Joyfull Living

Since I've been diligently running for almost a year now, I guess I could be considered a 'runner'!  Although it has been said...    "If you run, you are a runner. It doesn't matter how fast or how far. It doesn't matter if today is your first day or if you've been running for twenty years. There is no test to pass, no license to earn, no membership card to get. You just run." In this first year, I'm made a lot of physical  changes to enhance my running. I've been a Christian for 25 years now.  There are many parallels in being  a  Christian and being a runner.  Let's highlight a few that everyone can relate to: It's FREE: To begin running, you just start.  At first you may not get far, but there is no special needs to begin with a commitment to try it - just as you are.   Becoming a Christian is not a complicated process.  We simply admit there is a void in our life that only Christ can fill.  We don...

Purity and Grace.  These are beautiful characteristics in the Christian walk, but they are also a beautiful combination.    The picture above has a beautiful story.   Here is a quick excerpt: "  The Story Behind the Photo Moments before I was to walk down the aisle my soon to be mother in law came in the dressing room where my bridesmaids and I were all gushing with giggles and fluttering about finishing last minute details.   “Sweetheart, your groom has called for you!”.   In a nervous tizzy I said, “What?! I’m not ready! I have to get my shoes and…” She had already taken my hand and led me to a corner, where my groom was waiting. I barely sat down; I was filled with so much anticipation! So much excitement! So many nerves!   “Is he going to like my dress? Does my hair look pretty? Can he see me?!”  Right around the corner sat my soon to be husband, I so was nervous he might see me yet secretly hopin...

Only a mom who has little boys cam understand the frustration of 'the boys bathroom'.  This room is one of the hardest to clean and must be wiped down constantly.  If not properly kept up, an odor know as 'boy bathroom smell' will come to life and overpower you!   Being a mom to 3 sons and a husband, I have tried everything to keep this under control!  Air fresheners,  toilet fresheners,  drop in deodorizers and probably every bathroom cleaner ever made!   A recently read article shared a natural cleaner/deodorizer that I'm going to give a try, but wanted to pass along also.   Creative Homemaking shared this recipe: Lemon juice* Baking soda White vinegar *Do not use lemon juice on hard wood floors.   Make a thick paste out of baking soda and lemon juice. Using a damp rag, spread the paste around the base of your toilet. Wipe the mixture all over the toilet, and on top of and underneath the toilet se...

Recently my friend told a funny story of taking a picture of her children in her living room 15 years ago and then recently taking a picture in the same place to show how much they had grown.  She laughed when she noticed her clock on the wall was in the same place all these years!   I can relate.  Many years ago, my sister in law (who is a natural decorator) filled my walls with beautiful pictures flowers, shelves and decorations.  I love the look and have made very few changes through the years!  She came by a few years ago and made me redo a swag above a picture - told me it was outdated and needed to be redone.  I did it and it's still there!    Lately I'm becoming more aware of home clutter.  When we decorated my home all those years ago, I filled every nick and cranny with 'something'.  Very few places are bare.  Every wall has a picture, a shelf, mirror and flowers. Now as I look around, I need to un-decorate and...