From the way the house was glowing with a white, clear light when I awoke this morning, I knew it had snowed during the night.
Upon looking out my window, my heart thrilled to see the piles and drifts, deep and soft and sparkling, untouched. The dark cedars that surround our property are well powdered with white, creating a Currier-and-Ives-like snowscene in our backyard.

Inside, our fire is crackling and burning brightly, filling our house with warmth, cozyness, and the delightfulness of home.
After feeling almost nomadic during the last four years, (in which we have moved three times)we are finally settling in to our new home!
I never knew how sacred and beautiful home and family life were until their peace was disrupted by uprooting. I think that might be one reason God sends trials like that--to make us all the more appreciative of His blessings.
I used to take it for granted that we lived in the country, had a beautiful, nice house, and plenty of privacy from the general population. = ) It wasn't until we had lived in the middle of town (where all eyes seemed upon us)with a tiny yard and noisy neighbors, endured many little hardships with real estate, and yearned for the country for a few years that I could see how richly the Lord already had blessed us.

We were all healthy. We had a roof over our heads. We had a close, loving family, and many wonderful Christian friends, and a church where the Word of God is faithfully preached.
It was all, really, a matter of perspective. God is good.

When He sends trials to strengthen our faith and trust in Him, and when He blesses us so richly that we stand in awe - He is faithful, and He is good.

Habakkuk 3:17-19 says "Though the fig tree may not blossom, nor fruit be on the vines; though the labor of the olive may fail, and the fields yield no food; though the flock may be cut off from the fold, and there be no herd in the stalls-- Yet I will rejoice in the Lord, I will joy in the God of my salvation.
The Lord God is my strength; He will make my feet like deer's feet, And He will make me walk on my high hills."

Just out of curiosity, I looked up the Psalm corresponding to our address-
Psalm 65. The whole Psalm fits wonderfully, but this verse caught my eye-
vs. 11 "You crown the year with Your goodness, Your paths drip with abundance."

Why Blog?

Some thoughts from my favorite blogger, Jasmine, on reasons for
blogging:

Why Blog?

I found this very interesting. When beginning my blog,
I asked myself the same question, and got a lot of the same answers, though
I only wish I was as articulate as Jasmine in the expression thereof.
That is one reason I am attempting a blog-
 I would like to better my writing and communication skills,
especially in expressing what I believe and defending my opinions.
I have always loved creative writing, often dabbling in poetry, short stories,
and descriptive writing, but although I think often and deeply about things like what I believe and why, I have usually kept them in my head, or stowed them away written in some notebook which I will permit no one on earth to see. ; )
I also occasionally preach them to my horses. Yes, you read that right.
Well, they're good listeners, and can't disagree with anything I say! ; )


I also blog to encourage other young ladies on the Journey,
and hopefully I already have.

If you have suggestions for something for me to write,
or questions about me,
I would be happy to hear them!
I enjoy hearing your comments, provided they are courteous
and gracious.

New Year's Resolutions

In the last year, it seems the Lord has really been pressing into the hearts of my family the weight of eternity - a deeper realization of the passing of time, and a desire for working towards an eternal purpose.

The first song on my playlist is "Legacy" by Sanctus Real.
If you don't mind, scroll down and hit play, or skip back to the beginning - and listen to it.
Here are the words:
What will they say when I'm gone
In words that are written in stone
Under my name, what will they claim about me?
When it's done, when it's over

I want to leave a legacy
To be remembered
More than just a memory
That fades away
Because we only, we only get one life

Free me, my hands are tied
I'm so tired of wasting time
These endless inventions
Steal my attention from real life
When it's done, when it's over

I want to leave a legacy . . .

Give me real life . . .
No more wasting time . . .
'Cause we only, we only get one life

At the most, you probably have 80 years of your life left.
Or you could be gone tomorrow.

Makes you think a little, doesn't it?
The Lord alone knows the day and the hour, so we must
live now- in the time God has given us, keeping in mind that our
days are numbered.

In light of that, what will we do with the time we have?


I have decided that I cannot afford to let myself become distracted
by anything temporal, but to keep my focus on investing in eternity.
Life is too short - it is truly a vapor,
 I want to be sold out for the cause of
Christ. To quote myself ; D, "devoted to serving Christ in whatever capacity He gives me."
I want to bring glory and honor to Him, so that when I am gone, people will look at my life
and see His light shining in everything I did; so that while I am here, He may use me to advance His
kingdom - whether He has called me to be a missionary in a far country, or to raise a family and be a wife and homemaker, or both.

This year I will be looking for opportunities to minister,
and praying for the Lord to show me where to start.


On another note, here are some of my other
New Year's resolutions:

* to learn more fully how to run a household
* to further my education
* to go as much of the year as possible without eating any refined or processed sugars, limited white flour, and to replace this with healthier things, like garden vegetables. This may seem trivial,
but sugar and I do not get along well - I like it too much, and it makes me chemically unbalanced and generally crabby and out of sorts. I love my family, and don't want to be Oscar the Grouch ; D, so I am cutting sugar.
Anybody else up for the challenge? I could use the moral support! = D

The Journey Begins

First - who I am

Bethany Joy is my name, but I go by Beth Joy most of the time.

There you have it - JOY in the Journey : )

I am a Christian young lady pursuing Godly womanhood,

being a virtuous daughter, and becoming a homemaker.

I am homeschooled and hope to homeschool my own children, if and when the Lord blesses me with them.

I love horses, as you might have guessed by my header picture.
This romance began when I was about 7, (10 years ago); and I have drawn pictures of them since then.
The header is an example of my work.

I am a sort-of pianist. I play a lot by ear,

but I am learning to read music better as well.

I am a country girl to the core. We have just moved to 13 acres (more or less) in the country, and it is beautiful. I enjoy all types of outside work, and I am hoping to attempt to garden this year.

My grandpa has two lovely horses he keeps for me, and I hope someday to have them living on our land as well.

I am an avid bookworm. Here are some of my favorites:

Do Hard Things, by Alex and Brett Harris

So Much More, by Anna Sophia and Elizabeth Botkin

The Lord of the Rings, by J.R.R. Tolkien

The Chronicles of Narnia, Mere Christianity, The Screwtape Letters, by C.S. Lewis

Persuasion, Emma, Pride & Prejudice, and Sense and Sensibility by Jane Austen

and I could list hundreds more

I love music of all styles -just look at my playlist. : ) Sanctus Real is probably my very favorite Christian artist, but I like so many songs, so many styles, that I could never make a top ten list.

As long as it is done fairly well and I would not be ashamed to listen to it in the presence of the Lord, (for He is always present)

I like it.

I think the Lord doesn't mind Charlie Brown music. ; D

I love English Country Dancing.

I am the big sis to two wonderful little brothers, ages 11 and 6,

and hope to be big sis to several more in the future!

Mostly I am just a girl devoted to serving Christ in whatever capacity He gives me,

and seeking to glorify and honor Him in everything I do.