tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-63207284658636675892024-08-28T20:22:41.291-05:00Finding Joy in Himhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02829784561576276904noreply@blogger.comBlogger341125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6320728465863667589.post-58432869080829418632015-05-17T09:06:00.000-05:002015-06-13T21:43:25.103-05:00

In my hardest, darkest days the only thing that comforts me is meditating on who God is. Psalm 121 A song of ascents. 1 I lift up my eyes to the mountains— where does my help come from? 2 My help comes from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth. 3 He will not let your foot slip— he who watches over you will not slumber; 4 indeed, he who watches over Israel will neither slumber nor sleep. 5

Finding Joy in Himhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02829784561576276904noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6320728465863667589.post-23179896646220656582015-04-09T13:06:00.000-05:002015-06-13T21:51:47.794-05:00

A verse that caught my heart and I was able to teach my kids from an early age was: 2 Corinthians 9:7 Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. “The answer to the question you are pondering is, “Yes, Ma’am (or Sir). When Mom or Dad asks you to do something, you should do it quickly and with a

Finding Joy in Himhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02829784561576276904noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6320728465863667589.post-10529708576279936372015-04-01T19:07:00.000-05:002015-04-01T19:07:27.678-05:00

Mike and I have struggled recently with a couple of our favorite TV pastors. They are what might be called “Edutainment; God loves you and wants to bless you.” kinds of pastors. And we like that or maybe liked that. We enjoy learning about our loving God from pastors with joyful hearts and still believe much of what we learned from them.But through our time of suffering, their happy messages have

Finding Joy in Himhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02829784561576276904noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6320728465863667589.post-28072218149969566692015-03-12T17:32:00.000-05:002015-03-12T17:32:19.242-05:00

Now an angel from heaven appeared to Him, strengthening Him. And being in agony He was praying very fervently; and His sweat became like drops of blood, falling down upon the ground. -Luke 22:43-44 The angel strengthened Jesus.. THEN in agony He prayed more earnestly.. and His sweat became like drops of blood falling to the ground. There have been times in this journey when I have wondered at

Finding Joy in Himhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02829784561576276904noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6320728465863667589.post-32584610502608631162015-01-08T13:01:00.000-06:002015-03-12T17:13:56.183-05:00

I had a really long, unusually packed holiday season beginning with the death of our dog, Sally, on Halloween and ending Sunday with my baby girl’s 21st birthday. With Joel’s Heaven day in the middle, two week long trips and my oldest, Joshua, graduating from college it couldn’t help but be packed. I’ve read that the second year after losing a child can be much worse than the first. The fact

Finding Joy in Himhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02829784561576276904noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6320728465863667589.post-39208921917027537312014-12-31T11:36:00.002-06:002015-06-13T22:01:20.282-05:00

One of my most prayed prayers since losing Joel has been that Jesus would come be my Good Samaritan; that He would  bind up my gaping wounds and pour in the healing oil of His Holy Spirit into my crushed heart.Sometimes I feel Him take my hand and the  warm oil of His Holy Spirit rushing in,  others I feel like I am drowning, alone in a sea of tears. The LORD is close to the

Finding Joy in Himhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02829784561576276904noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6320728465863667589.post-37610857506690365752014-12-21T04:05:00.000-06:002014-12-21T22:48:32.248-06:00

This is our last night in the Smokys. My mom, dad, sisters and their families left for Texas this morning. The rest of us leave for "home" (Alabama) in the morning. Seeing our family this year in December for Josh’s graduation was a special treat. We don’t normally see each other until the spring or fall when the 1000 miles of roads between us are less likely to ice over. Have you ever thought

Finding Joy in Himhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02829784561576276904noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6320728465863667589.post-56054013073034227812014-12-12T10:32:00.000-06:002014-12-13T09:41:48.826-06:00

Dear Family and Friends, Praying that you are in good health and good cheer. We are very excited to have a new college graduate in our home this week, even though he has several more years of school left before he has his masters and possibly doctorate. :)  We are very proud of Joshua.  It’s been a long hard road. It’s been a hard year for us.. missing Joel.. pushing through the

Finding Joy in Himhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02829784561576276904noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6320728465863667589.post-47517324530500800942014-11-26T10:01:00.000-06:002014-12-11T11:05:10.432-06:00

I woke yesterday from a residual bad dream with a desire to find a new life verse.  I have had a few. When I was a struggling in my role as a young mother, the Lord directed me to Titus 2:5: “To be discreet, chaste, keepers at home, good, obedient to their own husbands, that the word of God be not blasphemed.” Through holding on to those instructions, I learned to value a calling that I

Finding Joy in Himhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02829784561576276904noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6320728465863667589.post-43176876787725155222014-10-31T13:43:00.001-05:002014-11-01T06:30:44.708-05:00

Today is our beloved keeshound, Sally’s last day here on earth.  She’s 14 years old and has been unable to hold any food or water down since Monday.  We were told shortly after losing Joel that her kidney's were beginning to fail.  To avoid finding myself in a crisis over the weekend, I found a vet that can put her to sleep in our home today after James returns home from work.&nbsp

Finding Joy in Himhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02829784561576276904noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6320728465863667589.post-52867408727248274782014-09-23T10:23:00.001-05:002014-09-24T12:08:45.032-05:00

One of the oddest things for me about losing a child is how we as bereaved parents obsess over the lost one… doesn’t matter how many surviving children we have… the lost one is the one on our minds and hearts 24/7.  I’ve struggled with it… fought it.  I’ve tried to honor and enjoy the kids I still have here while I can… and yet the obsession hasn’t gone away.   When my kids were

Finding Joy in Himhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02829784561576276904noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6320728465863667589.post-30174748623660250722014-08-13T20:58:00.001-05:002014-08-13T21:46:15.728-05:00

In the early mornings as I study the Word and worship, the Lord gently reveals places in my heart that are still broken; places that need healing that only He can give.  I journal them through quiet tears in an exercise of placing Brown Paper Packages (older post) all wrapped in string at His beautiful feet. Once everything is journaled out, I am released to go about my day accomplishing

Finding Joy in Himhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02829784561576276904noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6320728465863667589.post-70641914038857843622014-08-06T16:46:00.000-05:002015-07-28T05:35:14.688-05:00

SOON is quickly becoming my new favorite four letter word. I saw this verse for the “first” time the other day: The God of peace will soon crush Satan under your feet. The grace of our Lord Jesus be with you. Romans 16:20 I am not sure what it means… but I really like it and I decided just today that I am going to use “Soon.” to humbly replace any other four letter word that I might be

Finding Joy in Himhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02829784561576276904noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6320728465863667589.post-24461950774292931042014-07-20T21:03:00.000-05:002014-07-26T11:47:48.357-05:00

I have heard several messages recently about letting the past go and moving toward the future.  I am a listener.  I am often straining to hear what the Lord is saying; working to keep my heart soft, pliable, broken in His capable hands.  With all my heart, I want to hear what He is saying. Something inside me says that this message is just too simplified; that something is missing

Finding Joy in Himhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02829784561576276904noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6320728465863667589.post-52238072445604129062014-05-24T07:45:00.000-05:002014-05-24T16:22:22.064-05:00

This is the one verse that God gave me for my kids; the one bit of wisdom He gave me to pass down.  I wrote out what it means to me for all the graduates we know this year... including our own Josh, who is due to graduate from college this December. :)  We are proud of you and love you all. Guard your heart with all diligence,For out of it spring the issues of life.   

Finding Joy in Himhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02829784561576276904noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6320728465863667589.post-43109037406947503422014-05-01T18:15:00.000-05:002014-08-06T21:59:07.997-05:00

Happy Birthday, Joel! We are celebrating that you are enjoying all the blessings of Heaven while missing your sweet, fun presence here with us today and everyday. We are learning to: Rejoice in Hope, The hope of Heaven bought by our Redeemer; That we are but grass; That these long, hard days are but a blink of an eye Then we will See you again, Hold you in our arms, and Dance with you on

Finding Joy in Himhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02829784561576276904noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6320728465863667589.post-20442211322029012792014-04-18T13:02:00.000-05:002014-08-06T22:04:39.487-05:00

I’ve been stunned by Jesus’ humility this Passover/Lent season.  I think I am just beginning to understand that the Creator of the Universe put aside all of His majesty and glory to suffer along side of us… to die the horrible death of the cross for us… to really love us.  He couldn’t demonstrate His love towards us while sitting on His throne in glory.  He had to humble Himself…

Finding Joy in Himhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02829784561576276904noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6320728465863667589.post-84063316282695549382014-03-14T08:09:00.003-05:002014-08-06T22:10:29.107-05:00

"But I will leave among you A humble and lowly people, And they will take refuge in the name of the LORD.  Zephaniah 3:12 The Lord has been speaking to me a lot lately about humility, patience and childlike faith.  I am SO THANKFUL for His instructions...  So thankful for the Fear of the LORD in my heart.  It’s a gift.  It’s a great blessing.  I want to get.. to

Finding Joy in Himhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02829784561576276904noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6320728465863667589.post-87048312040739724652014-02-27T07:38:00.000-06:002014-08-06T22:21:01.894-05:00

I've mentioned in another post how God had been speaking to Mike and I about a coming "change" in the months before we lost Joel and some of the preparations we had been making for the "change."  I haven't yet shared the preparations we experienced the week before we lost Joel.  Two Wednesdays before we lost Joel, a guest speaker visited our church.  His message was "It is

Finding Joy in Himhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02829784561576276904noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6320728465863667589.post-30958581337320587382014-02-26T09:08:00.001-06:002014-02-26T09:08:56.532-06:00

God has been encouraging me to "Feed on His faithfulness."  This song I found this morning... is perfect.   Sovereign Over Us~Aaron KeyesThere is strength within the sorrow,There is beauty in our tears.You meet us in our mourning,With a love that casts out fear.You are working in our waiting;You're sanctifying us.When beyond our understanding,You're teaching us to trust.Your

Finding Joy in Himhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02829784561576276904noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6320728465863667589.post-90840896286540926922014-02-06T15:51:00.000-06:002014-08-06T22:27:20.388-05:00

God began giving me these first words to share with you on Sunday.  My hands are shaking as I type.  I have felt that from the beginning that it is important for me to be open and honest with you about my pain.. about my journey.  It's hard to paint a true picture and for most of the picture there just aren't any words.  As hard as it is for a wounded person to open up and

Finding Joy in Himhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02829784561576276904noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6320728465863667589.post-17430144750360893252014-02-06T08:36:00.001-06:002014-08-06T22:30:16.452-05:00

I have some writing to do.  The last few months have been hard.. too sorrowful for words.   I’ve been praying for words for the last several weeks, because I know that if I don’t write now it’ll be several more months before I will be able to write again.  We have our first “court setting” in April.  We don’t know if there will be a trial or not.  We do know that

Finding Joy in Himhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02829784561576276904noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6320728465863667589.post-973820085906093282013-10-10T21:55:00.000-05:002014-08-07T06:35:34.138-05:00

Some of the first things that you learn when loosing a loved one is that the grief comes in waves and has many layers. 
Like a roller coaster there are ups and downs and you can’t see what is around the bend.  You just have to hold on tight and trust that Jesus will carry you through. 

The only control you have is over the attitudes of your heart.. and those can be very difficult to

Finding Joy in Himhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02829784561576276904noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6320728465863667589.post-75863108422232939912013-09-17T03:09:00.000-05:002014-08-07T06:35:03.301-05:00

Where should our focus lie? I’ve been meditating on one of the verses that really ministered to us shortly after Joel’s home going: 1 Corinthians 13:12 (NLT) Now we see things imperfectly, like puzzling reflections in a mirror, but then we will see everything with perfect clarity. All that I know now is partial and incomplete, but then I will know everything completely, just as God now knows

Finding Joy in Himhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02829784561576276904noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6320728465863667589.post-67821239083445751012013-08-18T17:41:00.000-05:002014-08-07T06:33:23.091-05:00

Ephesians 5: 14 For this reason it says,   “Awake, sleeper,   And arise from the dead,   And Christ will shine on you.”     15 Therefore be careful how you walk, not as unwise men but as wise, 16 making the most of your time, because the days are evil.  17 So then do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is. 

Finding Joy in Himhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02829784561576276904noreply@blogger.com4