Another Monday of Rambling Words...

 And here it is Monday, and here I am, hoping to come up with some words of wisdom before I have to shut this computer down and get on the work computer.  Yes, it is another work day for me and the only thing I think is crucial for today is I have a board prep meeting this afternoon - and no, I am not looking forward to it.  I verified I have the deck in order, at least I think I did, but will have to check it again this morning to make sure what I have there.  

Last night we had dinner with Pastor Josh and his wife Holly.  I guess I had 'met' her before!  A couple week ago we were standing in the church lobby, waiting for the 2nd service to get out so that we could go in, and I remember a lady coming to me and asking if we wanted to sit down and pointed to some chairs. (should I be offended?  Do I look THAT old?)  I thanked her but said no, we were good.  Well, I found out last night that - that was Holly!!  She had seen us standing there and she had been sitting on the side of the lobby so offered us her chair. How sweet is that?   We had a 2 hour dinner, just sitting there talking most of the time.  We were asked how we met and hubby started telling 'the story' - and I couldn't believe he got it wrong!  I mean, most of it was right, but, some was wrong, and when I tried to correct him, he got angry... but managed to hide it.  I'm not going to point fingers so I'm just going to hush here... but it was a very nice time with this beautiful couple and we both enjoyed having dinner with them.   Hubby and I did get 'into it' as we left the restaurant in my car.  I'm trying to follow Siri on how to get out of that shopping area, and hubby is telling me turn here, do this, do that..... and finally I just told him to stop! I couldn't listen to Siri give me true directions with him telling me where to turn and getting angry with me because I didn't turn!  He finally asked me if I was angry with him.... I told him I was not angry, but frustrated (he said "same thing") and I told him that I couldn't hear what Siri was telling me to do with him telling me where to turn.  "Well, I've been in here before and I know!"  Well - he hasn't been in that area in probably ten years - and there have been lots of changes!  In fact, when I was turning off the road, Siri had me turn on frontage road for a short distance, and he was going bonkers, afraid I was getting on the freeway again. I don't think we spoke the rest of the way home.   I may be directionally challenged at times, but when I have Siri, I know where I am going - most of the time, anyway!

My sister called me on our way home to talk about the training again.  Come to find out, she had been talking with her youngest son and he told her he would pay for her to take some training at the gym!  In fact, he had sent her money for Mother's Day via Venmo, but she didn't know it so hadn't even seen it.  Good thing, for she would have already spent it!  So now she is wanting to get back on the training discussions.  I realized this morning that when I was telling her we pay $30 per session, it is because we signed a one year contract for that rate.  Our contract has expired and we have not renewed it - nor do we want to, for the rates have gone up.  They just let us keep working out at the $30 rate and I'm leaving it there.  I think I overheard it is up to $35 a session now.  Anyway, I voice-text'd her this morning and told her to tell them she only wanted one month, and how many sessions she wanted, and then ask them how much that would be.  She needs to figure it out.  If her son wants to pay for it - great! 

This morning I feel so old.  I'm not sure why....  perhaps it is because I am so weary of things happening.  Have you ever had that feeling.  When you are just so tired, that you feel your joy of living has been sucked out of you?  I keep praying that I would find joy.... but somehow it seems to get squished so much of the time. 

And yet, I remember that my joy does not come from my surroundings.  My joy does not come from things - or even from people.  My joy does come from the Lord!  In Him I can have Joy.  His Word says so!

Nehemiah 8:10 - The joy of the Lord is my strength.

But what does that mean?  It means that in all things, I can find joy in Jesus.  That is true joy.  It's not in receiving a special gift I may have longed for, it's not in holding that great-grandchild (although THAT is pretty close!), it's not in being in in the limelight or getting things done.  My joy comes from Jesus and in Him I can find all joy.

So why do I feel my life is sucked out of me so much of the time?  Because situations cause my eyes to fall from Jesus onto my circumstances.  No other reason.  Jesus is our Joy; He is our Strength; He is our Everything, our ALL.  

So today, Father, I pray You help me keep my eyes on Jesus, who is the Author and Perfector of my faith. There is no other.  Jesus is the only One, the only Way. Amen.

Philippians 4:13 (NIV):  I can do all this through him who gives me strength.

No matter what we come up against today, (even board preps), I need to remember that Jesus is my Joy and He is my Strength to get me through today.

And He is yours as well.  Surrender that issue to Him.  Let Him take care of it, even if 'just for today'.  Sometimes we just need to 'let go and let God'.  Today is the day.

Find Joy today.

Blessings!

Sunday quiet

 I woke up at 4AM and told myself 'no' to getting up.  I finally arose around 5AM and strolled into this room.  I've read, I've prayed, I've written in my journal. Stopped and took a shower. Grabbed my overnight oats and another cup of coffee, and here I am back in my room.  Hair still wet, but it can dry naturally. I still have time. We go to the 12PM service.  I love these quiet mornings when I don't have to rush about or keep an eye on the clock.  After I'm finished with typing in here, I will go back to reading some more. And I am loving having that time.

Yesterday was a good day. It was a Saturday, but I kept confusing it with a Sunday as hubby had been at church with the men's breakfast. I did not go to the women's lunch and I figured out why I am so reluctant to go.  The first Sunday we were at church I was asked to join the 'WOW' group.  Now at a previous church it was Women of the Word.   I think this one is called 'Women of Wisdom' or something like that - but it is ONLY for women over 55.  Yeah, I'm past that by about 20 years.  I get their emails every Monday like clockwork.  And I see a few of the women I have met on Sundays when I go to church.  But as I was trying to figure out why I didn't want to go - I think I figured out why.  I may talk about my age and being old - but I don't want to BE old.  Does that make sense?  The women I have met are, obviously, over 55 (some quite a bit older than the 55) - and I don't want to be in that 'old' group.  I love being around young - as in 20- up age range because they are - usually - alive.  They live life.  They still have children at home. They still chase after dreams. They still live life.  These older women, most, if not all, are 'retired'.  I keep getting told they have the lunch on Saturday every other month so that women like me can attend who still work.  I'm sorry, don't like to go hang out with old women. Well, unless it is my neighbors.  I fight too hard to NOT act like an old woman.  I realize my lifestyle - and hubby - identify me as 'old' and probably many stay away because of their belief I AM old and will ACT old.  

Am I having - what is it called? - I can't think of it - but something like a delusional belief that if I hang around people who are younger than me - or who may be even older but are still involved in living life - I will remain quick-minded, alert, above to do things?  WANT to do things?  My mother quit living many years before she died.  She sat in her recliner or sat at her kitchen table, working on ceramics, writing letters.  I loved my mama but I don't want to live like that.  I don't want to quit living just because.  That was what she knew - her mother, living on a farm in Tennessee - to my knowledge had never worked, but had always been a homemaker (and there is nothing wrong with that!!) raising children, helping on the farm, taking care of the home.  These women are to be praised.  But when Granny got too old to help out on the farm, she just sat and read her Bible (which isn't a bad thing) or sat in the porch swing.  I don't want to grow old and quit living.

I want to run with the great grandchildren when I'm in my 80's. I want to teach my great grandchildren how to cook.  I want to sit with my grandchildren and do activities with them, play games with them. I want to spend time with my children and be alert and attentive.  I don't want to get older and just sit. 

Does any of that make sense? That thought - of hanging with older people will make me feel older - hung on me yesterday and I just couldn't go.  So what did I do?

I couldn't bake as my oven and stove are still 'out'.  So as I had the morning to myself, I got to stay in here for awhile and read.  Then I sat in the front room and did my blog. Then I read some more, I think. I eventually started working on my current diamond art project and was doing that when hubby came home.  I was at peace and I stopped to listen to what he had to say about it.  He then did some reading and listening to 'stuff' on his phone - and I went back to working on my diamond art project for another hour or so before quitting for the day.  We went to Chili's for lunch - had a gift card from Christmas. I had been craving a hamburger.  Well, I won't get a hamburger at Chili's again - no flavor whatsoever.  We usually get the chicken fajitas there, but it was lunchtime so thought I'd just go for a hamburger.  Couldn't eat it all.  Came home and I can't remember what I specifically did - but we eventually watched  some NCIS and then a movie before heading to bed.  We 'snacked' dinner.   And that was Saturday.

And here we are with Sunday and just got a message from church that Pastor John's last message on this series of Healthy Holy Habits is Repentance.  Every one of his messages have been totally off the charts.  I can't wait to hear this one.  I am thinking I may go back to the first one and listen to them all again.  Each one taught me something about myself.  The series has been 8-9 weeks long, I think.  Will have to check back on You Tube and see.  But I think listening to them all again will be a good thing.  Maybe after lunch (after church) I will plug in to my kindle and bring up You Tube and start listening with my headset while I work on my diamond art.  I have been listening to audible books while I've been working on my crochet or knitting (I'm actually knitting at the moment!!) or working on my diamond art projects.  Using my time wisely, I hope.  I really love to read, but if I'm reading, I get nothing else done.  With audible, I can listen to a book, work on a project, or even take a walk.  I've done that as well.  Just recently started doing that, actually.  I never remember to turn it on.

And yesterday I remembered a podcast that Morgan, my trainer, had sent to me last week.  It is about reset - and a woman's guide to working out.  A lot of it makes sense!  I will listen to it again.  But the basics of it was that when a woman goes to the gym to work out - our bodies are not like mens' bodies and we - if we want to look toned and not huge - are to work out differently.  Our bodies respond differently to working out than mens' bodies do.  For example,  a man can come in to the gym and work out with heavy weights and bulk up (and watching his diet) easily enough.  But a woman can come in and do the very same exercises - and basically see no change whatsoever.  Because we are not made the same.  Our bodies do not react the same.  One thing I found interesting - not that I'd do it - is the 'cold-plunge' fling that a lot of people do.  This exercise physiologist (she also had another title) said that men just plunge themselves in icy cold water and sit - and will feel refreshed after doing it.  That much 'cold' ice is too much for a woman's body and it won't affect her the same way.  She needs to 'plunge' in 50-55 degree water and be still - and her body will respond.  Well, the way she explained it made sense to me.  Need to listen to it again as well.  Found it very interesting.  Also, men can go work out without eating something first, but women should eat protein before working out.  Interesting, huh.   But I absolutely love hot showers and freeze if I do a cold (or cool) shower!  And I don't like to eat (so much) before working out.  What's up with that?  But an excuse to eat a protein bar (with chocolate all over it) I might be able to manage it.

Psalm 86:4 (NIV):  Bring joy to your servant, Lord, for I put my trust in You.

Have you ever prayed for 'Joy' and then wonder why you didn't receive it?  Perhaps it is because you are 'looking' for something that is right in front of you.  I go through these 'spells' all the time it seems. I cry out to the Lord for Joy - but I always feel like I'm not finding Joy.  I find discouragement, disillusionment, and pain.  Why is that?  I feel it is because I am LOOKING for things to bring me Joy, and I'm not satisfied with just a little Joy - I want to be joyful ALL the time.  But in the looking, I have the focus on things that bring me pleasure, and not on the things that bring God pleasure.  Yes, that does make sense.  God gives us all things to bring us joy.  Hearing a child's giggle.  Seeing eyes light up with pleasure.  Seeing a bee alight on a flower and smell the fragrance of the bloom, getting through the stoplight without having to stop, opening the refrigerator to find just what we are wanting right there in front.  Finding a letter from someone you love in your emails or in your mailbox.  Seeing a text that makes you smile.  All of these things bring joy, and they are brought about by God.  Nothing escapes Him; nothing gets done unless it goes through Him first.  We should be thankful always, for God loves you, and loves me, so much that He gave us His one and only Son as a sacrifice for us.  In Him we can have our Joy, for because of Jesus, we can live forever with Him.  Now THAT is something to be joyful about!

As you go about your day today, quit looking for things to make you happy, or joyful.  Instead, open your eyes and your heart and see the joyful things about you.  You may realize some things you had not thought of - or seen - before.  Be joyful in all things, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus.

Blessings!

The pounding head is back

 and I know I need to start eating better.  Chocolate and other candies, loads of carbs, let alone all the 'other' stuff in food, has and is taking its toll on my head and my body.  I've gained weight in the past two weeks!  I've got to start being more selective on what I eat, and not eat so much of it!  Are you in the same boat as me?  My oldest son posted his weight this morning - and I weigh more than he does!  That can not remain that way!

Our remaining Christmas celebration was last night and I think (other than my irritation at hubby) all had a good time.  Son and DIL helped clean off the table and rinse dishes and it was a great help to finish up later.  Yeah - we had the same soups as before - chili, split pea, and potato and ham.  And other than keeping a little back for hubby and I to finish, we sent the rest 'home' with the others.  They loved having 'Uncle Ralph's'  cherry delight too.  

I didn't get up at 4AM as I usually do.  My head was pounding and I just didn't want to get up.  But, by about 4:30AM, hubby was making his grunting noises - or maybe it was I wasn't in a deep sleep as I had been and every noise keeps me awake.  Anyway, I finally got up and came in here, hoping to curl up in my chair for a bit more catnap - only our neighbors - not sure which one, possibly the 'new' ones - has a windchime.  And, apparently, the wind is blowing where that windchime is.  What is really a beautiful sound, is really annoying in the very early morning hours.  Yes, I do have a windchime, but I have crochet'd a covering for the 'bell' and it doesn't 'chime'.  It just looks pretty.  If the wind does hit it, it bangs against the house.  If it did make noise, I would take it down for I am that considerate of others.  I hope our neighbors are kept awake by their chime and will do the same.  :-)

Christmas celebrations are over and the trees are empty underneath.  I was going to leave all the decorations up until after our Bible study here on the 7th, but I'm already ready to take it all down, and plan to this weekend.  I will possibly start on it Friday morning, when hubby is gone.  I honestly do not want his help.  I want him to leave me alone and let me sort it all out and put it away.  I do not want his intervention, his offers of help, or his suggestions.  Leave me alone and let me get the job done - right?!  Things get put away haphazardly when he starts giving me his 'suggestions' and his 'help'.  He doesn't HELP, he ANNOYS.  Sorry, not sorry, but he does. Maybe I'm just still tired and cranky this morning?

The message at the RV park went well yesterday.  At one point I mentioned that peace could be had if people would just quit their 'what if' and 'it could happen' comments.  Some of you may know what I'm talking about.  Hubby is good at that.  To the point it drives me to madness.  After yet another one of his comments that cracker crumbs can get on the floor.... I turned to him and said "did you not listen at all to the message this morning!?  He gave me his 'look' - you don't know the one he saves for me - and I'll leave that there - but I got the 'look' with the loud comment "Don't you start it!"    He knew exactly what I was referring to.  I told him we still have a sweeper (although it hasn't been used in several years) and I still knew how to use it.  He commented back that he did as well!  He hasn't used it in a longer time than I have.  (erase erase erase)  Ok - on to another subject - I'm saying things that are in my head and heart and I shouldn't be saying them at all, let alone on here.

Back to work today but the next couple of days should go fairly smooth and I should be able to get some things done.  I'm referring to work things, but I can also start again in this room and get it put away.  I've save the Christmas things until Friday morning when hubby is gone. At least most of them. If I get the minutes done today, the new slide decks (powerpoint) get put in the files, a new Teams folder created by the end of the week - I'll be doing good for work.  

Please pray for me for patience. It's wearing real thin right now.  Although I don't like asking God for patience for that is when life generally throws you all kinds of things to deal with.  I'm not too sure I can handle much more right now.  I do know, as mentioned many times already, I need to change my diet.  I am feeling extremely tired and weary and I'm pretty sure it's food-related.  Possibly age related too - but I have only missed a week of the gym - why am I so weary.  I've got to find my joy again in living.

I will be needing a second cup of coffee this morning.  I would really like to just take the day off and relax but why?  It would just give more opportunities for me to be annoyed.  (ya think?) Oh Lord Jesus, HELP!!

I've got to find my strength.  Ah - and the scripture comes to mind....

Habakkuk 3:18 (ESV):  yet I will rejoice in the Lord; I will take joy in the God of my salvation.

We are often told not to take joy in man or in the things around us.  They are there, and then they are not.  But the thing that lasts is our salvation in Jesus Christ, and in that we can have joy.  I need to find my joy again in living life, but I know I have joy in serving the God of my salvation.  He is the only reason I am still here.  He is the only reason I am who I am today.  My joy is found in Jesus alone.  I need to remind myself of that - no matter how often I need to do that!

I need to get alone by myself and re-evaluate my walk with Jesus - am I living the way I know I should live - or have I allowed outside influences to disturb my walk and cause me to turn away from what is right and give in to the influences.... I need to find me again.  

Have you ever felt that way?  Like you have lost your way?  I can speak from experience - I still often feel I am not (and can not be) myself.  I am learning that as people age, they get worse.  Lord, please help me not to become edgy and irritable around those I love.  

Wow - a bunch of what I just wrote has erased itself... I guess that is a sign that I should not say the things I was running through my mind. I know I share more on here than I I should... but it is my personal journal of release.  I hope my struggles in this life may help you find your way to Jesus.  Yes, I fall down so many times; I let people get to me.  

But one thing I do know.  Jesus will never fail me. I may not get the prayers answered that I want answered.  I may not get responses from people that I want.  I may not see where I can live life again, but one thing I know.  My life changes, but Jesus never does.  He is steadfast.  He is true. He is always with me, always there.  And He is my best friend.  I love Him more than I love myself, or anyone else. And I know He loves me unconditionally, even when I screw up.  I can trust Him with my very life.  

And so can you.  January 1 is coming quickly - I want 2026 to be a better year.  I want to find joy again.  Join me in this journey?  

Blessings!

My body has hurts....

 After church, after lunch, I decided I needed to get on my treadmill and get my 3.1 miles in for the Fit & Run that I had signed up for with the company.  It benefits MD Anderson Cancer Center.  I didn't want to drive downtown so did it at home. All I had to do was take a photo on my watch, showing that I had completed the walk/run.  Now I need to figure out how I submit it to prove I did do it.  I should get the t-shirt soon. :-)   I did walk the 3.1 miles on the treadmill.  Now I don't 'sweat'; I 'glisten', as a rule.  But it was so warm in that back part of the house, with the fan on, that my t-shirt was soaked.  Good, maybe I got some toxins out of my body, right?  This would be a good time to move the little fan I have to the back room so that I can walk the treadmill without sweating up a storm.  I didn't mind the 'walk' at all; I put the computer in front of me, found a movie on Amazon Prime, and watched it as I walked.  Made the time go by a lot quicker!

And, because I did walk the 3.1 (+) miles, my legs are telling me they walked much further than they have in a long time.  Should be interesting tonight as I am scheduled to do leg work.  I wonder if I can move about enough today to loosen them up. Or maybe I should ask to switch to core tonight and save my legs to Wednesday. Will see how the day goes.  I do need to start getting on the treadmill or the rebounder daily and keep the body moving.  I sit all day, and most of the time, all evening as well.  Need to keep moving to keep limber.

I kept telling myself I SHOULD go visit Ms. Diane; I SHOULD go visit Ms. Vicky - but I did neither.  A granddaughter was to come by to pick up something and I stayed at home, waiting on her. After a while, I figured she forgot, but I did not call her.  Eventually, she did text that she forgot, so we will try to connect sometime today.  Hubby finished watching the football game (which was lost in the last two minutes) and then watched a movie.  

Today I'm back to work and will need to take off this afternoon to go with hubby to his doctor's appointment.  This is the oncologist - we will actually be meeting with his assistant, who is much nicer and listens to you.  I haven't met her before, but hubby has.  So we will push through with the rest for the PET scan.  She will have to ask the doctor of course.  And I need to remember to make a copy of the blood work that Dr. Mark wants him to see that shows the liver and kidneys are affected.  If he refuses to order the PET scan, I'm not sure what the next step is.  I think Dr. Mark said we'd go to the kidney doctor and ask for a CT with contrast - and how we can work around the contrast part because it will affect the kidneys, which are already inflamed.  My fear?  The cancer from the prostate has spread to the liver and kidneys.  He's not 'feeling it' now, other than occasionally not feeling good, but not able to identify why. That is why we need the PET scan - to find out what is going on.  There is inflammation; but where is it coming from...

Wow - I just had a big fear! LOL  I don't know what I was thinking... but I hit the plus button on the tab at the top - and nearly lost this post. Not that it is a big deal, but I don't know if I could think that much again this morning. ;)  But - I did find it and it had saved as a draft, although I had not saved it (yet).  Lucky you, huh? You have something to read.

Psalm 51:12 (NKJV):  Restore to me the joy of Your salvation, and uphold me by Your generous Spirit.

Want to know why so many people are so unhappy?  They have sinned against God and refuse to confess it. The above scripture, the entire psalm 51, is David's lament to God when he confessed his sin of adultery with Bathsheba and murder of her husband to cover his sin.  When David confessed his sin with deep remorse, he asked God to restore to him the joy of His salvation.  There have been times when I have felt so burdened about something I shouldn't have done (or said) that I felt my joy had been sucked out of me.  I've mentioned it a few times I think over the years, how I feel the joy of life has been sucked out of me at times.  Usually it isn't for something I did, but my attitude towards what is going on.  Anyway - you want to have joy in your heart, in your life?  

Choose Jesus.  Confess your heart to Him, and ask Him to restore to you the joy of His salvation.  He will, you know.  You will find your heart feels so much lighter and there is peace within you.  "Try it, you'll like it!"

When times are tough, I have learned to sing the song 'The Joy of the Lord is my Strength'.  Do you remember that song?  If you grew up in a church like mine, you probably do.  You know, 'the Joy of the Lord is my strength! The joy of the Lord, is my strength!, The joy of the Lord is my strength! The joy of the Lord is my strength!'  That is a very hard song to learn - haha.  I can remember when I had a very difficult director who would literally scream at me and slam her hand on her desk at me - and I would just stand there and smile at her - which drove her crazy.  Then I would take a short walk, singing all the way 'The joy of the Lord is my strength'.  It works, try it. It does make life better.

And, yes, this is short today - but I am drawing a blank as to what to write today.  My youngest went to Maine yesterday; I think he said last night he was heading to Boston and New York City today.  

Hope you have a good day.  Do something good for yourself today.  Be kind to yourself. Talk well of yourself.  Find joy.

Blessings!

Didn't get to the store...

 decided that I had enough sugar and flour for this baking event - and I had forgotten I had bought 'sugar cookie' packages - already prepared!  We used one for the great-granddaughter who came over to bake.  Added some flour, an egg, and a stick of butter and she was ready!  I even let her roll the dough out and use cookie cutters.  By the second oven batch, I was suggesting she just roll the dough and roll in sprinkles.  I let her put frosting on the cookies and gave her several different toppings - and she was happy and creative.   We never got to a movie; she saw the child's bookcase that I have and wanted to know if that was for kids and I said yes.  She found a couple games there and insisted I play a game with her; which I did.  

My youngest gave me an interesting surprise when he arrived yesterday - and of course the spouse had to video tape my reaction.  He gave me a box and told me I could open it.  Inside was a note that said I could wear these on Christmas so that I would feel beautiful.  Inside the box was a beautiful pair of red patent-leather flats.  Reminded me of the movie The Christmas Shoes - and if you haven't watched it - you need to.  And I think that is what made him decide to do this.  I don't have a pair of red shoes so this will be fun to wear.  I do still have the thigh-high socks I bought for the Christmas party I didn't go to downtown - I could wear them with that!  I felt very loved and blessed.

After the movie, which hubby said was boring and long - but it was his choice to watch it; definitely not my son's! - I thought I'd bake some cookies to get started on what I wanted to do - but decided not to, and told hubby we were going for an early dinner.  Headed over to Wildflower near here and had a nice dinner - got the pasta instead of salad and soup. Very filling and I remained that way all evening!  Watch a fun movie titled 'The 12 Dares of Christmas' and then hubby watched the Suns game while I worked on the a quilt for a great granddaughter. Slept decent, but woke frequently through the night and didn't get up until 5AM this morning.  Have a dance concert to go to this afternoon and then hopefully I can finish this quilt tonight and start on the remaining two I want to do - not necessarily for Christmas - or no, I need to finish crocheting a baby blanket that I DO want to have done by Christmas.  It has gotten larger than I thought it would - it's the pattern I used.... I hope they can still use it.

As my youngest child left with the great granddaughter yesterday, something interesting happened.  It has really touched my heart.  As you have read, I have a wishing tree sitting near the front door.  I mentioned to the great granddaughter - who is only 4 - to touch a branch and make a wish.  Bless her heart.  She kept talking softly, and I wasn't really listening, but I finally leaned over to hear what she was saying.  I caught these words..... "and would you please help us get to stay in one place so we aren't always moving around. In Jesus name, amen."  She wasn't just making a wish, she was praying.

Wow.  It grabbed my heart.  This child has been moved so many times, taken away from those she loves and has already had such a traumatic life, and she prays that she and her little brother can stay in one place.  The things that children pray for that we do not expect.  Some kids would be wishing for a special toy.  This little one just wants to be in one place that she can call home.  Oh that we all should be so thankful for the homes and stability that we have.

I speak tomorrow at the RV Park here in town - and the topic I have chosen is 'Joy'.  What does 'Joy' sound like to you?  To my little great-granddaughter, Joy sounds like a stable home.  Joy for others may mean receiving a special gift.  But what is Joy?  Getting what we want for Christmas isn't 'Joy', it is happiness, and it is only for that moment in time.  Happiness and Joy are similar, and yet, they are different.  Our greatest Joy comes from the Word that the angels gave to the shepherds while they watched their flock by night.....

Luke 2:10-11 (NKJV):  Then the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid, for behold, I bring you great tidings of great joy which will be to all people. For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.

That is the Joy that we all seek - when we 'find' Jesus, our Savior, who is Christ the Lord.  We seldom think about Him, even in this wonderful season of 'Joy' that we are currently in.  But what if we stopped and just took the time to think of Him, and how blessed our lives would be if we would choose to follow Him - not just in word, but in deed, and surrendered our lives to Him.  Our Joy would be unmatched!  Jesus is our Joy; our Hope; our Life.  And only Jesus can take us to our Heavenly Father. And in Him we find eternal life.  

Eternal life in heaven with Jesus - or damnation in hell with Satan - it's all our choice. Whom will you choose to follow?  Where is YOUR Joy found?  I choose Jesus, eternal life in heaven.  How about you?

Blessings!