01.31.23

Third time's the charm!

There were happy tears - and maybe also a loud thankful shout - when these fell into my hand!!! 

 

01.30.23

My new cup from our girls' trip is bringing me big smiles as I settle in for the night!

 

01.29.23

Hooray for a tasty brunch and lots of giggles as we unsuccessfully dodged all the raindrops!  

 

01.28.23

World's Fair Park | Knoxville, Tennessee

Team Bride Getaway made for some sweet and hilarious moments with these sister pairs!

What a fun, just right celebratory weekend for our favorite Bride-to-be!

 

01.27.23

Today's only photo... a screenshot from Timehop...3 years ago...

and so timely for this season too ❤

 

01.26.23

Extremely grateful for my friend Kim's abundant GRACE when I slept through our coffee date!!

Then God kept filling the day with joyous appointments,

sustained energy, and even gave us time for a rescheduled date at Blue Front!

"May God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ give peace to the brothers and sisters.

May they also give the believers love and faith.

May GRACE be given to everyone who loves our LORD Jesus Christ with a love that will never die."

Ephesians 6:23-24

 

01.25.23

So much JOY running into these three dear ones

and getting a spontaneous visit today!!

 

01.24.23

Daddy-Daughter Date

"A Man Called Otto" | Athens Movie Palace

I came with a purse stuffed full of tissues...just in case...

But thankfully, we laughed more than we cried.

 I wouldn't have wanted to see this movie with anyone else but my Dad.

"You keep track of all my sorrows. 

You have collected all my tears in Your bottle.

You have recorded each one in Your book."

Psalms 56:8

 

01.23.23

Thankful for my friend who walked in the freezing cold this morning,

listened to me, held space for my tears, and

stood in the light snowfall praying for me...

reminding me that God is FAITHFUL!

"Share each other's burdens and

in this way obey the law of Christ"

Galatians 6:2

 

01.22.23

Turns out our future bride really prefers her role behind the scenes...

but it sure was sweet seeing how her future groom knows and loves that about her!

 

01.21.23

Celebrating and Counting the Good Gift that I MADE DINNER for us!!

Well...except for the touching the raw chicken part...

My guy takes care of me in many ways.

One is taking the lead on food prep, because by dinnertime 

I'm usually all out of "spoons"!

 

01.20.23

"We can make our plans,

but the LORD determines our steps."

Proverbs 16:9 

Pausing for a few moments with this sweet bride-to-be was a good idea 

 

01.19.23

Glad for sunshine on our shoulders

...and a multigenerational walk around Grantch's neighborhood 

 

01.18.23

Blessed by and Grateful for my precious nurse who cared so tenderly for my heart today ❤

Thank you, dear Kait for talking and crying with me

...and offering your sweet hugs and prayers

 

01.17.23

Very thankful for a sweet day of fellowship and fun celebrating an even sweeter friend!

 

01.16.23

Walking with words is good for my heart

 

01.15.23

Between this verse, the sermon and this worship song, 

the LORD certainly had my attention this morning!

Christ our Glory

by: Sovereign Grace Music

Our rest is in heaven, our rest is not here

Then why should we tremble when trials draw near?

Be still and remember the worst that can come

But shortens our journey and hastens us home

Christ our glory, Christ our hope

Christ our King forevermore

Be still and remember the worst that can come

But shortens our journey and hastens us home

No hours should be wasted on seeking our joy

And placing our hope in what will be destroyed

We look for a city that hands have not raised

We long for a country that sin has not stained

Christ our glory, Christ our hope

Christ our King forevermore

We look for a city that hands have not raised

We long for a country that sin has not stained

Though trouble and anguish increase all the more

They cannot compare to the glory in store

Come joy or come sorrow, whatever befalls

The light of the Savior will outshine them all

Christ our glory, Christ our hope

Christ our King forevermore

Christ our glory, Christ our hope

Christ our King forevermore

Christ our glory, Christ out hope

Christ our King forevermore

Come joy or come sorrow, whatever befalls

The light of the Savior will outshine them all

 

01.14.23

These two buddies together make me smile.

Hooray for getting to be a basketball cheerleader again this Saturday!

 

01.13.23

Loved being invited to enjoy warm soup and 

a sweet visit with my Dad on this cold Friday evening! 

 

01.12.23

Found the just right spot for yummy coffee and breakfast before heading home!

"Taste and see that the LORD is good;

blessed is the one who takes refuge in Him."

Psalm 34:8

01.11.23

Grateful for a getaway to celebrate this important day!

We're still standing together by God's grace alone.

Grace upon grace upon grace!

#31yearsandcounting #choosejoy

 

01.10.23

Thankful for a sweet treat shared on my favorite swing,

a refreshing walk, and lots of joyful laughter!

"Our mouths were filled with laugher,

our tongues with songs of joy.

Then it was said among the nations,

"The LORD has done great things for them."

Psalm 126:2

01.09.23

Sure did love accompanying my grown up girl on her special outing today!!!

 

01.08.23

The un-decorating part isn't quite as fun.

So I had to fight hard to find a good gift in this...

There are a few new ornaments added to the collection.

A couple were special gifts, one a memory from a fun event with friends, and one an inside joke

Besides the present joy those bring, I know they will make me smile and be a future joy

when I open the ornament box to decorate the tree next year. 

 

01.07.23

Two of Today's Good Gifts...brought to you by the letter "B"

Pure JOY in community cheering with and for friends on Basketball's Opening Day!!!

and then this evening...

I had the sweetest visit from the bestest Bread fairies!!! 

01.06.23

Morning by morning...Great is His Faithfulness

Thankful for my faithful friend who encourages me as we walk and talk!

 

01.05.23

Happy, Happy Birthday to our favorite 8 year old!! 

So glad for a perfectly timed pop-in visit to my Dad,

which meant getting to crash their FaceTime date and sing to this cool kid!!

 

01.04.23

Grateful for a warm welcome and sweet conversations at Community Group

 

01.03.23

A new waiting room...and this time, I'm the driver!

Very thankful for the opportunity

01.02.23

In today's Bible reading with my long distance Pal, these verses stood out to me~

"For the Mighty One is holy, and He has done great things for me.

He shows mercy from generation to generation to all who fear Him."

Luke 1:49-50

How kind of God to give me several opportunities to see truth

and the sweetness of this displayed around me throughout the day!

 

01.01.23

"Listen to me, you descendants of Jacob,

all the remnants of the people of Israel,

you whom I have upheld since your birth, 

and have carried since you were born.

Even to your old age and gray hairs

I am He, I am He who will sustain you.

I have made you and I will carry you;

I will sustain you and I will rescue you."

Isaiah 46:3-4

Our God doesn't change just because the page on the calendar did.

Ever thankful that He continues to carry me, to sustain me, and rescue me time and again.