Boojoyful

A grandson's hands coming together to make a heart. It's okay to say, "Lord, I need You."  We were created to cry out to God. In my distress, I called upon the Lord; to my God I cried for help.  From his temple he heard my voice, and my cry to him reached his ears. Psalm 18:6 Recently, I've been going through years of journals and there is a common theme...being ready to go whenever a child calls. Whether it was a simple task like being picked up from school when they got sick or at a sporting event/practice; taking them to the ER or an orthopedic because of an injury; or putting adult vacations on hold to take the children somewhere that was exciting for them, there was no hesitation.  As the years passed the needs changed to visiting colleges, planning weddings, and helping to care for their children. When they call we try our best to go, because we love them. God has an even greater love than a mother's love. Like loving parents, He wants us to call upon hi...

  A friend sent these backyard, winter, birds' eye views from Damascus, MD! Quite different from the Osprey hanging out in their nest in Fort Myers, FL at another friend's home. God is taking care of them all!   Visiting with a young widowed friend, I thanked her for the encouraging way she  shares her faith though good days and trials.  Love how she replied, "Anything that  makes us seek the Lord is good. And the deepest learning doesn't usually come like  bubble baths and bon bons. " Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the test of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing. James 1:2-4 The Song "Testify" Need to Breathe "Give me your heart, give me your soul. Sing with all your might. Come to the Fountain and you can be satisfied....There is a peace, there is a love, you can get lost inside." https:/...

Some family members loved me enough to brave the journey and bring me a delicious birthday cake. Our driveway. Moonriver Drive has had a majestic full moon shining on it, lighting up the snow! The Journal I referenced yesterday actually had no entries until May 27th of that year.    Jeremiah 29:11 was at the top of the first page. For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, Plans to prosper you and not to harm you. Plans to give you hope and a future.   My entry: “It’s the Friday before Memorial Day. I’m exhausted from all the work trying to get Shiloh ready for the summer season.    I still see effects from the stroke, but am so thankful for how far I’ve come and that we have this beautiful place for our family to enjoy this summer. It’s a scorcher today, I’ve been working on the beach and now the boathouse and I’m too tired to hike the hill, so I’ve come away to a shady spot to rest in your magnificent love Father and listen to you.    M...

The journal which I'm devouring now was given to me by three long time friends on November 23, 2015, two months after my stroke. The cover of this hot pink journal has this verse:  From the fullness of His grace we have all received one blessing after another.  John 1:16   On the inside cover I wrote    Ephesians 3:14-21 (MSG) My response is to get down on my knees before the Father, this magnificent Father, who parcels out all heaven and earth, and I ask Him that with both feet planted on love, you’ll be able to take in with all followers of Jesus the extravagant dimensions of Christ’s love.    Reach out and experience the breadth!    Test its length!    Plumb the depths!    Rise to the heights!    Live full lives, full in the fullness of God.    God can do anything you know and more than you ever could imagine or guess, or request in your wildest dreams!    He does it not by pushing us aroun...

Season 2 Episode 5 Philippians 2:12-18 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zlWU_-VTgAg Season 2 Episode 4 Philippians 2:1-11 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZrJOEZDcozE Season 2 Episode 3 Philippians 1:18B- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3Fy6HUs63mw          Season 2 Episode 2 Philippians 1:12-18 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6-WR3TzW8Q4&t=14s Season 2 Episode 1 Philippians 1:11-18 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R5-RL9u_ZBo&t=44s

On the first attempt up our half mile long road, when he was almost to the top, my husband slowed down at one point, then began to slide and had to back all the way down . The next day I sent him the song "Got to Keep on Moving" https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iGtQMT-QLgc God's Word is better than a Christmas Hallmark! You know it's going to have a great ending. Lingering in Psalm 19, the names David calls God at the end of the psalm are "My Rock and My Redeemer."  I journaled, "God is steadfast and He is for us!  He is an immovable, loving Protector .  That feels so good!" Psalm 19:14 was suggested for memorization. Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in your sight, O Lord, my Rock and My Redeemer. HA! There's not much that has been immovable  on the ice coating much of the US. Our local hospitals are reporting high records of sledding accidents, because people are sliding into trees. Even if you fall off you...