compremetida

Meet the happy couple, Foshee (left) and Scotty boy (middle).

She and I met our sophomore year at Clemson. She went to UCF for her freshman year, and then transferred to Clemson at the start of our sophomore year. She signed up for a small group with FCA, and was put in the same small group as me! I remember to this day the first time I met her and we had small group together. Anyway, since that time we have become best friends.

Foshee is the girl who knows no stranger, and is so selfless and giving and just all-around incredible!

Enter Scotty. They met a couple of years ago at Clemson as well. I don't have all the details of their meeting, dating, etc., though I know some of what happened, but they have been together over a year now and are just the cutest couple! SB is so humble and caring, and I have always been able to see how much he cares for my dear friend and for everyone else around them.

As of this past Saturday, the precious couple is ENGAGED!!!!! I have seen this coming for a while, and have just been wondering when it would be. Her ring is absolutely GORGEOUS! And the both of them are SO happy.

I found out yesterday when I got back from the beach. I had received e-mails from both Foshee and my mother saying that she needed to talk to me and that it was important, and I IMMEDIATELY knew!!!! I wanted to scream because I was certain that was what it was. Eventually we got Skype working, and I noticed a shiny left ring finger, and knew I was right! We both started crying and I screamed a few times. I think I frightened my host sister! Anyway she told me how it happened and about how happy she was, and I just kept crying!

I am so happy for them!!! They are both incredible people and are such an inspiration to me. Can't wait for the wedding!!!!!!!

Congratulations! I love you both so much and couldn't be happier for you!!!

Joy - Part One

*This post on joy will be the first of an ongoing series of posts on this subject.

I've been thinking a lot about joy since I have been in Costa Rica.

The day after we arrived, we had a day-long orientation at the University. They explained the program to us, how the classes would work, the excursions we would be going on, general info about the city and country...all the standard 'orientation' stuff.

They also explained that there would be times when we would be happy to be here, but there would also be times when we would grow homesick. The directors said that for a while, we would be in this state of initial excitement, until we got in a routine and got accustomed to our surroundings, and then the excitement would wear off and we would begin to live as members of the people and culture here.

Ever since that day, I have been thinking, and praying to God that my excitement for being here would NEVER wear off. I want EVERY DAY to be extraordinary, each with its own surprises and joys. So I've been thinking....how can I experience this? How can EVERY DAY be extraordinary? Do I really deserve that? Is it fair for me to expect that? How do I maintain joy here, so that every single day, in spite of what happens, that joy never fades, but only grows stronger and deeper?

I first raised this question to several of my closest friends and family members: "How do we OBTAIN and MAINTAIN the joy in our lives?"

So far, I have received a variety of responses. Throughout this series of posts, I will include those responses (and I will give credit where credit is due!). I have been amazed and challenged by the responses I have received already, and am looking forward to the responses of others. If you have thoughts on joy - general thoughts, for now - PLEASE comment on the post with your thoughts, or even better, e-mail them to me and I can include them in these posts! I am really looking to include thoughts from other people, because I think that joy is one of those things that can be defined differently by different people.

For now, I will include some of my initial thoughts on the subject:
-I am most joyful when I am most satisfied in the Lord. When I take time each day to JUST spend time with him and focus on him, I find that every moment of the day is joyful, in spite of whatever circumstances or problems come my way. Setting time aside each day, especially in the morning before I do anything else that day, helps me to adjust my attitude and to fix my eyes on the Lord and on what his purpose for me is. This time gives me strength for the day, it gives me hope and endurance.
-I also find joy from relationships with other people around me. I just love being around other people, and whether I am around people I am good friends with or not, I always feel joyful when I am with people. Being with my family and closest friends brings me an indescribable amount of joy. The encouragement and love they give is enough to make me believe that I can do anything!

What do YOU think? How do we obtain and maintain joy in our lives? What is joy? What do you each day to remain joyful? Is is something that we should work hard at?