This week, we hit two months in the building!
We were told that things would get harder once the honeymoon phase wore off, but for me, it just keeps getting better.
I went down the hill last weekend, and as I drove up the mountain again, I was reflecting on how thankful I am that God brought me to Joshua. Nothing is sweeter than walking into the building and being greeted by people I’ve grown to love so dearly. Two months ago, they were strangers, and now they feel like family. The staff especially! I often reflect on all the times they’ve closed their computers just to sit and talk. Conversations with Jen have become something I look forward to most.
This week felt like a blur, but I was so grateful to have David speak. The theme of suffering has come up a lot recently. David and his wife, Emily, are people who are very familiar with it. Seeing their faith in God and how they have navigated through suffering has been so encouraging. Emily said something that will stick with me forever: “It is out of love that God allows our plans to change. Suffering and hardships refine us more in the image of Christ.”
On Thursday, I went for a drive to Lookout Rock. The leaves are all changing, so going for drives has become one of my favorite things to do. Before Joshua, my life was filled with so much noise, and now, moments of sitting in silence have become so special to me.
Lots of other things happened in the building this week! We got to watch the election polls and interviews, and we also had a retirement party-themed dinner! Theme dinners mean the building is filled with lots of laughter, which I love so much.
-Rylie (Current Student)
This week was full of mixed emotions—joy, relief, worry, and peace. On Saturday, we went down to Clovis to go to The Old Town Flea Market. I got a ‘Good News’ tee, a bookmark that has the fruit of the Spirit, and a few bracelets. I spent the rest of the day hanging out with some Joshua sisters. I don’t know what I would do without Trader Joe’s amazing snacks.
Election Day was this week; I was so surprised by the results. The morning after Election Night, I heard that Trump won—I was sighing in relief that the election was genuine. In other words, I was surprised but also had pride in our government transitioning more to conservatism.
Our speaker, David, and his wife, Emily, were amazing to be around for a few days; It was great to hear Emily’s missionary story and her teaching on suffering with resilience.
Our next theme dinner, Grandparents Night, was a good balance of fun and chill. It was great that we were able to have fun by pretending to be grandparents and singing together when hit songs were being played.
Overall, Joshua has been such a challenge, but it is so worth it. The growing pains have been challenging but needed at the same time. As one of my Joshua sisters told me, “You can’t grow in comfort,” that has impacted me to keep worshipping God when it is hard. All of the intentional conversations, the prayers, the Spirit-driven leaders, and the edifying teachings will always be my favorite parts about Joshua. No matter what, my God will never leave me or forsake me.
-Sebastian Gaytan (Current Student)