Hands Full of Blessings!

Sharing Some of My Blessings With You.

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The Spirit is Willing

by reneejoiner_jhkz15 | March 29, 2024 | Faith | 0 Comments

Recently I got myself into a little bit of drama… I mean I had good intentions, but the execution was just horrible. I was in the wrong and I knew it. The guilt ate me alive. I wanted to just shrink up and hide for a month. Then this urge inside me to fight, defend,...

Let His Light Shine!

by reneejoiner_jhkz15 | March 15, 2024 | Faith | 0 Comments

This morning as I was opening up my blinds, it was still dark outside. Instead of the light coming inside, my light was going outside. Immediately the Light of the World popped into my head. Jesus said He was the Light of the World. John 8: 12 records, “Again Jesus...

Really? Pray for Her?

by reneejoiner_jhkz15 | February 5, 2024 | Faith | 0 Comments

I had this colleague a while back that drove me nuts. Seriously. I was in my fourth-year teaching third grade when she joined our small school from a large public school where she had previously taught third grade for 10 years. To make it more interesting, her...

Peace

by reneejoiner_jhkz15 | February 4, 2024 | Faith | 0 Comments

If your peace is disrupted, go spend time with Jesus. “I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world (John 16:33).” Jesus said it- We have peace in Him. Jesus also...

What’s in Your Cup?

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

As most of you know I have six kids that I homeschool. One of the biggest reasons we continue to homeschool is flexibility. Simply put- I do not want to be on other people’s schedules. I enjoy the flexibility in our time. This school year we joined a Community Bible...

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?...

My Mini-Me???

by reneejoiner_jhkz15 | December 27, 2023 | Faith | 0 Comments

Everyday people tell me one of my kids looks just like me. And often we talking about my daughters, they will say she's my mini-me. And don't get me wrong- I love to hear that and see the resemblance. (Though I don't love when their attitudes remind me of a...

The Shepherds

by reneejoiner_jhkz15 | December 24, 2023 | Faith | 0 Comments

The Christmas Story is found in 2 of the 4 Gospels but requiring both to show our modern-day Nativity Scene representing the first people to witness the Savior of the World. (By the way there is no way that’s what it actually looked like… but not the point of this...

Presents Only IF You’re Good

by reneejoiner_jhkz15 | December 15, 2023 | Faith | 0 Comments

I'm really struggling with this Christmas idea- be good and get gifts. Be bad and lose your gift. That's not Christian at all. In fact the Bible says, "There is no one righteous, not even one." (Romans 3:10) No one is good. No one deserves the gift. And we all deserve...

The Gingerbread Gospel

by reneejoiner_jhkz15 | September 21, 2023 | Faith | 0 Comments

Once upon a time a Baker lived in a cottage on a hill. In his kitchen, he enjoyed creating fresh treats filling the house with sweet smells of sugar and spice. However, the Baker wanted to show his love in a bigger way. He decided to create a cookie which looked...

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...

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...

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...

Always a Princess

by reneejoiner | January 9, 2018 | Popular Post | 8 Comments

Growing up I was (and still am) the biggest Tom-Boy. I can seriously count the number of times I have painted my nails. You will NOT find me wearing a dress or skirt (unless I am at a formal occasion that calls for it.) And heels? - You can just forget about that~...

It’s Launch Day!!!!

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

Book Update!!!

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

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...

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...

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...

A Dream Come True

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

The Splinter

by reneejoiner_jhkz15 | January 23, 2019 | Popular Post | 0 Comments

One of my children recently had a splinter in his foot. Now this child is extremely sensitive to touch and pretty much all sensory inputs. He showed me the splinter. I pushed the skin slightly around it and he started crying, “Owwey Owww.” I took a look at him and...

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...

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...

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....

Jesus Storybook Bible

by reneejoiner_jhkz15 | July 16, 2021 | Book Reviews | 0 Comments

Title: Jesus Story Book Bible Author: Sally Lloyd-Jones Illustrator: Jago Summary: For over a decade, The Jesus Storybook Bible has been introducing children to God’s wonderful story, and the Savior at the center of that story. Trusted and treasured for over a decade,...

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:...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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....

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...

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...

Christian Parallels Post

Lessons from The Movie Pocahontas

by reneejoiner_jhkz15 | January 4, 2020 | Christian Parallels | 1 Comment

The next movie on the blog for Christian Parallels in the Movies is Pocahontas. As soon as this movie came to my mind, I started singing the song, “Colors of the Wind.” The lyrics came ringing through my head from at least 20 years ago, “You think the only people who...

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...

Three Blind Mice

by reneejoiner_jhkz15 | October 10, 2020 | Christian Parallels | 0 Comments

Today on the blog is Three Blind Mice. I already know what you’re thinking- Renee, why? Well, rest assured, I thought the exact same thing. Why was this placed on my heart? Then I read the Nursery Rhyme. Three blind mice. Three blind mice.See how they run. See how...

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...

Freedom

by reneejoiner_jhkz15 | November 3, 2020 | Christian Parallels | 0 Comments

I was teaching a lesson on Harriet Tubman yesterday. In the lesson, it said that Harriet Tubman was a hero because she escaped slavery, but then she decided to go back to help other slaves escape. Harriet Tubman is definitely a hero! She knew freedom and HAD to help...

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...

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?...

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...

Frozen- The Quest for True Love

by reneejoiner_jhkz15 | December 4, 2019 | Christian Parallels | 0 Comments

Next up on Christian parallels in the movies is Frozen. So, if you are a parent or grandparent from this decade, you probably have this movie memorized. Let me start by saying, up until this year I was proud of the fact that I hadn’t seen it. My boys were young when...

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...

Check the Box

by reneejoiner_jhkz15 | May 28, 2018 | Faith in Parenting | 2 Comments

It’s time for Summer Reading Club at the library!!! YES!!! My kids love reading! As I have written before, it’s not unusual to find my children in their rooms reading books for fun. It’s like the favorite past-time around my house. If they’re not reading story books,...

Tearing Down the Awning

by reneejoiner_jhkz15 | April 17, 2018 | Faith in Marriage | 0 Comments

One of my favorite hobbies is crocheting. I enjoy crocheting for many reasons. First, it’s a creative outlet. I have no idea how to read a pattern, but I love finding ideas on Pinterest and seeing if I can recreate it. Second, it helps me feel productive. As a mom of...

Brave?

by reneejoiner_jhkz15 | March 5, 2021 | Faith in Parenting | 0 Comments

Today I had not one… not two... but three other moms tell me that I was brave while walking around the zoo and Turtle Park with my six kids. Honestly, I was taken back by this. I’m not brave. This is what we do. We run errands together. We go out together. We have fun...

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,...

Out of Focus

by reneejoiner_jhkz15 | June 27, 2020 | Faith in Marriage | 0 Comments

My new camera takes amazing photos. When I see natural beauty, I can’t help but to pull out the camera and take a photo. However, I am used to just using my phone. Pull it out and shoot. The pictures are usually pretty good, but in compassion to the ones I can...

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...

Letting Go of That “Dirty Shirt”

by reneejoiner_jhkz15 | February 5, 2018 | Faith in Marriage, Faith in Parenting | 0 Comments

Recently my son got a new shirt. He wears it as much as we will allow him to wear it. Yesterday morning he woke up with it on and tried to wear it for a second day in a row. My husband told him to go change it. The look on his face said, “But I really want to wear...

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...

Running Ahead

by reneejoiner_jhkz15 | August 6, 2021 | Faith in Parenting | 0 Comments

Yesterday my children and I were walking around the block. At random times they would ask if they could run ahead. I tell them sure, but to wait at an obvious marker such as the end of the street. All of them, even my 2-year-old, would run to that spot, sit down in...

Trusting God as Your Provider

by reneejoiner | August 6, 2019 | Growing in Faith | 0 Comments

On Sunday I got the opportunity to be the Student Ministries elementary teacher. I really love teaching these kids about Jesus! Well, this lesson was on trusting God with your family. We specifically looked at Abraham and Sarah as they had to trust God’s plan to give...

Shine That LIGHT

by reneejoiner_jhkz15 | May 16, 2023 | Faith | 1 Comment

My little guy really enjoys superhero books. Specifically-BATMAN! Well, he’s 4. So, the books he brings home from the library are the “I Can Read Books.” These books are great because they are SHORT and give the gist of the story… but because they are short, sometimes...

The Magic Marker

by reneejoiner_jhkz15 | May 1, 2018 | Faith | 0 Comments

My daughter has these black baby-doll slippers that she likes to wear as much as possible. Seriously, it’s not uncommon to find her playing outside wearing these dress shoes. She wears them everywhere. Well, it should be no surprise that when a 4 -year-old wears a...

Up Close and Personal

by reneejoiner | July 24, 2019 | Faith | 0 Comments

My family and I live near the airport in St. Louis. There are days I see countless airplanes flying overhead. They often resemble those toy airplanes. I can usually make out the color, airlines, and sometimes I can even see the windows. However, there are...

Addicted

by reneejoiner_jhkz15 | October 24, 2020 | Faith | 0 Comments

I’ve got a confession to make- I’m addicted to my phone. Seriously. The last two days I have tried to use it for its original designed purpose, talking and texting (well, and camera)… but it has really shown me how much I have been programed to use a device that was...

Freezer-Burned

by reneejoiner | May 25, 2019 | Growing in Faith | 0 Comments

Recently, someone who loves us very much cleaned out their freezer and gave us a bunch of food. So, I decided to make some of those goodies as a side with dinner tonight… only to find out that they were… well... freezer burned. The sides I thought would go well with...

Partial Obedience

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

Trusting

by reneejoiner | April 11, 2019 | Faith | 1 Comment

My husband picked up a pretty cool hobby while I was pregnant with one of our more recent babies. Tree climbing… but not like when we were kids jumping from branch to branch... more like climbing a rope to the top of a tree. As he was doing all the research and...

Broken

by reneejoiner_jhkz15 | January 22, 2020 | Faith | 0 Comments

I stood in the kitchen this morning super-gluing back together my daughter's teapot that had broken… again. As I looked at this teapot that has now broken twice, I wondered how many more time I would get to glue thing back together again. See, my older two daughters...

Fuel

by reneejoiner | May 15, 2019 | Faith | 0 Comments

So, we have officially started trying to feed the baby solid foods. He’s not the best eater, but he’s only six months old. Generally, he eats the first couple of bites just fine. But then he’s a drooling mess and not much more is actually consumed. But he’s just...

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