There is so much I could tell you.

I'm thinking bullet points might be a good idea... but we'll see how this goes. A whole lot of good news and just a little bit of bad.

Thanks be to God we have our health.

The restaurant is surviving COVID season.

In other good news: Roger and I got away for a week... together.

The bad news is: I couldn't sleep for more than forty-five minutes at a time. I believe this is an indication of the lack of balance in our lives and the incessant pace which is required for survival in the restaurant business while navigating a pandemic. I'm used to working seven days a week and not sleeping enough... even being in paradise on a beautiful Heavenly Bed couldn't quiet my mind. Anxiety was at an all time high. Snorkeling helped.

I trusted God with my life in the water.
Each time I swam I surrendered.

"If a shark comes, Oh well. If I'm really as tired as I think I am... and I don't make it back to shore, Oh well. God has got me. He's got my family and my friends and every part of me... including the restaurant in the palm of his hand. God knows the plan and I surrender all.

As I breathed deeply through my snorkel, I listened. In and out. In and out. I was reminded with each breath of just exactly that... I was... in fact... still breathing. The motion of the sea pushed and pulled at me like the strong arms of a massive dance partner. I surrendered all and the buoyancy of the warm salt water carried me. I knew when to kick and thoroughly appreciated the the sun shining through the water lighting up the ocean floor and all its beauty, fascinating coral reefs and copious amounts of bright colored sea life. The trip was a gift, a window into mind, body and spirit, which I know now could use some time and attention.

In other good news... I have help now with some pretty awesome online stuff. I call her Zena, My Warrior Princess. She lives in Hawaii and works from there. Zena is keeping our Geppetto's Blog up to date with my Stardate posts. And also my juliehoy.com blog. There you will find the surprisingly popular; Unmasked Grandmother series.

I began recording short video messages after the birth of our Grandson in August 2020. Zena has uploaded them all! You can click through by date to check them out. The Stardate posts and Unmasked Grandmother videos have acted as place for me to process. They are two avenues of expression and reflection which have brought order for me and release. Strange days are these. Creativity and humor have saved my soul. If you haven't...  you should check them out!

Here comes the bottom line. I am so grateful for all of the above and for all of you. God is working in the midst of this and his work is good. The Refiner's Fire burns bright and it ain't all bad.

The 25th Annual Julie Hoy Giving Thanks Concert is happening live and in person! Sunday, November 28th at Queen of Peace Church here in Salem, 4227 Lone Oak Road SE, 6:30pm-7:45pm. God's in charge of invitations Hope to see you there!

Have a Happy Thanksgiving filled with Love and Blessings!

Julie

SCRIPTURALLY SPEAKING
​​Psalm 69:30
I will praise God’s name in song and glorify him with thanksgiving.