It has been a week of ups and downs here at our house but always filled with some good laughs. My husband nearly scared me out of my skin as I found a few these scattered throughout our house….
Yes, it is the Kia Hamstars, as seen in the commercials. This is what happen when you are married to a man who works for a car dealership. Practical jokes are his love language 🙂
Here are some great posts I read this week…..
1) Barbara and I linked right after each other one day and Barbara brought it to my attention. We both wrote on stones, living stone that is, and the process of transformation. 
2) Chronic illness is not an easy or pleasant circumstance to deal with in life. Yet I have found that Shelly writes posts that encourage, offer hope, strength, comfort, and love to her readers each time she writes. Her perspective is grounded in truth and she blesses many of us, whether in reading her posts or tweets of encouragement. Get well, Shelly! 
(photo credit: torpore via photopin cc)
3) This next post contained a photo which spoke to me of the lengths which people will go for much needed food. I have been reminded of the words Jesus spoke to His friends who had fished all night and not caught anything, “Throw your net on the right side of the boat and you will find some.” (John 21:6).
4) Here is a post filled with words of faith and courage. I loved the quote which Jean shares… “Hope is the ability to hear the music of the future. Faith is having the courage to dance to it today. (Dr. Peter Kuzmi )”. 
5) Life’s waves can roll over us at times leaving us weary and trying to stay afloat. In this post, I found the reminder that doubt threatens us but faith is like a buoy which will keep us afloat – faith in Jesus, that is. I found myself encouraged by the words Kris shared …. “When you’re drowning and you’re not sure where to go to breathe, raise your arms!” 
Grab a cup of coffee and settle in to read. It’s Saturday and those are the random five for this week. Be blessed as you read!ÂÂ
Love,
Joanne
Today I am linking with … The Fri. Five and Make My Sat. Sweet and The Weekend Brew and Recommendation Sat. and The SITS Sharefest .
I love when people make a round-up of their favorite posts. So many times I find a new blogger that I love this way! Thank you so much for sharing yours. Going to go check some out !:)
Kelsey, I love to read links that others share as well. There are so many wonderful posts out there & we truly never get to them all each week. But shared this way, I find I get to read more of them. Have a blessed Sunday!
Thank you for sharing, friend. Enjoy your weekend.
It was such a beautiful post & blessed me so. I knew it would bless others. Blessings!
Of course, SITS led me right back here! As always! Love them all – especially the quote about hope. I am stealing it and adding it to my Hope journal! Have a great weekend!
So glad that you enjoyed them, Kate. I loved that quote on hope as well. Have a great weekend!
I always love this post you do and love finding new treasures. How surprised I was and giddy to find my post listed here this morning. Thank you. The experience I had with those two ladies and their stories still linger within my heart. very powerful messages from both of them. Thanks, Joanne!
Jean, I am glad my post was a surprise to you. I thought the powerful message should be shared. Thank you for sharing your experiences with us all! Blessings!
Oh my…that would have scared me too. Loved that post from Barbara and the one from Shelly too. I will check out the others.
Much love to you.
Beth
🙂 There are 2 of them here “visiting” with us over the weekend. They are going back to work with him on Monday. Have a blessed Sunday, Beth!
I discovered Barbara’s post the other day by her comment that you two wrote on the same topic. Love Kris’s statement of just raise your arms. Thanks for sharing these great treats Joanne. Have a great weekend.
I so love coming to your linkup as you bless me with your “finds” each week!
Joanne, you MADE MY DAY!!! I couldn’t believe I came to read your post and ended up reading about myself! Thank you for your sweet recommendation!
I enjoyed meeting the others I met here, too, and all of them were new to me. Thank you for the introduction! <3
I'm so glad you linked up with Recommendation Saturday!
Heart Hugs, Shelly
I am so glad that my “recommendations” were new for you. There are so many wonderful reads each week & we truly cannot get to them all. I love when people make recommendations for it is how I always find a new “friend”. I am so glad that you were blessed to see your post there. Shelly, you are a blessing to us all. As I wrote my post & included you, this is the Scripture I was praying for you: “The generous will prosper; those who refresh others will themselves be refreshed.” (Prov. 11:25, NLT). You have refreshed me so many times, I am glad that you were refreshed!
Love & Blessings,
Joanne
Thank you for sharing the links my friend. Have a blessed Sunday!