For The Love of Joy Blog

Turning my messy story into a beautiful testimony of His unfathomable grace + mercy.

Category: Faith

  • Musings of a Life on Mission

    Musings of a Life on Mission

    It’s Sunday. The final day of 2017 and it’s a chilly one. Coffee steaming from our mugs is calling us to sip. Brooks and I are sitting by the wood stove hearing the crackle of fire. Flashes of light are bursting through the wood stove. Thoughts and wonderment are stirring my heart about the close…

  • A Different Kind of Christmas: What to do When Christmas Isn’t Merry

    I have always envisioned Christmas morning at my house. It’s a dream of mine to wake up and watch my children & husband open gifts while I sip my coffee. From there, I’d move to my farmhouse kitchen, still wrapped in my bathrobe, where I would scramble some eggs and whip up some monkey bread….

  • Faith & Medical Intervention: My Story of Seeking a Doctor

    Faith & Medical Intervention: My Story of Seeking a Doctor

    I’ve gone back and forth about writing this post for a few reasons. First, there are components of my faith and personal walk with the Lord that are private. There are prayers that I pray, convictions that I work through, and even celebrations that will remain between He and I. I’ve wondered if God’s words to…

  • From Newlywed to Newly Infertile: Encouragement for the Infertile Newlywed

    From Newlywed to Newly Infertile: Encouragement for the Infertile Newlywed

    I have been thinking about all of the young women around me getting engaged. Perhaps even newly married now and I ponder the realization that they may find themselves walking the same road of infertility as me. To you newlyweds, there may be a time when you decide “it’s time”. It’s time to grow your…

  • Keep Going: A Note of Encouragement

    Keep Going: A Note of Encouragement

    Bouncing back. That’s the ability I’ve been gaining back these days and it feels so awesome. Since the miscarriage in 2016, I’ve been going through one of the worst seasons ever! I normally work my way through the messes of life and come out stronger. But, not this time. Losing that ability was rough and…

  • Empty

    Empty

    “As I go about my days, I can’t help but have a pure disgust for this world. It’s awful. I spend everyday watching as people hate one another. They bow to their idols. They choose themselves first… I look around my own house, marriage, and life to find so much idolatrous clutter. I am disgusted!…

  • Navigating an Unexpected Health Crisis

    Navigating an Unexpected Health Crisis

    This new season has been eye opening. As you are now aware, I’ve been struggling for some time and working to regain my health – mentally, spiritually, physically, emotionally. I’ve never had what I would consider a life crisis before. Lots of mini issues, sure. Everyone has to scale back from time to time but…

  • Restoration of a Broken Heart

    Restoration of a Broken Heart

    Wow, what a ride. It’s been one of life’s seasons when things seems to ebb and flow about as smoothly as the ocean waves in a hurricane. One minute there was peace and calming. The next I was drowning. That’s what this road has been for several months now, causing me to go quiet. Blogging…

  • Infertility and the Loss of a Pet

    Infertility and the Loss of a Pet

    It happened. I lost my pup and four-legged companion of over a decade. It was a sudden event and there was wailing. I didn’t expect it. I had all of about 3 minutes to say goodbye, most of which was spent moving through the initial shock… I went nuts. Crazy even. No time to prepare emotionally. My…

  • Endurance Brought on by HOPE

    Endurance Brought on by HOPE

    I’ve often wondered why I try so hard. I mean, this general wondering can be applied to just about everything in life – work, marriage, child rearing. Anything. But, for me it’s mostly that relentless need to keep the pursuit of a growing family. I believe this is where Proverbs 30:15-16 comes into play. I’ve…