Joyfull Living

So often we have heard about how important it is for us to drink water.  We know about the many vital benefits to our health that come from drinking pure water. In case you need a refresher, here are 5 quick benefits of drinking water!   1. Drinking Water Helps Maintain the Balance of Body Fluids. 2. Water Can Help Control Calories 3. Water Helps Energize Muscles 4. Water Helps Keep Skin Looking Good 5. Water Helps Your Kidneys Found at Webb MD   Since I began running, water has became a vital part of my health routine.  My regular running route begins at my home.  The average distance is 4-6 miles down a narrow, country road.  My home is in the middle of this road and it is 2 miles to either end and back.  In the summer months, I run to one end and back and drink some water which is left close by the road for that purpose.  Then, I continue on to the other end and back, the other two miles.  On days I go for ...

"Back to School" doesn't always apply to the adorable child wearing a new backpack eager to get back to friends and school. As many a mom will agree, those years absolutely fly by! Sometimes 'back to school' involves a new school, a long way away. Instead of the school bus bringing the sweet child home each afternoon, it may be weeks or months before we see that child who although forever stays small in our heart, is now an adult.  As we send our 'grown up' boys and girls back to school, it is more serious than abc and 123...they stand on the threshold of lifelong career choices which will affect their future. This 'back to school' is intense and surely needs prayer...for the student and the parent! A Parent’s Prayer When A Daughter Leaves Home Gracious God, you blessed me with the gift of my child and entrusted me with her care. Surround her with good people and watch over her each day. And let her know that I will always be nea...

Last post, I shared a post for our students. Although they are the ones who do the school work, but parents and teacher do a lot of 'heart work'. Often we are away as the children are at school and don't know every detail about their day. What a blessing to know that God does see and know. What a privilege to know He hears our prayer and answers them! Parent's Prayer for Students Dear Lord, As my children leave for school, I pray that you will keep them in your care. Send your Spirit to open their minds to all that is true and beautiful and good. Help them to see the gifts and talents you have given them and to use them well. Help them to grow in knowledge and wisdom. Help them to be kind to others and lead others be kind to them. Give their teachers patience and understanding and help them teach what is just and true. Send your angels to guide and guard my children and to keep them from all harm. Open their young hearts to your presence a...

It's that time of year again...back to school!! Although our 'school' is our home, it takes lots of effort to learn, plan, organize and grow each year. We still need prayer!!!    Being a student, especially a Christian student is hard.  Our children need our prayers every day.  I found a fantastic resouce for Back to School prayers whcih cover several ages and seasons of life. Since this week is 'back to school' week, I will share a few each day. You might think of praying the Student's Prayer with your children on the first day of school. Some families pray these words every Monday morning as a new school week begins. And the prayers for parents? Some moms and dads who pray those words just about every day! A Student's Prayer Dear God, Help me remember that You’re always by my side at school and all day long. Help me be the best student I can be, using all the gifts and talents You’ve given me. Help me study well and often – especially ...

If there is anything I've learned in the 22 years of mothering sons it is that boys are unique and extremely different than girls or mom!  Through the years, I've tried and often failed in ways to connect with my boys.  I found  a recent article that shares some great ways to reach our sons. How does a mom reach her son’s heart? 1. Communicate confidence. Boys grow strong when they have someone who is confident in their abilities. They step out and take off when they sense your faith in them. 2. Give him space . A mom can’t hover over her boy. He needs a little room – room to grow and to try things out on his own. 3. Show some respect. It’s important to never belittle him or make him feel small in any way. Even little men need to have some basic respect. 4. Cheer him on. Until that guy marries, I hope to be his biggest fan (then she can take over from there). I’ll cheer loudly and enthusiastically whenever and wherever I can. 5. Be available. At...

Growing up as a child, my mother would always be sure to tell me the worst that could happen in any situation.  If I was sick, it could become life-threatening, if I strayed away, I would be lost forever,  if I made bad choices, it would destroy my life forever...for every situation, there was a terrible 'what if'!   Now that I am a parent, I understand that she loved me so much, she was trying to protect me from harm and to keep me from it. The worst part...I do this same thing with my boys!!!  It is like a driving force that compels me to make sure they know what 'could' happen.    So much of who and what we are is passed down from generation to generation.  Although I appreciate the love my mother showed me, this is a trait I want to change for future generations.  Instead of focusing on the 'what if's" and fear, I want to speak words of faith and the good things that could happen.   There is great power in our words - the...

Uh Oh, bad choice for a title...I can hear the groans and the answer...NOBODY loves Mondays!!    But, being the ever optimist, I'll raise my hand...I love Mondays!!  Being a stay at home mom, Mondays were usually the day where the family went back to school/work after the weekend and it gave me a day to 'catch up' and get things back in order.   Our homeschool year begins today, so this Monday starts a new school year for us. Summer break is over, our school year is setting in.  Routines and schedules keep me motivated and challenge me to keep things orderly.   Monday's always represent a clean slate for me also.  A do-over or another chance to do things better.  Instead of bemoaning what has been lost - weekend fun, time off etc., a focus of getting a new week off to a great start can give renewed purpose.   I'm excited for Monday!  Hope that your week starts off fabulous!   "To many Mondays are n...

The past few weeks I’ve been hanging out with the girls….the teenage girls!!  There have been several summer youth (teenage) activities which my youngest son has been involved in and have needed chaperones! One night was spent 'getting beautiful’ complete with make up tips, cleaning tips and a lesson on true beauty that comes from walking with the Lord. Another lesson focused on serving one another.  Jesus gave the example of washing one another’s feet and we spent time doing just that! It is so important for young (and older) girls to know where true beauty comes from. True beauty has nothing to do with what we wear, how our hair looks or our make up.  While there is nothing wrong with Christian women wanting to look nice, each woman must examine her own motives. Today’s world places great emphasis on beauty – exceptionally perfect women stare at us from magazine covers every time we visit the grocery store. Christian women, while they can dress nicely and ...

Do you have areas in your home that collect dust?  Areas that just seem to get overlooked even through the cleaning routine.  In our master bathroom, my husband and I each have 'our' sides of the sink.  I put baskets to keep our own stuff in and keep mine in pretty good shape as does the dear hubby.  While cleaning today, I noticed his side needed a bit more attention.  Upon closer inspection there were 5 razors in his containers (other than the 1 that he daily uses)!  They were covered in dust, served no purpose and were taking up valuable space.  Although I took care of this little problem immediately, for months it had gone unnoticed, wiped over and grown accustomed to. It made me think about areas in my life that may become 'dusty'.  Little habits that while maybe not considered 'bad', don't add any value or serve the purpose of as a Christian should be to point others to Him.  Little habits that take up space in my heart and lif...