Experiencing Joy--Like a Child!!

As I was considering and praying about what to include in this "JOY" series today, I browsed through some of my pictures, and this one just popped off the page!!



Doesn't that smile just knock your socks off??

This is our precious, precocious, pretty, and playful little granddaughter, Emily.

I snapped this at the beach several weeks ago....one of her favorite places in her little world!


I remember the moment well...It was a breezy day and a gust of wind filled up the skirt of her dress.

She saw it fluff up, made a funny face, and started giggling and twirling in sheer delight!

What a joy to see through a child's eyes, and to enjoy and savor the moment as they do!!

I smiled upon seeing this photo, and lingered in thought. Pure, unbridled joy was what I saw that day. You can get a real sense of it in this photo.

Then I thought...


I need to lighten up! I can learn from this little one to not take everything so seriously...to find and seize the joy of the moment, and to savor it without restraints! We tend to let all kinds of outside influences keep us from really experiencing the full spectrum of the JOY that God gives us in the little and not so little things in life.


This has only increased my desire to experience joy more fully, and to bask in the glimpses of God that He sprinkles in each of my days; gems from His Word, the joy of a new morning, the laughter of a child, a sloppy kiss from my doggy, an up close parking space when it's pouring down rain, that first sip of coffee, the smile of a passerby, lunch with a friend, my hubby's good night kiss... I am going to relish each second of it and all that I can hold on to throughout each day!!


May your week be full of savored joy, and your heart full of gladness!!

Fondly,
Becky

JOY For Our Journey

My Brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing.
~~James1:2-3~~



Count it all joy. Wow!! Can anyone really do that? Can we honestly look at the most diffficult, most painful things in our lives and count it all joy?

We may not be able to right away, but as we trust God in our circumstances, He enables us to go a little further, then a little further, and so on. Sometimes we are not delivered out of our painful circumstances, but God shows us He is in it with us, giving us what we need to go on. Other times we get past the worst of the pain and difficulty, and can see how He pulled us through.

It is through these trials that we really learn to trust God, and begin to bear the spiritual fruit of patience; waiting and trusting may not be easy, but it is so worth it!! Over time, we find it easier to trust God in our trials, and become more spiritually mature.

God says if we allow patience it's perfect work there will be a blessing...
we will be mature and complete, lacking nothing. Nothing that we need, that is. We will be equipped by God to deal with whatever lies ahead, and He will meet all of our needs!

The JOY of it all is that through our trials, more than at any other time, we draw into closer fellowship with God, and plump, juicy, mature fruit characterizes our lives.

I want that kind of fruit, don't you??

May your week be a sunshiney one!!
Blessings,
Becky

JOY For our Journey--Valentine Joy

I have never made a really big deal out of Valentine's day, but become more enamoured with it each year. I look at it as a special day to spread some extra lovin' and kindness around, and you know I love that!!

I had fun the other day just looking around for cute Valentine stuff. Thought I'd share some of my favorites for our JOY today!

First some chenille love for Roberta Anne This would look cute just about anywhere!! I found it at http://www.terrysvillage.com/

This adorable "ragamuffin wreath" was made by Cindi, a fellow blogger and crafter. Thank you Cindi for letting me include it!! We will be making one of these!! You could change the fabric and make one for any occasion or holiday!

These are so cute and very easy to make. Leave it to Martha! It's just crayon shavings ironed between sheets of wax paper and cut into heart shapes.

http://www.marthastewart.com/ We're doing this one! I'll post the pics!

A cute felt heart garland...at Martha's!

Personalize Valentine candy bars by making your own wrapper, and writing a note inside! http://www.bhg.com/ (Better Homes and Gardens) Too cute. One pic I saw somewhere else had a few all wrapped differently, stacked, and tied with ribbon. Too cute!

I should have thought of this!! Just remove tea bag tabs, and replace with heart cut-outs with written messages. Maybe I'd drink more tea if it had sweet messages attached! (Martha again!!)

Makes me smile! (terrysvillage)

My little Emily calls me Nana, so couldn't resist this one! (terrysvillage)

Cut out hearts of various sizes and wire them around a candle for a sweet look BHG

I love these plates!! Especially the green one! You can write messages on them or use them for food! Found these at a cute online boutique http://www.whitneycarolinedesigns.com/

Not Valentines but love these!!

Isn't this a fun bag?? Will probably get one for my fashionista Britt for her 21st birthday! (WC designs)

Toile Bible cover...I want one of these!! (WC Designs)

BHG hanging hearts! Very festive and inexpensive to make. I'm sure you have a friend that would love one of these!

Cupcake messages! BHG

Just had to make your mouth water!! BHG cupcake with ice cream on top with nuts and caramel garnish. Some sweetness for your sweetheart!!

And finally, a heart tote! Notice this says "our" not "your"...a personal statement of faith..awesome! (Terry's Village)

Hope you got some inspiration to pour out some extra lovin' this Valentine's Day!! You don't have to break the bank to do it!!

Joyful Blessings,

Becky

JOY FOR OUR JOURNEY MONDAY

THIS IS THE DAY THE LORD HAS MADE; LET US REJOICE AND BE GLAD IN IT ~Psalm 118:24





How does this new morning find you? Are you happy, content, on top of the world, or tired, sick, feeling overwhelmed? Did you want to throw the covers over your head and stay in bed?



Well, it is my prayer this morning, friend, that however you feel, however difficult your circumstances may be, or how heavy your heart, that you will be able to find a glimmer of joy in today.


We have been given the gift of TODAY!! Today is a fresh start, a clean slate, a new page to be written upon in our lives, and we hold the pen. What will you write on your clean page?


I am still learning that more often than not, I choose what goes on each page, if not by what I've done...by what I haven't done, mishandled, or by a less than desirable attitude.


My cold is in my chest now, I don't feel well, my home is in dire need of attention, I have reorganizing projects left half done, and have all the normal daily duties, including homeschooling my sweet daughter yet to accomplish.


Honestly, I am feeling somewhat overwhelmed. But overriding that is the knowledge that TODAY IS A GIFT, and I can choose to focus on the not-so great stuff or choose to find the good in it. I choose the latter!!


So take heart, and be encouraged, and go out and make it a great day!!

With love,
Becky

JOY For Our Journey

(photo courtesy of publicdomainpictures.net)

"There are souls in this world which have the gift of finding joy everywhere and leave it behind them when they go".
-unknown

Don't you just want to be one of those people? I do!!

Hope this is the start of a wonderful week for all of you, my bloggy friends!

Later today I will post some pics of the beautiful Blue Spring, and the hundreds of Manatees that were there!

Fondly,
Becky