What's New: Rediscovering My Joy Gems

When caring for my dying mother, I lived in my parents' home, with no way to get away from the daily routines and stresses, except through prayer. Since Mom did not approve of tears I escaped to my room in the basement, curled up sideways in a big chair with my Bible and prayer journal, I'd be scribbling away, telling the Lord my thoughts and feelings and asking countless questions. He was such a good Listener!

I needed more joy in my life, and started a Bible study during my early morning devotions, where I hunted for a verse with joy in it. I stayed with it until I'd milked some lesson on joy for myself from it. To discipline myself, I made a rule to only spend half an hour on this, and to limit myself to one half page on my computer. This way I would have a devotional book on joy when done. It didn't take me long to refer to my finds as my Joy Gems.

Mom died November 10, 1997 of congestive heart failure; It was her wish to die at home. After the funeral and a house-cleaning binge, life settled down to more relaxed pace with Dad; he needed company but not nursing care. I got busy with new projects and sometimes ignored this book on the computer for a season.

After Dad died ten years later, I decided to wrap it up at 180 Joy Gems, and publish it, but I had became even busier with making a living; so my polishing work on Joy Gems was slow.

I have an undercurrent of joy in my life because of this study, now more and more I feel I ought to share this. There are others – perhaps you – who need this strong thread of joy to be woven through your life. Read one a day for six months. Take time to look up the verses for yourself, and think seriously about how they apply to you. Pray your own response to God. See if it doesn't lift your spirits in a tremendous way!

Yesterday I came across my unpublished manuscript, and as I skimmed some pages, I realize that as soon as I can fit this into my busy days I need to proof-read and polish it for real publishing as an ebook.

I decided to tip off you, my subscriber friends, so you can do your own study on Joy and collect your own collection of Joy Gems! Whether you make a book out of those, or not, doesn't matter. Just doing that study will fill your life with real, tangible JOY!

[The article at the top is a sample page from my Joy Gems.]

<*> TIPS & SOLUTIONS: <*>

Cautions with Sudden Warm Temperatures

Our area had some unusually low-LOW temperatures this winter I have stayed inside unless it was really important. On Sunday the temperature came up above 0! Slushy snow turned to water and was sprayed everywhere!

Daytime temperatures are to be above 0 all this week. So... we need to watch out for getting sprayed with yucky slushy snow/water. Our cars will get dirty; but a car wash can help with that.

However, do not wear your best clothing when you go out; you may get drenched just trying to cross the street! Do keep on your boots until the ground is truly dry. Your dress shoes or runners may be harder to clean and restore than you thought.

Spring is usually a short season. Unless a snowstorm strikes back, it will be possible to walk on dry sidewalks and streets in just another couple of weeks.

Some like to show off by wearing summer shorts, and thin tops. But it will be hard to laugh it off if they come down with a bad cold or pneumonia. - In other words, be Cautious!

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