Joyful Home

 Song - Wait by Phil Wickham  https://open.spotify.com/track/4fCgTrpGm0IXflQXdhB9xc?si=d16731860cf04c1d Do you ever look at your financial situation and just want to give up? Cry? Or panic? Yes! God has been bringing me through a journey since I quit my job several years ago. Everyone (including myself) thought it was crazy. Going down to one income is a total trust in the Lord that He will provide.  You see, I depended on God's Word that says that if I put my trust in the Lord and "seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and He will give me everything I need" (Matthew 6:33). And so, I stopped everything and sought His kingdom first. Everything has been added onto me but I have had to train my flesh to get in line with my Lord. There were several times that I cried when bills would pile or something broke in the house: water heater, fridge, freezer, toilet, you name it! I was being put to the test. If I am a tither, then God will be tested in this ar...

 Last year I started knitting for the first time. I am crocheter so I thought it would be easy, right? Sort of! I want to go fast but have to remind myself to slow down and relax! I noticed that I tightened up and go too fast and screw up. I love to knit, though! I had this preconceived idea that knitting was for snobs, but maybe that's because I was jealous of the results that come from it?! Anyways, I am making a scarf for the season. My goal... well I guess I didn't have one but maybe I should set one! Okay! So, my goal is to have this scarf done by October 28th! Why that date you may ask? Because it is my daughters first birthday and I have a track record of finishing crochet articles on my girls' birthdays! Why not try and do that with this one, too!  It's been fun but slow! PATIENCE - right? HA!  Joyful Home Welcomes You! Hi* :) 

 God is enduring! I have been running again and I know that the more that I increase in my miles, the more endurance I am gaining. Whether it be hill work or just strength training, I need endurance to keep going. God - well God doesn't have to train, He just has ENDURANCE. Crazy to think about! He is long-suffering. We fail at that, for sure! We can handle for a while and then boom, out of no where, we lose patience. I know that for a fact with a 2 year old! There is so much to learn - that's for another post! God knows that He is the only thing that will satisfy my longing heart. God is jealous for truth and righteousness! God is jealous for His own glory. I am learning that God is patient because God is sovereign. Exodus 34:6 says, "The Lord passed in front of Moses, calling out, "YAHWEH! The LORD! The God of compassion and mercy! I AM slow to anger and filled with unfailing love and faithfulness." Can we just take a minute and think about God passing by Moses...

 What does omnipresent mean? God is everywhere. His presence is near and permeating. He is passing through the pores or interstices of a substance; human race.  Psalm 139:7-10 (NKJV) talks about the all-present God is with us. God's perfect knowledge of us. "Where can I go from Your Spirit? Or where can I flee from Your presence? If I ascend into heaven You are there, If I make my bed in hell, behold, You are there. If I take the wings of the morning, and dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea, Even there Your hand shall lead me, and Your right hand shall hold me." What does verse 9 mean? "If I take the wings of the morning, and dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea..." The spread and speed of light spilling into the morning sky from East to West. Light itself cannot outrun God's presence and knowledge. "Even there Your hand will lead me." His hand is a hand of love and care. His "right hand will hold me" is the hand of skill and stren...

Some of the activities that I have been doing in my life, is crocheting. When I start on a project, I'll ask the Lord who He would like for me to bless this time. As I was creating this sweater, I didn't have anyone on my heart until it was finished. A wonderful beautiful 13 year old girl got this one. I love surprising people with handcrafted gifts. It brings so much delight!

Unsplash-Sixteen Miles Out Today started out a little too early for me but all is well. Emma woke up at 3:00am and didn't want to go back to sleep. Very unlike her, so I know that this will not be a daily routine thing. I did learn a few things through my tiredness hanging out with her and the Lord.  Philippians 4:18,19 (NLT) "...they are a sweet smelling sacrifice that is acceptable and pleasing to God. And this same God who takes care of me will supply all your needs from His glorious riches, which have been given to us in Christ Jesus."  Paul was grateful of the Philippian church that sent him a financial gift of help and he was stating that these gifts were sweet-smelling to the Lord. While I was in the kitchen with Caleb getting my coffee, I smelt a beautiful flowery smell. I asked him, "do you smell that?" He said that he didn't. I said that maybe it is the Lord allowing me to smell it and described the smell as spring flowers. Sometimes sacrifices com...