Living the JOY Dare

I'm really enjoying this JOY Dare from Ann Voskamp.  It's been a wonderful challenge to search for God's grace in the every day.  Seek it out like a hidden treasure.  Enjoy the small moments.  Be present.  Find Him.

This has been such a challenge for my redeemed heart.  It wants to fall back into old patterns and habits, wants to be negative, selfish, blaming, exacting, etc.  One nail drives out another--so I pick up my new nail, and begin to tap, tap, tap--driving out the old nails.  

http://www.americanshowroom.com/meetourstaff2/

It is work.  Sometimes it's downright painful, fighting, struggling against my old self.  Then it comes, His whisper, reminding me that He can do the work and it will become light and easy for me.  I rest in Him.  Let the Master Gardener do His work.  My heart is new.  Picking thanks, joy, peace, love, encouragement, hope...

I can already feel the difference in my heart.  It seems a strange that being disciplined about giving thanks and finding joy could make such a change.  Seems too simple really.  I can honestly tell you that by staying in an attitude of giving grace and receiving grace--I am forever changed.  Forever grateful.  

2012

I haven't posted anything in a really long time on this blog.  And today, I was thinking about how much I really miss writing about my family!  It's just so amazing to me that I get to have these boys in my life.  I'm so grateful to God for the gifts that He has entrusted me with.  Each day He gives me just a little glimpse into what an important role I play, which makes me realize all the more how much I need His guidance!

Noah turned 3 in July, and started preschool this past Fall.  He loves his teacher, his classmates, and being at school 2 days a week.  He has such a helpful heart and loves to look out for his little brother.  (He also loves to "wrestle him".)  It is such a joy to watch him grow and learn new things each day!

Eli turned 1 in August, and is such a funny little guy!  He growls when he laughs, loves to play peek-a-boo, and loves to wrestle with Noah.  His favorite things are bananas, dogs, and his "burr-qua" (burp cloth).  Since he started walking, there's no stopping him, and he tries really hard to keep up with his big brother.

Jeff and I celebrated 6 years of marriage this past June, at the Ichthus festival in Wilmore, KY.  It was a surprise getaway for Jeff and we had a blast!  So much so, that we've already purchased our tickets for this year!  Jeff is still working as a pharmacist and is glad to have made a smooth transition from floating into a more permanent position.  I'm working at home as a wife, mommy, and professional organizer.  I love what I do and wouldn't choose to have it any other way.

2011 was a very important year for me on my journey with Jesus.  I let Him walk me through some pretty deep wounds in my heart.  And only with the power of His healing grace, I found the courage to forgive and heal.  Someday I will share more about letting the Master Gardener prune my heart.  There are so many pieces to this story that I will have to do some work to get it all out in words.  In the meantime, I'm really looking forward to this new year!  I can't wait to see what He will do in my heart this year!