About Mary Joy

Those of you who have been following William’s blog are probably wondering who Mary Joy is? I will do my best to answer that question….I am a 42 year old woman of God, mother of two boys, domestic abuse survivor-now thriver, who is now happily being courted by Will Pershing. I believe that life is an adventure and that the only person with the map of the trip is God, so when Will asked me to join him as a writer on “Life Interrupted”, it seemed like a perfect fit. Earlier this year, after being diagnosed with bipolar disorder, also known as manic depression, God has helped me to reconsider how I see myself. Although the journey was very painful, I am eternally grateful and have found an amazing peace in His answer. I no longer get my identity from the “role” I am filling but by the person I am in God. Wow! Through something I that thought had ruined my life I have found freedom and peace as God has helped me to completely change my understanding of who I am. I am so grateful!

Everyday I learn more about who it is that God is calling me to be. I love to celebrate the fact that no matter what life interruption or struggle I am dealing with on a given day…God still helps me to find some of His amazing joy in all of it. I get very excited about the little things in life. Some people tell me that it doesn’t take much to make me happy or excited and that is very true! I love to worship our Lord through music and writing. I get excited about sharing what God is doing in my life with people I know and people I happened to meet. I am in awe of what God is doing in my life right now! It is very important to me that I not get lost in the roles of my life anymore (although sometimes I need to be kicked in the butt to be reminded that “I’m doing it again”)! One thing you need to know about me is this…I have not always lived in the easiest or happiest or safest of situations in this life…but God has always helped me to find and hold onto His joy in the midst of it all!

But, I would like to remind you that I am a work in progress. Everyday I am learning more and more about who it is that God is calling me to be. One thing that I know for sure is that as a daughter of the King of Kings and Lord of Lords the journey will be an amazing adventure that I will never forget.

Educational/Professional Background

I am currently a student of life and of God’s Word. In 1990, I graduated from Benedictine College, Atchison, KS with a BA in Religious Studies with an emphasis in Youth Ministry. I also had a music ministry minor and additional coursework in Psychology, Sociology, and Education. Over the years I have continued to independently study other subjects as well. I love to learn!!! Over the years…I have been an author in a textbook series, been in full-time ministry with adults, children, and youth. After leaving full-time ministry, I held many roles in the business world from receptionist, administrative assistant, to Company Location Manager.

I appreciate the opportunity to join “Life Interrupted” and my greatest hope is that someone will experience God’s touch through the words and stories of life interruptions that I am blessed to share with you.

Click here to go to my links page.