Hello There {and Why I Blog.}
Welcome!
I’m Sarah. And here are five random things about me:
I live in New England and love all things antique. I love colonial era homes (and I could move right into this one in Little Women!)
If I could, I would dress like Meg in Little Women.
I know, by heart, most of the lines in all the period dramas like Pride and Prejudice, Sense and Sensibility and Emma and I frequently quote them to make my kids laugh.
I am a part time philosopher. The other part of the time, I have no idea where my brain went to. 🙂
I love curling up with my coffee and Bible for early morning study.
I wish I could say that Joy Filled Days was started because I am a naturally upbeat and cheerful person. But, that is not the case. It was actually born out of a time of trial and discouragement when I realized that I was struggling with being joyful.
I realized that I had a choice: I could choose joy or choose to complain.
I decided to remind myself to choose joy every day, not only because God tells us to choose joy in trials, but because so much depends on it– God’s glory, my testimony, the atmosphere of my home and my ministry to my children. And when we see God as her really is, we know that he is good and that He always does what is right and leads us in the paths He has planned for us. That was reason enough to make me smile and to rest in Him.
Joy-Filled days is where I chronicle what I am learning in God’s word, how I apply that to daily life and to my kids lives.
I was on vacation last summer and a woman came up to me and asked if I was Sarah from JoyFilled Days. It was then that I realized that people were actually reading this blog. 🙂 As my readership grew, I also realized that it was a great way to encourage other women, especially young mothers.
So, here are my five great reasons for writing! 🙂
Linked to Courtney’s Blog Bash 2011 here
I {heart} Little Women!! It’s so good to “meet” you! I’m stopping by via the Blog Bash 2011… have a BLESSED weekend!!
Hello Joy, What a great reason to blog! I am so glad that I stopped here as I need to remember that too.
Thanks for stopping by my blog too,
Amy
Great to ‘meet’ you! Thank you for taking to stop by my blog! From reading your “about you” we are much alike! I adore the times as they are pictured in Sense and Sensibility as well! I also love the video you posted about the scarves! My DD will love watching that (and trying out all the different styles).
Blessings!
Blog hopping with Women living Well! So nice to meet you! I am a lover of antiques as well. And have learned much about His JOY in the last few years. Blessings to you and yours!
I feel a little inadequate when I read blog titles like Joy-Filled Days because I’m not always so joyful, so I was relieved to read the reason for your title, and I know that I too must learn to choose joy each day. Thanks for the reminder. I love your header. I haven’t figured out how to change mine yet. By the way, I visited from the link at The Ultimate Blog Bash. I hope to link up there later.
So glad you stopped by Michelle. Joy is an every day choice and it effects so much. I find that when I am centered on the fact that God is sovereign, joy comes easier. 🙂 It is when I take my eyes off what God is doing that I flounder…that and when the kids make messes and don’t clean them up. : ) JK
I was just thanking God for your ministry this morning…that it is able to go beyond walls via the internet. Thank you for sharing why you blog; it is so easy to forget that joy is a choice.
Hello,
It’s nice to meet you! I’m visiting from the blog part and really enjoyed your post.
Stefanie
I am visited your blog after linking to the Blog Bash and I am so glad I did. We homeschool and are working through the Fruits of the Spirit in our morning devotional. This week the fruit it “joy.” I LOVE the way you explained “having joy everyday.”
I’m so glad to have found your blog, Sarah! I really enjoyed reading about why you blog. I have had similar experiences…so often I have found that when I try to encourage others I encourage myself!
We also have five children! 🙂
I love the reason you began your blog. It is uplifting. I began mine to hopefully show each day God gives us a new beginning. I am thankful He gives us memories and moments to cherish each day.
That is so neat! My boys had Nancy as a Children’s Church teacher last year. Donny always says she did the best crafts. We all love her!
Too funny. No, Nancy is my husbands sister! 🙂 And she is one of my best friends. Small world, indeed!
Okay, speaking of being recognized…I was reading your “About” page and thought your name sounded familiar. I checked Facebook, and yes, we have 5 mutual friends. I go to church with the Rumpfs; are you Nancy’s sister? Small world!!
Hi, I’m stopping by from the Blog Bash. I love the story behind your blog title. I often have to remind myself to choose to show joy in my daily life. It’s so easy to get caught up in the busyness of motherhood and forget to express the joy of the Lord. Also, how cool that a reader recognized you!
Hi! I saw that you just commented on my blog. I am visiting you as well! I also love Colonial Era, and Little Women is my favorite movie/book. I always re-read it around this time of year and just started it a few days ago again. STRANGE! We do have similar interests! Hope to see you around my blog again, and I will come back to visit as well 🙂