Home & Husband

My sweet husband is finally home! He has been in Colorado at Young Life camp. I absolutely hate being a "single-wife" and staying all alone while he is gone. However, I am so proud of him and what he is doing. I so wish I could have gone, but with this being the busiest time of the year for weddings, that was just not possible.

Got to brag on my husband a bit....
He is a phenomenal and gifted speaker and relates to youth of all ages. I got to go and watch him speak to some high school students at church, and could not stop smiling. He has a gift. He has a passion. And he is totally using it for the glory of God.

Colby, I love you so much and am so proud of you. I respect you and want to honor you as your wife. You constantly make me smile. You go out of your way to be thoughtful towards me. You are the most selfless man I know. You have your eyes on Jesus and people can tell there is something different about you. You challenge me, encourage me and lead me. I love you with all of my heart!

A little thing called JOY....

First....I am a horrible "blogger." Probably the worst. My consistency is not there. My grammar is definitely lacking. In the midst of this "online journal" I hope those that come to read it can sense someone just being real, living life and journaling some random things. May these "random things" be used by God of something you needed to hear on that day....

With all that being said...I have been dwelling on one verse lately.

"The JOY of the Lord is your strength."

-Nehemiah 8:10

For some of us, this may be a verse we have heard hundreds of times before. We may have it memorized. We know songs that have it included in the lyrics. But has it hit the core of your being?

I am writing to those who are burnt out, hurt, lonely, tired, weary, ready to give up, longing for more, confused, etc. I am writing to myself.

To be rejuvenated, to be refreshed and revived, we need JOY. True joy. Lasting joy. Real joy.

Joy that comes only from the Lord.

Joy that comes from being obedient.

Joy that comes from doing what you know you are supposed to be doing.

Joy that comes from being real and disposing of the masks.

Joy that comes from doing what you absolutely love to do.

Joy that comes from resting in the Lord and taking time off.

Joy that comes from caring more for others than yourself.

Joy is something that I believe you have to choose to have. I want to be joyful no matter what. I do not want how I am feeling sway if I have joy or not.

Let's choose this day to have joy!