tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2714700027252260149.comments2024-01-29T06:30:30.227-08:00Joy's StoriesJoyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02493227701276335601noreply@blogger.comBlogger646125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2714700027252260149.post-77585909251408628382024-01-29T06:30:30.227-08:002024-01-29T06:30:30.227-08:00This was beautiful. Thank you.This was beautiful. Thank you.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2714700027252260149.post-86553025045160343842024-01-28T14:25:32.500-08:002024-01-28T14:25:32.500-08:00Oh, Joy! So aptly put! God once again, has been ab...Oh, Joy! So aptly put! God once again, has been able to capture what it’s like… for you, for me, for many who have lost their mother, their wife, a close family member that was so dearly loved, there will never see this life. And yet through it all, God’s grace was there with us during those final days and 36 hours. We so much hoped for a miracle restoration. And Kathy received it and she was transported into Jesus’ presence eternally. What amazing joy for her. And the Bible says that we will grieve, but not as others who do not have hope. I thank God for you, and I bless you for sharing from your heart. And I also thank God for Jesus, our love for each other, and for Him. And He is faithful to bring us through.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2714700027252260149.post-70975277653857153702023-09-24T04:53:08.709-07:002023-09-24T04:53:08.709-07:00Nothing is wasted in God’s economy. Not pain, not ...Nothing is wasted in God’s economy. Not pain, not memories, not even insomnia. Bless you for sharing your journey. Sherrynoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2714700027252260149.post-46579444261181661292023-09-23T19:41:36.932-07:002023-09-23T19:41:36.932-07:00Joy, your writing comes to life. What a testament ...Joy, your writing comes to life. What a testament of a mother/daughter close relationship.Marlanoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2714700027252260149.post-69274530413060769852023-02-11T09:06:36.342-08:002023-02-11T09:06:36.342-08:00Thank you Joy for such a beautiful, heartfelt post...Thank you Joy for such a beautiful, heartfelt post. It’s the changes in the seasons of life that allow or sometimes even demand us to self examine, grow and seek. I’m a couple of “seasons” beyond you, so I identify deeply with what you are describing in such a personal way. Our seasons are ever changing, and allow us to make new levels of commitments. We can choose to <br />run to Jesus, longing for Him and desiring His answers, learning new depths of reliance and need of having Him walk with us in an even deeper and more encompassing relationship. It is a lifetime process that is worth every minute, every crushing blow, every ounce of pain! To learn to know Him and hear His “voice” personally is my goal. You have given me new encouragement to keep going forward❤️🙏😘 Thank you again for sharing your present journey‼️ Blessings 😘Joyce Hallnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2714700027252260149.post-36225659053771234922021-11-27T05:04:39.385-08:002021-11-27T05:04:39.385-08:00Great to hear an update, I had wondered several ti...Great to hear an update, I had wondered several times how everything went. That's a busy few months! Out of all of it, the single line "we text but don't hear back" brought quick tears to my eyes. I'm a year from that...Melaniehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10550213763314830001noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2714700027252260149.post-66625300751311639802021-11-16T18:45:32.344-08:002021-11-16T18:45:32.344-08:00Wow, wow, wow! It was long and I kept scrolling, r...Wow, wow, wow! It was long and I kept scrolling, reading, scrolling, reading, fully engaged, NOT wanting it to end. Such visceral writing, such a gift. Thank you for taking the time to share your story and life. Love you! Cousin SherrySherryhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05155305054860513252noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2714700027252260149.post-52881300523522873252021-11-16T04:04:48.035-08:002021-11-16T04:04:48.035-08:00Oh, Joy,
Your writing is so awesome, so picturesqu...Oh, Joy,<br />Your writing is so awesome, so picturesque! What a wonderful account of your transitioning back to being Texans again after such a long absence. And we are overjoyed at God’s blessings, Ryan’s healing, Ryley’s maturing and beautiful new life at college, for His provision for this job where you can work from home or anywhere, and your adjustment to being empty-nesters. Thank you for sharing from your heart! Mom and I are so thankful we can all be together for Thanksgiving for a few days in your new home. It’s so perfect for you guys! Thank You, Jesus, for leading you all and providing so beautifully! Gene Steinerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07331392419509791873noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2714700027252260149.post-85128276620041724432021-03-20T22:30:07.259-07:002021-03-20T22:30:07.259-07:00I feel you!!!! That was ryley too.I feel you!!!! That was ryley too.Joyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02493227701276335601noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2714700027252260149.post-6478374420519972932021-03-19T08:42:31.487-07:002021-03-19T08:42:31.487-07:00Aw what a great story. Abby is currently too overw...Aw what a great story. Abby is currently too overwhelmed by the options to even look...and throws away all the college stuff that comes in the mail...Melaniehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10550213763314830001noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2714700027252260149.post-67613022653559928422021-03-19T08:00:24.815-07:002021-03-19T08:00:24.815-07:00What an amazing journey to Baylor! I remember tell...What an amazing journey to Baylor! I remember telling my parents that, “I was NOT going to school in Oklahoma!” And wouldn’t you know it, I went alto ORU! Ha! She will love Baylor, and we’ll all kinda love having her so close to us! Thanks for sharing all the details of her university decision! Justinandhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08493716166501889787noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2714700027252260149.post-67894001811115395362021-03-18T21:21:06.409-07:002021-03-18T21:21:06.409-07:00Love! Love! Love this Joy! What an awesome blog po...Love! Love! Love this Joy! What an awesome blog post! It truly captures the anticipation and worry parents feel when the child is going through this process!!<br />We too, have been waiting for Nathan’s financial aid offer for next year. Just tonight Nathan forwarded me the email with the offer....<br />!!!!!!!! God is soooo good! Nathan’s goal has been to attend college and graduate debt free. And it stinks to know, as the parents, you can’t help much as far as that goes.<br />His offer tonight, earning a 5 scholarships and his pell grant....his second year is completely paid for and he will be getting a check for the leftover! 😳😭<br /><br />PS I can’t totally here Ryley in my head when you write her voice 🤪Gwenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10181958273786521397noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2714700027252260149.post-25964455117154907462021-03-04T21:12:54.665-08:002021-03-04T21:12:54.665-08:00Oh Melanie, I was thinking about you the other day...Oh Melanie, I was thinking about you the other day and went looking for you—only to see that you had made the leap off FB! We definitely need to make an effort to stay in touch! Joyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02493227701276335601noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2714700027252260149.post-21383556120513649932021-03-04T10:34:07.560-08:002021-03-04T10:34:07.560-08:00I'm just a year behind you, so I understand.
...I'm just a year behind you, so I understand. <br />Please blog more. I quit FB and miss hearing from you!Melanie Larsonhttp://www.melaneesa.wordpress.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2714700027252260149.post-42641954679733828462021-03-03T16:41:27.234-08:002021-03-03T16:41:27.234-08:00Of course, we are praying for you, too. We underst...Of course, we are praying for you, too. We understand. It is exciting, scary, and fulfilling. Soon Ryan and you will be empty-nesters— like we are. Love you ❤️ Gene Steinerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07331392419509791873noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2714700027252260149.post-91197918351766979082019-07-31T12:17:26.942-07:002019-07-31T12:17:26.942-07:00Sweet post. It all goes so fast.Sweet post. It all goes so fast.Melaniehttp://www.waymel.wordpress.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2714700027252260149.post-23559490259084911432018-04-25T07:47:21.057-07:002018-04-25T07:47:21.057-07:00Joy, I loved reading your posts! We visited NYC fo...Joy, I loved reading your posts! We visited NYC for a quick weekend in Jan. 2017. It was such fun but so short, I definitely want to go back. Even though we didn't get to see as many things as you all did, your memories were so reminiscent of how I felt - the garbage on the sidewalks, the smells, the sounds, the crowdedness. Where are the grocery stores!? I have thought many times about figuring out how far we walked and what the comparison here would be! So I really loved your comparisons. :) I'm glad you write for a living, you should! Thanks for sharing your trip with us. Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01751533708843650538noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2714700027252260149.post-25906269973537085792018-04-24T09:16:38.674-07:002018-04-24T09:16:38.674-07:00Wonderful blog! Great, descriptive writing.
I love...Wonderful blog! Great, descriptive writing.<br />I loved every minute of reading, seeing, experiencing this virtual trip with you via your blog!Gene Steinerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07331392419509791873noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2714700027252260149.post-8520636550475034922018-04-24T07:17:30.701-07:002018-04-24T07:17:30.701-07:00Oh WOW. Just so lovely Joy. It does seem like the ...Oh WOW. Just so lovely Joy. It does seem like the trip of a lifetime. Thank you for taking the time to share it with us!!<br />Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2714700027252260149.post-53019004804301423122018-04-22T05:39:46.620-07:002018-04-22T05:39:46.620-07:00OH I love your day in Central Park. It's so ma...OH I love your day in Central Park. It's so magical there! What a fun day this was!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2714700027252260149.post-56862661363522206372018-04-21T04:59:10.498-07:002018-04-21T04:59:10.498-07:00I loved the post and all the pics. I feel like I w...I loved the post and all the pics. I feel like I was there with you- and I am like you- not a big museum person, but that made it look amazing!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2714700027252260149.post-3764241742610813942018-04-17T19:48:52.146-07:002018-04-17T19:48:52.146-07:00Good to know. I haven't looked at all the post...Good to know. I haven't looked at all the posts yet, but did you include your daily itinerary -- I would love to try to follow it when we go in June. Did you go to Little Italy? I read the bad experience at the Chinatown restaurant, how what the shopping and atmosphere?Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11185451626094039183noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2714700027252260149.post-81026563616345232732018-04-15T14:00:50.562-07:002018-04-15T14:00:50.562-07:00You'll be so glad you wrote these posts in a f...You'll be so glad you wrote these posts in a few years, when the memories fade. I did the same thing after we went to Korea and I'm so glad I did.Melaniehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10550213763314830001noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2714700027252260149.post-37307565600163484282018-04-15T13:54:59.917-07:002018-04-15T13:54:59.917-07:00I think the same way about people - it's all f...I think the same way about people - it's all fascinating. We're just very curious people. :-)Melaniehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10550213763314830001noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2714700027252260149.post-35697649344141086602018-04-15T13:46:05.770-07:002018-04-15T13:46:05.770-07:00She chased you down for a bigger tip?!? Wow. I'...She chased you down for a bigger tip?!? Wow. I'm enjoying catching up with your trip posts. Someday Wayne and I are going to take a trip there! (I went in high school, but it's not really the same when you're with a big choir group.)Melaniehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10550213763314830001noreply@blogger.com