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Seek out and celebrate the joy in every day | A blog by freelance writer, Joy Adan

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joyadanwrites

Freelance #writer, #brushcalligraphy artist, speaker, podcaster, book hoarder. Mum. #Lettering, creating & stumbling through life @ findingjoy.com.au

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Feeling incredibly blessed to be generously offered a spare ticket to see @lauren_daigle live at Enmore Theatre last night. The past two weeks have been a massive struggle physically, so thank you @monicadoumit for such a fantastic night, and for needing caffeine at precisely the right moment and indulging my determination to find it 😚🙈 The two of us bumped into Lauren across the road just before her set began and she is every bit as lovely, bubbly and kind-spirited as you would be led to believe. Her voice was flawless and soulful, and her musicians and back up singers absolutely superb. The finale was right on point. ❤
Realised that while her hit single “You Say” is a moving balad 100% worth belting out every time I hear it on the radio... but I think “Rebel Heart” might be my song. 😜

In other news, this Monday has been made by the fact Mr 3 has been walking around the house saying “look up child”. 🥰❤🥰 #lookupchildtour #yousay

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Only 8 seats left! Keen to learn a new skill or simply exercise your creativity for a few hours? Come along to my next Brush Lettering Workshop. Hosted at @thehustle.society, I'll walk you through the foundations of lettering the alphabet and make sure you've got the tools and techniques you need to practice and create at home!

1:30-3:30pm Saturday 8 February
For more info visit bit.ly/letsletter2020

50% of the ticket profits and any purchases on findingjoy.blog/shop goes to the NSW Rurual Fire Service. ❤

#letteringworkshop #createwithcommunity

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I hate needing to be at @westmeadkids but I do love and appreciate everything the staff do to make the visit as smooth and comfortable as possible. From this amazing playground in the ER waiting area to the toys, decorations and bright colours and lights in the triage rooms - these people really know what it means to know and care for the needs of the people they serve. Can't imagine it ever being easy treating kids at their worst and dealing with parents at their most stressed.
Shout out to our Dr ✌ who had Mr 3 laughing, smiling and showing off his counting skills all while doing swabs and tests and waiting. Here's hoping this is just a nasty viral infection and the worst is over. ❤
#thankyou #mumlife

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Just a few of the goodies from my December brush lettering workshop, which I ran in partnership with the amazing volunteers at @thehustle.society. Together, we raised $1000 for the community space.
My next workshop is on Sat 8 February and my goal is to use ticket sales to raise funds for the countless volunteers in the NSW Rural Fire Service who have been doing their best to bring relief to the areas in our state being ravaged by bushfires.
Bushfires are raging around Australia and many of our people are suffering and on edge. My heart aches for those affected, especially those who've lost loved ones in this disaster. The RFS takes direct donations, but also encourages people to send donations to the Australian Red Cross Disaster Recovery & Relief, the Salvation Army Disaster Appeal, and the St Vincent de Paul Bushfire Appeal (there is a link in my bio that takes you to all these donation pages). You can make your donation directly to any of these organisations and help bring relief to those in need. ❤ Every bit counts.
If you want to learn a new skill this year, or just spend some time exercising your creativity and helping the community at the same time, book tickets now at bit.ly/letsletter2020

#letteringworkshop #creativeworkshop

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What better way to start the work year off than with a BOUQUET OF CHOCOLATE delivered to my house?! So providence has it that I get to start every year celebrating my RG-versary! Thanks @chloedeiulis923 for making me feel super appreciated and special even though you're all the way on the other side of the world 😭🥰😭🥰😭 Growing up, I didn't think it was possible to make living as a writer. Now I get to do it with best team EVER. THANKS Chloe, @meegzb, @gemvms - you ladies are the rocks that keep this girl grounded. ❤❤❤ Here's to everything we'll accomplish together in 2020 and beyond.

#creatingsmiles #edibleblooms #cheers2020 #writerlife

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Happy New Year! 🎆
Here's to all the blessings this new year and decade will bring. So many of 2019's biggest accomplishments and favourite moments were completely unplanned and caught me by surprise... but I know that I am so, so grateful for all of it... even the good things that came out of challenges and stress. 😳
God continues to surprise me by putting incredible people in my life. It's hard to believe that 10 years ago, there were 9 less kids in the Enriquez clan. Even crazier to think that in the last decade I became a wife, graduated from my masters, made a living as a writer, brought 2 new humans into the world, bought a car, built a house, and started my own creative business. No way would I have predicted that.
So, dear friends, here's to all the things the next chapter will bring for all of us that I won't even try predicting. 😜 May we go in peace and courage knowing God's plans have always been better than our own.
#hny #2020

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This morning mr 7 and I woke up at 4am and made our way to simbang gabe.

When I was young, the novena of dawn masses held in the 9 day lead up to Christmas were just as much a part of my family's tradition as putting up the Christmas tree and wrapping presents.

Communion with God, and with the community.
With young kids, it's hard to attend simbang gabe - no one really enjoys waking up at 4am at the best of times, let alone when it stuffs up a toddler's sleep routine. But this morning, Mr 7 was keen to go, and I'm so glad we did.
We drove through empty streets but walked into a packed out church. Even with extra rows of chairs set out in the foyer, some people had to stand outside.
The priest spoke about preparing our hearts for God. That it's not us who builds a temple or a house for Him, but He who transforms us into His dwelling place. That as soon as Zachariah trusted in God's plan, his silence was broken and he was able to speak. That even though we have many plans - from what we cook or wear to our Christmas parties, to the bigger plans and anxieties we have for our lives - His plan is always so much greater and so much better than what we have in mind. The moment we trust and lean into His plan, everything else in life makes sense. Like Zachariah, it's in those moments that we find our voice.

Today, as we physically prepare our house to host our family tomorrow night, I want to remember this morning. To remember what a privilege it is to create a new tradition with my children... that there was a time in my life when I prayed for what I have now, and that it is truly because of God's love and grace that I have any of it. To remember God who chose to meet us where we are, who arrived in a humble way and needs nothing from us but our presence. To remember that this season is the very reason I can confidently say that the best is yet to come.
#preparetheway #Christmasiscoming #ChristmasEve #SimbangGabi

Read the full post (that was too long for Instagram): https://findingjoy.blog/simbang-gabi/

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Need to get someone a Christmas gift and don't know what to buy? How about a ticket to my next Brush Lettering workshop? We had loads of fun last week at @thehustle.society and will be back again on a Saturday afternoon next February 8, 2020. We'll have the place to ourselves so we can enjoy the creative freedom to practice our love of letters.
Even experienced lettering enthusiasts had a blast trying new tools and techniques. You don't need any prior experience, just the willingness to give it a go.
We'll cover: An introduction to basic brush lettering strokes | Constructing the alphabet | Lettering tools (the budget-friendly way to keep up this fun hobby)
| Projects to complete in class and continue at home

Details and tickets at bit.ly/letsletter2020

#artworkshop #christmasgift

Words that uplift and empower

Decorate your home or celebrate a special occasion with words that uplift, inspire and empower. Buy an original, hand-painted brush lettering print or order your own custom-made piece. SHOP NOW.

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