The Bible tells us that we should have 'joy' in the midst of our trials. Joy is not the same as 'happiness'. Happiness is proportionate to your surroundings, 'earthly' happiness. It comes when things are good and goes with the situations change. It's temporary. But the JOY we find through Christ can't be shaken unless we 'choose' to let it be. I 'choose' joy. I took this picture this week, digging through the rubble of my burned down craft studio. Twenty-six years of collecting my 'FAVORITE' craft products, the new stamp I just couldn't live without. The new tool that would make my life AMAZING! Each purchase brought me 'happiness'. Temporary happiness, because the next scroll through Pinterest or Facebook just found my NEW form of happiness... an even better, brighter crafting product. The last 'must have' item, just sat on the crafting table, or maybe shoved in a drawer, not even used. Forgotten.

 Friends, I don't even know where to begin.  In between the rollercoaster emotions I am trying to gather my thoughts, so I can share the story of beautiful metal barn and a 'dream come true' craft studio.  Then explain the loss after a barn fire destroyed absolutely everything I had accumulated in my craft studio over the last thirty years.  The saddest part, is my insurance company ONLY includes the structure of the barn.  No personal items.  

 Living in Southern California, Christmas can be 90 degrees outside one year and SNOW unexpectedly on Thanksgiving!  But lately we have been clear and in the 70's.  But you want to make God LAUGH... make PLANS.  

We scheduled our annual Christmas Card Swap for yesterday, November 15, 2025... did I mention we hold it in the main part of our metal Barn.  My Journey Studio is on the right wing of the building, but it is insulated and dry walled.  The rest of the building is a barn.  A metal barn.  Where cars get worked on, welding happens, grease, dirt.. lol.  But for THIS day, it was cleaned and decorated and ready for a Christmas Card Swap!