Boojoyful

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...

Hmm. Looks like that will be April or May for me! While in a major clean out project, due to having to empty two rooms for new carpet, I unearthed over 40 journals and calendar books which go back to the 1990's.  My hope is to read through all of them before tossing them to aid our children in the clean out process someday. Opening the 2012 one, I'd chosen the title "Starting Fresh." On the first page I'd written John 13:7. " Jesus replied, ' You do not realize now what I am doing, but later you will understand.' " The first thought recorded referenced we had gather for dinner at the home of one of our pastors. His wife was a close friend and all of our children enjoyed one another.  That friend went to be with the Lord four years ago, way before I wanted to say farewell to her. Little did we know that 2012 night of sweet fellowship that two other wives in the group would pass away at only 55 years old.     Each New Year offers feelings of wonde...

The tarp trick is a lot easier than shoveling 20 front steps. As Fancy Nancy says in her delightful books, “Ooo la la!” That’s how I felt about CBS Lesson 16.  It covered Psalms 67, 98 and 117.  While we feel special to be extravagantly loved by God...Praise the Lord and remember, salvation is for EVERYONE! Psalm 67:1-2 starts us off with a reminder of the most generous gift we have received, “God’s only Son.”  Out of all the ways we can show generosity to others, sharing the good news of Jesus Christ and that God’s plan is for ALL mankind is at the top of the list. People should be greatly offended if a Christian doesn't share their faith. O God, mercifully bless us; let your face beam with joy as you look down at us.  Send us around the world with the news of your saving power and your eternal plan for all mankind.  Psalm 67:1-2 God's purpose in blessing us is for us to bless others. Let's keep singing His praises and share how we have personally see...

Historic Tour of The Homestead Resort Companies like "Resort Leaders" are "international talent sourcing platforms which connect with hospitality students around the globe" and place them in resorts on 6 or 12 month contracts.  Have you hit the ski slopes in the winter or lounged by a beautiful resort pool and found the majority of the employees to be young, energetic and cautiously maneuvering English as its their second language?  They are hospitality students! On a recent resort stay our waiter was from India.  The check in personnel were from Hungary and Spain. A coffee shop worker was Japanese. And the young man clearing tea cups from afternoon tea had a name 15 letters long and couldn't understand a word this southern girl said, so I'm clueless as to his nationality.  Without pulling out a cell phone in these situations, what is the greatest translator?  It's a SMILE!  Add the words "Thank you" and they appear to be understood.   Above al...

Praying all of you are safe and warm after this winter storm.  We won't be going anywhere the next few days.  We live down at the bottom of a 1/2 mile country road. My husband just attempted to get the car out and it spun and slid. That's not happening and we have no one to plow, so we will be content.  Here are the 4 Praying Harpist Episodes starting with today's #4 and the others below. 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

A storm may be coming, but we will still praise the Lord along with all creation. I know many of you, like us, are in storm preparation and we are praying for your safety.  The possibility of losing power for days is a very real threat, so take 9 minutes today and treat yourself to an amazing video by Louie Giglio referencing Psalm 148 and think about all creation singing. Praise the Lord. Praise the Lord from the heavens; praise him in the heights above. Praise him, all his angels; praise him, all his heavenly hosts.  Praise him son and moon; praise him, all you shining stars.  Praise him, you highest heavens and you waters above the skies.  Let them praise the name of the Lord, for at his command they were created, and he established them for ever and ever- he issued a decree that will never pass away.  Praise the Lord from earth, you great sea creatures and all ocean depths, lightning and hail, snow and clouds, stormy winds that do his bidding, you mountains ...

We've had big ones before! Whew!  The forecast for what 2026 Winter Storm "Fern" could bring to the US is daunting. Tuesday the retirees here at Smith Mt Lake started and have continued storming our one grocery store in preparation. One neighbor is packing up her grandchildren and heading to Disney. Sunday is supposed to be 86 in Orlando.  We are prepared to be stuck at Shiloh. Our 1/2 long tree lined driveway usually loses trees in this kind of storm. The prayer is that no trees fall on our house. Bubba came and filled our propane tank yesterday! We will fill our two bathtubs with water so we can flush our toilets (life on a well system) and with way below freezing temps on the way we can set our perishable food on our screened porch in coolers. If we lose power we can cook on the grill. and I'll hunker down with my main squeeze for whatever comes our way. There are a lot of people needing wisdom ! If you listen to the weather channels it is a very complicated storm ...

  While working to set up for a funeral at church a young girl wandered inside. Her father was working outside to take down the church's giant Christmas tree.  She walked up to me and just stood there. I noticed a bulge in her jacket.  "What do you have? I inquired. Unzipping the jacket I could see a bit of black fur. Curiously I asked, "Is that a bunny?"  She explained, "No it's a day old baby goat and its mama has rejected it.  I'm going to try to bottle feed it, otherwise it will die." I laid my hands on the head of this pathetic little creature, which looked very close to death and prayed. The little girl went home and told her mother about our encounter. Three days later the mother texted me this picture of these sibling goats who were thriving. She asked if I would like one. It was tempting, but my husband quickly eyeballed me giving me a firm "No, not going to happen." Rejection-" the act of refusing to accept, use, or believe ...

Joy comes when you win "Wrestler of the Week! Music lifts me up and soothes me when I need to slow down. God seems to send me the right song, right out of the blue, at just the right time.  I'm still old school and leave the song selection up to the radio, YouTube or Pandora.  This one, has me bopping along as I start my day. The basis for these lyrics is most likely Psalm 30:5. Your anger lasts a little while, but your kindness lasts for a lifetime.  At night we may cry, but when morning comes we will celebrate. Click on the link below and sing along. Chorus And there will be joy in the morning. There will be joy in the morning.  If its not good then He's not done, not He's not done with it yet. There will be joy in the morning. Verse 1  Everything happens for a reason, but you don't know what you don't know and you'll never have peace if you don't let go of tomorrow, cause it ain't even faith till you plan falls apart, but you still choose to foll...

For Season 2 Episode 2  Turn to Philippians   1:12 -18  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6-WR3TzW8Q4&t=14s If you missed Episode 1 Philippians 1:11-18 it is below. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R5-RL9u_ZBo&t=44s

  Just as iron sharpens iron, friends sharpen the mins of each other. Proverbs 27:17   Two of my closest friends, with whom I maneuvered child rearing, get together twice a year to celebrate birthdays.  Their birthdays fall in August and mine in January.  We have all moved away from our hometown and now live near our daughters. Recently, we wished we had met in Florida and not in SW VA where the winds had us enduring sub zero temperatures.   One of the photos above testifies to the reality of the chill.  The restaurant in the hotel where we were staying passed out blankets for each guest to wrap up in during dinner!  My friends  totally surprised me by paying for my dinner that night.  That was unexpected. The cupcake photo is another unexpected blessing.  A hotel employee, who started as a bellman years ago, is now the hotel historian.  This young man is the bright spot whenever I visit. As we came back into our room one after...

This dessert tray has chocolate nibs under the delicious sweets.  Supposedly, they are very nutritious and high in cocoa, not sugar.   Paige Brown is back online and WOW is this lesson a treat!  Spiritually nutritious. https://www.youtube.com/live/NKTfVd8WxDs The Song "Who He Is"  Jamie Mac Donald https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FDw_ed9k1_w

I wish I'd photographed this long narrow room before we cleaned it out to receive fresh paint and new carpet. Coordinating the process of decluttering, moving furniture, slapping on fresh paint, carpet installers coming and moving furniture back in will take about 10 days, so my husband continues his quiet time, seeking the Lord in a barren space. The Bible Recap podcast has been in the book of Job. I know, oh the joy (jk-the lack of joy). In Job 29:1-5 (CEV) Job is longing for his past way of life and friendship with God to be restored. Job said, I long for the past when God took care of me, and the light from his lamp showed me the way through the dark. I was in the prime of life, God All-Powerful was my closest friend and all of my children were nearby.   How do we achieve friendship with God? Just like with any other friendship, we hang out with Him. We seek to know details about Him in his Word and we listen for Him to speak to our hearts. Writing Boojoyful creates space ...

  I'm soooo confused! This may be lengthy as I sort out my thoughts.   Two years ago one of our ushers at church came up to me and said, "Can you believe what is happening with AI?"  In honesty I replied, "I don't know what you are talking about. What is AI?" He said, "Boo, you don't know about AI?"  Me, "Nope, explain it." Looking at me dumbfounded he said, "Well, I can't explain it. It's like computers doing things." Oh, well. Seeing the realities of AI at work on every front has been a  fast concept   for my mind. AI (Artificial Intelligence) I've learned has been rapidly developing since the 1950's.   Now for anyone, it's just a click away. Just last week I had a question for my dentist about a tooth, the hygienist said, "Let's take a look at your x-ray with with AI." It showed a pocket of possible infection not seen on the original x-ray.  I'm hearing more and more how helpful AI is...

  I'm wanting another blanket of snow like this where life stills for a moment and we look out in wonder. While the earth remains,  seedtime and harvest, cold and heat, summer and winter, and day and night, shall not cease. Genesis 8:22 God, how did you ever come up with the four seasons?  Each is so unique and holds within its time a purpose. Spring        = birth, new beginnings Summer = growth and abundance Autumn = a time of change and letting go, but also preparing for the harvest! Winter      = rest and reflection in the arms of Jesus There are times I hate to see an earthly season end, but with a sneak peek at what the next season is bringing my heart turns to joyful expectation.  As Paul says in Philippians 4:11  I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances.  That perspective is possible because we know it is God who controls our circumstances and our seasons. When we contemplate (dwell on these thi...

    A long time girlfriend brought me this "joy" ornament! A favorite acronym for joy whichI have found to really work in my life is Jesus first, Others second, You third. Joy is a choice. It doesn't come naturally. Life isn't easy, but focusing "up" then "out" before we linger too much on the "in" (us) allows joy to enter our lives more easily.   I'm thankful for the transforming power of God's Word that changes my attitude on the tough days.  Well, honestly my attitude needs changing most days. May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope.  Romans 15:13 Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.  Romans 12:12 " These things I have spoken to you, that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full."  John 14:11 Whatever the world is tossing at you today, know I am praying right now in Jesus' name, that whoeve...

This painting was done by our daughter in law's brother years ago. We have 62 degree temperatures today, which is crazy for this time of year in Virginia. The house has flipped over to its January adornment of a snowman motif while  Christmas music, like today's beautiful song selection, still brings joy to my heart. This entry was left over from December. The lights, decorations, food, festive fashions, music and if you are lucky maybe a beautiful quick snowfall and a children's choir singing, set the tone for an emotional December.  It is the season of longing. Our hearts tug for the person who is no longer around to buy a present for.  Every good gift, every perfect gift, comes from above.  These gifts come down from the Father,  the creator of the heavenly lights, in whose character there is no change at all.  James 1:17 Maybe your home is full of children and you have very few silent nights. Several parents at our church have shared how they long for a...

It's Here! Season Two of the Praying Harpist featuring our daughter!   https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CcNJ2CNcRDs https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R5-RL9u_ZBo&t=44s

  "Good morning to you!  You are looking swell and well, " I vocalized in the kitchen.  My husband came into the room and said, "That's a sweet thing to say...Oh, wait!  You are talking to that fish again." We are (actually, I am) on fish duty for a week.  Santa, brought our 7 year old grandson a fish, but a couple days later they left home for a week long ski vacation, so "American Flag" or "Cucumber" (name not quite decided) has come to float around in Mama Boo's kitchen. Each day I am changing up his view, but so far the hands down favorite is the book the "Pout Pout Fish." I'm telling you this fish can read!  Well, at least he's really attracted to color and the songs I'm singing to him. Be it fish, fowl, furry, or fleshly who can we encourage today? I find that more joy erupts in our lives from building others up, than from tearing them down. Spread joy! The Song "Joy" by The Planetshakers https://www....