A couple of days ago I started taking the Joy Dare, from One Thousand Gifts. I have started to assess what kinds of things steal my joy, and what kinds of things bring it. Since my love language is I words, I have learned how much the depth of words impact me, name calling, complimets, tones, even sighs! Did you know there is a tone in a sigh? I have started trying to guard myself from these things which I know will be joy stealers for me, so that I can move through more moments in my day experiencing the joy that God has in store for me. Through taking the joy dare, I have started to notice things that bring little glimpses of light. Some so small, and some large, but things which would normally be by-passed as I am grumpily stomping or trying to bury my hand behind a blanket. Yesturday, my son John created a picture on the whiteboard. 4 year old John drew 4 people, shaky stick men, standing in the rain, one of them was Daddy, and some smaller figures. It was so cute, but by the time I had the camera it was wiped away by little fingers. Today, I was standing in the kitchen, and a beautiful little blue, black, and white finch landed in the willow tree outside the kitchen window. It was a moment of peace and calm. It would have been great to capture the moment of the finch on the bare branch, but instead, I just sat there watching him jump around and eventually fly away.  Tonight, a gift from my fridge is my new favorite salad! Cucumbers, tomatoes, vinegar, italiano seasoming, and olive oil. It was so crisp and delicious!