Friday Randomness (Vol. 21)

Scripture speaking to my heart

"You did not choose Me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit, and that your fruit should remain, that whatever you ask the Father in My name He may give you." ~ John 15:16 (NKJV)

Ann Voskamp - One Thousand Gifts

"These are for you — gifts — these are for you — grace — these are for you — God, so count the ways HE loves, a thousand, more, never stop, that when you wake in the morning you can't help turn humbly to the east, unfold your hand to the heavens, and though you tremble and though you wonder, though the world is ugly, it is beautiful, and you can slow and you can trust and you can receive each moment as grace. Eurcharisteo. Eucharisteo. Eucharisteo."

Joy-filled quote

"A life of intimacy with God is characterized by joy." ~ Oswald Chambers

Featured Three Word Wednesday Writer

I'm doing the happy dance over sharing my friend Satin of My Heart, His Word with you. She is a sweetheart and soon (very soon) I will meet her in REAL LIFE. I just love when writing friends become in real life friends. I've only known Satin for a few months but our friendship has blossomed quickly. I adore her and can't wait to give her a hug.

Me: What do you enjoy most about Three Word Wednesday?

Satin: I love the community that comes with Three Word Wednesday. Having a place to come on Wednesday's and share my heart with a community of people doing the same thing, is pretty amazing. Encouraging each other, sharing what God is doing in our lives — it's a gift and something I look forward to weekly!

Me: Who or what inspires you?

Satin: At the moment, I think the one thing that inspires me the most is watching God move in mighty ways, through my obedience. Watching Him take the impossible and make it possible, turn ashes to beauty and bring life to seemingly dead circumstances is inspiring. I'm inspired to live each day to the fullest, trusting God as He leads me along this journey. I am daily reminded of my need for Him and His keen ability to meet me right where I am!

A few of my favorite blog reads

"Here’s to the girl who never thought she had a voice…" ~ Here's to You, by Lauren of Marked By Grace // Another one of those posts you just need to read. It's beautiful!

"I have a choice. I can cooperate with the grace of joy that fills me, or ignore it. How I choose will not only make my life a dance, but it can also bubble over to everyone I meet." ~ The Grace of Joy, by Ceil Ryan // My heart is won over when one talks about my one word JOY.

"We need to decide whose opinion of us ultimately counts, because a multitude of sources will tell us what we should do or how much we should weigh to be beautiful or accepted. But Jesus’ opinion saves, forgives, and sets us free." ~ Whose opinion counts? by Tracy of One Degree Ministries // Jesus' opinion is the only one that counts!

"Don’t change just to be someone else. Be your beautiful, unique you." ~ Cut from the same cloth – embrace your uniqueness, by Amelia Rhodes // Let's embrace our uniqueness, shall we?

"And I’m not a people person. At all. I struggle with small talk. It actually makes me sweat. I can carry on a four-hour conversation about something that touches me deeply, but put me in a room where I need to converse casually and there is suddenly not a thought in my head. Not one." ~ The Currency of Zero, by Cindee of Breathe Deeply // Cindee appears again this week as one of my favorite reads.

"Whether you are dreaming of world change or a silly bicycle, there are four types of dreams — Those that are fulfilled, those that are delayed, those that are denied, and those that are suppressed." ~ Where Did That Dreamer Go–Because We Need You, by David Rupert via Outside the City Gate // May your dreams become fulfilled dreams!

My favorite, favorite blog read

"Over and over again, my fellow speakers shared stories of our God who sees and knows us better than anyone else has or ever will. Stories of God showing up and showing off His great love for us in ways only He can. The way He uses clouds and running and notebooks to say, 'I see you. I love you.'" ~ A Gift from the One Who Sees Me, by Erin of Home with the Boys // A truly beautiful God story.

Ways to show love to your family

Jennifer of Scribbling Fresh Words gives you 39 ways! Read them here. She just turned 39 too!

Online friends become #INRL friends

She posted a message on Facebook wall on Tuesday saying, "This week? Appetizers? I will make it work. YOU pick the day and time!" And on Thursday we met for dinner. What a delight it was to finally meet my online friend Angie Ryg and to now be in real life friends. .

An inspirational video and a super cute one for fun

What do you long for? Watch this video by that pastor and author I admire, Pete Wilson. I highly recommend reading his book Let Hope In.

I cannot help myself—this kid is adorable. If you are in need of a pep-talk be sure to watch. Actually, you should watch no matter.

Song of the week

A beautiful joy-filled song shared with me by my #milspouse friend Anna.

Center of My Joy, by Richard Smallwood

"Jesus, You're the center of my joy
All that's good and perfect comes from You
You're the heart of my contentment
Hope for all I do Jesus,
You're the center of my joy "



Finding JOY in a deployment #JoyDare #1000gifts

#212 ~ My youngest son making his first turkey
#213 ~ Homemade biscuits
#214 ~ Footloose video celebrating 30 years...good memories
#215 ~ Friends who get you.
#216 ~ Rejoicing because my name is written in heaven (Luke 10:20)
#217 ~ A two hour drive that allows time for listening to the book Love Does
#218 ~ St. Patrick's Day belated celebration with Army wife friends
#219 ~ Sharing highs and lows from our week
#220 ~ Coffee with a young Navy recruit to give her encouragement
#221 ~ An online friend who creates pretty images for you
#222 ~ Not letting the cold keep me from welcoming spring
#223 ~ God's never ending love
#224 ~ An encouraging email from my mom
#225 ~ Discounted study Bible's
#226 ~ Being told by a friend that I'm one of her 1,000 gifts
#227 ~ For failures because they have taught me how much I need him.
#228 ~ A tub that finally drains properly
#229 ~ My Three Word Wednesday writing family
#230 ~ More snow...it's okay, spring will come
#231 ~ A fresh haircut and color
#232 ~ Meeting an online friend
#233 ~ News from my son that he was hired as a full-time chef. Yippee!!