Joy + Where I'm Finding it

even when life is a little sad.

Welcome (or welcome back) to In the Whispers, a collection of anecdotes, essays, and rambles about wisdom I receive from God “in the whispers”: in retrospection, prayer, and messy little moments. I hope this blesses you, and please consider subscribing. <3

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Hi Friends!

As you’ve likely gathered…I’m kinda going through it, hence the several articles either alluding to this fact or being about this fact.

I don’t think writing about my valleys is a bad thing at all, and I even feel honored that God uses my pain to share His honesty and encouragement with others. Nevertheless, I thought it’d be nice to write about the things that have brought me joy lately, despite my difficulties, because joy is truly everywhere!

Coloring

2026 is The Year of Coloring!

(at least, for me)

I think what I like most about coloring is that it’s the one thing I don’t feel like I have to be amazing at. There’s no pressure to turn it into a career; there’s no expectation that I do something genius between the lines of the shapes I’m filling in. I color simply because it’s fun for me.

It’s also the perfect passive activity since choosing to delete Instagram and TikTok a while ago. Nothing is better after work than grabbing my coloring book and just letting my brain shut off for a while. I can color and listen to music, color and watch YouTube, or just color in silence.

My coloring book also has encouraging Bible Verses, which I find to be very centering and comforting.

Music

Music never fails to make me happy (unless I’m overthinking the “should Christians listen to secular music debate”, which perhaps I could write about in the future if anyone cares).

However, I have not been overthinking this debate, and I’ve just been enjoying the songs that speak to me.

I spend a lot of time listening to Christian music, as that’s the music that grounds me and reminds me of God’s goodness, but I’ve also been enjoying Ella Langley’s music—particularly Choosin’ Texas and Be Her.

Yesterday, I sat beneath a tree and listened to the song Islands in the Stream while watching the wind blow through the leaves. Not only did it do wonders for my nervous system, but it also made me feel optimism and excitement at the idea of someday being married, which is a topic I’ve lately been avoiding like the plague for my own mental health’s sake.

And what’s interesting about this is that it wasn’t just the lyrics that brought my optimism, but the harmonies between Dolly and Kenny that added to the romance and kindness of the song. I really love the production on it as well; it feels nostalgic and slow.

I’ve recently dusted off my ukulele to learn Choosin’ Texas, which has been fun for me. It’s hard to explain what playing an instrument means to me, but it means something. I guess it’s as simple as it makes me happy, which is the purpose of the article, lol.

I’m rambling now, but another song I’ve adored lately is Till We Meet Again, sung by Doris Day and Paul Weston. I was doing some research on the song, and I learned it was originally written and popularized during World War I, as it’s about soldiers going off to war but looking forward to see their lovers again someday.

Interestingly enough, I compared this song to Jesus and how He’ll return to us again someday. Fitting, because we are the Bride of Christ. Now that I have this association in my head, it holds even more sentimental value to me. The songs ends with “so wait and pray each day for me, ‘till we meet again,” and wait and pray, I will.

Reading

I was in a bit of a reading slump for the past few months, but I’ve finally found some books to bring back my passion.

I was always scared to admit this out of fear of sounding pretentious, but I’ve been falling out of love with Romance, my previous go-to genre, and I’ve now been getting into classic literature and period pieces. I’ve also always wanted to get into C.S. Lewis, because it’s really a shame that I hadn’t read his work sooner. (I mean, I’m literally a Christian writer.) Together, these two epiphanies have changed my reading plans for this year for the better!

june kindle stickers <3

Current Reads:

1. The Screwtape Letters by C.S. Lewis (44% complete)

2. The Unselected Journals of Emma M. Lion vol.1 by Beth Brower (48% compete)

TBR:

1. Sense and Sensibility (Jane Austen)

2. The Lord of Rings series (J.R.R. Tolkien)

3. The Unselected Journals of Emma M. Lion series (Beth Brower)

4. Sunrise on the Reaping by (Suzanne Collins)

Bevvies

Summer is the season of the pretty drinks! Here are the fun drinkies I’ve been enjoying lately:

• Lemonade: There’s a coffee shop at the park I go to a lot that makes customizable lemonades! So far, my favorite is the cherry lemonade.

• Iced Matcha

• Iced Coffee: I tried a new coffee shop today and had the best iced vanilla latte ever. Like, I’m not even kidding.

• White Wine

• Dr. Pepper & Coke Zeros (though I’m trying to get away from soda)

The Muppets

I’ve decided I’m going to write an article related to the The Muppets and post it to my largely abandoned account, The Junk Drawer, so I won’t go into insane detail, but just know that I love those little guys, and I love Jim Henson!!

<3

Apostle Paul says beautifully in Philippians, “I have learned to be content in whatever circumstances I am. I know both how to have a little, and I know how to have a lot.” (Philippians 4:11-12) This is how I want to live too.

I just shared so many wonderful things that God has gifted to me for the purpose of joy, but as Paul continues, the secret to contentment in all things is achieved through Christ who strengthens us!

God never leaves our side. In temptation, in anger, in confusion, in anxiety, in depression, He’s right there with us every step of the way.

Thank you God that I’m not forsaken. Thank you God that You always provide us comfort and joy and love, no matter what we walk through. Thank You God that I’m never alone.