Joyfull Living

Christmas recap!! The month of December brought some things that I love...fitness and fun and fellowship! Our small town kicked off the Christmas season with a Jingle Bell walk.  Some friends and I joined in, donned our Christmas hats and bells and walked through our town.       Another highlight was hosting a party for some of our church family.  It was a great night complete with lots of food, games, laughter and fun!      Now that Christmas has passed, it is still sweet to recall and rejoice in the memories made this year!

Sometimes, I go overboard...heap way too many things on my plate and get anxious and overwhelmed and then strangely enough, often times when facing a deadline, get things done!  As much as I crave order and peace in my life, I seem to work best under pressure and with looming deadlines! In the middle of November, I began searching for Christmas devotionals and study materials.  Not being content with one or two...I am in the midst of 3 separate studies, plus a daily devotional from Journey.  But the crazy thing is...they are all beautifully working together!  Truths are shared to inspire, one is a journal which usually I don't like to be confined to do daily, but am loving it and the lessons learned bounce and build on each other.  It is incredible! One (!) of today's devotions, was based upon the verse of " Mary treasuring these things in her heart".   It encouraged the readers to ponder the wonder of Christmas, to slow down and think upon the mi

We are a pretty traditional family. Like most people, we have certain routines we cling to and usually don't stray from!  Holidays are special and traditions run deep.  So, this year a rather quick trip to the mountains was planned and the only time we could go, was the week of Thanksgiving.  So we packed up as many family members as could go and off we went! It wasn't the regular lunch at Nana's with the family.  It was beautiful lakes...     Gorgeous fall colors     Enjoying lots of outside time  Thanksgiving meal in a cozy cabin!       Lots of mountain walking      And a lot of being still and enjoying God's creation.  

We are about to enter the most wonderful time of the year...where opportunities abound for fellowship, get togethers, parties etc.  Of course there is always food involved and we want to bring something good!    Here is a tried and true light food to bring, baked ham and cheese sliders.  These are light, tasty and a perfect addition to any gathering.            Ingredients 1 tablespoon dried minced onion 24 mini sandwich rolls 1 pound thinly sliced cooked deli ham 1 pound thinly sliced Swiss cheese  Directions Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Grease a 9x13-inch baking dish. In a bowl, mix together butter, Dijon mustard, Worcestershire sauce, poppy seeds, and dried onion. Separate the tops from bottoms of the rolls, and place th

  On our recent trip to the mountains, there were 3 generations spending time together in a cozy cabin.  Mornings were spent with coffee and quiet time reading the Bible, individually.  As the days continued, we all ended up putting our Bibles in one place, on a table behind the couch.   One of my devotions that week shared Psalms 78:4   " We will not hide them from their children, Telling to the generation to come the praises of the Lord , And His strength and His wonderful works that He has done."   Growing up, my home was filled with love, but not much spiritual training.  We didn't talk about the  things of the Lord.  When I married a Christian who was from a Christian family, loving the Lord was lived out daily.  I quickly embraced the command to share in our daily life the greatness of God and continuing a new legacy, one of fearing and trusting God.    My background has granted me an even greater opportunity for praise. God has knit together a st

Here we are again...about to enter the most wonderful time of the year!!  It is still early enough to be in the planning stages where we begin to set the tone for the season, will we choose to have a fun, family filled holiday, a quiet, meaningful one, an active one, filled with all the food and celebrations?  Whatever our preferences, it affects our planning and activities.  There is so much to enjoy about this season.  Of course we must reflect on the true meaning of celebrating Christmas which is the gift of our Lord Jesus.  That is the greatest gift and should impact all we do.  We love others because He first loved us, we give, because He gave, we have hope because He lives. I know...all this Christmas nostalgia can quickly fade when we're rushed to go to another event, or try to find the right gift in the middle of a crowded store full of disgruntled, rude people!  We will face those times, so it is best to be prepared.  A patient heart, kind smile and a little ki