Encourage Others
Two weeks ago, I sat in a waiting room at a children's hospital with my son and reality hit me. It would be our last visit there because he will be turning 18. After receiving services there for nearly 15 years, the chapter was coming to a close. My son and I were caught in a flood of emotions as we began reminiscing. We remembered packing lunches for the long visits. We listed each professional we interacted with and how they had been wonderful to work with. We chuckled about how each appointment ended with a visit to the popcorn
God’s Grace is Sufficient
Dear Friend, Maybe today feels like one of those days. I don't know what you be may be walking through, but here's a reminder that God's mercy and grace are sufficient for today. This song has ministered to my heart and I hope it encourages you, too. ~Joyce
Love and Marriage
This past week, my husband and I celebrated our 24th Valentine’s Day together. The impact of time is pretty mind-blowing. On our first Valentine’s, I was gifted with a beautiful box of chocolates and I was head over heels. Oh, how I was in love with the idea of being in love. Fast forward to the most recent Valentine’s and my husband and found ourselves giggling like children as we saw a celebrity at the restaurant where we were having dinner. Oh, I’m so grateful for the deep love we share. I want to tell you that it’s been picture-perfect
Trust the Process
I enjoy getting my nails done for special occasions. When I realized that the trend was to get a dip powder manicure, I thought I would give it a try. I began combing through pics for the perfect color and finally found one I could show to the technician. I planned to ask for a french ombre - where the color goes from pink to white. I just couldn’t wait to see the final product! Having been in nail salons before, I figured I knew what to expect. That was until I sat down and began the process. My nails
Joy
My husband and I each have two siblings, the youngest being 10 years apart from us. That means while our children are in their teens and twenties, our nieces and nephews range from 6 months old to pre-teens. I absolutely adore the variety of ages and stages in our family. Just this past week, we attended our 3-year-old niece’s dance recital, and later we watched our 6-year-old niece be the “candle lighter” at their church’s candlelight service. Pure, unadulterated joy was written all over their sweet faces. Eventually, once we were home we found ourselves watching videos of our kids
Finding Joy in the Midst of Sorrow
It’s such a special time of year. Families and friends getting together. Feasts of delicious food being prepared. Festive decor and music surrounding us. But the reality is that you may be reading this and struggling with feeling merry. You may be sitting in a hospital room. You may be alone. You may be without a job. Whatever is weighing on your heart today, the truth is that this season can feel anything but special. I can relate. For years, the holiday season has been a time of mixed feelings for me. On the one hand, there’s the grief of
Anonymous Season
I learned long ago that I am a doer. When I lived in New York, I found myself doing many things: engaged in public speaking, working as a social worker, and organizing events for the youth at church. Without a doubt, it was a fruitful season and I enjoyed every moment of it. As seen in nature, seasons change. So it went with my life. Upon arriving in Texas, my days were occupied with non-stop care for young children and navigating through medical stuff. The season felt barren and I felt hidden. But God impressed upon my heart to be
Daughters
Yesterday was National Daughter’s Day - a time to honor our girls. It made me think about when I first held each of my daughters in my arms. I was literally tickled pink. They have been such a gift of love and joy to our family. We have watched our older daughter embrace life’s challenges with empathy and understanding. She finds new and unique ways to use her gifts regularly - it is motivating! We have watched our younger daughter grab life by the horns and not allow any obstacle to limit her. She is kind and makes everyone feel
Reflections
I stared into the mirror. Tired eyes were staring back at me. No amount of concealer could hide the dark circles under those eyes. Not even the expensive kind. It had been a long day, and I was ready to rest. I could feel the fatigue in my bones, and my face wasn't hiding it. A good night's rest would hopefully put some life back in my eyes. But I knew there was something deeper than what I could see in that reflection. Our physical bodies, or "earth suits" according to the late Dr. Myles Munroe, house our spirits. You
Preference VS Principle
A simple question to help you know how to pick your battles as a married couple. ~ Anu https://youtu.be/D6zJLxjX6AU