wwjd?

no, not what would jesus do, but: where would joy develop?

i'm stealing this from a friend, but i feel like i need to reflect on this right now. so, as i think about my surroundings, the past almost nine months, and the months to come, here is where i think joy would develop.

joy has developed and continues to develop in the family i have found here in rankovce
joy has developed and continues to develop in the friendships that have formed with roma and gadje (non-roma)
joy has developed and continues to develop in the small communities of which i am now a part (rodinky, mládež, dorast, združenie pre lepší život, etc.)
joy has developed and continues to develop in breakthroughs with language and the miracles of communication
joy has developed in time spent sharing my joy here with those who bring me joy back home, especially my college roommate, stef, and my mom

joy is continually developing in the stories i get to hear from people here. stories of life, sickness, friendship, love, challenge, and joy
joy develops in gatherings filled with songs, conversations, prayers, and laughter.
joy develops in the quiet time of reflection each morning
joy develops in the mastering of double digit multiplication :)
joy develops in support from home (in the states), from here (also home), from god, and from within
joy develops in the midst of the darkness, when i'm not sure how to move forward, and then i remember that "i praise you, for i am fearfully and wonderfully made"

joy would develop anywhere, if we let it. in the darkness, in the light; in the midst of groups, on our own; in the face of adversity, surrounded by support. right now, i keep trying to remember that joy would develop wherever i would let it. the key is to let it develop :)