March 7, 2026

Joy is a choice. No matter what is going on in our lives, we are to “count it all joy.” Success is not judged by the moment. Neither is joy. We know we have a loving Father God who longs to bless us. He also longs to train us in His wisdom. Even though we walk through the valley of the shadow of death, He is always with us, training us, loving us and bringing us through every challenge.

Many years ago, during Praise and Worship at church, I saw a way to make candy from Xylitol. The whole recipe. After church I went home and made it, thinking it could be a business. Xylitol is good for teeth and the candy was an instant hit. From the first moment, the blessings kept coming. Along with my best friend, we created several flavors and Ice Chips Candy was born. By 2011 we were selling candy in all 50 states and in 2012 we were invited to appear on the ABC show, Shark Tank. It was an incredible experience and a wonderful time. Along came Covid. Tariffs. Inflation. What had been huge fun became hard work and challenges. Today we are not certain about the future of Ice Chips. Still, after the initial shock, I am able to count it all joy. God loves to surprise His children with good things but we still have to grow and learn and overcome. If we rejoice over blessings we also need to rejoice over trials.

Dear God, I thank you for good times and growing times, for hard times and easy times. May we find laughter and joy in every season and may we never feel ill used when You bring us through a difficult patch. Lord, if I complain because my feet hurt, show me someone who has no legs. The lessons of life are rich and I thank you for showing me so many colors, so many experience, and so many lessons of life.

God has given each of you a gift from his great variety of spiritual gifts. Use them well to serve one another. 1 Peter 4:10