Unfolding beauty

As I embark upon this new journey I have no idea what to expect. I'm excited, nervous, and a little scared, but I'm ready. Day one I have all of my materials ready to take notes and soak up every bit of information that I can. Day two the spark of this journey is laid before me as the first session was very insightful and invigorating. An awesome beautiful surprise is waiting at my door when I arrive home from work. As I open the box  I'm anxious to see what's inside. I read the outside "The freshest flowers just for you" I continue to open the box "Sit back and watch their beauty unfold" I'm getting excited, I feel my heart racing. I love flowers!! I don't get them often but when I do I'm so very grateful. My eyes start to well up with tears. I know who they're from. I was told to expect a gift today. I had no idea what it would be. Tears are streaming down my face and I'm thinking of how wonderful this journey is going to be. Beautiful tulips, ready to bloom are before me. A representation of the journey that I'm on. God has a beautiful plan for me, it's already mapped out. One step of faith and He does the rest. Like these tulips I'm going to do my part by keeping myself watered with the Word and the lessons of this new experience. As the tulips also receive water and nutrients and unfold their beauty I believe the beauty of God's plan for my life, especially for this season will unfold too. 

Be blessed 

-Joi

Think. Be. Stay. Receive

For the past few months I've been experiencing some major challenges and I can't say they I've been happily enduring them the entire time. In fact, these challenges have been some of the toughest ones in my life personally, professionally, spiritually, mentally and emotionally. Normally I would consider myself a happy and positive person. True to my name sake both first and last. I am joyful and I am friendly. Sadly what I've been experiencing has challenged even this part of me. It's been a personal struggle to be positive. It's true that when a person has negative experiences frequently it is easy for them to look at things in a negative manner. No matter what happens around them they can see the negative in it instead of the positive. Anyone dealing with some challenges needs to have a loving, caring and understanding support system. I am so glad I have that and in my cycle of supporters lately I was challenged to look up, and out. Lifting my eyes to Jesus the author and finisher of my faith. Keeping my eyes to the hills, knowing where my help comes from. Looking out to life beyond this point. Not focusing on the issues around me but the solutions and opportunities ahead of me. So in my talks with certain individuals I was told to put a smile on my face, put things in God's hands and keep it moving. In doing so I had to recall what keeps me moving? What motivates me? Always striving ahead and doing good to people was the answer. So in order for me to do that I had to quickly change the way I view things and how I had currently been operating. If I continue to view my situation as horrible and I speak such things that's all I can look forward to. 

You get back what you put out and it may not come back the way you're expecting.  You may be talking to yourself and only doubt and fear are coming from your lips, the feelings and actions that follow may leave you feeling worse then the words you spoke. Or For example, you may show kindness to an individual and in return receive negativity from them. Don't worry they are not exempt from the law of sowing and reaping. If someone has wronged you turn the other cheek. Let God fight for your battle. He will vindicate you. Vengeance is His. Who can stand against the Lord the giver of Life. Stay positive and if along the way you experience some heartache because of your sincere nature don't worry. Learn and grow. Those who sow in tears reap in joy

Represent well

I remember when I was stationed at Fort Polk LA a few years back. What a little rural city Leesville is 😁. Anyhow I was looking for a church home but wasn't really feeling any of the ones in the local area. On the weekends if I weren't catching a flight somewhere I would go to the "big" cities Lake Charles, Houston, or Alexandria. Alexandra had this HUGE billboard with #JESUS written in it in big white letters and a red background. For sure an attention getter. I was always curious about the sign and the church it was affiliated with. I didn't know exactly where it was but I wanted to visit. One day while flying back into Alexandria LA a lady on the plane had on the same tshirt as the billboard. Red with big white letters, #JESUS. I inquired about the sign, told her I wanted to visit and would when I returned from out of town, she gave me he number and sure enough when I returned I drove from Leesville to Alexandria to find this church Christian Worship Center. I walked through the doors and wow! What a wonderful feeling of God's presence. The people, the atmosphere, the songs, the preaching, I enjoyed it all. I began to attend this church on a regular and I was proud to be apart of it. I too purchased a bold red shirt with the #JESUS  written on it. I'm not afraid to make a statement 

So one day I decide to wear my shirt during my travels. I'm in Chicago. Flying out of Ohare. One of the busiest airports in the US if not the world. Lots of people are going to see my tshirt, I connect to another busy airport, Houston intercontinental airport. Sounds,like no big deal right? Wrong! Have I mentioned before they when I travel, most of the time. I fly standby, which means I can only get a seat on the flight if one is available? Well my name is on down the list so if I don't make it on this list I understand. I don't get on. I head to the next gate for the next flight with my JESUS tshirt on and a smile on my face. I wait...my name isn't called a second time... I want to frown but I can't. I mean I could but I have in this tshirt, I'm trying to represent. Jesus got upset once or twice right? Huh, deep breathe, you know how this goes Joi. I'll just go wait in the USO, while I'm passing hundred of people someone compliments my shirt. I smile. I'm proud again. Time has passed and to another gate I go hoping I'll have a seat on this flight. Not sure how many hours have passed but I'm not in a hurry, I mean I do have to get back to work tomorrow but I'll get there...eventually. One more upset, I don't make the flight. Now I'm starting to panic but again I shouldn't make a scene of get all upset. This is the downside of flying standby. And a perfect day for my testimony to be tested. I would happen to miss a few flights while trying to represent Christ, not just with my shirt but with my attitude as well. Many times what we confess on the inside we do not always show or prove on the outside  and if no one else can see what we are thinking or feeling we feel like we're in the clear😬 Somehow I've just put myself in a predicament but I know how to act accordingly. Will my outside witness match my inward confession? Absolutely! I keep smiling knowing this is just a test. I make the next flight and I arrive home at a decent hour. I believe my witness is still secure this day as I have represented well. 

He still makes it right

At the beginning of March I traveled home to spend time with my family and enjoy the dawn of Spring. This was a momentous time for me as my winter season had been very rough and dark. I was ready for the new adventure that awaited me and had enjoyed being home with family. Well for a brief moment maybe while day dreaming it seems like all of it came to a brief halt. First off I had been with my mom and nephews at the doctors office and left just in time to get to the airport. Unfortunately when I got on the freeway I went the wrk way! I must really not want to leave, I'm heading the opposite direction!! I get it together and continue to the airport losing the extra time I thought I had. This travel business is noting new for me, the process of going from a rental car lot to a shuttle to the airport terminal in my city should be a fairly simple process right? Wrong! I must've been daydreaming about my awesome week. I turned in my silver Mustsng and following directions to get on the shuttle across the street. I got in sat down and when it was full we began to roll out. I'm not paying much attention because the airport is just right there...but why are we on the freeway? Did they build a secret passageway to the airport they I don't know about? Where is this shuttle taking me??? My plane is gonna leave me. I'm gonna have to find a ride, this is the last flight of the day. I already didn't make it on the one this morning?? Everything going wrong now. I feel like Jonah running away bit I wasn't tryin to. We arrive at another rental car place, an offsite. I sigh and decide to fess up. Yo my surprise I'm not the only one. Another man on the shuttle had done the same thing. We inform the driver of our dilemma and immediately there's a fix. An employee from inside takes us back to the airport in one of rental cars. No big deal. Gladly without rushing I make it to my gate and on the plane with no issues. What I thought was a moment of panic and alarm was really alright. How we tend to worry over nothing even when we plan to do out best.