I joined Ann Voskamp’s Gratitude Community at the beginning of 2011. On Mondays, we share what we’ve discovered as we’ve counted blessings throughout the week. Not only have I discovered more of life in each moment, I’ve found myself slowing down to soak up the beauty around me, things I have been running too fast…

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The first Saturday of each month, Elizabeth Esther hosts a blog-hop in which everyone can feature their favorite/most-popular/most controversial post from the previous month. I have written a lot of serious stuff this month (the most popular was probably I Can’t *Feel* Him) , but today I decided to highlight something a little more light-hearted,…

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Welcome to everyone stopping by from the 2011 Ultimate Blog Party! My name is Joy, and I am a writer who blogs. I’m a little different, and I’m finally ok with it. Since I first learned to put letters together into words, writing has given me freedom to be my most real “me.” For some…

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I wedged myself into our overstuffed burgundy recliner, the only furniture we’ve ever bought brand-new, knees pulled tight under my chin. My husband lounged across from me on the couch, easy. Two men, one an acquaintance, one a longtime friend, sat with us, our papers in their hands. My words, bare and black on the…

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I have seen some incredible photos taken during what they call “the blue hour.” I decided to sneak out early one morning this week and see what I could find. A few of the best for this week’s Wordless Wednesday.  

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Continuing my Monday practice of counting gifts, a few blessings from the past week. My thanks are mingled with tears… we received news that the dearly-loved husband and father of some of our friends passed away, and the very-young daughter and grand-daughter of another friend has begun her battle with a rare form of cancer.…

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