Joy Dare 🌎 August 23-26, 2017

23rd~ 3 gifts old. . .
   * lessons from their history
    * lives well-lived
     * His sacrifice
24th~ 3 gifts moving . . .
   * changes He's making in me
     * progress
       * waves as I fall asleep
25th~ 3 gifts fragile. .
     * balance
       * status
         * dreams
26th~ a gift cut, sewn, buttoned . .
      * stress
       * new plan
        * hope in Him

Happy Monday Morning!!

Something about a Monday morning started with time with my Heavenly Father! Waking before Matt needed to rise for school gave me time to pray and seek His Will . . then, after Matt went up to the clubhouse to begin his first day at OHDELA (tell you about the miracle they are to us later!), I realized why the cabin lights had little to no power . . when Matt put the shelf back over the inboard motor he accidentally unplugged the battery recharger!! Thank you Jesus for showing me as I'd figured I needed to buy new marine batteries (again) and a new charger . . 💰💰💰 God really watches over the two (2) of us every minute and is making every step of obedience to Him a greater blessing than the last!!!

Hey there!! Welcome back. Yes, now that my Hope quilt is finished I am working on this quilt for my Mom.
Today I finished this patch and feel like I've mastered the Palestrina Knot Stitch.
This patch places me at 74 total hours invested. But, more than that, this quilt is a great way to work through the loss of my brother.

He is the Author of Everything!!

KJV Bible. 2 Esdras 6:1-6 "[1]And he said unto me, In the beginning, when the earth was made, before the borders of the world stood, or ever the winds blew, [2]Before it thundered and lightened, or ever the foundations of paradise were laid, [3]Before the fair flowers were seen, or ever the moveable powers were established, before the innumerable multitude of angels were gathered together, [4]Or ever the heights of the air were lifted up, before the measures of the firmament were named, or ever the chimneys in Sion were hot, [5]And ere the present years were sought out, and or ever the inventions of them that now sin were turned, before they were sealed that have gathered faith for a treasure: [6]Then did I consider these things, and they all were made through me alone, and through none other: by me also they shall be ended, and by none other." We can count our days on earth but we cannot know for certain when He will call us home. We can study His Word but only He will know ahead the date of Jesus return. Before we become too inflated with our accomplishments it's good to step back and remember Who made this all possible~ only Jesus!!

Joy Dare 🛶 August 22, 2017

 3 gifts in light . . .
🌞 sun between cloud bursts
         ☔ beautiful rain to wash the flowers clean
         📋 revealing review of my work

Live Aboard Garden!!

Hey there! How's your live aboard diet? Eating a lot of sprouts?
     I can see that this won't work for sailing on the ocean as salt water spray will kill the plants . .
       A shallow tub with fresh potting soil. . a few veggie seeds and a healthy future awaits . .
    I can see this as a seriously sustainable prospect for freshwater live aboards!!
  Imagine fresh squash, lettuce and chives every day!!

My New Ship's Log Book

Hi and welcome back!! Do you keep a log book for boat? I've known since before I bought Elan in March that I needed to organize some sort of a means of keeping track of voyages and maintenance. We all know how crazy my life has been since March 12, 2017 (the miraculous day I bought Elan) and how many planned and surprising changes we've had since then. . . so not having this done until now may be understandable . . possibly. 😉 

Any-who. . I was sorting out some things in my locker and came upon this binder I bought years ago for some  project I no longer remember. This will be perfect for my ship's log for Elan!! 

I have a basic plan for this, my first ship's log. I did a bit of online research and have a general idea of what records I need to keep. We only make ''voyages' to the gas dock to pump out the black water tank for now so I'm doing more of a daily log. I plan to track weather data, wildlife seen, meals cooked,  and BVYC events attended.

 I'll post what all else I'm charting in a future post so stay tuned!!

Corned Beef Hash and Rice a la Matt

Yes, once again I am so spoiled . . And yes, I was served supper in bed!!!

Have a Great Evening!!

Water @ BVYC ~ 8.22.17

Yes, there is algae . . and, yes, I decided to take my pics at this spot from now on as it will be easier to access if I decide to do this post all winter. 

My understanding is that this is not the notorious ''toxic algae' plaguing Lake Erie. I'm not sure how this particular algae impacts the aquatic life . . I really have to study up on this!!

👪 "Six Impossible Things Before Breakfast . . " 🍳

👫 complete restoration of my marriage 
⛵ sailing Elan
💉 helping addicts find Jesus
🙇 raising Matt to be a pastor
🌱 sailing homestead 
🐔 live aboard chickens

Love Dare

Knowing many would turn away from a failed marriage I am still working at restoration. Beginning Day 27 and praying he finds God's path for his life. Praying for a marriage that ended in divorce in 2002 may seem futile to many but I will keep persevering. It would be so easy to walk away again, but I know God's plan isn't for divorce or 'serial monogamy'. His plan is for a lifetime commitment . . yes, we abandoned our responsibility before God, but together we can fix that. It's all about making a commitment to each other and following through in love based on a strong commitment to Him and His plan for our lives!!

Being Deliberately Single

Praying and waiting for restoration of my marriage . . .

Day 125/365

1611 KJV Bible. Exodus 19:1-6

"[1]In the third moneth when the children of Israel were gone forth out of the land of Egypt, the same day came they into the wildernesse of Sinai.
[2]For they were departed from Rephidim, and were come to the desert of Sinai, and had pitched in the wildernesse, and there Israel camped before the mount.
[3]And Moses went vp vnto God: and the Lord called vnto him out of the mountaine, saying, Thus shalt thou say to the house of Iacob, and tell the children of Israel:
[4]Ye haue seene what I did vnto the Egyptians, and how I bare you on Eagles wings, and brought you vnto my selfe.
[5]Now therfore if ye will obey my voice indeed, and keepe my couenant, then ye shall be a peculiar treasure vnto me aboue all people: for all the earth is mine.
[6]And ye shall be vnto me a kingdome of Priestes, and an holy nation. These are the wordes which thou shalt speake vnto the children of Israel."

Yes, we are saved by grace, but . . we are still to obey His Word . .
It will be great to be in heaven . .
How much better to arrive having done our best to follow the rules He so carefully laid out for believers in the New Testament!!

Cloudscaping a la God

1611 KJV Bible ~ Exodus 17:6-7

"[6]Behold, I will stand before thee there, vpon the rocke in Horeb, and thou shalt smite the rocke, and there shall come water out of it, that the people may drinke. And Moses did so, in the sight of the Elders of Israel.
[7]And hee called the name of the place Massah, and Meribah, because of the chiding of the children of Israel, and because they tempted the Lord, saying, Is the Lord amongst vs, or not?" 

There is so much quiet comfort in knowing that God is always there and will always provide. 

Day 104/365

Day 102/365

Day 101/365

Cloudscaping over Joliet, IL

Near West Joliet, IL

Wildewood Subdivision

"Six Impossible Things Before Breakfast . ."

1. the immeasurable scope of God's love for His children
2. restoration
3. naps
4. blessings in obedience
5. safety and security
6. peace of a quiet walk in the woods

Day 98/365

Joy Dare ~ April 17, 2017

3 gifts woven together . .

 * location
* perspective
 * renewed hope

Legacy Paintball Park Scenery

This park is so beautiful!! Please come out and explore it.

Day 98/365

Campsites at Legacy Paintball Park

This is a really nice paintball park in Lockport, IL. It's part of the Lockport Park District and, I believe, also a part of Dellwood Park.

My Absence and Missing You . .

Hi .  yes, I'm back . . I've been over at my new site . . www.patreon.com/KarenJoyce . . and, although I really love their format I've missed all of you terribly! Soooo . . I've decided to write on both platforms for a while . . please visit me on both and tell me what you think . .
Now, all that I post here is free and most that I post on Patreon is also free . . the purpose of moving to Patreon was to potentially turn my writing into more of a career thereby paying enough if my bills to allow me more time to write thus turning out better quality for you. I do have one (1) adorable supportive patron who is appreciated but very little other traffic . .
Could all you sweet people stop by my Patreon, check out all the free articles I've written and photos of the area and leave me some comments as to what you think of that format vs this one?
I'd really appreciate any kind input . . Thanks in advance :)

Love is Not Irritable

This is part of a Bible study I've been doing and I really like it. It's a 40 day challenge and is inspiring amazing personal growth!! 

Today's lesson was on what causes irritability and now I have a list . . 

For more details visit: 

www.patreon.com/KarenJoyce

Kombucha

Have you ever tried kombucha? I actually love this stuff . . because . .
[read more: www.patreon.com/KarenJoyce]