5 Simple Joys ...

In an effort to "slow" down and create a life of simplistic grace, I have given up some activities and started new, more meaningful and enjoyable ones! See my simple joys below.

Welcome to my blog post. Today, is a day I share a snapshot of 5 of my "simple joys" in life with you, in an effort for you to get to know me a little better.

“A quiet and modest life brings more joy than a pursuit of success bound with constant unrest.” Albert Einstein

I am notoriously known by others as being an introvert, but I define myself as being "a highly functioning ambivert". Ultimately, this means I am by no means a shy person and can talk long and hard, but I need a lot of downtime by myself to recharge i.e. to be in my own company doing the things I love - reading, studying God's Word, leisure time, being with my family and keeping home

You will not see loads of photos (if any at all) on my blog post of me (no selfies, I promise!), because this blog is my opportunity to share my simple graced-filled journey as a Christian woman with other like minded readers who are willing to learn and share their stories with me. Anyways! I digress .... here are my five "simple joys" in life.

1. Quiet, slow mornings

There is nothing more sweet or blessed as a quiet, slow morning for myself and my family. The pandemic season has been sweet for us in that we are blessed enough to be able to work from home, so this has presented the opportunity for slowing down in the morning and just enjoying the start of the day. No lunches to make, rushing out the door and having to endure the challenging commute to work. A quiet, leisurely time to fellowship and be in God's Word.

2. My morning coffee

Yip, I am a coffee tragic ... when I go to bed at night I am already looking forward to my cup of Nespresso coffee, made and brought to me in bed by my loving husband before my eyes open to God's new day. More importantly, I see God's loving, serving spirit in my husband's action every morning. Sweet bliss.

3. Baking bread

This is a newly acquired, 'pandemic' skill ... there is something intrinsically spiritual about making and baking your own healthy, artisan bread. Every evening I make my dough, then (after my cup of morning coffee!) I jump out of bed and put the oven on and shape my dough ready for baking. Twenty minutes later, its ready to go into the oven and in 35 minutes, I have a beautiful, delicious loaf of wholegrain bread (or ciabatta or sour dough loaf) . The smell in the morning is delightful and so "homely". My husband arrives home from his early morning swim or surf and walks into the front door with the smell of bread beckoning!

4. My family

Yes, what a blessing - my husband and two sons are in my life. My husband has a heart and passion and faith I yearn for. He has lead our family in a Godly, biblical way and we are all the better for it. He has been a strong role model for our boys as every father should be ... a typifying and shadowing our Father in Heaven.

5. Reading

I LOVE books. My whole life I have been a veracious reader - at different times of my life I have latched onto different topics, genres and read as much as I can about them. For example, In my late teens I read every book I could find about the Holocaust, in my early Motherhood years I read a wide variety of books on Christian motherhood and how to be a godly Wife. This is perhaps the most challenging part of my minimalist journey, having to part with my books - but I see them as passing on treasures to other women who will benefit from them.

Resources for you

• I came across this easy no-knead bread recipe and have been baking it every since. You do not need a Dutch Oven to bake this bread - I use my regular oven and followed her notes in this regard.

• Read this informative post on 'The Wonderful Symbolism of Bread in the Bible'.

• My simple joys was inspired by listening to my favourite podcast Journey Women.

• Corto my favourite Nespresso coffee flavour.

• The go-to-books (besides God's Word) that taught me how to have a godly heart for my children and husband are all written by Elizabeth George - I highly recommend these books: A Woman's High Calling, A Woman After God's Own Heart and Loving God With All Your Mind - biblically sound advice and encouragement.

This is just a wee glimpse into my simple life ... I would love for you to share with me your 5 Simple Joys.

Graciously yours ...