Part I: Joy Despite Your Circumstances: Principle #1: Recall Happy Memories

The Memory Verse for this Week is: 

For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain.

Phillipians 1:21

But first, let me tell you what I've been up to!

1. In 2020, COVID-19 hit.
1. Kids and I both attend school and work from home
1. I'm still working from home.
2. In 2021
1. I was diagnosed with Epilepsy, forced to make a life-changing decision 
2. Stepped away from Human Resources
3. Worked through a ton of personal and emotional baggage
4. Bailey graduated High School
5. Bailey attended college
6. Bailey gets a boyfriend
7. Caleb enters Middle School
8. I gain like 50-ish pounds.
1. No worries at all - my hubs still loves me any way - I do have a great husband! 
3. 2022-23
1. Difficult years, however, started attending off and on Westside Family Church 
1. Learned to NOT to identify myself with what I do.  It's a job--it no longer defines me.
2. 2023 started working in Compliance (still with CB)
3. 2023 - I took a hold of my faith, reconnected with Jesus and now attend full-time and help moderate a small group on Monday nights 
4. January 2024- May 2024
1. Made the relationship official with Westside and became a member!
2. I still attend church (probably the longest I've ever been part of something)
3. Made wonderful lifelong friends with my church A2 group.

Ok, I think I caught everyone up on my life (at least the important "make me happy parts".

The Joy Challenge for this week was to have a Gratitude Visit:

Pretty much write a gratitude letter (300 words or less) to the Phillipians in my life.

Have I done it, not in a direct sense, however the A2 group I belong to this week was spot on being grateful for each other and our group/community!  They certainly are a blessing in my life.

In all, I am a much happier, content person in my life and I so hope the love of Christ can be felt and seen in me.

I'm a little behind, but will catch up soon!