudly to Junior who desperately waddled back and forth along the divider. At one point, he tried with all his pathetic little might to fly over the divider. Jumping and flailing his weak downy wings, he failed to launch more than an inch off the ground. And then I saw it. Several feet away, the rugged wooden beam arched upward, just a few inches, but surely high enough for Junior to scurry under. Now how to steer him there without causing him a coronary? 






I approached the drama with tiny steps in his direction, whispering words of encouragement. Mother Goose shrieked and wildly spread her wings, and I trembled, most grateful for my sunglasses protection should she attack. Then inexplicably her demeanor changed. Innately, I think she realized I was not a threat. She eyed me, but stayed silent and motionless until Junior finally found his way under the fence, and the reunited family sailed away.

 





Seems like a perfect belated Mother’s Day story.

Here was a mother striving in her own strength to guide her little prodigal in the way he should go, only to release control to one with greater vision. May we, like she, guide our brood, protect them as we are able, but ultimately trust their care to the One with greater vision. May we realize that He came to show us the way, speaking and guiding us gently with His still, small voice. 

Happy Belated Mother’s Day! 
seen last week at my Hallmark store:
Here’s to good women-

– May we Know them
– May we Be them
– May we Raise them




Psalm 138 (Amp)
I will confess and praise You [O God] with my whole heart;
…
In the day when I called, You answered me; and You strengthened me with strength in my inner self.
…
they shall sing of the ways of the Lord and joyfully celebrate His mighty acts, for great is the glory of the Lord.
…
For though the Lord is high, yet has He respect to the lowly [bringing them into fellowship with Him]; 
…
Though I walk in the midst of trouble, You will revive me…