Blood Water Mission

At VBS this year, the collected offering went to the Blood Water Mission ministry.  This organization helps to provide clean water to impoverished villages and towns in Africa.  Each night of VBS, the boys and girls saw a story of a named child and what he/she had to do to get water - and oftentimes that water was filled with bacteria, mud, and other harmful additions.  With our neighborhood yard sale coming up, I thought it would be the perfect time to set up a lemonade stand (summer bucket list item) AND give the money collected to a good cause.  Blood Water Mission came to our mind and so it was...

Cole made signs while I stirred the lemonade.  We had the perfect spot at the end of our driveway with yard sales on either side and across the street.  With hot temps, those precious signs, and that handsome face, shoppers couldn't help but stop and purchase a refreshing drink.  Many people gave above the 25 cent price tag and it was the perfect lesson in generous giving lived out in front of my children.  

Sweet friends from our small group came out to support.  Thankful for this crew!

That Sunday, Cole took his earnings to church and gave them to our Children's Pastor, Mr. Andy.  $64.50!!  Praise the Lord!

Celebrating

This weekend begins with a story that started almost one year ago.  The boys and I were headed to the Gallatin Library to return our books and check out new ones for the week.  As we entered the parking lot, I looked down and realized I had left our bag of due books on the kitchen counter.  The boys were sad and I needed a plan B quick.  I called my grandmother (who lives close) to see if she and my grandfather would like some afternoon company.  Just so happens they weren't at home...crazy.  Plan C - head to the nearby city park and let the boys picnic and play.  As the boys were playing, I met a mom sitting on a bench and we began to chat about kids, jobs, etc.  She was a new transplant to the area and I invited her family to join us at church one Sunday.  We didn't exchange any information accept for our names and kindly parted ways.

Later that week, I received a Facebook friend request from this sweet lady.  I had NO idea how she had found me seeing that we only exchanged first names.  Turned out that she called the church and asked if they had any member with the name 'Adrian' (glad my name is uncommon!).  From there she found me on FB and we became 'friends' :)  I invited her to iMom which was beginning soon and she jumped at the chance to join.  Fast forward a few weeks - she comes to the first meeting and a few days after surprisingly gives premature birth to her son, Gage, 2 months early with complications.  The Lord knew they would need some support and our table was given the opportunity to love on her family with meals, encouragement, and prayers.  From that moment has grown a friendship that has continued to be a blessing in my life.  Her family began attending church with us on Sundays at LHG and recently, Michael had the JOY of leading her oldest son, Caleb to Christ at VBS.  I stand amazed.  Coincidence that those library books were left on the counter one summer day last July?  I think not.  God is always at work...we just have to stop and grab hold of the opportunities he places in front of us.  Kieryanne, so so glad the Lord brought us together that picnic park day.  Thankful for the gift of your life and the strength that you portray - you really are a Superstar! 

Celebrating Caleb and Collin's carnival birthday 

Happy Birthday Caleb!

Celebrating didn't end at the birthday party.  The Sunday after, Michael had the honor of baptizing Caleb during our morning church service.  What a gift!  We are so proud of this young man and the decision he has made to follow Christ!

Cole with his Poole buddies

Cole and Caleb

I Am a C

I am a C-H.  I am a C-H-R-I-S-T-I-A-N (uh-huh!!).  Anybody singing this little chant with me?  If you visited VBS or Children's Camp growing up, I guarantee you sang this fun tune faster and faster until everyone busted out in laughter.
Well, not only is this a silly song from childhood, but it rings true for our sweet boy.  Three years ago on Good Friday, April 6, 2012, this fella recognized his need for a Savior and said YES to Jesus.  What a beautiful night that was as Michael and I had the opportunity to lead him to Christ in his bedroom.  We celebrated this 'Happy Heart Birthday' and can't wait to see how this boy changes the world by living out the Gospel and letting Jesus use his life as he grows.

Cole, we are so proud of you buddy.  Hold tight to Jesus always.  He is the friend that sticks closer than a brother and the ever faithful Father.  He will never lead you astray and has BIG plans for your life.  Thankful everyday to call you my little brother in Christ!

Resurrection Sunday

Our Easter weekend was topped off with a beautiful Resurrection Sunday.  The night before I prepared baskets for the boys and situated them in a hiding spot in our room. When they awoke Sunday morning, we first had a Resurrection Egg scavenger hunt around the house to review and celebrate the story of Jesus from the Last Supper to the empty tomb.  They loved listening to each clue, finding each egg, and reading the Scripture about our Risen Savior.  Cade was old enough this year to REALLY stay engaged and ask questions which was a joy for Michael and I to watch.  Cole also has such a tender heart and every time an egg was filled with a whip, thorn, or other symbol of Christ's suffering, he would just tear up and try not to cry.  When the last empty egg was opened, we all jumped and ran around the house yelling "He's ALIVE!" as we imagine Mary and Martha did through town when they left the tomb :)

After our eggs were completed, we gave one final clue which led the kiddos to their baskets.  They enjoyed treats from Mommy's favorite store (Dollar Tree) and they each received a new book that I purchased from a friend's Usborne party (both books are SO neat!!).

Fun breakfast

The morning was complete as we worshipped with our Long Hollow Gallatin family at the 10:30 hour (when I usually teach, but small groups were cancelled) and then we served at the 11:45 time.  I got to serve in Cole's class and really enjoyed experiencing a bit of his Sunday morning.  I sang in TreeHouse, listened to his lesson (Ms. Heidi did a great job!), and helped with his craft time.  Watching K-3rd graders write sins they have committed on a cross, covering that filthy cross with a pure white one, and then decorating it with beads and jewels to represent the majesty of King Jesus was so precious to watch.

Cade's teacher also came downstairs to show me a quick video they had captured of Cade while doing his lesson in his class.  They also did Resurrection eggs, and when they came to the empty egg, this was Cade's response.  Preach it buddy!!

The remainder of the day was spent at home.  The boys played outside, Michael mowed the yard, and I began to compile a list of to-dos for the birthday weekend ahead.

We also made a batch of our favorite Resurrection Rolls.  Begin with pure sugar which represents the world as God intended - perfect and without sin.  Then add cinnamon and stir - sin entered the world, made our hearts unclean, and man could not separate it on his own.  Spread the mixture on a crescent roll triangle and place a marshmallow in the middle - the white, pure, Lamb of God came to us, took on the penalty of our sin as he died, and was buried (wrap crescent roll around the marshmallow and seal).  Bake at 350 for 10-12 minutes - open the rolls and the marshmallow has disappeared leaving behind a hollow shell.  Christ has Risen victorious over sin and death!!  Cade's face says it all :)

It's empty!!

Such a wonderful Easter holiday filled with great memories and celebrations of our Risen Savior!  

Pre-Easter Fun

The Johnson tradition continues...the boys each pick out a fun egg dyeing kit at Dollar Tree and we set aside a fun morning to get creative.  This year was SO fun.  So relaxing.  I set up the table and both boys are now old enough to do the entire process themselves.  Word.  We laughed and laughed as they tried new color combinations, told funny Easter jokes (they were eggcellent!), and giggled when Cade got so excited that he squeezed one egg to bits.  We also talked a bit about no matter how 'pretty' the outside of the egg looks, if it hasn't been boiled and made firm, it is still a messy yolk.  The same with our hearts - we can look good on the outside, but until Jesus has been invited in and has made our hearts firm in Him, we are still messy sinners that need a Savior. Soaking up this age and the time we spend together.

I love this :)  Waiting patiently

Cole chose the 'speckling' kit.  Loved it!

Cade chose the 'funny face' kit.