It's Necessary

The time spent behind a desk, starring into a computer screen for hours upon hours to achieve one thing. That one thing could be a project, locating information about a child, or simply sending an email. All these things are necessary for me each day. Each day I wake up and spend my day striving to make things better. Not just for myself, but for kids 10,000 miles away. They need me to spend these necessary hours so that they may have LIFE to the fullest. This picture became so clear to me that it's absolutely necessary for me to doing what I'm doing everyday. I may not see the reward on this side of heaven, but God sees the work that is being done for HIS kids. 

"God is not unjust; He will not forget your work and 

the LOVE you have shown HIM as you have helped HIS people 

and continue to help them." 

Hebrews 6:10

Necessary: 

not to be avoided. inevitable. absolute. essential. required. 

needed. not backing away. vital for the fulfillment of a need. 

Although it's necessary to do the work here. In our culture.

 In our country. It's also necessary to go. 

Go to the places you may not think is possible.

 Go to the areas that are uncomfortable. 

Go to the unreached people groups in the world. 

Go because its not an option. 

Go so that HE may do HIS work through you. 

Go so that God may use you as the 

ONE NECESSARY THING. 

 A voice for HIM and of HIS word. 

To be HIS hands and feet. 

To be a part of HIS story. 

The story of redemption, restoration, 

and being made NEW in Christ. 

His story is of LOVE. 

And HE has chosen YOU to be a part of it 

and to dwell with HIM in HIS house forever. 

A Day at the Lake & there after...

I have been meaning to post for so long and the days have just slipped by so quick. Anyways, last Sunday, March 15 was a much needed day of rest for me...SOOO I took the day and went to a lake and spent time with the Lord!! It was by far the best day I have had in a long time. I had my backpack packed with my Bible, journal, and food. I was set! ha..but seriously, I got to walk around, sit by the lake, listen to worship music and just enjoy being outside! The Lord revealed so much to me in the hours that I spent there...and just as the scripture says..."He will wash you with the water of His word...(Eph. 5:26 paraphrased)" and that is exactly what I felt the Lord was doing that day...

1. As I was sitting by the lake I ended up reading Psalm 23:1..."The Lord is my Shepherd, I shall not be in want" or another version says, "I have all that I need"...and I came to a much deeper understanding of such a simple verse that I have known for a so long. We all know that we should not be in want because of who the Lord is to us and what He provides for us, but do we trust Him enough to give us what we need and not necessarily what we want? The is the first thing that God challenged me with...'Do you trust me enough with what I am giving you is what you need right now in your life?'

Its definitely a daily choice that we all face...

2. The second thing that I came to realize was when I was walking around this lake. I had not been out there so I was just exploring all these trails while listening to music and the song "Acres of Hope" by Shane and Shane came on. It's basically illustrating how the Lord pursues us and is leading us to a place that draws us closer to Him. He must draw us out of where we are in order to go to a place that He longs for us to be...fully in His Presence.

Here are the lyrics to the song:

He will allure her

He will pursue her

And call her out

To wilderness with flowers in His hand

She is responding

Beat up and hurting

Deserving death

But offerings of life are found instead

*Chorus*

She will sing

She will sing

Oh, to You

She will sing as in the days of youth

As You lead her away

To valleys low

To acres of hope

Acres of hope

Here in the valley

Walk close beside me

Don’t look back

For love is growing vineyards up ahead

You have called me master

And though you’re in the dark here

Call me friend

And call me lover and marry me for good

(Chorus)

How the story ends is

Love and tenderness in Him

Not safe, but worth it

So the valley's up ahead

Or the ones we live

We'll sing together

We'll sing together

This is the scripture that inspired the song:

“Lord, sustain me in the valley. Give me ears to hear

Your sweet tender voice and lead me in to

acres of hope in this dry and weary land.”

"Therefore I am now going to allure her; I will lead her into the desert and speak tenderly to her. There I will give her back her vineyards, and will make the Valley of Achor a door of hope. There she will sing as in the days of her youth, as in the day she came up out of Egypt. ‘In that day,’ declares the LORD,’you will call me 'my husband'; you will no longer call me 'my master. (Hosea 2:14-16)

That day at the lake was the beginning of such a great week of realizing the beautiful pursuit Jesus has for us! For so long I have known that, but it's another thing to receive it and begin to give more of yourself to the Lord. My time in the Word has been so much richer and I long for that time to just sit and quiet my spirit in the presence of the Lord! I pray that each of you take time to let your mind, heart, and spirit rest in this crazy and busy lifestyle we all live in!

Some other highlights of last week...

• I went to lunch with some of my dear Kamp friends from the past several years...Jrob, Kelly Adams, and Liz Norris...it was so fun to get to fellowship with those who you have served along in ministry together! There is just nothing quite like it!
• I headed down to Waco on Sunday to see a few of my closest friends..Johanna Scanio (and all of her roommates!) and Kaitlyn Amos. We went to church that morning at Antioch and then hit up a few of my favorite stops: Food for Thought and Common Grounds. It was so great to see all of them! It's refreshing to be around friends who just get you and who mean so much to you!

This week...

• I have hit the 40 day mark until I embark on an incredible 3 month stint in Zambia! I believe God is going to do so much and reveal more things this year than ever! Please cover the months of May, June, July, and part of August in prayer!
• 1 Year ago from today, March 24 2008, my Dad was diagnosed with Stage 3 Esophogeal Cancer and for 8 months he has been cancer free!! Praise God! He is doing okay, but really needing to gain some weight. He is at his lowest weight since surgery back in July, which puts him below 150 lbs. Please keep praying for his strength to return and energy levels to come back!

I know this is long-winded but I had a lot to write about. I am going to have to get better at this as time gets closer to when I leave, but especially when I am over in Zambia. Thanks again for keeping up with what is going on. I hope you all are doing well!

Serving HIM Alone,

Joy

Wedding Pictures & Videos

*At the Country Rehearsal Dinner*

*The girls*

*Erin and I*

*My sweet friend Katie*

*Some of the girls*

*Me an Em*

*Taking fun pictures outside on the road - 

that's Amber's foot kicked out under Stephanie's train*

*Being our sassy selves...*

*At the reception...*

*Evann and I at the end of the night...

oh and I caught the bouquet - this was not planned! *

*Off they go to Jamaica...I'm slightly jealous..*

My Best Friends Wedding

What a weekend!! I just got back from one of my best friend's wedding in Arkansas! It was so much fun! I got up there on Wednesday night and Thursday morning, me and Stephanie hit the ground running with errands and working on final details for her Wedding. 

Thursday - Bachelorette Party!

All the girls in the wedding took Steph to one of her favorite places - Fuji House to get Sushi. The guy cooking our dinner on the Hibachi grill was...CRAZY!! He was flipping food in people's mouth, hair and just on you! It was a bit out of control, but we all had a good laugh. Afterwards we went over to Elaine's house (Stephanie's Mom's best friend) to spend the night. We had a lingerie party for Steph, hung out in the hot tube, and then watched a movie. It really was a great night to relax with everyone!

Friday - Bridal Luncheon, Rehearsal, & Rehearsal Dinner

When we woke up we had coffee on the deck overlooking Conway. I probably could've sat out there all day...Anyways, we left there and headed to the luncheon. We had good ole breakfast burritos, fruit, and cinnamon rolls. YUMM!! We had a few hours break until the rehearsal, but as the maid of honor...I had a "to-do" list! :) I ran all over Conway to have things set for the reception and the wedding itself. The rehearsal and rehearsal dinner both went great! It was a cowboy theme so I felt right at home. :) 

*At the Barn Church for the Rehearsal Dinner*

Saturday - The Wedding Day!

This day came quick and my job was to take care of the Bride!! Ha...I picked Stephanie up and went to get her hair done, then off the church to do make-up with the rest of the girls. Everything went smoothly. She was calm and just peaceful with things. She just couldn't believe that she was really getting married...

*The Beautiful Bride*

The ceremony was BEAUTIFUL! Garrett and Stephanie represented such a beautiful picture of how God uses relationships to show His love towards us. What was said about them, their roles as husband and wife, and their vows brought tears to my eyes. It just brought such joy to my heart in praise to the Lord for what He has done in them! 

*Mr. and Mrs. Garrett Peters...first dance!*

*The Reception...Crazy/Beautiful!! 

After the ceremony we took a few pictures and headed over to the reception...which was absolutely breathtaking!! I don't think I've seen anything like this before. Anyways, the food, music and dancing were all a blast. We were exhausted afterwards, but it was so worth it!! I could not be more excited for Steph and Garrett as they begin their lives together serving the Lord as one. They have become my best friends and the ways they have blessed my life and impacted me is really beyond words. God is going to use them in so many ways and I'm just thankful I was apart of this new season that has just begun for them...

Congratulations Garrett and Steph! I love ya'll! :)

PS - MORE Pictures and Videos to come.... :)