Joyfull Living

This post was recently posted on Vicki Courtney, a blog with humorous and helpful advice for life with teenagers. Since Facebook is becoming a hit with parents and grandparents alike, this little bit of information was cute and helpful! Adults, age 35 and up, are currently the fastest growing audience on Facebook. They are rushing over to join the fun. Which means their teens, who once had the place all to themselves, are cringing over the reality that the chaperons have arrived. In droves. As the younger users are trying to figure out the etiquette of whether or not they have to accept friend requests from Mom, Dad, Uncle Beryl, and even Grandma, parents are in great need of a few etiquette tips themselves. Here are ten tips that seem to be at the top of most teens’ wish lists. And yes, some of the tips (okay, a lot of them), I’ve learned the hard way…if you know what I mean 1. Do not post reminders on your child’s wall. This includes, but is not limited to: Reminders to wear thei...

Want this button? Marriage Monday is a monthly opportunity to share about specific topics dealing with marriage.  Today's topic is "Prayer In Marriage" and this is a subject about which I am passionate!  Not because I am an expert, but because I stand in awe that the Lord could take a heart like mine and teach me great truths about the power of a praying wife. I consider it to be one of the greatest blessings of my life that my husband and I became Christians on the same night!  This joined our hearts and lives in our beginning and established us with unity to follow the Lord and to build our marriage on the Rock of our Salvation.  As we grew in our walk with the Lord and our marriage we began praying together as a couple.  Although it was a bit awkward at first, we continued on through the years and have been blessed beyond measure by instituting this in our marriage.  We began by taking turns praying at bedtime and then extended this as the childre...

Dog Logic I'm not a huge dog lover, but these were so cute and brought a smile to me,  I had to share them! If you think dogs can't count, try putting three dog biscuits in your pocket and then give him only two of them. -Phil Pastoret The reason a dog has so many friends is that he wags his tail instead of his tongue. -Anonymous There is no psychiatrist in the world like a puppy licking your face. -Ben Williams A dog is the only thing on earth that loves you more than he loves himself. -Josh Billings The average dog is a nicer person than the average person. -Andy Rooney If your dog is...

Here in the deep south, we have experienced a lot of cold weather this year.  I know that it is much worse in other areas, but here, we are just not used to day after day of cold!  It takes some adjustment to learn to layer our clothing and other tricks to keep warm.  Like shoes:  The usual Florida foot wear is flip flop shoes.  But it has been awhile since I have been able to bear my feet!  It has been socks and closed in shoes. Until last weekend, where we had a brief warm up and I was able to shed the winter shoes and put these on: That was a sure spot of joy for my week!

For he who sows to his flesh will of the flesh reap corruption, but he who sows to the Spirit will of the Spirit reap everlasting life. And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart.  Galatians 6:8,9 Close to our home there are some fields where thousands of tomatoes will soon be planted. Right now they are working to get the soil prepared for the planting of the tomatoes.  It has been an interesting  process as they took the hardened soil and plowed it up so it was soft and workable.  Then they prepared the many rows where the tomato plants will go.   God's Word reminds us of the importance of keeping the soil of our heart in good condition.  Every now and again some things can crop up that hinder or harden the soil of our hearts:  Bitterness, anger, jealousy, discontentment, discord etc. Sometimes we need to plow our hearts by seeking the Lord for His grace and forgiveness to reveal ou...

Little league soccer ended last weekend!  This day was filled with joy as the team won their last game, enjoyed an end of season complete with lots of pizza, trophies and had some playground time!  The weather turned out to be perfect!  Here is a look at the day:      

This weekend wrapped up the little league soccer season our youngest son participated in. It was a great experience with lots of fun for the kids and a time of friendship and fellowship among the parents. However, being gone three or four nights a week can reek havoc on a home.  I discovred that instead of singing a happy tune, my home is simply croaking along!! This weekend while searching for some school supplies it became evident that my home although clean on the surface, was in pitiful shape as far as oranization goes.  There is a stockpile of items in various places, excess stuff, so that we don't know what we have and continue to get more of the same items until a vicious cycle is threatening to bury our home with clutter and inefficiency. Yesterday as I looked around in despair at the boys closets, linen closet, school supply chest  and other problem areas I thought...how will this ever get under control?  But in a few short hours I was amazed how quickl...