January Joy....

Words that have been going thru my mind lately...joy...amazing grace...intent...being present in the moment....it has become a challenge...what used to be natural...now has to be intentional...I almost said that 'we've become a nation of....' but let's be honest...I have become distracted...'escaping' when I need a little peace and quiet.  Internet is so quietly addictive...it's always there...it is visual...it allows us to 'visit' minutely...and provides instant knowledge at our fingertips...and for a person who loves to read...to research...this can be addictive.  I say addictive...and yet, I am on all "good" things...keeping in touch with friends and family...reading devotionals, homeschooling, cooking and organizational articles/blogs...but I am finding for me...that thinking that I would only be on for "one minute"...turns out to be a restful (but totally disconnected and distracted 30 minutes)....so convicting...as I pray for the Lord to help me to re-focus on Him...my family...the basics of my life before the internet entered it...so I am praying for help in being 'deliberate'...using the good...not taking my attention away from my family.  I've been challanged....and the peace that I suspect I will find will be so worth the self-denial and self-discipline (that I've sorely lacked).

I'll be focusing on Grace...and Joy....and Gratefulness....I've always documented my blessings in pictures...as long as I can remember...and that will continue here.  Might be daily...might be a month...when led by Him...but I will be counting my blessings at home...getting back to basics...in our home...and in my heart.

Looking for the joy in the unexpected...and joining with the many other women counting it all joy...over at Joy Dare    ~Sue~

Precious friends....and new life!

So grateful for our church...His word...and getting back to the basics...

Parenting...with Grace...

curling up in warmth....focusing on Him...

Joy of family...little cousins....

Hiding God's word in our hearts...

Just because...I love watching them...

Antique bowls...filled with good fruits...

Kefir smoothies...because they make me happy!

Blessings of a full fridge...and a new one...only the 2nd one we've gotten in  22 years...

View from my deck...awe-inspiring...sunset...winter sky...