Italian Dinner

Last Sunday the single girls hosted an Italian dinner to honor and thank the single guys in our group. We wanted to encourage them with our thanks and appreciation of the way they treat us and serve us. We are so blessed to be surrounded with guys who lead in humility. They are constantly serving us through their gentelmanyly behavior, treating us as sisters in the Lord. I especially appreciate how they are always initiating biblical fellowship.
Thanks guys…
Several of the girls put together a skit to honor/roast some of the guys and I have several great picures of Jenny dressed up in army gear…make sure you look at those. My parents helped us completely rearange our living area to look like a little italian cafe…and my dad pulled out all the stops to help me set things up so nicely. Thanks Mom and Dad for being so much fun and all your help with this, we couldn’t have done it without you.
Click here to see more Italian Dinner Pictures

When Faith Sleeps

Thy bounteous goodness has helped me believe,
but my faith is weak and wavering,
its light dim,
its steps tottering,
its increase slow,
its backslidings frequent;
It should scale the heavens but lies groveling in the dust.
Lord, fan this divine spark into glowing flame.
When faith sleeps, my heart becomes an unclean thing,
the fount of every loathsome desire,
the cage of unclean lusts
all fluttering to escape,
the noxious tree of deadly fruit,
the open wayside of earthly tares.
Lord, awake faith to put forth its strength
until all heaven fills my soul
and all impurity is cast out.
– Valley of Vision

This puritan prayer is really the cry of my heart this week. I love the language of the puritans and it feels as though the writer has seen into my heart and somehow put its deceitfulness on paper. I am so thankful that he doesn’t stop there, but starts by reminding me of God’s sovereignty and ends with hope by reminding my that he has the power to increase my faith to conquer these sins.

So tonight I pray as the puritan did…
“Lord awake faith to put forth its strength, until all heaven fills my soul and all impurity is cast out.”

I pray that this poem/prayer blesses you as it did me.

Canoe Trip

This past weekend I went canoeing with some friends. We had a great time on our little adventure (this is as close to a real adventure I have had in a while) As you might expect I chose not to take my camera in the boat. Considering the company it was a wise idea. I did get a few pictures before we left though and several funny video clips …includeing on of Jenny contemplating who should drown on the trip, and one of the girls practicing their rowing…on land.
The best part of the trip was towards the end when we found some ropes hanging out over the river and several of us got out and jumped in the river…the dirty, nasty neuse river. I have always wanted to do that…I just can’t believe it took me this long to get an opportunity. Unfortuanly I didn’t have my camera so you will just have to imagine that part.
Special thanks to Kristin for coming into town to inspire this little trip, to Bethany for braving her fears and coming anyways, to Matt for ummmm…enduring the unforseen difficulties in bringing the canoes, and to Jenny for all her planning to make this trip possible.
Funny Video Clips

Picnic Pictures

Here are a few random pictures from the Singles Picnic. (There are even some of the milk egg thing…Yuck!!!)

http://melissajoyphotography.smugmug.com/gallery/1717484/1

Long Time No See

For those of you who just received my e-mail and fall under the “long lost family and friends” category, here is a brief update on what is going on in my life.

I moved back home to North Carolina back in September of 04′. The last two years have been two of the hardest and best years I can remember. It took a while to adjust back into my family and church, but after about a year, it was like I never left. I worked at several jobs and tried starting up my own photography business, but I didn’t like the stress and now I only do it on the side. I am currently working as a secretary at my church and I have to say that this is probably the most enjoyable job I have ever had. So far it has been very slow and easy, but next month things should start to pick up and my multitasking abilities will be put to the test.

I still do some photography on the side…mostly children and a few weddings. If you are interested in seeing my web site go to… www.melissajoyphotography.com.

Since moving home our church has also become involved with an orphanage in Guadalupe, Mexico. It is called Rancho 3M www.rancho3m.com. This has been an answer to many family prayers and it is such a joy be able to serve in this way with my church. We are planning our 3rd annual trip this October. My parents lead the teams and that means that I get in on a lot of the planning/organizing also. We have a great time together and it is fun to work together on something we all love so much. I usually get to plan the game time with kids at the Ranch, but last year ended up without a translator most of the time. So…I started taking Spanish classes this year. I hope it helps!!!

This past January my brother John got married. John and Deana are having a great time. They just (well, a month or so ago) found out that they are pregnant. !!!I am going to be an Aunt!!! My other brother Nick, also started courting a girl from our church a couple months ago. It is really an exciting time for our family.
Ben (11) and Abbey (13) are still home schooled by my mom. They are doing really well and recently put down a brick patio in our back yard. (Talk about some talented kids)

The biggest mark of the past two years has been God’s amazing grace and mercy. He has so faithfully led me through all the joy’s and difficulties of the past couple of years. It is been a marked time of growth for me as I have been challenged to fight for my joy and contentment to be found in God alone. By His grace, I am thankful not only for the joys of the past couple of years, but also for the difficult times and hard lessons. I can look back and see how each step has brought me closer to Him. I am excited for this next season and look forward to everything that God is going to do in my life and in those around me.

I look forward to keeping in better touch with you all and I hope you will leave comments. (If you are new to blogging…please note that all comments are public. If you want to e-mail me please send it to…missy@schlax.net)