Hi friends!! ❤️
My new name is actually not new because I use it on all my social media platforms. Vivjoywriter is now my current blog name and for those who don’t know Joy is actually my middle name (thanks mama)!!
Joy is not the same as happiness…it’s so much more. It’s a deep peace regardless of outward circumstances that God gives to us as we journey through life. Joy can be felt on a mountain top or in a cancer clinic. Joy can be given at the worst of moments because Joy is God’s heart pouring peace upon us at any given time and in His providential way.
Do I have Joy? Joy after being diagnosed with a progressive autoimmune disease? Joy after losing my husband of 24 years to a deadly brain tumor? Joy in the bringing up of four kids by myself?
I can honestly say YES!! But this Joy isn’t from me being happy or keeping my head in the sand and avoiding the hard things. My Joy is a gift from God. He alone gets me up out the bed. He keeps me from total despair, loneliness, heartache, and pain 💔 Because He keeps showing up..He’s always there and that my friends is exactly the Joy I’m talking about. The Joy of the Lord is my strength. The Joy in a full fellowship with Him that makes my heart burst with warmth. Jesus is experienced in our deepest suffering because that is when we fellowship with him in the most intimate way because He suffered too.
So here is my new blog name and I hope as I share my heart and God’s love with you, true Joy will be experienced together as we remember this world is not our home and who is walking with us through every trial we face. God bless you friends and keep you.
Much love,
Viv 🤗

Beautiful writing, Viv! You have encouraged me today more than you will ever know! Praising God for you!!
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Thank you so much dear one. Praise God for his faithful mercy towards us.
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Love the new name!❤️
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Thanks Deb ❤️
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Love it! I didn’t realize you were in Tennessee. I’m a Tennessean myself!
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Hi Heather! I’m in Virginia but visited a dear angel friend in Tennessee last weekend. She showed up in VA at a very hard time and I’m so grateful. 🥰
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Awesome! I will be coming to Virginia’s Grayson Highlands State Park with my mom very soon. 🙂
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Wonderful Heather! It really is a lovely state! 😍
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Shout for joy, O heavens; rejoice, O earth; break forth in song, O mountains! For the LORD has comforted His people, and He will have compassion on His afflicted ones. – Isaiah 49.13
I love your joy in the Lord. 😊
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Bless you dear Kathy!! Thank you for this verse. 🤗
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Great name change and love your explanation of “Joy” to go right along with it.❤️
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Thanks dear Alicia. Bless you dear one. xoxo ❤️
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It’s beyond wonderful to see you posting again, Vivian. I pray God will use your latest foray into blogging in a powerful way. 🙏May the Lord Bless you and keep you.
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Good to hear from you David. Thank you for praying for my blog. I just hope He uses it to bless and bring Joy. 🙏 😌
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Amen. God’s joy is our strength. I like the new name. ❤️
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Thanks Dawn. I’m so blessed to still have this WordPress family. 🙏 💓
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Little sister I am so glad to see you post again. You and your children have been in my prayers. Beautiful picture little sister. As Christians we can have joy in the midst of turmoil because Jesus is with us. I like that you differentiated between joy and happiness.
Your daughter and I have messaged on instagram a little about college. She is in my prayers.
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Matt, it’s great to be back with my beautiful blogging family!! How I’ve missed you all. Julie has been having a hard time as a commuter student and finding people to connect with but she has gotten involved with campus outreach which I’m so thrilled about.
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The campus outreach will help her connect with some friends. I can Zoom with her if she wants help with anything.
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Awwww Matt 🤗🤗 I’ll pass on to her what you just said.
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anything except math- I have not had math since Jimmy Carter was President
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Ok 😂😂
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Joy and happiness are not the same…amen! Jesus is definitely our strength. It’s so good to see you writing again my beautiful friend! You and your family are still in my prayers.💜🙏🏼
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Love u Renee 💓
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I love you MORE💜💕💜💕
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