Mercifully my work week has come to an end. Even without my cousin’s passing, the work week would have been brutal. Right from the first phone call last Friday, with one of my UK delivery drivers, I knew my week would be tough.
So I am short on words right now but long on links. The following links have been sent to me or I stumbled upon them while surfing the web.
Enjoy these non-affiliate links while I put some words together for next week.
I love you and God bless you.
Blogs:
When God Isn’t Good – a post about when God does not answer prayers the way you want.
Blessed Are The Pure Of Heart – A blog my friend Andrew writes even though he is dying of cancer. I love this post about hope.
You Can’t Do It – Powerful post from Crystal Stine about not being able to do it all, about not being enough. If we were enough we would not need Jesus.
Through Ink & Image – LOVE! The artwork on Lynn’s blog. Her God-breathed words are inspiring as well. I found her site because she started following me.
The Daily Norm – I’ve been a follower of Nicholas DeLacy-Brown’s site for years. From sketches to paintings to photography you will find amazing work on his site. And then there are the Norms – adorable one armed blobs with a blueish glow.
Websites:
LiveHappy – a cheery website filled with lots of inspirational articles. You can also subscribe and get their physical magazine in your snail mail mailbox.
The Devoted Barn I fell in love with this rescue organization a couple years ago while following the story of Lefty, a dog that was scheduled for euthanization. Lefty is currently living out his life at the barn per court order. Sadly he was diagnosed with cancer and due to his age and how far cancer has spread, treatment is not in his best interest. I am heart broken. Follow them on Facebook to see their videos. They will warm your heart and put a smile on your face.
Books:
Healing After Loss, Daily Meditations for Working Through Grief by Martha Whitmore Hickman – still recommend this short page-a-day devotional 10 years later. My copy is now in 2 pieces.
God’s Healing for Life’s Losses; How to Find Hope When Your Hurting (GriefShare Presents) – This book is for any type of grief – divorce, job loss – and not just a friend or loved or passing away.
Music:
Because what’s a link post from Michele without music. 😉
Crowder – All My Hope – Still playing this a lot.
If You Know What I Mean – My favorite Neil Diamond song (I Am I Said is a very, very close second). This song is smoky, sensual and I just melt when I hear it. I’ve seen him in concert many times and his performances were stunning. It’s sad that he had to retire from performing because of Parkinson’s and not of his own free will.
Because what’s a link post from Michele without something from Elvis 😀
Elvis – “The Making of ALOHA” – 45th Anniversary – (TSOE 2018) – An interesting look with the producer/director of the Aloha From Hawaii TV Special.
Hopefully, you enjoyed these links.
Bio: Michele Kearns is the founder and HUG© (Hope Unites Globally) Award-Winner of JoyReturns. She shares her widowhood adventures hoping to encourage widows to move through grief and rebuild their lives. A graduate of Kent State University with a Bachelor’s degree in communications, she’s used those skills while managing call center teams, facilitating a grief support group and helping small businesses with various writing and administrative assignments. Michele is a bookworm, lover of chocolate, red roses and golden retrievers and is an amateur photographer.
JoyReturns 
Thanks so much for passing along my blog post, Michele. I appreciate being a part of this lineup.
You are welcome, Kim.