Joyfull Living

Against all the current fitness advice which stress the benefits of accountability and community, I am what could be called a 'fitness loner'. It's not exactly by choice, but more by circumstance. I love being a part of fitness classes etc., but the time frame just doesn't work for me. But, because I love the effects that a healthy lifestyle provides, that is enough to keep me disciplined enough to get a daily work out in and attempt to keep a mostly healthy food intake. But, when a friend asked me to join a Facebook fitness group, I finally found a fitness family! This group is a place where workouts can be posted and non-fitness friends don't have to be bombarded by all those numbers - miles walked or workouts completed! This fitness family loves to hear how many miles I walked a day! We freely share those victories along with those days when energy and motivation are way low. This is the place where we strive to eat healthy, but can also share about our weak...

Today finally feels like 'fall' in our area!  Not exactly cool, but less humidity and comfortable temperatures.  An added bonus is that it is my day off!!  After an early morning workout class, then a walk it was back home to see what needed to be done.  But, because I'm continually being drawn outside to enjoy the day, there isn't a whole lot getting accomplished!   In fact, it is almost to the point where if it isn't an outside task, it just may not get done today! But there is a school function we are attending with our youngest son tonight that a dessert must be brought.  I've been dying to try some pumpkin chocolate chip cookies, so this would be the perfect opportunity!  Then, while searching for a recipe, found one with pumpkin, oatmeal and chocolate!  Does it get any better?  So, real quick, before I head to the porch with a book, here is the recipe! Pumpkin Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Cookies 1 1/2 cups butter, softened ...

Finally a bit of fall weather has hit our area!  Last week's Making Your Home a Haven's challenge was to light a candle each day and pray for peace.  We had a couple of days with temperatures in the high 80's which limited the candle/cozy effect!   This week's challenge is to  "Play soft music everyday in your home . Choose worship, classical, jazz or another form of peaceful music that the family enjoys. Focus on using peaceful words and maintaining peaceful relationships." Live out the fruit of the Spirit of gentleness and self-control this week. I will have to admit that last week's challenge was much easier for me!  Being a visual person, the candle flickering jarred my memory to pray for peace.  Auditory people are ones who tune in to sounds and respond well to music.  They have an ear to hear the beauty and blessing of sounds...I do not!  Notes, ranges, harmony, melody mean nil to me!  I rarely even turn the radio on while ...

    Every fall, there is a Making Your Home a Haven challenge over at Women Living Well.  When I first began to participate, our family had three sons living at home.  All three were active and involved in church, school and sports activities.  Since then things have calmed down quite a bit.  Two sons are adults now and as they have became independent, our home and schedules have slowed down some.    But, the need to make home a haven has not dimmed.  A Christian home should look different than the world we are a part of through work and outside activities.  Where the world generates drama and strife, our homes should reflect peace and a place to relax.  Where day in and day out, pressures force us to rush, stress and be what others need us to be, the home should be where we come, let the atmosphere of love and joy envelop us, renew us, recharge us and equip us to go out and be the best we can be.    This t...

  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 mov...

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 to...

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 c...