Count It All Joy Wednesday!

I was inspired today as I visited All the Mus, where Angel challenges us to count it all joy. Piles of Smiles definitely needs to be part of this joy today because the Lord is repeatedly reminding me to rejoice at all times. It doesn’t matter what circumstances look like, we are making a decision to rejoice today. We face some challenges, but the joy of the Lord is our strength. Here’s my joyful contribution:

I am so glad Loren told me about Pandora. I am enjoying it on my computer at home and even at work. I get to praise the Lord at the office. Hallelujah!

Am I happy that a new beauty salon opened up in my town! My now new hairdresser works mostly in the upscale salons of Sedona but she lives locally here in Dodge so we benefit from her investment in this little salon and she works here three days a week. I had such a great time with her exchanging photos and stories of our granddaughters that when my hair was done, I was shocked that my new style turned out so good. I forgot she was cutting it! It is short and sassy and perfect for these triple digit temperatures we are now getting.

Seriously, it got up to 108 last week! But I am joyful and not complaining because I don’t have to sweat in an expensive sauna at the spa spending all that money. You just go outside and breathe in that hot air in your lungs! And forget driving in the middle of the day! The steering wheel is too hot to hold!

I had a wonderful afternoon date with my husband a few days ago that I have to tell you about. I took him to Jerome, AZ., which is an old mining town way up in the mountains where it’s at least a few degrees cooler! Jerome is about 150 years old. The old hospital has been renovated and is now a hotel featuring a posh restaurant called The Asylum! The food is wonderful and the restaurant is decorated in the late 20’s, early 30’s décor. The music in the background was a hoot. When was the last time you ate lunch to the tune of “Don’t Sit under the Apple Tree with Anyone Else but Me?” We laughed so hard when the Bunny Hop came on! I knew Tom would love the artifacts; I caught him off guard sitting in the hotel lobby studying everything and I took his picture.



However, when his Calamari Salad arrived along with my fancy BLT, he took my picture because he said he likes my new hairdo! But, I posed for him! It turned out good.



I am filled with joy to have had my mom in my life so long. Last week she turned 95! The family in Chicago gathered for her birthday. Wish I could have been there! She exemplifies strength to me with her determination and strong will!

Angel asked her family what gives them joy today so I asked Tom before he drove off to the office. He said: “I’m joyful because my garden is doing so well this year.” It’s true! We eat salads every day picking our own lettuce and veggies right in our backyard.

Make sure this day doesn’t end until you think of some things that you can list and say: “I count it all joy!”