Lighthouse Keepers

Joy! It has always been a favourite word of mine. Partly because it’s my middle name and I’ve made a collection over the years of quotes and anything really I can get my hands on that say Joy… including my daughter’s name “Joyanna”. But mostly because when you see and spend time with someone who is joyful it is like a breath of fresh air and you walk away feeling uplifted and encouraged. How does one get this joyfulness? Webster's defines it as “the source or cause of delight” So where does your source of delight ultimately come from? There are little simple gifts that make us smile, a warm cup of coffee on a cold morning, watching your child finally comprehend something you have been teaching them, a hug, a walk, time with a friend, a good book, a beautiful song. There are so many things that bring us satisfaction. But what about when you’re having a crummy day and you’ve warmed up your coffee 3 times already and it’s sitting cold again, nothing goes right, dinner burns, ...

Did that just happen? Really 2015 is over? These years really do go by too fast! A new year is upon us once more. It is a good time to reflect on what we learned in the past year and to think about God’s purpose for our lives. One thing I can tell you is that even though I started writing some of what I will share months ago, I wait with actually getting it all down until that clock is about to strike midnight and that calendar is about to open to a new page; a new year!  The excitement builds up you know, and the closer to the new year we get, the better this post should be, right? (Besides, I was only asked to write this three month ago.)  Ok… I admit it…It actually has more to do with this bad last minute habit thing I have going on. If I were to make resolutions this year, that should probably be one thing I should change. Our homemade gift exchange at church was a fine example of why I need to work on that one. However, I really do find a new year exciting. M...

Isn’t it wonderful that we can celebrate the birth of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ this Christmas season?! ( Original Post )    One homeschool morning a few years ago now, I had just settled down at the table with the days lessons with our son who found it very challenging to sit and put his brain to work on something that was not his idea of being worth thinking about.   We heard a car stop close by and out stepped a couple of nicely dressed people and of course, one had to be walking towards our door. I groaned inwardly and I then told one of our daughters to tell this lady that their mother was not available. It must have been the Holy Spirit opening my eyes to this opportunity and I quickly changed my mind. “Wait, let me get the door”, I said. I put a smile on my face, opened the door, and this is how I greeted this woman who was here to share from her Jehovah’s Witness training: “Isn’t it great to celebrate the birth of our Lord and Savi...

A friend of mine recently told me an incredible story of an incident that happened with her mom.  The story so impressed me that I requested permission to share it with you. But before I do, let me tell you a little about myself.  I’m the happy wife of an amazing man and the joyful (more sometimes than others) mother of four very busy boys. Before I got married, teaching was my mission; but prayer was my calling.   In my journey with God, He has shown me continually that His real work is done on my knees- that apparently is how His soldiers advance in battle- but over and over again I find myself distracted from it.  Maybe you can relate. photo taken is Oasis MX My friend’s story was just one part in a series of things that God has used to bring me back to His work done His way- that is prayer. Now for the story, Sara’s mom is a praying mom. She has told me on several occasions about the strength she finds on her knees.  One night she ...