Joyfull Living

  A book that was read many years ago popped into my mind.  A sweet friend could use an encouraging word about the struggles that marriage brings sometimes. I found the book and decided to skim through it.  It was covered with highlighted quotes that were pretty powerful!  The chapter that was marked the most was on " A Wife's Role".     Women play a variety of roles but to zoom in on the role we have been given in God's Word, we are to be helpers.  Helper means "to provide what is needed or lacking". Before our minds drift to recalling all that is lacking or why the man in our lives needs us!!, this is a fulfilment of God's call on the husband's life as well as the wife.  When a woman takes an active and supportive position as a wife, she enables her husband to become all God created Him to be and in the process, God accomplishes His purposes and plan for them as a couple. The roles of husband and wife are different and to work, to move t

Friday and here and it will end a good week! Here are some of my favorite things that went on this week!! The Pioneer Woman Kitchen Collection hit the stores this week!  If you have never visited the Pioneer Woman's website , you must!  Oh, the delicious recipes that are shared!  If you ever get into a 'what to fix for dinner' slump, this is the place to go!  This new kitchen collection is fabulous.  I wanted a little of everything, but restricted myself to a bakeware set.  And...it works wonderfully!!!   One day this week, hubby and I were off the same day, a weekday and had the day to ourselves.  We love to walk and while my walking paths usually include pavement, sidewalks and traffic, we hit the country paths, surrounded by trees, birds and the river! See You At the Pole is an annual student led time set aside to pray.  As I dropped my son off early to participate, this was the great group gathered to join together and pray.  That was a gre

All week it has been 90+ degrees, humid and still hot!  Fall has arrived, the weather here just has not caught up yet!  But on a morning walk, as I wiped perspiration, I noticed some signs of fall.  Leaves on the road, the sycamore trees changing colors and the goldenrods about to bloom.  How amazing that summer heat is still furiously hanging on, but the seasons of nature, don't notice anything but the instruction of their Creator. A recent sermon on Psalms 19 brought to life that our God is the Creator of all and simply through His creation, He is seen and known. The heavens declare the glory of God; And the firmament shows His handiwork.   Day unto day utters speech, And night unto night reveals knowledge. There is no speech nor language Where their voice is not heard. What a powerful reminder that God is in control.  Even the trees and weeds obey Him!  If He is able to command the seasons and forces of nature, He can control the situations in our l

      After 26 years of marriage, we could probably be called "an old married couple"!  Although 26 years seemed to fly by, a lot of learning, growing and changing went into that time!  A good marriage doesn't 'just happen'.  Any married couple will tell you it takes work, and a lot of it!    When sweet hubby and I were first married, we faithfully went to church, were surrounded by couples who encouraged us, we had great and not so great family models to watch.  But, it was through a continual learning we grew, we learned what to do, what not to do.  But there are some foundational truths that if learned early, will make the path much more smoother!!  One of my favorite blogs Time Warp Wife recently shared 10 tips for new couples. They are shared with the  hope that they encourage you to love well as you’re growing together in grace.  Choose Your Words Wisely – Whether you’re frustrated or not, it’s important that we use our words wisely. Carel

    It is now September and fall is right around the corner.  It will take a while for the weather here in the deep south to catch on...but fall is coming!  Autumn is my favourite season, mostly due to the fact that the hot, humid days of summer are winding down. Summer had some great moments, but as the seasons change, I'm ready to change with them. While out on a walk this morning, I noticed a neighbour had put out some fall decorations.  The beautiful pots filled with brilliant colored plants caught my eye.  They were so beautiful!!  They represented the beauty of a new season and brought out an anticipation to enjoy it.  So much so, that I came home and pulled my decorations out and put them up!!   Times in our lives are also always changing. We seem to go from one season of life to anther. I love talking to young moms who can easily get overwhelmed with the day in, day out tasks of raising home and family. At the time it seems never ending.  But, a change

No matter how old you are, when your birthday rolls around, it is just a special day!  I love that little feeling of excitement that begins the moment you wake up knowing it's going to be a good day!  Birthday wishes, cards or texts make the day extra special and something we never outgrow!  All through the day, your heart seems to smile, even through the mundane tasks of the day, you just feel special! The older we get, the excitement of presents change.  It goes from that childhood question "what do you want for your birthday?" which immediately sent your mind spinning with a want list, to anticipating the gifts in life that really matter - friends and family remembering you on your special day and hopefully some time set aside to savor and enjoy time together.   Last night as I was thinking of my approaching birthday and contemplating how fast time goes...how did I get to this age already???!!!  Doing a quick reflection of those years, they include a ran

I've always loved Italian food. Especially that delicious and unmistakable taste garlic adds. Garlic adds zip and zest to many food dishes, not just the lasagna I love!!  It also has amazing health benefits which include:  Improves Heart Health - Garlic is an excellent superfood for heart health. It helps improve blood circulation, lower cholesterol and prevent heart disease. It helps slow the development of atherosclerosis or hardening of the arteries which increases the risk for a heart attack or stroke.  Controls Hypertension Studies have shown that garlic also reduces high blood pressure, especially systolic blood pressure. Garlic acts as a vasodilator which helps to widen the blood vessels, making blood flow smoother.  Reduces Arthritis Pain - Garlic has been shown to reduce pain and other symptoms in people with rheumatoid arthritis. Its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties help reduce inflammation associated with various forms of arthritis. It also contain