This is the (Joy)Cap where I share a weekly reflection or lesson and a roundup of links, recommendations, and everything that’s bringing me joy, inviting you to do the same. Think of this as a weekly coffee date with my close friends. ☕️💕🫶🏾 Join me on a weekly joy hunt and start receiving the (Joy)Cap by subscribing today! ✨
Happy Sunday, friends!
How is your heart as we head into this holiday season?
If I’m being honest, a part of me feels too mentally exhausted to write this. Thanksgiving is a little over a week away, and there’s so much to do and prep for as we continue to unpack and settle.
On top of that, I’m still processing and coping with this move. Some days, waves of grief and overwhelm wash over me as I adjust to this new season. But other days, I’ll stumble upon a new discovery here that fills me with a thrill of hope.
Hope and joy are themes that often mark the holidays, and I think that’s why I’m looking forward to this season so much. Even in the darkest nights, the holidays remind us that hope gives way to joy.
I can only imagine how the Israelites felt, living in sin and darkness, holding onto the hope and promise of salvation and restoration. And then the most wonderful thing happened — hope came down in human form, redeeming, renewing, and one day, restoring.
All hope isn’t lost… even on days when it feels like it is. Though things feel uncomfortable and challenging, they’re not without purpose. The challenges and struggles we face today wane under the weight of His glory, as we allow His light to shed on what’s noble, good, praiseworthy, and true. May we intentionally seek out glimpses of His light, trusting that hope is never far away. Let’s hold onto that hope as we go through this week and enter into this glorious holiday season.
What Brought Me Joy ✨
Library outings on the beach. There are two main libraries near me, and I already visited the one here in Brunswick, so on Tuesday, the kids and I ventured over to check out the St. Simons library, and turns out that the library is on the beach! They didn’t have a play area for the kids, but right outside the library there were two playgrounds that sit next to the ocean and pier. I enjoyed watching the kids run and play and listening to the sounds of the water. It was one of the peaceful moments I had in what was another chaotic week.
Red cup day and a Target Run. Thursday was Red Cup day for all who celebrate 😂. I have made a tradition over the years of picking up my free red cup on the appointed day. It was too warm for me grab a hot drink, so I ordered my caramel brule latte iced, and hopped over to Target next door with the kids to pick up some household items and browse through the Christmas decor.
Taking a soak in our clawfoot tub. After the kids went down for the night, I decided to take a soak for the first time in our freestanding clawfoot tub, and I might be obsessed. I lit a candle and soaked in the tub while reading on my Kindle. This might be a new addition to my evening winddown routine.
Slow Saturday mornings in bed. I try to make Saturdays my rest days (as much “rest” as I can have while chasing around three kids 🤪). After I cleaned up from breakfast, I turned on the kids’ Saturday morning shows and crawled right into bed, while my daughter and I read books in bed.
I was in the mood for another mystery, so I started another book in the Shady Hollow series, Mirror Lake.
Usually, by this time this year, I’m already or almost in the Christmas spirit. However, with the 70+ degree weather outside plus adjusting to a new home in a new city, I’m struggling to get into the mood. The Christmas Catch by Toni Shiloh became available to me on Libby this week and it turns out that the setting, Peachwood Bay, GA, is loosely based on the Brunswick/Darien area. I’m a little over 40% in, and it’s helping me to get into the Christmas spirit while making me more open and excited to experience the holidays in this area.
I’m always sharing my thoughts in real time on Fable and Instagram. For ratings and reviews, check out my Goodreads.
I would love to hear from you! What brought you joy this week? Leave a comment, or send me a direct message!
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Sounds like you had a wonderful week. I'm so happy for you ❤