All is well

As I look back on the things I have written so far, I realize that maybe I am painting too harsh a picture of our time so far in Kentucky. Yes, things at times are difficult; trying to figure out this whole situation and wait upon the Lord is a little trying on our patience! There is also certainly a cultural difference between Georgia and Kentucky, but there is a cultural difference between Atlanta and Dalton (or for that matter between the west side of Dalton and the east side.) Those differences aren’t bad, they just highlight for us that we are not back home. So in fairness, let me paint a different picture, maybe this time a little clearer than before.

We are on an incredible adventure. Often life gets in routine and we sleepwalk through every aspect of our existence: our spiritual lives, our marriages, our role as parents, and our friendships. This step of faith of coming to Asbury has shaken that routine and absolutely decimated it. We are wide awake right now and completely aware of this new life. And that is an incredible thing! Because we are awake, each turn in this adventure is completely without sedation. Perhaps this is why we seem to be wearing our emotions on our sleeves – we are feeling them deeply, to the fullest, and they natural come out when we are sharing our lives with you.

So, in this adventure there are undoubtedly more hardships to come, just as there are going to be more joyous times as well. I absolutely welcome each, knowing beyond a shadow of a doubt that God is in control and that He is good and loves each of us dearly! That love is pouring forth every day. But I don’t want to only share those hard things. Let me share some of the good things with ya’ll:

• Kentucky is a beautiful state! The glory of God’s creation is evident all around us in the rolling hills and horse farms. Who can doubt the Creator when you see a horse galloping over a hillside, with the sunset sending a palette of colors across the sky?
• Wilmore is a protected place! Unless you have been here it is hard to explain. When you enter into the city, there is a Divine protection that can be felt. I am sure that if my eyes were opened to the spiritual world, I would see a host of heavenly warriors guarding this town.
• God is blessing us with new friends. We are finding friendships almost everyday and are being surrounded by others that are sharing in this same adventure.
• Our old friendships aren’t diminishing. I got so many calls and e-mails yesterday wishing me a happy birthday from you all! I don’t think I got that many when I still lived in Dalton…
• We get a first hand look at how God provides. When you can’t do it for yourself, God has got to work. This is a GREAT place to be!
• There is laughter in our house. We laugh. A lot. Sometimes at the absurdity of our situation, sometimes just out of our delight in life. We are having fun and it comes out in our laughs!


Yes, we need prayers. There are hard things. Sam’s elbow is just down right broke. If the doctor doesn’t like what he sees next week when we go back in, then they may have to put pins in. Our money situation is still tight. I have lots of work to do and not enough time. But all of these are really just small problems. The good goes so much deeper. Not for once do we regret this decision! We are awake and off the couch. We are on a great adventure and God has it mapped out!

We miss all of you and I hope that you are experiencing the adventure of the Lord as well!

Peace,

Joey