Faith Love N Joy

09/01/2026

Walking Through The Bible: Deuteronomy

I keep a journal that I write in daily. Nothing fancy - just my thoughts, what’s happening in my life, or whatever happens to be on my mind at the moment. Every once in a while, I like to go back and read it. Sometimes, I can see how far I’ve come on certain journeys. Other times, I realize I’m still stuck in places I thought I had already moved beyond....

I keep a journal that I write in daily. Nothing fancy – just my thoughts, what’s happening in my life, or whatever happens to be on my mind at the moment. Every once in a while, I like to go back and read it. Sometimes, I can see how far I’ve come on certain journeys. […]

08/28/2026

Life Lately: A Journey into Grief. Again.

This past weekend was very busy. My daughter and her family came in for a visit, which meant a lot of Sophia time. My father and stepmom were here too, and that was such a joy because I love watching Sophia interact with them. She does it a little more each time. When she slows down, that is. When they left on Sunday, I was very, very tired, as I usually am after spending time with Sophia....

This past weekend was very busy. My daughter and her family came in for a visit, which meant a lot of Sophia time. My father and stepmom were here too, and that was such a joy because I love watching Sophia interact with them. She does it a little more each time. When she slows […]

08/25/2026

Weight Loss and Menopause

Let’s Talk About Weight Let’s talk about my favorite subject: weight loss. Or weight gain, in my experience. Or really, weight anything, which bothers me because I was not born into a family known for being “skinny.” Now, I don’t want to turn this into a “poor me, I’m fat” post. I also don’t want to go on a rant about why fat-shaming still seems to be acceptable in the media when apparently everyone gets offended by everything else....

Let’s Talk About Weight Let’s talk about my favorite subject: weight loss. Or weight gain, in my experience. Or really, weight anything, which bothers me because I was not born into a family known for being “skinny.” Now, I don’t want to turn this into a “poor me, I’m fat” post. I al...

08/21/2026

Almost 58 and Still Figuring It Out

Life is funny. Or so they say. I remember being in high school, long ago, and thinking I would have my whole life figured out by the time I reached my 50s. Fifty seemed positively ancient back then. Then I graduated and started working. I remember thinking, “Just a few more years, and then I’ll get married and life will begin.”...

Life is funny. Or so they say. I remember being in high school, long ago, and thinking I would have my whole life figured out by the time I reached my 50s. Fifty seemed positively ancient back then. Then I graduated and started working. I remember thinking, “Just a few more years, and then I’ll ...

08/20/2026

I’ve been struggling lately. Struggling with trying to have it all together. Struggling with trying to do it all. Struggling with a self-imposed timeline. Struggling because I’m not as successful as I feel I should be. Struggling with unfulfilled dreams. Struggling to know my place in the world....

08/20/2026

God, I Trust You

I’ve been struggling lately. Struggling with trying to have it all together. Struggling with trying to do it all. Struggling with a self-imposed timeline. Struggling because I’m not as successful as I feel I should be. Struggling with unfulfilled dreams. Struggling to know my place in the world. Struggling to know what God has really called me to do. It’s a lot....

I’ve been struggling lately. Struggling with trying to have it all together. Struggling with trying to do it all. Struggling with a self-imposed timeline. Struggling because I’m not as successful as I feel I should be. Struggling with unfulfilled dreams. Struggling to know my place in the world....

08/18/2026

Trading Beliefs for Truth

Have you ever had a belief challenged? Someone feeds you a little truth, and suddenly you’re sitting in the middle of your belief system wondering what happened to your life. As I’ve grown older and studied the Word more intently, I’ve realized there are several beliefs I need to replace with Truth. It hasn’t necessarily been a pain-free process. Letting go of 50+ years of believing one way is hard....

Have you ever had a belief challenged? Someone feeds you a little truth, and suddenly you’re sitting in the middle of your belief system wondering what happened to your life. As I’ve grown older and studied the Word more intently, I’ve realized there are several beliefs I need to replace with ...

08/14/2026

What If Ordinary Is Holy?

I used to think holy people were recognizable. They prayed differently. They spoke differently. They seemed to know exactly what to say when someone was hurting. They probably woke up early to pray, kept their Bibles beautifully highlighted, and never once stood in the kitchen at 5:30 p.m. wondering what on earth they were going to make for dinner. At least, that's how I imagined them....

I used to think holy people were recognizable. They prayed differently. They spoke differently. They seemed to know exactly what to say when someone was hurting. They probably woke up early to pray, kept their Bibles beautifully highlighted, and never once stood in the kitchen at 5:30 p.m. wondering...

08/11/2026

Where Home Begins

I’ve always thought the words house and home were interchangeable. They’re not. One is a building. The other is an experience. Anyone who’s lived any sort of life knows what I’m talking about. When I was married and living in Texas, my house was just that: a house. It was filled with people I loved, especially my daughters, but overall, it was simply a building....

I’ve always thought the words house and home were interchangeable. They’re not. One is a building. The other is an experience. Anyone who’s lived any sort of life knows what I’m talking about. When I was married and living in Texas, my house was just that: a house. It was filled with people ...

08/10/2026

Monday Blessings

Monday is never, ever my favorite day. The weekend is over, and a long week stretches ahead, full of what I like to call “busy nothings.” If you’re anything like me, you start dreading it on Sunday night as the Great Reset begins. Prepping lunches. Setting up the coffee pot. (I don’t do Keurig, and my Nespresso is reserved for afternoon lattes, should I desire one.) Choosing clothes for the week....

Monday is never, ever my favorite day. The weekend is over, and a long week stretches ahead, full of what I like to call “busy nothings.” If you’re anything like me, you start dreading it on Sunday night as the Great Reset begins. Prepping lunches. Setting up the coffee pot. (I don’t do Keur...