Nicole’s e-Pistle “Joy”
March 4, 2026
Greetings, Friends!
With all the viruses and cruddiness going around lately, I thought I would share a bit of joy with you all today. As you may know, I celebrated my birthday this past weekend with my family. We had a wonderful outing on Saturday to a little place in Blue Ridge called The Lilly Pad Village. It’s a little piece of family fun tucked away in the woods near the Toccoa River. We mined for gems and played putt putt golf before having a river-side lunch down the road. On Sunday after dinner, we had cake and I got to open my presents – one of which was the cutest pack of stuffed animals, affectionately known as “Emotional Support Highland Cows!” Ever since the Kirkin’ o’ the Tartan service in 2024 when I put a couple of Highland cows on the bulletin cover, they seem to pop up all over!
Emotional Support Highland Cows Kirkin’ o’ the Tartans 2024
Allow me to introduce you to my new little friends, clockwise beginning with the sunglass-wearing cow, whose name is Riley. He’s a happy-go-lucky creature at heart, always chill, no matter the time or place. (I’m not making these up – their names and descriptions came on the tag.) Next in the back left is Sunny, who keeps it simple and real with a cheery smile- a ray of sunshine to brighten your day. Then comes Sparky in the back middle, who sees every day as a chance to run around, have fun, and enjoy an adventure. In the back right is Honey, who’s mission of love is to spread positive energy to everyone and everything. Finally, we have Marbles (and no, I haven’t lost mine), who is the iconic class clown, guaranteed to make you laugh with silly puns and funny movies.
The first half of Proverbs 17:22 says, “A joyful heart is good medicine.” (The second half of the verse is depressing, so I’m leaving it out.) I know that many of you have had trials lately, from the slight inconvenience of a cold to full-blown pneumonia to battles with cancer. Several of you have been living with grief for the last months or even years. I also know that this is a resilient congregation of people who know what it is to walk by faith and to carry each other’s burdens along the way. Make sure you find ways to laugh as often as possible. Let yourself be silly once in a while. (Feel free to make use of my Highland Cows any time you need them.) Finding joy, even in the midst of illness and loss, is life-giving and comes straight from God. I pray that each of you has a joyful week this week and all the weeks of your life.
Blessings and peace,
