FINDING JOY: A Spiritual Journey to discover joy through her daily life

  T he phone rang and it was my oldest sister, she says that she'd spoken to one of my other sisters (there are six of us) and that we should do a three way call. I had spoken to her earlier in the week and shared with her that we needed to pray.   I clicked a button on WhatsApp and there we all were chatting in unison at the thought that we could come together despite the distance.  Even though I could not see their faces I knew that they were laughing and smiling at the fact that we could communicate in this way.  Technology is amazing, isn't it?  We came together not to visit with each other, but we'd come together to pray and seek the Lord on behalf of our family and some decisions that needed to be made.  It was fantastic!  We had come together from three different countries (Canada, USA and the UK) representing our family in prayer, praying for direction and the Lord's will.  For where two or three are gathered together in my name, ...

Do you feel like you are an amazing mom?  Do you ever question your parenting?  Yourself?   I have struggled with thoughts of not being a good mom for many years, ever since the early days of motherhood nineteen years ago.  I had worked with children for most of my life. Caring for them in their homes, in daycare facilities and from my home, and I was good at it.  But when it came to my being a mother, I somehow felt I was falling short. This week my husband and I met with a counsellor for my son (who was also present) about an issue we were having.  And was really stressing me out.  He was frank and very respectful and I actually enjoyed the visit.  I came away with answers that I needed for my son, though they were things I already knew and did.  But questioned whether or not I was doing them right. Once, I had shared with him what was on my plate was like (and to me it just felt so full to over flowing), that he sudden...

Wow! this has been a busy week for me, filled with a few appointments and a lot of running around to do, and struggling with sleep or the lack there of.  Sometimes, I will just sit and fall asleep in my armchair or on the sofa.  Or I cannot sleep at all, so I end up staying up late.  I am trying to find a way to manage my sleep pattern and hope I find it soon.  Several things can happen when I don't get enough sleep,  I get tired, frustrated, impatient and tired.  It's gotten worse since menopause hit me several years ago.  There are times when I can through myself on a bed and sleep for hours while other nights sleep evades me like a ghost in the night.  The worst part is when I am so fatigued that I don't make sense or I am grumpy with my family, the very people that I love.  Part of my week was like that.  As I shared my struggle with a few of lady friends, one lady asked me to share more.  When I did, I realized that this we...

As the house empties and I call his name, I thank him for his peace and as I sit in his presence.  The Father reminds me that I am his, just as they are.  He reminds me that his grace is sufficient for me.  That I can come to him and lean on him and I find joy as I sit and I speak and listen. I am reminded that I am not alone in this journey.  That there are other women out there who struggle with some part or all of their day, it just depends on what's going on in your family. I have stop and sit sometimes I put on some Christian music that helps me, and I can crank it up without bothering others too much and I breathe.  In that breath I cry out his name and I feel peace.  I close my eyes and I and cry for help.  I know that he will come to me and bring peace.  I also know that I have to do it quickly before the lies and recriminations begin to attack, my mind.   Telling me how awful I was or is that how a Christian is suppose to act,...

Lately, mornings have been a the worse part of my day, especially as I often struggle with insomnia.  Recently, I had such a bad morning, that I wrote this and shared it with a friend. Feeling sorry for myself again this morning.  I feel tired and just want to go back to bed.  I feel touchy, and can't wait for the kids and hubby to get out of the house so I can have peace and quiet. I am tired of having to get up every morning to make sure the kids are up and ready for school.  Tired of having to settle arguments or listen to the squabbles and fights between the two, and sick and tired of the silent treatment, when I've asked  a question.  The worse part is that they won't admit it's them. Ugh! It's just too early for this.  I want to go back to bed. "She put Kleenex in my cereal bowl!" I hear a shout. "What should I do with it?" He asks.  This is a question I cannot deal with today.  "Figure it out." I say, as I close my eyes and...

Welcome! I would like to welcome you to my blog.  I have been on my spiritual journey for a long time but it's been through the past few years that I have been working and leaning on the Lord as a parent. I am the mother of four beautiful children, three of whom my husband and I adopted and one homegrown.  My children are 19, 18, 11 and 10. I am thankful for each of them, as the Lord has taught me so more about my faith and relationship with Him, as wife and a stay at home mother.  I have also walked through the demanding and challenging journey as a homeschooling mom, as well as my back surgery and the frightening experience of my husbands stroke last year. My family and I have endured several moves, ADHD in two children while one also had ODD (Oppositional Defiant Disorder) and a host of other issues that I have had to walk through, pray through and sometimes scream through.  But what I have learned that our heavenly Father has been with me through it all. ...