Seven years ago was my last update. Obviously, I'm a terrible blogger! Oh well ...
Of course, a lot has happened ... I have 3 beautiful grandbabies - 2 girls (Ava and Paisley) and 1 boy (Baby Michael). We moved to our retirement home on False River. I lost my dear mother-in-law and both of my parents. I still work as well as the hubby, but his retired-self went back because he was bored. I remind him all the time that was "His choice!" LOL
I haven't written much, but I'm getting back in the swing of things ... trying to anyway. Life punches hard, but My Lord and Savior Jesus carried me through my darkest days. I have faith He's carrying me now!
I did manage to get a children's book (Little League for Frogs) published that I had written when my sons were young boys. My good friend's mother (Cheryl Hoyt) illustrated it for me. They are both incredible women! In the winter of 1986, Ms. Cheryl‘s life changed dramatically when she contracted pneumococcal pneumonia and became a quad amputee. Despite her physical obstacles, she kept pursuing her love of painting. This book, as all my others, are available on Amazon. I'll update it soon on my book page.
Another book published is The Christmas Mistake in 2020. It's a cute holiday romp.
Dressed in nothing but Christmas lingerie, Carina delivers herself in a gift box to her fiance’s hotel room, but the last thing she expects when she is unwrapped is to see a sexy stranger in holiday boxers who looks like he just stepped off a magazine cover - definitely NOT her fiancé! How in the silver bells was she delivered to the wrong room?
Well, I pray that your holidays are joyous and filled with the presence of the Holy One!
Merry Christmas (and Happy Birthday, Jesus!)
~ Josephine
Get your workout and reading material at one location tomorrow from 10 am to noon!
Thank you, Kathy Denny, for hosting me! Y'all come check out her exercise studio (Curves) at 4710 O'Neal lane, Ste 107, Baton Rouge, La 70817 behind City Café and next door to party playtime. Her phone # is 225-751-1303.
I will have copies of all my books with my pen ready to sign for y'all!
Additionally, I am bringing a basket of goodies. To qualify to win, Curve members and new members can call to setup a coaching session between the 1st and 7th of April.
See you there!
Josephine
I decided to change the name of my blog from The Journey is the Reward to Josephine's Journey. I still believe in it's concept, but recent local events have set my heart and brain into a whirlwind.
The Journey is the Reward ... hmm ... what's so rewarding about a tragedy? For a community torn apart by man made tragedy, the reward today is watching neighbors saving neighbors whether they are black, red, white, blue, orange or green. Today's reward is Hope ... HOPE that despite our bickering and differences, we are families-from-another-father: God.
I am the last child of 9 siblings. Trust me. I know about bickering!
Now I'm NOT saying God causes misery to fall upon us. We are His children. He loves us unconditionally. But as a parent, I have learned that sometimes children have to learn the hard way.
Changes ... We hope that change is good. Lately, changes have resulted from so much negativity surrounding our community. I can't help but wonder if the message is to draw a torn community back to one another. God has a plan. We must have Faith.
August 12, 2016: Friday morning, I snoozed my alarm more than normal as I decided that the rain, lightening and thunder pounding at my bedroom window was not worthy of getting out of bed. Texts from co-workers confirmed my decision and theirs to stay home and off the roads.
Then came a text from my dad at 8:10 AM. "We are going under water."
My heart froze. What on earth? Was he serious? That's just nuts!
I called, and he confirmed. The home I grew up in had an inch of water. It had NEVER been threatened by water before. My parents bought the house in 1978. The rise of living costs against a fixed income influenced my father's decision to cancel his flood insurance.
No insurance.
The day progressed. Water rose. His stubborn ass refused to leave. Yes, he was pissing me off. Then at around 2 pm, he called to let me know that he contacted Central Fire Department. God bless those men who got my parents out!
This is day three. So much loss ... My heart hurts so bad ...
I will post more later.
Love and prayers to my family and friends suffering.
Josephine
