Complete Joy

JOYJOYJOYJOYJOYJOYJOYJOYJOYJOYJOYJOYJOYJOYJOYJOYJOYJOYJOYJOYJOYJOYJOY

Dictionary.com defines JOY as :

the emotion of great delight or happiness caused by something exceptionally good or satisfying; keen pleasure; elation.

The emotion that was caused by something exceptionally good or satisfying.

Have you ever experienced an emotion like that? I can think of a few instances in my life that have caused me great joy. The day that Duane asked me to marry him stands out in my mind. Each time I found out I was pregnant brought extreme joy to me! But what about a different kind of joy?

"As the father has loved me, so have I loved you. Now remain in my love. If you obey my commands, you will remain in my love, just as I have obeyed my Father's commands and remain in his love. I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete." John 15:9-11

What does it mean to have our joy be complete? This is a question that I have wondered about quite often. But recently I think that the Lord has definitely shown me a glimpse of what Jesus is talking about.

About 3 1/2 years ago I was praying and my grandfather came to mind. I began praying for him and the Lord showed me some scripture. I was blown away by the passage because it spoke about my grandfather. Isaiah 57:17-19 says:

"...I have seen his ways, but I will heal him; I will guide him and restore comfort to him, creating praise on the lips of the mourners in Israel."

My grandfather has made it very clear that he didn't need the Lord in his life. Many of us in the family have written him letters, spoke to him and all of us have prayed for him for a long time. As I read those verses I asked the Lord what He wanted me to understand. I felt Him say that He wasn't going to allow my grandfather to die until he had made a decision for Him. I shared this with my mom and we began seriously praying for my grandfather. Every now and then we would remind each other of this scripture. We didn't know when this would take place but we knew we had to believe the Lord for this.

Just a little over a year ago my grandmother passed away suddenly. My entire family was devastated and we watched my grandfather mourn for her. I continued to pray that the Lord would use this to show my grandfather that he needed the Lord and the strength that only He could give him.

The scripture came alive again in my heart. We were the "mourners in Israel" mourning the death of my grandmother and watching as my grandfather struggled through such a tough time. The Lord was fulfilling His promise to "guide him and restore comfort to him." My grandfather began reading the Bible and meeting with a pastor to ask a lot of questions. Finally a few months ago my grandfather accepted Jesus as his Savior! The Lord had fulfilled His promise!!!

Now comes the best part: God is "creating praise on the lips of the mourners in Israel!" Next week I will be flying back home to watch my grandfather get baptized! I cannot even begin to describe the joy I have inside. It is Jesus' joy. My joy has been made complete!

My Bruised Ego

Ever have one of those moments you thought you were in control of but only to find out that time has slowed down at that precise moment and you cannot control it?

I had one of those moments last night.

Duane and I began some yard work. That in of itself is enough to stop time. Duane despises yard work, I love it but I don't have a lot of time since I have to keep an eye on so many little ones. I used to ask Duane for some help until I realized it was like asking me to wash, wax and detail all of our cars. I'd do it but I'd be thinking of more important things to do with my time. We are having an open house this weekend for Duane's birthday and we wanted to make the backyard more inviting.

Duane was the one who started the yard work, I was so amazed that I ran inside to get Annie ready. I grabbed her jacket and started to walk into the living room to get her walker so she could be outside with us. If you have been to my house lately you'd notice that there is an abundance of baby gates. I have put them everywhere so the babies do not escape throughout the day.

As I walked into the living room, I had to cross over a baby gate. As I brought the first leg over it got caught on the pant leg of the other. I worked it free and continued over the gate. I pulled the other leg over and got it caught on the gate and began the descent to the hardwood floor with my 13 month old in my arms. Time slowed down and I groaned and fell flat on my side. I couldn't free either of my arms to catch myself since I was trying to protect Annie from getting hurt. My other two girls were in the room watching The Incredibles. Jena turned around as I was struggling to sit up. I was shaking because I was so afraid that I had hurt Annie, I had landed on one of her legs. Annie stuck her bottom lip out to make matters worse and began to cry. I am sure at that moment I didn't look quite like Elastigirl!

Jena on the other hand began to crack up laughing. If I hadn't had Annie in my arms I probably would have too but at the present moment I wanted to start crying along with Annie. I tried to stand up on my wobbly legs but I was shaking so badly that it probably made Jena laugh all the more. Just as I was ready to exit the room and leave my pride on the floor where it had fallen, Duane came in. I explained to him what had just happened and he began laughing too.

This morning I felt every bit my age waking up. My hip, knee and thigh are all bruised. I hurt my back in the process and I want to throw those dumb baby gates in the trash! Thank goodness for lessons in humility. They really begin to put us in our place even if it means a trip to the chiropractor for an adjustment!

Jena's Short Story

Jena is learning so much in kindergarten. I am constantly amazed at how quickly she is learning new words and learning to put them together. The school district uses 51 sight words. She has them all memorized and just last week entered the "Sight Word Club." I am so proud of her!

Last week she wrote her first short story. She borrowed some help from one of her favorite books about Curious George. She came up with the story line all by herself. The following story is written by Jena Marshall:


Curious George Gos to the Doctor
by Hans and Margaret Rey

Curious George wock (woke) up the neix (next) moring (morning) to go to the Docter. The Doctes (Doctor) looks in his ears. He lookt (looked) vare (very) good. Curious George got home. He wunt (want) to joi (draw) a picthr (picture) of he gos to the docter. The end.


I believe that I was functioning at this level when I was in 2ND grade. Surely, I was only learning about colors and shapes in kindergarten! I remember going half-days and never meeting the kid who went to afternoon kindergarten that I shared a locker with. Mrs. De Paula was my teacher's name. She was so warm and inviting. I remember being extremely shy and the smallest child in the class. Towards the end of kindergarten I was moved to the round table. It was rumored that the round table was for the special kids, the ones that were especially liked by the teacher. That is where I developed my first crush. Chris Webb. I secretly liked him till 6Th grade. Amazing. Other boys came and went but Chris and I had the connection of the round table. It almost seems like a Wonder Years episode.

Jena is having her own special recognition. She was recently moved from the #13 spot in line to the #2 spot. Never mind that she was moved because someone else couldn't pay attention in line, it made her feel very special. I am thankful that she has that. I just pray that she hasn't developed any crushes! I know her daddy wouldn't be too happy about that.

Another Decade

I've recently entered a new decade.

The day of my entrance was one of the worst days I have had in a long time. Without being too specific about my horrific day, I will say that I entertained the idea of walking away from the new decade. When the day ended I was still where I was needed and the next day had to get better, right??

In some respects it did get a bit better but not by much.

I received a card from my grandfather. In it he shared a quote from Thomas Kincade:

"Practice looking at the rooms around you with joy and thankfulness, recognizing how blessed you are to have a place to live. The people and places that are closest to us are the first to be neglected in times of stress."

At first I thought this isn't the typical greeting in a birthday card, but the more I thought about it, the Lord used my grandfather to speak a hard word to me. I haven't been thankful for what I have. I am whining and complaining about how I want God's blessing in my life and when it comes I don't recognize it as such but think that either I don't deserve the goodness or I complain about it. If I continue, what is going to make Him want to keep blessing me if I keep wanting to give it back? Eventually He may just stop altogether.

I have been feeling stressed out and living in the "woe is me" stage of life lately. I want to stop living there and move into a better season. Spring is around the corner and new life buds and there seems to be an expectancy in the earth of this new life. I am looking forward to walking in this newness.

Mind you I am not bemoaning this new decade. I think that I have prepared myself for it for a while and I am not sad that I am here. In fact I hope that I will embrace it and not worry that the grays are coming and the crows feet that creep across the aging face are coming towards me. I know many women that have embraced their age and they look very comfortable with who they are. Lord, let me be one of them.