unashamed love.

in the midst of the hospital ward

2012-02-14T16:00:00.002-06:00

as i begin to process through the last month there were so many teachable moments the Lord used to show me in caring for my dad. i'll be honest, i didn't really think i could learn lessons and gain so much from spending hours upon hours in the hospital ward. but i did. i learned so much in a short amount of time. and i feel privileged to have gone through it and now get to share my experience as i sat at the bedside of my sick father.

the hardest part about sharing moments is trying to figure out where to start? so i'm just going to jump in...

after my dad had a stroke on new years eve, our "new normal" begin. my siblings and mom all rallied together to rotate through on who would be staying the night with dad at the hospital and then at the rehab facility. some may think it was an obligation or the last thing we would want to do. however, it was quite the opposite. we eagerly looked forward at our "nights" with dad. being together was all we really cared about. i began looking forward to every minute i had with dad, no matter what time of day it was. these were cherished moments that i will always hold with me.

as we came to know the system of the hospital and when the nurses would be coming to check vitals, give meds, or even when they would have shift change. i learned how important it was to ASK about everything. most commonly we would ask the nurses, "what are you giving him now?" or "what are you checking on?" we had some situations that they were about to give my dad the wrong meds. ;) so we learned it's important to ask. it's important to know what all is happening. so we were not afraid to ask questions, no matter how silly they might sound. we all wanted to get educated quickly on what all was taking place with my dad so that we could care for him the best we knew how.

each day came and went. we became better at knowing what my dad needed and wanted. his speech became more difficult to understand due to him not having the strength to push out oxygen. so we became his translator. we became his mediator. to the nurses, doctors, therapists, family and friends who came to visit. and though it was challenging, it was quite the joy and honor to be my dad's advocate. to stand in the gap for him. to be his voice. to serve him in that way. to be his spokesperson and fight for him each day until the Lord took him home.

so as i look back at the circumstances. the Lord was showing me and teaching me to be an advocate. i realize that is exactly what i desire to be for those in africa. for those who can't speak for themselves. for those who are sick. who are hurting. who are afraid. who need someone to stand in the gap on their behalf. i am grateful that the Lord took me and placed me in a unique situation to learn what i've desired to do for others. never did i think i would learn this lesson in midst of caring for my dad as we neared his passing. but i praise God for using every opportunity to prepare me for His purposes!

the african mosquito

2012-02-10T10:40:00.006-06:00

well..it happened. i got malaria. uganda becomes more and more a part of me wherever i go. :) apparently the parasites can lay dormant until your immune system is suppressed and vulnerable. so who knows when i really got bitten even though i slept under a net and took anti-malaria pills.

it came on pretty quick after my dad passed away and i was unaware of what was causing the shaking chills, intense headaches, high fever, and sweating. i did a bit of personal research and then eventually got some blood work. i was officially diagnosed with P. Vivax Malaria. crazy enough there are 5 strains. fortunately i didn't get the fatal one. after some blood work and a doctors visit i got some medication. praise the Lord! i needed some relief and i am so thankful for meds. since being on them i haven't had any more symptoms or "episodes" as i would call them. i have about 10 days left on the medication and then one more follow up blood work and doctor's visit. i feel like i am on the mend! hallelujah!! sometimes you don't realize what healthy feels like until you are really sick. :)

a positive in the midst of malaria is that i now have a glimpse into what so many people endure in uganda. i may not have had the most extreme case, but i did endure some intense symptoms. i am thankful though that i can now relate on yet another level with the people in africa...

heaven's new addition

2012-02-08T11:45:00.003-06:00

one last date was added to my families memory bank. it is the date of january 21, 2012. which is when my precious daddy went to be with Jesus.

after 1 week in the hospital. 2 weeks in the rehab center. and 1 full day at home on the ranch. dad breathed his last breath. and he took his first sight of His Lord Jesus Christ.

we all look at those last weeks with him as treasured and precious days. we feel honored and privileged to have served my dad in the way we did. it was as though we were ushering him into the throne room of heaven. with every passing day it became more difficult for him. but we wanted to remain steadfast in fighting with him. we ended up coming home from the rehab center on january 20 with full-time hospice. then just a little over 24 hours later, we stood around his bedside as he breathed his last breath. it was a very bittersweet moment. you are never prepared or ready for someone to pass away. you long for their presence everyday. but you dont want them to suffer or struggle. and so here we are. missing dad everyday. but we praise the Lord for no more sorrow and suffering on this side of heaven. we try to imagine what new body dad has. we wonder what he is doing in heaven right now. what a glorious and beautiful comfort that gives us here.

in the midst of lose, we have to trust the plans of God even though we wonder sometimes why? daddy was so young and had so many wonderful years ahead of him. but again, we have to look to Jesus and ask for Him to show us why. to show us how this will be used to further the name of Christ. to show us how he is making ALL things work together in conformity for the good of those who love Him. we know there are greater things to come and we will choose to believe that!

so on january 25, we had a precious celebration of my dad's life. we were overwhelmed with all the friends and family who came and who has loved us through this season. we are beyond thankful for everything and everyone. missing dad already, but comforted in knowing He's with the Lord.

with a grateful heart,
joy

...more to come on what the Lord taught me in the midst of the hospital ward

bearing the weight

2012-01-16T16:50:00.004-06:00

the burdens we bare can be heavy. they can be difficult. they can be harsh. weary and exhausting to carry. we can question. wonder. doubt. and weep because of them. we don't like how they make us feel. or the wounds they leave. we wish at times that they would just go away. they linger longer than we want them to at times. we can't help but ask, "why do we have to go through this? or how long will it last?"

whether we are the ones enduring the burden or hardship. or whether we are watching our loved ones go through it. we are walking through it together. it's hard. it's heavy. it's unbearable at times. we are supporting each other and we also need support. through hugs, smiles, notes of encouragement, prayers, flowers, text messages or emails. no matter what they are, each one uplifts our weary hearts. we have been encouraged by the Lord in Him using others to speak to us. and so through that, we are able to carry on because He gives us strength.

that has been the summation of these last 2 weeks. we have carried a heavy burden everyday. we have braced ourselves for all scenarios. sometimes life is much more than we can endure. actually, it is way more than we can handle. in fact, it's not for us to control at all. we are to trust the One who knows. our lives are controlled by our Heavenly Father, not us. He is the beginning and the end. He is Sovereign in every season. He is good in every season. He knows the times, the places, the people, and every moment. nothing is a surprise. NOTHING.

so in this season of our lives, my family is enduring trials. we are carrying the weight of watching my dad fight to live. we are fighting right alongside him as long as he is willing to. we each are processing this journey of my dad's health differently. we are being challenged and strengthened in our faith. we each have cried our tears. we each have spent nights awake taking care of dad. we each have racked in many hours sitting in his room with him. we will continue to bear the weight until it's over..whether the Lord chooses to heal him on this side of heaven or if He takes him on home to heaven. we will praise the Lord and carry His Name in every season! Jesus has already overcome this trial and we will seek His face through every step. He is our anchor of hope and our refuge in our time of need!

"Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light." Matt 11:28-29

delayed departure

2012-01-05T16:00:00.000-06:00

well the plan was for me to head back to uganda today. i would be stepping onto the plane and getting settled in my seat for the 20 hour plane ride...BUT that is not happening. God had different plans.

i am now on my 5th day at harris methodist hospital in ft worth, along with my mom, sister and other family members. it is incredibly how fast time has gone since i have spent my days inside with my dad. we have had some sweet moments together and i wouldn't trade any day outside for a day to spend with my dad holding his hand, wiping his mouth, feeding him, or rubbing his shoulder.

i had to quickly make a decision about what my time looked like in "when" to go back to uganda. that was what people wanted to know immediately when i first arrived back in the states. it was hard for me to answer that because i just gotten home. i knew i would be thrown into a world wind with my dad's health declining, but i had no idea it would be this.

my dad has been fighting cancer for almost 4yrs. he has rallied many times and won the small battles. but what we are in now, is a war. the cancer has spread throughout the liver even more and continues to attack his body. when we least expected it, dad had a stroke on new years eve. it has added to all the underlying conditions and makes beating cancer even harder. our days with him mean even more now.

since arriving in mid-december, i knew i would need to extend my stay here with my family to help take care of some things. but knowing how long to extend was the question...the Lord began making it clear. He was once again asking me to hand over my detail-oriented mind, my control, my plans and trust Him. trust the plans He has for me. trust that i am exactly where i need to be. trust that all that has happened in uganda and will happen is His work, not anything i am doing. so i made a decision and cancelled my flight. as the Lord reveals, i will move forward in booking another flight.

i felt peace about extending my stay here in the states for a bit. the Lord opened doors in that avenue in blessing me with grace from the family i was living with to tutor their son, as well as with ROWAN and the team in mawanga village. i am praying for God to reveal to me the time to return. i have no doubt that i am supposed to be there, but the timing is in the Lord's hands. i look forward to the day of when i can walk the dirt roads of mawanga village. it could be in a few weeks or months, but no matter when, i believe i will feel God's peace wash over me.

please pray for my dad and my family. we have had some tough days and even long days in the hospital. pray that God would speak so clearly to us with any decision or action that needs to be taken. pray for timing of when i need to head back to uganda. and pray that God would be seen in all of this. pray that HIS name would be exalted and glorified!

may we carry His name well in all things...

'tis the season to embrace

2011-12-26T12:18:00.002-06:00

when your time is limited you truly cherish every moment. not that i haven't before but even more now.

i have been home with my family for about a week and half. it has been so wonderful to be with them. i haven't done much other than that. :) i hit the ground running with different events..a wedding, christmas parties, and a full house of family. my soul has been refreshed & i am so thankful.

as this season comes around each year, i can't help but look back over the year. many milestone markers and events that remain significant. each one is a stepping stone. each one lead by the Lord. each one, whether difficult or not, is good and for God's ultimate purpose for me and my life. so as my family and i entered this christmas season, i thought about what we did last year and how different and/or similar they are...

last year i was living with my parents

this year i am only home for a few short weeks from uganda

last year i drove home on christmas eve from austin after a surprise engagement for one of my best friends.

this year i drove home on christmas eve from a dallas hospital with my parents after spending half the day there getting dad an IV pic line

last year my family was at ease with no new signs of recurrent cancer in my dad

this year my family battles on a daily basis the effects of recurrent cancer in my dad and how it has come back with a vengeance

last year i was looking ahead to all the adventures and the journey the Lord would take me on in 2011

this year i look back and stand in awe of the journey. i am overwhelmed with HIS goodness. HIS faithfulness. HIS mercy. HIS strength. HIS steadfast love for me. HIS ways of speaking to my soul. HIS kindness in the relationships i have built. HIS sovereign leading.

this year as it is ending, i hold tightly to the time i have with my family. with my dad. God knows our days and He will not allow us to be in His presence until He is finished using us for His purpose! the Lord Jesus is our foundation and our blessed hope.

this year, i look ahead to 2012. i look to Him who steers my life. i look forward to finding more strength in Him who gives it. i look forward to all the days ahead that are already planned and ordained. i fix my eyes on Christ, for no matter what 2012 may bring, i will have hope and joy. i will rest in Him as i embrace all that He has for me. may there be celebrations of all what God does. for everything is about HIM and to exalt HIS Holy Name!

for His glory & praise,

joy

village visit #3

2011-12-17T23:35:00.000-06:00

i am changed each time i spend days in the village. i never know what God is going to teach me. i never know what my conversations will be like. i just know they will be filled with rich wisdom, challenging questions, grace, hope, and love.

all of the ROWAN students with pastor paul and i

i met up with ronnie, pastor david wafula and his family friday, dec 9 in the morning. we wanted to get out to mawanga to be a part of the children's program. we arrived around mid-day. i couldn't contain my excitment as i FINALLY met the students of ROWAN! :) my heart was spilling with more joy and love for them. pastor paul kindly took me around and introduced me to everyone. the kids were split up into 3 groups: secondary students, primary, and then the little ones. i found myself holding back tears as i looked into each one of these students eyes. these are the kids of ROWAN. they each have a story to tell.

every group of students i met, pastor paul asked me to share with them. of course you are suddenly on the spot. as i open my mouth i just asked God to give me what to say. i held it together until i stood in front of the secondary students. i was so excited for them and their commitment in school. they each have dreams for themselves and are pursuing it with great passion. as i was speaking to them, i couldn't hold it in anymore. tears began to fall. i was overwhelmed with how good God has been. His Faithfulness in my life, in my families lives, but also knowing how He's been faithful to these students lives as well. i couldn't speak. i was vulnerable standing in front of them. i haven't cried in front of people in quite some time. and within that moment, i felt the arm of my dear friend. pastor paul put his arm around me and spoke on my behalf. he was speaking to the students in lusoga (the local language). as i found strength, all i could say was, "no matter your circumstances, no matter what you have gone through, no matter the story you have to tell, you can look back and see how faithful our God has been and that He is good."

all of the secondary students!

i got to the spend the remaining of the day with them by singing songs, laughing, and getting to know them more. there's HOPE in each of their eyes and i feel so privilege to know them. there are exciting days ahead... the rest of the weekend included organizing and packing up all the 400+ necklaces the widows made, spending time with each secondary students, as well as, attending church sunday morning and worshipping together with the mawangan people!

what a blessing it is to spend days in the village. what a blessing it has been for me to be embraced by pastor paul and his family. that is what i feel each time i go. part of a family ('AMAKA'). they have taken me in. loved me. cared for me. encouraged me. challenged me. and shown me more of Jesus. my heart is full and 'my cup overflows' with gratefulness and love for them.

Signature Collection of Beads

2011-12-06T13:00:00.000-06:00

coming to the USA soon!!!

during my last trip to the village, i spent some time with some of the ladies who are diligently working on creating beautiful necklaces...

the ribbon

a few ladies signing paper to be cut out to be rolled into beads..

after varnishing, they hang to dry..

they are hard working women!

a beautiful picture of HOPE for these widows..

each bead was touch and hand made...amazing!!

with momma edisa and ashley

i'm headed back to Mawanga village this weekend to pick up the finished necklaces!! i can't wait to see them, as well as everyone else!! such joy fills my heart!!

learning from the Mawanga people

2011-12-04T03:00:00.016-06:00

(this post is reflecting on my last village trip, november 25-27. sorry for the delay)

though the trip was short, what i learned and took away from mawanga was more than i expected. there is a special place in my heart for the village. i have always desired to “live and be among the people”. to feel what they feel. to see what they see. and to do life with them. i am far from understanding what the people of mawanga face on a daily basis, but even spending a few days at a time i continue to learn. and i continue to be refined by the Lord. He never fails in His faithfulness in making me more like Him. i fall more in love with Jesus as i see Him in every person. in every face. in every smile. in every moment. i look ahead to all the days i will spend in the village. as i learn from the mawanga people what life is all about. and how caring for those around you is one of the greatest callings/commands and responsibilities we have.

pastor paul was back from the states and i finally was able to spend time with him. he had spent 6 weeks traveling around and sharing about what God is doing in Mawanga -- a beautiful village tucked away in the heart of uganda. spending time with pastor paul was exactly what i needed. it was so interesting to hear his perspective on america and our culture. he made some remarkable statements regarding how we live, what we value, and even the faith he sees in americans. one of the things he said was “what i observed in the states, was the most valuable thing to americans is time and what they do with it. but the most valuable thing to mawanga people is relationships and building community.” talk about a gut check and even just some self-examination. he’s so right though. i’m guilty of the same. i have made excuses. i have chosen other things. i have passed up numerous opportunities to invest in relationships. it’s time to change. it’s time to evaluate what will matter in the end. my time? or building relationships? it's time to slow down and be with people. may i continue to glean from the mawanga people and how they value their time with each other. doing life. everyday. for they are defining “amaka”, a lusoga term meaning family.

pastor paul and i

so thankful to the Lord for all He is doing and all He is teaching me!

with a heart full of thanks

2011-11-23T21:30:00.003-06:00

as another year has come and gone, i can't help but stop and reflect on all the things i am thankful for...being away from my family has been difficult to accept as the holiday approaches but the Lord has been so good. He has graciously shown me to embrace what is around me here in uganda. embrace the newness, the changes, the differences and look to make sweet memories where i am. life is always changing for me and what i love are the annual family traditions back in the states, but this year it's different...and so as i think about those back home, my heart is full of thanks for so many things...

- my entire family that i have been blessed to do life with for 26 years & all the support they have given me especially over this past year

- my dad and the additional days the Lord has given him since his first diagnoses in 2008.

- the opportunity to live with my parents for a few months last year and then with my sisters (JJ) family for 9 months

- my best friends who have never wavered in believing in me, challenging me, loving me, and encouraging me through each season. for the ways they have pushed me to run after Jesus!

- for my supporters/prayer warriors who have shared their prayers, wisdom, tangible support, and uplifting words. God is using you to fulfill His promises in me!

- for all the letters, emails, skype conversations, facebook messages, or gmail chats since living in uganda. i cherish each one

- for the new friends God is introduced me to over this year!

- for the lessons of learning to love people, no matter what

- for all the relationships that were built over this year

- for God's provision in putting every piece of the puzzle of my life together

- for God's constant faithfulness and steadfast love

- for the roger's family and welcoming me into their lives in uganda

- for ROWAN and all the work God is doing through them in Mawanga

- for all the ways God continues to draw me to Him through everything. wouldn't want to be anywhere else because i would miss out on knowing Him more!

as i celebrate thanksgiving with a different family this year, my heart is with my mine back in the states. i am so incredibly thankful to be where i am; though separated, it challenges me to be even more fervent in prayer over them and all those i am not with. praying you each have a wonderful holiday. may you take time to embrace what's around you and enjoy your family and friends!

happy thanksgiving!

"Enter His gates with thanksgiving and His courts with praise;

give thanks to Him and praise His name.

For the Lord is good and His love endures forever;

His faithfulness continues through all generations."

Psalm 100:4-5

Encouraging Words

2011-11-20T12:00:00.005-06:00

"May God Himself, the God of peace, sanctify you through and through. May your whole spirit, soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of the Lord Jesus Christ.

The One who calls you is faithful and He will do it."

1 Thes 5:23,24

"Teach me your way, O Lord, and I will walk in your truth; give me an undivided heart that I may fear your name. I will priase you, O Lord my God, with all my heart; I will glorify your name forever."

Ps 86:11-12

"The Lord reigns, He is robed in majesty...He is armed with strength. The world is firmly established, it cannot be moved. Your throne was established long ago, you are from all eternity

...holiness adorns your house for endless days, O Lord."

Ps 93:1,2,5

"The mountains melt like wax before the Lord, before the Lord of all the earth...You are exalted far above all gods. Rejoice in the Lord, you who are righteous and praise His holy Name."

Ps 98:5,9,12

"Exalt the Lord our God and worship at His footstol, He is holy."

Ps 99:5

"...by His power may He fulfill every good purpose of yours and every act prompted by your faith...so that the name of our Lord Jesus may be glorified in you and you in Him."

2 Thes 1:11-12

"Now may the Lord direct your hearts into the love of God and into the patience of Christ."

2 Thes 3:5

"Blessed are You, Lord God os Israel, Our Father, forever and ever. Yours, O Lord, is the greatness, the power and the glory, the victory and the majesty; for all that is in heaven and in earth is Yours. Yours is the kingdom, O Lord, and You are exalted as head over all...in your hand it is to make great and to give strength to all."

1 Chron. 29:10-12

"...from the beginning God chose you to be saved through the sanctifying work of the spirit and through belief in the truth...stand firm and hold to the teachings...May our Lord Jesus Christ Himself and God our Father, who loved us and by His grace gave us eternal encouragement and good hope, encourage your hearts and strengthen you in every good deed and word."

2 Thes 2:13-17

a few recent thoughts

2011-11-19T02:30:00.001-06:00

He draws us back every time. He gently reveals to us more of who He is. He lovingly guides us with each step. He holds us in His hands. He makes us more like Him through everything we endure. He continues to show me that my life on this earth is not about me for one minute. It has nothing to do with my life. but it's ALL about Him. everything is pointing back to Him. EVERYTHING. from the way the sun rises over the hills in kampala. from the birds chriping, to the sound of rain hitting the ground, to my attitude towards each person. to my words that leave my mouth. it is all for the praise of His name!

i have grown up in a culture with a "want it now" mentality that i wish i didn't automatically have. i instinctively set goals to accomplish and want to see results soon. and now, here i am in a completely opposite culture of what i am used to. a culture of "slow and steady". i'm seeing something i didn't before though. i'm seeing that my wants are self-centered and selfish. i'm wanting to accomplish certain goals and see results. however, i have to ask myself the question, "what am i ultimately striving for? self fulfillment or God's?" i recognize that no matter how monotunous something may be, God ~~asks~~ desires for me to be faithful! to be faithful in the small things. to be faithful in today. don't get overwhelmed with the larger picture. but just be faithful on a daily basis. and believe He will fulfill His purposes for me.

it's so easy to say and more difficult to live out. i have to believe that God would not bring me where i am today if He wasn't working. i have to believe that He is working all things together for His good and purposes. my prayer is that my spirit will be sensitive to when He speaks and to move in action accordingly. i have to die to myself everyday and choose to be faithful, obedient, and patient.

i'm thankful to serve a God who is always for me and draws me back to Him through all things.

He is making me more like Him and that is what i would choose over anything else!

mawanga pictures

2011-10-27T12:40:00.000-05:00

2 precious orphans i had the privilege of meeting:

meet george & esther

some of the ROWAN kids shared created designs for uniforms...

it looks like a garden, but it's going to be a large building for ROWAN!

there will be offices and a big fellowship hall. praying for all the funds to be complete!

the AMAZING women working in the garden!

they want their passion fruit to grow!! :)

for the record..these ladies are so strong!

i dug 3 holes & each time another precious widow would help fix it :)

a little TLC (tender love & care) for the passion fruit!

pastor wafu asked me to plant one...

praying the Lord will grow it to produce a bounty of fruit!

and just for those who are curious, mawanga means "a coming together of nations". i absolutely love that! the history of rowan is filled with volunteers and supporters from all over the world! so many people from varies nationalities have already served with rowan in mawanga and there are so many more soon to follow...O Lord, you said, lift up your eyes, the harvest is here. the Kingdom is near. you said, ask & i'll give the nations to you...!

come Lord, and move among us! may others see and believe that You, O God, have done this!

mawanga village: where do i begin...

2011-10-23T13:40:00.001-05:00

you can't really imagine it unless you see with your very eyes. it is literally in the bush. off the beaten path. there are small groups of huts set in an opening of trees. only those who live there could tell you where someone lives. no signs. just dirt paths leading from one group of homes to another. i was either in one of ROWAN's vehicles or on a boda moving around. and as i went along i heard the word "muzungu" about a thousand times. it brought such joy to my heart when my eyes would meet the eyes of the children who were yelling at me. when i acknowledge them and yelled "jambo" (a simple way they greet each other; meaning hi or hello). they squealed. they laughed. and they smiled ear to ear. i seriously could have done that the whole day. :) seeing pure and innocent joy radiate from them is priceless!

it’s a different pace of life out in the village. slow. simple. focusing on basic needs to live. there are people herding small groups of cattle. goats roaming. chickens everywhere. kids walking around. some playing. some crying. some running around either half naked or fully naked. you find adults working in the fields gardening or harvesting their fruit or vegetation. holes in the ground for toilets. bucket showers outside with water that was warmed up over the fire. no electricity. mud huts with thatched roofs. the local language of lusoga beautifully spoken. feeling the strong sun beat down. dirt all over my feet. on my hands. on my skin. learned to drink hot tea twice a day. rich conversations. relationships being built. that is what matters at the end of the day and in the midst of everything. embracing community and fellowship with one another.

even though i was in the village for just a few days i was once again challenged. God is so gracious in how He teaches me. He is constantly sharpening me. refining me. and pressing down on me. less of myself and more of Him. He is still showing me that i am sinful. and i am in need of Him. He is still showing me that this life He has given me is not about me but about Him. He is opening my eyes to see all i need is Him. to let go of things that don’t matter. to strip away everything else so Jesus alone remains.

“…i consider everything a loss compared to the surpassing greatness of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake i have lost all things. i consider them rubbish, that i may gain Christ and be found in Him…i want to know christ…the power of his resurrection…the fellowship of sharing in suffering…becoming like him in death to be raised up (paraphrased the last part).” phil 3:8-9

one of my prayers has been for God to open my eyes to see. see the children. the widows. the families. whoever it is Lord, i want to see. interestingly enough, as i was driving up with pastor david wafu (ROWAN staff), he made a statement to me that is so profound...

"instead of people going to share about jesus to others,

they need to go and see Jesus!

they need to see jesus in the children and in the people

…if you just look, you will see Him!”

i look forward to sharing with you more on all that took place in mawanga during the few days i was there. much love and blessings to you!

prayers for dad

2011-10-22T05:25:00.000-05:00

after spending a week away i am now back trying to catch up. my time spent in mawanga village was beautiful. God continues to press in on me what He wants me to see. i will share all i can as i get my thoughts together. but first i want to stop and ask for prayer...

as i was away this week in eastern uganda, my parents back in texas went to houston for a check up on my dad's status. i read in an email last night after get back that the spot the doctors had initially found on his liver had grown. plus there may be additional spots in the liver and even possibly in his abdomen.

these are not the words i wanted to read. it's not what any of my family wanted to hear. but i will remain hopeful. i will always remain hopeful. because hope does not disappoint. my God remains faithful. He remains good. He remains sovereign. He remains strong. i will keep claiming the truth of who my God is! He will overcome!

my heart hurts to not be with them. it's difficult to hear news like this when i am so far away. so again i ask for prayer on behalf of my family. for my dad. for my mom. for my siblings. for my nieces & nephews. for all who have been a part of this journey. another 10 weeks then they return to rescan and evaluate once more. thankfully, that appointment will be during the time i will be back in the states for a couple weeks during christmas.

thank you for standing with us in this battle!

my God, YOU are here with us

constantly here with us

YOU are our everything,

Faithful and True

(Constant - Charlie Hall)

3 WEEK UPDATE!

2011-10-13T12:00:00.003-05:00

I am now in my 3^rd week of being here and almost finished my 2^nd week of school with Graham. Last week when I started, the previous personal assistant (P.A) took me around and explained all that I needed to know. I was on my own after that…I felt like I went back to school because of attending all of Graham’s classes as well taking down additional notes. I have observed a lot of Graham’s learning style, his academic background & the expectations of the teachers. I guess you could say I am mending the gap between the two.

My day begins at 5:40am and ends usually around 10pm. We leave for school around 7:15am (it’s about a 25-30min commute) and the first bell rings at 8am. At 3pm the last bell rings and all the students head to after-school activities. We usually don’t end up leaving for home until 4:30/5pm. It varies daily depending on additional things that may come up. Shortly after we arrive home and unpacked from the car, we sit down for dinner. whew, what a day! :)

I am beginning to meet a lot of people my same age who are also in their first year at ISU. It has been so fun meeting those from all around the world. I look forward to building friendships and relationships as time goes on while developing a good community with them outside of school.

In addition to meeting people at school, I have been meeting a lot of volunteer ROWAN staff! Pastor Paul, David Wafula, Jim, and Ashley all play specific roles in the growing ministry of ROWAN. I feel so blessed to have met them and to work alongside each one as we step forward in the steps God gives us to take. Next week I will be heading to the village for a WEEK! From Oct 17-22 I will be meeting lots of children, widows, families, and staff. I will be observing the current projects and also doing a few as well. There is a huge event that will be launching soon so any time I can get up to the village will be a huge benefit in preparing for it! Tuesday night I met with Jim & Ashley and we decided that we will need to go to the village at the end of this month as well! So I will be going to the village again Oct 27-30!! Once we confirm a few things with the project I will announce it!! J I am beyond excited for ROWAN and I am blessed to be a part of it!

Everything else is going well! My body is still adjusting with food and such but it will get there..i hope! J I am gradually getting a feel for where things are and feeling more comfortable with moving around on bodas. It’s crazy what they can fit through…it’s definitely an adventure every time! From weaving in and out of cars, to riding down a busy sidewalk, to squeezing through trucks, to the busy nightlife..it’s a wild, yet fun ride!

I am so thankful to be here! My prayer is to continue to come with open eyes and an open heart to whatever God has! I pray I walk in confidence knowing who I am in Him and His leading wherever that may be!

Miss all of you on the other side!

joy

WATOTO, FRIENDS, & A BODA BODA

2011-10-09T09:30:00.004-05:00

i have been looking forward to today since last week. i went to watoto church in downtown kampala. it was a bit adventuresome due to the down pour of rain. i barely made it to the taxi stage in town. i had no choice to jump in with the first person and go. :) i made it to church in good timing though. my heart was full as i worshipped with so many ugandan's. we joyfully sang together, had a day of thanksgiving with dedicating babies, as well as the teaching of scripture. i felt right at home! i'm looking forward to building relationships and community there. :)

as i was waiting for the rain to stop i saw a familiar face, phillip! he hosted our team around kampala during the 2 weeks we were here a year ago. it was so fun to see him!! hopefully i will bumped into him again.

after church i met up with a friend of mine, jill wiebe, again i met here last year. she is from canada and was a part of showing us around to the baby homes. we met at a roof top restaurant at a mall in town and enjoyed catching up. afterwards we headed our separate ways on boda boda's. it was my first ride on a taxi motorcycle!! thankfully i had a safe driver and enjoyed ride. :)

every day i hope to become more comfortable at moving around the city. tomorrow or tuesday i am planning to meet up with a few ROWAN staff after i finish with school.

missing everyone from home though! would love to hear from you if you get a chance!

much love,

joy

enjoying these days

2011-10-02T11:20:00.000-05:00

tomorrow is my first official day at ISU. i'm so ready to get on a normal schedule! it really has been nice to have a relaxing first few days but i'm looking forward to it picking up. i believe the Lord wants me to be a good steward of my time and energy. i am choosing to be thankful though for these days because i know down the road i will be wanting some restful days. :)

yesterday the girls (amy, emma, ellie & i) met up with another MAF family (jill, esther, & arriana who live down the street). we went down to the mall area for a few errands. it ended up being a much more fun outing then we anticipated. on top of the crazy traffic & torrential down pour of rain we enjoyed our time away from the house. our first stop was getting lunch at this pizza place, then off to a furniture & lamp store, then we got our toes done (which was a nice treat). we ended up staying until dinner time and ate at a place called ranchers. this place reminded me so much of being in texas. crazy enough, they had steak! it wasn't bad. its always fun to try places like this in uganda. you just never know what you're going to get. TIA!

driving into kampala

i loved this store! so many fun lamps!

today we went to church at KBC (kampala baptist church). i met more people from different countries. it amazes me that so many foreigners are here in one place. there are australians, britts, scots, and more. i will be meeting more people from varies places tomorrow as i start my first day of school with graham. i am looking forward to it and what doors the Lord opens up for me. my prayer is that God will continue to go before me and lead me with every step. my eyes and heart are open to whatever is in front of me!

i also got to speak with kelsey about some upcoming ROWAN things. yay!! i am going to be meeting pastor paul and david mafula (both are on staff) on wednesday night. hopefully we will discuss when i will get to head out to the village. kels is working up a few projects i can do this side with the people in the village. pray that the timing of when i go and the coordinating of it all will work out! i REALLY want to get out there as soon as i can! my heart is for the rural. praying about going the week i have off school in a few weeks. i want to spend as long as i can there within the school schedule i'm on. :)

that's it for now. but here are a few pics of the kiddos i get to hang out with..

daniel, amy (our neighbors little girl), and emma

(missing 3 kids from the rodger's family)

sweet elly!

here's my room for those who are wondering...

out & about

2011-09-29T08:00:00.000-05:00

well today i finally feel like i am on uganda time. :) i woke up got some coffee, hung out with kiddos, read my bible out on the terrace, and helped graham with a little of his homework. from just discussing a little with him, i can see how important it is to come alongside him with his school work. he is having trouble reading and being diligent in his homework. i think that is with most teenage boys anyways. :) i have already observed a lot just in the small time i have been here with the family & especially graham. he is a bright boy with a future ahead of him and i just hope i will be able to ignite a passion in him to have goals and dreams. i know it will take time, as most things do. but i looking forward to learning not only from graham and the family, but even learning some language myself. :)

so i ventured out today. dave picked me up from the house and i went to his office to exchange some money. then i went off by myself. (don't worry mom & dad, the area where i live is fine to walk around according to dave & amy). anyways, i was told to go try "coffee at last". it's a cute little coffee shop off makindye road. it has an american feel, especially with country music playing. what! texas country music in uganda?! crazy i know. BUT the coffee is good! i've been meeting all the people that work here. i have to say...ugandan's are so kind and hospitable! so as i sit outside on the balcony watching people pass whether walking, riding bodas, in cars, or in small buses...i'm soaking it in. i love it. i love interacting with the people, watching, smelling, and embracing all that is around me. it's so different from america, but in it's own way it already feels normal to me.

tomorrow i will more than likely go up to ISU (international school of uganda) and meet with someone about tutoring graham. it will be nice to see the school layout and familiarize myself before hitting the a full day come monday. i am not sure of the plans for this weekend just yet; however, i may be going up to mawanga village, meeting pastor paul, or any other ROWAN staff here in the city.

i am seeing how different life is and the experience thus far with not being with a team of some sort. i know there are pros and cons about both, but one thing i have enjoyed is the opportunity and ability to truly see and take in the culture here. i get to walk around, say hi to those traveling on foot and just be as normal as you can be. i am looking forward to truly getting the ugandan experience when i ride on a boda boda (a little motorcycle).

thank you again for the letters you have written. i take out a few a day and read them. my heart is refreshed each time knowing the incredible support i have behind me. so i leave you with a picture of me sitting on the balcony enjoying some african coffee this afternoon! i'm sure this will become a regular stop for me..i've already informed one of the managers and he has happy about that! :)

"We are therefore Christ's ambassadors, as though God were making His appeal through us. We implore you on Christ's behalf: Be reconciled to God. God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God." 2 Cor. 5:20-21

Hello from Uganda!

2011-09-28T08:37:00.000-05:00

i made it! after almost 24 hours of traveling i am back in africa. i am still getting adjusted to the time because my body sure thinks it's in texas time. sleeping on the plane didn't happen that much so i am thankful for a solid 8-9hours today.

the plan today and tomorrow is to rest and get adjusted. friday i will go to the school and meet with a couple people to get started working with graham. monday will be my official first day! :)

i am also looking forward in meeting some ROWAN staff. i believe pastor paul is the first to meet before he flies to the states to marry kelsey & thadd oct 15. :) hopefully i will be going to the village soon to start getting to know everyone there.

so as i sit in the living room at the rodgers house with the rain coming down outside i still can't believe i am here. so many adjustments are to come but i am ready for them. thank you again for your prayers, excitement, and encouragement!

joy

a little reflection in Amsterdam

2011-09-27T02:16:00.000-05:00

as i sit here at amsterdam airport waiting on my next flight, i can't help but be thankful for all of you who have been a part of my life. whether i have known you for many years or if i have only known you for less than that. each of you have been used to guide me to where i am. i believe God uses His people to speak. i believe He encourages, strengthens, challenges, loves, and guides us through the body of Christ.

i also can't help but reflect on the last time i was sitting here at starbucks in amsterdam. paying $7 for a tall coffee, sleeping on the couches, and getting to know each other. i was with my team from passion city church. and so as i sit here, i remember them! i am thankful for the relationships and friendships that were established through those 2 weeks loving on babies together. that trip we took had a huge impact on why i am returning. little did i know 1 year later, i would be moving to uganda. :)

for those who don't know the timeline and how quickly God moves here's what it looked like for me:

Sept 2010 - spent 2 weeks in uganda with watoto children's ministry. met my friend kelsey young (co-founder of ROWAN)

Jan 2011 - kelsey was in the states & came to texas to speak to several groups at church (from that point we began discussing a summer trip)

June 2011 - kelsey shares with me about the family she is living with needs a full-time tutor for Graham (who in fact is from Mawanga village that ROWAN is working in). met amy (the mom) and discussed the details.

Aug 1, 2011 - stepped in faith and bought a plane ticket

Sept 26 - i left for Uganda. moving in with the rodgers family, helping graham at the international school, and working alongside ROWAN

it blows me away of how quickly God moves when we are open to see it! every part has all worked in accordance to His ultimate purpose in furthering His kingdom!

off to entebbe....

my last night in the states...

2011-09-26T02:57:00.003-05:00

its almost 3am as i am writing this. my flight leaves in 13hrs. i am about to take my 3 bags and move to uganda. it has come so quickly and it all feels surreal. but as much as i can be, i ready. i'm ready to get back to my second home and i'm looking forward to sharing it with you!

on the eve of my departure, many of my family and friends came by to "send me off" to uganda. i absolutely loved getting to see so many people. my heart was encouraged by our conversations, prayers, and worship. what a beautiful picture of the body of Christ! i am so grateful for the relationships i have been blessed with here in cleburne. God has used each one to spur me on and make me more like Him. no matter where i am, God has been gracious to bless me with wonderful friendships. i am looking ahead to who He will introduce me with and allow me to walk next to in life while living in uganda.

here are a few pictures from tonight...

britt and i

my friend jennifer drove all the way from dallas!

i just love her! thank you for coming!

the buren 3

sweet prayer time!

Vickie and some of the Ford crew!

Britton, Anna (left); JJ and the girls plus josh (right)

dad and us

thank you again for everyone's love, support and prayers! seriously, my spirit has been lifted because of you. i anxiously look forward to sharing the journey with you! my love goes out to you and the next time you hear from me i will be in route or in uganda!!! :)

a trip down south

2011-09-20T09:00:00.004-05:00

sept 9-12 i was down in new braunfels for one of my best friends bachelorette party. we had a blast hanging out at the lake, going to dinner in gruene, and teepeeing the house of the bachelor party (we ended up getting caught and some of us got thrown in the lake). i also got to spend time with my sister, jamie, and her family before i leave the country. much needed fun and refreshing weekend! here are a few pictures of the weekend below...

my precious friend sarah!

love all the boots

my beautiful friend sarah!

gruene, tx

the amazing sunset at my sister's house

i head back down on thursday for the big celebration weekend of sarah marrying matthew! i can't wait to to spend time with them as we honor them on what will just be the beginning of life together!

from months. to weeks. now DAYS.

2011-09-18T17:30:00.003-05:00

i have just 7 days to have everything....either packed up in my bags or packed up to store. it has been a few weeks of stress, errands, packing, list making, and trying to prepare my heart and mind for the journey ahead.

i have days of excitement and energy. then days of overwhelming stress. i am starting to feel the tug between the two worlds. i am in the transition period. which for me is hard. i am packing up my life here but yet i'm still here for a week. i am trying to spend time with loved ones which brings the emotions and reality of me leaving, but yet i am trying to look at all the exciting adventures ahead! it is that push and pull. these moments and feelings are inevitable. they are just sometimes difficult to endure.

it is weird for me to think a week from wednesday, i will be waking up to the sounds, smells, and feel of africa. yes i will be living with an american family so the culture of the home will be similar to what i know here, but still surrounding me will be everything africa. it will be everything, i know, i hope for. as i wake up in uganda, you will be going to sleep in america. the difference in time. the difference in communicating. the difference in life. my world is about to collide.

though worlds apart. we both will still be living life. still striving for goals we have set. still dealing with struggles. still working hard. whether that is going to school at a university, being involved in a sorority or church group, leading small groups, working 8 to 5, being a tutor, a babysitter, a mom, a caretaker, a counselor. though we may have different tasks and living in different locations dealing with a variety of things, we have a common purpose. the purpose to which we were called in carrying the name of Jesus to others. may we recognize that we are a unified body, placed specifically by the Lord in unique areas to fulfill His plans in our lives. acknowledging that it is not about us, but ALL about Him!

may we continue to be unified in spirit to encourage, strengthen, and pray for one another.

a must read...

2011-08-31T22:25:00.001-05:00

i love reading. it has always been something i love to do. but with crazy schedules and on the go most of the time, it gets hard to sit and read. lately though, i have made it my goal to carve out time to read on a daily basis.

one thing is for certain though. reading books is so good for me. it's good for my heart. it's good for my mind. it's good for my spirit. it's good for my well being. there is something about letting myself sit, get caught up in a book, pushing the distractions aside, being challenged, and gaining more then what i began with.

one of my friends recommended a book to me this summer. it's called

"when helping hurts: how to alleviate poverty

without hurting the poor and yourself."

i love when i open up this book to read. i learn more. i relate more. i grow more in how to come alongside others no matter the culture, the color of skin, the socioeconomic status, or the lifestyle. for it's not about any of those things that our world or society says that makes us different. we are all suffering and dealing with poverty in one way or another. we are not here to tell people what or how to live. we are hear to do life WITH others. to build relationships. to learn from each other. to serve one another. to share our lives.

that is what this book discusses. so many times we (individuals, small teams, short term mission teams, ministries, churches, etc) will go do mission trips to alleviete some form of poverty of others. we will go thinking "we have something to offer". we go with a "fix it" mentality. we go with a plethora of projects, to-do lists, materials, and so much more. i am not saying this is a bad thing, but when you really think about the culture, the people and country you are going to be a part of, you may not need any of that. when it comes down to it, the relationships you form with the people is the most important thing and should be the ulimate goal of any mission trip.

it takes more time to sit and talk with others. it takes more time to discuss the ups and downs of life. it takes more time to hear people's life story. it takes more time to truly get to know others. it takes more time to make disciples as we have been called to do. building relationships is not a quick, easy to-do project. it is an ongoing, everyday, long-term commitment. you may not see instant results, but your life as well as theirs, will be changed forever!

dad's journey continues...

2011-08-25T13:00:00.002-05:00

every now and then, there are dates that i wish i didn't remember. dates that i wish didn't have a significance. before the actually date, its just a date. but after...well..it becomes a day that affects so many. it becomes a day full of sorrow. sadness. heaviness. tears. questions. thoughts. and so much more.

the date i am referencing to is august 8. that is the day my family got news the doctors found cancer cells in my dad's liver (it's the same cancer they had found in his esophagus and his adrenal gland). we don't know much more than that. and honestly, i am glad. that is enough to process for now. my dad will go back down in mid-october to do another scan then decide the treatment options.

interestingly enough, this came 1 week AFTER i booked my plane ticket to uganda. and my parents go back to the doctor 2 weeks AFTER i leave. i questioned it immediately...what do i do? do i go ahead and change my flight even though i don't know the outcome? do i wait? do i go?...

through the wavering, with much thought and prayer, i have to trust the Lord in this. He has taken care of my dad and my family from the very beginning of this 3 1/2 year journey. He has given us strength when we are weary. comfort when we are sorrowful. joy when we are in pain. He has lifted our heads when they lay low. He has covered us with peace when there was non before.

no one would choose the journey my family has walked through. but through it all God is continuously drawing us to Himself. He is leading us to trust Him more. He is revealing to us that there is deeper joy in the very center of it all. this journey is not about us. it's about HIM. He is using this to make much of Himself. He's wants us to see Him in it. and so i will choose that above all else!

i have to believe that EVERYTHING works together for our good and His Glory! i am still praying for ultimate healing for my dad. for his daily strength. for his joy. for his life. for his heart. for i will always have hope!

picture taken at a wedding in NM back in July.

i love you dad!

our blog for my dad's journey

another wedding...arkansas style!

2011-08-23T11:00:00.015-05:00

another one of my friends got married august 12 in conway, arkansas...it was such a fun weekend of celebrating and getting to love on Emily. i have loved doing life with this girl even though we are a state away. i have learned so much from her boldness and discipline in prayer, her passion for life, lively spirit, and our shared love for africa! this girl deserves to be celebrated!!

getting dressed

(emily, her mom, and sister)

erin and i

(love her!)

shoes!

(notice the bride is wearing TOMS)

the wedding party

erin, emily, and i pre-wedding

Mr. and Mrs. Boedeker

the cake and bridal portrait

all 4 of us...together again!

they are such strong irons in my life

and i am so thankful for each of them!

(erin, emily, me, and steph...some of my greatest friends!)

garrett, me, and steph..plus little garrison! :)

(they've been married 2 1/2 yrs and are expecting their first child later this fall.
he'll be making his appearance at the end of sept!)

leaving on a jet plane...

2011-08-22T09:00:00.006-05:00

well i did it. i booked my plane for uganda back on august 8.

i am leaving for "the pearl of africa" on september 26.

in 5 weeks....35 days...

i will pack it all up here in cleburne, texas and head east to the beautiful continent of africa that has always held a part of my heart.

it is surreal everyday now to think i will be walking the streets, interacting, conversing, praying with, dreaming with, teaching, mentoring, being taught, learning from and being challenged by those of another country, another race, another culture, another nation, another tribe...but in that, there is such beauty for we were created for just that. i can wait to experience ALL of what God has in store.

so from this day until i climb onto the plane, i will be doing the best i can in preparing my heart, my mind, and my spirit for the task ahead. i am beyond thankful for the community i have established here. for the support. for the prayers. for the love i have received.

my cup overflows...

2011-08-21T10:36:00.000-05:00

wow. almost a month has gone by since i have put words down on this blog. i can't tell you how many times i would sit down ready to post and i would have writers block. maybe its because life has been a whirlwind of CRAZY and my mind can't focus on one thing. my goal today is to spend the afternoon writing about the past month. the events, everyday life, emotions i've been going through, things i'm processing, and everything else in between. i have got to get better about posting every couple of days. i'll be in uganda, africa in 5 weeks (ahhh!!) and i want to share every experience with whoever is reading this!

so get ready for updates galore....happy blogging to me...and to you! :)

a longing fulfilled

2011-07-25T12:00:00.001-05:00

i'll be honest with you (or whoever is reading this). i've been afraid to dream sometimes. not because i don't want to or that i don't have dreams at all. i am afraid that i will be called foolish. i am afraid i won't be supported. not encouraged. or not challenged to go for it. i am also afraid that my dreams won't come full circle. that i will start an idea but then won't have enough creativity to carry it through or actually make it happen.

i know that is my flesh waring against me in every way. this is satan's way of trying to pry me away little by little of dreaming dreams that God has actually planted inside of me.

and so i return to read this scripture and bold statement...

"I know what you need before you ask Me,

so dream big, pray big and believe big."

the more i speak out the dreams i believe God has planted inside of me. the more real they become. and the more excited and alive i become.

one dream in particular is truly becoming reality...the dream of returning to Africa and serving the people there. it is coming to fruition this year. yes...this year! :) to make a long explanation short...i will be moving there the end of september to be a private tutor to a ugandan child. i will be living with the american family who adopted him. i will also have the greatest privilege of partnering and working alongside ROWAN.

i still can't believe it. God is soo good. He has known the longing in my heart. He has heard my cry. He has heard their cry. He has answered in His perfect timing. this is His beautiful story He is writing and i just get to be a part of it.

thank you, O Lord, for allowing me to

be involved in what you are doing.

may you be exalted! may others see You

and may they be drawn to You! Amen

Happy July...part 2

2011-07-19T08:00:00.027-05:00

july 10-16th : Camp Fuego in Bethany, LA

i had an opportunity to go work a week of youth camp in louisiana. i wasn't sure what it would entail and if there would be space. i actually didn't know for sure until just a few days before students came.

after my parents and i drove 10hrs back to fort worth from new mexico, i jumped in my car and drove another 3 1/2 hours east to louisiana. i love road trips, but this one was really long. it was so worth it though! i met up with kevin (the boy in my life) and he began introducing me to a lot of fuego staff. it was a bit overwhelming, but by the end of the week we all became best friends.

camp fuego is set up just like any other student life camp. churches bring their youth group and we as the staff facility their time at camp. we had large group sessions with worship and teaching of the word. we had small group sessions (aka..."DG" [discussion group]). we had recreation activities. fuego fun. and late night staff games (mafia and signs)!

my DG for the week was 11th graders, both boys and girls. my co-leader was john and we had an incredible group of kids. our DG time was amazing. one of my favorite things is sitting with students and talking about life. it is powerful and encouraging for both parites.

2 precious girls i hung out with ALOT at fuego

1st pic @ fuego w/kevin

DG #21

kevin and i with some of his old students from river valley church

-we ate just about every meal together

my roommates for the week:

Ann Marie, Lauren, and Meg

2 more beautiful friends i made at fuego..

last day @ fuego

we all lost sleep that week, but to be in great fellowship and community with these people was worth every minute. i now have a new family of friends in which i am beyond blessed to have!

Happy July...part 1

2011-07-18T12:42:00.000-05:00

i can't believe this month is already half-way gone. so many fun things have happened, thus the reason for lack of blog posts...here's a recap...

july 2-4th : weekend of family reunions, lots of food, and good fellowship at the lake for the holiday (sadly i did not take any pictures...)

july 5-10th : mom, dad, and i took a road trip to red river, nm. we spent most of our time with my aunt and uncle at their cabin, but the main event was our best family friends' wedding. one of their daughters was getting married in angel fire. we had an absolute blast!

at dinner in red river

new mexico is beautiful!

my best friend for 18 years!

dad and me

got to hang out with these two beautiful friends

at the reception..bethann & ashley

Julie Anna and I..love her so much!

the precious couple: Michael & KJ

ROWAN BEADS OF HOPE

2011-06-30T15:22:00.001-05:00

made by the hands of Ugandan Women...

these necklaces and earrings were all hand made by the woman in the Mawanga village. every piece was intricately made and represents someone. there are faces behind these beautifully made necklaces. there is hope in their eyes again.

my dear friend kelsey works with women from all different backgrounds, but particularly widows; which is part of the heart of ROWAN - Rural Orphans and Widows Aids Network.

when she came to visit me in texas back in january she left these necklaces and calenders....

the truth is they need to be sold so that the ministry can receive support. i haven't been the best at focusing on that goal, BUT NOW i am making that my top priority. i am asking for your help...

you will bless so many others by supporting ROWAN through buying one of these items. all proceeds go straight back to ROWAN!

necklaces = $10

earrings = $5/pair

calenders = $10

watch this video see how these necklaces were made...

if you are interested, leave a comment and your contact information if i don't have it already. i will mail you the items you want! email me, call me, facebook me....lets work together to get these sold for the women in Uganda!

going to all nations...Acts 1:8

2011-06-27T19:16:00.001-05:00

when God says "go"..He is speaking to everyone of us.

God is not asking us, He is commanding us.

i have 3 friends who have recently left for 3 different countries and nations...Haiti, Zimbabwe, and Ukraine

they have said, "yes, Lord" and put everything aside to "go" on behalf of the Him.

i ask for prayer for them... pray that God will give them insight, wisdom, discernment, encouragement, energy, boldness, and refreshing strength every day in what they will be doing. they are being the hands and feet of Christ to the people of those countries. i am honored to call them friends.

Whitney Turner - Haiti Medical Team

Hannah Leigh Hatterrick - working on a farm in Zimbabwe

Brittney Snodgress (and the team) - Kiev, Ukraine

redirected

2011-06-24T23:50:00.000-05:00

today i was suppose to arrive at the airport with bags packed and passport in hand.

today i was suppose to sit with other team members on a 15 hour plane ride to Kiev,Ukraine.

today i battled the emotions knowing they were leaving and i was staying.

i wonder if i made the right decision?
i wonder if i will miss out on a life changing experience?
i wonder what's the reason for me not going?

in the midst of battling the emotions and the questions, i realized that i have to trust the One who knows the plan over mine. i can try to create this wonderful idea and get all the details worked out in my head on what i am going to do and where i will go. however, every time i take a step in that direction i get redirected. not completely, but just a different route then what i was suspecting. change is hard. even a slight change can cause you to do a little reevaluation.

knowing our team from church is in route to Kiev, i feel more responsible to pray for them and for what God has in store for each member as they step foot unto the soil of Ukraine. for them...the soil has been prepared. it is ready to receive them. in obedience to the Lord, i know now that it was not for me to go with them. i need and want to pass the torch along. i choose to be a doorholder for those who have not ventured outside their comfort zone to see all that God has waiting for them.

i also know, the soil for where i am to go is being prepared. it is being cultivated and enriched. i can't wait to step foot in the place God alone has prepared for me. i feel it's coming soon...

Pictures from Joplin, MO

2011-06-07T14:31:00.001-05:00

the sun rising as we drive up to Joplin, MO

many pictures...but not enough to truly display the magnitude of the tornado damage

at one of the homes we were working at...

Katherine and John Sweeney's Home

(Katherine is in the white shirt)

the Sweeney's House 2 weeks after the tornado

side view of the sweeney's house

backyard shot of the house

the living room that the family was sitting in..seconds after they ran to the safe room the chimney collapsed and fell through the second floor onto where they were

a few of us finding shade on a break

randy snodgress getting a bit feisty after several days of working

found a rather large pot and wanted to try out my balancing skills like those beautiful people in Africa...

guess i need more work!

joy instead of sorrow...

2011-06-05T23:23:00.000-05:00

Today we went back to "sunset drive" (what we call the house/neighborhood of our work project) to continue working on the house we were at yesterday. We separated out the wood, trees, sheet rock, trash, and any salvagable items the family may want. We also had the privilege of Katherine (wife, mom, homeowner) coming by. We prayed over her and presented her with a Bible that each of us signed. Another girl and I worked side by side with her to load the items we retrieved from the rubble. The time spent with her was powerful in many ways.

She was overwhelmed with tears of joy when we handed her the blankets of her two daughters. She was without words in gratefulness for the work our team had done. I also was moved to tears in seeing the joy & excitement in her.

These moments were worth it. It was worth all the sweat, all the lifting and moving, all the heavy carrying, and all the energy. There is restoration happening. It may be slow, but it's happening. One house and one family at a time. They will stand up again and they will endure!

I am honored and privilege to know this family and serve them. The body of Christ, working in one accord, is beautiful and powerful!

Christ is All,
Joy

Serving in Joplin

2011-06-03T22:13:00.000-05:00

Where do you begin trying to put your life back together? Where do you begin searching for your things when they could be anywhere in a 70mile radius? Where do you begin..?

That's what kept going through my mind as our team began going through some of the damaged homes today.

You may find something that belongs to two houses down. You keep digging through layers and layers when you don't even know where the ground level is. It is a daunting task but the desire to rebuild is evident. They are hurting yes. They are broken. They are still in shock. BUT there is a deep hope rising. There are strong emotions of thankfulness & gratefulness of life.

I am so thankful to be here & to serve where we can. Tomorrow we are working with Samaritans Purse. We are staying at a church outside of Joplin. The church body here is unbelievable in making meals for us while we are here. Again, I am a small part of something so much greater than I can fathom.

Praying Jesus shines down & lifts up the hearts of the hurting!

Joy

2011-06-03T21:15:00.001-05:00

puzzle pieces

2011-05-21T11:49:00.001-05:00

"O Lord, you are our Father.

We are the clay, you are the potter,

we are all the work of your hand."

Isaiah 64:8

God is the puzzle maker. he knows where each piece fits. we are the puzzle, trying to get all our pieces to fit in the right spot. we don't know what the complete picture looks like, so we try this piece here. and that piece there. it doesn't fit. so we keep trying. or we may even give up because we just can't seem to find the right one. we know that the puzzle will be complete when the very last piece is placed, but the journey to completion is long, hard, frustrating, unknown, complicated, overwhelming..yet rewarding!

this is my life right now looking into the remainder of this year. it's a huge puzzle. so many different pieces that i am trying to make them all fit. it gets even harder when you find out that you have an additional piece to somehow find a spot for.

i so wish that i could see everything as a whole instead of individual pieces. every piece is amazing and exciting, but how it all fits...well, i have no idea.

...do i miss this event for another? do i buy the ticket now? or do i keep waiting? do i visit one place and not another? do i go for a couple weeks or 2 months? do i sell or trade? etc...

those are the constant questions i face daily. i wonder sometimes...do i actively pursue the heck out of it until something happens? or do i wait, be patient and know that all these pieecs will fit. it will just take time to figure out where they fall.

the one thing that gives me hope in the midst of it all is that the Lord knows my story from beginning to end. He wrote my story even before i was born. He is the creator, establisher, and maker. He knows the steps i take and makes them firm.

"If the Lord delights in a man's way,

He makes his steps firm;

though he stumble, he will not fall,

for the Lord upholds him with His hand."

Psalm 37:23

He puts EVERY piece of the puzzle together at the right time. there are moments where i want to see it all together right now, but i would completely miss the lessons.

i fail daily to understand and see from a greater perspective. i praise God for His timing. i praise Him for gently putting one piece of the puzzle together at a time. it's the journey & the process that matters. what a beautiful picture it will be when the puzzle of life is complete.

may the journey bring even greater Glory to the Lord!

volleyball tournaments & a wedding...

2011-05-13T23:00:00.000-05:00

every day seems faster then the day before. i blink and 3 weeks have gone by. it felt like yesterday that i was in baltimore. so here's a very quick recap of the last 3 weeks in pictures.

April 14-17 : Dallas, Tx...Lonestar Qualifier

thought this was a cool picture of the dallas skyline

in between matches..

April 21-24 : Baltimore, Maryland...Northeast Qualifier

on the deck of an old boat in the inner harbor

the inner harbor...beautiful!

Easter sunrise...HE LIVES!

April 29 : Royal Wedding

this day will be a sweet memory made with my precious mom. we woke up early friday to begin watching the Royal Wedding. while watching one celebratory event, we worked on a project for my brother and soon-to-be sister-in-law. our project was to unwrap the original ozark water bottle wrappers and replace them with the special designed labels. as you can see below, it has a picture of tully & tara and on the back it has their story. LOVE THIS IDEA! anyways, all the guests at the rehearsal dinner were given one as a remnant of the wedding weekend. mom and i we were in full fledge wedding mode to say the least....i look forward to mine one day. the time spent with my mom and sisters is simply priceless!

April 30-31 : Regional Qualifier in Dallas...last tournament until June
(no pictures)

May 4-6 : Decorating for brother's wedding

setting up pavilion for rehearsal dinner

center pieces we made..mom had a great vision for them!

hanging the birdhouses..by tractor that is...it's how we roll in the country

the rehearsal dinner! perfect night!

May 7 : WEDDING DAY!!!

Bridal Luncheon...future sister-in-law with her mom

first baptist church of cleburne

tully & tara cutting the cake

my sister's amazing groom's cake!!

this week...

we all have been trying to get out of the "post-wedding lull". to be honest, i thought we all would be relieved to be done preparing for wedding events, but it has been the complete opposite feeling. the week leading up to the wedding, and then the day of the wedding itself, were probably the most memorable 2 days with my family. weddings are for celebrations...not only for the couple who are making their commitment to each other, but for everyone involved. the couple is making their covenant promise to the Lord. it is the celebration of God's gift to us, His people. and together as a family, we celebrate together the Lord working in our lives. its another glimpse of His abundant love He has for us.

we actually have one more reception to do...in order to accommodate for all of my parent's friends from throughout the years, they decided to have a 2nd reception. its at the ranch on may 22. again, we get to gather together to celebrate the Lord and His love. looking forward to more memories made!

year 26.

2011-04-20T13:02:00.001-05:00

i will always remember my 26th birthday. its is not your typical celebratory day. however, we did celebrate just different then what i was thinking.

the day before my birthday, april 8, was my dad's surgery to remove his malignant tumor in his adrenal gland. we all arrived at the hospital around 11am. we gathered in the room with dad as we awaited the doctors and nurses to take him back for surgery to begin at 1pm.

we had a sweet time of fellowship as a family. we read many cards and letters filled with prayers and words of encouragement written by students from auburn university. we were visited by precious family and friends that brought smiles, laughter, and strength as we were facing the unknown with my dad.

the hundreds of letters written by students from auburn...

soon after (around 1:30pm), dad was taken down the hall for surgery. as my mom, sisters, and i went to the waiting room, there were about 15 other people there to wait with us. and little did i know, both of my sisters brought a cake and cupcakes to celebrate my birthday. i'll be honest, i didn't expect that at all, but i am so grateful for it. it was the very thing to change the mood of being at the hospital. for the next 3hrs we sat with about 20-25 people (coming & going). we laughed, shared stories, talked about life, and prayed together. it was good for each of our spirits and hearts!

the yummy cake & cupcakes my beautiful sisters made me

fast forward to the next day...april 9...we arrived at the hospital first thing in the morning to see dad. he managed to make it through the night without any major complications. he had been dealing with nausea and pain. however, he was doing much better and could carry on a conversation with each of us. we were thrilled to see him! so there in his room we made ourselves comfortable knowing it may be a long day.

dad talking to my sister JJ on the phone...

we had a couple of family friends stop by.

it lifted dad's spirits to be able to visit with some of his buddies.

(picture below is with his college roommate)

and then to our surprise and expectations, dad was discharge at 2pm!! that was probably the best gift to receive on my birthday. celebrating life with my daddy. celebrating a successful surgery. and celebrating the Lord in how He continues to show us that He is in this and for us! that He is exalting Himself through every situation!

dad and me on my birthday!

once we all walked out of the hospital doors we got in our separate cars and headed back home. usually when someone in my family has a birthday we all arrange to go out to dinner together. obviously we had to put a rain-check on dinner plans because of dad; however, my friend jenn came down to hang out with me and my sister's family. we cooked out and enjoyed the beautiful weather.

i have come to realize every year is different when my birthday rolls around. i never know what i will be doing or where i will be or who i will be with. but when it all comes down to it, all i would want for my birthday is to be with those i love!

thank you to those who sent me cards, text messages, facebook messages, or left me a voice mail. i cherish each one so much! i am excited about what this 26th year of my life looks like. God continues to blow me away at His goodness and faithfulness.

i lift His Name up and honor Him for all that He has done!

He is my praise!

joy

*by the way...dad is doing good. healing and regaining strength. we see the doctor tomorrow morning for post-op consultation! we give thanks to the Giver of Life and continue to look to Him for wisdom!

PASSION FT WORTH

2011-04-07T02:00:00.003-05:00

a week ago i moved in with one of my dear friend for a week to help serve at PASSION Ft Worth. this would be my 2nd passion conference in 2011. i attended PASSION Atlanta in January. probably the most powerful 4 days to date. so this time around, i came as a volunteer to serve the students who would encounter Jesus in a more intimate, yet powerful way.

wednesday & thursday consisted of working on projects in the Go Center/Do Something Now area.

this area is for the students to take a step deeper with putting an action to what Jesus is pressing on their hearts. the heartbeat of Do Something Now is just that. taking action right now to come together as a church body and be a part of what is happening around the world. "Together we are a force for good" is the overarching motto. the thought behind it is that you as an individual can make a difference but what if we all came together? how much greater impact would there be?

the project that i worked on the most was the so-called "paper wall"...a beautifully displayed example of how we can turn blank pages into God's word.

beautiful.

anyways, at Passion Ft Worth, there was only one cause to focus in on:

the translation of scripture to an unreached people group...

the Koso people in mali, africa.

the goal: $220,350 to fund a 5 year program of scripture translations in the Koso's native tongue

the result....FULLY FUNDED & more!!

friday through sunday were the days of the conference. as a volunteer, we each were given shirts to wear that have the name "door holders" written on the front. it is based on psalm 84:10.."Better is one day in Your courts than a thousand elsewhere. I would rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God, then dwell in the tents of the wicked." throughout the weekend i understood more of the heart beat behind passion. to truly hold the door open and usher these students in to experiencing the presence of the Lord. it was beautiful in every sense. i not only had the privilege of seeing so many of my own friends, but i also witness lives being transformed. i saw hearts being stirred. i heard all about what Jesus was teaching them. and to have 9,000+ students pass me every day, the light in their eyes only shined brighter!

i am grateful to have come alongside passion and stand in the gap for this generation. i am grateful that i now have a responsibility to continue praying over, for, and with this generation. God is moving in all of us! my heart praises Him for all that He has done and is doing! we are here for You, O Lord! You are the desires of our souls.

"Yes, Lord, walking in the way of Your Truth,
we wait eagerly for you,for Your Name
and Your renown are the desires of our souls."

Isaiah 26:8

speaking out

2011-04-03T21:30:00.001-05:00

the moments when you get to speak of the goodness of the Lord. the opportunities to share of all that He has done in your life. the time you get to share your testimony. that is when my heart is overflowing. truly overflowing with sweet emotions.

when i reflect back on ALL the Lord has done FOR me..my heart pours out with tears. tears of joy. tears of sweet restoration. tears of how He continues to love me when i am so undeserving.

i recently shared my story to a small group of youth. i once again heard (through the story He has given me) how faithful. how good. how loving. how merciful. how sovereign. how unchanging. how glorious & great He truly is!

thank you Lord for rescuing me. for setting my feet on a firm foundation. for leading me. refining me. strengthening me. for choosing me to carry Your Name. i am in need of your help. for i am unable to do it alone. i pray that my life will be worthy of the gospel. i pray that i will continue to speak up about Your goodness! may you be exalted, O Lord, for all that you are to me!

14 miles

2011-03-28T10:48:00.002-05:00

(picture above are kids with their bike in Uganda)

last friday i decided to ride my bike into town to mail a letter. i wanted to get some exercise and so i did it. i got my water, my ipod, and hopped on the bike. i knew from driving to town, it was only 10 mins. but when riding a bike...it's a whole different story.

i made it through the hilly roads, drove by the lake, through some neighborhoods, crossed traffic. and 7.5 miles later...i made it to the post office. i dropped the letter off, had a water break and then began my ride back...

as i was riding back and feeling the burn in my legs i couldn't help but think about the people in africa and even those all over the world who may only have a bike for transportation. the majority of people around the world do not have a vehicle to take them places. they have to use either buses, bikes, or even just their own feet to take them somewhere. and for a moment, i got to experience just that.

my journey round trip took me roughly 90 mins to do 14 miles. it was difficult, but i am so glad i chose to do this. it gave me a small glimpse of what so many people go through. the pain. the long travel. the contentment. the journey of it all.

i love when God uses moments like these to give me a better understanding and perspective of those living in 3rd world countries and especially those in Africa.

not my words

2011-03-22T22:48:00.000-05:00

lately i have recognized the weight of my own words versus the weight of God's word. whether it is through giving encouragement to someone or even praying for someone...

my words are weak, failing, and unstable. God's words are strong, never failing, and unchanging.

my words are here today, gone tomorrow. God's words are the same yesterday, today, and tomorrow.

my words can not change a person. God's word can change a person from the inside out.

i have realized that when i try to encourage people by using my own ideas, opinions, or words there is no weight to them because they are my words. BUT...when i allow God to use me as HIS voice to speak, only HIS words come out. HIS very word was written for me and for you. so when i open and share God's words with those who may need it. the encouragement is greater. the comfort is stronger. the joy is more abundant. the strength to press on rises within. and the transformation of a heart begins to take place. it is HIS word that penetrates deeply (Heb 4:12) and for that reason, it is not my words but HIS alone.

here is some recent scripture i have shared with a dear friend of mine. and in sharing what God says, i am also lifted and strengthen by the TRUTH of it all!

"Do not be afraid. Stand firm and you will see the deliverance

of the Lord will bring you today.

The Lord will fight for you, you need only to be still."

Exodus 14:13-14

"The Lord is my strength and my song.

He has become my salvation,

He is my God and I will praise Him...

The Lord is a warrior, the Lord is His Name."

Exodus 15:2-3

"So do not fear, for I am with you;

do not be dismayed, for I am your God.

I will strengthen you and help you;

I will uphold you with my righteous right hand...

For I am the Lord, your God,

who takes hold of your right hand and says to you,

'Do not fear; I will help you..."

Isaiah 41:10, 13

"Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past.

See I am doing a new thing!

Now it springs up; do you not perceive it?

I am making a way in the desert

and streams in the wasteland."

Isaiah 43:18

thankful for my God's word and how i can claim HIS truth over my life and in my circumstances right now!

to the One who is worthy to be praised...(Ps 18:3)

joy

waiting...yet still pursuing

2011-03-19T11:46:00.005-05:00

i have realized how crucial it is to be steadfast. to keep stepping forward. to go forward in the dreams that God has graciously put in me. to not give up even when it may take a little bit longer for them to come to fruition.

the culture we live in continues to push us to believe that we have to have it right now. it's what i call a "microwave culture". we want whatever it is in a matter of seconds. we don't want to wait. we have become impatient in every sense.

but to the contrary, there is a beauty behind waiting. we have to trust that what we are waiting on, will come. and even though we may have to wait, we must not give up on what we hope for. we must not give up on our dreams. visions. hopes. passions. those have to be in the very center of our waiting. they are the backbone of why we wait.

sometimes when we have to wait on things, we tend to forget why in the world we are waiting in the first place. we then tend to gradually lose our vision. our passion. our purpose. our reason why we are where we are.

i'll be honest and tell you that the past few weeks for me have been extremely busy. and even though the things i have been a part of are all good, in the midst of it, i asked myself these quesitons: am i still pursuing my dreams? or did i get tired of waiting and give up? am i too distracted with what i am presently doing? and why am i not still actively stepping forward? where am i in the process?

i have found that i am in the waiting process of God fulfilling the dreams He's put in me. they are clearly still a part of me. and so even though i am ready to walk through every open door, i must wait. the waiting process prepares you for things you don't know yet. it's a refining process. it's a beautiful way the Lord ask me (asks you) to trust Him even more. trust Him with every dream. every vision. every desire. every hope. every step. every moment i (or you) wait on Him to prepare me (you) for the next season of life. and as we trust Him, we must confidently take a step in that direction.

"But blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord, whose confidence is in Him. He will be like a tree planted by the water that sends out it's roots by the stream. It does not fear when heat comes; its leaves are always green. It has no worries in a year of drought and never fails to bear fruit."

Jeremiah 17:7-8

i have found that writing out my hopes & dreams show that they are still present & active...

i hope to spend a significant amount time in africa this year and in the years to come. serving with others, but also loving on the precious children of God and serving the people of another culture. (i am hoping/planning on doing exposure trips with 2 different organizations at the end of this summer!! :) )

i hope to live among those of a 3rd world country. to immerse myself with their lives. to do life together. to learn from each other.

i hope to be married someday and become a mother. to raise up children to passionately follow Christ.

i hope to be voice that God uses to encourage others. to challenge. to build up. to speak truth over.

i hope to write a book someday. even though i don't know what all that entails, i hope to write it out and share God's story in my life, as well as be a voice for those on the other side of the world.

pictures

2011-03-18T14:17:00.001-05:00

"mom to 5 kids and the family farm i live on"

1 of 4 baby goats at our house

the chicken coup...right outside my bathroom window

anna working on her picture to send to the kids in africa

the entire art class i taught

2 of the little rascals i got to hang out with...joshua and anna

the crazy crew...we had a fun week together!

hustle and bustle

2011-03-09T22:20:00.001-06:00

last weekend was my first free weekend since christmas. crazy as that sounds, i've loved doing different things each weekend. whether it's coaching at tournaments (majority of my weekends), going on road trips, or leading a disciple now. i have loved every opportunity.

i actually got to do something really special last saturday night. it may seem small to some of you. but to me, it's the greatest thrill and brings joy to my heart when i get to do this. to make a long story short, i went to help my friend jenn babysit 2 kiddos satruday night. the oldest boy, alex, is 3 1/2 years old and the baby is hattie beth and she is just 1 month old. i couldn't wait to snuggle her! anyways, when i saw her swaddled up in her basinet, my heart was full. you see the last time i snuggled babies and they fell asleep on me was when i was in uganda 6 months ago. i held this little one as much as i could that night. i realized how i love to love children and babies.

i not only have gotten to love on babies, but also 5 incredible kids. i have been playing the "mom" role as my sister and her husband have been out of town this week. i had always wondered how it would be to have a child and even several at that. sooo...i finally got the opportunity to know what it would be like. it has been all but calm around here, but juggling the schedule has been so good for me.

i can't tell you how much i have learned from this experience. i have been challenged in so many ways and God continues to use EVERY opportunity for His purposes and greater good. i wore many different "hats" this week in doing multiple activities, but through all the craziness i have loved every minute of it! i will cherish this week with my nephew and nieces. my respect for moms, and all they do for their children, has gone out the roof!

much love to my beloved mom..and with that, i can't wait to love my own children one day...

2.22.11

2011-02-26T10:00:00.002-06:00

this date will now be added to our memory bank. we have several of them and we may have more. this date represents when we received the news about my dad. the news that no one wants to hear. that it's positive. positive for cancer.

three years ago. on march 24, 2008 my dad was diagnosed with esophageal cancer. he endured many rounds of chemo & radiation. then on july 22, he underwent one of the most evasive surgeries to remove the majority of his esophagus. he went through many months of recovery to get off of a feeding tube. he was trying to find his "new normal". he did well. he overcame a lot!

fast forward to thanksgiving day, 2009...we rushed my dad to the emergency room for severe abdomen pain. he spent 10 days in the hospital and still no one could figure out what happened. not even to this day. our guess is as good as theirs.

one year later, during our annual christmas party (mom's side) in december, 2010, dad got a piece of meat stuck in his esophagus. had to take him to the hospital first thing the next morning to have it removed. he wasn't able to eat or drink for over 24 hrs. pretty scary when he is as frail as he is.

and now this week. feb 22, 2011. we add another date. we get hit with another blow of news. dad has cancer. again. it's in his left adrenal gland. next week, the meetings and the discussion picks back up. the treatment plan. the road ahead. the pros. the cons. the major decisions. it all begins. again.

it's been a rough week for us all. the unknown road ahead. BUT in the midst of the heaviness. in the midst of no hope. in the midst of sadness. in the midst of tears. in the midst of frustration. in the midst of not knowing how to respond...we have JESUS.

HE is our STRONGHOLD.
HE is our HOPE.
HE is our ROCK.
HE is our STRENGTH.
HE is our COMFORT.
HE is our LIFE.

and He is without a doubt HERE WITH US. He is where my eyes are fixed. and His name will be exalted through it all! i choose to lift up the name of Jesus through the life of my dad. may HE heal him. blessed be His Name!

*please pray with us as we walk down this journey...you can see updates on my dad's blog

good to be reminded...

2011-02-25T17:55:00.001-06:00

last wednesday night i had the opportunity to go support one of my old campers at her basketball game. meet SALLY HIGGINS. she plays for west texas a&m had a game against tarelton state in stephenville; which is about an hour from where i live.

i have been tremendously blessed by this girl. it has been such an honor to watch her grow since being in my cabin at k2 in 2007. that term will forever be etched on my heart and memory. i love the moments when i get reunited with campers. it definitely brings back all of the fun memories, but not only that. God uses those moments to reaffirm me in my role. to love. to invest into. to support. to encourage. to challenge. to disciple. to mentor. to raise up the next generation. and even though i fail daily with struggles of my own. i will keep going by the grace of God. i will keep spurring them on. i will keep praying for them. i will keep listening. i will keep being available for the Lord to speak through me. all i can truly offer is Jesus. and He alone is enough. He's more than enough to be quite honest...all that to say, i am grateful to be reminded of this and for the time spent with my dear friend Sally.

open hands

2011-02-17T02:18:00.000-06:00

have you ever thought about what you would do when an opportunity arrives at your door?

would you actually see it as an opportunity or would you pass it on by?

and what would that opportunity be..? a new job? a trip? a new place to live? meeting someone new? going somewhere on the other side of the world? spending quality time with a friend? serving someone else? what would it be? and the greatest question is how will you respond?

one common theme in my prayer time lately has been "opportunities". that the Lord would give me opportunities to serve Him. whether big or small. ranging from overseas opportunities to loving on those around me. all of it is equal in how it brings honor and glory to His name. the issue and question has been, will i respond to it? will i recognize the opportunity before me?

a friend of mine recently said to me,"don't get caught up in the ultimate plan, or destination, but keep your hands open to see all along the way because you never know who the Lord will introduce you to or what He will do as you are going along."

i'm humbled daily. i don't get how things have worked out the way they have. but i do know that the Lord has answered my prayer. maybe in a different way then i was expecting, but He answered it. i am thankful for what's in front of me. an opportunity for the Lord to use me in someone else's life. we each are a vessel for Him to use. to be His hands and feet to others. what a honor it is to serve the Lord by serving His people and loving them.

so with each chance i get. and each step i am on. i am saying yes. i will step forward.

All to Him,

Joy

Snow. Ice. Snow...Texas and beyond

2011-02-16T12:12:00.000-06:00

i know it's been a week or more since the crazy "snowpocalypse", but wanted to share the crazy happenings here in texas & in colorado.

February 1-3

the ice that fell in central texas caused everyone to have a difficult time when driving. and for the most part, a lot of people stayed home. however, i had to venture out to my parent's house to retrieve their car for them. they were planning on flying back down from CO to ft worth for the rodeo and wanted their car. anyways, i made the 25 mile journey out to the ranch. surprisingly the roads weren't too bad...except for one part...you see my parent's house live up on a mountain and the only way up is by a semi-step road. and when you have an inch or more on that road, it becomes impossible to drive up it. knowing that was the likelihood of the outcome, i still tried to prove myself and my dad wrong (he actually advised me to NOT even try to go up the hill). i learned that he was right very quickly. i started up the hill and about halfway up i started sliding. i couldn't go up or down, just sideways. my car was now diagonal on the road and close to the ditch. so i popped it in park, put the hill brake on and threw my bag on my shoulder to hike up the rest of the hill in the frigid cold temp. once i got up to the house i built a fire and settled in for the night.

the morning came quick when i woke up to an ice cold house. yep it was 50 degrees. the heaters were not working, except only one in a certain part of the house. oh and NO WATER either. come to find out one of the electrical boxes had froze, thus no heat. and our water well had froze. my uncle along with one of our ranch hands and i, we trying to use our limited knowledge and figure all of this out.

my car was the next project on the list. it only took them a few pulls to get it straightened out and down the hill. clearly i was not going to even try to drive my parent's car down the icy slope. once we got everything settled at the house i headed back to town to my sister's place (i live in the barn apt out back). i had to get on back to check on the animals and to make sure everything was working properly. it was an adventure surviving the ice.

February 4-7
friday i flew to colorado to meet up with my family. interestingly enough, it was a snowy blizzard here in texas the day i was flying out. by the time i left at noon, we already had 4-5 inches of snow on the ground. seriously? and i was flying to MORE snow.

anyways, my time skiing with the family was great! it was a much needed break. while i was there for the weekend, we received a foot of snow. made skiing a bit more difficult, but it was SO fun! (click here to read about my sister's family trip to CO)

here are few pictures from colorado...

the kids playing dominoes & other games...

they were sick the whole week they were there

esther and i on the lift...

monday, feb 7 was when i flew back to texas. however, it never fails that my travel days are always full of more adventure. i woke up that morning to find that my flight was cancelled and then even rerouted. i spent the next couple hours on the phone figuring out how to get back to texas before my volleyball practice. ends up i had to fly out of denver, which was about 90mins from where we were. but of course, the highways had been hit hard with snow and ice. it took us over 3 hrs to get to the airport. i made it there in time to find out that my flight was delayed. i just started laughing because that would happen. i did make it back just in time for practice though! :)

flying back at sunset always as it's perks...

February 7-13

every monday and thursday i have club volleyball practice. then we had a student ministry fundraiser for summer mission trips friday night. then i ended the week with a volleyball tournament in the dfw area. whew!

February 18-20 (this weekend!)

i'm headed up to oklahoma city for the weekend with a dear friend of mine. i love road trips. especially with great friends like Jen!

even though it was a crazy week with the weather, i now have memories of all the excitement! thankful for the journey..!

thankful for powerful & encouraging words...

2011-02-11T12:10:00.000-06:00

"It is God who arms me with strength and makes my way perfect."

Is 18:32

"May the words of my mouth and

the meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight,

O Lord, my Rock and my Redeemer."

Ps 19:14

"...we trust in the name of the Lord our God." Ps 20:7

"You have answered me.

I WILL DECLARE YOUR NAME to my brethren;

in the midst of the assembly

I WILL PRAISE YOU.

MY PRAISE SHALL BE OF YOU

in the great assembly..."

Ps 22:22,25

"Blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord,

whose confidence is in Him.

He will be like a tree planted by the water

that sends out its roots by the stream.

It does not fear when heat comes;

its leaves are always green.

It has no worries in a year of drought

and never fails to bear fruit."

Jeremiah 17:7-8

there are many days when i know God speaks specific words over me and today is one of them. i am thankful to have a God who i can place my confidence and trust in. and when i do, my fears, worries, and failures are extinguished.

for His Name,

joy

Kelsey comes to Texas!

2011-01-31T15:56:00.002-06:00

last week i had the privilege of having a dear friend of mine visit for a few days. the funny thing is we actually met in uganda this past september. i have to say, our God sure knows what He is doing when he connects people around the world. He knew 4 short months later, Kelsey would be in texas standing in front of 200 youth sharing about God's goodness, faithfulness, and restoration process happening in the mawanga village of uganda. HE made Himself known through every word and every story shared. God is on the move and i believe He desires for this generation to rise up and step out in faith. (below is a picture of us)

kelsey lives in kampala, uganda and we met one sunday after church. we only had one day that our schedules coordinated and allowed us to visit. (click here to read more on how we met). we sat at dinner sunday evening and shared with each other where God has brought us and what we are learning in our current season of life. i can't tell you how encouraging this woman was and still is to me. she has walked a similar road as i am now on. she has spoken words over me that i know the Lord wanted me to hear. i am so thankful to God for her and the friendship we have developed. through the world of social networking and emails, we stayed up-to-date (well as much as we could). and when i picked her up at the airport last tuesday, it was as though we had not missed a day in-between. those friendships are rare and a true gift the Lord gives!

meeting in africa and communicating through internet or skype, our conversations were filled with more of ministry conversations. God was working through her ministry (ROWAN) and of course i wanted to here all about it. with that, we didn't know much about the "other parts" of our lives...such as family life, friendships, etc....so we filled in the gaps...it sure was fun living life together for a few days. again, a huge blessing and gift!

wednesday was filled with speaking at Cleburne Christian Academy, coffee at mill street cafe, lunch with the youth pastor and others, and then speaking to the youth group at Cleburne Bible Church. it surely was a day of making much of Jesus! and i believe He is stirring the hearts of those who were there at church.

Kelsey speaking at youth wednesday night...

thursday we had an unexpected lunch with the principle of Cleburne Christian Academy. he was touched by what kelsey shared wednesday and wanted to know more. we are excited to see all what God does through this! praying for big things! after lunch we spent several hours at starbucks visiting with some of the youth. that evening kelsey shared the story of ROWAN to the missions board and ultimately the story of God working in the mawanga village. we praise God in advance for what He will do!! as they say in uganda: Mukama Yebizibwe "Praise God"

friday we drove up to dallas in time to eat lunch with some of her family before her flight. i loved getting to meet them....

Friday lunch with her cousin and aunt

our last picture together in texas...until we meet again...

maybe in the states or back in uganda :)

with great expectations from the Lord & His faithfulness in connecting us, we give our praise and all the glory to Him!

the next few days

2011-01-21T00:43:00.005-06:00

i am putting pause on my reflections from passion 2011 and will pick back up in a few days. i am heading out to a volleyball tournament in san antonio and then will hit the ground running next week with hosting a missionary and my good friend kelsey young. also, my family was informed that the doctors found a spot on my dad's left adrenal gland. he went down to MDA for a normal 6 month check up and got the results of his scan today. they are planning on doing a biopsy to determine if it cancerous or not. that is scheduled for sometime next week. we are all in good spirits and trusting the Lord with every step. you can read more on our families blog by clicking here.

my prayer in all of this is that God would make much of Himself. that He would be exalted. that He would be glorified. and that He would draw us closer to Him.

thanks for standing in the gap.

joy

be thou exalted

2011-01-19T02:30:00.000-06:00

the Lord has been faithful in the littleness of my prayers. He has blown me away by accomplishing only what He can accomplish. and i am overwhelmed with thankfulness. may He be exalted in all things.

"All YOUR works shall praise YOU, O LORD,

and YOUR saints shall bless YOU.

They shall speak of the glory of YOUR kingdom,

and talk of YOUR power,

to make known to the sons of men HIS mighty acts,

and the glorious majesty of HIS kingdom,

and YOUR dominion endures throughout all generations

...my mouth shall speak the praise of the LORD."

Psalms 145:10-13,21

"Be exalted, O GOD, above the heavens;

let YOUR glory be over all the earth."

Psalm 57:3; Psalm 108:5

"Be exalted, O LORD, in YOUR strength,

we will sing and praise YOUR might."

Psalm 21:13

"YOU have set YOUR glory above the heavens."

Psalm 8:1

"The LORD is exalted over all the nations,

HIS glory above the heavens."

Psalm 113:4

a quick story...

over the weekend i lead a small group of girls at a disciple now. to be quite honest, i wasn't ready or prepared at all. i mean i did my homework and read over what we would be teaching, but i didn't feel ready to teach. i didn't have my notes together. i didn't feel confident in my spirit with how the small group discussions sessions would go. but o what little faith i had in what my God can do.

Jesus was the voice to the girls this weekend. He was the words they heard. He moved in their hearts and stirred their spirits. that was my prayer. that He would somehow be my voice and challenge these girls with what He wanted them to know and hear. He came through. He is adequate and more than prepared to do a mighty work in the heart of His children.

since then, God has been highlighting some words through His scripture that have seemingly been recurring. i don't believe this is ironic or a coincidence, but only the Lord bringing recognition to Himself. we are to bring praise to the Lord because of His mighty acts, His glorious kingdom, and His power. He is to be exalted above ALL things. above our desires. above our possessions. above our reputations. above our family. above our dreams. above our friendships. above our comforts. above my ambitions. above my likes & dislikes. above my health. and above my life. (Tozer, Pursuit of God, pg 102, paraphrased)

for the Glory of His name,

joy

Passion 2011: part 3

2011-01-18T12:44:00.000-06:00

the heart.

we can easily water down the greatest commandment: "Love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul, mind, & strength..." and we can also skim over the fact of "delight yourself in the Lord and He will give you the desires of your heart" (Matt 22:37; Ps 37: 4). beth moore merged these two verses together during her breakout session at passion. it was a convicting message of knowing the desires of our hearts, but also the heart of that very desire.

psalm 37 was where we would spent most of our time studying what our desire, delight, and heart is. to give a little structure, beth broke it down as follows:

1. nothing dictacts our lives like our desires
2. beneath the desire of our heart is the heart of our desire
3. delighting in God makes our truest desires inevitable
4. nothing external can steal our right to delight
5. to make room for delight, we have to commit
6. patiently waiting for desire to turn into delight is not passive

she elaborated on each one which gave greater depth to knowing the desire deep within. she defined desire as "sustained longing unaffected by mood or circumstances". God knows the depth of who we are and what we really want. it's not just the desire of wanting something, but it's the heart and sole purpose that really matters. and at times we believe that the circumstances around us can take away our joy for things, but it's actually what is going on inside of us that can steal it.

i have realized that the relationship between the mind and heart are vitally important. we can know something, but the question is...are you letting yourself believe that very thing you know?

Passion 2011: part 2

2011-01-13T16:00:00.000-06:00

the power of the mind

beth moore begin our first morning session at passion with tackling one of the most critical areas...our minds. she embarked on a challenging subject, but one that is relative to all. one issue that we all, if we were honest, deal with in one way or another. i have been in a rut lately on "wondering what i am supposed to do with my life right now" and i have allowed myself to settle for the answer of "i don't know. i am just waiting on God to tell me". that may be true in some ways to wait, but honestly for me, it was a cop-out because i was spiritualizing my excuse for not going after something.

beth took us through Romans 12:1-8 and focused on verse 2 which says,

"Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God -- this is your spiritual act of worship. Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you be able to test and approve what God's will -- his good, pleasing and perfect will." (v2)

she pointed out to us that it takes the renewing of your mind to know God's will. and whatever He calls us to do, we are never fully capable to do it. that's why we need Him. He is the one who will accomplish all things. we are just the vessel He will use to do that. we have to believe that. it's not about us. but ALL about HIM!

the mind is full of brilliance and of darkness...we can know what we are doing and why we are doing it. whether it's honoring God, or not at all. that's why we must take every thought captive and make it obedient to Christ (2 Cor 10:3-5). there is a reason why we do certain things and we make excuses for "not knowing why", but we can know the thoughts we think. and we should be fixated on HIM...not on the world. we must get to a point in our day. in our lives. to think beyond the obvious. to ponder upon. to treasure Christ. (Luke 2:18-19)

and as paul was in his chains for the sake of Christ, he continued to have a renewed mind as he said, "..i consider everything a loss compared to the surpassing greatness of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake i have lost all things. I consider them rubbish that I may gain Christ and be found in him...I want to know Christ and the power of his resurrection and the fellowship of sharing in his sufferings..." (phil 3:8-10)

that is where i am today. i desire to know Christ more. to fixate my mind on Him and Him alone. it's a daily choice to make, but in the end only He will remain. everything else will fade.

beth left us with this..

you wont impact your generation unless you have a renewed mind and are focused.

God will blow our mind if we just give it to Him!

Passion 2011: part 1

2011-01-07T17:20:00.000-06:00

"YES, LORD,

walking in the way of your laws -

WE WAIT FOR YOU;

YOUR NAME and RENOWN are

the DESIRES of OUR HEARTS." isaiah 26:8

"may the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight O LORD,

MY ROCK and MY REDEEMER"...."may my prayer be set before you like incense;

may the lifting of my hands be like the evening sacrifice"..."my eyes are fixed on YOU,

O SOVEREIGN LORD." psalm 19:14; 141:2,8

as i sat in barnes & noble in tennessee. i began preparing my heart for the passion conference in atlanta. you don't quite know what to expect when you enter a 4 day conference like passion. but in that you go with high expectations of God meeting us there. and he did.

this was what i wrote in my journal...

"Holy God, i ask that you come pour yourself over us this weekend at Passion. it is not the event that will change us, but YOU, O Lord! you are the reason we gather. you are the reason we live and breath. you alone are the common thread among us. Lord, fall afresh on us. let your word speak. let the spirit move..."

God took this prayer and fulfilled it. in every song given in worship. in every word spoken by those that spoke. our hearts were stirred for Him!

because of Jesus...

Road Trip to Passion 2011

2011-01-06T14:40:00.000-06:00

1 week ago i left texas and headed to the east coast. my ultimate destination was atlanta, georgia. i went to johnson city, tennessee to pick up my friend whitney and then drove to asheville, north carolina to pick up my friend bekah as we all 3 ventured down to the passion conference.

we spent 4 days in ATL with 22,000 other people as we gathered as one church body to worship Jesus. it was a weekend that we all were challenged by and still are in the midst of processing because of all that Jesus did. He used each person who spoke. each person who lead worship. it was moving. powerful. and beyond words to describe. my hope is that over the next few days i can unpack what i learned and have it take root in my life.

the Lord is sweet and tender in how he continues to reveal more of himself to us and draw us closer to him. i feel privileged to be able to be a part of his story. it is much bigger than i can even fathom.

Jesus is my desire. my source of joy. my reward. he is enough for me.

December 31: Core Story

2010-12-31T10:00:00.000-06:00

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

2010-12-30T08:00:00.000-06:00

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

2010-12-29T19:24:00.000-06:00

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

2010-12-28T19:02:00.000-06:00

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

2010-12-27T00:27:00.000-06:00

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

2010-12-26T22:38:00.000-06:00

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

2010-12-25T23:48:00.005-06:00

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

2010-12-24T23:46:00.000-06:00

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

2010-12-23T13:14:00.001-06:00

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

2010-12-22T14:14:00.004-06:00

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...

Atlanta, GA
Dallas, Tx
Hurst, Tx
Vail, CO
Stephenville, Tx
Baltimore, MD
Kyiv, Urkaine
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

2010-12-21T23:00:00.001-06:00

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

2010-12-20T23:24:00.001-06:00

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

2010-12-20T00:27:00.000-06:00

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

2010-12-18T13:19:00.000-06:00

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

2010-12-10T16:01:00.000-06:00

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.

2010-12-10T00:52:00.000-06:00

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

2010-12-01T16:40:00.000-06:00

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!

the game i love

2010-11-22T13:00:00.002-06:00

with club volleyball season around the corner. i can't wait to see all what is to come. it's amazing to me the community of people that surround a court, watching a white ball being volleyed back and forth between two different teams. it's a game of strategy. of desire. of passion. of discipline. of sacrifice. of respect. of determination. it's a game i love to watch and coach. and one of my best friends says it just right...

"i want them to want to compete each time they step between the lines. not for me. not even for their teammates. for themselves. to prove they can do it. to instill confidence in themselves as athletes and young women. that's why i coach. volleyball is just a blip on the radar of life. but the character you develop on the roller coaster ride this sport takes you on, is irreplaceable....so, here's to another great season. and by great, i mean frustrating, yet so rewarding. here's to making a difference in the character development of 15 year old girls through the shared love of a little white ball...Game on."

let the training. practice. and competition begin...

disturbed.

2010-11-20T16:08:00.000-06:00

my heart aches. my spirit is stirred. my soul cries out. i wish i could fix the horrific situations around the world. it brings tears to my eyes when i read or hear about people sufferring. whether it's from poverty. from disease. from starvation. from child trafficking. from natural disasters. from wild spreading water-borne sickness. i am moved and disturbed to my core.

wednesday night at church we had a guest speaker. he began the night by saying, "i want you to be disturbed to your very core about the injustice around the world. we should be so messed up about it that it forces us to do something." he was adding on to what he discussed last week. we were studying the scripture in Luke 9:23-24. it's a piece of God's Word that is heavy. it's hard to wrap your mind around what Jesus is truly calling us to do. i spoke with him afterwards and he said "i wanted to bring this scripture close enough to us all that it rubbed us like sandpaper". and it did.

he spoke about the horrible and heartbreaking situation in Haiti right now. i knew about the cholera but i didn't know the chaos the country was in. the people are in such need for medical supplies. food. shelter. clean water. but its become a survival of the fittest. there are riots happening. buildings being burned that are full of supplies. and on top of that, they are suspending international help because of the rioting. my heart broke. and all i could say or feel was "God help them!"

found this verse and thought it was appropriate for the situation in Haiti...

"He brought them out of the darkness and the

deepest gloom and broke away their chains."

Ps. 107:14

here is article i found on the top 10 poorest countries in the world. interestingly enough, 9 out 10 countries are in africa. click the link below to read more...

http://www.financialjesus.com/interesting-economics/top-10-poorest-countries-in-the-world-2010/

not mine to know.

2010-11-03T14:39:00.002-05:00

"The will of God is for you and me to give our lives urgently and recklessly to making the gospel and the glory of God known among all peoples...The question, therefore, is not, 'Can we find God's will?' The question is 'Will we obey God's will?'

"Will we refuse to sit back and wait for some tingly feeling to go down our spines before we rise up and do what we have already been commanded to do?"

"God knows every detail of our lives, and when we step out in faith to follow him, he will show us that our greatest security is not found in the comforts we can manufacture in this world but in the faithful provision of the only one who knows our needs and the only one who is able to meet our needs in every way."

-Radical, by David Platt

as i was trying to find words to share i looked back through a book i recently finished. if you haven't had the chance or time to read Radical, please do so. it will challenge you and move you. anyways, what i stumbled upon were the quotes above. they certainly relate to where i am.

every season of life i go through is different. challenging. and a time i gain more knowledge of the Lord and my place in His plan. at the end of one season i begin to wonder what is next. i question. i doubt. i become anxious. i wonder if God will show me. or do i begin pursuing something. i become overwhelmed with knowing my purpose. my giftings. i get frustrated because i don't know. and as long as i am trying to know, i will fail. it's not mine to know. but it's for me to trust. to trust my God. to believe in His ways. to choose to rely on His guidance. to recognize that where i am right now is where i am suppose to be for this season of my life. it may be short. it may be long. but no matter the length of time, i am here. and when He is done using me here, He will move me somewhere else. i want to be a vessel for God use to further the kingdom. that is the purpose for which we are called. to love our heavenly Father, our Creator God. to love people. to pour our lives out and into others. to make disciples. and to reach those who are unreached. it is one beautiful story of God loving His people.

as i continue to ask the Lord to lead me to the next stepping stone. He continues to place things in my lap that i wouldn't probably see as what i think i should do. but it makes me stop. it causes me to smile. to look up and say 'ok. i have to trust you more than what i know'.

and a quote that is absolute relevant to my current season is the one that follows..."those who continue to seek the will of God will be run over by those doing the will of God. If you seek nothing but the will of God, He will always put you in the right place at the right time."

so this is where i am...i am thankful for the uncertainty -- even though it's scary. i am thankful for the unknown -- even though i question. i am thankful -- even though it's difficult. for HE is worthy.

"Seek His kingdom first and His righteousness,

and all these things will be given to you as well." (mt 6:33)

crossing paths

2010-10-21T16:33:00.003-05:00

there are moments where you can't rightly explained how it happened. times that you want to say "that was a coincidence, ironic, or by chance". however. when we view those moments from God's perspective. it completely takes out the "coincidences" and makes them 'divine appointments'. the exact path God wanted you to cross with that person. i have had many of those "divine appointments" throughout my life and i am blessed beyond words with the precious friends i have in my life. one that is most recent is when i met my friend Kelsey Young. i actually met her in Uganda. she is an american living in kampala, uganda. and i still am amazed on how we met. but God had it planned that he would allow our paths to cross and knit us together as friends. from the 2000 people who attend the Watoto Church in Kampala, she was one of them.

we became fast friends sharing our stories and how God brought us to Uganda. i was inspired and encouraged in many ways by her and what she is doing. to sum up her story, over the past 8 trips she has made to Uganda she and her team have developed a new ministry called ROWAN. which means..Rural Orphans and Widows Aids Network. she is spending all her energies and time getting this organization going. she spends most of it in the villages with the people in the Mawanga area. she and her team work with the woman and children by putting on food programs, activities, dramas, educational seminars over HIV/AIDS, and much more. i could go on and on about it all. every time i talk with her i always here the latest story of what God has done today to continue to show His hand in the ministry. it blows me away. the stories she tells me are undeniably the Lord's doing.

you should check out ROWAN at www.loverowan.com and her blog at www.kelseyyoung.wordpress.com

looking back to that day we met neither one of us knew the purpose of our paths crossing, but one thing we do know...God sure has a purpose for it! i am thankful for my new friend. she has challenged me so much and continues to do so. she is simply an ordinary woman, loving the Lord, and being a tool for Him to use.

restore tour...

2010-10-13T12:14:00.000-05:00

on monday night i had the privilege of attending the Watoto Choir: The Restore Tour in southlake, tx. the children and students in the tour have all survived the war in northern uganda. they all have either been former child soilders or abductees. it was a powerful message. they shared their song, dance, and stories of being captured by the LRA (Lord's Resistance Army). it moved me to tears. i can't imagine feeling what they felt.

and in the midst of sharing the reality of what has been happening for the past 24 years, there was hope in the darkness. there was joy found in their deep sorrow. the children began singing, "my only hope is you, jesus." and though their lives were in the hands of the rebels, they continued to sing...though they lost family members, were forced to kill, and were brutally abused, each one of them choose to forgive. there is power in forgiveness and only through jesus do you have the ability to truly forgive.

as i was watching the performance, my heart was full. i was just there in Gulu, Uganda a couple weeks ago. i got to visit the babies in Baby Watoto. i got to see the Children's Village that already has 300+ kids who have been rescued and now living in a place of restoration. i got to meet the women in the living hope ministry who are regaining their dignity. it's beautiful to see how God is changing that country one person at a time. it definitely made me miss being there. and i can't wait to get back. it is one of those moments when you see God moving and you just have to be a part of it. and as i long to be back, i have to see what God has for me today. where i am right now. as i gaze upon the Lord, I have to believe that He is and will fulfill His purpose for me in this place, as well as in africa.

And as Paul journeyed from place to place teaching and preaching the gospel…he was also a tent maker. He didn’t waste the gift the Lord had given him. He used it to further the kingdom. So wherever He went to take the gospel, he brought his work. So the lesson from that for me is to be wise with the gifts the Lord has given. While he has me where he does, I want to be a tool for the Lord to use so that He may receive even greater honor. I can’t just sit and do nothing. I must be actively engaged with the people. As a new church in Atlanta, GA, Passion City Church, says: “For God. For People. For the City. For the World.” That is my prayer. For where I am, For Cleburne. That the body of Christ , the church, may be a beckon of hope. A light in the darkness. The church is for God. It is for ALL people. For the city. And ultimately for the world.

worlds collide.

2010-10-04T10:44:00.002-05:00

(picture: Lucy & I at Suubi Baby House)

There is no other way to describe it. When you leave one country and come back to the one you reside in. its hard to process. It’s hard to discuss with those who didn’t experience what you did. It’s hard to pick back up in life. It’s hard to go back to what you were doing when your heart is somewhere else. It’s hard to not be with the team you were with for 10 days straight. Not that I haven’t LOVED getting to talk to friends and family about my trip..it’s just hard when two completely different worlds collide.

(picture: Hope and I at Suubi baby house)

I literally hit the ground running a week ago and I can’t hardly grasp how quickly 7 days slipped by. It blows me away really. It’s a blurr to say the least. To be thrown into so many things after being in a country that changes you is beyond difficult. I honestly have had to ride it out. I have had to diligently carve out time to sit, journal, and process. And every time I do, I realize that the very fingerprints of those children we held and loved on, have been imprinted upon my heart. You never can shake experiences like that off of you. The more I process, the more I realize the desire in my heart only grows stronger.

You are never quite the same after coming back from a 3^rd world country. It changes you. It changes the way you think. The way you live. So why does our culture expect you to pick back up where you left off and live the same way you were? It bothers me how that is what is expected. I don’t want to live the same way. I don’t want it to not change me. For it already has. It changed me even before going.

...uganda was written on my heart and has impacted me more than I can describe…

(picture: Kevin & I at the Bullrushes in Kampala)

A few Baby Pics..more to come

2010-09-28T09:27:00.000-05:00

Eva

Taylor

William...he is 6 months old! So tiny...

Bbira, Suubi, and Gulu

2010-09-23T15:34:00.002-05:00

The past few days have been full of so many things...

Sunday we went to church at Watoto, fellowshipped with the people there, and all were challenged by the powerful sermon. That afternoon we headed to the children's village in Bbira to have lunch with some of the kids in their homes. It was so much fun! We got to catch their chickens, see their pigs, and walk around their plantation filled with banana trees, pumpkin plants, watermelon, and more. Sunday night our team host took us to a place called Ndere, which is where they have the traditional Ugandan dancing.

Monday and Tuesday we spent our time at the children's village in Suubi. We met all 30 or so kids there in the baby house. A portion of them had disabilities they were struggling with but it makes me even more thankful for the place they are in. We also painted several rooms that will soon be filled with little ones. The place where Suubi is located is right on top of this gorgeous mountain. Breath taking to say the least. It truly is a place of hope! (Suubi means hope) It currently has 900 kids and can still add more.

Wednesday and thursday we spent in Northern Uganda at Gulu. We visited both the baby house and the childrens village. Watoto Gulu just opened in June 2010. It has 300 kids but will eventually will have close to 700.

Love it here!! I have one more day until I head back to the states...not ready yet. Will write more stories later.

Much Love,
Joy

Oh Baby

2010-09-17T14:09:00.001-05:00

kampala, uganda...the pearl of africa. known for the rolling hills. it absolutely is that and more. the scenery is different then what i imagined. honestly, i didn't know what to imagine. i wasn't expecting all the buildings. it seems a though the people of this country are more established in some areas. it's hard to explain but more people in the area we are in live in structures. i am sure we will see more remote areas as we go outside the city when we visit the other baby houses.

a couple of large buildings that can be seen from the guest house we are staying in are 2 huge mosques. both placed in the center of the city and on top of a hill. we actually heard some prayers and singing this morning before we all woke up.

our team just completed day 2 at Watoto Bulrushes. before i jump into day 2 events, i'll summarize day 1...

orientation at the Watoto Church
met kids from the Watoto village rehearsing for the Children's Choir. Their tour in the US begins in January
ate lunch at the Garden City Mall where we were bombarded with waters/waitresses from a variety of places. when we sat down at our table there were literally 20 men and woman places menus and telling us what to order. we were all overwhelmed to say the least and stressed out in choosing what to eat.
the afternoon was spent at the bulrushes (the name of the baby house here in Kampala). we met all the babies and learned a little bit more of what the next 10 days would be. we are so excited that we will be visiting all 3 baby homes...Bulrushes, Subbi, and Gulu. next week we will be traveling 5 hours north to spend 2 days with the babies up in the northern part of uganda

day 2 was a full day at the bulrushes...and it was sure a FULL day of events

this morning we took the "elephants" (ages 4-8months) on a walk. i loved getting to walk the streets of kampala with a baby wrapped on me. i slug my little boy, taylor, up i a chitenga (a wrap used in zambia). it was great. he was so happy and loved looking at everything. we went to play at a playground, ate a snack and then walked back. taylor fell asleep on me, which melted my heart.
the kids we had ate lunch and then had "potty time". literally all the kids were forced to poo in little baby potties. it was chaotic and an experience that affected all of us. haha. my little boy taylor is actually from Subbi so he wasn't used to the things here at the bulrushes. he didn't go in the potty so i took him and changed him to go out for play time. and as soon as i get outside and sit down he decided to go potty. little did i know that it was leaking out his diaper and onto my pants. so in he goes again to have a full changing. oh my..
once we hit lunch time we all were exhausted. each one of us experience this "potty time" so we were thankful we were done with that. the afternoon we feed the smaller babies and then played outside until we left at 5pm. but of course right before we left, we had one little girl named patricia completely throw up all her lunch. yes it was projectile. that was a nice end to our 2 day here.

so those are our babies...it has been so interesting observing the way things are run at the baby house and how the nannies care for them. it is clear there is a need for educating and training. for medical care and treatment. but what they have is great for now. there are premies at the bulrushes. probably the smallest babies i have ever seen. some have come into the house at 600 grams (about 1.5lbs). they are much healthier and doing well because of Baby Watoto.

hopefully all this makes sense, i didn't go back and proof it. thanks for your emails, notes, and comments of encouragement. it is different, but i have loved seeing a different country. there is definitely a constant need of love for these people and these children.

mukama akuwe omukisa.

Joy

sending off from PCC

2010-09-12T23:20:00.001-05:00

i am moved beyond words as i try to find words to describe the movement within the service at Passion City Church tonight. i arrived with Janet (our family friend/team leader) with her 4 kids. not knowing anyone. i left feeling as though i knew everyone. the time of worship and prayer was powerful. the time of fellowship with others was encouraging.

for the first time, i actually now know more about where i will be going and what i will be doing in Kampala. i truly feel so humbled to be able to go. i did get to meet most of the girls on our team. i loved finally putting a name and face together. and what moved me the most was after Louie explained Watoto and described our trip, he asked the congregation to pray for us and they did..but by applauding the Lord in the work that He will do through us. the team was standing up scattered all throughout the gym and all of the sudden everyone began standing up and clapping. it was absolutely breathtaking. they were not clapping for us. but for the Lord. and what God will do. i was overwhelmed by it all.

it was an incredible send off to say the least.

i am so thankful that i came a few days early to spend this time preparing my heart for Uganda, but also worshipping together with a body of believers seeking after the Lord. i could not be more excited for the movement happening here in Atlanta, GA. greater things are still to be done...

i am privileged to be a part of what God is doing...He is good and His faithfulness continues throughout each generation!

departure time!

2010-09-11T01:28:00.002-05:00

DALLAS - ATLANTA - AMSTERDAM - ENTEBBE - KAMPALA

the time is here for me to head to the airport. check in. get settled into my seat. and journey across the ocean. i can't wait to see what has been waiting for me there. many days have been leading up to this and i am so thankful it's time.

my heart is full for many reasons. but today i got a glimpse of what i may be doing for the next 2 weeks...i got to hold my friends 2 day old baby. if he only knew the precious family he has been born in to. if he only knew the love and tender care his parents have been giving him already. if he only knew how much joy and a blessing he is to so many! it's simply beautiful when you think about it.

and then as i was talking to a dear friend of mine on the phone, i was thinking through that today was almost foreshadowing the next 2 weeks. i will be holding babies that have been recently born and up to 2 year olds. but the kids in the orphanage don't know the life they have been born into. they don't know they've been abandoned. neglected. unwanted. mistreated. unloved. and to their families..they are a burden. my heart breaks thinking about it and i can't even begin to imagine what i will be feeling when i have to walk away from them.

i don't really know what to expect honestly. i don't really know what all i will be doing there. but that is part of the adventure in it all. not knowing forces me trust Him more. God has been so good in bringing me to this point. i can't wait to see all what He shows me in Uganda.

i will try to update my blog as much as i can, but i am not sure if there will be internet. i will send either twitter updates, a fb post, or emails if and when i get a chance. thanks for all the prayers and encouragement!

and as my friend wrote in her text tonight "live unsafe" (meaning trust the Lord in ways you never thought - He will come through)....that is how i will end this...

For His Name,

joy

Uganda...The Pearl of Africa

2010-09-06T21:44:00.001-05:00

as i am down to a few days of leaving, i thought i would share some facts about uganda...

(recently updated 2010)

Population: 32, 369, 558 million

Median age: 15 yrs

Life expectancy: 52.72 yrs

Age Structure:

0-14yrs 50% of population

15-64yrs 47.9% of population

Religion

Roman Catholic - 41.9%

Protestant - 42%

Muslim 12.1%

Other 3.1%

Population below poverty line: 35%

About half the population live on less than U.S. $1.25 per day (the international poverty line).
The official motto of Uganda is ‘For God and My Country’
Over 80% of workers are employed in the agricultural industry.
Uganda’s largest export is coffee.
English and Swahili are the two official languages of Uganda. Luganda is also spoken widely throughout the country.
Soccer (football) is the most popular sport in Uganda. However, cricket is becoming increasingly popular with the national side finishing runner-up in Division 3 of the World Cricket League in 2009

More facts from the Watoto Website:

Baby Watoto is a part of the Watoto Orphanage.

I will be working with babies ranging from 0-2yrs old.

Pray for B.A.

2010-08-29T17:02:00.004-05:00

got to spend a few hours with a friend of mine before she headed off to southeast asia for 2 years today!

here is her story. please pray for her as she begins this journey...

http://100peoplenetwork.org/blog/tag/022

are we too afraid?

2010-08-28T10:00:00.001-05:00

whenever someone shares their stories about going overseas my ears always seem to perk up even if i am not actually in the conversation. it is intriguing to listen to others' perspective. last week this happened and it began to stir in me many emotions.

a family friend was sharing about her sister's trip she had taken to Haiti. the tone in her voice spoke of fear for her sister life. she expressed how she just wanted her to get back to the US where it's safe. that the places her sister went in Haiti was dangerous, dark, and oppressive. the sister described witchcraft traditions and practices she saw throughout some of the communities. she even shared stories about children being raped by being forced into the horrific child trafficking cycle.

as our family friend continued, i simply was listening from afar as i was working on a puzzle. i wasn't surprised at all to hear those stories. actually i was thankful she was sharing it with some of my family. the reaction from them was sad, speechless, and in disbelief. i was agreeing with our family friend in all she said because of the actually truth with all that is still happening in so many countries. BUT in that same moment i thought to myself..."if we are too fearful and don't want anyone to go to a dangerous place, then who will go? those people in that country need to know about Jesus too. they need to be loved on. they need to have someone investing into them and speaking truth. if we are too afraid about our lives or the lives of our family members, then who will go?" we are so sucked into being 'safe' and not putting our lives in jeopardy for the sake of someone else. so we remain where we are. with people dying everyday in a neighboring country. suffering because no one will care for them. no one will invest their time (which i believe is the most valuable thing we have) in others.

we choose safety and comfort over impacting and changing a life. really saving a life. giving hope. giving life. giving for the sake of the least. isn't that what God gave His son for? for us. for them. so why not follow that example? what is holding us back?

my prayer is that the veil will be lifted so that our eyes may see the real needs of people. that we would step out believing that God is worth it. no matter what situation we are in. that He is worth it. if we are persecuted. if we are stripped of everything. if we lose all that we have...

WE STILL HAVE JESUS.

HE IS ALL WE NEED.

HE WANTS ALL OUR AFFECTION AND DEVOTION.

"But whatever was to my profit I now consider loss

for the sake of Christ. What is more,

I consider everything a loss

compared to the surpassing greatness of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord,

for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them rubbish,

that I may gain Christ and be found in Him,

not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law,

but that which is through faith in Christ

- the righteousness that comes from God and is by faith."

Phil 3:7-10