Journal ~ Joy and Children

Hello Sisters!

Sometimes, I get on here, ready to write and do not know what to say. Do I tell you how pretty my home is? Do I tell you when I sit at my dining room table I can look out at my garden, orange tree, bird feeder/ waterer, and abundant green shrubs? Do I tell you how nicely my daughters keep the home clean? Do I tell you how BLEST I am?

When I begin to write, I don't know what I'm going to say. Usually I sit here for a good 10 minutes thinking, "how can I say that without sounding like I'm bragging?"

But brag I will, because everything I am, everything I have, is ALL BECAUSE OF JESUS, nothing is about me, it is all about Him and is GOODness!

Do I have my "don't want to brag, I'm ticked off, nothing is good in my life moments?" Sure I do, I had one just recently, but I *choose* not to stay down for long. Usually a bad day, is just that, only a day to lick my wounds, (and shame on me for even allowing that!) but I usually re-group at night when the children are asleep. I re-group by going back into the Word and renewing my mind to HIS way of thinking, then I realize how silly I was, THANK Him for His forgiveness and then I'm back on track!

Things are blooming here at our house! One of our apricot trees is just full of sweet, orange, juicy apricots. Just this afternoon my 6 yob grabbed my hand and said, "Mom, you've got to see how GOOD God is! You've got to see what He has done!" He then led me to our apricot tree, told me to close my eyes, and placed a ripe fruit into my hands and told me to eat up. As I was enjoying the fruit and his excitement of God's handiwork, be began to tell me how he had also been praying for our neighbor. Wow! That's what parents want to hear!

Mattias 14 yob, just went out for his "very first" boy's night out without a parent (not sure what to call it.) He went out with the 18 yob neighbor who is a strong believer and they went to the Mighty Ducks Playoff game at the Anaheim Pond. Mattias has his own business mowing lawns so he paid for it all himself.

Hanna 16 yog, who is attending Cerritos College will be singing her own song tomorrow night at their Spring Concert.

I, 38 yog, am working on sewing a beautiful flower print with pockets apron. I bought it because it said, "sew today, wear tonight." So far I've had it almost 3 weeks. I'm a little more than half way finished.

I'm been feeling lots of joy lately, hmmmm, I thought, that's funny because I'm not one to be motivated by feelings (unless the words Starbucks or bookstore are in the topic), anyhow, I have just been THANKFUL that He would allow me to experience these feelings! THANK YOU JESUS! When they come on me, I just stop for a moment, smile, and acknowledge Him and THANK HIM that I can be in the place of JOYFULNESS. There are a few circumstances in my life that don't look to good, but JOY pulls you up to a higher realm and makes light of your concerns. JOY casts ALL your cares on Jesus, lets Him work them out so that we can JOYFULLY, with SMILES enJOY our home, husband and children. :)

THE JOY OF THE LORD, WILL BE MY STRENGTH!

Blessings,
Shannon