Simple Pleasures Thursday

I am late with this post and am going to have to do it really quickly, because this has been a day full of Simple Pleasures! (I didn't get it done quickly enough. It was date night with my husband, a simple pleasure, so I had to get off the computer!)



First, after hubby went to work, and I had my quiet time, I drove to my brother's house in the country, to spend some time with him, my sis in love, my son, and these precious little ones!

Their smiling faces and hugs are some of the best Simple Pleasures in the world!

I have been to my brothers' house many times, but haven't driven it myself many times. I always miss a couple turns, and today was no different. I was simply pleased when I saw a road sign that told me I was going the right direction. When I got there, Gabby ran to me and looked up at me with a big smile. I grabbed her up and gave her the big hug she was wanting. That was definitely a SIMPLE PLEASURE! I was only able to stay long enough to hold and feed my baby grandson (a simple pleasure!) and eat a bowl of Taco Soup very quickly. (simple pleasure!) I drove almost an hour to spend just an hour and then drive more than an hour again to make it to my hair appointment. (which I didn't make it to on time, but communicated with my friend/hairstylist on the way, and she made it work. That was a simple pleasure.)
Then, I went by to visit Mom, just her and me sitting on her couch visiting. That was a simple pleasure. The picture of her was taken the day before, when my son met me at her home for a visit.

I pray that you'll take time in 2011 to enjoy the Simple Pleasures of life!

Join Dayle to share your SIMPLE PLEASURES THURSDAY

the JOY of a new year!

Don't you just think "JOY" when you see those 2 smiling faces, or

the smiling faces of the precious little ones in your life?

I do, but then why I am crying?

I am crying because my own little ones have grown up.

I am crying because I miss my Dad.

. . .but I really am filled with JOY that my children have grown up,

that they are "walking in the way of the Lord",

that Jase is spending this week on a mission trip

in Nicaragua,

that Kalyn is spending the next five days

with her boyfriend's family,

who are special friends of ours,

that she gets to enjoy 2 bowl games!-

the Alamo Bowl and the Fiesta Bowl,

and will get to enjoy San Antonio and Arizonia,

that Josh and Adrianne are such wonderful parents,

that we have these precious grandchildren,

that we live close to my Mom,

that my husband loves me and I love him,

that I know God has special plans for 2011.

I am filled with JOY to

begin a new year of

scripture memory,

and to strive to

be kind,

and be a peacemaker.

Rejoice in the Lord always,

I will say it again: Rejoice!

Let your gentleness be evident to all.

The Lord is near.

Do not be anxious about anything,

but in everything,

by prayer and petition,

with thanksgiving,

present your requests to God.

And the peace of God,

which transcends all understanding,

will guard your hearts and your minds

in Christ Jesus.

Philippians 4:4-7

What is filling you with JOY today?

It is a true JOY to read other joyful posts, so go here to share in the JOY!!!

Thank you, Angel!

the JOY of CHRISTmas. . .

I am sad and a little stressed and full of JOY all at the same time.

Today, right at this moment, the sounds of my 17 year old and 20 year old playing Mousetrap with our 8 year old nephew and with the sound of my husband mowing the yard, and the smell of banana bread baking in the oven, and the taste of cranberry bread all bring me JOY.

Taking time to slow down and really be with Jesus brings me the greatest JOY.

(Luke 2:10) But the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people.

(John 16:20-22) I tell you the truth, you will weep and mourn while the world rejoices. You will grieve, but your grief will turn to joy. {21} A woman giving birth to a child has pain because her time has come; but when her baby is born she forgets the anguish because of her joy that a child is born into the world. {22} So with you: Now is your time of grief, but I will see you again and you will rejoice, and no one will take away your joy.

(Romans 15:13) May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.

Angel is faithful to do this post every Wednesday to help us all remember to count it all JOY!What is filling you with JOY today? It is a true JOY to read other joyful posts, so go here to share in the JOY!!! Thank you, Angel!

Today, I can think of lots of "simple pleasures" that I am thankful for, but the one I am going to share is that my son has baked lots of banana bread to earn money for his mission trip.
It is a simple pleasure that he had the initiative to do that.
It is a simple pleasure to have him and others in the kitchen, even our small one now, where we are constantly bumping in to each other. I am glad I have family.
It is a simple pleasure just to smell and enjoy home baked bread and other Christmas goodies!
It is a simple pleasure to make special things in the kitchen to give to others for Christmas gifts.
Today, I am so thankful for all of my family.

Join Dayle to share your SIMPLE PLEASURES THURSDAY
Join http://www.eph2810.com/thankful-thursday/thankful-thursday-vanpool/ for Thankful Thursday!

JOY to the world!

Josh, Adrianne, Jocyah and Madasyn

after the first 3 were in a church

performance of

"Christmas is Forever.", and

Madasyn had given them

the "thumbs up" for

their great job!

Jase as Joseph

in our church

"Living Christmas Tree" performance.

"Gran Sandy" with Jocyah a.k.a. "baby Jesus"

Yea! It's Why I Count it All JOY Wednesday! I just have 1 minute to finish this up on my lunch time.

I am filled with JOY because I enjoyed watching my sons portray Joseph in church Christmas programs.

I am filled with JOY because Kalyn will be home for Christmas break tomorrow!

I am filled with JOY because I am often hearing the words. . .

"Joy to the World. Let every heart prepare Him room!"

My heart is preparing Him room this Christmas!

Angel is faithful to do this post every Wednesday to help us all remember to count it all JOY!What is filling you with JOY today? It is a true JOY to read other joyful posts, so go here to share in the JOY!!! Thank you, Angel!

Peace, Love, JOY

Merry Christmas to your family

from our family!

Today, I am counting it all JOY that

I know the true meaning of Christmas.

I know the acronym for Jesus

Others

Yourself.

I know that God has a plan for my life and that He is opening doors (or shutting them) for me.

my God of Hope is filling me with all JOY and peace as I trust in Him and I am overflowing with hope, by the power of the Holy Spirit.

He will be with me tomorrow as I interview for a teaching job.

He will be with my family this Christmas as we miss my dad and celebrate together.

Angel is faithful to do this post every Wednesday to help us all remember to count it all JOY!
What is filling you with JOY today? It is a true JOY to read other joyful posts, so go here to share in the JOY!!! Thank you, Angel!

May the God of hope fill you with all JOY and peace as you trust in Him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. Romans 15:13

From Beth Moore-last Tuesday, 11/30/10
Do you know today how blessed you are?? We have the King of the universe to look to and to be loved by. He planned for each of us before the foundation of the world and even chose the works we would do in His great name. (Eph. 2:10) He intentionally set us in our generations and planted us with divine purpose in our parts of the earth. (Acts 17:24-27) I am amazed by Him this morning.I don’t want to take divine intervention for granted. We – you and me – are the stuff of miracles. Even to discern the living, breathing voice of God through His written Word is a wonder.
I am anxious to hear from you through today’s Talk To Me Tuesday topic! I’d like to know about a time when you were desperate for divine wisdom in a particular area (whether relational, work, ministry, or otherwise) and you had no idea what to do. You sought God and you received wisdom that you are certain only He could have given you.


I have pondered Beth's question all week. I did post an answer that I have felt God directing my paths all of my life (Proverbs 3:5-7) and also that at this particular time in my life, He is speaking to me through James 3:17-18.
That is in regards to relating to my grown up brothers.

James 3:17-18
But the wisdom that comes from heaven is
first of all pure,
then peace-loving,
considerate,
submissive,
full of mercy and good fruit,
impartial and sincere;
Peacemakers who sow in peace raise a harvest of righteousness.

Now, this week, God is directing my paths in a possible job change from working with individual special needs elementary students as an aide, to an interview on Thursday for a high school special ed. teaching job.

Romans 8:28
And we know that in all things,
God works for the good of those who love him,
who have been called according to His purpose.

I would appreciate your prayers this week.
And, I would love to pray for you, and to hear how God is speaking to you!

Counting it ALL JOY Wednesday

Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again; Rejoice!

Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near.

Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.

And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

Philippians 4:4-7

Tonight, I am counting it ALL JOY that. . .

the 24 hours of this 24 hour bug have passed and I am getting my strength back.

although one of the drawbacks of working at an elementary school is catching these viruses every month or so, I am filled with JOY that I have a job!

my son is busy every night baking banana bread to sell to his teachers to raise money for his next mission trip.

God is working on MY heart to try to find my gentleness again and let it be evident to all and to let the peace of God guard my heart!

Angel is faithful to do this post every Wednesday to help us all remember to count it all JOY!

What is filling you with JOY today? It is a true JOY to read other joyful posts, so go here to share in the JOY!!! Thank you, Angel!