For We Walk By Faith, Not By Sight

The first week of this new year, I knew we had a problem. We were quickly running out of room to put all of our students! Some parents and I would giggle at me putting my hand on the wall and asking God to expand our boundaries, but I was really serious. I knew something had to change but I wasn’t sure where to go. My current landlords were going to be building a new facility right where we currently are. However, there were some things with where the bathrooms would need to be placed and parking that just weren’t sitting right with me, so I started looking for alternatives.

  The first place I looked was Colony Square by Salad Station. It was out of price range. The real estate agent that handled Colony Square asked if we minded looking at something else that might work. My husband, kids, and I headed to this location. It was on Airport Rd. across from the Hammond Airport. We looked at one that was already built, but we didn’t want to “make” something work. Then, we toured the new buildings.

My husband and I went home and started playing with floor plans. This location was bigger at 3000 sq. ft. than any other location we considered. It was in the price range we were looking at too. My first question was “Would our families that live in Livingston parish still come?” I learned it would only extend their commute about five more minutes. Every family I asked their opinion about the location said one of two things: 1. “It is actually closer for me.”   2. “We will go wherever you go.” Wow! We have some great families.

 I was still on the fence for a while. It was a big leap of faith to commit to 7 years of being at this location. In October, our family flew to Disney World. On our return trip, there was a thunderstorm brewing. We had to go through some clouds and I could not see out of my window for a few minutes. It made me nervous. In that time, God gently whispered, “You need to trust the pilot.” I knew this meant that with this leap of expanding I was going to have to trust the One True Pilot. Only He can guide it and make Soar continue to be successful.

 The last thing that sealed the deal was when I was told that the current landlords were not giving me the option to renew my lease where I was. This was only God closing one door to open another.

 Today, we signed the lease. The new facility will have two dance rooms, three music booths, an art room, and the best part-two bathrooms! My husband will be sharing an office with me for his marketing company also. We are working on opening our art department up in August of 2018 also. We are still ironing out the details, but we are leaning on having creativity classes for younger students to explore a variety of materials, drawing classes, painting classes, and even adult classes.

 Here’s where we are going to need help. We will be doing two fundraisers to go towards our new location. Please participate as they come up. They will help us with getting our sign, barres, and mirrors relocated and with purchasing additional music equipment. Also, tell your friends about us. The best compliment is a referral. We won’t open the new location until July of 2018. Even more, I ask for your prayers. Ask that God will continue to send the right instructors and the right families. Pray that we stay in the center of His will.

 “For we walk by faith, not by sight.”   2nd Corinthians 5:7