Hands Full of Blessings!

Sharing Some of My Blessings With You.

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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...

Seek and Save the Lost

by reneejoiner_jhkz15 | March 5, 2025 | Faith | 0 Comments

Every time my kids and I go hiking, we end up talking about “the time mom got us lost” on a trail. Now, sadly, this has happened so often that we have to ask—which time? Well, one time we had just started a really good trail that was supposed to be a moderate,...

Authentic Fan?

by reneejoiner_jhkz15 | February 9, 2025 | Faith | 0 Comments

As we all prepare to watch the Super Bowl, I was struck with the thought- what would you think of a person decked out in Kansas City Chiefs gear and face paint, but saying “Go Eagles.” That’s not a real fan. Anyone can buy a jersey and put on some paint? Right? Maybe...

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 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...

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...

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...

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...

Coffee and Jesus

by reneejoiner_jhkz15 | January 25, 2020 | Popular Post | 0 Comments

This morning I made my coffee, I smiled at my coffee mug that was given to me this Christmas. “All I need today is a little bit of Coffee & a whole lot of Jesus.” So true. But is it backwards? I mean really. I’m a mom of six. I teach kids in China online starting...

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...

Diet and Exercise

by reneejoiner_jhkz15 | July 24, 2020 | Popular Post | 0 Comments

Diet and exercise. I’ve started this blog many times, but I have never been able to actually complete it. I realize now, that is because it will never be complete. This is a rollercoaster of a journey. If someone would have told me when I was 17, my biggest struggle...

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...

Book Update!!!

by reneejoiner_jhkz15 | January 14, 2020 | Books, Popular Post | 2 Comments

God is Faithful!

by reneejoiner | September 3, 2019 | Books, Growing in Faith, Popular Post | 8 Comments

The Christmas Puzzle

by reneejoiner_jhkz15 | December 13, 2019 | Popular Post | 1 Comment

As I was making dinner, my three-year-old wanted some help with a puzzle. Now, this is a new puzzle of the Baby Jesus. (We are very blessed with people in our lives who help point our children to Jesus during a protentional very secular holiday.) Anyways, she was...

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...

It’s Launch Day!!!!

by reneejoiner_jhkz15 | February 25, 2020 | Books, Popular Post | 0 Comments

A Dream Come True

by reneejoiner_jhkz15 | January 21, 2020 | Books, Popular Post | 0 Comments

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 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...

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....

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...

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...

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:...

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...

Christian Parallels Post

Underdog Movies and the Gospel

by reneejoiner_jhkz15 | March 4, 2021 | Christian Parallels | 0 Comments

I had this really cool idea to show how a classic underdog/Cinderella story actually shares the Gospel of Jesus Christ. I was all excited to start. So I went to the first Gospel, Matthew. (Warning the idea didn't quite work out.) Cue the opening scene… Genealogy… you...

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...

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...

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...

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...

Christian Parallels in Disney’s Descendants

by reneejoiner_jhkz15 | September 16, 2021 | Christian Parallels | 0 Comments

So, with being stuck at home during COVID, my kids and I have had plenty of time to enjoy Disney Plus. Recently we watched The Descendants movies. As we were watching the last one, my oldest looked at me and said, “Mom, this would make a good blog.” Really? How so?...

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...

Goldilocks and the Three Bears

by reneejoiner_jhkz15 | October 9, 2020 | Christian Parallels | 0 Comments

Goldilocks and the Three Bears The next story on the blog is Goldilocks and the Three Bears. Everyone knows the story of the curious little girl taking a walk in the woods when she comes upon a house… When no one answers the door, Goldilocks walks straight in. On the...

Snow White

by reneejoiner_jhkz15 | March 2, 2020 | Christian Parallels | 0 Comments

My kids and I just watched Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs. And once again, I’m thinking, “How have I never seen this movie before?” I knew the story line. I knew most of the details. I even knew the Hi-Ho song, but I’ve never watched the movie from start to finish....

What if…

by reneejoiner_jhkz15 | October 10, 2021 | Christian Parallels | 0 Comments

Warning: This post does have spoilers for the Disney+ series What If. As I started watching the Disney+ series What If… I had very mixed feelings. The stories I knew but were slightly altered were just alright. It seemed like a reach of a television show. Then episode...

Chalk Influence

by reneejoiner_jhkz15 | June 24, 2021 | Faith in Parenting | 0 Comments

Yesterday I gave my kids some sidewalk chalk and told them to go play. They covered the driveway in drawings and scribbles. They had a blast. (Best $1 ever spent). However, when they came inside tiny chalk footprints lined the foyer, chalk handprint on doors and...

Just Like Dad

by reneejoiner_jhkz15 | June 17, 2018 | Faith in Parenting | 2 Comments

Every morning I wake my kids up, we eat breakfast, and then I remind them of their morning tasks. “Get dressed, brush your teeth, brush your hair, read your Bibles…” Wednesday morning as I was reading one of my younger kids her Bible, my boys came running to me. “Mom...

Helpers

by reneejoiner_jhkz15 | September 6, 2020 | Faith, Faith in Parenting | 0 Comments

I was washing dishes after dinner when my daughter said to me, “Hey, mom! Do you need any help?” “Sure,” I said handing her a rag. “Wipe off the table.” She gave me a crooked look. “I wanted to sweep the floor.” “Well, honey, you sister is already sweeping. Please go...

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...

Trust Me

by reneejoiner_jhkz15 | November 3, 2021 | Faith in Parenting | 0 Comments

Me to my first grader, “Always start in the ones place when adding big numbers. I know it doesn’t matter now, but it will.” Two minutes later, “Start in the ones place.” Thirty seconds later, “Trust me, start in the ones place.” Interjection, “Yes, I still have to do...

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....

It is Worth It!

by reneejoiner_jhkz15 | August 27, 2021 | Faith in Parenting | 0 Comments

Sometimes I wonder if chasing this dream of being an established Christian Children’s Book author is worth it. The insane amount of rejection, critiques, and let downs can really wear on someone… especially one who just realized she tends to run to the well of...

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...

Behind the Glass

by reneejoiner_jhkz15 | January 21, 2021 | Faith in Parenting | 0 Comments

As I walked into the kitchen this morning, I noticed the beautiful sunrise peaking through the trees. Then I glanced at the thermometer and looked down at my dog asking to go out. It’s freezing out there. Let’s make this quick. I thought as I bundled up and put the...

Imitators

by reneejoiner_jhkz15 | May 14, 2018 | Faith in Parenting | 0 Comments

A few days ago, I apparently left my shoes out in the living room. My 3-year-old comes running to me to show that she was wearing my shoes. When my 4-year-old saw me smiling, she asked if she could wear my shoes too. I tossed her a pair of my shoes and sat back...

Cleaning Out the Closet

by reneejoiner | September 17, 2019 | Faith in Marriage, Growing in Faith | 0 Comments

So, I’m not exactly a perfectionist. I’m the kind of girl who will purposely hang something up crooked so that I don’t have to worry about it looking level. My husband…Not that way at all. He’s the type of person who will bring out the level and pencils while...

No Show

by reneejoiner | June 5, 2019 | Growing in Faith | 0 Comments

It’s six in the morning. I’m working. And I am sitting in my classroom waiting on a student to show up to class. As many of you know I teach for VIPKID. It’s honestly the best job for me. I teach kids in China, from home, during hours my kids are asleep. I have a...

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...

The Waters of Life

by reneejoiner_jhkz15 | October 1, 2021 | Faith | 0 Comments

My kids love to play in the water. Swimming pools, lakes, creeks, small rivers, and especially the ocean. I can remember being a kid and playing in my grandparents’ creek. It was shallow and there were a ton of crawl dads. It was a good time, but really, we just...

Living Without Training Wheels

by reneejoiner_jhkz15 | July 18, 2018 | Growing in Faith | 0 Comments

“Mom! Mom! Mom!” I see my five-year-old happily running towards me. “I rode Gabriel’s bike! WITHOUT training wheels!!!” “Good job! That’s awesome!” “Can I call dad and ask him to take off my training wheels? Please mom! Please!!!” Wow! My little girl is ready to ride...

Let God Use You!

by reneejoiner_jhkz15 | September 30, 2024 | Faith | 0 Comments

Isn’t it amazing that the God of the Universe chooses to use us for His glory! Over the past couple of weeks, I have been privileged to hear testimony after testimony of how God intervened in people’s lives. And as I have listened to these amazing stories, I see how...

Eyes on the Road

by reneejoiner_jhkz15 | August 27, 2025 | Faith | 0 Comments

“Read”

by reneejoiner_jhkz15 | April 16, 2020 | Faith | 1 Comment

My little guy is 17 months old now. He’s so vocal! His favorite words are “MOM!” and “No!” For the most part, we can make out what he is saying, because he makes sure to get to the point by pulling us or throwing things in our direction. But one of the first words he...

Partial Obedience

by reneejoiner_jhkz15 | January 3, 2024 | Faith | 0 Comments

My current Bible study hit me hard with this truth- Partial obedience is disobedience. If I tell my kid to go clean his room, and he only picks up his dirty clothes- has he been obedient? No, he still has toys all over the place. Why do I treat God that same way?...

Hiking Lesson- Look Up

by reneejoiner_jhkz15 | January 6, 2025 | Faith | 0 Comments

After Covid shut the world down in 2020, our family started a new hobby- hiking. Well, at the time our kids were 1, 3, 5, 6, 8, and 9 so it was more like walks in the woods. Nonetheless, we hit up AllTrails and found the hikes in the area we thought we could handle....

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