Yesterday as we were driving the back roads to church, we passed the neighborhood where we used to live. As in, the 'hood we just moved from about 3 months ago.

I wasn't prepared for the punch in the stomach feeling that hit me. My insides felt queasy and I could feel a lump the size of a Fall pumpkin forming in my throat.

My daughter was the first to say it. "I miss this place, Momma. Why did we move?"

Many years ago, I was walking with my friend, Vicky.

Vicky was one of the biggest prayer warriors I had ever known. Every time we walked, we would pray the whole entire time!

This was all kind of new to me at this point in my life.

I was fascinated that this woman seemed to pray every moment of every day!

The very first scripture that I memorized over a decade ago was Nehemiah 8:10…

The Joy of the Lord is my strength.

It was simple and easy to remember, hence I embraced it.

I wrote it on a note card and taped it to my bathroom mirror. Reciting it often, over and over.

Years later, the scripture still brings power and truth when I find myself reciting it.