Thejoyfulnest is 2!!

It's true! I have been officially blogging for 2 years! 
It has been a wonderful thing! 
What has been my goal for the past two years?

• To have a joyful and happy place for people to visit!
• To write fun and interesting stories about life and family?
• To be informative about how to get started doing "Family History!"
• To make a history of my family and my darling missionaries!
• To tell the world that I believe that life is wonderful, and challenging, and if we "just keep swimming" it will be great!

My goals for the future of thejoyfulnest?
More of the same! I will hope for a few more visits and new friends! 
Love, Joy

The "Grapefruit Poem"

"I wish I was a grapefruit, 

and here's the reason why

when you came to eat me, 

I'd squirt you in the eye!"

That  my friends, is the first poem I ever memorized when I was a little kid. I just thought I 'd share...for posterity!

Totally "Fort Worth" it!

Dear Family,

Sister Sagers and I want you to know that your missionary has arrived safely here in Texas. We look forward to serving together in accomplishing the Lord's work. We hope you enjoy the attached picture of your missionary, as well as knowing that the missionaries are in good hands here as they are in the Lord's service.

Sincerely,

President and Sister Sagers

Howzit-Elder Flexy!(for real)

We got an email today. I am so glad.

Elder Flexy 10:3 -email-

Make,
sorry i didn't Email yesterday was a national holiday so no email shops were open but I'm doing fine we hiked Execution Rock again, it was super fun and we had a brai(Barbeque) on top. So apparently i still have my hiking skills because i smoked the other elders! Life is good we are teaching like crazy, we are having three baptisms on Sunday its gonna be sweet. I went on exchanges with Elder Henson the native American and it was great we taught very well, it was fun. I'm so glad Ariane is coming back to church. Thats so good to hear. this week we successfully outdid a Jehovah witness without even losing the spirit, now that is dang near IMPOSSIBLE!! and we stared down a dog that could have eaten us. but ya its been a awesome week. i love you.
    Love Elder Sebenele (Swati name)


    

Baba
dang i thought that might happen the last time we fixed that pipe but (note: a secondary water pipe broke in the yard). wow that story about Adam is pretty funny that reminds me of me being called a Tokoloshi in my last area which is a little demon the witch doctors summon to get there enemies. but ya, mission is pretty sweet i'll let you know about the baptisms next time. love you
    Love Elder Dirkie

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Just an FYI, Kelsey left for Texas this morning! 

We talked on the phone, she is nervous and excited. 

Please pray for our missionaries!

Howzit-Elder Flexy!

So it's Monday at about 7:10 p.m.

I have been checking my email account

 off and on all day, and nothing. 

Our darling Elder has not sent an email. 

Paranoid me says, 

"What's wrong? Is he ok? 

Maybe he's just too busy today." 

Faithful me says, 

"He is great! Doing the Lord's work!

 He is definitely safe, the Lord will protect him. 

You need to relax!" 

Momma me says, "That little stinker! 

Doesn't he know I worry? 

Can't he at least give me a few lines?!" 

It will all be just fine, but it is a challenge for me. Who knew when I decided to name Alex's posts "Howzit-Elder Flexy", that it was prophetic. That there would be times many times when I wonder "Howzit?"

I thought I would tell you a story about Alex when he was five. Just to keep my mind off the fact that I haven't heard from him, and to give you all something to read today. 

-----------------

The school was having a talent show. Because we're not that talented at our house, I've never been a big fan of them. But this time Alex decided on his own, that he wanted to be in the talent show. I never heard a word about it. I found out after the talent show was over, that Alex had indeed taken part in the talent show. He signed up and on the sheet he said he was going to whistle. I'm sure that the teachers thought he was going whistle a song, a tune of some kind. But when he got up to do his talent, all he did was whistle. Just one note, for about 3 seconds, then he sat down. Everyone applauded. And Alex felt super. The teacher who told me the story started to cry when she told me. She said it was the sweetest thing, to see this little boy sharing his whistle with his peers. He believed that they would think that was so neat. I need to tell you here, that there were kids who could play the piano, sing, and all kinds of talents that the parents had spent money helping their child develop. I didn't have to spend any money, 'cause Alex's talent was to whistle. What a darling little boy! He has always been such a great kid. Always happy and easy to please. I know that he is a blessing to the people of South Africa, and I am happy to share my wonderful son with them. 

Sunday Best!

Easter Sunday! 

What a beautiful day!

He is Risen!! 

I love Him and I am so grateful He atoned for my sins and was crucified! I know he was resurrected and lives!

Love, Joy

Family History Friday: What Are You're Ancestors Telling You?

New York Times-picture

Have you ever read

a journal or 

a story of an ancestor, 

and thought that what they were saying in word or in the life they lived might be for you? 

I'm sure it was for you and anyone else who is a descendant. Just like we love our families and those who will come after us, the ancestor's of those in Japan loved their descendant's too! 

I found an amazing article about a village in Japan whose ancestor's left a message for their descendants. 

It was a warning on a stone, 

that said not to build their homes below a certain spot. Apparently, many stones were found, but not all headed the warning. You can read more about it here. 

Our ancestor's have left messages for us. 

They may not have written all of them down, but when we research and find the stories about their lives, they will speak to us. If we are listening with our hearts, we will hear what they are trying to say. Think about your ancestor's, their lives, the way they lived, and what it all means. When I think of mine, I think they might want me to know, life is full of hard work and wonderful. They are telling me, "It was hard sometimes, but I did the things that I needed to do, you can do what you need to do. Be amazing!" I love them, and am so thankful for the messages they have left for me. 

Happy Family History Friday! Love, Joy