Friday Randomness (Vol. 15)

Scripture speaking to my heart

"Let the redeemed of the LORD tell their story." ~ Psalm 107: 2
**Shared by my friend Becky**

"What I whisper in your ear, shout from the housetops for all to hear!" ~ Mathew 10:27
**Shared by my friend Katie**

Notice a theme? I love the encouragement for us to tell our stories, which are all part of His story!

JOY-filled quote

Joy isn't a function of what happens, but of what I think. Joy is a function of how I thank. ~ Ann Voskamp

Storyline, by Donald Miller

"The life-theme of every major character in Scripture, every leader who follows God is the same: They are participating with God to save many lives."

Three Word Wednesday Featured Writer

Remind me not to make promises I'm unable to keep. I do plan to feature another Three Word Wednesday writer soon. I'm asking for grace as life has been a little overwhelming the past few weeks.

I do encourage you to read one, two, three or more of the posts linked up for Three Word Wednesday. You can find this week's post here. It's too hard for me to suggest only one. I always enjoy every single one. Have I mentioned how much I love this community? Come join us if you have not already. All you need to do is let three words be the focus of your post.

A few of my favorite blog reads

It's Valentine's Day so we will start with a lovely post by Emily Simmons of The Ministry Wife: What Love Really Is {a Valentine's Day post}. Thank you for sharing on your Facebook page, Kristin.

Seriously, don't miss what heaven will be like by Duane Scott written for Outside the City Gate this week. Leave a comment and share his post to be entered to win a copy of the book Streams in the Desert by L.B Cowman. You can link up a post too!

You all know my friend Karin of Sunrise With A Six Pack, right? If you've been following me for a while now you should know her. She's one of my faves and she blesses me again with her post When We Can’t See Through The Fog.

Karin introduced me to Jana of Jana's Three Dresses and I'm so grateful to now call her my friend too. Jana so kindly shared Duane Scott and Outside the City Gate with her readers this week but you should also be sure to read her post Grief Amnesia. I hear she has a giveaway coming up soon too!

God works in amazing ways! I love how he led me over to Kendal Privette's place to read the caloric thorn. I know my thorn will eventually be "a tiny, itty-bitty splinter that I have mostly forgotten."

Amy Sullivan is another writer I adore. She is talking about how waiting undoes her and I can totally relate.

Video of the week

I joined an (in)Courage group for Professional Women and one of the leaders shared a video I may need to watch for inspiration every morning before leaving for work: Work as Worship by RightNow Ministries. Good stuff!

Thankfulness

It was super wonderful to come home and discover I had received a package in the mail from Kristin of The Riches of His Love containing Holley Gerth's new book, You're Going to Be Okay. ~~happy dance~~ Would you help me show Kristin some love by taking a moment to go visit her and leave some comment love?

Fabulous encouragers

My friends Shelly and Joan are truly AWESOME. I mentioned them last week in my Friday Randomness (Vol. 14) post but they needed to be mentioned again. If you do not know these lovely ladies you really should go over and meet them. They will surely bless you.

Favorite moment

A SKYPE date with four writing friends! I really do love how God connects us in this beautiful blogging world.

I'm finding JOY in a deployment #JoyDare #1000 gifts

#90 ~ Dinner at the airport with a #milspouse friend to begin our weekend getaway for a military conference (Yellow Ribbon).

#91 ~ Praise God everyone made the flight; it was close.

#92 ~ A beautiful view of the city of Minneapolis from my hotel room... sparkling lights.

#93 ~ People who care enough to have an event for military families in different phases of a deployment.

#94 ~ The speakers who sat with us during the conference. I loved and appreciated their genuine hearts.

#95 ~ The many valuable resources available to our service members and their families.

#96 ~ Two wonderful days spent with my #milspouse friends.

#97 ~ Open hearts and the willingness to be vulnerable.

#98 ~ An evening together at Mall of America.

#99 ~ Friends who join along in the adventures of your "flat" husband.

#100 ~ Bubba Gump Shrimp employees who are willing to sing Happy Birthday to your "flat" husband. LOL

#101 ~ Returning back to our hotel safely because getting a taxi proved to be an adventure.

#102 ~ Chapel Service -- "For where two or three gather in my name, there am I with them.” ~ Matthew 18:20

#103 ~ A refreshing message during the Chapel service.

#104 ~ Friends who want to help...we only need to let them know how.

#105 ~ A much needed nap on the plane ride home.

#106 ~ The gentlemen who sat next to me on the plane. We had a brief but enjoyable conversation.

#107 ~ Responding "yes" when asked if I was a writer.''

#108 ~ A new small group campaign at my church.

#109 ~ A text from my daughter-in-law to let me know my son has returned home from his time at sea.

#110 ~ The beautiful smiles on both my DIL and my sons face in the picture they sent me of them together again.

#111 ~ A text from a #milspouse friend to say she loves me and enjoys spending time with me.

#112 ~ Finding JOY in my job. I'm really trying to!

#113 ~ A private message from a friend that came with perfect timing.

#114 ~ God creating my husband. It was his birthday this week.

#115 ~ A church friend who comes to my rescue when one of our cars will not start.

#116 ~ My son calling because he doesn't feel well and wants my opinion.

#117 ~ Everything my younger son does for me. He ROCKS!

#118 ~ A friend who calls simply to say hello.