JanineThrossel.com

Our extended family is going through a horrible tragedy, the sudden loss of my cousin's granddaughter. The heartbreak is intense. As we have walked through the last few days, God continues to be faithful to us. In the midst of all of it, I keep hearing one thing in my heart: Believe God. Do you wonder if that beautiful little girl is really okay now? Is she really safe in the arms of Jesus? Believe God that she is. Do you wonder if your family will ever be happy again--have peace or joy again? Believe God that He can restore what the metaphorical locusts have eaten, that he can make all things new, that you can have a future and a hope. Do you wonder if He is really good and loving after all, that He has a plan and a purpose for each of us? Believe God that He is and He does. Like the truth in Psalm 40 and Psalm 69, the world may swirl around me with its muck and mire. I may not feel the ground beneath me, and the deep water may come to my neck. Like the prophet Jonah I m...

Today, I felt like sharing TWO happy stories. . . Enjoy! https://www.sunnyskyz.com/good-news/3027/Boy-With-Autism-Meets-Taylor-Swift-After-She-Helped-Him-Get-A-039-Life-Changing-039-Service-Dog https://www.sunnyskyz.com/good-news/3026/Neurosurgeon-Operates-On-Little-Boy-039-s-Teddy-Bear

It has been so long since I did a Focus Friday! Here is one for this week--remember to notice the good in this big wide world. Peace, Janine https://www.sunnyskyz.com/good-news/2993/Police-Officer-Adopts-Baby-Of-Homeless-Woman-Battling-Drug-Addiction

Some of you have read my post from last month about Julie Weller, a remarkable woman and a beautiful influence on my life. This is another piece of that story that I've been hoping to share for awhile. It's a bit of a love story, about how God takes care of His children even on the dark and ugly days. On Labor Day last year, my older son accompanied me to Los Angeles so I could tell Julie goodbye. We left by plane about 6 A.M. to return home about midnight that same night. On a previous visit, I had rented a car to travel between the airport and her house, but this time I didn't have it in me to drive. So, with some hesitation, I rented an Uber for the first time. That decision turned out to be so beyond my expectations. I had been up late the night before, packing and--let's be honest-- crying quite a bit . So, I was worn out before I even got up at 4:30 A.M. to head to the airport. I fully intended to sleep on the plane. However, as the sun slowly crept up in t...

Julie celebrates her first birthday in heaven this year. Here on earth, she would have turned 47 today, but as her friend Ellyn said, she gets to stop aging now. I know some of you never knew sweet Julie and she is worth remembering. So, I thought I'd take a moment to introduce her to you and tell you who she was to me.  ---- Jules and I were about thirteen years old when we met. She was new in town and her family began attending our church. My mom thought that I could help Julie to meet people, help her to fit into the group. I was a shy, bookish girl back then, dressed in skirts, sweaters, and big glasses. I took one look at Julie--in her stylish jacket and jeans, wearing a ribbon in her hair like a pop star--and I wondered how I could possibly help her to fit in. She already looked like she owned the room. What could a cool kid like her possibly need from me? It would be a while before I knew her well enough to know that sometimes she was the one quietly quaking in h...

It was so fun to get this review of our book by a Writer's Digest judge. I am continually awestruck and blessed when we get to hear encouraging things like this about the words God definitely put on our hearts to share.  Thank you to all of you who helped us along the way as well! Judge’s Commentary* : This couple’s story is a testament to trusting in God, no matter what. Their voices of faith are challenging and inspiring to people who long to follow God in all things. While the story has takeaways for people of faith, and the authors encourage others to learn from their story, the story itself rightly takes center stage. By focusing on the ups and downs of their lives, they convey and openness and humility that is inviting rather than seeming like towering people of faith who are lecturing those living more mundane lives. While their faith is unwavering, they don’t gloss over the fact that hardships are just that: hard. The alternating voices of husband and wife mesh toget...