I am so humbled and honored myself to get to know a little bit more about writers here at day2day joys and hope you will take a second to get to know us a little more. Each of these lovely ladies is a women of God striving to be all that God has in store for her, a super busy mother, a blogger who contributes here once a month (if not more) among several other things.
We each bring a unique voice but share the importance of what day2day joys is all about… Faith, Family and Health. I am happily joined by Jenna, Jenn, Angela and April!
Why is health important to you?
What is your favorite song?
What is your favorite bible verse?
Favorite household chore or task?
I absolutely love having a clean kitchen, and because I can visit with my husband or watch Netflix while doing the dishes, that is probably my favorite chore 
5 Random facts about me… I have never eaten at a Denny’s restaurant (and very proud of it!)
I have a terrible fear of flying. It is something I can’t explain. It happened soon after I became a mom and 9/11.
I went to Africa on a nursing internship in college and got to work in an African hospital where my heart was changed forever.
I have a obsession with thrift-store shopping.
I don’t wear deodorant 
The more I get to know the Word and the God I serve, the more I realize I am ever so dependent on His grace and mercy each day. There is no way I can “pull myself up by my bootstraps” and figure out life on my own. My faith makes me thankful and grateful for the love of an Almighty God.
Why is health important to you?Health is important to me because I believe our bodies are given to us and are temples of God. We take care of our cars, homes… so why don’t we take extreme care of our bodies. I am convinced that if we put health as a priority, we begin to feel better, have better mental clarity and energy and then can be better moms, wives, friends and so on. But most importantly, we can use our energy to serve God for the kingdom.
What is your cooking style?
If you asked my family about my cooking style, they would ALL say… never the same! I love variety. I love flavors. I can’t do anything dull, bland or blond. It has to be colorful and clean. My downfall is I don’t know how to do easy so once the dinner is on the table, I’m exhausted, but everyone is “usually” happy
What is your favorite indulgence?
My favorite indulgence is Trader Joe’s vanilla meringues.
What is your favorite bible verse?
I Corinthians 2:9 “No eye has seen, no ear has heard, and no mind has imagined what God has prepared or those who love him.”5 Random Facts about me…
I have never broken a bone.
I love reading to my kids.
I am adopted.
I cannot resist anything that contains peanut butter.
I am a pastor’s wife.
How my faith has shaped me…
I have been a believer since the age of 7. I have always been a pleaser and wanted people around me to be proud of me. So I tended to do all the right things. But through the years, I have realized I am really nothing without Christ front and center in my life and the more I try to follow all the rules and look good, the more I elevate myself above God. This was a huge growing point in my life.
When I first got married, my faith was beginning to take more leaps and bounds…. because I was very selfish. Thinking that this new husband of mine was going to fill all my voids. He was going to make me happy. He was going to be my everything. And although he is a wonderful, godly, generous and caring, he isn’t God… and only God can fill voids, bring true happiness and can “make my paths straight”. So together, my husband and I have grown closer to God first and then our marriage has strengthened because of that faith step.
As children entered our lives, I saw more places in my heart that needed God’s work as I try to be Christ to my children. I have learned to say, “I’m sorry”… “will you forgive me?” and “I love you no matter what” because I understand my position as a daughter of Christ more clearer since becoming a parent. I see everyday that I am weak, vulnerable and sometimes just emptied completely out from being a mom to four boys, but then I realize when I am completely empty that is where God wants to come in and fill me up with Him and nothing else this world wants to offer me.
I am sinner. I am weak, but I thankful for God’s mercy and for His never-ending grace.
See all of Jenn’s posts here!
Why is health important to you?
If we’re saved our bodies are the temple of the Holy Spirit and for that reason we are to take good care of it. Not only that, but God has a plan for each of us and we can better accomplish it if we are healthy. The Bible speaks of food quite often and I believe we should place an emphasis where God does.
What is your favorite indulgence?
Chocolate Mocha protein drink from Bolthouse Farms
- The love of God is greater far
Than tongue or pen can ever tell;
It goes beyond the highest star,
And reaches to the lowest hell;
The guilty pair, bowed down with care,
God gave His Son to win;
His erring child He reconciled,
And pardoned from his sin.
-
Refrain:
Oh, love of God, how rich and pure!
How measureless and strong!
It shall forevermore endure—
The saints’ and angels’ song.
-
When hoary time shall pass away,
And earthly thrones and kingdoms fall,
When men who here refuse to pray,
On rocks and hills and mountains call,
God’s love so sure, shall still endure,
All measureless and strong;
Redeeming grace to Adam’s race—
The saints’ and angels’ song.Could we with ink the ocean fill,
And were the skies of parchment made,
Were every stalk on earth a quill,
And every man a scribe by trade;
To write the love of God above
Would drain the ocean dry;
Nor could the scroll contain the whole,
Though stretched from sky to sky.
LOVE to clean the kitchen
LOVE to work in the garden
LOVE to freeze and can fresh produce
Definitely a more organized mom…much to the disappointment of my children….I can be spontaneous for the sake of the children {and husband!}, but it stresses me out! lol
I have number issues…I only like to have or leave the volume on multiples of 2 or 5
I drink more lemon water than anything else…I’m addicted
I’m always cold
I don’t work well under pressure. I like to know everything is done right and before it’s due
I would love to have chickens!!!
How my faith has shaped me…
My faith has been the only thing that has helped me through life. I’ve suffered 2 miscarriages, sexual abuse, and other difficulties throughout my life. {All of which I like to discuss from time to time at Hidden Treasures} God has been faithful. He is soo good to us all. He’s answered so many prayer requests for me. He’s paid so many bills that I couldn’t. He’s protected my children – we were told one in particular wouldn’t make it home from the hospital – she just turned 8 last month!! and is happy and healthy as can be!! There are other things I’ve been through that I’m not even sure how to share, but I do plan to one day – as God gives me the grace and the words to do so.
See all of Angela’s posts here!
Sitting on our deck eating white chocolate anything and drinking a hot cup of red or chai tea.
My favorite songs seems to be ever-changing, but it usually is something folky like All Sons& Daughters or Indelible Grace.
John 15:5 – “ … without Me you can do nothing.”
I love organizing and de-cluttering. Once I get started it’s hard for me to stop.
I would love to have dreadlocks some day.
I have tripped standing still.
I have a very dry sense of humor.
I love red and chai teas.
I have backpacked to the bottom of the Grand Canyon and back.
I grew up in a broken home, witnessing drug use, abuse and divorce. I was a very shy and scared little girl until I met Jesus. At about the age of 15 I began a relationship with Jesus Christ and my life has never been the same. He is my Hope, my Security, and my Source of joy. As I have grown and deepened my relationship with God I see how life and faith cannot be compartmentalized; our faith must be lived out in all areas of life.
See all of April’s posts here!
Health is important because if you don’t have your health you are not able to live to your potential and I want to be able to live out the life that Christ has called me to live!
What is your favorite bible verse?
Ephesians 3:20 is my the verse for this season in my life. We have been through a lot this year and I am just continuing to believe that His plans as Beyond my BEYOND all that I could ask, think or imagine!
I like to do everything in the kitchen, whether it is cooking or cleaning, I don’t mind it… what I do not like is folding the laundry!
I am a more spontaneous mom and I guess that gets me in trouble at times. I am working on becoming more organized and scheduled. The quote always sticking out in my mind… “If you plan to fail, you fail to plan” gets me because I know if I had a better schedule, I could get more done. There are things that have to just happen, and others are just planned at the last minute… and no matter how scheduled I become, I hope I can always be a bit spontaneous.
I am from Arizona
I would love to have 4 kids
I am a “last minute” type of person
I like to do crafty things
I wear a mask over my eyes when sleeping
How has your faith shaped you?
My faith is growing more and more each day and although I sometimes struggle with fear, insecurity and becoming “unglued” as Lysa TerKeurst says, I know that I serve a God who is faithful and the more I grow in Him I realize I cannot get through this life without Him! He is my rock and help in every time of need. Psalm 46:1
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Thank you for taking a moment to get to know the writers here a little more!
About Rachel
What fun to get to ‘meet’ you all!! it is fun to get a mental picture of you and to put it with your faces!! I look forward to hearing what you all have to share! Blessings to you, sweet sisters!!