Candace Payne

The world knows Candace Payne as "Chewbacca Mom," the wife and mother of two from Dallas who captured the hearts of nearly 200 million people around the world with nothing but a toy Chewbacca mask, a smart phone, and infectious laughter.

Candace's viral moment of simple joy became Facebook Live's top video. But what the video doesn't show is Candace's storied journey of daunting obstacles on the way to the joy-filled life--extreme poverty, past trauma, and struggles with self-worth.

Laugh It Up! tells the rest of the story behind the woman in the mask. Like most of us, Candace has often felt overlooked, undervalued, and insignificant. But she has also discovered the secrets to unshakable joy that no circumstance can take away, and Laugh It Up! will help you discover and experience the same.

Join Candace to discover the gift God has given us all to experience life to the fullest. All you need to do is answer "yes" when joy, whom Candace personifies as a friend, calls you to come and play.

• Do you feel tempted to give up on your dreams? Joy stays the course.
• Do your knees knock when thinking about the future? Joy hopes for what can be.
• Do you feel unseen and unnoticed? Joy is content whether backstage or center stage.
• Do you feel crushed under the weight of regret? Joy loves you enough to weep with you, but also enough to help you move on.

When life punches you in the gut, it can be difficult to muster a smile--much less a laugh. But with humor and power, wit and wisdom, Candace lights the way forward to a life that is free indeed.

Joy is closer than you think because God is better than you may believe!

Using humor, wit, and wisdom, author Candace Payne (aka "Chewbacca Mom") reveals biblical insights to unshakable joy and freedom in every circumstance. Dispel the myths that joy is frivolous, immature, or reserved for a few select "happy" people, and open your heart to receive the freedom and joy God created you to live in.

"I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete" (John 15:11).

In this six-session video Bible study, learn what it is to live a life expressed by joy!

This study guide challenges groups to get honest and real in their discussion time and to explore the truth in what Scripture says about joy. It also includes a personal "Joy Lab" that makes homework a new daily practice in the art of encountering the abundance God intends for each of us when we know joy.

Sessions include:

1. Laugh It Up, Live It Out
2. Know Hope, Know Joy
3. Joy Is a Fighter
4. Joy Is Not Arrogant, But She Is Confident
5. Joy Embraces Sorrow
6. You're Full of It

Designed for use with the Defiant Joy Video Study (9780310090557) sold separately.

Laughter that makes your stomach hurt, the perfect cup of coffee, a few moments alone with your Bible - these are moments of joy to be found on even the most difficult days. When you know you can trust God no matter what, lasting joy will be yours. Find your joy in Simple Joys: Discovering Wonder in the Everyday by Candace Payne.

Who hasn't struggled with discontent, being overwhelmed, and the fight to be happy? You know that you have much to be grateful for, but sometimes the world feels so heavy and it's hard to recognize the good stuff, let alone find and experience true, lasting joy.

Candace Payne, better known as "Chewbacca Mom," reached more than 200 million people when her surprise outburst of joy at the simplest pleasure of a Star Wars mask went viral. Her story of struggling with loneliness, discontent, and unhappiness came out soon after, which made the world question: What makes her different?

"I could write a million words, books, and even songs to explain this," Candace says, "but my gut feeling tells me you didn't buy this book for a theology debate. You are reading these pages hoping to find joy - real, authentic, and unwavering in any and all circumstances. The kind of contentment that says, 'I'm not only happy, but I'm satisfied as well. I have enough and I am enough.' Because what I've discovered is this: contentment will often lead to more joy."

Do you have that kind of joy?

Do you want it?

Find the secret to happiness, satisfaction, joy, and more in Simple Joys, a beautiful, full-color book that walks you through Candace's journey so that you can replicate it in your own life. Read about several simple ways you can reclaim joy in your day-to-day routine and start living more joyfully today.