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The Grand Finale of February

February 24, 2023 by Lauren 10 Comments

grand finaleAlthough February at the Sparks’ house hasn’t been very grand, it’s almost over.  So we can call this a grand finale. It hasn’t been bad, mind you.  Just not a lot going on.

 

If you were with me last month, you know my daughter Shelby had major surgery on the 19th.  I have taken over a month off from work to be with her as she recovers, so we have been slow moving.  A lot of sitting and snuggling (I don’t mind that).  Many pills taken and slow painful walks.  But she is a tough girl and we are getting through this.  Your continued prayers for a full recovery and freedom from pain are appreciated.

 

Here’s What Was Grand About February

 

Allie, our youngest, got to play one of the narrators in Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dream Coat.  Our high school’s spring musical is always a popular event.  And due to some winter weather (during which everything shuts down in Texas), we weren’t sure it was going to happen!  Opening night was delayed by two days and they carried an extra performance over to the following week, so they got to perform 3 of 4 planned performances.  The kids were quite nervous for the first night since school closings had kept them for practicing for almost a week, but the show must go on!  It was all phenomenal and we are so appreciative that our in-laws offered to sit with Shelby so that Chuck and I could attend all three nights together!

 

Just a couple of days after the show closed, Allie and 5o of her closest theatre friends flew to New York City.  They ran non-stop for 4 days, seeing 5 Broadway shows, including Lea Michele in Funny Girl, sang on stage at a piano bar, did workshops with members of the Broadway community, saw the 9/11 memorial and so much more.  I had one tired, but happy girl.

 

Chuck had some follow up scans and appointments and we are relieved to say there are still no signs of cancer!  We also had ladies from my church life group provide us meals for almost 3 solid weeks.  What a blessing as we focused on getting Shelby well!  A  couple of friends who brought lunch and some company to me helped this social butterfly maintain some sanity as well.  And a special shout out to my friend and hair dresser who came to the house with some sort of sink contraption to help me wash Shelby’s hair when she had her wound vac and still couldn’t get in the shower!

 

Celebrations

 

Mid-month I officially gained a new niece!  I loved getting to be in the courtroom and celebrate with my sister and her family afterwards as Nevaeh became a #Cason4life.  And the following Monday Allie was out of school and I got to spend some time with her doing nails and shopping.  These moments are becoming so precious to me as we get closer to her graduation.

 

On the 22nd, my sweet hubs turned a year older.  Then, Allie turned 18 the next day.  We made a little bigger deal out of that one.  Poor Chuck hasn’t really had a birthday since she was born.  We decorated her car and got her birthday donuts on the morning of her big day.  And after school, she and I went to get tattoos.  She has wanted one for several years so that’s what we did.  Small and tasteful.  Tonight we are having a party at our house with Mexican food, cheesecakes and her closest friends from church and school.  I love getting to celebrate her.

 

Entertainment

 

Chuck and I had a sitter come over to the house and sit with Shelby 3 weeks after surgery to escape for a little alone time.  I introduced him to cryotherapy.  Not something I do often but it was fun to watch him experience the big freeze.  Then we went to see the movie Devotion.  Was sadder than I anticipated but we enjoyed the well done story.  And the date as a whole.

 

At home we have started The Gilmore Girls with Allie.  She and I are hooked.  And Chuck and I are still chipping away at The West Wing.  I read Daughter of Joy (Brides of Culdee Creek #1) by Kathleen Morgan.  I also listened to the audiobook of The Road to J.O.Y.:  Leading with Faith, Playing with Purpose, Leaving a Legacy by Scott Drew with Don Yaeger.  Sense a theme with the books?  Yes, joy is my word of the year.  And yes that had something to do with me choosing them.  Also, it’s well documented that I love a theme so I wanted to read this basketball book about a school I love and coach I admire during basketball season.  I really enjoyed both!

 

I’m almost through with Friends, Lovers, and the Big Terrible Thing by Matthew Perry.  I love memoir and I’m such a huge fan of the TV show Friends, but this book is so very sad.  The addictions, of course, are terrible.  But the saddest thing of all is how he is searching for God and so completely missing him.  It has prompted me to pray for Perry, though.  Since he is seeking, I really hope he finds the truth.

 

Well, that’s it from here.  I would love for you to drop a comment or send me an email and let me know what you’ve been up to.  And as always, I love you, I thank you, and I hope March treats you well!

 

And now for this week’s featured post from the link up!

 

I’m not sure what I love more:  memoir or historical fiction!  So I was glad to get these recommendations from Linda Stoll!

 

The Link Up

1. Share 1 or 2 of your most recent CHRISTIAN LIVING posts. (No DIY, crafts, recipes, or inappropriate articles.) All links are randomly sorted.

2. Comment on 1 or 2 other links. Grace & Truth linkup encourages community.

3. Every host features one entry from the previous week. To be featured, include this button or link back here on your post (mandatory to be featured, but not to participate).

Grace and Truth_Meet Hosts

We encourage you to follow our hosts on their blogs or social media.

MAREE DEE – Embracing the Unexpected
Blog | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | Pinterest

LAUREN SPARKS
Blog | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | Pinterest

LISA BURGESS – Lisa notes
Blog | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | Pinterest

TAMMY KENNINGTON – Restoring hope. Pursuing peace.
Blog | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | Pinterest

 Now Let’s Link Up!

You are invited to the Inlinkz link party!

Click here to enter

If you liked this post, do me the huge honor of using the buttons below to share it to your favorite social media accounts. And if you want to get these essays emailed to you once a week, subscribe!  Lastly, my posts may contain affiliate links and I earn from qualifying purchases. If you buy anything from one of these links, I will receive a few pennies to help offset the cost of this website at no additional charge to you. Thank you in advance for your help.

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Scriptures on Joy: Word of the Year

February 17, 2023 by Lauren 8 Comments

Last month I shared that “joy” was my word of the year for 2023.  I got pretty honest about the reasons why and laid out my Bible verse for the year.  “You will make known to me the path of life; In your presence is fullness of joy; In your right hand there are pleasures forever.”  Psalm 16:11 ESV   I made a screen saver for my phone with the passage (which you can steal from that post), and am committing it to memory. This is only one of my focus scriptures on joy.

 

Wanting to memorize more, I decided to choose a verse for every month of this year. The goal is to hide all 13 verses in my heart (Psalm 119:11).

 

So many of you either commented or talked to me personally about your need to go on this joy ride with me.  I love that and pray that we will learn from each other and spur each other on (Hebrews 10:24).  So I’m sharing with you the other 12 verses, in no particular order, that I’m feeling drawn to in my quest for the truth about joy.  I hope they can be a source of joy and inspiration for you.

 

Joy In Obedience

“If you keep my commands, you will abide in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commands and abide in his love.  These things I have spoken to you, that my joy may be in you and your joy may be full.”  John 15:10-11 ESV  The first part of the verse tells us how we can abide in God’s love – by obeying His commands.  And in communion with God is deep joy.

Joy in God’s Refuge and Shelter

“But rejoice, all who take refuge in You, Sing for joy forever!  And may You shelter them, that those who love Your name may rejoice in You.”  Psalm 5:11 NASB2020  Psalm 5 is a prayer of David for protection from the wicked, and our sin-soaked world today is just as full of wickedness.  As believers we can find joy in God’s presence standing between us and anything that He cannot use for good.

Joy in Trust and Hope

“May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope and by the power of the Holy Spirit.”  Romans 15:13 NIV  I meditated on this passage two years ago as part of my focus on trust.  I felt compelled to carry it over to my study of joy.  The two are so intertwined.

Joy in Fellowship

“I have much to write to you, but I do not want to use paper and ink.  Instead, I hope to visit you and talk with you face to face, so that our joy may be complete.”  2 John 12 NIV  In studying what rest means to me last year, I came to the conclusion that fun is incredibly refreshing to me.  That means being with my people.  Both those I’m related to and those God placed in my life in other ways.  Whether enjoying a meal, discussing a sermon, playing board games or watching a movie together – being with my friends and family fills my cup, as it obviously did the apostle John!

Joy in Jesus

“But the angel said to them, ‘Do not be afraid.  I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people.'”  Luke 2:10 NIV  We usually read this verse at Christmas, but being reminded that Jesus came to rescue me causes me great joy all year long!

Joy Through Hardships

“Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.”  Romans 12:12 NIV  I won’t try to convince you that hardships bring joy.  They don’t.  But I do know we can have joy in the midst of them.  This is what I am asking the Holy Spirit to teach me, taking this head knowledge to heart knowledge.  I have a feeling it has something to do with the hope we have in Jesus, combined with the patience and faithful prayer mentioned here.

Joy in My Children

“I have no greater joy than to hear that my children are walking in the truth.”  3 John 4 NIV  I find joy in my children often.  When Shelby laughs and the room laughs with her, when Allie lights up a stage, and when my bonus son earns accolades on his way to being a doctor.  But nothing compares to the front row seat I watch from as my teenager chases after Jesus with all of her heart.  Happy tears came just this morning reading a recommendation letter written by someone who sees it too.

Joy When Anxiety Comes

“When anxiety was great within me your consolation brought me joy.” Psalm 94:19 NIV  We only need pay attention to the news media for a few days to hear a story on the rise of anxiety in our country.  And if you have followed this blog for any length of time, you know that I believe in bible-based counseling and medication when needed to treat this and other mental/emotional ailments. But what do I believe in more than these?  The power of the Holy Spirit to soothe our souls.

Joy in the Scriptures

“Your statutes are my heritage forever; they are the joy of my heart.”  Psalm 119:111 NIV  The longer I’ve walked with the Lord, the more personal His Word becomes to me.  It is no longer just a collection of stories I was raised on, it is the best part of any day.  I get giddy to cuddle up with my bible, a journal and study helps for as long as I am able.  Bonus points if a cup of coffee or hot tea is involved.

Joy in Prayer

“Until now you have not asked for anything in my name.  Ask and you will receive, and your joy will be complete.”  John 16:24 NIV  When we pray in accordance with God’s will, we receive what we ask for – God’s will.  How fulfilling to not only be granted our request, but more importantly to be in the center of God’s will.

Joy in Right Living

“The prospect of the righteous is joy, but the hopes of the wicked come to nothing.”  Proverbs 10:28 NIV  There can be no true joy without peace.  Moments of happiness, maybe.  But not deep, long-lasting joy.  That only comes to the light hearted, those unburdened with unforgiven or unconfessed sin.  So as I delve into joy, I seek to keep as clear a conscience as possible with my Maker.

Joy in Song

“I will be glad and rejoice in you; I will sing the praises of your name, O Most High.”  Psalm 9:2 NIV  There is something about expressing thoughts and feelings in song that connects with us on a deep level.  Teenagers seem to intrinsically know this, but I think we tend to minimize it as we get older and have more on our plates.  God created us with the ability to make music so it makes complete sense when science proves that singing decreases stress and increases pleasure.  So I’m making more time in my life for music that praises God and lifts my spirits.

 

Last month I offered you that screen saver as a bonus.  Today I’m sharing a Joy playlist on Spotify.  Some praise songs, some that just make me smile and put some pep in my step.  And even though I tried to avoid all the different renditions of “Joy to the World”, I did include one version of the Christmas song.  Phil Wickham’s is special.

 

So now I’m asking you to join the conversation.  Do you have a scripture on joy to share?  Or a song about joy or one that just makes you smile?  Comment below.  Let’s go on a joy ride.

 

And now for this week’s featured post from the link up!

 

Let’s keep talking about joy!  While not currently depressed, I have been there in the not-too-distant past.  Michelle Bengston’s The Journey from Depression into Joy encouraged me so much.  And I think it will too, regardless of whether you are in a good place or a tough one.

The Link Up

1. Share 1 or 2 of your most recent CHRISTIAN LIVING posts. (No DIY, crafts, recipes, or inappropriate articles.) All links are randomly sorted.

2. Comment on 1 or 2 other links. Grace & Truth linkup encourages community.

3. Every host features one entry from the previous week. To be featured, include this button or link back here on your post (mandatory to be featured, but not to participate).

Grace and Truth_Meet Hosts

We encourage you to follow our hosts on their blogs or social media.

MAREE DEE – Embracing the Unexpected
Blog | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | Pinterest

LAUREN SPARKS
Blog | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | Pinterest

LISA BURGESS – Lisa notes
Blog | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | Pinterest

TAMMY KENNINGTON – Restoring hope. Pursuing peace.
Blog | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | Pinterest

 Now Let’s Link Up!

You are invited to the Inlinkz link party!

Click here to enter

If you liked this post, do me the huge honor of using the buttons below to share it to your favorite social media accounts. And if you want to get these essays emailed to you once a week, subscribe!  Lastly, my posts may contain affiliate links and I earn from qualifying purchases. If you buy anything from one of these links, I will receive a few pennies to help offset the cost of this website at no additional charge to you. Thank you in advance for your help.

 

 

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About Me

I love Jesus, my husband and caffeine. The order of these can change depending on how tired I am. When my two daughters, stepson, and 4 grandchildren get to be too much, I practice yoga. God graciously allows me to share our adventures, victories and flub-ups from my laptop. May He be glorified here.
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