Gateways to Joy

Meals by the week? What is that?  Meals by the week is a com pany that prepares your meals based on the sales of your grocery store!  They take the meal planning off of your plate. Girls this is something you are certainly going to want to learn more about, if you are not already familiar with them, or services like these .  Even if you decide not to use the the meals , just knowing this service is available is worth its weight in gold alone. I hate giving my family fast food.  And I feel guilty as heck when I do.  However, as hard as I try we get off schedule; we get hungry when we are out and about, and I get tired. This situation usually results in everyone fending for themselves, making sandwhiches, us picking up fast food or take out, and me being grief stricken with guilt. If anyone knows how bad fast food is for you, I do. Meals by the week service gives me a peace of mind because now I know maybe once a month I can plan a week off from co...

With the dawning of Mother's Day, I reflect while looking at how my children have grown. Gone are the late night feedings, and them crying after me when I leave—constantly wanting to be by my side. I miss those days. I remember my Pastor's wife and other women at my church telling me, "Enjoy it Angela. The time goes by so fast." Today, I sort of feel like I don't have a place with them.  I know that I do.  We talk all the time; they confide in me, still listen to me, but I can feel the change. Things are different. While there is still closeness between us, I feel distant too. The other night before going to bed I asked my 10 year-old son, Kramon, to come by my bed side, so I could kiss his jaws like I do every night before he goes to bed.  He gave me a look like he'd never done before.   I knew that look.  It said, "Oh man Mom, no," but he came anyway . "What's wrong, you think you're too old for me to kiss?"  I ask...

  "Can God still bring bud and blossom from the dry, brittle bones of my heart?" This I wonder after reading Ann's post, "When you're feeling dry for Holy week." That's how I feel. Dry. I wonder.  "What fruit am I bearing?"  She says, "Faith has to have fruit." If her words are true, why is my life barren?  Do I need more faith so I can see more fruit? Maybe.  But more than anything I think I need to be more obedient.  I think it is my obedience to my faith that will bring me the fruit I long to see in my life.   Her words makes me ponder all day.  Talk to Him.  When the heart longs to bring forth fruit it becomes obedient even searching for ways. This is when the shift in perspective changes. Shall you or I continue in our sin that grace may abound? The writer of Romans says, "God forbid."   "We have been planted together in the likeness of Christ death."  And just like He has risen from t...

You all have to watch this. It's a video created by Lisa-Jo , it is very touching. I'm amazed at how God uses the ordinary to inspire extraordinary. This has really uplifted my spirit and I hope it does the same for you. xo, Angela blog subscription  | twitter | facebook

I have not forgotten about you.  I can't. I have been a stay-at-home mother for over 19 years, and for all of that time my family and I have lived off my husband's income.  For so many of those years, I've wanted it to be the season where I earned an income but God didn't say the same.  So working without monetary pay has been my lot. I've not always been a happy camper about earning no money.  Sometimes I feel like the kids and I go without so much.  Those who don't have this lot quickly and so easily tell me how, "Life isn't about money or things." "Easy for you to say," is what I often think. I have been learning Photoshop, grapic design, blog designing and photography.  I still have so much to learn!  I have poured over learning Adobe Photoshop, Adobe Indesign, Adobe Illustrator and how to use my Nikon D3100.  I am happy to say that I've made great strides. I now know that photography and the editing of pho...

I know I am way off schedule!  So much has been going on here.  Practically everyone but me has had the stomach virus in this dwelling of ours. I will still try to get the prayers out consecutively, but if I don't please know that I am still praying and I hope that you are too. I found these videos, thanks to Ann V.  They are so cool.   It is the entire book of Matthew on Youtube videos.  The kids and I are about to watch them now. Here's day 5 of the prayer: Pray that your husband will be faithful to his wedding vows. Pray that he will have a desire to cultivate your relationship as a sign of his loyalty and commitment to you, and as a picture of Christ’s love for the Church. ( Prov. 20:6 ;  Gen. 2:24 ) "There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear." ~ 1 John 4:18 How has your self-esteem been strengthened by your mates love? xo, Angela blog subscription  | twitter | facebook

Girls do you realize that not only are we created in the image of God, but our emotions are a part of God's imagine imprinted within us too? As women who are pursuing worthiness and strength in Godly character, we need to grow in our understanding of our emotions which is no easy task because often times we aren't prepared to handle the different emotions we feel throughout the different stages of our lives. Barbara Rainey says, "As a woman experiences various emotions, she needs to feel loved and accepted so she can face these times positively.  This is not only critical for her emotional health, but also for impacting her children with positive emotional identities so they will grow up to be mature adults. These emotions are a part of the image of God, and we should grow and mature when we experience them." Let me ask you ladies, how are you controlling your emotions when it comes to dealing with your mate or children? Pray: Ask the Holy Spirit to fill...