Joyfull Living

Friday is here again and instead of sharing my favorite moments of the week, there were some Scriptures that were not just my a highlight of the week, but were life and breath to my soul.  There is a Scripture chain going around Facebook where for 10 days you share a favorite Scripture and tag others to do the same.  I don't have time to participate, but the idea is wonderful. At our home this week, we are adjusting to a new normal. We went from an organized schedule consisting of work, church, activities to a time of intentional rest and healing for our son.  Some of our days involved keeping the house quiet while he rested, then a full day of doctor visits. We are alternating activity without becoming overwhelmed.  Times like this draw us to seek comfort and strength from the Lord.  When we are alert and asking for guidance, God's Word provides a hope that is found no where else.  Situations we don't choose to go through can be likened ...

A fond childhood memory for me was to hear my father lovingly share about the time he and my mother first met.  Dad was a city boy from Boston, Mom was a country girl who moved to the city for school, which is where they met.  Dad tells of trying to get to know her and the vast difference in their culture and upbringing.  My favorite story is when Dad asked Mom if she liked tropical fish, (he loved aquariums and looking at beautiful tropical fish), she replied, "I've never tasted any!"  To her, fish was only to be a meal, that how things are in the country.   My sweet mama wasn't a woman full of wise words, but she was a true servant.  She loved others unconditionally and she demonstrated it through meeting needs.  But, one of the wisest things she ever said to me was, "no matter how bad it is, somebody always has it worse than you." . She told me that in the midst of her husband dying a traumatic death 8 days before my wedding. As she grie...

Last Friday found me a little bit out of my element. Several co-workers and myself were finishing up from a few days at a ministry conference. It was a wonderful few days of bonding together, sharing and growing in the knowledge of how to minister to others. Beautiful accommodations, excellent workshops, just a wonderful experience. But, no matter how beautiful and accommodating the conference was, there is no place like home. A Saturday spent at home after being gone a few days was pure bliss.  But after that day of restoration at home, the new week took a different turn.  On Sunday evening our 22 year old son was involved in an atv accident and was life flighted to a trauma center an hour away.  He suffered severe head trauma and spent several days in ICU, but was stable and able to communicate with us some. This was the new view for the beginning of the week. Lots of time spent here at the bedside through the week. As the adrenaline wo...

When fall finally arrives...I'll be ready!  House is decorated, autumn scented candles are lit every night and all that is left is to find some delicious things to bake! Our local produce stand (the only one) recently closed down.  It was locally owned with mostly local produce. There was always a good price on apples and they were delicious.  Since its closing, I've refrained from buying any apples since it is hard to buy a good apple from the chain grocery stores. Finally since I wanted to try a recipe, bought a bag of apples.  The prices were so high, it was easier to buy a big bag rather than a few individual apples.  Well, they are awful!  No rich, sweet apple taste.  But, with a few added ingredients, they do make delicious homemade applesauce and muffins.   Fall baking is something I love to do when the weather cools down.  The smells and taste of pumpkin are my favorite, but due to our overabundance of apples, fall baki...

Do you like lists?  The older I get, the more I rely on lists to keep on track. Post it notes are a must at my home! They are usually put in a prominent place to be seen often.    Loving others is an area we can probably all use some reminders. It's easy to love when things are going well (or our way!).  True love must dig deeper to put the needs of someone ahead of our own.  Here is an adorable list of 10 Ways to Love: Sometimes it's those little actions that speak the loudest.  True listening Gentle and Kind Speech Generous giving Pray...always in all situations Answer...just give a simple answer Share genuinely Enjoy, or help others enjoy Trust, Forgive and Promise.  Those close and dear need to have our support. Love never fails, but sometimes we need a reminder of how to love deeper and completely!

I enjoy group fitness, but it doesn't often fit into my schedule. In the past I have taken Zumba classes at a local women's fitness center.  The classes were great, but full!   So many people and so little room encourages me to be on my best behavior and considerate of others.  I found a cute article 13 Things Your Aerobics Instructor Won't Tell You.   Thankfully, not many apply to me, but it's always nice to have a reminder of how to behave and be considerate of the group leader!!  Here are a few highlights from the article. This is some of the things an instructor may think, but never say: Follow my lead. I get aggravated when students do a different workout than the one I’m teaching -- and they're in the front row! You come to class but choose to do your own thing... really, what's the point ?! Leave your cell phone at home. Can you not exercise for an hour without checking your text messages? I wish you’d be more vocal....

Through the years of sharing on this blog, I have come across cute things to share and just hold on to them for a later time. This cute sequence of parenting questions was hidden from long ago. My boys are way past these stages, but it still brings a smile to remember, these things did happen! If these fit your children's stages, rest assured, this too shall pass! Parenting often contains surprises, some delightful and others, well... How many of the following might you be able to relate to? Hint, if you smile at any one, it's probably because you've experienced it in your home. 1. The later you stay up, the earlier your child will wake up the next morning. 2. For a child to become clean, something else must become dirty. 3. Toys multiply to fill any space available. 4. The longer it takes you to make a meal, the less your child will like it. 5. Yours is always the only child who doesn't behave. 6. If the shoe fits...it's expensive. 7. The surest...

Well, not really, but when it does come, I'll be ready!!        

One of my favorite areas of the Christian walk is the privilege and the power of prayer.  Through the years, this area has matured me, strengthened me, upheld me and comforted me. Many times in the Bible 'fasting' is mentioned along side of prayer. The subject of fasting has intrigued me, but usually not enough to do put an action to it. What is Christian fasting? Although fasting in Scripture is almost always a fasting from food, there are other ways to fast. Anything you can temporarily give up in order to better focus on God can be considered a fast with the purpose to focus on a period of spiritual growth.  Biblical fasting is a spiritual discipline which was encouraged by Jesus, Himself, while He was on earth. Biblical fasting brings us into a closer union with God.  Too often, the focus of fasting is on the lack of food. However, the purpose of fasting is to take our eyes off the things of this world and instead to focus on God. Fasting is a wa...

This week's Friday Faves centers around relationships. Women especially need to connect with other women. We need to laugh together, to talk, to learn and grow from each other. A recent church ladies fellowship provided one of those special times, to listen, laugh and learn. Our ladies meeting centered around the Titus 2 concept where the older women share godly wisdom from life experience and bring encouragement to the younger women. We learned every woman is 'an older woman' to someone! This is one of our church's Titus 2 women.  We had a wonderful time listening to her share from God's Word and from her life, how to trust the Lord at all times. A workplace in-service day brought together ladies who serve and minister in 2 locations for a time of reflection, purpose and direction.  Of course lots of food and fellowship followed.  I'm so thankful to be a part of a workplace filled with godly women with true hearts to minister.   ...

September is here!  That means, fall is right around the corner...cooler weather, more time to spend outside, baking season, crisp evenings, lots of porch sitting and many other fun fall things. Home Life magazine shares some beautiful Scripture art at the beginning of each new month.  Here is a family calendar for September with a daily Scripture and thought to ponder for the day.   There is also some beautiful fall Scripture verses for your computer!  It's a beautiful way to bring a bit of fall, along with Scripture where it can be seen every day! Visit Home Life for all of these free resources.