Joni Parsley Daydream Believer
Wednesday, February 12, 2020

A Daughter's Diary - Things I Wanted to Say and Never Wanted to Say

Although I speak in the first person and of my own experience, I’d feel amiss if I didn’t include my sisters, my lifelong companions, Julie and Jenny. A sibling, especially sisters, are the holders of your history. God spoke and our personal Genesis began and I saw that it was good (sorry to plagiarize the Bible)! The experiences I share in this were experiences shared by my two sisters as well. This is the story of us … and a few words about our dad. We may have different chapters, each personal and eventful but impactful, nonetheless. I respect their histories, perspectives and the memories they have that I’m not even aware of. We’ve shared so much in life but never wanted to share this in death.

Filed In: Encouragement, Healing, Marriage and Family, This & That |  |   0 Comments
Tuesday, February 26, 2019
In the last few months of each year, I take time to seek God about where we’ve been and where we are going in the year to come. I do this for myself, my family, my church, and the body of Christ as a whole. I’m not claiming to be a prophet or that God sends me a yearly progress report with set goals for the new year! I simply take an honest look at where I am and how I got there—both good and bad! If I have achieved something that I’ve really been working on, I want to say I get a gold star and that’s it. But, nope, I have to keep moving and progressing. What and how I got to point A may not be the roadmap that will get me to point B or even maintain where I am. If you’re going on a trip, who wants to stay at the airport? You’ve arrived at your destination but that’s not where you stay—you’re ready to explore the area and see what it’s about and all it has to offer. For example, maybe you had a goal to get up an hour early to do Bible reading. What a great discipline! Now, maybe God says, “Now that I have you up at this hour and you are disciplined in your Bible reading, I want you to spend time with me for that hour in prayer and communion. I want to be with you. You can do your Bible reading at night but uninterrupted like before.”
Filed In: Encouragement, Guidance, This & That |  |   0 Comments
Tuesday, November 20, 2018
However you see it, the holiday season either creeps or crash lands upon us. And so it begins ... as many begin planning dinner a sad tradition ensues along with the arguments that come with it. The dreaded conversation has to be had. You know the one: where are we having dinner this year, who is coming, who is not, who is fighting, who is not speaking, whose turn is it, can we do both sets of grandparents in one day, it’s my parents’ turn out-of-town, no it’s my parents’ turn to come here, how can we avoid making anybody angry, are we leaving anybody out, what about all the little kids, who is bringing what, who is on a diet, who is gluten-free, sugar-free, or flavor free, who does organic only, who is allergic to pumpkin, turkey, ham, or sweet potatoes, who has gone vegan this year? What? There’s a difference in vegan and vegetarian? Who do we please or offend? Bah Humbug already? Sorry folks, we’re just getting started; we aren’t past Thanksgiving yet or even half of the Hallmark Christmas movies!
Filed In: Encouragement, Financial, Forgiveness, Guidance, Marriage and Family, This & That |  |   0 Comments
Wednesday, October 17, 2018
So ... you’ve heard of writer’s block? Well, I’ve had writer’s wall; a giant wall unable to be penetrated by the armies of thoughts marching through my head. An enemy was standing ground. That enemy is called LIFE. There are times that so many important events, one crisis after another, illnesses to attend to, needs needing me to meet them, greet them and solve them - and just the regular that becomes irregular! My head hurts just thinking about the last three months! I would like to take my brain out and vacuum out all the unnecessary clutter and erase thoughts no longer useful. There’s just one answer to that ... peace!
Filed In: Encouragement, This & That |  |   0 Comments
Wednesday, July 11, 2018
Many years ago, my husband preached a sermon and one quote emerged that distinctly characterized his ministry. He declared, “It’s time we return to the discarded values of the past.” He continued to emphasize the way our society had declined in morality and standards of excellence, honor and integrity. Once political correctness and liberal ideology invaded our culture, the foundational values we were taught as children were either rare or non-existent. His was one voice that felt compelled to shine a light in a dark place. I remember purchasing a book for him by Judge Robert Bork (former Supreme Court nominee) which I believe accurately summed up the country’s condition, “Slouching Towards Gomorrah-Modern Liberalism and American Decline.”
Filed In: Encouragement, Guidance |  |   0 Comments


About Joni

Thanking God for blessings too many to list. He is my all and my always-the glory and the lifter of my head... He never fails.

Why the Name

"For a child, it’s as easy as blowing out candles on a cake, or wishing upon a star. But as for one of those 'grown-ups,' 'No dream comes true until you wake up and go to work.' " ...