Where Joy Is Wednesday #20 and a Link-Up

Welcome to
 Where Joy Is Wednesday!

Things have been quite busy lately! I have finally reached the third trimester with baby #3! I'll save the pregnancy update for another post, but all is well and baby and I are both healthy - and growing!

Along with baby prepping, we have been enjoying the end of the summer weather, the beautiful cooler mornings, 3K school, and working on odds and ends around our home. I am already in the holiday spirit and anxious to start decorating for Thanksgiving and Christmas! My little ones are growing by leaps and bounds! Our son is loving all the things he is learning in school, and our daughter is showing an interest in potty training. Being barely 19 months, I'm very pleased with that and so we will be seeing if the interest sticks in the next few weeks. :)

While preparing my home and my children for another little life coming soon, I have been taking time to prepare my spirit. One Scripture has resonated with me for weeks:

James 1:17

Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning.

One of my favorite songs is "Great is Thy Faithfulness." The above verse has been repeatedly reminding me that each gift from God is good and it comes from a Savior who is faithful and true and does not change. No matter what each morning brings, his mercies are new and enough. The fears that try to topple over us or the change that rattles our security - it's all perfectly packaged from a wonderful, faithful Father.

May you see His faithfulness today. :)

Where Joy Is Wednesday #19 and a Link-Up

Welcome to
 Where Joy Is Wednesday!

Where Joy Is Wednesday #18 and a Link-Up

Welcome to
 Where Joy Is Wednesday!

Yesterday, the kids and I spent several hours playing outside. We washed the car, we colored on the sidewalk, we played ball, slid down the slide, and ran around getting sweaty and smelly. And loving every minute of it.

I have been challenged to get on the same level as my kids. When they talk to me, I am working to make eye contact with them and truly show them that I am listening. Sometimes my daughter is running around screaming and I am tempted to treat her like a big kid "who knows better" instead of understanding that she's only little for a short time. How I wish I could run around screeching and screaming sometimes! :)

It's easy to be a grown-up sometimes. Today I challenge you to find the joy in the crazy moments of your life, whether it be a wild toddler, a stressed-out husband, or an irritating co-worker. Find the joy there. Laugh. Giggle. Do something fun that you would normal shrug off and replace with "more important work."

Take joy.

Where Joy Is Wednesday #17 and a Link-Up

Welcome to
 Where Joy Is Wednesday!

If I could sum up my goal in life with one quote (I love quotes), it would be this:

                              

This portion of my favorite poem by C.T. Studd always gives me profound perspective. As a wife, I am constantly working to make my home a beautiful, neat, orderly place for my husband. As a mommy, I am consumed with training, disciplining, and loving my kids. I hold the roles of wife, mother, daughter, granddaughter, sister, friend, cousin, mentor, teacher, chef, housekeeper, and probably a dozen more I can't think of. And often, I lose sight of what truly matters when it all comes to an end. I can do all my work and I can do it well - but only what is invested in eternity will matter in the long run. Only what is done in the name of Christ will go on when I am no longer here.

Colossians 3:17 says, "And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him." 

Whether I'm wiping my children's snotty noses, reading one more story, putting dinner on the table for my husband, or folding a mountain of laundry, if I do it all with Jesus Christ in mind - my first priority being to serve Him through serving others - then my work, however small it may be, will last. :)

There is joy in that.

Where Joy Is Wednesday #16 and a Link-Up

Welcome to
 Where Joy Is Wednesday!

Amy Carmichael wrote, "There have been times of late when I have had to hold on to one text with all my might: "It is required in stewards that a man may be found faithful." Praise God, it does not say "successful.”

I'm reminded of Luke 16:10 when Jesus says, "He that is faithful in that which is least is faithful also in much..."

It is easy to feel like because we are not successful by the standards set around us, we are failures. If we don't have our names in bright lights or if we don't hold a top position at work; if we don't write a book or manage a popular blog; if we aren't gifted to preach or teach; if we aren't measured as "great" in the eyes of our world, then we are somehow less able to make an eternal difference. 

If this is you, forget what the world says, and remember what Jesus has said. He asks only for obedience and faithfulness. And if we are faithful in the tiniest things - the things that may not matter much in the eyes of others - then we will be faithful in much. Meditate on that today.... :)

Where Joy Is Wednesday #15 and a Link-Up

Welcome to
 Where Joy Is Wednesday!

We are having such a cool summer this year! It's been strange to have spring-like weather in late July, but we have enjoyed not having the scorching heat. We have been keeping busy with canning, picking sunflowers, finding pumpkins (totally didn't know they could be ready this early!), getting ready for 3-K, and having lots of fun together! What have you been up to?

Lord willing, this coming Friday we will find out the gender of baby #3 and we are all really excited! Nathan's vote is for a boy. Selah just says "baby." ;) Hope you all have a marvelous rest of the week!

Where Joy Is Wednesday #14 and a Link-Up

Welcome to
 Where Joy Is Wednesday!

Lately, my days have consisted of canning tomatoes, apple pie filling, and strawberry fig jam. It's been a highlight of my summer since I married. 

This year, however, I'm also keeping busy writing, planning for another little one, gathering Nathan's 3K curriculum for the fall and, of course, running after these two. :)

I pray your day is filled with joy no matter what you're up to! :)

Where Joy Is Wednesday #13 and a Link-Up

Welcome to
 Where Joy Is Wednesday!

Have you spent time with the Lord today? Make sure in the hustle of each morning to make time for Jesus. :)

Where Joy Is Wednesday #12 and a Link-Up

Welcome to
 Where Joy Is Wednesday!

It's been a crazy few weeks. We have had two youth camps back-to-back, plus our week-long family vacation to Alabama! But now we are home and somewhat back into a normal routine. Today, I am busy cleaning the house and catching on laundry. I hope you have a blessed, warm, and sunny week!

Where Joy Is Wednesday #11 and a Link-Up

Welcome to
 Where Joy Is Wednesday!

My family and I are currently on vacation, enjoying the beautiful sandy beach and the warm summer sunshine. As I watch my children play in the sand, giggling and - yes, throwing sand at one another too - I find joy. Life is so beautiful when we stop and take a good hard look. It's messy and tiring and very frustrating, but all God's gifts - from the precious blessing of children to the pile of wet clothes on the bathroom floor - are good gifts. Stop today and enjoy them.

Where Joy Is Wednesday #10 and a Link-Up

Welcome to
 Where Joy Is Wednesday!

We have been busy with Camps these past two weeks. My children are loving all the kiddos running around the campground, singing fun Camp songs, playing Camp games, and enjoying the summer sun. 

What are you doing this summer?

Where Joy Is Wednesday #9 and a Link-Up

Welcome to
 Where Joy Is Wednesday!

Thank you for stopping by today! I pray you will look around and be encouraged by previous posts. If you have a blog yourself, I invite you to share it by linking up below! It is great to be encouraged!

Where Joy Is Wednesday #8 and a Link-Up

Welcome to
 Where Joy Is Wednesday!

Here it is, June! This month will be crazy with two summer camps and our family vacation, so I'm trying to be intentional about stopping and basking in the joy of Jesus. As you step out into the summer sun and begin all your summer plans, make sure you do the same. :)

Where Joy Is Wednesday #7 and a Link-Up

Welcome to
 Where Joy Is Wednesday!

Sorry for missing last week, everyone! It's been a little crazy. Last Wednesday, I spent all day in bed fighting pregnancy dizziness and fatigue. Yuck! Pregnancy can be no fun sometimes. So today, I'm back in the saddle and reminding myself that though I may not feel well, I can still rejoice because of what God has done. I hope you find the joy of the Lord today too! :) Have a blessed Wednesday!

Where Joy Is Wednesday #6 and a Link-Up

Welcome to
 Where Joy Is Wednesday!

Today, my goal is to giggle and run and do all the silly things that children do with my children. I want to play pirates with my son, eat a soggy, crumbled cookie out of my daughter's hand, and pull them both into my lap and read them a story. I want to eat peanut butter out of the jar, laugh at the dirt stains on the the bottom of our socks, and simply be wild and crazy with the two little people who call me Mommy. Today, I want to embrace the joy of childhood.

It's easy as parents to be serious all the time. I catch myself saying "No" on a continual basis. I hear myself putting off a quick story, a fun coloring project, or eating a Popsicle for breakfast just because I'm a grown-up who might have better things to do. I don't want to be that person today.

If you are a mommy, today I want you to go wild with your kids. Say "yes" to something crazy. Scoop up your little ones and have a kissing match. Blow bubbles inside the house. Bake cookies and let them add sprinkles, marshmallows, chocolate chips, or old jelly beans. Laugh today. Be fun today. Show your family the joy that comes with living this beautiful, blessed life. :) The years don't last long. Make them count.

Where Joy Is Wednesday #5 and a Link-Up

Welcome to
 Where Joy Is Wednesday!

Summer is on the horizon. The heat is beginning to rise, the pools are getting cleaned and ready for little swimmers, and the stores are stocked with summer attire. Today, I want to encourage you in pursuing modesty this summer. Take joy in pleasing Christ with the way you dress this year. There is joy and blessings in obedience to His word. Have a happy Wednesday, sisters!

My Monthly Picks || April 2014

Scripture

This month, John 15:5 has been up on the board in my kitchen. It says, "I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing." As a wife and mom, it is hard to "abide" in Christ when I'm pulled in so many different directions. Having this verse in my view has encouraged me to stop relying on myself and my own strengths and abilities and to focus on resting and abiding in the power of Christ.

Song 

The song "Find Rest" by Francesca Battistelli is on her brand new release that came out last week. I instantly loved the lyrics. From one who has a hard time truly resting and trusting each and every move of God, I definitely need the frequent reminder to put my hope in God....and rest. :) You can go buy the song here!

Book

Several years ago, I dear friend gave me the book By Searching by Isobel Kuhn. This book is the story of Isobel and her journey through years of atheism, searching for truth and meaning, that led her to faith in Jesus Christ. She later served as a missionary to China with her husband. This is a beautiful and powerfully written book that was such a blessing to read.

Sermon

Sermon Index is my favorite source for messages and audio sermons. This message by David Wilkerson is one I can barely listen to as it is so terribly convicting! But the truth and power of it made me bring it back and listen to it again this month. I haven't quite been able to get it out of my head since. It's called A Call to Anguish. You can listen to it here, download it for your iPod or smart phone here, and you can watch a small clip here.


What about you? What has spoken to you this month and has drawn you closer to Jesus Christ? Feel free to share in the comments below! :)

Where Joy Is Wednesday #4 and a Link-Up

Welcome to
 Where Joy Is Wednesday!

It's a beautiful day today. Even with pollen an inch thick on nearly everything, it's still a wonderful day to enjoy the nice, spring weather and the soft breeze blowing through the trees. Today, as you head out to work or begin your daily chores around the house, stop and enjoy the beauty of the morning. Find joy in the little things like the brilliant green grass, the birds singing, and the flowers blooming. Go about your day with a song of joy in your heart.

Where Joy Is Wednesday #3 and a Link-Up!

Welcome to
 Where Joy Is Wednesday!

Marriage is on the brain today because my husband and I will celebrate our fourth anniversary tomorrow.

Do you find joy in your marriage?

Martin Luther said, There is no more lovely, friendly or charming relationship, communion or company, than a good marriage.

Today, I encourage my fellow wives to find joy in your relationship with your husband. Get out your Bible and read about God's design for marriage and put it into practice. Honor him above all others and be a safe haven for his heart. Delight in him and enjoy him as the gift that he is. Above all else, pray for him, that he will be a man who follows hard after God. Today, see the beauty and joy in your man.