Joy That Overshadows Sadness

So it is obvious that in sad times we feel sad.  I have felt sad the past two days.  I have had thoughts like, "this isn't fair", "why can't we just have it the easy way?" and many others, but I have also experienced something that I haven't had the chance to experience in a long time.  Joy in the midst of sadness. 

Many people who don't know God's joy in a personal way think that joy is the same as being happy or content.  Those of us who have experienced God's joy, however, know from those experiences that joy doesn't mean either one of those things.  In fact if you asked me to describe what I am feeling right now I don't even know that I could describe it with many words.  Sure I can describe the situation that we are in right now, but my feelings about it are simply joy, trust and peace.

God gave me a picture this morning of a giant tree and people enjoying the tree in different ways.  Some were picking and eating the delicious fruit.  Others were climbing high into the branches.  Others were swinging on the rope tied to a branch.  Still others were sitting in the shade having a picnic lunch.  God reminded me of a few things with this picture.  First of all, He wants us to enjoy Him- however that looks in our own lives.  Enjoy the gifts and blessings He has for us, even if that means enjoying them in a different way than those around you.  Let the joy that He has just for you fill you up.  Second He reminded me of the trust that we should put in Him.  The people enjoying the fruit weren't worried they would be poisoned, the people climbing and swinging from the branches weren't worried that they would fall, and the people having a picnic weren't worried that the tree would come toppling down on them.  They were trusting the tree.  I trust God.  He is good.  He is faithful.  I am thankful that His joy can overshadow the sadness that life can sometimes bring our way.  Be joyful!

P.S. I got on BibleGateway to look up a verse that has to do with joy and look what the verse of the day is...
"Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.” -Romans 12:12... AMEN!!!

No Visa

Just to update those of you who are not on Facebook, Mario did not get his visa this morning so that means that a May 15th wedding in Bakersfield is not going to be possible.  It is a very hard thing for a bride who thinks she has the perfect wedding planned to find out that it is impossible.  Please be praying for me, for Mario, and for what God has for us.  We still definitely are getting married, now it is just a matter of when and where.  It is kind of like we are back to square one on the planning stuff, but I know it will all turn out according to God's plans.  Thank you for your prayers, love, and support.  More updates to come as we find out more...

International Dinner

Each DTS we have a special dinner for the students and then a few weeks later they put on a special dinner for the staff.  This school chose to have an international dinner and Mario and I drew the country Japan.  It was fun to be able to dress up and to see the creativity of the other staff members.  We also had to come up with a talent from our country and since Japan is the Mother of Karaoke I had to go with it.  Mario wasn't as keen on singing so I just sat him on a stool in the front, explained to the crowd that a Geisha was an entertainer and not just the other negative ideas people have of them and sung to Mario the oh so appropriate "Black or White" by Michael Jackson.  It was a great night, indeed!!!