I decided to name my new blog "Joy in the Desert" because that has been something I have looked for ever since I moved here. I found lots of things when we got to this hot western desert. I found that the hard water here has destroyed my once bouncy and curly hair and if I hold the blow dryer to close to it...well...it can catch on fire. I found that when it comes to men shopping for groceries, driving, mowing, or walking...shirts are optional (yikes a doodle!). I found it is always easy to be thankful when things go your way, but the minute they start to crumble is when your true heart shows. I found that my real heart is not unlike that of a five year old girl who cries because she didn't get the My Little Pony she wanted. Lordy, did I have a temper tantrum when we moved here. Talk about weeping and gnashing of teeth. You know it is bad when you are in Wal-mart and you're pretty sure you are the least sane person there. Crying in the bread aisle...now that just isn't right. I am happy to report that is not how I roll these days. Yeah, I am still crazy and I still have to be careful with the blow dryer, but I don't cry like I used to and the reason is...I have finally found joy in the desert.
Coming to a place of joy did not happen over night, even if it appears that way. It is not like I woke up and decided that I was all better. It happened slowly and quietly. I started praying...really praying again and I started studying...really studying again, then everything started to fall into place. Joel 2:25 says, "I will restore the years the locusts have eaten". That is what happened, I prayed and studied and my heart really was desperate to return to the place it had once been and God was faithful to restore it.
Sunday, July 20, 2008
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
18 comments:
Hi Amber... i'm nost sure how I found your other blog, but I did, and I followed you here.
I just wanted to pass along prayer and encouragement for you, as you share your walk with God with the rest of us.
I look forward to reading more!
take care!
~Christy~
God truly does restore the years the locusts have eaten, and he knows we are but dust.
Thanks for sharing your journey.
Hi Amber,
Glad you have found your joy. I'm still looking for mine. I need to pray... not simply harder... but more.
Like cerulean blue said, I followed you here from your other blog.
Peace and joy... and have a delicious day :)
I'm so glad Amber! So very glad that you aren't crying in the bread isle in wal-mart any more. It's been awhile since I cried in a tree too. I still want to sometimes, but not every day like I did...it gets better over time I guess. Yay for that!
Stacie
Looking forward to more.
This reminds me of how I felt moving out to New Orleans, and it's nice to know I'm not the only one. And that you can find real joy, not the face you put on for the person you moved for.
I'm probably always going to disagree with your husband :P, but I still love to read ya. Mushy, prayery, whatever you've got.
Welcome back to blogging.
I am so glad that you are happy! I look forward to reading more!
I knew you would find your way home, dear heart.
Hugs,
Deb
Hi Amber! It's "Lulu" from MapperSnapper. Just wanted to say how excited I am for the new blog ... and how much I missed the hilarious posts during your hiatus from your original blog. I'm so glad God has helped you to find joy in the desert! I can't wait to read more of your encouraging words.
Lulu
Oooooo - I'm all excited about this new place!
Joy in the desert is definitely a hard thing to have, but I can see that the Lord is faithful. He knows your heart and He will bless you for searching for Him.
It can be so really hard when major changes like that come along. For me, it was more of a metaphorical desert... about 6 years ago, I would have said we had a LOT of friends - really good ones...
Now, I am very happy to call a very small handful my friends...
Just under 6 years ago, Kim and I were very involved in church and other similar activities... then, in one week, Kim became very ill... and it all began...
She has now been fully disabled for a few years, but even after she was ill and didn't recover quickly, we could feel the judgement beginning, and people began pulling away from us... I never felt so alone, at least as far as people are concerned...
During the past several years, we have grown so very close to God, giving all relationships up to Him, and there are 3 very amazing families who have been with us the entire time. They will always be so very special to us for walking as near as they could for this entire time...
In a way, I am glad for it all, even though the price has sometimes seemed more than I could bear, taking care of Kim, our two boys, working my job, and trying to hold it all together...
I could tell you thousands of ways He has met our every need - financial, physical and so much more...
Thanks for beginning this new blog... I can see it's going to be a special place...
Blessings & light, to you and your family..
J/
Thank you for your new blog. I may be more excited about this than your old blog returning. I am glad you are back and finding your path.
em-I have a stone with the letters PUSH written on it. I keep it around me all the time. When I see it, I am reminded, Pray Until Something Happens. It works.
Yay Amber! I can't wait to read more!
That sounds like exactly what I need to do right now--get back into really praying and really studying the Word.
Hey you. So glad you are finding joy. And we both know that real joy is only that which is found in the Lord. It is the lasting joy that can not cease. Love the new blog idea, the look and the concept. I added ya already and hope my readers will share in your joy. I see my little sister has already stopped by. It's good to see you writing again!
Last fall/winter was pretty sucky for me too, but one thing I found to be true...James 4:8 "Come near to God and He will come near to you..." I look forward to reading more, God's so cool!
(If you want to read a bit about that season in my life you can read this entry at http://joyfull.wordpress.com/2007/11/29/why-hello-there/ )
Glad to have you back! AND glad to know that you are doing well!
Post a Comment