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...

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...

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...

It’s Launch Day!!!!

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

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...

God is Faithful!

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

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

“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...

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 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,...

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...

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 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...

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...

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:...

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...

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....

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

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...

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...

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...

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...

Thoughts on The Little Mermaid

by reneejoiner_jhkz15 | March 26, 2020 | Christian Parallels | 0 Comments

Next up on Christian Parallels in the Movies is The Little Mermaid. Now, I hadn’t seen this movie since I was a kid. My little sister loved this movie, so in good big sister fashion- I did not. I actually promised myself that I would never let my daughters watch this...

Identity

by reneejoiner_jhkz15 | June 3, 2020 | Christian Parallels, Faith, Popular Post | 0 Comments

Jingle All The Way

by reneejoiner_jhkz15 | December 20, 2019 | Christian Parallels | 0 Comments

Next up on Christian Parallels in the Movies is “Jingle All the Way!” Every 90s child knows this movie. Arnold Schwarzenegger is a workaholic dad who forgets to get his son, Jamie, a Turbo-Man doll. Let’s be honest, watching this movie as an adult was very different...

Signing Away Your Freedom

by reneejoiner_jhkz15 | November 7, 2020 | Christian Parallels | 0 Comments

This image right here... Ariel is signing away her freedom for a chance at romantic love. She was the daughter of the King. The King had the power to grant her request. Yet, she made a deal with Sea Witch. In Ariel’s defense, she was hurt. She had this...

The Hope in Cinderella

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

Up next on the blog is Cinderella! Now, Cinderella is a classic written on the hearts of every young girl. The chances are most ladies have probably seen this movie in at least three different versions. But it never gets old. For the purposes of this blog, my kids and...

A Poison Ivy Wreath

by reneejoiner | October 29, 2019 | Christian Parallels, Faith in Parenting | 0 Comments

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

Look Up!

by reneejoiner_jhkz15 | June 29, 2020 | Faith | 0 Comments

Last weekend, my mother-in-law came up to watch the kids so my husband and I could help out with a Youth Event at our church. But before I went to the church, I needed to make a quick grocery store run. I hopped in my van and started driving. I live at the...

Don’t Judge a Book…

by reneejoiner_jhkz15 | December 14, 2021 | Faith | 0 Comments

“Don’t judge a book by its cover.” I’ve always heard this phrase and thought, “Well just because it looks boring doesn’t mean it will be.” You know… it implied a negative appearance of the book. Recently for class, I got to look closer at the passage, “But...

Confront the Noise

by reneejoiner | October 1, 2019 | Growing in Faith | 0 Comments

As my kids got in the van for church on Sunday, my girls noticed their car seats were in the wrong place. (Yes, I had to move them.) So, I told them to fix it. Well, apparently one of them didn’t want to. Thus, they began bickering. I just ignored it, buckled in the...

Embrace Change

by reneejoiner_jhkz15 | October 16, 2018 | Faith | 0 Comments

Well, I think it’s officially fall in Missouri! One day it was over 70 degrees, then a cold front came through, and now it’s 40. The cool crisp temperatures have been anticipated, but when they finally arrived it shocked us all. This morning my kids wanted to go...

My Comforter

by reneejoiner | August 14, 2019 | Growing in Faith | 0 Comments

A few weeks ago, I had the opportunity to take my youngest two children to the park without older siblings. After my 2-year-old ran all over the playground equipment, she settled into the swings. She asked me to push her high. So, I obliged. Then she told me, “I...

Book 2: A Princess Problem with Pride

by reneejoiner_jhkz15 | May 14, 2021 | Books, Faith | 0 Comments

Obedience

by reneejoiner_jhkz15 | January 5, 2021 | Faith | 0 Comments

Obedience. This has been a theme on my heart. After finishing my Christmas Bible reading plan, I prayed about where I should go next in my morning time with God. He directed me to the beginning. So, to Genesis I went. As I have been reading these stories that I...

Really? Pray for Her?

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

The Ruined Picture

by reneejoiner_jhkz15 | December 1, 2019 | Faith, Growing in Faith | 0 Comments

NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!” I heard my son cry from the kitchen. Oh no! What is he so upset about? I walked into the kitchen to see my son holding a drawing he had made. “It’s ruined. And he (insert brother’s name) threw it away. And now it’s ruined!” “Calm down...

Missed Trash Day

by reneejoiner_jhkz15 | April 24, 2018 | Faith | 0 Comments

Last Friday morning I treated like any other day of the week. After teaching my classes online, I got my kids up. We all went to the kitchen for breakfast. As I handed the kids their peanut butter toast, my son hears a vehicle outside, checks the date, and says, “Mom,...

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