{Day 23}: Free Friday! {Joy in the Journey} **giveaway** CLOSED!!!

Physical Fitness:


100 stairs
10 super-slow squats
10 super-slow crunches
10 super-slow reverse push-ups
30 quick calf raises {straight, in, out}
1:00 plank



Spiritual Fitness:


Today is Free Friday!, which means we have another {free} printable for you!

I asked my friend Mary Jo of 517 Creations to design this one specifically for today's post.

Isn't it cute?! Go here to download it. It has also been featured at Be Different Act Normal, 517 Creations,  Printable Decor and Creative Busy Hands. Definitely gonna have to frame this one for our house.

Here it is again with the description of my 2012 word...JOY!

Go here for the matching blog button and go here to read the nice things that Mary Jo of 517 Creations had to say about me and this print. Humbled.

Sometimes it is incredibly easy to find joy in the journey, isn't it?

Love. Engagements. Weddings. New jobs. Healthy babies. The list goes on.

But what about when the journey gets tough? When you just cannot take it anymore and you want to quit?

Anger. Break-ups. Divorce. Lost jobs. Miscarriages. Sickness. Death.

It  is during these times that you must "choose joy." And believe me, sometimes you have to search for it. And sometimes the holidays can be the hardest. Find God in the little things. Count those blessings that you usually take for granted.

Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. {James 1:2-4}


I truly hope that you are finding joy along your 25 Days of Fitness journey this Christmas season. Like the wisemen, I pray that the star leads you to the King of Kings. And that you find joy along the way, not because of the details, but because of who you are traveling with.

The Journey

by Erin Vick Franklin

This great gift I have been given

I am not worthy of

It's only by the wondrous grace

Of my Lord above.

So I wait upon you oh Lord

I do not want to fall

It's your will I desire

Only your will above all.

I know you have great plans for me

But I just feel so lost

What do you have in store for me?

I will go despite the cost.

It is me my sweet child

That you are yearning for

It is me who is your destiny

I am your great reward.

My plan is for you to know me

And to become just like my son

I promise to come back for you 

When all is said and done.

For now enjoy my presence

Lead others to my grace

Don't worry about tomorrow

Simply live life for today.

In honor of this post, my friend Kate of The Adopt Shoppe has graciously agreed to giveaway 1 of her new Joy in the Journey necklaces and 1 of her new Joy in the Journey word arts to 1 lucky winner!

I am SUCH a fan! I want these for myself. ;)

To enter, simply leave a comment on this post telling us 1 thing that has brought you joy this Christmas season.


For extra entries {leave separate comments for each one that you do}:

1. Follow this blog {scroll down and click Follow, 1 extra entry}
2. Heart The Adopt Shoppe on Etsy {1 extra entry}
3. Blog about this giveaway and leave the link to your blog post in your comment {5 extra entries}
4. Post this giveaway on your facebook page {3 extra entries}
5. Tweet this giveaway {2 extra entries}
6. Pin the {free} printable onto Pinterest {4 extra entries}

**Be sure to leave your email address in your comments so that I can contact you if you win.

You can enter through December 31st. Winner will be announced January 1st. Goodluck!

Sidenote: The Adopt Shoppe happens to be one of my favorite shops! And the best part is that ALL proceeds go towards Kate's adoption.


Update: GIVEAWAY IS CLOSED!!!