Would you like an EXTRA Blessing in YOUR life?

I saw this video on another adoptive family's blog and wanted to share it with all of you. Our Noelle was a "special needs child" (she had a minor heart defect which healed on "it's own" - glory be to God!), but we didn't START down the special needs / waiting child path. We though we wanted a "healthy infant" when we applied to our adoption agency. But God opened our hearts, we said "yes" to Him, and He gave us a MUCH MORE AMAZING BLESSING than we could have ever planned ourselves!!

And now we are adopting an older special needs child from Taiwan, a beautiful and precious girl named C--Y--. What joy to be on this path!! I never would have guessed that God would take us here! But you know what? We wouldn't change a thing!! :-)

How about YOU??? Is God quietly whispering to your spirit...to open your heart to the most incredible blessing of special needs / waiting child / or older child adoption?

(psst...if you take that first step, you will never regret it...then get ready for the Miracles!)

like a mighty rushing wind...~....~~...~

I don't have time to do a full post now, but I am INCREDIBLY EXCITED about a women's prayer group we have started at church! God's hand is MOVING! I am thrilled to be part of this act of obedience. God has plans for us here at Chattanooga 1st Church (and His children all over the globe!), and we already see the powerful Holy Spirit at work!

Check back soon and I will share the Blessing~~~

Crunchy" Hair

Last night after we got home from church, Noelle and I were sitting on the floor together. She decided it was a good opportunity to "style" my hair. As she fiddled and pulled - "Ouch!!" - she commented that my hair was "crunchy". That would be the hairspray. 'Fraid I don't leave the house without it! And Sunday services require an extra coating just to make it through the day's events. ;-)

So today after her bath, I was combing Noelle's hair and we were discussing which hair clip might look nice with her red t-shirt. And then a brilliant idea hit my daughter.

"I want CRUNCHY hair, like Mommy!!"

This statement gave me quite a chuckle. She went on to explain that she wanted me to use hairspray to "fluff" and "scrunch up" her curls. She doesn't really have 'curly' hair, but there is a definite wave that can be acentuated with just the right styling product. And as I usually do "fluff" her hair after bath time, I knew exactly what she was wanting. I spritzed and scrunched away...

What do you think of the final effect?

Little girls are so much fun! :-)

Sent from my Verizon Wireless BlackBerry

Sent from my Verizon Wireless BlackBerry

Sent from my Verizon Wireless BlackBerry

Man, this kid is getting TALL!! When and How'd that happen??

Sent from my Verizon Wireless BlackBerry

Giving Back

Here's an acticle and video about the Philanthropy Camp in the Chattanooga Times Free Press online.

News Article

Video

Philanthropy Camp-- In the News!

Hey Chattanooga area folks! The first annual Philanthropy Camp (mentioned in the previous post) concluded today. The kids and teen counselors-in-training thoroughly enjoyed themselves...and hopefully learned a little along the way about "giving back". Everyone agrees - it was a rousing success!

Channel 3 News came over this morning to the church to interview my hubby Eric, as pastor of 1st Nazarene, and Michael, as the director of the Jewish Community Center. The crew also video taped the kids as we were rehearsing songs for today's closing program (which went fabulously, I might add ;-)). And yesterday Chattanooga Times Free Press came out for some interviews and photos. Check the news tonight and the paper tomorrow for the scoop!

**More about the events of / and purpose behind Philanthropy Camp 2009 coming later... "We came! We saw! We gave!"

Noelle takes a picture

We were killing some time this afternoon on St*rbucks patio. I rarely patronize this establishment but today they were having a "promotion". An iced coffee for me and a pastry for Noelle. However...the free deal ended at 10:30am. Ah well.

So I ordered the cheapest cold thing on the menu, plus an ice water. Noelle and I discussed the days events as we put our feet up on the patio chairs. I took a few photos of Noelle and she took a few photos of the ground, her knee, the building, a bizarre close-up of my nose and mouth, and eventually my t-shirt.

This week Eric and I are involved in Philanthropy Camp-- a first time effort between our church and the local Jewish organization (their community/cultural center is next door to our church). It is a super intense week of activities in our household, but this camp is a great outreach opportunity for kids grades K-5 in our community. The photo of my t-shirt shows the logo for the camp. Noelle said she like the "gloves".

Sent from my Verizon Wireless BlackBerry

Noelle poses on SB's patio.
She's checking in a mirror to see what she looks like with my sunglasses on.
The feet in the photo are mine.

an update?

I apologize about the lack of blogging here lately. One reason is that I still don't have a home computer. Though, praise God, our brilliant friend Danny believes he was able to recover just about every piece of data from my "very corrupted hard drive". Yes!! He put all that data onto dvd's, and now we're waiting for a new hard drive to arrive in the mail. Eric's brother Kirk is another great techie kind of guy (on the side; he's a pastor in real life) found a good deal for us on E-Bay (??). When that arrives, we can begin to rebuild my computer. Double yes!!

The other reason I haven't kept up with our family blog (tho' I have still been posting, mostly from my phone, on our Taiwan adoption blog) is due to an **overwhelmingly busy** July. It's all great and valuable stuff...but the bulk of everything seems to be happening This Month!! Eeekkk!! Schools around here start back in session much earlier than what we were used to in MO, so maybe we will see things begin to slow down by end of next month.?? Oh I hope so! I've just gotten used to the idea that life in the pastor's family gets intensified during the summer months. That's when we do all those fabulous outreach activities we can't fit in during the school year. As well as picnics, weddings, VBS, etc. Boredom is not an option. (Or maybe sleep...)

I guess what I'm saying is, when I have my computer back and life slows down, I will "attempt" the Summary of All Summaries of the Johnson Family's Summer. And maybe even with pictures. ;-)

Need to be Challenged and Uplifted today?

Ludy Adoption Video from Lifesong on Vimeo.

Psalm 68:5
"A father of the fatherless, a defender of widows, is God in His holy habitation. God sets the solitary in families..."

Please watch this video story of a family who listened to the call of God on their hearts-- to care for the fatherless. They were initially reluctant to get started with the process and felt overwhelmed by the financial commitment. But God is a BIG, BIG God and He really wants His children (we Believers) to love and care for His children (the fatherless, the orphaned, the hurting). When they answered The Call, beginning with one small step of openness, God showed up!!

I got a little weepy, as I always do when I watch something like this, but I also had my own mini praise session as I heard the testimony of this family. Enjoy and be blessed!

Happy Independence Day! (and an even greater freedom)

I LOVE this day!! I love the times of laughter, memories, and fellowshipping with family and friends. I love the picnics, the BBQ, the fireworks, the flags waving... But most of all I love living in a nation founded on God-honoring principles. I am deeply thankful for, and indebted to, the men and women who have fought, and continue to fight for our FREEDOM-- for our friends, for our families, for me!! It humbles me. Thank you for your sacrifice.

I also am reminded of The One who paid The Ultimate Sacrifice (death on the cross) for our freedom - the freedom from sin and the freedom over death. Our Lord Jesus - praise His name!! This is FREEDOM we can celebrate today...and every day!!!

I hope YOU are able to participate in this celebration-- freedom from sin and a relationship with Christ. If you are unable to celebrate this way, ask Him into your heart and life today, Right Now. Then email me. I'd love to pray with you and join you in this new celebration!!!!! :)