First of all, thank you for stopping by my blog. I have a bit of a love/hate relationship with this piece of work. I LOVE the records of life that are contained with in these pages… the memories… the adventures… life… but I find myself becoming intimidated and wishing I could ‘fix’ or ‘alter’ things a lot easier or quicker then I can or just wishing I could come up with something new and awesome to write about each day that would beckon readers to want to be my friend! So this is a work of progress…
This blog is really my story… Life throws us each different options, circumstances and even some curved balls… how we choose to live with them determines our demeanor, defines our character and ultimately portrays to the world who we really are. For whatever reason, I haven’t been yet been blessed with a husband so I share from the perspective of a single chick who’s true aim is to serve Christ and to life life without regrets… and hopefully one day my journey will intercept with the man who’ll walk the rest of my life with me!
As a child at school, I was SO shy, so introverted and my biggest dream in the world was to be friends with everyone – back then that would have been limited to wishing the ‘cool people’ in my class would like me! Thankfully, in year 11, I made a drastic decision… to not be shy anymore. Seriously, I remember actually consciously making a decision to not care about what people thought of me and to just be friends with whoever would talk to me. I certainly – even to this day – have to overcome those internal fears of talking to people I feel intimidated by – but I believe God has given me the strength to do this.
Four the past four years, I lived in Nashville TN working with the Australian, Christian band, Alabaster Box as their Bookings and day to day Manager. The bands heart is for youth ministry and church ministry as a whole. Their passion is to see this generation rise up and ‘not be silent’ about their faith or on issues of injustice.
This opportunity wasn’t something I dreamed of doing or even knew anything about. Our world’s collided at a small Baptist church in South East Queensland in 2000 when I worked in youth ministry during my final year of my teaching degree. Then, after teaching for three years as a ‘Technology Teacher’ at Mueller College it became obvious that God was forming a partnership between myself and Alabaster Box and I’m sure to the surprise of many – I left the comfortable, good paying, eleven weeks of paid holidays a year job – to work for a Christian ‘rock’ band and to help them get ministry opportunities all over Australia… and beyond eventuating in Nashville Tennessee.
Just recently, Alabaster Box have decided to take a much deserved sabbatical and I have accepted a marketing position with one of the Southern Hemisphere’s biggest Christian music festivals, Easterfest.

Hi Joy, I have just “stumbled” across your blog and am loving reading it! It’s my sons 17th birthday today and for his present my husband and I are buying his Easterfest ticket, so I wanted to make a voucher-type card to give him today before he gets his actual ticket. That’s how I found you. I was doing a google image search and yours is the first pic I clicked on!
)
We have lived on the Gold Coast for 3 years and Jake hasn’t missed an Easterfest since we came here (from NZ). He plays bass in a local band and loves music.
I have 3 kids who are all afflicted with shyness (as was I) and it’s hard, as a mum, to see them struggle with that. I am going to share what you said about just deciding one day…. I know for myself, being more secure in my relationshp with God and knowing how He sees me, really was key to making a change.
I have a sister-in-law who will be 40 this year. She has yet to find her Mr Right and I know it’s been a struggle at times. I think she would enjoy what you have to share on the subject so will be pointing her in the direction of your blog.
I have a blog http://www.chair-up.blogspot.com and just love the blogging community and all the beautiful friends I have made.
Hope you’re having a wonderful day
Angex
Wow! That’s amazing. Great to meet you in cyberworld! Great present for your son!
You should get your son’s band to play at Easterfest. Has he checked out http://www.easterfest.com/spotlight at all?
Thank you for your encouragement and please do share my blog with your sister. Its a bit of a tough one really
Will check out your blog too! Thanks, Joy
Heya.. such an amazing story teller you are. I enjoy every second “flicking through” your blog. Am sure lotsa people are blessed with it. I love AGMF though am not sure why they changed the name to Easterfest. honestly i like AGMF better..
Has alabastar box been there before? cos if am not mistaken, i think i was there when they were on or i probly got it mixed up.
Anyway, am just dropping in to say “Great Job” with this website.. With your permission i may drop in every now and then to check out your website again..
God Bless…
Ezra
You are very welcome to pop by my blog anytime! And Alabaster Box certainly have been to Easterfest. Naarah will be performing this year from her solo album. Will you be coming?
Heya again…

I dont think i’ll be coming this year. Though there are some bands from my church that are “performing” which i would love to see..
yes i know am gonna miss out.
hope thing are gonna go really well in Easterfest..
Ezra