Changes...

Tony and I have been toying with the idea of changing our weblog site.  Many people have commented to us that they have trouble accessing our site here on Xanga, because it is blocked from their computer, either at work, or school, or maybe because of programs people are using to try and keep their family safe on the internet, such as NetNanny. 

We have been checking with many different sites and playing around with them to try and figure out which ones we liked, which ones would allow people to leave comments without having to "join" anything.  Which ones we could have that would be "ad-free" and also where any links added to the page were links that we chose to put there, and not added by the hosting site. 

Ok, I've told you all of that, to say that I am trying out a new weblog... please check it out at

http://joyanzalone.blogspot.com/ 

Feel free to leave comments and tell me what you think.  I hope that this will be an even better way for all of us to keep in touch. 

Have a great day and a great week!

Joy

Heart to Heart

 I am so glad that I have a sovereign God who is in control.  Who knows everything and has a plan in motion.  You know the really neat thing, is not only is my God sovereign, but he is also kind!  Have you ever thought about that?  I have been doing Beth Moore's Bible Study, Jesus the One and Only, with the ladies at church.  That was a point that she made in last weeks study, and it really hit me.  I mean, I just had never thought about it before.  You know how you are studying something, and it is like a really bright light gets turned on?  Well, that is how I felt when I was studying last week.  Isn't it wonderful to think about?  My God, who is also my father, my "daddy", as in "Abba Padre", loves me beyond words, and has everything in control, and does all things well. 

Several years ago we heard a song that has been such a blessing to our family over the years...  It is Trust His Heart.  The chorus goes, "God is too wise to be mistaken, God is too good, to be unkind, so when you don't understand, when you can't trace his hand, trust his heart."  Over the years, every time something has happened in our family or our ministry, that just doesn't make sense, when we just didn't understand what was going on, I have clung to the truth in this song.  Another special song for me has been, The Plan.  "I don't have to have the plan in hand,  I don't have to have the end in sight,  All I have to do is follow you and do what you ask me to!" 

I am so glad that although, I may not always understand, or see the "big picture", that my loving Heavenly Father, has a plan, and I can trust Him! 

So when you don't understand what is going on, when you can't see the plan or make sense of it all, trust His heart!

Praying for you!

Joy

Update and Prayer Requests...

Hello everyone!  Hope this finds each of you doing well.  Many of you have been going through some terrible weather this past week.  We have been praying for you.

We had a good day last Sunday.  Our attendance was still down alittle, but there has been alot of sickness here in Manta.  Some flu type bug, that really hangs around.  Our family is still fighting it.  Tony and Teddy seem to be pretty much over it, but I am still fighting some congestion.  Ashley is pretty much in the middle of it and really feeling bad today.  We appreciate your prayers for her.  Teddy is dealing with another tooth problem.  The one tooth that he had the most trouble with last time, has absessed again.  This was something the dentist had warned us might happen again, we are just all surprised because it took it so long to happen, and we had begun to think that his problems with those teeth were over.  He is on a new antibiotic and will be going back to the dentist on Monday.  Please be praying with us that this will take care of the infection.  He has become an "old pro" as far as going to the dentist is concerned.  He sat in the chair by himself on Friday, and very cooperative with the dentist. 

The Wednesday evening small groups are going well.  We are thankful for the growth we are seeing in the leaders and those who attend.  It is so exciting to see the Lord working in peoples lives!  Wednesday night, it was so neat to hear some of the testimonies shared and then one dear lady actually prayed in the group for the first time, and what a blessing it was to see how much she has grown! 

Thursday evening was the Final Exam for the Institute Students.  There were 17 who actually finished this course!  It has been very encouraging to see the faithfulness of the people who have signed up to be a part of this program. 

Today marks the 4th week for the Ladies Bible Study.  We have 14 signed up for the study.  We are averaging about 10 in attendance each week.  Please pray that this study will be a blessing and growing time for these ladies, and that they will make it a priority to attend. 

Thank you for your prayers for our family and the ministry here in Manta.  We really appreciate you!

Joy