Hands Full of Blessings!
Sharing Some of My Blessings With You.
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My Testimony
by reneejoiner_jhkz15 | February 11, 2026 | Faith | 0 Comments
I grew up Catholic. Attended Catholic school kindergarten through 12th grade. All my family and friends were Catholic. Catholic was just part of who I was. Part of my identity, if you will. I attended Mass every Sunday and on all those Holy Days, and I actually...
End in Sight
by reneejoiner_jhkz15 | January 25, 2026 | Faith | 0 Comments
My husband and I started training for a Spartan... and as we looked for training plans, the obvious became a reality- I had to start running again. When my husband would be like- let's just run, I would get all in my head... I can't do this.... I'm too out of shape......
Nobodies Chosen By God- The Shepherds
by reneejoiner_jhkz15 | December 18, 2025 | Faith | 0 Comments
I recently heard a Christmas message focused on how God uses the unexpected and the overlooked to accomplish His work for His glory. The message centered on the shepherds, who were the first to hear of the birth of Jesus. In biblical times, shepherds were considered...
Eyes on the Road
by reneejoiner_jhkz15 | August 27, 2025 | Faith | 0 Comments
So, we have a new driver in our house… and I have learned that I am really glad my husband is good at teaching and instruction… because you don’t realize all the things a new driver doesn’t know until they get behind a wheel. For example, keep your eyes on where you...
Seasons
by reneejoiner_jhkz15 | July 19, 2025 | Faith | 0 Comments
"You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you so that you might go and bear fruit—fruit that will last—and so that whatever you ask in my name the Father will give you." John 15:6 Fruit grows in season. And look at this Prickly Pear Cactus... the fruit...
If It Were Easy…
by reneejoiner_jhkz15 | June 20, 2025 | Faith | 0 Comments
“If it were easy, everyone would do it.” I tell my kids this all the time. Especially when they’re learning or perfecting a new skill or hobby- like crocheting, playing music, sewing, running… seriously I cannot count how many times I have said this to all six of them...
Shoes of the Gospel of Peace
by reneejoiner_jhkz15 | June 7, 2025 | Faith | 0 Comments
I’ve had this thought running through my head. When I read the Armor of God in Ephesians 6, as an evangelist, I really want the Shoes of the Gospel of the Peace to represent going out and sharing the gospel. But every single commentary I read says that is not the...
Creative
by reneejoiner_jhkz15 | May 31, 2025 | Faith | 0 Comments
Have you ever looked at a sunrise and thought, “Wow, God! You did that. You didn’t have to, but you wanted to!” Our God is truly the Master Artist. The Creator of the universe didn’t stop once the creation was set into motion. He continues to be creative and shows His...
Seek First
by reneejoiner_jhkz15 | March 23, 2025 | Faith | 0 Comments
“But SEEK first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness…” Matthew 6:33. As I wrote this verse on our whiteboard today, countless games of Hide and Seek went through my head. I remember being a kid and trying to hide in the hardest spot, so the “seeker” would have to...
Fuel Up
by reneejoiner_jhkz15 | March 21, 2025 | Faith | 0 Comments
You know how there are two people in every relationship? The one who always has a full tank of gas and the one who isn’t even sure if the car will make it to the gas station? Yeah… well… I’m the second one. Today my van's gas light came on… and I thought, well I...
More on the Blog
God is Faithful!
by reneejoiner | September 3, 2019 | Books, Growing in Faith, Popular Post | 8 Comments
I’m getting published!!! I’m so excited to share this news. However, it doesn’t seem right to share this news without sharing how AMAZING our God is! So, let me tell you the whole story! The Call In April of 2017, I felt this stir in my heart to write a book. It...
A Dream Come True
by reneejoiner_jhkz15 | January 21, 2020 | Books, Popular Post | 0 Comments
This moment… this moment, right here, is something I have been dreaming about for almost three years. But let me tell you a secret… 3 ½ years ago, it wasn’t even on my bucket list. This is 100% a dream God put on my heart, and He gave me the super-human strength to...
It’s Launch Day!!!!
by reneejoiner_jhkz15 | February 25, 2020 | Books, Popular Post | 0 Comments
Today is the day! Daughters of The King: A Princess Problem with Envy is now available for purchase through Amazon and Barnes and Noble. You can also order through the publisher, Grackle Publishing. Please help me spread the word about this book, the series, but most...
Book Update!!!
by reneejoiner_jhkz15 | January 14, 2020 | Books, Popular Post | 2 Comments
Coming soon! Book 1- Daughters of The King: A Princess Problem with Envy Release date: February 25, 2020 You can pre-order on Amazon now! https://www.amazon.com/dp/1951620003 Please tell all your friends who have daughters in the age range of 2-8! Also, please leave...
Book 2: A Princess Problem with Pride
by reneejoiner_jhkz15 | May 14, 2021 | Books, Faith | 0 Comments
Book 2 is on the way!!!! But before I tell you anymore. You HAVE to hear how God brought it all together. Book #1 was released… literally right before the United States went on lock down for COVID-19. Bye bye book signings. Goodbye read-alouds. All my thoughts on...
Identity
by reneejoiner_jhkz15 | June 3, 2020 | Christian Parallels, Faith, Popular Post | 0 Comments
I just recently watched The Incredibles with my children. We love this movie. It never gets old. If you haven’t seen this movie, you should. It is about a family of Supers trying to get along in a world where they have to try to pretend to be something they are not...
The End of the Thomas Phase
by reneejoiner_jhkz15 | May 21, 2018 | Popular Post | 8 Comments
This morning I sat in awe as my boys gave their little sisters all their Thomas the Tank Engine trains saying they do not play with them anymore. While I watched the interaction occur I felt proud. Proud that they realized they do not need those toys in their...
“You Have Your Hands Full!”
by reneejoiner | January 15, 2018 | Popular Post | 4 Comments
A couple years ago, I was walking into Target with my (then) four kids. I had one kid in the cart, and the other 3 riding along the sides of it. As I started heading into the store, a random man made eye contact with me. … Great… Here we go again… another conversation...
My Story
by reneejoiner_jhkz15 | January 25, 2021 | Popular Post | 3 Comments
I had to write my conversion testimony for an Evangelism class at Liberty University, and I thought that there was no reason for it to stay on my computer. So here it is. (I did have to follow a specific format and keep it to 2 pages maximum.) I have not always been a...
Homeschooling with Littles
by reneejoiner_jhkz15 | July 18, 2020 | Faith in Parenting, Popular Post | 0 Comments
It was suggested that I write a blog about how to homeschool with littles at home. My immediate response was, “I wish I knew.” However, many people have told me I seem to have a good handle on it, so here it goes. If you are on the fence about homeschooling and are...
Parents: A Glimpse of God
by reneejoiner | September 23, 2019 | Faith in Parenting, Popular Post | 3 Comments
My kids were playing outside as a storm rolled in. I saw a flash and heard a boom. So, I called them inside. My youngest daughter was apparently really scared when I called them in. I gave her a hug, told her she was safe, and sent her to play with her siblings. About...
Offended
by reneejoiner | April 23, 2019 | Popular Post | 0 Comments
Well, on Good Friday I found myself in need of a shopping trip to Target. It was a for-real need. The baby only had a handful of diapers left. (And Target’s Up and Up diapers are the best value.) So, my six children and I walked into a busy Target. I was able to...
Love Song from China
by reneejoiner | September 9, 2019 | Popular Post | 0 Comments
Every morning at 5 am, I wake up to teach kids in China online. I love my job! I really do! It honestly amazes me the relationships you can build with kids across the world using a pre-planned 25-minute lesson. That’s not the point of this post, though. Yesterday...
God Report
by reneejoiner_jhkz15 | April 23, 2021 | Popular Post | 2 Comments
As you may have noticed, I have not been posting nearly as often as I have in the past. Our family is going through some big changes in which all the credit goes to God! Let me back up a few years… to right before my husband took a job as a pastor. Previously he...
Intentional
by reneejoiner_jhkz15 | February 6, 2019 | Popular Post | 1 Comment
A few days ago, my husband called for me to come to the computer. He opened up a video from 2010 of our oldest as a baby. The adorable little baby (that looked strikingly similar to our current baby) rolled back and forth on a jungle floor mat happily playing by...
Three Gifts for Abigail Review
by reneejoiner_jhkz15 | June 26, 2021 | Book Reviews | 0 Comments
Title: Three Gifts for Abigail Author: Allison Romero Illustrator: Gloria Elliott Summary: Excited to spend a special day with family, Abigail hurries downstairs where she finds a surprise waiting for her on the living room table. As she uncovers each of the three...
Good Good Father Book Review
by reneejoiner_jhkz15 | June 15, 2021 | Book Reviews | 0 Comments
Title: Good Good Father Authors: Chris Tomlin and Pat Barrett Illustrator: Lorna Hussey Publisher: Tommy Nelson Summary: Grammy Award-winning music artist, Chris Tomlin, and Pat Barrett (Housefires) team up to tell the story of a little bear named Tucker whose life is...
Like Arrows
by reneejoiner_jhkz15 | August 25, 2021 | Book Reviews, Faith in Parenting | 0 Comments
When I started the review section of my blog, I never really intended on doing anything outside of Christian children’s book… but last night I watched a movie on Amazon Prime that I think would benefit parents (young and old alike) to watch- Like Arrows. Movie Title:...
A New Section: Book Reviews
by reneejoiner_jhkz15 | June 11, 2021 | Book Reviews | 0 Comments
“You don’t know what you don’t know…” In the Spring of 2017, I felt called to write... specifically, a Christian children’s book series. As I was seeking to fill out my submission forms to various agents and publishers, I found the section: competitive titles....
If Jesus Lived Inside My Heart
by reneejoiner_jhkz15 | July 30, 2021 | Book Reviews | 0 Comments
Title: If Jesus Lived Inside My Heart Author: Jill Roman Lord Illustrator: Amy Wummer Publisher: Worthy Kids Summary: A new size for this sweet and brightly colored board book that explores the presence of Jesus in our lives. If Jesus lived inside our hearts, would it...
The Pumpkin Patch Parable Review
by reneejoiner_jhkz15 | June 19, 2021 | Book Reviews | 0 Comments
Title: The Pumpkin Patch Parable Author: Liz Curtis Higgs Illustrator: Nancy Munger Disclaimer: I LOVE LIZ CURTIS HIGGS! Moms, if you have not read her Bad Girls of the Bible series, you should… totally not the point of this post though… Summary: Bestselling author...
Children Arise Review
by reneejoiner_jhkz15 | July 3, 2021 | Book Reviews | 0 Comments
Book: Children Arise Author: Jenny Johnson Illustrator: Jessie Blasdel Summary: Children Arise is a book empowering children to become all God created them to be by teaching them how to partner with Holy Spirit! Children Arise is a sweet storybook that teaches little...
Jesus Loves the Little Children Book Review
by reneejoiner_jhkz15 | June 19, 2021 | Book Reviews | 0 Comments
Title: Jesus Loves the Little Children; A Chosen Story Author: Dallas and Amanda Jenkins Illustrator: Kristen Hendricks Summary: Abigail talks a lot. A LOT. So when she meets Jesus for the first time, she talks about him to every kid she can find. Together the...
Veggie Tales Comic Book Reviews
by reneejoiner_jhkz15 | June 30, 2021 | Book Reviews | 0 Comments
Book: Veggie Tales Super Comic Volume 3 (contains the stories of Rack, Shack, and Benny, MacLarry and the Stinky Cheese Battle, and Larry Boy and the Rude Beet.) Author: Rack, Shack, and Benny is adapted from the movie created by Big Idea, adapted by Aaron Linn....
The Princess Parables Book Review
by reneejoiner_jhkz15 | June 12, 2021 | Book Reviews | 0 Comments
Title: Princess Grace and the Little Lost Kitten (The Princess Parables) Authors: Jeanna Young, Jacqueline Kinney Johnson Illustrator: Omar Aranda Summary: In Princess Grace and the Little Lost Kitten, Princess Grace promises her father she will care for the...
Christian Parallels Post
Christian Parallels in a Non-Christian Movie? (Mulan)
by reneejoiner_jhkz15 | March 6, 2020 | Christian Parallels | 0 Comments
Can you find Christian Parallels in Non-Christian movies? Not just a non-Christian movie, but one that is set in a non-Christian community? I want to take a minute to connect the dots on my thoughts pertaining to the Christian Parallel posts. Originally the idea came...
Little Red Riding Hood
by reneejoiner_jhkz15 | October 4, 2020 | Christian Parallels | 0 Comments
My kids love watching a YouTube channel called “Pancake Manor.” The creators are a couple in Canada who remake/remix nursery rhymes making them upbeat, creative, and fun. They do an awesome job, really! But with my kids of all ages 10-1 loving these music videos, the...
Christian Parallels in The Land Before Time
by reneejoiner | November 17, 2019 | Christian Parallels | 0 Comments
Up next on Christian Parallels in the movies is “The Land Before Time.” I remember watching this movie as a kid and balling my eyes out every time… Well guys, watching the movie as an adult with my six children… I still cried… maybe even harder. Movie Recap The movie...
King Triton
by reneejoiner_jhkz15 | November 6, 2020 | Christian Parallels | 2 Comments
Ever notice how King Triton slightly resembles Jesus. No, no, not the controlling father who won't let his daughter go to the surface. (Though as a parent I see he had good reason to make that rule.) How about the father who takes His daughter's punishment that she...
Pinocchio: Which Character Are You?
by reneejoiner | November 12, 2019 | Christian Parallels, Faith | 0 Comments
The next movie that was put on my heart for Christian Parallels in the movies is "Pinocchio." Now let me start by saying, I had never seen this 1940s Disney classic until this movie was put on my heart. But as I watched it, I quickly saw why God directed me to this...
Christian Parallels in The Lion King
by reneejoiner | November 5, 2019 | Christian Parallels | 1 Comment
Last week I had the opportunity to share some Christian parallels of the movie “Aladdin” in my blog. It was honestly really neat to see how the messages of the movie fit perfectly into the blog I was currently writing. So, I decided to try this again with another...
Into the Unknown
by reneejoiner_jhkz15 | April 15, 2021 | Christian Parallels | 0 Comments
You know your son has three older sisters when he is happily belting out the words, “Let it Go…” or “Into the UNKOWN!” Picture it with me: My three girls and their 2-year-old brother riding in the back seats of my van. They all have their hands outstretched, perfect...
Finding Purpose Through the Race
by reneejoiner_jhkz15 | November 27, 2019 | Christian Parallels | 0 Comments
My five year old daughter just asked me to read to her a "Cars" book. As I read the book and reminisced about the movie, I knew the next movie on the blog should be “Cars.” I remember watching this movie years ago… Like before kids. But I didn’t realize we had never...
A Poison Ivy Wreath
by reneejoiner | October 29, 2019 | Christian Parallels, Faith in Parenting | 0 Comments
This week we have seen the beautiful colors of fall in St. Louis! As my kids were playing outside, they kept showing me the colorful leaves that they would find. So, I decided we should make an autumn wreath for our front door. Oh, they had a blast finding all the...
Humpty Dumpty
by reneejoiner_jhkz15 | October 8, 2020 | Christian Parallels | 0 Comments
Up next on Christian Parallels in Nursery Rhymes is Humpty Dumpty. Now before we begin, let’s all say the nursery rhyme together… Ok, maybe not… that’s the teacher in me coming out… But here is the rhyme for those of you who were on board and still reading. Humpty...
Frustrated
by reneejoiner_jhkz15 | April 3, 2018 | Faith in Parenting | 3 Comments
Not too long ago I took my kids to an art program at the library. Usually the projects are simple and allow for quite a bit of creativity. But not this time... It was more like- Here's the example. Now do it... My oldest struggled... his idea would not come out of his...
Stain
by reneejoiner_jhkz15 | June 26, 2020 | Faith, Faith in Parenting | 0 Comments
My husband is the type of man who will not do anything half-way. If he is going to commit to it, it will be done, and it will be done well. Last week, he was working on making a table/counter-top desk for church. He had two pieces of plywood. After making some...
The Hawk- The Common Enemy
by reneejoiner_jhkz15 | May 29, 2020 | Faith in Marriage | 0 Comments
While playing outside yesterday, we noticed a hawk in the tree right over head. At first, it was cool to watch, but then it was like, “Oh no, what is it trying to get?” As the day went on, he sat there on the edge of the tree branch high above our heads. But the other...
The Comparison Trap
by reneejoiner_jhkz15 | June 4, 2018 | Faith in Parenting | 2 Comments
Last week I was able to take my kids on an outing that had a huge rock climbing wall! My oldest three happily stood in a long line to complete this task. As they reached the front of the line the workers helped each kid into a harness. Then they went onto the wall....
Guess Who
by reneejoiner | July 9, 2019 | Faith in Marriage | 0 Comments
Yesterday I had the opportunity to observe a rather comical game of “Guess Who?” My 7-year-old was trying to play with my 2-year-old. My 7-year-old son actually did a good job of teaching as they played, but his sister…well, she’s still only 2. My daughter...
Lost
by reneejoiner_jhkz15 | March 12, 2018 | Faith in Parenting | 0 Comments
Have you ever been lost? I have. I am directionally challenged (to put it nicely). So, I know (a little too well) the frustration and insecurities that are included with being lost. I know the feelings of fear, confusion, anger, and helplessness of being lost. I also...
Run to Him
by reneejoiner_jhkz15 | July 14, 2020 | Faith in Parenting | 0 Comments
Everybody loves fireworks… unless you have a baby or a dog… Then the beautiful lit up sky full of colors, wonder, and awe does not even come close to annoyance one gets from the loud sounds making the baby or dogs unhappy. Well, this year my baby was 20 months. Due to...
Thoughts for My Daughter
by reneejoiner | June 12, 2019 | Faith in Parenting | 0 Comments
While cleaning out the basement, I came across an old photo of my siblings and me. (I was like five-years-old.) I awed over it. Then my oldest came over and looked at it. “Mom, that looks like my sister!” He exclaimed. I’ve always thought my daughter slightly...
Growing Seeds
by reneejoiner_jhkz15 | March 18, 2020 | Faith in Parenting | 0 Comments
A few weeks ago, my children came home from church with a plastic cup, soil, and a planted seed. Let me just be honest, I do not have a green thumb. When it comes to keeping plants alive… I am not so good at that… like… at all… So we put the plants on the windowsill,...
Be Angry, But Do Not Sin
by reneejoiner_jhkz15 | March 9, 2020 | Faith in Parenting | 0 Comments
I really don’t think my older kids realize how influential they are to their younger siblings. This morning, my oldest wasn’t too thrilled with the idea of doing schoolwork. So, I sent them all outside to play. Of course, my oldest- who was not in a great mood, huffed...
Dietary Restriction
by reneejoiner | August 2, 2019 | Faith | 0 Comments
We recently learned that our daughter is lactose intolerant. Let me tell you, I had no idea how hard a dietary restriction was on a four-year-old. The first week, I felt like I had to make her “a special” meal for every meal... apparently I overuse dairy in my...
Cleaning Up
by reneejoiner_jhkz15 | July 28, 2024 | Faith | 0 Comments
Every Saturday morning, we sleep in, eat waffles for breakfast, and clean the house. And every Saturday morning I find myself cleaning up behind my kids. This morning, after they swept the kitchen, dining room, and office area I came behind them… AND swept up FOUR...
Here Comes Santa?
by reneejoiner_jhkz15 | December 1, 2022 | Faith | 0 Comments
It’s December! So that means it is time for Christmas music! Last week during my older two boys’ guitar lessons, their teacher asked which song they wanted to learn this year. My oldest son quickly chose, “Here Comes Santa Claus.” After his lessons, he was attempting...
Walking on Water
by reneejoiner_jhkz15 | June 5, 2024 | Faith | 0 Comments
So many times we hear the story of Peter walking on water and the focus is Peter taking his eyes off Jesus, focusing on the storm, and sinking. Good message. Keep your eyes on Jesus not your circumstances. But Peter has a lot more to show us here. What if we looked at...
Clean Up First
by reneejoiner | May 1, 2019 | Faith | 0 Comments
A couple nights ago I was preparing dinner as my children played outside. My husband came in and said, “FYI, the kids are covered in mud.” “Like, they need to wash their hands, covered? Or like they need to shower, covered?” “Covered!” `Great,’ I thought as I pulled...
Christmas Thoughts… what if?
by reneejoiner_jhkz15 | December 20, 2021 | Faith | 0 Comments
It happened again today. A random stranger asked my kids if they were excited about Santa. The shock that overtakes their faces when my kids tell them they don’t believe in Santa, they celebrate Jesus. Before you roll your eyes and keep scrolling… please hear me out....
Unplugged
by reneejoiner_jhkz15 | February 10, 2021 | Growing in Faith | 0 Comments
My little came to me this morning with bad news, the tablet was dead. “So, put it on the charger,” I told her. “It won’t work,” she responded. “Ask your brother to help you.” 2 minutes later, “Mom, the charger is broken. It won’t work.” “Is it plugged in?” I asked....
It Takes Some Practice
by reneejoiner_jhkz15 | October 9, 2018 | Faith | 0 Comments
This morning I was working with my first grader on his math assignment. I looked at the problem and said, “What’s six plus six?” Within a matter of seconds, he spewed out, “Twelve.” I read the next problem, and just as quickly he answered it. Suddenly his eyes...
Put Jesus Back In Christmas
by reneejoiner_jhkz15 | December 7, 2020 | Faith, Faith in Parenting | 0 Comments
For those of you following me (personally) or my church (First Christian Church Belleville), you know we have been making an effort to #PutJesusbackinChristmas! Each day Happy Hunter and his crew add a name of Jesus to a special tree. We watch a fun video on Facebook,...
Details in a Bigger Story
by reneejoiner_jhkz15 | December 24, 2024 | Faith | 0 Comments
I have a child who has an eye for detail. She can see a lizard across the street in the dirt. She sees the turtle in the middle of the brush pile. Details are just something she picks up on naturally. This Christmas, our kids wanted to give each other gifts. So, we...