We do not see God’s hand;

Working in our lives,

to form a bigger plan.

We understand so little,

We don’t understand why;

God could let (this) happen,

But, He says “I’ll show you, by and by.

We understand so little;

like on the cross Christ lay.

Why did this happen?

Because it was God’s way!

We understand so little

yet we ask: -

“Why do we have to run this race?”

But, I think it will be worth it all

When we see Him face to face

We understand so little

“Why is life so hard?”;

But these are questions from the tempter

So, be on your guard!

We understand so little

But, God knows all things.

We just have to trust Him

and, oh!, the blessings it brings!

We understand so little,

So let’s just look through God’s eyes;

Because then it will be all glory,

When we see Him in the skies!

Poem by:~ Christina .Marie. Johnson

It was a bright and beautiful Thursday. A perfect day for…..What? Hmmm…. The night before four people had been making plans. Hmmm…..I wonder what they were?, ……….It was time to visit the, (drum roll please)the……. Wilkes!!!!

Yes, it was time to visit our dear friends the Wilkes. But, since we didn’t need to be there until 2:00 p.m., Dad had a secret plan for the family. “Why not visit Grandpa?” was the thought that he had. We hadn’t eaten lunch, so we decided to visit the China Buffet and Sushi Bar which Elijah pronounced as Buffet with the “t” on the end and Sashi instead of Sushi! What a young, enthusiastic reader, even if there are some pronunciation skills that need to be sharpened!

So, after a good meal and a family memory later, ….we were headed to the Wilkes team’s land!

On the way to the Wilkes Barn, we were talking in the car about Joshua and Lisa and their house. Most of us had not seen their house since they had painted and put furniture into it and thought it would be neat to drop by and see them. Seconds after we had said that, Elijah shouted “There’s Joshua and Lisa!”(great timing!) they had Stopped at a Plant nursery, so we turn around the van to say “Hello”and BTW,It took longer to say”Hello”,than we though it would!!!

So…, then we went to the Wilkes team land. When we arrived at the Wilkes, we found that they had a new baby goat to care for as well as a Mama goat named Honey in the field. We saw their new dog , and talked with the Wilkes that were home at the time. We were waiting for Jenny and Mr. Wilkes to arrive before we could go to the Christmas Tree Farm for a tour. We found out that Mark Wilkes is interested in a tree farm(in the future ) so that was one reason for our tour of the farm!

After our tour of the farm, we had a delicious meal at the Wilkes house followed by a delectable dish of ice cream! Who doesn’t like ice cream?! after a full day of chatting, goat petting, dog walking, game playing, eating and ice cream, we headed back to the Johnson home.

On Friday, we went to another dear friend of ours, the Prestons. They invited us for a delicious taco mexican style dinner. Mmmmmm……refried beans, homemade guacamole, and all the fixings to go with it! We had fun talking, and talking and, oh yes, more talking! (Some of the Johnsons really like to talk, we won’t say who!)

Mr. Preston made popcorn for us all,and made us work as a team to cleanup the mess (you know how popcorn is rather messy not to mention kids and Mr. Preston can’t stand a mess at all ,to say the lest!!)

So to sum it all up,we had a great week!!!

We visit the home as a family because  Uncle Paul is there right now.  We have found that whenever we go there, we bring joy not only to Paul but to the other residents of the home.  We had visited in February, and at the end of the visit as we were almost ready to go to Uncle Paul’s room, Hope talked to two of the ladies at the front of the home.  She told them she had a birthday coming up, and in the course of the conversation, they desired to be part of her birthday celebration.  When I talked to my father-in-law about it (who is Uncle Paul’s brother), he thought it would be a good idea to purchase a cake, bring it to the home, and share it with anyone who might like some.

Well, that is exactly what we did!  March 9th was here before we knew it.  We ordered a very tasty cake from Costco, bought some plates and spoons, and then went to the home.  Uncle Paul was so thrilled that we decided to share Hope’s birthday with him!  Christina scratched his back and loved on him, Jonathan went to one of the ladies named Maxine and hugged her for a while, and all the children helped us pass out cake to any of the residents who wanted some!  We were even able to share some cake with some of the staff who were willing to partake.  We met Paul’s special “girlfriend” who I ran after to ask if she wanted cake before  she left.  She asked me if I was trying to make her fat, which made me kind of chuckle to myself.  Before she left, she told us to come back and see her again and told us that she was glad that we came!

Elijah talked with a lady that had a book in her hand  that sat at the front near the light and the table.  She said that it was nice to talk with people, but if you didn’t have someone to talk with that a book is your friend!  How true that is, especially if your friend is the Bible!  She found it very easy to talk to Elijah and told me that he was a “good little talker!”

The one lady that I mentioned previously, named Maxine, really didn’t want us to go!  We went over to the pictures that were posted on the bulletin board, and she came over to see us.  She gave us her necklace, which I told her we would bring back to her when we came to visit again.  She hugged and kissed on our children as if they were her very own grandchildren!  How thankful we are to have children that love people and are kind to them just like Jesus is with us!

It was also good that Hope joyfully gave herself to serving others on her special day.  Uncle Paul blessed her by saying that her presence on her special day made that day “his” special day!  He followed us out to the car as we left and really didn’t want us to go.  We kissed and hugged him a couple of times and told him that we loved him.  I know we will all look forward to the next time we may see him and anyone else who is willing!  “By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if you have love one to another.”  John 13:35

Back in the Bible time young ladies had a hard time maintaining purity.  It’s nice  to know we’re not alone!!(:  We can read about different young ladies that had their purity defiled, we use this as an encouragement to do what’s right.  In Genesis 34:1 we read “And Dinah, the daughter of Leah, which she bear unto Jacob, went out to see the daughters of the land.”  This is where she made her mistake-BIG mistake!  If she had stayed under her father’s umbrella of protection and if Jacob had fulfilled his God-given responsibility to teach and protect her, there’s a high probability that Dinah wouldn’t have been defiled (See Genesis 34:1-31).  May we willingly choose to stay under the proper authority until the proper time!

Also we read in 2 Samuel 13:1 that  David had a daughter named Tamar who was also defiled by her half-brother Amnon  (See II Samuel 13:1-20). Again we are reminded to keep ourselves pure!  In Proverbs 31:3  Solomon’s mother (Bathsheba) warned Solomon of strange women.  “Give not thy strength unto strange women…..and unto strange women shalt thou not go.”  Even though this is given to a man it is just as important for us women to not become that “strange women!”

Dad gave me an illustration one day.  He said “What if you had a life like one of those girls you see out there in the world.  You flirted, kissed, hugged, paired up, broke up, paired up, broke up and had relationships with many different men.  Meanwhile, you have given pieces of your heart away to these different men.  Then one day you meet the one you’re supposed to marry.  How would he feel when all you have to give him is just one little piece of your heart?  I t would not mean much to him nor to you when you have defiled yourself and only have a little piece left for him.”  My purpose is to give my whole heart and my first kiss as well because it is the right thing to do!  Wow, what a lot to think about!

So, on January 8, 2012, I made a commitment before God and my family to stay pure until marriage.  I said the following words from memory:

This ring stands for purity.  I make this promise between God, my parents and me.

To keep me on a path of righteousness

So your plan I will see.

I know you have a special person for me,

My one true love,

To whom you have chosen

and sent from above.

This person I will wait for

Because it is Your Heavenly Will.

Until that day

When he makes my heart stand still.

This is the promise I make

With the help of You, LORD, and my family

I know that when I succeed

My blessing will be plenty.

The ring that Dad gave me has a silver heart with a red charm in the middle.  The red charm is like a ruby and the ruby is God’s precious jewel just like I am precious to God.  God compares a virtuous woman to a ruby (Proverbs 31:10). The heart is a symbol of a pure heart.  “Blessed are the pure in heart……” Matt. 5:8  and  “the King’s Daughter is all glorious within….” Psalms 46:13.  You are the King’s Daughter and you can not remain that way by yourself, but with God’s help stay pure in heart!

In closing I would like to share my Grandma’s exhortation to me:

Dear Christina,

When your Dad told me you were making a “Purity Commitment” this Sunday, January 8th, I decided to write a few thoughts down to you, with the hope, you will take them to heart.  I am very proud of you and encouraged by your decision to make this commitment to the LORD.

In II Kings 2 :9, Elisha asked God, “that a double portion of Elijah’s spirit be upon him.”  This was a bold request, but God granted it.  Why?  Because Elisha’s motives were pure.  His main goal was not to be better or more powerful than Elijah, but to accomplish more for God.  When our motives are pure, we don’t have to be afraid to ask great things of God.

Psalms 119:9 says “Wherewithal shall a young man(woman) cleanse his (her) way?  By taking heed thereto according to the Word.  In other words, by reading God’s word and doing what it says.

In Matthew 23:24, Jesus said “Ye blind guides, which strain at a gnat, and swallow a camel.”  Jesus was condemning the Pharisees and religious leaders for appearing saintly and holy outwardly, but inwardly remaining full of corruption and greed.  If our Christianity is merely a show for others, it’s like washing a cup on the outside only.  When we are clean or pure on the inside our cleanliness won’t be a sham or fake.

In John 17:17, Jesus said “Sanctify them through thy truth, they Word is truth.”  Jesus was referring to His disciples in this verse, but it applies to us today, just the same.  A follower of Christ becomes sanctified (meaning set apart for sacred use, cleansed and made holy, by believing and obeying God’s Word.  Daily application of God’s Word has a purifying effect on our minds and hearts.  It points our sin in our lives, and guides us back to the right path.

In today’s world, it is harder than ever to maintain purity in our lives.  My prayer for you, Christina, is that you stay as close to God, throughout your life, as you can.  By believing and staying in God’s Word, obeying Him, and believing in His promises, no matter  what your circumstances are, at the time.  Always remember, you will never go wrong, if you follow what’s right, in God’s sight.  Listen to your parents, obey them.  They love you and have your best interest at heart, and never be afraid to go to them, to seek their counsel with any problem or concern you have.  Next to God, they love you more than anyone.  Your grandmother also loves you very much, and prays God will bless you always, and help you keep your commitment to Him, in all things.

Proverbs 3:5-7

                                                                                       Love always,

                                                                                       Grandmother

Lastly, some books that have encouraged me, and may encourage you:

The Bible!     

“Beautiful Girlhood” by Karen Andreola

“Before you meet Prince Charming” by Sarah Mally founder of Bright Lights

“The Duggars : 20 and Counting” by Michelle and Jim-Bob Duggar

“A Love that Multiplies” by Michelle and Jim-Bob Duggar

It may also help to have a list of what you want to have in a future husband and always send those who may come to court you to see your Dad first!

]]> http://johnsonteamva.com/2012/02/10/a-special-commitment/feed/ 5 http://johnsonteamva.com/2012/01/02/happy-new-year-my-god-bless-you/ http://johnsonteamva.com/2012/01/02/happy-new-year-my-god-bless-you/#comments Mon, 02 Jan 2012 00:44:45 +0000 Scott http://johnsonteamva.com/?p=632 From the Johnson Family to all of you.  May God Richly Bless you this year.

Grandmother of course loves to shower the kids with gifts. 

May the LORD bless you and keep you this Christ-mas and give you 10 fold in the New Year.  

The Johnson Team 2011

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year !!!

We arrived in the evening of  Friday the 28th of October with the knowledge that we could find ourselves waking up to snow.  We also had the privilege of meeting Donna’s parents that evening as we sat down to a scrumptious taco salad and later a pumpkin pie made with honey as a sweetener.  There was also applesauce which was homemade and also without sugar.  It amazed me how much I think that we “need” sugar in things but find it is quite delicious without it!   Our kids didn’t notice either!

We spent some time talking together in the cozy dining area and then retired to our rooms for the evening.  Donna and her Mom cleaned up the kitchen and I found out that it is a regular event to have her Mom and Dad over on Friday evenings.  That was an encouragement to our family as well.  It is important to work on those generational relationships.  We all need each other!

  The next morning we did indeed wake up to snow softly falling on the ground outside their home.  I noticed it when I went to the van to get something and slipped on the sidestep.   When I came in, an excited little “Hopey” told me it was snowing as well!  It didn’t stay on the ground too long, but we did go our and enjoy it while it was there.

We all had a devotional time together first before breakfast and even before our time in the snow.  Proverbs has so much wisdom to glean from and each time a chapter is read, it seems we all glean something new we didn’t glean before.  I’m sure that is why God’s Word is described as being ALIVE.

For breakfast we had pumpkin pancakes which we all thoroughly enjoyed.  The Staddons had made their own maple syrup that was so delicious!  (If you read my posts, you may find a common thread here.  I seem to always talk about food.  You may get the impression that I like to eat.  I guess I do!)  But, the idea of homemade syrup is impressive to me.  I used to live near a place in Union that sold their own maple syrup and I think I visited  it when I was young.  The thought of that process is interesting to me.  I know the kids would like to see that as well.  Laura Ingalls talks about the process in “Little House in the Big Woods” but it still would be neat to see it live.

Later, Scott went and listened to the input for the book Don Staddon is writing about music.  He learned some things about music and enjoyed that time of discussion.  He enjoyed the music the Staddons played over the speakers.  He found it had a calming effect on his spirit. It made him think about the effect music does have on a person.

  We had a bonfire  in the afternoon  with hot dogs and everybody’s favorite SMORE’S.  Boy, hot dogs taste great when they’re  done over the fire.  We had sloppy joes as well and then we played some games.  “Four on the couch” or “Hat game” is what we played.  Our final game was “Occupation”.  Time was certainly a vapor as we found that it was time for bed.  Church starts at 8:30/9:00 where the Staddons attend so we knew we’d best get some “shut-eye.”

The next day was our trip to church.  It was a bit of a windy drive, but that is the norm in West Virginia.  The sermon was about Jonah and his lack of obedience to go to Nineveh.  The second session was the Sunday School lesson and the one that really made me think.  This text was on the beautitudes in Mathew and caused quite a discussion in the congregation.  The teacher  talked with enthusiam about the LORD and took a stand in his preaching for the LORD.  He really caused you to think about the  words in the beautitudes. 

Our final time was back   at the Staddon’s home for lunch.  We had some  meat, carrots and vegetables, homemade bread and apple butter, and cookies that  Esther had made.  Mrs. Staddon made some tea that she had made herself as well as a ginger tea for me to have with our cookies.  We took a final picture together and were on our way.  Thank you Staddon family for sharing yourself with us and for the time we had building memories with you!

The first is the Greek approach.  That is to understand first and then obey.  The soldier who turned around wanted to know why he should drop and then he would obey.  This lead him to an immediate end.

The second is the Hebrew model.  Obey first, understand later.  This is the method that God used with Abraham when he asked him to leave his homeland and also to take his  son’s life.

In the case of wood ducks, they demonstrate the Hebrew model.  When it is time to leave the nest, they have to jump down from  a nest that is high up in a tree.  One such occasion, all the ducks but one obeyed.   He didn’t want to leave the nest because he was afraid of perishing from the fall so instead he perished in the abandoned nest.  Obedience is the very best way!

Of  course, it is hard to obey first, ask later.  But, God says in His WORD that we must obey, so…how about practicing it at home?

Here’s a test…..

1.  Do you obey regardless of what you are told to do?

2.  Do you ask for reasons when your request is denied?

3.  Do you obey immediately when told?

4.  You may do it, but do you do it with a smile?

5.  Do you give reason to not obey when told to?

6.  Have you been reminded to do the task right?

7.   Have you had to do the task twice?

8.  Do you ask one parent after the other said “NO”?

9.   While you are doing work , do you plan recreation?

10.  Do you ever think the job is stupid or worthless?

11.  Do you say “I know”, and run off before you know what the job  is?

12.  Does the parent have to have you repeat what they said because you weren’t listening?

“Obedience to God’s will is the secret of spiritual knowledge and insight.  It is not willingness to know but willingness to do God’s will that brings certainty.”                         Eric Liddell

The alternative to obedience is not freedom, but tyranny…..

So…………..do you need to work on your obedience?  I know I do!  This world we live in is failing and falling in so many places I see.  There is much disobedience and disrespect to parents, lawlessness, and more.  Let us be a light!!

Much of the information contained in this post is found in “The Power for True Success  How to build character in your life”  and is published by the Institute of  Basic Life  Principles, Inc.  The wording is changed in some areas, but I wanted to share this post about obedience and since it can be convicting to me and maybe a blessing to other readers.

Since we didn’t go to Vermont, we decided to visit my Mom at work so that the people at the bank could see us, and then visit my Grandma in the nursing home.  Some of the people I had known when I was in Connecticut (and possibly worked with when I was home for the summer and in need of money for the next years’ college expenses) were still faithfully working at the bank.  It was very good to see them.   My mother was thrilled beyond imagination that we came to see her at the bank.  She was able to “show off all her “grands” as she calls her grandchildren.  Her only disappointment was that Julie Maynard wasn’t there who is the wife of the young man I held the title for friendliest in our senior class.  Other than that, her smile and excitement was practically leaping out of her.

Our next stop was the nursing home.  I wasn’t sure how this visit would go as I was told that it often is a short visit because Grammy gets tired.  When we walked into the nursing home, a worker was waxing the floor in the room she shares with two other ladies, so we had to wait.  Grammy had no idea who was in the hallway, though I believe she was told the visitors were for her.  She couldn’t see me, and I’m sure she didn’t recognize the rest of the family.  My family stepped in first, then I came in and she saw me.  Then she exclaimed “Evie” which is my nickname she had for me all my years of growing up.  In fact, we lived right next door to her in Union.  She stayed in the house next door until she moved into the nursing home and her house was sold to someone else.

Grammy surprised me greatly on this visit.  She hugged me very tight and for quite some time.  She has a great deal of strength for a 95 year old woman!  (In fact, she even told my husband that she wasn’t bad for a 95 year old woman)!  Her mind is very good; was aware that I was supposed to come on Saturday instead of Friday.  The only thing that isn’t good is her hearing.  I wrote some things on a paper to talk to her until my Stepdad Carl called and told me where her hearing aid was.  Then I could talk to her.  We brought back a lot of fond moments with my Grandma that I won’t share here on paper, but that were very precious and special to me.  I was so glad to see her, I even considered asking Scott if we could go again on Saturday!    The nursing home is such a special place to be.  People we didn’t even know were waving, smiling and even reaching to touch our hands as we went by them.  What a ministry opportunity for a family!!!

  The next thing we did that evening was go out to dinner with Mom and Stepdad Carl.  We were going to go to the Golden Corral, but we left too late and traffic was backed up so much that we met at Hometown Buffet instead.  We had a nice dinner together and then retired for the evening.

On Saturday, we arrived at the house sometime around 1:00 p.m. The house has had some changes, but is mostly the same.  The inside is  different with the music equipment in the living room and the bedroom which is now a dining room.  The upstairs looks mostly the same and still has that “country store” appeal with the many things to look at on the walls.  Jonathan even said that they made the bathroom really beautiful to look at as he looked at the many things on the wall! 

I wanted to look outside at the property and maybe I even sensed the memories of days gone by creeping up on me.  When we had come up for my Mom’s birthday, (which my husband had graciously planned as a surprise to me and my Mom) we had been there for a short time and had many things that we did together as a family, so I didn’t have time to think.  This time, the memories of my Grandma who used to live next door, my Dad not being there at all for me to see, and my Grandpa who has been gone for many years now as well as all the changes I saw in Union, I was overwhelmed.  My tender-hearted husband came out and hugged me as well as spoke gently to me and helped me through those moments.   I  thank God for my husband and for the time he takes to be with his family and for the way he has willingly gone places he knows his wife GREATLY desires to go.   I also am thankful for the love he shows to me and the forgiveness for the lack that I show towards him at times.  It reminds me of God’s everlasting love towards us and of the verse that talks about how God’s goodness repents man.  Sometimes when I see what God does through my husband for me, I am sorry for my lack of love towards him and ultimately my lack of love towards God.

Later on we had lunch together which Grandpa Carl fixed for us.  He made hamburgers and hot dogs as well as fixed the barbecue ribs. There was also a macaroni salad and a potato salad that my Mom had fixed along with the usual chips and drinks.  There was a chocolate cake for dessert.

My Mom had bought birthday presents for Jonathan and Elijah, so we had them open them for Mom so she could see their reactions.  Granted, most kids aren’t excited about clothes for their birthdays, but there parents are!  Scott and I really enjoy clothes from the grandparents!!!!

Mom had wanted to show us the memorial stone with Great Grandpa Victor Kaleta and Grandpa Frank Kaleta on the green in the center of Union.  She was waiting for my cousin to arrive as well as stay with our family friend Lou Nelson at the house.  Grandpa Carl wanted to take us up to the school, so that’s where my sister, Aunt Ruth and our family went next.

First we stopped at the green and saw the stone with the two Grandpas’ names on it.  At this point, Sally (my cousin)and Kianna (her daughter) joined us.  Then we finished our walk up to the school and saw the new building the town had built for the children in town.  It is a very nice building, and pardon my nostalgia, but I liked the old building because it was so rich in memories for me.  I know things can’t remain the same and they needed more space for children as well as the many programs schools are required to have by law now, but it isn’t the same for me.

After this, it was time for us to say our goodbyes and go back to the Martins house for the night.  It was very good to see my sister, my brother, my Mom, Carl , my Aunt Ruth and my cousin Sally as well as meet Kianna.  I carried home many rich memories of my visit with them. God richly blessed us and protected us on this journey .  Blessed be the name of the LORD….         

We did arrive later than was originally forecasted by the “90 year old Hungarian grandmother” that gave us directions.  It wasn’t her fault, even though she seemed to insist that we go over the George Washington bridge rather than the route we preferred to go on.  Nonetheless, we were greeted by the Martin children’s joyful jumps in the living room as they saw our van pull up in the driveway.   We also heard some “mahs” from the goat house.  At first I thought it was some children outside in a playhouse (it was dark) alerting us to their presence.   I guess the goats wanted to say “hello” too!

Jill had prepared a delicious mexican meal for us to enjoy with chips and cheese.  It was delicious and enjoyed by all.  Josiah was a bit concerned about one plate that was still on the table uneaten.  We learned that he can “pack” it away even though he doesn’t show it in body mass.  He has a high metabolism and burns it all off.  He is happy to help with any extras!

The following day we had some time in the morning for breakfast of delectable cranberry scones as well as gluten-free muffins for Scott and Jordon.   We left to go see my grandma and then came back to help Sean build a lean-to for the goats.  The men and some of the oldest “men” of each family helped in this project.  The LORD gave a beautiful sunny day and the project was finished before the Johnson team had to go to a restaurant to meet my Mom and Carl for dinner.  It seems the project was just in time because the next day it rained and the goats were happy under their cover that day.  I don’t think they were the only ones because Sean looked proud himself of the work and the fact that the goats were all “covered” under the lean-to.

On Saturday, we had breakfast with the Martins and then a tour of the church at the “Barn”.    It actually was a barn for cows at one time and was converted into a church.  There is a prayer room in one of the old silos with a cross, a crown of thorns, and  candles.  The room is sound proof, so you can pray out loud, or even warm-up if you are a singer in that room.  After the tour, we stayed in the room called the “well” for a game of “ga-ga”.  The Martins aren’t sure how that name came to be, but the game sure is fun.  It seems to be a mix of volleyball and dodge ball.   You’d have to play to see what it’s like.  The Martins have played this game with some missionary friends, and then it became one of the villages favorite games!

We came back in the evening with the pleasant surprise that James Staddon was there for a visit until Monday.  We prayed with him in the evening, had breakfast with him in the morning, and then were able to worship with him and the Martins at the Barn on Sunday morning.

When the service was over in the morning, we all came back (with the exception of Sean who was still preaching for the second service) to make lunch and fellowship together.  James had just come back from Mexico where he was asked to take pictures of the orphanage there.  James, way to disciple the younger ones as well as sharing an awesome testimony of cleaning and being faithful when and where God places you at any time in your life.  God may not have you in something “big” in your own eyes, but HE does want you to be faithful to family and to your tasks at home.  That is your training ground, and you never know where he may place you some day.  Just be faithful !

The final chapter of our time with the Martins closed with a delicious Italian dish that Jill made (I can’t remember the name and don’t know how to spell it, but it was “DELISH”)!  She also prepared some wonderful, moist, gluten-free brownies for all of us!  Yum!  The food was so good and so was their hospitality!  Our children loved being with the Martin children and would group up often together.  Scott and I enjoyed fellowship with the whole family and are very grateful for their willingness to host us for the weekend.  We had a truly wonderful time!  Thank you, Martin family!