Soon-to-be...

 WOW! Time has flown by since I last posted. I am just 9 days away from my wedding and so much has happened since the last time I blogged. We had 4 showers...2 in February and 2 in March. Talk about a crazy couple of months! We have been so blessed by everyone's generosity in this season of our lives. Thank you to everyone who has graciously given to us!

We just came off spring break which we were able to get a lot of things finished up for the wedding. It still is surreal to me that this is about to happen. I have been looking back at old journal entries lately seeing just where God has brought me from. I have been praying for this man for so many years, wondering who it would be I would get to share my life with. Jordan has far exceeded every thought, prayer, every hope . I could not have imagine a man like him. He knows my heart and cares for me in a way that is so loving and tender. God knows I need this man for the rest of my life. He is a gift to me and I pray I will cherish him everyday.

We will head up to Cleburne next Wednesday and all the wedding events will begin Thursday with all of my bridal party arriving into town. I am SO excited to have these women surrounding me on one of the most sacred days. These women have supported, encouraged and walked right next to me for so many years.

I am praying for time to slow down for Jordan and I over the next 9 days, so that we can truly soak in every moment. Pray with us, that God would be magnified through our wedding ceremony and marriage to come!

Here are a few pictures over the past few weeks...

At our 1st wedding shower in Cleburne

In Washington, DC for a marriage conference

 In DC...

A photographer captured us with an amazing backdrop

Over spring break we applied for our marriage license! 

Wedding Day: March 30
Honeymooning: March 31-April 5..destination unknown to the bride! :)

Next Time I post, I will be a married woman!

Signing off the last time as Miss Joy Janszen...

love to you all!

Engagment Photo Session

I have been blessed by so many friends through the years and so to have one of my longlife best friends take our engagement photos was an incredible blessing to us! We had a blast taking them! Thank you Julie Anna for capturing us all around Gruene!!

 

 

engagment story

since i was young i have always dreamed about my wedding day. i always dreamed of the man i would marry. who he would be like. what qualities he would have. how i would be treated. and even what he looked like. i begin to develop a vision for it and i have been praying for him since i was young.

i have watch so many others get engaged. find a dress. plan for their wedding. and even stood beside many friends, as they make a vow to the man standing next to them. i have longed to be that girl in white. to walk down the aisle with her daddy next to her. i have longed for a man to love me as Christ loves the church. i have longed for that day to yes and make a vow. to become one. to serve the Lord with the man God chose for me.

on december 21, 2012, after being sent on a scavenger hunt all around town. i stood in the center of a beautifully lit gazebo with the man that i have come to love with all my heart. i gazed into his eyes as he knelt before me and asked me to marry him. i finally was given the chance to say YES!

my heart is so full and continues to be overwhelmed with the goodness of God and His love for me. soon i will get to put on my dress, walk down the aisle towards the man God has chosen for me. soon i will stand before family and many friends and make a covenant with jordan as we join together as one in Christ.

just 57 days to go!! 

www.joyjordan.ourwedding.com

sweetness in the sorrow

it's amazing to me how quickly the holidays have come so fast. each day i am reminded of the season i am in. with the music on the radio. houses decorated with all the christmas sparkle. and the crisp cool air (well when we have the cold fronts) but all in all, the holidays have been in full swing since thanksgiving.

this year is particularly different for me than the last. every morning i am reminded of "what we did last year" for this year and every year, in fact, is always a little different than the past one. whether i'm celebrating with a different family, different place, or the feeling of the holidays changes. every year is different in it's own unique way.

my mind, heart, emotions, thoughts have been overwhelmed lately as the days continue. and with the added tragedy of newtown, ct..i am a mess. the aching. the hurt. the loss. the sorrow. the deep pain. the reality of never seeing your loved one again. it's something that will stay with you. and you will always be reminded of that person not with you, whether it's the holidays, events, birthdays, or celebrations you have longed to have them with you for. the longing for them remains.

in the midst of the ache and pain, i find myself wishing someone knew my loss. even though my siblings understand the same loss i do, still each sibling has grieved differently. our relationship with my dad was unique and special. we each have our own memories and favorite moments with dad. so it's hard for each of us to know the others pain. it's hard to explain it to my friends and those close to me. it's in those moments that i feel the loneliest. yet i realize there is One who knows. there is One who understands. there is One who says, "I know your pain. I know your sorrow. I know your loss. I know your thoughts, feelings, emotions, and I hold your tears. I am strong for you. I will uphold you. I will carry you. I alone will heal you. I am the One you need the most. You are not alone. And I am waiting for you to come to me. Come and rest in my loving arms."  

"Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, 

and He will dwell with them, 

and they shall be His people. 

God Himself will be with them and be their God. 

And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes; 

there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying.

 There will be no more pain, 

for the former things have passed away." 

Revelation 21:3-4

and so as we enter this last week until christmas, i am extremely thankful for the most anticipated gift God could ever give us. the gift of His son. and through His son came so much more than i could fathom. the One who is my Hope when i feel hopeless. the One who is my Light in the darkness. the One who Heals. the One who has Redeemed me. the One who restores and makes all things new. the One who loves me thoroughly and completely. the One who always waits for me to return to Him. and loves me still.

thus in the midst of sorrow, i find Hope in the One who came for me. and who came for you. He is the gift that deserves to be praised, honored, and celebrated this season.

how vast and great is His love for me...(Eph 2:4-10)

"For unto us a Child is born, Unto us a Son is given;

And the government will be upon His shoulder.

And His will be called Wonderful, Counselor,

Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace."

Isaiah 9:6