Austin, Texas...

Right now I am in Austin, Texas celebrating my sweet friend Kim. She is getting married a week from Saturday and the girls headed to Austin to celebrate her!

Today was our first full day and it has been a blast! Let me tell you....there is just something about Austin, Texas that doesn't even make you feel like you are in Texas! I the best time today with my four best friends....I am so very blessed to have them in my life....they are such treasures to me!!!

Hope everyone has a great weekend....can't wait to post pictures!!

Of course....

Unless today is your Birthday, January 28th may just be an ordinary day. Well, to me it means so much more. Today is a day I will look back on The Lord's plan and not ask "why" but get the opportunity and blessing to say to Him "of course."

You see, a year ago today my life was interrupted. I was moved to the West Campus-the suburbs-the place where I grew up-the place that I told The Lord I would NEVER return-Katy, Texas. For a single gal whole loves and had made her life in the city I was devastated! If I shared all of the details or lessons I have learned this post would go on forever. But I can say that through it all The Lord was faithful and knew exactly what He was doing. The entire time I was asking "why" He just wanted me to wait to see the "of course." Trust me when I say that getting to that point wasn't an easy road for me. I wrestled with The Lord for a good 4 months and couldn't let go of the fact that it wasn't my plan. All a while He was whispering in my ear "Trust me Joy, I know what is best." I learned to trust The Lord in a whole new way through this experience and wouldn't trade it for anything. It was during this time I was able to truly surrender ALL of it to Him. All of my hopes, my dreams, my wants, and desires-that night will forever be engraved on my heart. I can now look back on this journey thankful for the West Campus, for the ministry He has in-trusted me with, for the friendships I now share, for the opportunities I have been blessed with.....(my list could go on and on)

I'm not sure if this post even makes sense but I do know that I am so thankful for January 28th, 2008. For being able to look back and to see the "of course." I know without a doubt that I am smack dab in the middle of The Lord's will here in Katy, Texas right where He wants me to be.

"Trust in the Lord with all your heart and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him and He will make your paths straight...." Proverbs 3:5-6

Tuesday 10....

I was thinking today's Tuesday 10 should be the 10 things I'm looking most forward to these weeks leading up to Kim's wedding on February 7th!!! Here they are......

10. Being able to get away from Houston.......

9. Karaoke.....watch out Austin, Texas.......

8. Reliving all of the sweet memories we've shared & creating new ones.....

7. Getting dressed up to the nines........

6. Eating some great food at fun restaurants.......

5. Shopping, Shopping, and more shopping......

4. Dancing so much our feet hurt.......

3. Laughing so much we cry.......

2. Being with my sweet girlfriends....


1. Standing next to Kim as she becomes Mrs. Ryan Orr!!!

Kim I love you so much and am so thankful to get to be apart of this time in your life! You are such a treasure to me and I am so blessed to have you in my life!

Preschoolers say the sweetest things....

Some of favorite phrases from this weekend in GIGL from my precious preschoolers.....they are such little blessings in my life and constant reminders of Christs' love for me.

"GIGL (that's what she calls me) can we be friends...."

"Can you come to my house and play..."

"Miss GIGL you are the most beautiful girl I've EVER seen...."

"You look like a princess...."

"When I get big I am going to be just like you...."

My list could go on and on but I will stop there....I have the best job and am blessed beyond words to work at a place like Second Baptist Church.

Matthew 19:14 "But Jesus said, "Let the little children come to Me, and do not forbid them; for such is the kingdom of Heaven."

New Day....

This morning I am so thankful for this new day that The Lord has blessed me with. For the sweet promise that His steadfast love will never fail-that every day is fresh and new.

So that sums it up....today is a new day and I have to make a choice. The choice to wrestle with The Lord (and we all know that I will loose) or let His joy be my strength. My prayer this morning was that no matter what circumstances may come my way, no matter how His will may not look like mine for this moment in time, that His joy and love would shine through me-even when it's not easy and I have to dig deep to shine. Today is a new day and I am choosing joy-joy that is not circumstantial but is deeply rooted in my precious Savior who has blessed me with this new day.

"His steadfast love never ceases... His mercies never come to an end... they are new every morning... great is His faithfulness." Lamentations 3:22-23

Tagged....

My friend Kristin tagged me in her blog so I decided to do it! I was to go to my fourth folder and put up my fourth picture! I was so excited when I stumbled across this picture-not really sure why it's so small but hey-here it is! This is a picture of Chantaun and I in Cambodia. She was the precious child at the orphanage that I was closest with during the two weeks I served there. My sweetest memory with her was when she looked at one of the caregivers and said in Kami, "I don't understand her but I love her." This picture just happened to be taken on the last day after lunch time. It is such a sweet reminder to me of the special connection we had. There is not a day that doesn't go by that this precious child doesn't come across my mind.

Hannah...

I love it when The Lord meets you right where you are. You know those times when you go to church or Bible study and you just know that lesson was a gift to you from The Lord? He blew my mind last night during small group with our study of Hannah. The only thing I knew coming into the study was that Hannah was a girl name from the Bible. Oh my stars-if you have not studied her before do it! I can guarantee you The Lord will knock your socks off! She was an amazing woman that showed faith and perseverance through her waiting on a child. I learned way too much to share last night about her but one thing that struck a chord with me is that she poured her heart out to God. I find myself so many times not sharing my whole heart with God-only a little bit of it. This verse caused me to think, "why do I do this because hello-he already knows my whole heart-after all, he did create it! "Thank you Jesus for knowing my heart-I pray that I would pour it out to you like Hannah did."

Hannah really dialoged with The Lord while she was asking for her hearts desire. What I admire most about her though is that she did not dwell on it. It verse 16 of 1 Samuel she walked away from it and trusted God to provide her with what she wanted the most-a child. She stood up and walked forward without knowing the outcome. Hannah laid her burded at the feet of her Savior, waited, and trusted in Him. I am learning this lesson right now and am so thankful for it. Thankful for how The Lord is using this time in my life to draw me closer to Him, to trust Him, and to rest under the shelter of his wing.

Matthew 11:28-30 "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."

Still....

The Lord speaks to me in so many ways but sometimes he uses music the most. Maybe it's because He knows it's what I am passionate about and have been ever since I was a little girl. I am a big fan of Watermark and was listening to them on my ipod the other day when the song still came on. I must confess, this has not been an easy week for me so I have tried to remain busy so I wouldn't have any down time to think any more about the situation.Well friends, the Lord had another plan (doesn't he always?) The Lord used this song to speak directly to my heart. "Joy, get still before me and know that I am here, waiting for you to lay it at my feet-I've got you-get still before me."

I hate it that sometimes when I am searching for peace I look to everyone but The Lord. But boy don't we realize once we are still before our precious savior that's right where we need to be? Sitting as His feet, letting Him love on us, and giving us a peace that only He can provide. I know that I learned this lesson again as I sat still at my sweet Jesus' feet. At that moment he met me right where I was and gave me the comfort and peace that I needed.

Still

The more I get alone The more I see I need to get alone more, more

Cause just when I think that I'm alone

Your Spirit calls out to me

And even silence has a song Cause that's when

You come Sing over me

Still, let me be still Let me be okay With the quiet in my heart

Still, I want to be still

I'm so quick to move Instead of listening to You

Shut my mouth Crush my pride

Give me the tears Of a broken life Still

Of this world, it falls around me

And flutters all it's beauty in my eyes

But let me choose the solitude

Simplicity has always simply changed my life

Cause even stillness makes me move

Cause that's when my heart Learns to dance with you

Still, let me be still Let me be okay With the quiet in my heart

Still, I want to be still I'm so quick to move

Instead of listening to You

I'm your child Tame my heart Obedience To me impart

oh GodChange me while I am Still, let me be still

And know that you are God And You're always enough

Still, I want to be still

To take all that I am And simply lift it up

Shut my mouth Crush my pride

Give me the tears Of a broken life Still... Still.. Still.. Still...

Tuesday 10....

My sweet friend Kristin gives a Tuesday 10 every week so I thought I would jump on the bandwagon and start doing it myself! Today I decided to do 10 things that can brigthen my day!

1. Hugs: I LOVE hugs-they can brighten any day
2. New York City: I have loved this place since I first visited it in the 7th grade!
3. . My GIGL team! They are such a blessing! I love getting the privilege of being apart of their lives!

4. Working out: I have just recently started working out again and I love it! I have only been doing it for the past two days and already feel better!!!

5. Any kind of suprise: There is nothing better then walking into your office or home and someone suprising you with a gift-simple/thoughtful ones are the best in my opinion.

6. Kim getting married: My best friend and roommate is getting married the first of February It has been so much fun to walk this road with her! These next 4 weekends are going to be filled with lots of sweet memories and fun!

7. Friends: I have been blessed with the greatest friends in the world! I am so thankful for them!

8. My small group: Monday nights are my favorite! I LOVE growing and spending time in the

word with this precious group!

9. Fresh Flowers: Like hugs they also can brigten anyones day!

10. Musicals: I have been obsessed with them since I first saw Annie at the age of 4!

Rodeo Houson Line up......

It's almost that time of year again. When the city of Houston, Texas dusts off their boots and cowboy hats and head to the Houston Rodeo! The cook off, the food (corn dogs), the hideout, the concerts, I just love it all. Plus I get to wear my fabulous boots! Yesterday they announced the line up for the Rodeo and it is packed with some of country music's biggest stars! This is a great opportunity for a day out of the house with all of the fun little extra things for the kids to do and see! Here is the lineup! I've bolded the people I want to see....thank goodness I have a bunch of friends on a committee!!

• March 3rd: Rascal Flatts
• March 4th: Alan Jackson
• March 5th: Clay Walker
• March 6th:Gladys Knight and Sloange
• March 7th: Trace Adkins
• March 8th: Jonas Brothers
• March 9th: Lady Antebellum
• March 10th: Toby Keith
• March 11th: Reba McEntire (she's back!)
• March 12th: Brad Paisley
• March 13th: Clint Black
• March 14th: Josh Turner
• March 15th: Ramon Ayala & Alacranes Musical
• March 16th: Darius Rucker
• March 17th: Ketih Urban
• March 18th: Gary Allen
• March 19th: Pat Green
• March 20th: Taylor Swift
• March 21st: Brooks and Dunn
• March 22nd: ZZ Top

Life Time Fitness....

Yup, I caved! This weekend I joined Lifetime Fitness and am super excited about it! I decided to jump on the fitness bandwagon after being off of it for so long. I tend to get on work out kicks....you know, work out, eat right for a few months and then go back to my old ways. I figured that paying the monthly dues will be a huge incentive for me to work out on a regular basis! I am a class junky so this afternoon I am going to attend Core and More & Strictly Strength...... we'll see how it goes!

Round Top, Texas-Population 77....

This past weekend the Team Kid staff got headed to Round Top, Texas to get away for a few days to learn, plan, and fellowship! The GIGL girls (that is what the call us) scheduled out the entire two years of curriculum for GIGL! I am very excited about what we are teaching them about our precious Jesus! By the time they promote to JUMP we will have taken them through the entire Bible in the two years they have with us! I am so blessed to get to work with Meghan and Anna Lee in this ministry!

I learned some great things as well in our group sessions. Here is some of the wisdom I came away with. Most of it consists of some simple and sweet reminders to make GIGL the best that it can be!

• Remember....it's not all about me
• Don't take yourself so seriously
• Recognize God's work in your ministry
• Protect your personal life
• Work hard and smart, and be absolutely teachable

I am so thankful for Second Baptist Church and the Team Kid ministy! I truly belive that I work with one of the best teams in the country! I can't wait to see how The Lord is going to use us in 2009-2010 to love on kids and further His kingdom!