December 31: Core Story

What central story is at the core of you, and how do you share it with the world?


the central story is God's redemptive love. he is the reason i live. i breath. and move every day. his story is to be told and that is the very purpose we live each day. he saved me. freed me. restored me. renewed me. he is the core of who i am. not my accomplishments. not my resume. not my job. not my family. not my friends. not my car. only Jesus. 


we are to carry HIS name to others. period. we must make ourselves available to HIM for HIM to use.

December 30 – Gift

This month, gifts and gift-giving can seem inescapable. What’s the most memorable gift, tangible or emotional, you received this year? 
time with people. this month i have been blessed with an abundant amount of time with beloved friends and family. and that in itself is a precious gift to me. 


i am a quality time person so at any time i get the opportunity to either talk with people over the phone or be in person i jump on that. most of my friends live away and so talking over the phone is pretty much the only option right now. i am grateful for even that. every conversation. every moment spent with a friend. my life is richer because of them.


my family has had more time together this month as well and when we are all together it is sweet to all of our spirits. everyone was under one roof for 3 whole days and it was quite entertaining with all the kiddos, but beyond wonderful being together. my extended family on my mom's side came down for a day which is a treat to us all and certainly one day we look forward to. again, it was filled with many conversations and time that we all cherish together. 

The family at dinner without kiddos

i believe time is of the most value. and we each have a chance to use that gift.

December 29 – Defining Moment

Describe a defining moment or series of events that has affected your life this year.


well again, there isn't one moment because i know there were many days that have affected me. two that come to mind are coaching my club volleyball kids this past spring and then my trip to uganda. 
i didn't realize how much i would love coaching. i love the sport of volleyball. i love the competition. the strategy. the passion. and i love teaching kids something i love. but on top of that, i love coaching kids in life. i found out this past spring that not only coaching kids in a sport can have an impact, but coaching kids in their daily life. encouraging them. talking with them. challenging them. and listening. all of it affected me in how i view the perspective on coaching kids. i got to have many in-depth conversations with some of my kids and it blessed me so much! i am so excited about this new group of kids as i pour into them and get into their world. what a privilege it is to be able to coach kids. 


my trip to uganda also had a significant impact on me this year. i haven't been to that country before and each one is different in it's own way. the people. the country. the atmosphere. the children i met. the stories i heard. the brokenness felt. the sadness endured. it all impacted me significantly. after holding babies who at one time weighed right at 1 lb. babies who look newborn but are actually 6 months old. babies who were never loved by their mothers or fathers. how could it not affect me? how could my heart not be stirred? my heart hurt in many ways. but in the midst of it all. hope was rising for these children. they are now growing, being raised up, and becoming leaders for their country. i believe anytime i get to meet, love on, and get to know people outside of the US, my life is impacted. it's changed forever. 

December 28 – Achieve

What’s the thing you most want to achieve next year? How do you imagine you’ll feel when you get it? Free? Happy? Complete? Blissful? Write that feeling down. Then, brainstorm 10 things you can do, or 10 new thoughts you can think, in order to experience that feeling today.


i want to feel fully alive. i want to be all cylinders go. i want to start fulfilling the dreams that i believe God has planted inside my heart. and not just talk about it anymore. but actually take real-tangible steps. it scary to think about how that will look. but i'm ready to start stepping. i know i can't achieve any dream or desire without jesus going before me. and so only through him. by him. and for him will anything in 2011 be accomplished. there will be emotions and feelings from all sides but it's time. i am ready. my confidence is in the Lord. i have to choose to believe that whatever dream God birthed in me and has put on my heart. He is in the process of bringing it to fulfillment. 


*didn't really answer this question to what i probably should've but it's my blog. :) 


until next time, 
joy

December 27: Ordinary Joy

Our most profound joy is often experienced during ordinary moments. What was one of your most joyful ordinary moments this year?
as i was trying to think through all the moments this year, there is one moment in particular that fits. in september i journeyed over to uganda to spend 2 of the most precious weeks with babies. but prior to getting on the plane to head east, i met up with my team in atlanta, ga a few days before. i had the privilege to go to passion city church the sunday before we left. as we concluded our worship through songs, pastor louie giglio began telling the entire congregation about this team that is going over to uganda in 2 days. he began sharing about watoto ministry and all that God is doing through it. then he began sharing how God brought this team together from every phase of life. then he proceeded to ask the congregation to diligently pray over these women as they are gone. i was already moved by others praying for me. especially people i have never met. louie asked us to stand up and throughout the building we were spread out representing varies groups of people. and instead of having people verbally pray out loud, he said i want you to express your willingness and excitement for this team and your commitment to pray for them by clapping. by giving praise to the Lord for what HE is going to do through these women. and by what He will teach us all...in a matter of seconds. the entire congregation was on their feet. clapping with all their hearts. cheering for us. it was the most overwhelming moment i have experienced. my heart was full of joy for what God was doing in the hearts of people at passion city but also for what He was going to do through us. i was completely humbled in every way by strangers giving me hugs. sharing scripture with me. encouraging me by speaking words over me.

it was a beautifully illustrated picture of the body of christ. an ordinary moment to most people but an extraordinary moment both for me and my uganda team.

December 26: Soul Food

What did you eat this year that you will never forget? What went into your mouth & touched your soul?


considering that i can barely remember what i did a few days, months, or year ago i can't even remember what i ate yesterday. haha. the only way i can remember somewhat of meals is by the event it was surrounded by. whether it was a celebration of some sort, holiday, or just a random get together with friends. the food seems to taste even better because of it. and to be honest, i can't even remember the places i ate at. i just know that it was great all around. so to name a few favorites (in no particular order)...mom & both of my sister's cooking. birthday meal at fresca's. july 4th lake party. lonesome dove in ft.worth. celebrating graduation milestones with friends. daily meals in uganda always reached a deep part of me. cooking dinner together with my best friend in AR. antico pizza in ATL. eating panera bread with some of my small group girls. and yogurtland/pure bliss (the yogurt bar). 


maybe one of my goals for 2011 should be to try something new every place i go. or find a new restaurant and give it a shot. it's always those hole-in-the-wall places that turn out to be the best. 

December 25: Photo

Sift through all the photos of you from the past year. Choose one that best captures you; either who you are, or who you strive to be. Find the shot of you that is worth a thousand words


ok i chose 2 pictures. looking back over the year at all the different pictures i have taken with so many different people & places. it became difficult to pick just one, so i chose two that would describe my year and myself as best as i think


#1 - First Baptist Church DNOW

...first of all i have lived 3 different places just in this year. i have loved the adventure of picking my stuff up and moving to another place.  on the other hand, it also becomes difficult to get settle at any level, but i feel as though this is the nomadic life i am to be on. so with that, these two beautiful women are ones i have lived with- Karen (in red) and Judy (my aunt in the navy). i actually lived with my aunt for a year and half before moving to her best friend's (karen). i feel incredibly honored to have lived life with these women. their wisdom. council. love. prayers. support. encouragement. friendship. and motherly love have impacted me in a way that no one else has. i will always treasure the days of living under each one of their roofs. having older women speak into my life by mentoring me were some of the greatest months i have ever experienced. they have taught me what it means to love well. to live life open handed. to give self-sacrificially. to reach for strength from the Lord DAILY even when they are weak. to find the joy in all things. and to be transparent with your life. they have been huge irons in my life and for that i am full of thankfulness unto the Lord!

 #2 - Picture was taken in Uganda, Africa

...this picture says it all to me. to love well. to reach out to every person. every tribe. every nation. and share with them Christ. who is our hope. our life. our joy. our salvation. HE is the one who knits us together. and if we simply put out our hand, HE will grab it. there is also beauty portrayed in this picture. beauty in the body of christ. beauty in the love that Christ brings to us. beauty in the grace He gives us. and beauty in how all are connected. 


i am looking ahead to see where God will bring me next. to see who he will introduce me to. and to know him more through it all. 


-joy-

December 24: Everything’s OK

What was the best moment that could serve as proof that everything is going to be alright? And how will you incorporate that discovery into the year ahead? 


to be honest and to the point. the only moment i know that continues to quiet my spirit and settle my soul is when i am still before the Lord. when i tap into the greatness of who God is. when i sneak away from all the craziness of the world. when the veil is pulled back even more to know Him. that is when i know everything in my life will be ok. that is when i can loosen my grip on all that i am holding tightly to.  my sovereign God is good. he is life to me. he is the joy to all people. and he is the great shepherd guiding me through every season of life. as i look back on this year, i realize how crucial it is to get my heart right with him each day. he is waiting for me daily for me to stop and rest in his presence. 

December 23: New Name

If you could introduce yourself to strangers by another name for just one day, what would it be and why? 
i don't know if i could introduce myself any differently then joy. it's actually a rare name and there are only a handful of us out there. it's always fun meeting other joy's in the world. it's also a constant reminder to live out my name. a challenge i face daily. to be joyful and bring joy to other people. at times it's who i am called, but other times it's an emotion and expression to feel or experience. that is especially evident during the christmas holidays. so many songs have my name in it and i often have a song or two sung to me throughout the christmas season. it's pretty funny and always brings a smile to my face (i actually think those who are singing to me enjoy it more than i do..:) ). however, my name versus the emotion is quite different. when i stop and think about it, i feel honored to be called by the name joy. i feel honored to be catalyst of bringing joy to people (Christ as the center of my joy). i fail at that many times though. but it doesn't keep me from striving to love people and hoping they too will have joy that only comes from the Heavenly Father. i am thankful to bear this name. even though it may be heavy at times to live out. i am thankful Christ has given unto me.
Joy (Latin)
"joyful" or "joyful one"

December 22: Travel

How did you travel in 2010? How and/or where would you like to travel next year?

oh this is fun to look back at all the places i went to..kind of makes me giddy about it and excited for the upcoming travels. i love road trips and seeing family, friends, meeting new people and visiting new places. 

so here's what was accomplished this year....2010 you did well! 

Texas 

Hurst, Dallas, San Antonio, San Angelo, Houston, 

Austin, Cleburne, Ft Worth, New Braunfels, Stephenville

Colorado

Copper Mtn

Louisiana

New Orleans

Minnesota

Minneapolis

Arkansas

Conway & Fayetteville

Missouri

Branson & Lampe

Nevada

Reno

Georgia

Atlanta

Netherlands

Amsterdam

Uganda

Kampala & Gulu

(below are my stops next week!)

Tennessee

Johnson City

North Carolina

Asheville

Stops already scheduled for 2011...

1. Atlanta, GA
2. Dallas, Tx
3. Hurst, Tx
4. Vail, CO
5. Stephenville, Tx
6. Baltimore, MD
7. Kyiv, Urkaine
8. Kampala, Uganda* (hopefully)

I'm excited to add to this list! May the adventure of road trips, seeing friends, meeting new people and learning about new places continue! 

December 21: Future Self

Imagine yourself five years from now. What advice would you give your current self for the year ahead? (Bonus: Write a note to yourself 10 years ago. What would you tell your younger self?)


well 5 year from now i will be 30. oh my. i can't even believe i am that close to that age. that is crazy! anyways, if i was that age looking back and giving advice i would tell myself "to go after what you love. to not hinder yourself. to dream big. to take advantage of every day. to invest your time with those who God has used to sharpen you. to step outside of my comfort zone. to try new things. and to be a person who loves well in all that i do."

Day 20: Beyond Avoidance

What should you have done this year but didn’t because you were too scared, worried, unsure, busy or otherwise deterred from doing? (Bonus: Will you do it?) 


ouch. this one kind of stings a bit. i think if i knew what i know now, the past 5 months would have looked different then now. if i would not have been too scared. uncertain. unsure. then i would've stayed much longer in uganda. i probably would've stayed several months at the least. but i was battling fear. people pleasing. and lack of confidence. HOWEVER, i am thankful i walked through this season of life because i have learned so much more about myself. i have learned so much more about who God is and His heart for His people. i believe every day is one step closer to bringing me to do what i was afraid to do and to do it with more confidence and trust. 

Day 19: Healing

What healed you this year? Was it sudden, or a drip-by-drip evolution? How would you like to be healed in 2011?

I am not quite sure how to answer this but the only thing i know that continues to heal. nurture. warm. and hits deep is spending time with babies. (for this post i am referring to specifically african babies.) there is something about holding a child in your arms knowing they haven't been loved. knowing they have been neglected. abused. malnourished. and in a way forgotten. it breaks my heart hearing about these things and their story. but it also heals and renews my heart knowing that i have been given an incredible privilege to love them. and to be the hands and feet of Jesus. 

i spent 2 weeks in uganda this september. i held. feed. changed diapers. played with. and loved on precious babies. there isn't anything quite like loving a child as though they were your own. i can't wait to go do it again...

not quite sure about this prompted anyways. weird question. if i answered the prompt correctly. then great. if i didn't. oh well. at least i didn't omit it like i was thinking about doing. 

until tomorrow...

joy

facing the daily prompts

every time i sit down to blog, i have writer's block. i am not sure why. i think it might be too many things going on in my head or in my life to hinder me from focusing on one thing. 

so as we are in mid-december i can't help but reflect on 2010. my friend bekah introduced me to REVERB10. it's a way to reflect on the year and look ahead to what next year holds. every day there are prompts given for you to answer. some are more challenging then others, but it's one way i can focus in one thing at a time. so here it goes...i'm picking up in the middle with 2 weeks until 2011. i may complete the earlier prompts as we enter into the new year. we will see...

Today's Prompt: Dec 18 - TRY

What do you want to try next year? Is there something you wanted to try in 2010? What happened when you did / didn’t go for it?

ok lets be honest. who want's to admit that they would try something and then didn't? well i will admit it. i am one of those people. i remember i said for my 2010 goal i wanted to run a half-marathon. did that happen? no. i actually remember telling several people and i even started to get some mileage under my feet. however, it was a fail. i didn't reach that goal. now i am back to ground zero. maybe i will be more discipline in 2011 to go through with it. maybe i will actually be successful. time will tell. 

as for 2011. i don't want to simply just try. to me that means.."crossing your fingers. you hope it will work. you aren't necessarily confident that it will. but you will try it and see. accepting failure if it may come." i don't want to just hope it will work. i want to be confident that it will. i don't want to just try. i want to give all that i can and have to achieve it. whatever it may be. so my goal is to go for it. confidently. believing in myself. and believing in the ONE who has gone before me. that may be running in a race or it may be something far greater than just a race. whatever it may be. i will accept it with great confidence from the Lord.

joy

questions that pull

what is your dream? not your dream job. but what do you hope for most? 

what would be impossible by human hands, but only possible with God bringing you through? 

what is your passion? what drives you? do you wish you were doing something else instead of doing what you are doing now? why aren't you there yet? 

why aren't you living out your passion - your dream?

what would mark you with significance? 

what would make the most impact on people around you? 

and what would make the most difference in people when God calls you home? 

this past week i have either heard sermons (from louie giglio at passion city church). had conversations with dear friends over skype. and had my eyes opened a little more to the reality of it. the questions above have been ones i have just passed on by without letting them take root. maybe because it's fear. fear of the truth. fear of recognizing and acknowledging where i am. it could also be my lack of confidence in knowing what the answers are to the questions. i have easily side-stepped around the answers by the usual "i don't knows" and "i'm not sure". it's become a habit. one that i want to change. one that will take time. one that i need some accountability with. (to those who have already challenged me in this..thank you!)

answering questions like those above head-on are heavy. they certainly challenge me right where i am at this moment. and even though it may strip me of pride. of what i think i know. it's good. it's hard. it's refining. and i need that. i need refining every day. it's one action that is necessary. it must happen. our God is so gracious that He loves us enough to refine us a little each day. He wants us to want Him. and in everything i do. everyday. the purpose in that very activity is to glorify the Lord and bring honor to His name. and instead of letting the day pass by, why not stop. think about what will be the most significant thing you will do today? or what can you do in order to make it significant? 

have you thought about it? what will be your way of impacting someone?

may this spur us on even more. may this be the first step in changing our communities. our culture. our world. 

please share your thoughts. your ways of becoming countercultural. and how we together as a church body can all be significant. i am beginning this process as well. everyday i am learning more. 

dream. pursue. and be all to Him....for He is ALL to Us,

joy.

if you have time this weekend, i would recommend you listen to louie giglio's sermon titled "fully alive" from the passion city church. click here 

i actually wanted to post about it and share my thoughts...which i may...but as i tried to convey the words, i couldn't quite find the right ones. so go listen and watch this sermon.

i am thankful for the ways it has challenged and stirred me this week. my hope is that it will do the same for you...

may you be different because of it.

thanksgiving week

dad's health.

i can't believe it's been a year since my dad's emergency trip to the hospital on thanksgiving. all of us don't really remember last year because it was a blurr with being in the hospital most of the time and entertaining the 7 little kiddos. what a crazy time it was, but we are all thankful and are counting our blessings as my dad is still with us for another thanksgiving!

my health.

it was a small group this year, but yet still full of fellowship, food, and football. however, i was the one who was sick this year. i came down with a case of shingles that tuesday before turkey day. i had not idea what it actually was because i was unfamiliar with the disease and the symptoms. i had the most irritating itching on my scalp. a rash that appeared on the right side of my forehead. fever. and severe headaches. it was downright awful. it wasn't until thursday when i finally self-diagnosed myself. because at that point all the symptoms were still present, plus the rash was slowly migrating into my right eye. it felt like needles were pricking me. again, not the best feeling in the world. at this point, i was taking any medicine i could to relieve some pain.

friday morning we called my brother-in-law who is a doctor and he confirmed that i have shingles. later that day i picked up my prescription and started feeling better 24hrs later. i am so thankful for those in the medical field and their wisdom in knowing about diseases such as shingles.

i feel almost 100% back to normal. i am working on getting rest and not being stressed. apparently, that is the cause of shingles. well add that to a vulnerable immune system and you have shingles.

thank you to those who i have had talks with this past week. it is truly encouraging to my spirit. love you all!