The 4th quarter of 2014

Wow... It's been over a month since I've blogged. I started one that I was suppose to post right before Thanksgiving. Here it is...Sometimes I wake up extremely early especially on weekends and I wonder, what should I be doing with my time right now? I continue to lie in bed, scrolling through Instagram or Twitter. Is there anything that needs to be cleaned? Should I do a load of laundry right now? No, I don't quite feel like doing all that so I'll continue to just rest and wonder. When I finally focus on in what could really add value to this time, it's no short of looking at one of my Bible devotional apps and thinking about whatever the theme of the day or week is. Well this Sunday morning I've done just that and various devotion from the Shereadstruth.com Instagram page start to tug at my heart. It's the Thanksgiving season so many devotions are encompasses around that. Wow...I've got to pause and think for a moment that in the midst of all I've been dealing with lately I still have a reason to be thankful. In fact, it would be wrong for me not to be. God's amazing, saving grace has kept me. I can remember other rough moments in my life and who was instrumental in helping me through those times. Tears of joy cover my face as I recall those special God-sent individuals to mind. I will certainly reach out and tag them to this blog.

Now back to today... Right before Christmas I am thinking about family, especially my dad. A blog is needed. Gotta get some things off my chest before the year ends, so in advance thanks for reading. Being a Soldier, going through some tough things lately, things I never imagined to be in, I need my family right now. I miss my daddy though. That same stress I was feeling a month ago, yeah it's still going on but so am I. My situations don't define me, they fine tune me. I'm being made the better because of it. And although I would love for the nonsense to end with this year some of it may linger on but my perspective will be new. This too shall pass, I will make it through and the blessing on the other side, the testimony after this test, God's glory will be revealed in my life! For the moment my smile may not be all the way up but it won't completely fade. I'm learning to understand these seasons of my life and everyone that comes along isn't necessarily meant to stay. One lesson learned this year is that my plans, what I thought may occur, even things set in motion, they may not really be the end all be all. My only expectations nowadays is that whatever The Lord allows that's what it is and I'll be alright with it. I'm totally letting go, trusting Him, allowing Him to lead without any expectations except to receive His best for my life. So in closing, as I prepare to share time with family, I'll reflect on my year. Learn from it, grow from it and look forward to blessings in the New Year to come. The only plans I'll make will be to seek Him even the more, trust His plan and process, He's got this. 

God bless, Merry Christmas and a prosperous New Year.

-Joi

The Challenge is Real!

A few weeks ago I was challenged by a friend on Facebook to do the grateful challenge. 5 days of posting 3 things in my life I am grateful for. Although I did not begin the challenge at the time, I quickly brought to mind a few things I was grateful for. Over the last few weeks I completed my FAITH challenge and boy was I challenged! Now in the last 2 weeks I have found myself is a very challenging situation that has caused me to dig deep and rely on the same faith and gratefuless I wrote about. Today one of those challenges is coming to an end and although I do not yet know the outcome, I am ENCOURAGED! At times I felt like this thing was getting the best of me. I was in my emotions and I felt like I was going under but even through my tears I would cry out to God. I know He sees and He hears. He is in control. He has a plan and although this does not feel good it will work out for my good.

A coworker shared a message with me and the Pastor was saying even the disciples who spent the most time with Jesus sometimes seemed to forget the Awesomeness of who He was. Miracle after miracle He did Amazing things and yet when they found themselves in trouble they were really troubled! The Pastor went on to remind us to recall those things that we know He can do based off what we've seen or heard Him do before. If He did it before He will do it again! Another thing He said was if God doesn't bring you through, He will get in their will you and He has been with me through it all.

Friends, it's how we shift our focus that helps determine the attitude of our circumstance. We can let fear and doubt set in and rock us to the core or we can look to JESUS the Author and Finisher of our Faith, our Redeemer to bring us through. We may struggle with this but our faith is being exercised and renewed. I know for me this has been a learning experience and a character builder. I pray I am made better because of it.

Many people have been praying with me and for me but my mom has been my biggest supporter and prayer warrior. Her instructions were for me to gird myself up in the Word and a passage that I have been standing on from the Message Bible in Romans 8 is this:

"So, what do you think? With God on our side like this, how can we lose? If God didn’t hesitate to put everything on the line for us, embracing our condition and exposing himself to the worst by sending his own Son, is there anything else he wouldn’t gladly and freely do for us? And who would dare tangle with God by messing with one of God’s chosen? Who would dare even to point a finger? The One who died for us—who was raised to life for us!—is in the presence of God at this very moment sticking up for us. Do you think anyone is going to be able to drive a wedge between us and Christ’s love for us? There is no way! Not trouble, not hard times, not hatred, not hunger, not homelessness, not bullying threats, not backstabbing, not even the worst sins listed in Scripture"(Romans 8:31-35 MSG)

So this morning I am GRATEFUL for God's GRACE, POWER and PROTECTION. My flesh may have been weak but my FAITH in HIM is STRONG. He is my STRENGTH!!

#FAITHforward #BeEncouraged

Day 4 FAITH challenge

My faith requires perseverance. Day one I said I was activating my faith, standing on God's Word, holding to His promise, giving my situations and circumstance over to Him ,trusting Him to fix it, heal it, deliver it, restore it, refresh it, do whatever He needs to do to it! That does not mean that whatever it is will change overnight. Standing, waiting, trusting, all action words. They require not only patience like I mentioned yesterday but perseverance. According to Google: per·se·ver·ance is steadfastness in doing something despite difficulty or delay in achieving success. 

WOW!!! Just those few simple words mentioned above are acts of perseverance. They may seem small because action doesn't seem to be taking place but just the act of staying put, standing my ground, holding on to what I believe, knowing God is working behind the scenes, knowing that He's in the details I'm yet persevering and I do believe that at the end of this 30 day journey the benefit of really applying God's Word, consistently and purposefully to my life will show forth God's glory concerning whatever situations I'm going through. Hope this encourages you to persevere as well. A great example of one who persevered in the Bible is the woman with the issue of blood, (Luke 8:43-48) she pressed her way to get to Jesus. She persevered and when she arrived and was found out, she explained. She believed before she even got to Him. She believed by faith that Jesus could heal her. She pressed her way! 

Day 3 FAITH challenge

The thing about faith that I'm being reminded of is that when you really start to trust God, there's a whole nother process that follows. As I mentioned yesterday I've had some recent challenges and in all of them my last and final thought is Lord I trust You. Once I say that, I have to relinquish whatever it is and really let go and let God. Noah experienced this. God told Noah that the earth would be flooded and He gave him specific instructions to build an ark. (Genesis 6) Two major things I observe here are that Noah obeyed God and then he waited. James gives us a heads up about being tested, he says "Dear brothers and sisters, when troubles of any kind come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy. So let it grow, for when your endurance is fully developed, you will be perfect and complete, needing nothing. But when you ask him, be sure that your faith is in God alone. Do not waver, for a person with divided loyalty is as unsettled as a wave of the sea that is blown and tossed by the wind. Such people should not expect to receive anything from the Lord. Their loyalty is divided between God and the world, and they are unstable in everything they do." (James 1:2, 4, 6-8 NLT)

Friends, I don't wanna be the one tossed to and fro in the water, I want to rest in the ark like Noah and his family until the flood is over! This test of my faith is increasing my patience. If I trust God to come through all I need to do at this point is wait on Him. 

Day 1 FAITH challenge

30 day FAITH challenge

Not because someone challenged me but because I've been personally challenged and I'm challenging myself. By posting daily and sharing I hope to encourage others to Trust God through it all!! ‪#‎faithfirst‬

Day 1)

The fundamental fact of existence is that this trust in God, this faith, is the firm foundation under everything that makes life worth living. It’s our handle on what we can’t see. The act of faith is what distinguished our ancestors, set them above the crowd. (Hebrews 11:1-2MSG)

It may look like there's nothing left for me to stand on but God's Word is my foundation and it is certain
‪#‎iTrustGod‬

Day 2 FAITH challenge

So yesterday was the start of my 30 day FAITH challenge. Baby when I tell you the enemy was listening...today I am putting him on blast for messing with me but know this, GOD still gets the GLORY. Just about every part of me that could be challenged was challenged. Things happened throughout the night and into today that made me wanna throw my hands up and quit. They misplaced my luggage at the airport, I'm still waiting on it. Couldn't sleep last night. Was attacked in my body with discomfort and pain. Was attacked in my mind with worry and anxiety, my bank account was attacked, my attitude was on the verge of losing itself BUT my spirit man said in spite of all that I still  trust GOD! I trust God to be my Healer, my Deliverer, My Provider, My Ever Present Help. HE IS ALL THAT and then SOME!! At some moments throughout the day I felt like I was at a low but I know my GOD sits up High and He's concerned about me.

I thought about the story in Genesis 16 of Hagar, Sarai's maid when she ran away to the wilderness  (the first time). The Angel of the Lord gave her some clear instructions and although she felt like her mistress had mistreated her the Lord made her a promise to take care of her. When she thought it was over and had nothing more to look forward to she had to put her faith in God. This is how I felt today but if He did it for her, He can do it for me. I am the apple of His eye, He loves me and cares for me. I am safe in His arms. Seeing about me gives Him pleasure and the activation of my FAITH to heed to His Word and allow Him to be God brings Him Glory. Yes, my faith is challenged but I'm trusting God.

Flying and thinking about my daddy

As much as I fly I can say right now at this very moment I don't think I've ever thought about my father on a flight as much as I'm thinking of him on this one. And the ironic thing about this flight is it's not even a United flight, it's American Airlines. So I'm enjoying my seat and breakfast in first class. My first thought is this food is really good! Quiche with roasted tomatoes and asparagus. I ate all of it! It was extremely good! My second though is my daddy enjoyed really good food and had he been sitting here he would've eaten all of it just like I did. So with this flight there's also tv. I'm currently watching Jimmy Fallon to be exact and the little stunt he's pulling with this trivial wax on, wax off game! LOL I can see my daddy watching this and laughing. I hear his laugh but it comes through my squinced up face and a little pressure that I feel on my chest while trying to hold back tears...no need to hold them back but they don't really wanna fall either. This though, this moment, thinking of him, remember him, it's welcomed and in his honor I share my thoughts of my dear daddy. How I miss him so. 

REFLECTIONS

How often do you take a moment just to think about your life and the moments or situations you are currently in? Over the past few weeks I have been here at Fort Belvoir in Virginia and for the most part life has been grand. I'm meeting new friends, I'm gaining new information and I'm able to see family. I've gone places I've never gone and done things I've never done. Every day seems like a holiday because I'm making the most of it, taking full advantage of what life has to offer but let me say it hasn't been all smiles and cupcake🍰 

I've also had my share of challenges here. Some I choose not to share but being able to focus on what makes me happy has really helped me along the way. Dreaming and thinking about what I want to accomplish next, it's given me something to look forward to. 

MOVING in the CANOE

First let me say I wish I could take credit for what I'm about to write. This analogy was shared to a class about working relationships and having a common goal. This anology is great for relationships, couples, marriages and friendships alike. Have you ever been canoeing? Imagine it. Beautiful partly cloudy day, 75 degrees and a light breeze from the river. An easy breezy day and nothing but time to get from one end of the river to another. You guys just wanna chill out on the water and have a good time. Have any expectations other then that been discussed? Well people in a relationship are just like that, most of them wanna chill and have a good time, the relationship serves this purpose and hopefully there are goals to get there. So back to the two people in the canoe, rowing downstream, unless they paddle in the same direction, their trip may not be successful. TWO PEOPLE IN A CANOE PADDLING IN DIFFERENT DIRECTIONS WILL ONLY GO IN CIRCLES! Which direction are you moving in and are you moving down stream or going in circles? EXPECTATIONS are important. NEEDS are significant and moving downstream towards the common GOAL is essential. Value your time and resources by also considering the VALUE of the other person in the relationship, whichever type of relationship it may be. LEARN, GROW, LIVE, LAUGH, LOVE and BOND together. And ENJOY moving downstream. 

There's always time to think at the airport

Sometimes you have to do things you've never done in order to succeed 

Seems like most of my posts are about airport activities but this is where I spent a lot of free time 😊 and with the awesome, exquisite TSA precheck I'm usually through security in record time. So today as I sit at the airport I figured I'd have time to reflect on what this Father's Day has meant to me but before I get to that here's my airport story. I guess the purpose of me getting to the airport early Was to help someone out. This German man was looking for his gate, leaving on a flight to dusseldorf. Of course he thinks he's suppose to be in the international terminal but clearly the board says he's in the right location. I can barely understand him but I've been to Germany before. He graciously follows me to his gate and gets skeptical that I haven't brought him to the right place. I find a German speaking couple who helps him understand yes he is in the right place and he thanks me. It wasn't the fact that I could make out a few of his German words, it was the fact that I saw someone in need and took a few minutes to offer some simple guidance so he could make it to his destination. *MESSAGE* are you trying to get somewhere in life and you need a little guidance? Help is certainly near. Don't be afraid to take a moment and seek guidance then follow the lead. No one us can get anywhere we need alone. As for me, I'll take all my directions from the Hightower, Jesus Christ and the sweet Holy Spirit. 

There's been some stress recently...

Before I start let me say please no judgement passing. When I blog I'm doing what I ❤️love to do by writing ✒️and sharing some personal situations. How I view things, my perspective, sometimes funny sometimes not. This is like a non private, totally for everyone's eyes journal 📖into Joi's world. It helps me vent and with that said I will continue. So what do you do when you're faced with troubled times? I guess I just shared a clue of something I do but lately I've had a few situations come at me that sort of rocked my world🌍. I won't go in to detail about what they are because that's none of your business 😉 but I am willing to share some of how I've been dealing with things, in hopes that you can either relate, share something different or pick up a new idea. 

We all know nothing is perfect (except God) and life is not fair, so how do we handle mental, emotional, and physical stress? Well to be quite honest when any of these challenges first come at me my response and reaction may not be the best. I get irritated, frustrated, irrational, combative, depressed, anxious, sad, worried and sometimes even scared.😬 Yep, all that. Now someone may be reading this thinking "why is she telling so much of her business?" when truly these are actions that may be personal but someone else witnesses, be it coworkers, family, friends or strangers in Walmart😊 (just kidding, I don't act out in Walmart, there's enough craziness in there already. Y'all know it's the only place we have here in my little Podunk town) I'm not sharing anything that everyone else has not experienced before in some shape form or fashion. Now all actions may not seem appropriate. 🙊Have you ever just lost it? Went off on someone for no reason but at the time you thought you really had one and had to go back and apologize? Oh you may not be that out spoken so maybe you kept your composure with a smile and a thank you as you walked out but gave them a piece of your mind and mouth but only they couldn't hear you cause you did it in the privacy of your car. 

When all my frustration and irritating has finally calmed I do my best to find a peaceful place within my mind, center myself, regain my composure, collect my thoughts then keep moving forward. PRAYER🙏 is my number 1 method! God is my source of Peace, Strength, Hope and Redemption. The Holy Spirit is my Guide but in order to follow Him I have to be quiet. I admit sometimes it takes me a minute to get there but once I do, I'm GOOD! I remember His Love, Mercy and Grace is for ME and that He has a perfect plan for my life. So no matter what comes at me, if things don't go my way or according to my plan, God's got me. I just need to rest, relax, chill, calm myself in HIM! He's working everything out for my good! 

I hope you're encouraged. Smile anyways even if you don't feel like it😊 

Grasps a perspective of gratitude concerning life's situations that you may be faced with. You're learning, you're growing, you're gaining strength, wisdom and patience. It's worth it to continue to go on. Better days are ahead and near. Until I blog again.

Peace out😇

Joi

Airplane Whoa!! (Part 1)

You all know I fly a bunch and it's that time again but before I hop on another plane tomorrow let me say this.  I'm absolutely blessed and privileged to travel as often as I do. I love traveling. I like telling stories, and I meet all types of people not only in the airport but on the plane too. I never know who I'm sitting next to, sometimes I find it a pleasure sometimes I don't. Like when I'm squished in the middle or on one side or another. I've had lots of different experiences in my travels too, both good and bad. Like the time I met my little name twin Joy Elizabeth or the not so good time when I experienced motioned sickness. I never wish that on anyone! Out of all the flying I've done, from the time I was in my mothers womb, on flights I will never remember, until now some 30 years later, Never have I ever felt intentionally violated in an airplane until now. So I'm sitting next to the window in the exit row and there's no arm rests. I'm asleep listening with my earbuds in and suddenly I feel a hand squeeze my left side.😳 I'm extremely ticklish and again I'm sleep so I immediately jump awake and look behind me. Did this person just duck?😜 I sit up for a few minutes wondering who, what and why? Did he really just tickle me?? 😐 I dare not turn around again and tell them that's  assault, possibly sexual assault! He don't know who he's  messing with!! (2 snaps and a neck roll) That's what the professional Soldier and sexual assault response coordinator inside of me wants to tell him. I see their hand gripping the seat like they didn't mean it, they weren't sure why that part of the seat was so soft but since they felt such a nice squishy portion of the chair they decided to give it a squeeze. 💺Would I even accept an "I'm sorry" at this point?? Maybe if they had really apologetic eyes. 👀🙈I'd do my best to keep from rolling my mine😏. No, it's best that I just mull it over in my head 💬and write this blog for you alls enjoyment. Oh for the knowledge part. Word of advice, disregard anyone who kinda sort of touches you on the airplane, unless they intentionally sneak a feel in an inappropriate place. There's at least 40 to 300 ppl scrunched in an air pressured bubbles for a few hours trying to be as comfortable as possible. You'd hope that the common courteousness of people would urge them to try and keep their hands in their own bubble and not on the love handles of the person in front of them. Hope this made you smile and want to fly.  ✈️ And as I prepare to take off again I hope everyone keeps their hands off my handles. 

Airport/Airplane Whoa Part 2 (part 1 is for later)

First let me start by saying my graduation 🎓weekend was absolutely amazing.

Walking the stage was great but having my family 👪 there was the highlight. And my Aunt Dee.

Besides my mom, she's one of my biggest fans. She supports everything I do and she's usually there for all of it. My first marriage, my initial sermon, my promotion to Sergeant First Class, all of it, she was there. So hanging out with her this weekend has been a treat. Something I could easily overlook because this is a norm but certainly nothing I want to take for granted because family is wonderful. So as our weekend comes to a close it's clearly been too perfect to remain that way. We shared a nice breakfast at Bob Evans then the journey to the airport began. Murphy decided he wanted to ride to the airport with us. What a fiasco!! First we ran into a bit of traffic headed to the airport. No big deal, traffic is common.

Then we couldn't find a gas station to fill the rental before returning and I'm determined to find one cause if I don't  gonna be charged $9 a gallon! That's insane😬 but when we did find one, after we passed the airport, the gas station didn't take credit or debit cards, cash 💴only. Nobody carries cash anymore! (Except my aunt Dee😊👍) Finally we made it to airport. ✈️Now I'm a little pressed for time but I have TSA pre-check✔️ so I'll make it. I drive towards the rental car returns and  took the Mustang back to wrong rental lot! Hertz can't do anything with a Budget😕 I finally got back to the right lot, to the shuttle, to the terminal, through security and to the gate. But I had a dilemma along the way. I realized I must've left my  ID in the Mustang but stayed at the gate anyhow hoping to get on. I can get a new ID, maybe they'll even mail it to me. I tried calling Budget numerous times but of course that didn't help and I didn't get on the flight so... I'm headed back to Budget now to get it. And they better have it!! I knew exactly where it was so yes I found it and made my way back to the terminal to try again. All the while my auntie is still there. Well, 3 or 4 more attempts later for the both of us to make it to our separate designations, my chances of getting to where I need to be are shot. Next best place to go is Chicago with family. At least I won't be stranded at the airport. And yes, we get the last two seats on the next flight. Man, when was the last time I've flown somewhere with my auntie Dee? At least 20 years!! Disney World?? Really?! This is great!! Until the pilot announces that a bird strike was discovered on the engine. A bird strike? Is that like an air strike? Did they intentionally aim for this plane's engine? Either way, we can't go anywhere and we actually have to get off the plane! Noooo!! We're standbys don't tease us like this! No worries, they're gonna get us a new plane or fix this one and we will leave in a few hours. All is well. We're safe and we're together. An opportunity to take advantage of spending time together, I even forfeit going to my usual airport hangout, the USO. And although I won't make it home tonight I will be home with family for a few hours until I try 'Operation Destination Home'  again in the morning. This airport/airplane whoa actually turned out to be wonderful.

So now for the advice and wisdom. Count your blessings, it could be worse. Don't take family for granted, they're our #1 supporters and when birds decide they want to plan an attack on the plane just go with it. It won't turn out too well for them. 🙊 

Bittersweet

Bittersweet moments to me are those moments when you look forward to one thing but sadly consider a parallel occurrence like being excited about a new move but realize you may leave FRIENDS or a loved place behind.  Or finally having a bandage or cast removed but a CHALLENGING recovery awaits. For me BITTERSWEET moments are just apart of life and seeing the happiness BEYOND the not so happiness definitely makes LIFE worth living. IT'S OKAY TO PAUSE. It's good to remember and reflect as well as LOOK FORWARD but never let it stop you for so long that you quit. KEEP PRESSING PLAY.

NO MATTER WHAT STAY IN MOTION. One thing I promise not to do this weekend is hold back the tears. I remember asking the Lord when my dad passed away to not let his loss consume me all at once but for the array of emotions to come in waves,  GOD GAS BEEN FAITHFUL in honoring this request, sometimes at what I would consider awkward moments like in the paper towel aisle at Walmart. Sometimes I'm very aware of the thoughts that bring about a moment of sadness remembering something my dad may have done or said, seeing or hearing something that makes me think of him. Sometimes I have no idea, and tears just flow. 

This weekend will be bittersweet. I'm CELEBRATING the culmination of a long journey, receiving my bachelor's degree from the University of Maryland in Social Sciences in Adelphi MD. I've been on this journey for quite some time and now the first part is complete. I will REMEMBER my dad as I walk across the stage, this Saturday May 17th on what would have been his 67th birthday. When he passed unexpectedly from pancreatic cancer I was in the middle of a few college courses. I wanted to quit; he would've wanted me to go on, so I DID AND NOW I'M HERE. Last year I remembered him on his birthday by participating in the Relay for Life. RELAY FOR LIFE, not just an event but a COMMAND. Continue to GO ON. That was a hard year, the first year that I wasn't able to call and say Happy Birthday or send a card in the mail, but I was able to support a cause to continue to FIGHT for a cure. I hope this year is easier as I share his day with an ACCOMPLISHMENT. I always remember him, I know he's proud of me. I always want him to be proud so I've already applied to Liberty University to pursue my Master's degree. 

LOOKING AHEAD Yep, I know when I complete that degree that will be a bittersweet moment as well because he won't be there. In a few months I will walk down the aisle to begin a new journey as a wife and he won't be there. Another BITTERSWEET moment awaits but I MUST GO ON. My fear, my struggle, my heartache in the beginning was feeling like I would somehow leave him behind as I continued to reach GOALS in life, that is so far from the truth. When I look in the mirror I can't help but see him. I AM MICKEY HENDRY, his first born, continuing the dream of being great and in my mind hearing him say, "I'm so proud of you and I love you too girl, cause I'm your Dad" it makes me smile with sad eyes, but it's okay, that's life, that's bittersweet.

 

So Daddy, I believe you're looking down on me SMILING, probably with tears of joy as well but I'm glad I'm making you PROUD.

Solutions are simple

PUSH through it. Pray Until Something Happens 

KEEP SILENT until it's time to talk. Find a confident listening ear 

LISTEN to good advice

REACH OUT phone a friend

WORK IT OUT Release your aggression in a healthy manner (don't hit anything or anyone but the gym)

L-I-G! Let It GO!!

RELAX soak in a hot tub with bubble bath, aroma therapy and some good music, maybe even a book 

Before bed PRAY thanking The Lord you made it through the day, knowing He was with you every step of the way 

FLOAT right in to sleep leaving today's worries in cares in God's hands. You'll be better tomorrow