Happy New Year from the Johnson's!!!

Ahoy Matey!!!

First Day of School

So I missed taking pictures the first day of school for Abi and Avery because I had to be at work super early.  Here are the pictures for today, the first day of Pre-K for Aiden.  (and a few of the big kids too!)
 

4th grade, 2nd grade, and Pre-K

Africa 2012

So once again, I was blessed to travel to Korah, a suburb of Ethiopia, Africa.   My takeaway this trip is different.  I have seen in the last two years, such despair, such poverty; but this time HOPE is prevalent.  These sweet kids have grown physically because they have been provided with food, but more than that, emotionally and physically, they have HOPE with God.   They have seen the foundation of love and trust laid with Project 61 and the many who come to visit and return.

I walked the streets of Korah, with mud and muck all around.  My sweet sponsored child, Askele, holds my hand and pulls me around the worst areas.  She stands in front of a stray dog, trying to shoo it away, so I can pass.  Then she shields me when it doesn't leave, protecting me.

My heart is full.

My heart is broken.

To leave her.  To leave these sweet, precious teenage girls.  Who will disciple them, love them, teach them, laugh with them?

I was blessed to work in the medical clinic again.  To help treat patients with lice, leprosy, ear infections, coughs.  To organize and clean.  And I had never been happier.

our medical team!

And this amazing group!  Of big personalities, many talents, 3 teenagers.  But God knit us together, some to teach, some to sing, some to do medical work.  And nothing was lacking.

                              And to take Askele to lunch, sharing pizza and foosball and games.

                                              and to play and see that huge grin on her face!

 

                                                   and to celebrate her birthday.  She is 16!

So now what?  I am here and you are there.  I am forever changed, again.

I am happy and I am sad.

Another truth that I have found, is that MY ANCHOR holds strong.  When I come home to chaos, to a job that doesn't pan out, to illness, to jet-lag and insomnia wrapped together:  I remember I AM.  

I AM:  the Alpha and Omega; who was and is and is to come.

I AM: the Almighty!  Rev. 1:8

So I am holding on to MY ANCHOR tonight.  

2 weeks and counting...

2 weeks and counting until I see that beautiful smile and hug my girl!

All Stars AVE

Avery got one of the game balls during the district tournament last week.  He caught a pop fly and then tagged a runner out for a double play!

That boy loves him some baseball!!!

Beautiful Friends!

Happy 4th Birthday, Aiden!

It's hard to believe that our baby boy is 4!  You were a surprise at conception, you were a surprise at birth, you light up our lives everyday!  Happy Birthday, Little Man!  You are the funniest little person, my most favorite 4 year old I know!

All Aiden wanted to do was play with his friends for his birthday.  Balloons and ring pops were also requested.

Party Pops were a hit!

 Hanging with Uncle Jonathan...

 Bike time!

 The kids decorated cupcakes in ice cream cones.

 Opening the presents...

Happy Birthday Aiden!

Party Pops

For Market Night at school this Monday night, Abi has to create a business.  Meet Party Pops.  Chocolate covered sprinkled marshmallows and pirate marshmallows.

Too many Pirate Pops later...

We're making about 60 pirate pops and 60 chocolate pops.  Good times!  Hope her business makes a profit!

Happy Easter!