joy
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The Lord has shown me that when I open my heart to Him, beautiful things happen. He draws me in closer to His love. He shows me that love is all around and given in abundance. Love is something I struggle with, and I am not sure where that comes from. It is hard for…
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This past week, I went on a girls trip with my daughters. We did not get a chance to do our traditional family vacation like we usually do in the summers. The kids are adults now, and schedules are harder to make time work for everyone. So, my husband and I came up with an…
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I have much joy when I watch “A Christmas Carol“, which is a yearly tradition in our home. This year, we watched it during the third week of Advent, known as “Gaudete Sunday”. Gaudete is Latin for gaudium, which means joy and gaudeo, which means rejoice. This week turns the focus to the nearness of…
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On the third day there was a wedding at Cana in Galilee, and the mother of Jesus was there; Jesus also was invited to the marriage with His disciples. When the wine failed, the mother of Jesus said to Him, “They have no wine.” And Jesus said to her, “O woman, what have you to…
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This morning, I sit here reflecting on my youngest daughter. Today is her 18th birthday and she is a great blessing to me. She entered the world on a cold day, and today will celebrate her special day in bitter cold temps, but she radiates a joy that warms all those around her. She was…
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As I enter into the fourth week of Advent, the final preparation before Christmas, I ponder the storms of life. There are many experiences that come up in my life that are difficult and troubling and they lead to suffering. Often the path to stay on is straight through this suffering relying on God, to…
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I have much joy when I watch “A Christmas Carol“, which is a yearly tradition in our home. This year, we watched it during the third week of Advent, known as “Gaudete Sunday”. Gaudete is Latin for gaudium, which means joy and gaudeo, which means rejoice. This week turns the focus to the nearness of…
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The joy of the Lord is your strength. Nehemiah 8:10 I feel much joy as I enter into the third week of Advent. Joy is the light within the heart which burns brightly and bursts forth like fourth of July fireworks. Joy brings that which must be felt to the surface and illuminates all those…
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January in the great north can be a challenge. This is true when the days are endless clouds and the sun seems to have disappeared. I find myself surrounded with blanketed white snow, gray skies and crisp air. My body feels tired and my mind unfocused. It takes effort to move from the weighing down…