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Kayla's Only Heart

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Tag Archives: joy

Book Review: Becoming Mrs. Lewis

08 Saturday Dec 2018

Posted by Kayla Stierwalt in books, Uncategorized

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Becoming Mrs. Lewis, book review, BookLook, books, C.S. Lewis, Christian fiction, Christian living, dream, England, hope, joy, lost, Patti Callahan, writer

I received a copy of Becoming Mrs. Lewis by Patti Callahan through BookLook Bloggers.

 

After hearing some ladies in Modern Mrs. Darcy Book Club discussing Becoming Mrs. Lewis, I knew I would enjoy it. A new friend of mine and I decided to read it, so I eagerly selected it as my first choice after joining BookLook. This historical fiction novel broadened my knowledge of C.S. Lewis, introduced me to his wife Joy and did not disappoint.

As Joy points out everything starts with words and acknowledges even the bible shares this truth, and her deep friendship with C.S. Lewis, who goes by Jack, begins no differently. She seeks his advice as a new Christian convert, and their letter writing turns into a regular correspondence and later a personal friendship. As a Christian unsure of how to trust God amidst difficult circumstances at home, Joy captures a feeling many have experienced to some extent. She feels lost and unsure how to move forward while still honoring God’s expectations for her. Of course she also desires to feel loved and understood. Both Joy and Jack find a depth to their friendship than broadens their understanding of theology, themselves and life. This grounds their work together as well as the family they ultimately bond.

This story delivers all I anticipated for a good novel about a historical figure who I wanted to know more. The inclusions of letters throughout the narrative gives it a personal feel, and that matches the closeness Jack and Joy feel to each other as they become best friends and work partners on books. Joy’s backstory gives a good understanding of her life and allows me to empathize with her plights. She makes a relatable character, and I find myself dreaming of going to England for some healing and writing inspiration myself. I can’t imagine what it must have been like to live in England during that time, as Lewis regularly meets with Tolkien (Tollers to his friends) and other notable writers and periodically meets with Sayers, not to mention share his literature knowledge at Oxford and Cambridge. I would love to spend a day amongst such great minds! This book gives me a glimpse into two very neat lives and makes me appreciate their writing contributions.

 

I recommend this book to anyone interested in C.S. Lewis. The writing might not hold the same level as Lewis’s, but the story does have depth that can add to your knowledge bank on such a neat figure. This isn’t my first read revolving around Lewis’s work, and it certainly won’t be the last.

Book Review: Laugh it Up!

15 Monday Oct 2018

Posted by Kayla Stierwalt in books, Uncategorized

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book review, books, Candace Payne, Chewbacca Mom, Christian, Christian living, hope, joy, memoir, purpose

Though I hadn’t watched the viral Facebook live video starring Chewbacca Mom, I ended up reading Candace Payne’s Laugh It Up! for and online bible study. I didn’t expect her backstory, not only in terms of actual experience but in vulnerability either, but I appreciated her openness. Like everyone else, she experienced tough circumstances. Though hers differed from mine, I could relate to a childhood of worrying about needs children shouldn’t have to contemplate. Her testimony and angle of overcoming and maintaining joy share a message of hope. She kept her focus on her purpose, and God delivered her and her family. It reminded me that I too can overcome my obstacles past, present and future and fulfill my God-given purpose as I maintain joy and hope.

Simple Joys on a Simple Fall Sunday

29 Sunday Oct 2017

Posted by Kayla Stierwalt in Journal, Uncategorized

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bible study, Christian, Christian living, Chrystal Evans Hurst, fall, flowers, joy, online bible study, reflection, She's Still There, thankful

I’ve been going through She’s Still There by Chrystal Evans Hurst as part of an online bible study. Each time I sit down with that book, I realize I like her and her  insight even more (today I also listened to her talk about cultivating, curating and creating content for writing). As part of my devotion time today, I reflected on some questions at the end of chapter 12. The first question got the thoughts stirring about simple joys. Sunday feels like a great day to contemplate the little details that my senses can enjoy on this day of rest as well as every other day.
First I made a list of things that I can engage with my senses that make me smile. Considering just today, I came up with:
crisp, cool air: I missed fall last year since I was in Houston (yes, Houstonians, it truly does exist outside the magazines and movies), and I daydreamed about sweaters by late spring, which probably didn’t help me feel any cooler in that hellish Houston heat. This year, I bask in the cool air again and feel especially thankful for it. Especially this weekend as the cold has finally set in, it feels good to be cold again.
colorful leaves on the trees: This falls into the category I started above. Again, I didn’t witness fall last year, and that included the beauty of the trees changing colors. They truly do hold a beauty all their own, and the cool air only adds to the wonder of fall.
the yellow mums sitting on my desk on a plate with sea shells I gathered with my best friend Katrina in Galveston during her visit: Yellow is a joyful color, and flowers always add beauty to a room. The shells add another positive aspect with their memory association; they even come from a memory of a sunny day (probably the only time I enjoyed being outside in Texas…the ocean air made a tremendous difference).
music on my iPod: “Believe” by Hanson was playing as I made my list. My iPod contains a lot of music, and they reflect a lot of memories and emotions. It helps to hear expressions of feelings to which I can relate. Oftentimes, music gives words to what’s on my mind, and it keeps me from going too deeply into my head. It also reminds me that I’m not alone in my experiences.
candy corn pumpkins: My severe allergies have made it difficult for me to find my favorite Halloween candy for years. Persistence pays off though because after checking labels for years knowing each time I would most likely find the bags were possibly contaminated from my allergens in the factories, I finally found some safe candy corn pumpkins! Let’s just say I bought a few bags. Tonight I can enjoy them during my Sunday Ritual. After I paint my nails I can do Halloween weekend my style and watch Stranger Things while I eat pumpkins.
aromatherapy pillow mist on my pillow: I rested my eyes earlier and enjoyed the mist on my pillow. I thought aromatherapy from essential oils sounded hoaky when I first heard about it, but I reconsidered after I saw that Mayo Clinic agreed it could possibly help (any small improvement in mood is worthwhile). Last year I received a diffuser and essential oils and started using it. I enjoyed the different scents and how they seem to relax or lift my mind a little. This afternoon I rested as I inhaled the scent of eucalyptus and tea.
I agree with Chrystal Evans Hurst that simple joys matter. I’m glad that I took the time to fill in my blessings journal throughout the day today and that I took the time to do her reflection questions. It continued to serve as a starting point on staying positive and being open to God’s involvement and guidance in my life.

“For the LORD your God is living among you. He is a mighty savior. He will take delight in you with gladness. With his love, he will calm all your fears. He will rejoice over you with joyful songs.” Zephaniah 3:17

A Simple Smile Takes You The Extra Mile

06 Sunday Apr 2014

Posted by Kayla Stierwalt in Journal

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customer service, encouragement, happiness, happy, heart, joy, joyful, life, reflection, smile, work

Sometimes I fake it. I don’t even always realize it. The actions come pretty naturally. Take my customer service job. I see a customer, I smile, I provide assistance. Maybe I feel that happiness with the joy in my heart. Maybe I don’t. I’m there to make those people happy. Ultimately, it makes me feel good too.

Sometimes I need to make it my job to make myself experience happiness. I possess such a natural joy, but that doesn’t mean I always feel happy. My joyful disposition pairs with my sensitivity (to keep me balanced I suppose). I need to remind myself not to get lost in the sadness after I mellow out. Those feelings can escape and get replaced with happier ones as I smile through each situation.

I smile to all customers in an attempt to keep them satisfied, the curled lips a symbol to them and a release for me. The gesture releases natural endorphins. It brings a certain authenticity to even the forced smiles. That’s probably what keeps me from getting bogged down by the rude and mean customers.

I just need to maintain this practice in my everyday life. My life gives me so many reasons to smile, but it’s still life. It comes with its own obstacles. They weight heavier on me right now.

Yet I can still smile. I just need to get some good face time to show it. That involves a variety of acts and reminders. I take the time to take care of myself, even simply looking at myself in the mirror as I make myself presentable for high standards. I use my own social media to share positive messages with everyone that I myself need to consider. My friends take time to maintain correspondence with me as we write letters and talk on the phone. All these words and reflections make me smile. The smile ultimately shows happiness that matches the joy in my heart.

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Hunny Holidays

04 Wednesday Dec 2013

Posted by Kayla Stierwalt in Journal, Photography

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Christmas, Christmas tree, decorations, holiday season, holidays, joy, ornaments, Pooh Bear, snowman

20131204-223638.jpg

‘Tis the season to show Christmas spirit! As of tonight, I’ve decorated my Christmas tree. It consists of mostly Pooh Bear and snowman ornaments as usual. I hope you’re enjoying the holiday season and have found time to boost your holiday spirit with family, friends, seasonal goodies, Christmas music. The small joys and moments matter. Take some time for those.
Merry Christmas!

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You can't make advances if you don't take chances. These posts share my perspectives of my journey as I step forward, walking in the Light.

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