Experiment: Joy!

I started an experiment on Friday, November 25, 2011. I will take today's post to elaborate for you, my friends. It has been a journey for me - this experiment - which has resulted in a wonderful self-discovery by God's Hand, of myself. (note to self: God doesn't have to bring me half-way around the globe to reveal something to me next time)

As I sat in my new home, here in Hong Kong.. an apartment flat on the first floor in block 8... I started a new way of journaling for the next 14 days. I began with a declaration & a prayer. (note to self: ALWAYS a good idea to begin something with prayer FIRST)

My declaration went something like this: From now on God (and I) will be in charge of my emotions. No more will I allow someone (or something) to rule my feelings/emotions. From this day forward I will let only God be in charge of my heart. And thus was born my 'Experiment: Joy!'

Day #1 included a reflection of my past - way back to being a child - a time when I was a happy person. I found that people would often comment on my optimism, my positive outlook, my happiness.  The next step was gratitude toward Jesus: "Thank you. By the work of Your sacrifice on the cross, the Holy Spirit is going to help me return to my optimistic, positive, happy self that You created in me. Amen."
I went on to say that only God and I would rule my emotions & control my surroundings along with my emotions/how I handle those surroundings. Where there's pessimism...I will interject happiness and encouragement! I ended day #1 with this statement: I will wake up happy because I am a child of God with Jesus by my side.

And for the next 14 days God showed me wonderful things: using my surroundings, like the gardens across the street... using scripture... using music...
I will use some of these in my next few posts. It's an exciting time in my life & I am happy to be sharing them with you. I hope by some way God can use me to bring encouragement & love to you. I've always wanted to be His vessel - just have to remain open, listening for His voice & watching for His gentle nudges.

I'll end today's post with the beginning of my journal entry 'Experiment: Joy! Day #2'...
Thank you, Jesus, for giving me Joy! Becoming the 'me' You designed me to be is so thrilling to my heart. No longer the insecure little girl afraid of failure. If You are for me - it doesn't matter who is against me... I am already a winner and loved!

I highly recommend listening to Kari Jobe's beautiful song: "You Are For Me"
*Whenever I feel life is beating me down - I turn this on.*

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The Klumpps have been showered with love letters from so many family & friends. (thank you!!) We LOVE getting these little blessings from home. A few weeks ago we received our first 'care package' in the mail since arriving in Hong Kong...Thank You, Vicki Krehbiel!!! It was delivered to the little post office just a few blocks from our flat. We got the 'notice' in our mailbox downstairs with instructions that said we could pick up the package anytime. (Of course that meant figuring out WHEN they were open!)

On our way to the church one morning, Brady & I saw the 'OPEN' sign on the door and excitedly stepped inside to claim our 'prize'! The postman behind the glass nicely asked to see some form of ID. Now, since arriving in Hong Kong, the only ID that Brady & I have is our passport...which happened to be in another bag...at the flat! (Note to self: ALWAYS take passport with me when leaving home.)
*No picture ID, no passport = no care package.

The postman's face behind the glass was partially hidden because of the surgical mask he was wearing. I've seen several people here wearing the 'mask of fear' (as I call it) because of the SARS (bird flu) that struck in 2003. I refuse to wear a 'mask of fear' because I know my days are already numbered in heaven. The postman was very nice and told us he'd keep the package safe until we returned with identification.

The irony of this situation to me was that he wanted to know my identity, yet I had no way of knowing his. This started me thinking about my true identity. It seems I am rediscovering myself here in Hong Kong. God is clearly revealing to me exactly who I am - who He designed me to be. And He's having me start with the Karen Godsey in grade school. I can remember always being an upbeat, optimistic person. It was easy for me to be happy & in a good mood. As I got older I believe I lost part of myself; part of that happiness. I'm sure many of us have. Life is like that. We grow older and more cynical about the ways of man. Just try waiting in the shortest line at the grocery store and let it become the longest wait..see where your mood takes you. I know where mine used to go.

And that's the beauty of it - the reality of the "used to's." I've decided to be happy. To put the 'old pessimistic me' to bed for good. And remain optimistic no matter what my circumstance. Why?  Because I have a friend who has taken my old identity and given me a new one. I am a new creation - therefore, I've a new identity. And that's something to be very joyous about.

My true identity is in my Savior - the resurrected Christ.
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