Hands Full of Blessings!
Sharing Some of My Blessings With You.
Recent Post
My Testimony
by reneejoiner_jhkz15 | February 11, 2026 | Faith | 0 Comments
I grew up Catholic. Attended Catholic school kindergarten through 12th grade. All my family and friends were Catholic. Catholic was just part of who I was. Part of my identity, if you will. I attended Mass every Sunday and on all those Holy Days, and I actually...
End in Sight
by reneejoiner_jhkz15 | January 25, 2026 | Faith | 0 Comments
My husband and I started training for a Spartan... and as we looked for training plans, the obvious became a reality- I had to start running again. When my husband would be like- let's just run, I would get all in my head... I can't do this.... I'm too out of shape......
Nobodies Chosen By God- The Shepherds
by reneejoiner_jhkz15 | December 18, 2025 | Faith | 0 Comments
I recently heard a Christmas message focused on how God uses the unexpected and the overlooked to accomplish His work for His glory. The message centered on the shepherds, who were the first to hear of the birth of Jesus. In biblical times, shepherds were considered...
Eyes on the Road
by reneejoiner_jhkz15 | August 27, 2025 | Faith | 0 Comments
So, we have a new driver in our house… and I have learned that I am really glad my husband is good at teaching and instruction… because you don’t realize all the things a new driver doesn’t know until they get behind a wheel. For example, keep your eyes on where you...
Seasons
by reneejoiner_jhkz15 | July 19, 2025 | Faith | 0 Comments
"You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you so that you might go and bear fruit—fruit that will last—and so that whatever you ask in my name the Father will give you." John 15:6 Fruit grows in season. And look at this Prickly Pear Cactus... the fruit...
If It Were Easy…
by reneejoiner_jhkz15 | June 20, 2025 | Faith | 0 Comments
“If it were easy, everyone would do it.” I tell my kids this all the time. Especially when they’re learning or perfecting a new skill or hobby- like crocheting, playing music, sewing, running… seriously I cannot count how many times I have said this to all six of them...
Shoes of the Gospel of Peace
by reneejoiner_jhkz15 | June 7, 2025 | Faith | 0 Comments
I’ve had this thought running through my head. When I read the Armor of God in Ephesians 6, as an evangelist, I really want the Shoes of the Gospel of the Peace to represent going out and sharing the gospel. But every single commentary I read says that is not the...
Creative
by reneejoiner_jhkz15 | May 31, 2025 | Faith | 0 Comments
Have you ever looked at a sunrise and thought, “Wow, God! You did that. You didn’t have to, but you wanted to!” Our God is truly the Master Artist. The Creator of the universe didn’t stop once the creation was set into motion. He continues to be creative and shows His...
Seek First
by reneejoiner_jhkz15 | March 23, 2025 | Faith | 0 Comments
“But SEEK first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness…” Matthew 6:33. As I wrote this verse on our whiteboard today, countless games of Hide and Seek went through my head. I remember being a kid and trying to hide in the hardest spot, so the “seeker” would have to...
Fuel Up
by reneejoiner_jhkz15 | March 21, 2025 | Faith | 0 Comments
You know how there are two people in every relationship? The one who always has a full tank of gas and the one who isn’t even sure if the car will make it to the gas station? Yeah… well… I’m the second one. Today my van's gas light came on… and I thought, well I...
More on the Blog
God is Faithful!
by reneejoiner | September 3, 2019 | Books, Growing in Faith, Popular Post | 8 Comments
I’m getting published!!! I’m so excited to share this news. However, it doesn’t seem right to share this news without sharing how AMAZING our God is! So, let me tell you the whole story! The Call In April of 2017, I felt this stir in my heart to write a book. It...
Book Update!!!
by reneejoiner_jhkz15 | January 14, 2020 | Books, Popular Post | 2 Comments
Coming soon! Book 1- Daughters of The King: A Princess Problem with Envy Release date: February 25, 2020 You can pre-order on Amazon now! https://www.amazon.com/dp/1951620003 Please tell all your friends who have daughters in the age range of 2-8! Also, please leave...
It’s Launch Day!!!!
by reneejoiner_jhkz15 | February 25, 2020 | Books, Popular Post | 0 Comments
Today is the day! Daughters of The King: A Princess Problem with Envy is now available for purchase through Amazon and Barnes and Noble. You can also order through the publisher, Grackle Publishing. Please help me spread the word about this book, the series, but most...
Book 2: A Princess Problem with Pride
by reneejoiner_jhkz15 | May 14, 2021 | Books, Faith | 0 Comments
Book 2 is on the way!!!! But before I tell you anymore. You HAVE to hear how God brought it all together. Book #1 was released… literally right before the United States went on lock down for COVID-19. Bye bye book signings. Goodbye read-alouds. All my thoughts on...
A Dream Come True
by reneejoiner_jhkz15 | January 21, 2020 | Books, Popular Post | 0 Comments
This moment… this moment, right here, is something I have been dreaming about for almost three years. But let me tell you a secret… 3 ½ years ago, it wasn’t even on my bucket list. This is 100% a dream God put on my heart, and He gave me the super-human strength to...
The End of the Thomas Phase
by reneejoiner_jhkz15 | May 21, 2018 | Popular Post | 8 Comments
This morning I sat in awe as my boys gave their little sisters all their Thomas the Tank Engine trains saying they do not play with them anymore. While I watched the interaction occur I felt proud. Proud that they realized they do not need those toys in their...
Book Update!!!
by reneejoiner_jhkz15 | January 14, 2020 | Books, Popular Post | 2 Comments
Coming soon! Book 1- Daughters of The King: A Princess Problem with Envy Release date: February 25, 2020 You can pre-order on Amazon now! https://www.amazon.com/dp/1951620003 Please tell all your friends who have daughters in the age range of 2-8! Also, please leave...
Always a Princess
by reneejoiner | January 9, 2018 | Popular Post | 8 Comments
Growing up I was (and still am) the biggest Tom-Boy. I can seriously count the number of times I have painted my nails. You will NOT find me wearing a dress or skirt (unless I am at a formal occasion that calls for it.) And heels? - You can just forget about that~...
Coffee and Jesus
by reneejoiner_jhkz15 | January 25, 2020 | Popular Post | 0 Comments
This morning I made my coffee, I smiled at my coffee mug that was given to me this Christmas. “All I need today is a little bit of Coffee & a whole lot of Jesus.” So true. But is it backwards? I mean really. I’m a mom of six. I teach kids in China online starting...
Homeschooling with Littles
by reneejoiner_jhkz15 | July 18, 2020 | Faith in Parenting, Popular Post | 0 Comments
It was suggested that I write a blog about how to homeschool with littles at home. My immediate response was, “I wish I knew.” However, many people have told me I seem to have a good handle on it, so here it goes. If you are on the fence about homeschooling and are...
God is Faithful!
by reneejoiner | September 3, 2019 | Books, Growing in Faith, Popular Post | 8 Comments
I’m getting published!!! I’m so excited to share this news. However, it doesn’t seem right to share this news without sharing how AMAZING our God is! So, let me tell you the whole story! The Call In April of 2017, I felt this stir in my heart to write a book. It...
The Splinter
by reneejoiner_jhkz15 | January 23, 2019 | Popular Post | 0 Comments
One of my children recently had a splinter in his foot. Now this child is extremely sensitive to touch and pretty much all sensory inputs. He showed me the splinter. I pushed the skin slightly around it and he started crying, “Owwey Owww.” I took a look at him and...
A Dream Come True
by reneejoiner_jhkz15 | January 21, 2020 | Books, Popular Post | 0 Comments
This moment… this moment, right here, is something I have been dreaming about for almost three years. But let me tell you a secret… 3 ½ years ago, it wasn’t even on my bucket list. This is 100% a dream God put on my heart, and He gave me the super-human strength to...
Love Song from China
by reneejoiner | September 9, 2019 | Popular Post | 0 Comments
Every morning at 5 am, I wake up to teach kids in China online. I love my job! I really do! It honestly amazes me the relationships you can build with kids across the world using a pre-planned 25-minute lesson. That’s not the point of this post, though. Yesterday...
Identity
by reneejoiner_jhkz15 | June 3, 2020 | Christian Parallels, Faith, Popular Post | 0 Comments
I just recently watched The Incredibles with my children. We love this movie. It never gets old. If you haven’t seen this movie, you should. It is about a family of Supers trying to get along in a world where they have to try to pretend to be something they are not...
The Princess Parables Book Review
by reneejoiner_jhkz15 | June 12, 2021 | Book Reviews | 0 Comments
Title: Princess Grace and the Little Lost Kitten (The Princess Parables) Authors: Jeanna Young, Jacqueline Kinney Johnson Illustrator: Omar Aranda Summary: In Princess Grace and the Little Lost Kitten, Princess Grace promises her father she will care for the...
Jesus Loves the Little Children Book Review
by reneejoiner_jhkz15 | June 19, 2021 | Book Reviews | 0 Comments
Title: Jesus Loves the Little Children; A Chosen Story Author: Dallas and Amanda Jenkins Illustrator: Kristen Hendricks Summary: Abigail talks a lot. A LOT. So when she meets Jesus for the first time, she talks about him to every kid she can find. Together the...
The Pumpkin Patch Parable Review
by reneejoiner_jhkz15 | June 19, 2021 | Book Reviews | 0 Comments
Title: The Pumpkin Patch Parable Author: Liz Curtis Higgs Illustrator: Nancy Munger Disclaimer: I LOVE LIZ CURTIS HIGGS! Moms, if you have not read her Bad Girls of the Bible series, you should… totally not the point of this post though… Summary: Bestselling author...
Like Arrows
by reneejoiner_jhkz15 | August 25, 2021 | Book Reviews, Faith in Parenting | 0 Comments
When I started the review section of my blog, I never really intended on doing anything outside of Christian children’s book… but last night I watched a movie on Amazon Prime that I think would benefit parents (young and old alike) to watch- Like Arrows. Movie Title:...
Good Good Father Book Review
by reneejoiner_jhkz15 | June 15, 2021 | Book Reviews | 0 Comments
Title: Good Good Father Authors: Chris Tomlin and Pat Barrett Illustrator: Lorna Hussey Publisher: Tommy Nelson Summary: Grammy Award-winning music artist, Chris Tomlin, and Pat Barrett (Housefires) team up to tell the story of a little bear named Tucker whose life is...
If Jesus Lived Inside My Heart
by reneejoiner_jhkz15 | July 30, 2021 | Book Reviews | 0 Comments
Title: If Jesus Lived Inside My Heart Author: Jill Roman Lord Illustrator: Amy Wummer Publisher: Worthy Kids Summary: A new size for this sweet and brightly colored board book that explores the presence of Jesus in our lives. If Jesus lived inside our hearts, would it...
Children Arise Review
by reneejoiner_jhkz15 | July 3, 2021 | Book Reviews | 0 Comments
Book: Children Arise Author: Jenny Johnson Illustrator: Jessie Blasdel Summary: Children Arise is a book empowering children to become all God created them to be by teaching them how to partner with Holy Spirit! Children Arise is a sweet storybook that teaches little...
Three Gifts for Abigail Review
by reneejoiner_jhkz15 | June 26, 2021 | Book Reviews | 0 Comments
Title: Three Gifts for Abigail Author: Allison Romero Illustrator: Gloria Elliott Summary: Excited to spend a special day with family, Abigail hurries downstairs where she finds a surprise waiting for her on the living room table. As she uncovers each of the three...
Veggie Tales Comic Book Reviews
by reneejoiner_jhkz15 | June 30, 2021 | Book Reviews | 0 Comments
Book: Veggie Tales Super Comic Volume 3 (contains the stories of Rack, Shack, and Benny, MacLarry and the Stinky Cheese Battle, and Larry Boy and the Rude Beet.) Author: Rack, Shack, and Benny is adapted from the movie created by Big Idea, adapted by Aaron Linn....
Jesus Storybook Bible
by reneejoiner_jhkz15 | July 16, 2021 | Book Reviews | 0 Comments
Title: Jesus Story Book Bible Author: Sally Lloyd-Jones Illustrator: Jago Summary: For over a decade, The Jesus Storybook Bible has been introducing children to God’s wonderful story, and the Savior at the center of that story. Trusted and treasured for over a decade,...
Christian Parallels Post
Little Red Riding Hood
by reneejoiner_jhkz15 | October 4, 2020 | Christian Parallels | 0 Comments
My kids love watching a YouTube channel called “Pancake Manor.” The creators are a couple in Canada who remake/remix nursery rhymes making them upbeat, creative, and fun. They do an awesome job, really! But with my kids of all ages 10-1 loving these music videos, the...
The Ants Go Marching
by reneejoiner_jhkz15 | October 12, 2020 | Christian Parallels | 1 Comment
The next Nursery Rhyme on the blog is actually more of a well-known kid’s song- The Ants Go Marching. What’s interesting about ants is that they are small, and alone they seem weak. But they don’t live alone. They live in colonies…with thousands of other ants. In that...
Would Cinderella Return to her Stepmother’s Home?
by reneejoiner_jhkz15 | November 3, 2020 | Christian Parallels | 0 Comments
We all love a happily ever after story. Look at Cinderella. The poor girl lost her parents and ends up serving her stepmother and stepsisters like a slave. The movie even says they abused her. However, she had a hope that could not be explained, despite that abuse....
Three Blind Mice
by reneejoiner_jhkz15 | October 10, 2020 | Christian Parallels | 0 Comments
Today on the blog is Three Blind Mice. I already know what you’re thinking- Renee, why? Well, rest assured, I thought the exact same thing. Why was this placed on my heart? Then I read the Nursery Rhyme. Three blind mice. Three blind mice.See how they run. See how...
Jingle All The Way
by reneejoiner_jhkz15 | December 20, 2019 | Christian Parallels | 0 Comments
Next up on Christian Parallels in the Movies is “Jingle All the Way!” Every 90s child knows this movie. Arnold Schwarzenegger is a workaholic dad who forgets to get his son, Jamie, a Turbo-Man doll. Let’s be honest, watching this movie as an adult was very different...
Snow White
by reneejoiner_jhkz15 | March 2, 2020 | Christian Parallels | 0 Comments
My kids and I just watched Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs. And once again, I’m thinking, “How have I never seen this movie before?” I knew the story line. I knew most of the details. I even knew the Hi-Ho song, but I’ve never watched the movie from start to finish....
A Poison Ivy Wreath
by reneejoiner | October 29, 2019 | Christian Parallels, Faith in Parenting | 0 Comments
This week we have seen the beautiful colors of fall in St. Louis! As my kids were playing outside, they kept showing me the colorful leaves that they would find. So, I decided we should make an autumn wreath for our front door. Oh, they had a blast finding all the...
Thoughts on The Little Mermaid
by reneejoiner_jhkz15 | March 26, 2020 | Christian Parallels | 0 Comments
Next up on Christian Parallels in the Movies is The Little Mermaid. Now, I hadn’t seen this movie since I was a kid. My little sister loved this movie, so in good big sister fashion- I did not. I actually promised myself that I would never let my daughters watch this...
Christian Parallels in The Lion King
by reneejoiner | November 5, 2019 | Christian Parallels | 1 Comment
Last week I had the opportunity to share some Christian parallels of the movie “Aladdin” in my blog. It was honestly really neat to see how the messages of the movie fit perfectly into the blog I was currently writing. So, I decided to try this again with another...
Underdog Movies and the Gospel
by reneejoiner_jhkz15 | March 4, 2021 | Christian Parallels | 0 Comments
I had this really cool idea to show how a classic underdog/Cinderella story actually shares the Gospel of Jesus Christ. I was all excited to start. So I went to the first Gospel, Matthew. (Warning the idea didn't quite work out.) Cue the opening scene… Genealogy… you...
It is Worth It!
by reneejoiner_jhkz15 | August 27, 2021 | Faith in Parenting | 0 Comments
Sometimes I wonder if chasing this dream of being an established Christian Children’s Book author is worth it. The insane amount of rejection, critiques, and let downs can really wear on someone… especially one who just realized she tends to run to the well of...
Don’t Stop Growing
by reneejoiner | October 15, 2019 | Faith in Parenting | 0 Comments
It’s finally autumn! I love fall. It’s seriously one of my favorite seasons. Hoodie and jeans weather! Fire-pits and hot apple cider! Pumpkin pie versus apple pie! Seriously, I love this season! But…Nothing tells you that your children are growing like the start of a...
Time for Fireflies
by reneejoiner_jhkz15 | July 10, 2018 | Faith in Parenting | 2 Comments
It was the first week of summer. The boys were attending a day camp at church. I thought it was a good idea, since being down 2 kids, to schedule a bunch of errands and doctor’s appointments for the week. So, my girls and I had a busy week of running which...
Just Like Dad
by reneejoiner_jhkz15 | June 17, 2018 | Faith in Parenting | 2 Comments
Every morning I wake my kids up, we eat breakfast, and then I remind them of their morning tasks. “Get dressed, brush your teeth, brush your hair, read your Bibles…” Wednesday morning as I was reading one of my younger kids her Bible, my boys came running to me. “Mom...
Potty Training
by reneejoiner_jhkz15 | January 23, 2021 | Faith in Parenting, Fellowship | 0 Comments
The decade of diapers is almost behind me… My oldest is 10 and my last child is now 2. He also seems to think he is ready to potty train. This morning I stood by him and said good job as he peed all over the floor. My oldest smiled at me and said, “I’ll go get...
The Comparison Trap
by reneejoiner_jhkz15 | June 4, 2018 | Faith in Parenting | 2 Comments
Last week I was able to take my kids on an outing that had a huge rock climbing wall! My oldest three happily stood in a long line to complete this task. As they reached the front of the line the workers helped each kid into a harness. Then they went onto the wall....
Lost
by reneejoiner_jhkz15 | March 12, 2018 | Faith in Parenting | 0 Comments
Have you ever been lost? I have. I am directionally challenged (to put it nicely). So, I know (a little too well) the frustration and insecurities that are included with being lost. I know the feelings of fear, confusion, anger, and helplessness of being lost. I also...
Accepting Advice
by reneejoiner_jhkz15 | January 1, 2020 | Faith, Faith in Parenting | 1 Comment
The only thing worse than being sick on Christmas, is your kids being sick the days following. My husband came down with an awful sickness the week before Christmas. He explained it as feeling like death. Well, then I also came down with the same sickness. His...
BIG
by reneejoiner_jhkz15 | May 25, 2020 | Faith in Parenting | 0 Comments
Yesterday while watching church online, my three-year-old put her hand in mine. She kept moving it in all sorts of different directions, and eventually I looked down to admire her little hand in mine. For those of you who don’t know, my little Joy is tiny. Like four...
It’s More Than Dishes
by reneejoiner_jhkz15 | August 14, 2018 | Faith in Parenting | 0 Comments
Recently our dishwasher decided to stop draining water properly. As a result, I needed to start hand-washing all our dishes. I do not love dishes. When I realized this, I may have given a little huff and reluctantly agreed to hand wash the dishes until the dishwasher...
Details in a Bigger Story
by reneejoiner_jhkz15 | December 24, 2024 | Faith | 0 Comments
I have a child who has an eye for detail. She can see a lizard across the street in the dirt. She sees the turtle in the middle of the brush pile. Details are just something she picks up on naturally. This Christmas, our kids wanted to give each other gifts. So, we...
Fishing
by reneejoiner_jhkz15 | June 23, 2022 | Faith | 0 Comments
For those of you who don’t know- I have 6 kids… the oldest and youngest are just over eight years apart. Yes, they are very close in age. When our older two boys were younger, my husband and I loved taking them fishing with us. At least once or twice a week, once my...
The Gingerbread Gospel
by reneejoiner_jhkz15 | September 21, 2023 | Faith | 0 Comments
Once upon a time a Baker lived in a cottage on a hill. In his kitchen, he enjoyed creating fresh treats filling the house with sweet smells of sugar and spice. However, the Baker wanted to show his love in a bigger way. He decided to create a cookie which looked...
Learning to Lose
by reneejoiner | March 25, 2019 | Faith | 0 Comments
My kids have started learning how to play Chess at the library. They’ve gotten pretty good at playing too. It’s almost hard to believe that 3 months ago they didn’t know how to play. Their Chess teacher sent them home with a board and pieces about a month ago. My...
Forgotten Love
by reneejoiner | May 31, 2019 | Growing in Faith | 0 Comments
Last week I had the privilege of watching my last 3rd grade class graduate 8th grade. This class has a very special place in my heart. As the ceremony continued and the speakers spoke of each child, I was reminded just how much I loved them. Memories from five years...
A Free Gift
by reneejoiner_jhkz15 | February 16, 2023 | Faith | 0 Comments
Imagine for a moment, someone gave you a card for Christmas. And inside the card was a check for 1 MILLION DOLLARS! That gift was given out of love and freely to you. If you knew what was inside, would you really leave it there? No way! You would open that card, say...
Clean Up First
by reneejoiner | May 1, 2019 | Faith | 0 Comments
A couple nights ago I was preparing dinner as my children played outside. My husband came in and said, “FYI, the kids are covered in mud.” “Like, they need to wash their hands, covered? Or like they need to shower, covered?” “Covered!” `Great,’ I thought as I pulled...
Change of Perspective
by reneejoiner_jhkz15 | October 22, 2018 | Faith | 0 Comments
My children love to do the Hidden Picture puzzles in magazines. We have a stack of Highlights magazines on our books shelves that have accumulated over the years. Yet, these magazines continued to be viewed over and over again specifically for the Hidden Picture...
New Dog-New Life
by reneejoiner | June 19, 2019 | Faith | 0 Comments
Our family has recently added a new member. He has brown hair, four legs, and a tail. We call our new puppy Samson. Samson is a ten-month old American Bulldog (mix). He’s a good pup and learning our way of life rather quickly. But there are some things, you can tell,...
Christmas Thoughts… what if?
by reneejoiner_jhkz15 | December 20, 2021 | Faith | 0 Comments
It happened again today. A random stranger asked my kids if they were excited about Santa. The shock that overtakes their faces when my kids tell them they don’t believe in Santa, they celebrate Jesus. Before you roll your eyes and keep scrolling… please hear me out....