He's Home...

Last Thursday my Dad had to have a few more tests run before the Doctors would release him to eat. After a long couple of days waiting around for the "okay", he was given the "go ahead" Thursday evening to drink and eat. Now this was the first time he was able to drink anything (even water) or eat anything since Thanksgiving...so it was a long 8 days for him. Anyways, he was so happy and encouraged to get some positive news, but especially to actually be able to eat some food. The next day (Friday) he was released from the hospital!!! YAY...he was so overjoyed that he almost started crying when he came home. If you want to read more on the "homecoming" of Dad, check out His blog...www.teamjanszen.blogspot.com 

Dad's 1st drink of water/juice...we were so excited!! 

At my sister's house Friday night for Jesse's (my nephew) birthday! 

This was his first "at home" meal since being release from the hospital earlier that day

Thank you all for praying for him!! The Lord spoke to all of us in various ways in the last few days he was in the hospital..so thank you!! God is good and we praise Him for the sweet victory!!

Many Blessings! 

Being Thankful

Well the past 10 days have been very eventful...I began my Thanksgiving break by going down to New Braunfels to visit my sister as they just moved into their new house. I helped them decorate their tree for Christmas. I also went to the last home game of the Texas Longhorns with my parents. I drove to my parents house Monday while stopping to visit friends on the way. I got to see my precious friends Sarah, Kaitlyn, and Julie Anna. I am so grateful to have these women in my life to encourage, listen, and challenge me. 

Monday through Wednesday I ran around with my mom to get ready for all the family coming in Wednesday night. We went to work out, buy groceries, and prepare the house. Wednesday night both my sisters (JJ and Jamie) with their families arrived at the house. It was so fun to have everyone together again. We watched a movie and then settled down for the night. 

Thursday began like every other Thanksgiving...woke up, drank coffee, and watched the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade. After the parade we got ready for the big meal. We usually have about 40+ extended family members come in from out of town, but this year it was just my immediate family. Anyways, we all piled our plates full of food and sat around the table. Once we finished we relaxed on the couches while watching football. And within moments, the atmosphere changed as my Dad suddenly was having severe lower abdominal pain. He was sitting in his closet doubled over in agony. He could barely get a breath and soon my brother-in-law (the doctor) rushed him to the hospital. Living 20 minutes from the closest town can seem like an eternity. My dad was soon hooked up to an IV and given several doses of morphine to dull the pain. He passed out a few times and threw up. As that was happening it seems as though he may have slightly torn the area in his esophagus where he originally had surgery over a year ago. 

After being in Cleburne for an hour or so, the decision was made to transfer him to a better hospital located in Fort Worth. He was also placed in ICU for closer observation. Since then my family and I have made several trips to visit him. He is now pain free but having to rest so that his body can heal. 

Dad in ICU

Friday my mom spent the day at the hospital and the rest of the family back at the house went to a place on the ranch called the "blue hole". We weren't quite sure what to do in the midst of knowing my dad was in the hospital, but we did know that my Dad wanted us to go and have fun even though he wasn't there with us. 

The whole crew (minus Mom and Dad)

My brother and sisters (Tully, JJ, and Jamie)

The grandkids (minus Jesse)

Saturday my cousin got married on the ranch so we had all the festivities and then went to see my Dad later on at the hospital. 

Sunday around noon he was finally released from ICU and moved to the "floor" (to a normal room). He is still being observed but has not been able to eat since his Thanksgiving meal. Monday morning he is having tests run again to check the status of the tear. We are praying that his body will heal itself, if not he will most likely have to have surgery. We have been in this waiting game for days now and we are praying to know the next step to take. 

I am extremely thankful for each day that my Dad remains to be here with us. My mom, siblings, and I have remained to hold onto each other during this time and trust the Lord through it all. Thankful for God's strength that He graciously gives us each day!

Be Blessed,

Joy

Seasons Change

just as the leaves are falling, the air becomes cooler, and the seasons change...so does life. change comes when you don't really want it to. it grabs you and pushes you to move on when you aren't ready. you want to remain where you are. where you are comfortable. where you have settled and made some sort of establishment. change has to be welcomed - received - and desired. it's not done easily. it's accomplished by time. patience. and understanding. it takes a realization of seeing what is not. it's leaving behind what you once had and moving forward towards what is to be. transitioning from one to another begins with a step. a step into the unknown. a step into unstability once again. a step into a place that may be uncomfortable for awhile. change begins to take place when we receive it with joy. knowing this is for us and developing more of who we are. change takes place when we embrace the newness of where we are. the purposes. the joys. and the purpose for which we were called.

God calls us to live in obedience to Him. to follow the path of His steps. and this is not easy. it takes someone who is radically abandoning themselves to come under His leadership. under His authority. under His direction. under His Word. it happens when submission occurs. and a longing to serve and know Him is of the most importance. to bring glory to God for the ways He has redeemed you. made Himself known in you. and using you to fulfill His promises and purposes.

This is what has occurred in my life and the journey hasn't been easy. However, it's been one of obedience of following Christ. I am in the midst of change and I'm slowly seeing the reasons why. I have transitioned from one ministry to another - from one location to another - from one perspective to another. The Lord has moved me from FLMI to another ministry yet to be known; from my aunt's house to living with a widow; to recognizing and being aware of my present situation and living in it. I have come to understand the distinct places Jesus called His disciples to go... to begin in Jerusalem is necessary before moving out to Samaria or Judea or to other parts of the world (insert from previous blog: God has called us and sent us out to be witnesses....Jerusalem (locally : neighborhood, church, school), Judea (regionally : county, state), and Samaria (globally : crossing the boarder, unfamiliar places), and into the ends of the Earth.). It's a good place for me to be during this season of my life. I'm learning and acknowledging that change is good and full of growth.

Pictures of Texas/OU Weekend

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

Me and Beks 

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

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

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

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

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

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

Fall Events

College Game Days...

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

Here are some pics from that weekend..

*Sara, Jen and Me

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

*At dinner in downtown Bryan, Tx

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

Moving Day!

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

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

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

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

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

Much love,

Joy

Becoming more like Him...

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

2 Timothy 3:16-17

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

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

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

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

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

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

Philippians 2:3-5

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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