New name

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 🤗

Tennessee kitty 😺

The colors of hope

The following post was written on February 25th just two days before my husband’s brain tumor was discovered. I’m just now able to publish it.

Raising awareness of many illnesses that are diagnosed is a crucial part of helping to bring hope to a community. We use colors of the spectrum to show how we support and acknowledge the cause of awareness which brings so much comfort to those who suffer. I have two brave friends who have bravely fought the scary color pink. Many more, myself included, struggle to heal with the vibrant TBI color green. I know a few beautiful ladies who battle purple which waves bravely as it fights chronic illnesses. My very own grandmother wore the purple hues of lupus for many years. But there is a new color I see now. A color I too am currently aware of as blending into the fabric of my days. It was the color of my favorite oversized BUM Equipment sweatshirt I wore as a teen. The color of my husband’s favorite polo he wore to church almost every Lord’s Day. The color of sunrises, and sunsets that give each day’s start and end rays of hope. The color of the kingly butterfly which soars into the sky every summer to keep our heads and eyes looking up. Today God is giving me hope as I wear this color. And today I’m wearing….

The color orange.

Friends, after 4 MRI tests, I have been diagnosed with a significant case of relapsing-remitting MS. The amazing MS specialist believes I’ve been suffering from it for over 5 years now, along with the difficulties of post-concussion syndrome. I’m so thankful that God heard my cries for help and answers. It’s a tough diagnosis but at least we know the core of what’s been wrong and why my health issues are worsening. Because I went so long undiagnosed or treated my MS has progressed to RRMS which has effected my ability to walk and my vision. Please pray for my family as we have a lot to think about and process as we carry on in our journey together.

I woke up a few mornings ago with these verses on my heart. Romans 8:28, Proverbs 3:5-6, Jeremiah 29:11. God is so good.

I love you all.

Viv 🦋