Pictures of Texas/OU Weekend

These are a week late...but at least I didn't forget about them...

Me and Beks 

Me, Dayna, Tanya, and Nika at the Kanakauk Reunion

(I worked with some of the greatest people!!)

During halftime we ran to get lunch at Potbellys and for some random reason Bekah made me take a picture with our wallets...

After church at The Village...we met up wtih Madi 

(she's the one with the LONG hair!)

We both had Madi as a camper at one point at camp.

Fall Events

College Game Days...

Last weekend I took a trip down to College Station to reunite with some girls that I had the privilege of living with in Zambia, Africa this summer. We all went to the OSU/A&M Game Saturday morning. And to clear the air...I chose to wear orange because it was the closest to Texas' burnt orange and I didn't want Jen to be the only one out of the group cheering for OSU. The final score proved that I chose the right team to support!! :)

Here are some pics from that weekend..

*Sara, Jen and Me

*The group at the game (Jen is taking the pic)

*At dinner in downtown Bryan, Tx

Texas/OU weekend was another weekend that I simply love for 2 reasons...one is that all (well a lot of them) of my Kanakuk friends come in for a reunion Friday night and then we all watch the big game the next day. And that is what we did!! I love getting to see old friends that have impacted your life so much over the years and spend quality time with them. Today a group of us watched the battle between Texas and OU! It's been a crazy week, but so thankful for ending my week with such incredible friends!! (I'll add pictures from this weekend soon...)

Moving Day!

I know that it's' been quite some time since I last updated but to be honest, there hasn't been much happening. I mean...I guess there has, but you get it. :) I actually have some fun news to share...I am moving!! Bittersweet to say the least. I have LOVED living with Brent and Judy this past year. They have been encouraging through it all and have constantly allowed their door to be open for me to stay here. Thank you Jesus, for the hospitality of these I have lived with! It has been so fun to do life with them and share the joys and sorrows of every day life. God designed it perfectly that my aunt and I would be walking through similar seasons together. What a privilege it was been to lock arms with a woman who is not only my aunt, but a dear friend and sister! 

We are 3....Karen, Andrea, and Me

So..back to the NEWS...I am moving in with a precious widow, Karen! She is Judy's best friend and it was all ordained by the Lord. I will be moving in the next week or so. And in addition, Andrea (another God thing and too long to explain) is moving in with us this week too!  What an adventure ahead it will be to begin a new journey with two Godly women. My time here, is my Jerusalem. Jesus said, "You will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth." (Acts 1:8) I had the opportunity to teach this morning (Sunday) to a small group of girls in 11th grade about the great commission and one of the things we looked at is where God has called us and sent us out to be witnesses....Jerusalem (locally : neighborhood, church, school, etc), Judea (regionally : county, state, etc), and Samaria (globally : crossing the boarder, unfamiliar places, etc), and into the ends of the Earth.

I never thought to ask myself...what is my Jerusalem? Why am I here now? What is my purpose for where I am? And I NOW know...that I am to remain here (in my Jerusalem) until the Lord calls me to go to another place. To pour into those around me. To be a voice of God's word. 

Please be praying for the transition, for the steps ahead, and for God to place me with those He wants to speak to! Praise Him that this is all about Lord...for His ways and thoughts are higher than mine!

Much love,

Joy

Becoming more like Him...

I know it's been some time since my last post, but God has been teaching me a lot lately and this is a small glimpse of it...I hope it will encourage you.

2 Timothy 3:16-17

“All scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the man of God my be thoroughly equipped for every good work.”

Ø    God’s word is useful/profitable so that you may gain something or take some away from reading it

Ø    God’s word is useful for rebuking/reproofing…meaning to press down, point out errors, weigh down on you, cut you, strip you of your flesh, convict and reveal

Ø    God’s word is used to train you in righteousness…it’s not there to check it off your list, but there are specific, distinct, and specialized areas you need to focus on. There is a technique in being trained. There is purpose and long-term impact.

Ø    As you encounter these different seasons, the sole reason for all these things is…to be thoroughly (not lacking anything) equipped (prepared) for every good work

There is weight and a heaviness of the love of Christ. How painfully beautiful it is. Our journey in life, as we strive to grow closer to the Lord is progressive sanctification. That is my hope and desire. To gain more of the Lord. In all His fullness. But if we only knew what it would cost us…

Philippians 2:3-5

“Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourself. Each of you should look not only to your interests, but also to the interests of others. Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus.”

Ø    To humble yourself and put aside the desires of your flesh and choose to exemplify Christ…it can be difficult, but its something we must do daily!

Ø    We must die to ourselves and choose Christ above all else.

Ø    In all our humility, we must lay it all down.

 Over the past year, months, weeks, and even days that has been a recurring theme in my life. To become more like Christ. To gain more of Him in every way of my life. To feel the pressing of the Lord’s hand. To know that He is refining me. He is teaching me. He is sharpening. He is continuing to clean out my flesh SO THAT all that is left is… HIM! And the process isn’t easy. It’s painful. It’s ugly. It’s harsh and it breaks you. You get exposed of the deficiencies in your life that you didn’t want to claim or have a part of. But in reality they have been there all along. I didn’t want to own up to them because of the small amount of pride that was getting in the way. And that is when God presses down even more…

The reasons. The questions. The frustrations. The tears. The fleshing out. The pain. The ugliness. The sinful heart. The crying out for grace, mercy, and forgiveness. These are moments we recognize our unworthiness.

 And in that moment you only hope to be with the Lord. To feel His embrace. To hear Him whisper. But how could it be? How could it be possible? He is the holy and righteous God. And we are far from that in every way. We are unholy, sinful, and unworthy...yet in our struggles, in our failures, in our weakness…HE LOVES US STILL. He still chooses us. He still sees us. In the midst of our ugliness, unworthiness, and sin…He remains constant. Unchanging. Faithful. And longs to pursue us even more! He doesn’t turn His back. He is not upset. He is not bitter or angry. He is quite the opposite.

 Jesus has come to RESTORE. SAVE. REDEEM. CONQUER. PURIFY. And display HIS NAME. This life is not about us. It has nothing to do with us…BUT it has everything to do with HIM!! It’s all about His work. His power. His story. Oh that we might give Him what He deserves…giving our lives back to Him and all the praise, glory, and honor that is due HIS name!!

I consider everything a loss compared to the surpassing greatness of KNOWING Christ Jesus my Lord, for who sake I have lost all things. I consider them rubbish that I may GAIN Christ and be FOUND in Him.” Philippians 3:8-9 

So this is where I am. Trusting. Believing. Taking one day at a time. Pressing into the word of God. Letting Him refine, sharpen, mold, purify, and restore the brokenness. Being broken is not necessary the process I would choose, but it’s the only way for God to bring me to my knees. It's the only way for God to mold me, teach me, equip me, and shape me into the person He desires me to be. It's a place to cry out for mercy. To trust Him. To let go of everything else and grab hold of the hand of our Savior. He is the Shepherd who leads us down the paths of righteousness. May God receive the glory for bringing me to where I am today!! And may you all be encouraged that even though we may have to walk through the fire…we become purified, cleansed, washed in His word, and more like Him!