I sit here tonight contemplating the last week and what baby steps we have taken at Treasures of JOY.  

Our Sunday celebrations are growing.  In May, we averaged 35 Treasures per service.  On June 10th, we reached an all time high of 48 and then on Father's Day we reached 43 with many out to be with family.  I am so excited about the new Treasures that God is bringing to our service each week.  With each new Treasures I know that we are touching families and growing Disciples.  

We started golf practice last week and had 16 athletes for the first practice.  Yeah Treasures, you far exceeded my expectations.

We are waiting for Bocce practice to start, "rain, rain, go away JOYce's Treasures want to go out to play".  Well I know Houston needs the rain, but I sure want to get Texercise and Bocce practice started.  

So tonight, after another storm cancels Texercise and Bocce, I have a moment to sit and think about where we are and where we need to be.  I see clearly how God has stepped in and opened Heaven to fulfill His Vision for Treasures of JOY.  He created ALL in his image, so my Treasures with the disabilities are the same as all others - IN HIS IMAGE.  Through the many events that we are participating in within the community, we are providing the community a chance to see our Treasures.  I have always wanted the world to see that Treasures of JOY have value in the community and all have a purpose - now as the community sees them they will understand Treasures are just people - just like you and me.  

Thank you, Lord, for Open Heaven - thank you for the blessings you are pouring out on us; and now equip these earthen vessels to complete all that You have set before us.
 
 
In the quiet of the house, I hear the night sounds – rain dripping from the roof, a dog snoring at my feet, and a floor creaking somewhere else in the house.  For me the quiet hours are my asylum, a time to take a deep breath, reflect on my day, and to gaze to my future.

As I count the drops of rain landing on the metal outside my window, I begin to perceive the sound a voice whispering.  My eyes quickly scrutinize the room and my inner self chides me for such silliness, yet the voice sounds known.  The deep breaths continue as I strive to find peace in a life I cannot understand, but with each new breath is a new whisper in my ears.

Perhaps, this existence with so few serene moments is slowly beginning to eat away at the gray matter within my skull.  I know that hearing voices in an empty, dark room in the wee hours of the morning is considered psychotic in this chaotic world in which I live.  Dear me, somewhere within the past 24-hours I must have had a mental collapse or maybe, just maybe if I pinch myself I will wake to find the whisper from nowhere is just a dream during my restless, troubled sleep. 

STOP!!  SILENCE!!  SHUT-UP!!  I’m not a mad person, I know that my intellect is still in place or I would not be reasoning out where this whisper is originating from.  Psychotic you say; That is preposterous another deep breath will clear my head and there will be on the sounds of the night again….  But there it is again, that voice quietly speaking before I even conclude the next breath.

“My child you are never alone.  Soon a time is approaching with no more trauma.  ‘He will wipe every tear from your eyes.  There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.’  1  My child, you once knew and understood my voice, do you not remember?”

QUIET…….!!!  I’m not crazy, not psychotic, and I don’t hear voices do I?  Yet, I know that voice, not Mom or Dad, but I’ve heard that voice, but where?

Whoever is out there let me please just sit here peacefully to explore the outer recesses of my skull – I know the memory is there – somewhere.

1 – Holy Bible New International Version Revelation 21:4

1/4/2011

JOYce Weatherford