Friday, November 30, 2018

Intentional Joy

Once again I have allowed myself to fall behind with my blog. It’s not that I have a due date to turn in the assignment; I’m the only one who notices, I realize, but I like the feeling of being at least somewhat caught up.

It’s not even that I intend for my blog to be a chronological reporting of my life. But whether it’s sharing my art or my thoughts or my family events, I have come to feel that something is “unfinished” if I don’t blog at all!

So, currently we are in our second home in Washington state, and I have none of my art supplies with me. But at least I can attempt to catch up a bit, so that when I return to our MO home soon, this will be ONE area where I’m not behind!

Highlights since the previous post:

10-06-2018 Alyssa's Wedding (1)

Our granddaughter Alyssa married Josh Albers on October 6. So happy to be able to attend, along with our daughter Sharida (Matron of Honor) and her husband Greg and son Dawson!

10-21 thru 10-24-2018 Sib Mtn Retreat (8)

Late October, Sibling Mountain Retreat, with my sister Janene and her husband David (Russell’s brother), my brother Keith and his wife Michele. Great time in the Cumberland Mountains of Tennessee.

11-2018 Early Nov in WA (8)11-2018 Early Nov in WA (17)11-2018 Early Nov in WA (22)

Travel to Washington to spend November and first part of December in our second home, loving on our son’s family, including our great grandson Leeland.

11-2018 WA Ice Cream and Thanksgiving (42)

11-2018 WA Ice Cream and Thanksgiving (10)

11-2018 WA Ice Cream and Thanksgiving (49)

11-2018 WA Ice Cream and Thanksgiving (40)

So fun to have Thanksgiving Dinner in our new home, with Mark, Kristy, Tory, Conner, Caroline, and Leeland!

So, yes, I have so much to be thankful for, so much to be joyous about. But, perhaps because I am serious by nature, sometimes I realize I need to be more intentional about letting my JOY shine through.

I am working in a Joy Journal. These verses in yesterday’s study are a great reminder:

Psalm 47:

1 Clap your hands, all you nations;
shout to God with cries of joy.

2 For the Lord Most High is awesome,
the great King over all the earth.

6 Sing praises to God, sing praises;
sing praises to our King, sing praises.
7 For God is the King of all the earth;
sing to him a psalm of praise.

#Joy #FamilyLove #Thanksgiving