blessings – A Journey of Joy

so thankful and blessed, I made it to #1000!

September 3, 2012Written by Joy

On July 19, 2010, I started reading this wonderful blog named A Holy Experience. On it, Ann Voskamp talked about being thankful and how you can always find a blessing. She suggested keeping track of those blessings. I am so glad she did. I have noticed a big change in how I look at things. I don’t worry as much as I used to either. By looking at what all God has blessed us with during the good and the bad time times, I know that God is always with us no matter what. I have been putting my faith and trust in God so much more since I began this back in 2010. I plan on continuing counting my blessings every day for as long as I can. While she had suggested counting a 1000 gifts in one year, it has taken me a little over two years to reach 1000. I am excited about reaching this number and looking forward to counting many more. Some of these I have counted before, but feel like they should be counted more often.

991. Having the freedom to homeschool my children.

992. Being able to stay home with my children.

993. My husband of 20 years. (We celebrate 20 years on October 3rd of this year)

994. My four children (Michael-19, Sarah-14, Samuel-8 and Claire-6.)

995. My parents for raising me in a living Christian home.

996. The Word of God to live by.

997. Hubby’s job with great insurance.

998. God providing us with a place to live.

999. His mercy and grace that He gives me daily.

1000. Jesus, dying on the cross to save a poor wretched person, like me.

I would love for you to join in counting the many blessings that God gives. Stop by A Holy Experience and visit others who are also sharing their many blessings.

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so thankful and blessed… #926-941

July 16, 2012Written by Joy

Since I shared a couple of weeks ago about our upcoming move, we have been busy going through our belongings, seeing what needs to be packed and what needs to be purged. We have been busy tying up loose ends and spending as much time as we can with friends. In two short weeks, we will be pulling out and heading to Golden, CO. Even with all of the emotions that go along with a big move and all of the excitement that comes with a new adventure, I still do get a little scared and nervous about this open door that God has set before us.

Isaiah 41 talks about fear and how God is always with you. The one verse in that chapter that sticks out the most is verse 10.

¹⁰fear not, for I am with you;
be not dismayed, for I am your God;
I will strengthen you, I will help you,
I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.

So as the next 2 weeks pass us by and we say our goodbyes for now, I will be praying for God to take this fear of unknown away and to prepare me for the door He is opening for us. I will continue to pray and to thank Him for all the many blessings that he continues to give us.

926. supportive friends and family of our upcoming move.

927. an amazing homeschool support group I had the pleasure of being the leader of for the past 5 years.

928. a special mom’s night out with the homeschool moms to say goodbye to.

929. the beautiful watercolor painting of the mountains, from the group, so I would have something to remember them by.

930. the sweet and kind words that they spoke of me, that I do not feel were deserving.

931. the precious pool party that the homeschool support group planned for our families, so our children could say goodbye.

932. the thoughtful notebooks that a mom blessed my children with, with words of encouragement and sweet goodbyes written.

933. the many hugs that were shared among everyone.

934. an awesome evening celebrating the 4th of July at our church.

935. grandparents coming to visit and to help us pack.

936. friends offering their time to watch my children so that I can get some packing finished.

937. an amazing week of VBS at our church.

938. all of the workers who helped at VBS for the week.

939. the 5 decisions made for Jesus by children at VBS this past week.

940. the help of friends in Colorado to help us find a place to live.

941. seeing friends accept the call to a church of their own.

So many blessings this past two weeks. I am looking forward to see what more blessings God has in the future for me and my family.

I would love for you to join me and the others linking up at A Holy Experience. We would love to see how God has blessed you and your family.

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so thankful and blessed #832-840

May 7, 2012Written by Joy

6 Comments

It has been over a week since the 2:1 Conference. It was an amazing conference and I am so happy that I was able to attend. Better yet, my hubby and three of our children were able to go. They had a blast getting to tour Washington D.C. So I thought I would share all the blessings that we had from our trip.

832. First off, it was a blessing to be able to go to Washington D.C. Lately our little vacations have been to visit family in Florida. For us to be able to go off and do a little site seeing was definitely a blessing and I am so thankful to those who helped make that happen.

833. Which leads me to my next blessing. See The Light for sponsoring me and Stef for sending See The Light my way!

834. A safe trip to and from Washington D.C.

835. The speakers at the conference; Rachael Carman, Heidi St. John, Rebecca Ingram Powell and Rachel Martin. Also for the many breakout session speakers. They were all truly amazing.

836. God sending me out of my comfort zone.

837. The many new friends that I met!

838. The opportunity for my kids to see so many historical places, learn who founded this country and why it was founded.

839. Friends who helped our oldest son out, while we were away.

840. Listening to scripture, confirming that I am supposed to be at home with my children, teaching them to glorify God.

Like I said, it was a true blessing being able to attend this conference. I know God had me there for a reason. I am looking forward to seeing what God has planned for me and my family while we are on this amazing homeschool journey.

Won’t you join me and share your many blessings? I am linking up over at A Holy Experience.

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the counting continues..#773-802

February 22, 2012Written by Joy

The wonderful thing about God is that He is with you no matter what. He never leaves you for a moment. Always there lifting you up in His precious arms.

Deuteronomy 31:6

⁶Be strong and of good courage, do not fear nor be afraid of them; for the Lord your God, He is the One who goes with you. He will not leave you nor forsake you.”

773. Hubby being able to take sick leave from work.

774. Being able to snuggle with the kids while they were sick. Now that they are older, they do not let mommy hold them much.

775. Being able to hang out with homeschoolers for a Valentine’s Day party BEFORE the kids got sick.

776. Myself, being well enough to take care of the rest of family while they were sick.

777. Seeing my daughter up on stage in the musical “Anything Goes.”

778. Thankful for God getting my attention. It hurts being showed your faults, but I know God has plans and they can’t happen if I am not following Him with my whole heart.

779. For the friends who drop what they are doing and pray for you when you call, text or email them.

800. For those same friends to check up on you to make sure you are okay and to ask if there is anything else they can do for you.

801. Hearing my children say they are excited about school and what they are learning.

802. Seeing the kids excited about new curriculum and books that arrive my mail.

Has God blessed you in any way this week? I would love for you to share your blessings with me!

I hope you will consider joining me and the others at A Holy Experience!

2012, blessings, multitude Mondays

still counting… #661-772

February 13, 2012Written by Joy

While I haven’t posted in a couple of weeks, it doesn’t mean that I stopped counting all the many ways that God has blessed me and my family. He never fails us. Every day, I see little things all around. On occasion something big is thrown in, but it is the little things in life that seem to mean the most. For me, it is the kids. Seeing them grow, seeing them grow in the Lord. I am so thankful and blessed that I am able to stay at home with my kids and teach them. I don’t want to miss anything that they do. They are truly my little blessings from God.

661. watching my son come out of his shell to play basketball with others.

662. watching the joy on my daughter’s face as she learns a cheer, to cheer on her brother.

663. listening to my younger kids tell their older siblings about playing basketball and cheering.

664. seeing the older siblings helping their younger siblings.

665. spending time with other homeschool moms.

666. laughing and crying together with fellow homeschool moms as we share our joys and struggles of teaching our children.

667. being able to take the younger kids on a field trip.

668. watching the children run, play and laugh with other children.

669. celebrating the 6th birthday of my youngest child.

770. being able to give her a birthday dinner with special friends.

771. seeing the love of her friends for her, as they celebrate with us.

772. thankful God gave me 4 healthy children to watch over for Him.

Psalm 127:3-5

3 Behold, children are a heritage from the LORD,

the fruit of the womb a reward.

4 Like arrows in the hand of a warrior

are the children of one’s youth.

5 Blessed is the man

who fills his quiver with them!

He shall not be put to shame

when he speaks with his enemies in the gate.