(Joy writing :-) )
Here we are! On our first blog documenting the life of Newlyweds!
I was thinking of the fulfillment of desires.. the tree of life that it is when the desire comes. It’s a beautiful thing. Aaron and I are beginning the beautiful journey of marriage, and right now it’s such a celebration of the fulfillment of so many things in our lives – yet at the same time, a beginning of the new ones. It’s not the ending of desires yet to be fulfilled. But it’s the beginning of our journey of knowing the God who gives fulfillment to those who seek Him.
Aaron and I dated 3 ½ years, long distance. And so this marriage is a fulfillment of that desire to be together. The ache of being apart was so strong at times. Pressing into that time was not on my top 10 things to do at the time! I just wanted the distance to be over.. But the pressing in made the desire fulfilled that much sweeter! We continually marvel in the knowledge that we are here together, not to be separated!
The place where we are (International House of Prayer) Is also the answer to many thoughts and prayers invested.. Aaron has been here for about 4 years. I had only been here to visit several times. I fell in love with the prayer room and what the Lord was doing at IHOP. For years I’ve had a desire to be before the Lord, to sit before Him, because I wanted to be like Mary of Bethany.. I wanted to please Him and bring Him pleasure. I wanted to be with Him so that I would bring joy to His heart. For the longest time, I felt this such a simple desire and calling.. “Where in the world does this fit in the grand scheme of things,” I thought.
I found out about this place where sitting before, and being with the Lord was the whole purpose for the place. So much more than a room, but geographically that is all it is. A prayer room where adoration, worship, and intercession goes up all day, everyday.. 24/7. My heart came alive at the thought that this place actually existed. My heart responded to the call that this calling was valid and was real. And I could do it anywhere in the world, but this prayer room was made distinctly for this purpose.. how amazing! I wanted to come. I wanted to be in that place.
Aaron was in this place, and for 4 years he studied at Forerunner School of Ministry, and was in this prayer room daily. His longing was that I would be here with him. To join him. He also knew my heart’s desire to be here. We felt the Lord leading us to be here after we were married – in essence my husband Aaron wanted to give me this gift – of having access to the prayer room to let my calling grow.
And so now, 4 years later, this desire is fulfilled! Indeed it is just beginning. We’re learning how to work around schedules, work, life, and date nights! (woo hoo!) But we know that the Lord has brought us here for a purpose – and that He Himself has brought us to the beginning of the fruition of our desires coming to fullness. With every desire, He adds more to our heart, so that we keep adoring Him for what He puts there in our hearts. So this is by n o means the end to our desires. It’s a glorious beginning into what He has to continually give and grow in us. We are just trying to be the faithful servants who listen to what He has to say, and where He has us go. We know that if we listen, He will indeed speak. And we will follow wherever He goes.
Who knows where that will lead us?!?! We have no idea! But we do know that He will sustain us through each thing He leads us to. And that is what we know, because He’s never failed to do it.
Much love from the newlyweds!
-Aaron and Joy
P.S. We have about half the June bug population in and around our apartment!! Just kidding, but it sure seems like I am sucking them up in the vacuum quite often! ☺
