Joyfull Living

For the first time in 4 years, we are headed 'back to school'.  Homeschooling has been a wonderful journey for our family and has enriched our lives greatly.  But, life is often about changes and transitions and this is one of those times for us.  We have been doing the usual back to school preparations, purchasing new shoes, pens, paper etc.  But the preparations go a bit deeper.  This is a new season of life and requires much change. We have to adjust our family schedule, our habits but most importantly, our hearts. Going from home to school will be a huge change for my son.   I came across this article that shares some great tips on truly preparing our kids: We can instill purpose in them | We are raising kids in a culture that is constantly changing its moral code. And without deep-rooted purpose, it’s far too easy for our children to get tossed around by whatever is politically correct or by social norms that shift without warning. If we don’t teach our k

  They say a picture is worth a thousand words. What does the picture of your life portray? What does it communicate to others? Do you know that people watch you?  Have you ever noticed that when a group of women get together how much they pay attention to one another? They notice each other's hair, nails, clothes, shoes, purse, phones and what each other eats!  I live in a house with all males - a husband and sons.  The things they notice about me never ceases to amaze me!  They notice my tone of voice, my mood, my response etc.   As a Christian, we are called to represent Christ.  As we grow and mature, we strive to become "Christ-like" in our attitudes, words and actions.  As people watch us (and the do!), they are looking hard to see being a Christian is making a difference in us. Sometimes we share a witness by living our life while people watch.  Here are a few questions for us as we seek to be the picture of God, His love and grace to those around us. 

When we think of 'very fit' people it is easy to turns aside and dismiss them!!  Usually we think that these are the people that live at the gym, exercise for hours a day and have very little life outside the fitness world.  Although there are some 'extreme fitness' people around, the majority of people who desire to be more fit and healthy, constantly seek a balance which includes a healthy lifestyle. The 'super fit' put a bit more emphasis and effort in fitness and nutrition, but understand the benefits that come are worth the sacrifice.  Becoming 'super fit' is simply a process over time of making  healthy choices one at a time and developing good habits.   Here are 10 Secrets of the Very Fit: Look at exercise as a pleasure and a privilege, not a burden or chore. Think positively about the changes regular exercise will produce. Rather than obsessing about your next meal, get excited about your next workout! Focus on short-term fitness