Hands Full of Blessings!

Sharing Some of My Blessings With You.

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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...

Seek and Save the Lost

by reneejoiner_jhkz15 | March 5, 2025 | Faith | 0 Comments

Every time my kids and I go hiking, we end up talking about “the time mom got us lost” on a trail. Now, sadly, this has happened so often that we have to ask—which time? Well, one time we had just started a really good trail that was supposed to be a moderate,...

Authentic Fan?

by reneejoiner_jhkz15 | February 9, 2025 | Faith | 0 Comments

As we all prepare to watch the Super Bowl, I was struck with the thought- what would you think of a person decked out in Kansas City Chiefs gear and face paint, but saying “Go Eagles.” That’s not a real fan. Anyone can buy a jersey and put on some paint? Right? Maybe...

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...

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...

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...

“You Have Your Hands Full!”

by reneejoiner | January 15, 2018 | Popular Post | 4 Comments

A couple years ago, I was walking into Target with my (then) four kids. I had one kid in the cart, and the other 3 riding along the sides of it. As I started heading into the store, a random man made eye contact with me. … Great… Here we go again… another conversation...

It’s Launch Day!!!!

by reneejoiner_jhkz15 | February 25, 2020 | Books, Popular Post | 0 Comments

My Story

by reneejoiner_jhkz15 | January 25, 2021 | Popular Post | 3 Comments

I had to write my conversion testimony for an Evangelism class at Liberty University, and I thought that there was no reason for it to stay on my computer. So here it is. (I did have to follow a specific format and keep it to 2 pages maximum.) I have not always been a...

God is Faithful!

by reneejoiner | September 3, 2019 | Books, Growing in Faith, Popular Post | 8 Comments

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...

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...

A Dream Come True

by reneejoiner_jhkz15 | January 21, 2020 | Books, Popular Post | 0 Comments

Diet and Exercise

by reneejoiner_jhkz15 | July 24, 2020 | Popular Post | 0 Comments

Diet and exercise. I’ve started this blog many times, but I have never been able to actually complete it. I realize now, that is because it will never be complete. This is a rollercoaster of a journey. If someone would have told me when I was 17, my biggest struggle...

God Report

by reneejoiner_jhkz15 | April 23, 2021 | Popular Post | 2 Comments

As you may have noticed, I have not been posting nearly as often as I have in the past. Our family is going through some big changes in which all the credit goes to God! Let me back up a few years… to right before my husband took a job as a pastor. Previously he...

Join in Creation’s Song

by reneejoiner_jhkz15 | July 17, 2020 | Popular Post, Through the Lens | 0 Comments

Last week I had the opportunity to be a leader on our church’s Youth Group Trip. I went to this trip expecting to hear from God and expecting to see Him move. It did not disappoint. However, the messages I got from this trip were not the messages I expected to hear....

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....

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...

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:...

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...

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,...

A New Section: Book Reviews

by reneejoiner_jhkz15 | June 11, 2021 | Book Reviews | 0 Comments

“You don’t know what you don’t know…” In the Spring of 2017, I felt called to write... specifically, a Christian children’s book series. As I was seeking to fill out my submission forms to various agents and publishers, I found the section: competitive titles....

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...

Christian Parallels Post

Freedom

by reneejoiner_jhkz15 | November 3, 2020 | Christian Parallels | 0 Comments

I was teaching a lesson on Harriet Tubman yesterday. In the lesson, it said that Harriet Tubman was a hero because she escaped slavery, but then she decided to go back to help other slaves escape. Harriet Tubman is definitely a hero! She knew freedom and HAD to help...

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...

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...

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...

Christian Parallels in The Land Before Time

by reneejoiner | November 17, 2019 | Christian Parallels | 0 Comments

Up next on Christian Parallels in the movies is “The Land Before Time.” I remember watching this movie as a kid and balling my eyes out every time… Well guys, watching the movie as an adult with my six children… I still cried… maybe even harder. Movie Recap The movie...

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...

Sleeping Beauty

by reneejoiner_jhkz15 | February 24, 2020 | Christian Parallels | 0 Comments

I recently read that fairy tales are a literary form of apologetics because they illuminate the Gospel. After reflecting on this, I noted that most of our basic princess fairy tales follow a similar format: 1) They start with a happy world where we meet our princess....

Signing Away Your Freedom

by reneejoiner_jhkz15 | November 7, 2020 | Christian Parallels | 0 Comments

This image right here... Ariel is signing away her freedom for a chance at romantic love. She was the daughter of the King. The King had the power to grant her request. Yet, she made a deal with Sea Witch. In Ariel’s defense, she was hurt. She had this...

What if…

by reneejoiner_jhkz15 | October 10, 2021 | Christian Parallels | 0 Comments

Warning: This post does have spoilers for the Disney+ series What If. As I started watching the Disney+ series What If… I had very mixed feelings. The stories I knew but were slightly altered were just alright. It seemed like a reach of a television show. Then episode...

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...

Put Jesus Back In Christmas

by reneejoiner_jhkz15 | December 7, 2020 | Faith, Faith in Parenting | 0 Comments

For those of you following me (personally) or my church (First Christian Church Belleville), you know we have been making an effort to #PutJesusbackinChristmas! Each day Happy Hunter and his crew add a name of Jesus to a special tree. We watch a fun video on Facebook,...

Out of Focus

by reneejoiner_jhkz15 | June 27, 2020 | Faith in Marriage | 0 Comments

My new camera takes amazing photos. When I see natural beauty, I can’t help but to pull out the camera and take a photo. However, I am used to just using my phone. Pull it out and shoot. The pictures are usually pretty good, but in compassion to the ones I can...

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...

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...

Escape Room

by reneejoiner | July 17, 2019 | Faith in Marriage | 1 Comment

My husband and I had the opportunity to do an Escape Room Challenge for our anniversary. It was super fun! If you have never done one, I would highly recommend it. We will definitely be doing another one soon. Well during this challenge we were locked in...

Frustrated

by reneejoiner_jhkz15 | April 3, 2018 | Faith in Parenting | 3 Comments

Not too long ago I took my kids to an art program at the library. Usually the projects are simple and allow for quite a bit of creativity. But not this time... It was more like- Here's the example. Now do it... My oldest struggled... his idea would not come out of his...

It clicked

by reneejoiner_jhkz15 | June 30, 2021 | Faith in Parenting | 0 Comments

As most of you know, I have three daughters. These girls are creative, fun, and energetic… but I cannot say that tidy is an adjective I would use to describe them. Yesterday I walked by their room and noticed how nice and clean it looked, so naturally I complimented...

Control-Top or Hidding the Problem

by reneejoiner_jhkz15 | February 20, 2019 | Faith in Marriage | 0 Comments

Confession time! I love my babies! But I do not love what pregnancy has done to my body. I just had baby #6 three months ago… and I reached the biggest I have ever been! Slowly the pounds are coming off, but that means I am now in the awkward in between stage… You...

Like Arrows

by reneejoiner_jhkz15 | August 25, 2021 | Book Reviews, Faith in Parenting | 0 Comments

Behind the Glass

by reneejoiner_jhkz15 | January 21, 2021 | Faith in Parenting | 0 Comments

As I walked into the kitchen this morning, I noticed the beautiful sunrise peaking through the trees. Then I glanced at the thermometer and looked down at my dog asking to go out. It’s freezing out there. Let’s make this quick. I thought as I bundled up and put the...

Embrace Change

by reneejoiner_jhkz15 | October 16, 2018 | Faith | 0 Comments

Well, I think it’s officially fall in Missouri! One day it was over 70 degrees, then a cold front came through, and now it’s 40. The cool crisp temperatures have been anticipated, but when they finally arrived it shocked us all. This morning my kids wanted to go...

Creative

by reneejoiner_jhkz15 | May 31, 2025 | Faith | 0 Comments

No Show

by reneejoiner | June 5, 2019 | Growing in Faith | 0 Comments

It’s six in the morning. I’m working. And I am sitting in my classroom waiting on a student to show up to class. As many of you know I teach for VIPKID. It’s honestly the best job for me. I teach kids in China, from home, during hours my kids are asleep. I have a...

Looking for the Blessings

by reneejoiner | March 28, 2019 | Faith | 0 Comments

It’s finally spring in St. Louis! This winter seemed like the longest winter ever!!! But spring in St. Louis is just about as unpredictable as the winter. Sunday afternoon my kids were outside playing, and I called them in because of a random thunderstorm. They...

Exposed

by reneejoiner_jhkz15 | May 1, 2020 | Faith | 1 Comment

Last week we had a new internet service installed. When the installer showed up, my husband asked him to move our router and modem upstairs. He pulled out our bookshelf to expose the outlets and wiring system. He also exposed… an area I am not sure I have cleaned...

Part of the Story

by reneejoiner_jhkz15 | December 3, 2018 | Faith | 0 Comments

My boys have gone a kick where they enjoy making books. They draw sequential pictures to their stories and occasionally add some words. Then they will assemble their books with a three-hole punch and three pieces of yarn. Earlier today my son was sharing one of his...

The Poison Oils

by reneejoiner_jhkz15 | April 11, 2018 | Faith | 3 Comments

I live in Missouri. People from Missouri like to joke about having to turn your heater and air conditioner on in the same day... It’s not really a joke during the spring and fall though… We also like to joke about not knowing what the season is- first spring, third...

Leaving a Review

by reneejoiner_jhkz15 | February 3, 2020 | Faith | 0 Comments

I NEED your help! I am quite literally, “just a nobody, trying to tell everybody, all about Somebody, who saved my soul.” (In case you didn’t catch the reference- it’s Casting Crown’s song "Nobody.") The most common reason this Book Project was rejected from...

Happy Birthday, Jesus…and Renee

by reneejoiner_jhkz15 | December 25, 2021 | Faith | 0 Comments

I’m a Christmas baby. I have always HATED having my birthday on Christmas. I know all my December birthday peeps are already agreeing with me. Shared birthday/Christmas presents and cold weather… but really that part never bothered me. I actually enjoy the “Happy...

Temporary Bubbles

by reneejoiner_jhkz15 | June 25, 2018 | Faith | 0 Comments

Bubbles! This morning I sat outside watching all five of my children happily play with bubbles. Smiles. Laughter. Blowing bubbles at each other. Running around in circles. Comparing the sizes of bubbles. Popping. Blowing. Repeat. So much fun! For about 15...

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