Things Are Not Always As They Appear!  

It has been over a month since my last post and yes you may think "where has Joy gone?" or "what is she doing? Well, let me tell you God is doing so much! 

Being here in New Zealand has changed me in many ways, deep on the inside and it's just the tip of the iceberg. I have been on this journey of learning who I am through God's eyes. There have been a great deal of lessons to be learned and fears to overcome, but so awesome to behold. I have been set free from things I didn't even know were holding me back until the light of God's love shone on my understanding. 

Praise God, I am FREE through Christ!

The picture below gives a good illustration of how I feel. God is working a lot on the inside but you may only see a small part right now. 

As I grow in the largeness of what God is doing it will be unveiled for all to see; I am sure of it!

What is God asking of you?

God dose not need us to contribute to His Kingdom. He wants us to REST in the sacrifice that Jesus already gave and enjoy. 

Be renewed in the gift of God's awesome love for you today!

WOW!

I have been reading 1 John and it has popped so many bubbles of fear that I didn't even know I had. God is love and understanding His perfect love changes everything.

 I pray that you would see a deeper level of 

God's amazing 

love for you today.

^" We know how much God loves us, and we have put our trust in his love. God is love, and all who live in love live in God, and God lives in them. And as we live in God, our love grows more perfect. So we will not be afraid on the day of judgment, but we can face him with confidence because we live like Jesus here in this world.

 Such love has no fear, because perfect love expels all fear. If we are afraid, it is for fear of punishment, and this shows that we have not fully experienced his perfect love. We love each other because he loved us first." -1 John 4:16-19 (NLT)

Come See Me!

I will be visiting these churches on my trip back to the USA:


Sunday, July 29
North Bend "Danville Branch" COB
Service starts at 11am 

Sunday, August 5
East Chippewa COB
Service starts at 10am 

Sunday, August 12
Auckerman Church of God
Service starts at 10am


If you have any questions or need to know more, just send me an email at joyfull211@gmail.com.

Update!

As I sit to take in the reality.................... "Tomorrow I fly back to the USA, setting foot once again in my home town of Wooster, Ohio, for a three week visit."  

I am moved with tears of joy. 

I get to SEE and HUG my family in person after a year and a half of being away."........... There are so many emotions going on inside of me right now. I can't seem to find the words to share them. These last 19 months of being in New Zealand (NZ) is the longest time I have ever been away. 

For some of you, you may think, "Why would you be so happy about seeing your family?" Others of you may think, "19 months is not that long, I was away for five or more years before seeing my family."

The truth of the matter is: I love my family so much! I love all the good, the bad and the greatness that they are becoming! My parents have been married for 40 years, they are greatly in love and enjoy life together through all the ups and downs it throws; I have four awesome brothers that each challenge me in their own ways; One beautiful sister that has such a heart for others it blesses me; A handsome nephew with passion for life and a sweet niece that I look forward to seeing. To add to that I have many friends who I call family, which make me a very rich person.

So why would I move to New Zealand which is on the other side of the world, you may ask?

Well, I am loved by a great King who gave His life for me to enjoy a relationship with Him. But it gets even better, He asked me to live and reign with Him in this life, WOW! I didn't do anything to deserve this great honor, but He said I was worth it all. Right now, I am on the journey of learning what it means to love as He loves and release His light to the darkness.

In this season of life, New Zealand is the 'where' that He has called me to set my feet. I don't know what that fully means right now or for how long. But what I do know is that there is a peace that passes all understanding in trusting His plan and His way. I have also learned that just because you live in one land, that does not mean that you can't be a light to the whole world. (Just think and read about Jesus - His life is full of that reality).

I have learned that HOME is where God IS! When He is everywhere and in everything that brings PEACE to every moment. He has called me far away from all that I knew and loved so dearly. Yet, through it all He has taught me some of life's greatest lessons. Being in NZ, I have come to see the love of God more clearly by resting in His grace daily.

Do you have to move around the world to get a better picture of God's love for you? NO, that's just part of my journey. I challenge you to ask, seek and knock for God's heart towards you. God will open your eyes no matter where you are or what you have done. HE LOVES YOU WITH AN EVERLASTING AND UNENDING LOVE THAT WILL NEVER GIVE UP ON YOU!

So here I come America! "Sweet As," the Kiwis would say. And to New Zealand, with the famous words of Arnold Schwarzenegger, "I'll be back".

Funny

Laughter is so good for many different reasons! 

Have you taken the time to enjoy a good laugh today? 

If not, STOP right now and LAUGH!

AWESOME!

The Heart River is a tributary of the Missouri River, approximately 180 miles (290 km) long, in western North Dakota in the United States.

 

I came across this picture earlier this week and just smiled. God is so good at sharing His love with us in every way. The beat of His heart can be seen, heard, touched and felt every where we go and in everything we do. 

Daddy God's heart is full of love for YOU!

Update!

Only ten days until I set foot on USA soil for visit after a one and a half years of living in New Zealand.  

I am looking forward to seeing family and friends in person.

I will be at a different church each Sunday. I will give you the church and time of each one soon, so keep your eyes and ears open for more.

BIG NEWS

So I dropped the ball with pictures, sorry.

But I have big news!!!!!!!!!!

I am coming back to the USA 

for 3 weeks visit. 

Praise God!

365 Day Photo Challenge!

For 2012 I made a goal to take a picture of myself every day. It is now march and I have not even posted one of them for you to enjoy.

I will soon start to post them for your enjoyment. This will help you stay up to date with me for the next 365 days. I am also taking a picture of my foot in different places. 

It is a funny thing but may it bring smiles and maybe even bring you to laugh from time to time.

Enjoying the Wildlife of NZ!

I must share that after the picture by the swan it bit my arm, what can I say, I'm just sweet!!

I came across this little Hedgehog on my walk one day! Very cool and really cool.

A Tuatara at Rainbow Springs!

Fish for Dinner, I had to make sure I was at just the right spot.

Inspiration

I have come to enjoy the beach so much. It is a great inspiration to learn of God's deep love for us. I stand in awe and  wonder every time I get the joy of taking in it's beauty.

I am truly learning more everyday how great God's love is for me and falling deeper in love with Him. His love bring me alive in ways I never would have known without Him in my life.