Dally up

This picture was taken at our FCC picnic in June, and I had to share it. That's my sweet hubby teaching J how to rope. What fun! Thank you, V, for sharing the picture!

Tender Heart

Sometimes I'm just blown away. Thursday night was one of those times. A friend called 'just to see if we were home.' After all, they live 14 miles from us. Soon after, her two teenage daughters drove up. Turns out, her 13-year-old needed her big sister to drive her to our place to deliver a very special gift. She had sold some personal items in a garage sale and designated the proceeds to our adoption fund! We are so blessed by her giving. Sweet K, you are a reminder that no matter how large or small the gift, the Heart is the key. May the Lord bless you for your tender heart.

Who, Me?

...if my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land. 2 Chr 7:14
I am reminded so much lately of the Power we possess as the children of God. How easy it is to forget this Power in the midst of our nation's financial crunch, poor decisions of leadership, a nation of people more interested in what can be done for 'me' rather than what can I do for 'you.' I'm not pointing fingers. I often find myself crossing lines of selfishness. It's so easy to take the sophomoric attitude of 'everyone else is doing it.' But how that must grieve our Heavenly Father.
If we pray at all, our petitions may be selfish, halfhearted or laughable.
God have us this amazing gift in Christ Jesus (a gift of ultimate cost to Him but free to us), the gift of salvation, and with that gift comes the power of the Holy Spirit! Oh, if every child of God would tap into that Power!
That Power doesn't give us the ability to effect change outside the will of God, grant selfish 'wishes,' or vindication. But prayer does change things! We have seen mountains moved on behalf of others and ourselves .... because God's people were on their knees. But only when we realize that all things are possible for our Almighty God and limited things are possible without Him can we approach Him with the courage we forget we have (2 Tim 1:7).
For us to effect change, we must believe it can happen. I am constantly reminded that the standard by which I am judged is not the lifestyle, personality or actions of others, but the Truth of God. I must be reminded daily. And today the passage in 2 Chronicles serves as my reminder.
I am reminded that I am "God's people." He has called me by name. He knows me better than anyone. He even knows my needs before I do.
I am reminded that He wants me to humble myself. It does not serve His purpose for me to always have the last word, prove a point or just want to be 'right.' Oh, how I am learning that lesson.
I am reminded He wants me to pray. He wants to hear from me, and He wants me to hear from Him. He hears and answers my earnest prayers.
I am reminded He wants me to seek Him. Yes, He is everywhere, but isn't it amazing that He wants ME.TO.SEEK.HIM. He wants to relate to me, not in a broad, generic way, but personally! Mind boggling. It isn't going to happen if I am so focused on what "I" need to do rather than what He would have me do. I am blown away at the plans He has spoken into my life. I am undeserving of His goodness.
I am reminded He wants me to turn from my wicked ways. Now that's the kicker! My 'ways' wouldn't really be classified as 'wicked' ... would they? Let me think: Do my words, habits, actions, priorities glorify the Lord? Edify others? Line up with His Truth? Not talking about perfection here, but striving for likeness ~ Christ-likeness. It's a journey, a daily one.
I am reminded He will forgive my sin (wicked ways) and answer my earnest prayers.
Lord, thank you for granting me power and courage to approach your Throne room of grace. Please change my focus, my priorities to things that would glorify You. Please break my heart for the things which break Yours. Please forgive me for the things which grieve You and help me turn from them, all the while keeping my eyes on You. Please help me and all Your children realize the authority You have given us to effect change for Your kingdom. Please set my selfish desires aside and let me daily ask what You would have me do today. Speak to me, Lord. In Jesus' name, Amen

Happy Birthday, Kayden Faith!

I can't believe you're 6!

Waiting to see what will come out of the magic capsule.

Kayden and her Ashee!

Everybody needs a puppy ... or four.

Brothers monkeying around.

Ooooooh, presents!

Thank you, Abby, for the trucks!

It's sissy's scooter, but it works for me too!

Goober family ;-) (Do you have any idea how long it takes to get a decent picture????? I didn't say good - I said decent)

Love these monkeys!

Kayden Faith, I am so blessed to be your mommy! You bring us so much joy. Your drama brings us so much laughter. I will never forget the first moment I held you... and I knew that I was always meant to be your mommy and you were always meant to be my daughter, Forever! I love you!

Lifesong Grant Response

Since some have contacted me or posted questions, I will tell you where we are. As of June 30, we had received $550 of the $3000 match. That's when I asked for the extension and Lifesong granted it to July 15. Everything up to $3000 will be matched dollar for dollar, and any funds exceeding that amount will still be applied to our adoption costs, even though they won't be matched. I've provided the web, mailing address and phone number in the upper right-hand sidebar of this page. Lifesong administers funds for many non-profit ministries, and any funds received for our family must be designated Johnson #837 adoption.
We truly appreciate your prayers!

And the Winners are ...

No one has the same first name, so I don't need to post last names. Congratulations and thank you for entering!
Book Set: Jodi
Necklace Set: Stephanie
Necklace Set: Cindy
Handbag: Carol
Backpack: April
Cross Decor: Linda
Manicure Set: Lisa
Pedicure Set: Susan

Lifesong Grant

I just want to announce that last month we were awarded a matching grant from Lifesong. We've sent letters to our friends and church family, but the matching period was very short. Lifesong has graciously extended our deadline to July 15 to meet the match! They will match dollar for dollar up to $3,000, and any funds exceeding that will still come to our family because our costs are very high. We want to thank those who have already given, and we ask for prayer that God would provide the rest! To Him be the glory!

Givewaway Reminder

DRAWING TODAY :)

One last chance to enter. We will draw before noon CST. Good luck!

More Falls Creek

Confession: I didn't take many pictures this year. Fortunately, others did. On our way home, April and I browsed over 1,000 digital photos! Then she went home and made the video for the service - thanks, April!
I only had one camper this year and didn't take any of my babies ... so it was just Kolton and Mom. Here's Kolton and one of my other 'sons' Ty.
Ah, Kayla! You were just a kid when I started working with youth. What a blessing to see you grow into a lovely young lady. I've enjoyed serving alongside you as a sponsor. Thank you for investing in the youth! And the same to you, Brad! Thank you for giving back!

What are they up to?

Two crazy ladies lovin' the Lord and the youth! (Why else would we be waiting for the bus, headed to the ropes course in 109 degree weather?!?)

Kolton. Climbing ... Climb on!

As a special treat at the request of the youth, following Friday night's devotion we have an eating contest ... and somehow shaving cream appears afterward. Fortunately, we've taught these kids how to clean, and before they go to bed - at 3 a.m. - you'd never know the storm of destruction occurred.

Some of our awesome students in front of the bookstore.

In church with over 5000 other folks! What an amazing experience to corporately worship our Father. And then when 5000+ are silenced in prayer, it's incredible!

My devotion this morning was about sharing the Gospel, which was our Falls Creek theme: ECHO. The teaching revolved around echoing God's Truth, love and life. He certainly spoke to me. I want to thank our pastor. You do an awesome job of teaching, mentoring, along with a dose of fun.

Thank you, April and David, for allowing us to serve alongside you. You love the youth, and it's so obvious.

Thank you, Dale, for teaching our daily Bible study. You do an awesome job and add so much to our group.

Thank you, Tracy and Lori, for serving the Lord by cooking for us! Seriously, the best cooks in camp!

Thank you, Kayla and Brad! You were once our students and now we get to see you mentoring and teaching the youth.

Thanks to all who were praying for us, bought food, gave funds and so much more.

Thank you, Honey, for keeping the bus running!

Thanks to my sweet sister-in-law who keeps my kids every summer (9 years now!), making it possible for me to go.

Thank you, Ladena, for keeping Kenzie all week! Nothing like spending a week with a friend!

Thanks, Tina, for providing lunch after the service. What a huge blessing!

I'm gonna kick myself if I've forgotten anyone.

Finally, thanks to the parents for entrusting your kids to us. We are so blessed to watch them grow! May we all ECHO God's love!

Giveaway Reminder!

ONLY 2 MORE DAYS TO ENTER THE GIVEAWAY!

Please sign up or let me know you want to enter. Good luck and thanks to those who have already entered!

Week in Review

Headed to the Creek, rested, ready to travel ;-)

One of our students, K, joined me at 6 Friday morning. We had a great time walking the grounds!

Isn't this majestic! God's creation!

I think (no, I know) I'm much too tired to post right now. By 7:30 I will be snoring tonight! Suffice it to say it was an amazing week! God changed hearts and lives. We had a pastor who brought the Gospel Message loud and clear, no dressing it up or watering it down, and the Lord was glorified! We were led in praise and worship by a fabulous band. We had an awesome group of campers, sponsors and cooks. We experienced a special missions focus on house churches in Ch*na where we traveled a stone path, gave secret 'code' words for further directions, removed all tracking and recording devices and met together at the 'lantern held high' for a message spoken in whispers. Incredible! I've read "Heavenly Man" and "Back to Jerusalem" and I am fully aware that the freedom to worship, gather and study that we have here is accomplished with much struggle many countries! Oh, the things we take for granted.

We are prepared for our Falls Creek service tomorrow where we will brag on our awesome God. Afterward we will make the five-hour round trip to get our babies! I miss them! I will come back another time and elaborate, but for now I need sleep ...

More Later ...

I'll post pictures when I get home. Connectivity and time are a huge factor here ;-) Can I just say I MISS MY KIDS!

Week at the Creek

Sorry I don't have any pictures to post yet. God has definitely met us here, and He is changing hearts! I have been able to prayer walk every morning at 6, and tomorrow I'm going to try to take pictures of some of the majestic sights. I hope you're having a blessed week!

Softball and Zoo

Kenzie in action.
There was this pipe thingy that actually provided a lot of entertainment - and seating.

If little brother smarts off to big brother one too many times ...

... this could happen. So that's what the pipe was for! (Note for anyone who doesn't have rowdy boys, don't worry, everybody is ok ;-)

ZOO DAY! We love getting together with old friends and meeting new ones! It was a hot day, and we really didn't see many animals ... but that's not the reason we went. We just love the family time with friends!

On our way and Daddy's on the phone - yep, it's sweet corn time business!

Unloaded and on our way. Take note, we were ON TIME!

Did I mention it was hot?

But the carousel was fun!

I guess :)

We'll guard the food and stroller while the boys check out the snakes.

Butterfly Garden

Chow time - that's what I'm talkin' about!

Lovin' the misters!

Hey, guys, smile! You shoulda seen the mamas scramble for our cameras when we saw the daddies consulting a m-a-p ;-) They're good sports!

More walking

The best exhibit of all ;-) Seriously, look at those beautiful kids! One family had already left for the day, and some of the kiddos aren't home yet so this isn't a complete picture.

Signing off till Falls Creek ...

Happy Father's Day!

Three awesome dads who'd do anything for their kiddos ... like traipse through the zoo in blazing heat!
Yes, they are amazing! Thank you, God, for fathers and husbands! (photos by KH - thank you!)

Talkin' to Myself

This may seem like a repeat of things I've said previously - but then again, sometimes it takes me several times to get it :/

Many times our circumstances are completely out of our control. Or we find ourselves waiting for something for which there is nothing more we can 'do' to attain that which we wait for.

Or we are faced with the unknown, and we justify worrying. Or we just don't have the answer we need.

You know what I'm talking about, those situations where we've done everything we can do, physically, spiritually, prayerfully ... and there is nothing more we can do. That's when the dirty duo 'worry' and his partner 'fear' can set in.

BUT that's just not the answer. Worry won't change a single thing! (I tell my mom this every time we fly to China;-) It makes us distraught, feeling powerless and out of control - which we are.

While we can never fully understand the glory and endless power of our Almighty God, we ought to realize a portion of it ... just by looking out our window, looking into the night sky, watching the ocean tide, marveling at the miracle of human life - you get the idea.

So, if He can set this Universe into motion and create every good thing, why do we (I) try to limit Him?!?

I have come to the understanding that I don't have to know all He's doing to know He is at work. I don't have to know what the path from Point A to Point B is going to look like as long as I'm looking at Him.

It is only when we realize even a portion of the power of our Almighty God that we can experience peace in lieu of worry, especially in those times we are completely powerless and 'in the dark.'

If I keep tellin' it to myself, I will get it! Only because He is transforming me ...

Currently Reading ...

"Reclaim the Adventure of Pursuing God."

Amazing book! I think I'm going to find myself quoting a lot of this book. For instance:

"Christianity was always intended to be a verb. And, more specifically, an action verb. ... If the twenty-first-century church said less and did more, maybe we would have the same kind of impact the first-century church did. Some of us live as if we expect to hear God say, 'Well thought, good and faithful servant!' Or, 'Well said, good and faithful servant!' ... There is only one commendation, and it is the by-product of pursuing God-ordained passions: 'Well done, good and faithful servant!'"

If you'd like to follow our now private wild goose chase, please email me.

It's That Time Again!

Falls Creek, here we come!

We are looking forward to what God's going to do this year in our youth group! We've got 30 campers, 2 cooks, 8 sponsors ... and no Baby K's for the first time in five years:( Who will I carry, chase, bathe in the kitchen sink or share my twin bunk with?!? Hmmm, I still have three days to rethink my decision...

June is halfway gone!

It's been a typical busy week. Not many pictures (or at least many good pictures). Kenzie got her nails done ...

and her ears pierced (or re-pierced since letting the piercings grow closed)

We watched lots of baseball and softball. Batter up!

Way to watch that bad pitch. He'll take first!

Lots of kitchen help making chocolate chip cookies!

I looked out the kitchen window and saw this precious sight, Kolton swinging Kambry.

The same area before the boys moved all the 'farm stuff.' We are reclaiming the back yard and making it completely kid friendly ;-)

We got together with our local friends who have beautiful multi-cultural families like ours and enjoyed the splash pad at the park.

Who's the boss?!?

The princess and the tomboy - I love them!

A whole bottle of bubbles ... all for me?
This week is much the same: baseball, softball, final preps for Falls Creek, trip to the zoo to meet up with some very special families, littles to SIL's so Kolton and I can go to Falls Creek, just weeks away from first sweet corn picking :) :) :)

Giveaway Reminder!

Just 19 more days to enter our giveaway drawing! Click on the 'chipin' button above to enter and help contribute to our adoption. Some folks have sent their entries directly to me, and if you're more comfortable with that, please let me know, either by leaving a comment or emailing me. Wow, June is flying by!