Sisters of Joy...in more ways than one

A few weeks ago, we had a friend (http://www.ashleyfaithphotos.com/) offer to take photos of our family to help her begin building her portfolio. Alicia and Anna were very excited about getting photos taking of the family (with Abby inside her mommy’s belly.) They were running, jumping, laughing, smiling and doing all sorts of poses.  The photos are great and definitely express the joyful time we were having.   



Through God’s grace and strength, we are continuing to rise above our challenges and circumstances as we live our lives as a blended family. We are often asked if Alicia and Anna get along. Our answer is always yes. We believe the girls truly love and care for each other and we consider that a huge blessing from the Lord. They play together, sing together, sleep in the same bed together, share clothes with each other, etc.

Now, it is by no means perfect all the time, but for the most part joy is evident. Joy is evident in Anna’s energy and how she pleasantly hums the song on her heart. Joy is evident in Alicia’s beautiful smile and sweet personality that she expresses to everyone.

And…more Joy…is on the way. Abigail Joy, that is.

Soon our little baby girl will be here and we all look forward to her as a blessed addition to an already joyful family. I get excited (joyful) when I think about how little Abby is going to look up to Alicia and Anna. Not only will she be watching her Mommy and Daddy, but her little eyes will be focused on her big sisters as well. Their personalities, attitudes, and abilities (like cheerleading and ice skating) will have just as much influence on Abby as mine and Christine’s will. I cannot wait to hear little Abby burst out in laughter while playing with her big sisters. There is no sweeter sound than the laughter of a child full of joy.

Christine and I are committing ourselves to teach Alicia, Anna, and Abby to always have joy. We want our home to be a place where faces express genuine enthusiasm and where attitudes are uplifting and positive regardless of circumstances. This is so challenging in today’s world. There are so many worldly things competing for attention and purposefully trying to steal our joy.

Jesus tells us in John 15, that if we obey Him, His love will abide (remain) in us. He tells us these things so that His joy may be in us and that our joy may be full. We want to express to the girls this verse, “I have no greater joy than to hear that my children are walking in truth.”  (3 John 1:4) Choosing to obey Jesus, to abide in His love, and to walk in His truth will lead us to be joyful in every situation.

I have heard it said, “Basically, there are two kinds of people: people who choose joy and people who don’t.” Jesus chose to have joy while enduring the cross and despising the shame. Paul chose to have joy while he was imprisoned and beaten repeatedly for His faith in Jesus. And it was Paul who said, "Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice." (Phil. 4.4) So with the help of the Holy Spirit, we should be able to have joy in whatever situation we are facing as well.

Although connected by marriage, Alicia and Anna are genuine sisters of joy. I believe this is true because they choose to be joyful when they are together. This expression of joy will have lasting impact on their baby sister, Abigail Joy. I know that we are still a couple of weeks away from her due date, but this joyful family is so excited and can’t wait to see and hold our little Abby J. Who knows? She could come today!