This is my first time!

YAY!  I'm excited to start my first blog.  It honestly baffles me a little that anyone would want to read what I have to say, but it sounds like fun anyway.  What a weird phenomenon - You write a journal and put it out there for the world to read. 
Here's the lowdown on my blog name:  We've made it our family motto to have JOY - putting Jesus first, then others, and then yourself.  This came from a catchy little song we sang in children's church growing up

 

Jesus and others and you,

What a wonderful way to spell JOY

Jesus and others and you

In the hearts of each girl and each boy

J is for Jesus who lives in first place

O is for others you meet face to face

Y is for you in whatever you do

What a wonderful way to spell joy.

Anyway, I really believe this with all my heart.  If we get our eyes off ourselves and look to Jesus and Others, our problems usually don't seem as big.  My good friend and mentor, Dean Niforatos said that we tend to try to spell YOJ instead (what does that even mean?)  That being said - I struggle with this just like anyone!  That's why I wanted to be "4 real."  I want to be an open book.  I never want to come across like I know everything or have it all together because I don't.  I hope to encourage others (this was one of my spiritual gifts according to one of those inventory things:)  Be blessed!