Finding and focusing on the JOYS of life

I know one of my last posts probably seemed somewhat like a downer.  I try to focus on the positives and good here and on social media, but sometimes real life and pain do need to be shown and heard, and that's what that post was all about.

And amidst the pain and messiness of life, grace and goodness and God's presence are still felt and seen.  With it being the end of the year, it's a great time to look back and thank our Good God for sending JOYS our way too.

So, here is a month by month view of of the goodness God has sent our way this year.  Click on each month below to see what JOYS God brought our way that month.  (and please be patient with me as this may take a while for me to complete - lol!)

January 2018 JOYS

February 2018 JOYS

March 2018 JOYS 

April 2018 JOYS

May 2018 JOYS

June 2018 JOYS

July 2018 JOYS

August 2018 JOYS

September 2018 JOYS

October 2018 JOYS

November 2018 JOYS

December 2018 JOYS

++Thank you God for your love, presence, and grace throughout our life!  Please help us to always stay close to you and never forget that you are near to us.++

Extremely Grateful

Some days I just stand and pause in awe at how much God has given me.  

A husband who loves me and cares for me, who is my best friend.  

These 9 young ones who call me "mom" and help make me a better person each and every day.

The love that has just multiplied and continues to multiply daily in our house.  

++Thank you, God, 

for your grace and gifts daily!!!++

"You say grace...."

Sarah, over at Amongst Lovely Things, is hosting a "Weekends with Chesterton" this year every weekend.  How great is that!!  A reason to study and share your findings -brilliant!  (I need all the accountability I can get)    I know I am a day late after the official weekend, but truly this quote came to me yesterday, I promise!!  So, I still consider this a "Weekend with Chesterton' post.  (my first one actually!)

"You say grace before meals... 

a meal with Tigger & Friends - April 2013

But I say grace before the 
concert and the opera,

Cat Chat - 2013

Toby Mac concert - 2013

and grace before the 

play and the pantomime,

Fairytale Christmas - Circa 21 - 2013

Nutcracker ballet - 2013

and grace before I open a book,

and grace before sketching,

sketching lessons at Disney - 2013

sketching at Disney - 2013

painting,

"Months of the Year" painting - Jan 2014

swimming,

 


fencing, boxing, walking,

 



playing,

dancing,

and grace before I dip the pen in the ink."

~G.K. Chesterton

++Thank you God for the wisdom and delightfulness 
of G.K. Chesterton, his writings, and his love for You, 
and all these reasons to give you thanks and say 
"grace" all day every day!++