Being Open to Seeing the Joy During COVID-19

• I get joy in that I've called my grandmother more than I ever had. We've had wonderful conversations!
• I have joy when we continue to eat breakfast outside, something that reminds us of a trip to visit friends a year ago.
• I get joy when I see the smiling faces of loved ones who call me on Google Duo.
• I get joy when I see my husband care for our grandson's hamster, although the grandson can't come see it. It's like a gift of love from my husband to our grandson, by taking care of his hamster during COVID-19.
• I get joy when I hear from friends over email or on the phone. Even though those relationships were always significant, these seem much more significant now.
• I get joy every time a friend or family member sends us the name of a Netflix show to watch.
• I get joy when I see that our grandkids are staying busy during COVID-19 and are thriving!
• I get joy from those who have asked us if we needed anything or if they could do something to help.
• I get joy when I see my husband puttering around the yard doing various projects that have been on the back burner for some time.
• I get joy when I get to do crafting projects that I hadn't made time for, until now.
• I get joy when I get to watch our church services on line.
• After we watch the video church service, I get joy when we get to talk to the couple who used to sit in front of us at church.
• I get joy when I see how creative and industrious people are during COVID-19.
• I get joy when I watch all the people on the News that are doing for others during COVID-19.

Things That Give Me Joy During This Social Isolation Period...

All the daily News Briefs and reviews of those in the news, has left me feeling overwhelmed, at times! There have been times I couldn't go back to sleep when I got up to use the facilities in the night, because I was trying to process all of this or plan what I should do next.  Although this situation exists, Jesus doesn't want us overcome with fear. He most definitely doesn't want us to turn to counterproductive things like overeating or other vices that can leave us with a much bigger problem than we already have! I feel He gave me the feeling that I need to be noting the things that give me Joy during this period....

Trying to be prayerful about trying to change my overwhelmed feeling during this period of Social Isolation, I was reminded of how we had breakfast on the patio of friends last year. We had such a wonderful time together visiting and enjoying the out doors. I figured that my husband and I should start having breakfast together each morning on our little patio. We have been doing it since and it's wonderful! It brings us Joy and gives us fresh air, we enjoy the weather, nature and just being together without the focus on everything else.

I have joy when family members contact us by text, calls, Face time, and Google Hangouts!

I got great joy when family came over and the younger ones played in our backyard while we all stayed 10 feet apart.

A different day, it had rained prior to having the young ones come for a social distance visit. They were splashing in the puddles in our driveway having loads of fun. I have always felt that splashing in rain puddles is some of the simple fun of being a kid, so I joined them in splashing in the puddles, although we stayed ten feel apart. What Joy!!!

I got joy in hearing the response when a news reporter asked an expert if there are any positive things that have come from the Covid 19 virus. Although I don't remember all of what he said, the parts that tickled me were that there is less traffic and smog on LA highways. I thought I should start thinking of this in similar terms.

I get joy when I thing that this virus has caused more families to have together time!

I have joy having time to look for recipes and cooking them to utilize the foods we have on hand.

I get joy in watching old shows like F Troop with my husband, which brings back fond memories of watching it with my dad and family when I was younger.

I get joy in getting to work on my blog posts, some of which I had gotten behind on.

I get joy in having time to do more research on a project that I've been involved in.

I get joy in reading magazines that have been sitting around for a while.

I get joy in just thinking about things that give me joy during this time of great stress!

I get joy in talking with friends that I haven't talked to in some time.

I get joy in reading my Bible each morning, to set the tone of my day, so I'm focused on Christ and not the virus!

I get joy in walking on the treadmill most days in order to stay healthy.

I get joy when I feel Christ's Peace Which Passes All Understanding that calm me after I hear the Press Releases that make me concerned.

I get joy, because of the thoughtfulness of neighbors who have asked if there is anything they can get for us at the store during this social isolation. So thoughtful!!!

I got joy as my husband and I ate breakfast together and saw two baby rabbits chasing each other across the lawn!

I get joy when I found out that some younger ones decided on their own to start each day with morning devotional after reading a Bible verse or passage. What a wonderful thing!!!!

Things that Give Us Joy Whether Present or Past -2

We got great joy from getting to visit with family.

The younger cousins playing together gave us immense joy!

We got a lot of joy from watching a younger one riding his scooter in the skate park.

I got great joy from planning special meals for visiting family members.

We were all very joyful when the missing hamster was finally found-alive and well.

We got joy from hearing the younger generation busily getting caught up on life since the last time they saw each other!

It was a very joyful time when the younger ones got to play with the found hamster!

I had been out with sinus issues, so it gave me great joy to see all my friends at the exercise class.

We were filled with joy when we heard that the visiting family members made it back home safely.

I get great joy when I get to help check the homework of the younger ones!

We all got great joy when the younger ones got to play with their cousin's dog.

It gives me joy to think how the next few days are going to be much warmer than today.

Things that Give Us Joy Whether Present or Past...1

I finally cleaned my refrigerator after far too long. After I hurt my foot, I couldn't get down low enough to do it, but have just been putting it off since I've healed. It gave me great joy to finally have it done! Yeah! D.S. (Let's just use initials or none at all. Thanks!)

My husband and I got great pleasure when we saw smoke billows from the neighbor's backyard today! He must be BBQing in 45 degree weather. How fun!

I woke up this morning thinking about how I have this picture by my sink, because it gives me joy each day when I see it, plus it reminds me of the person who made it for me! I decided it should be the logo to represent the Share the Joy Blog!

I was filled with the joy of getting to wake up when I was ready to. I was so pleased that my husband let me sleep in today!

I was filled with joy when I heard how one person I know was taking another to the eye doctor. It's nice knowing the world is filled with nice people doing thoughtful things!

As I thought of a recent phone call with a relative with a quick wit, I was filled with joy and a few chuckles as I remembered it. 

Hearing the garbage truck down the alley, I was filled with joy when I thought about how blessed we are to have sanitation services, because I've been to places that don't have dependable services like this.

It gives me great joy to get to eat lunch with some of the younger ones on Valentine's Day!

It brought me lots of joy to have family spend the night!

Watching The Pursuit of Happyness for the third time gave me great joy!

We got lots of joy by going to a Gospel Music tribute to Black History Month!

I got great joy when I saw daffodils blooming in my front yard.

It creates great joy whenever I see the sun shining through the clouds, especially when it's been overcast for a while.

I went to my water aerobics class after missing several sessions and I got great joy from getting a good workout and getting to see friends.

I was tickled when the flowers I got for a special occasion lasted 3 weeks!

It gave us joy and was fun watching the cousins create plays together and present them!

It gave us joy to have family come visit and get to make special dishes that we thought they might like.