It's a brand new year!

"Happy" 2009???

It is the beginning of a brand new year; 2009, wow, where did the time go. Our parents used to tell us that time goes by way to fast and it hasn't been all that long that I have started to believe them. You may notice that I put the word happy in quotes above. Already this year, we have seen two tragedies in our church family. Both families have lost family members. It's really hard for me to say happy new year at this time. My family, friends and I are holding these precious people close to our aching hearts and praying for God's comfort to be upon them at this very difficult time. It's so hard for me to know what God's plans are when it comes to most things, but certainly this. I know his plans are sovereign but it is so hard to understand that at a time like this. Faith, it's really all one has. Please join me inpraying for these families in the next couple of weeks and months ahead.

On a much lighter note, the Johnson family is excited to head into the new year! Frank tells me this is going to be a great year for us and I believe him in spite of what is going on around us. It's a milestone year for us. Frank and I will celebrate 15 years of marriage in May! I am so blessed to be the woman that Frank chose to spend his life with! He is such an amazing man and God certainly is blessing our marriage. Kendra, is turning 16 this year. Takings drivers education, getting a job, and becoming such an incredible young woman. Austin is going to turn 12 this year, his last year of being a non-teen! He leaves recreations sports this fall and moves onto Jr. High sports, wow! Time is flying and his height reminds me of how quickly I will be looking eye to eye with him or maybe even up at him soon :) He is still a quiet boy with a sensitive spirit and I really enjoy our time together. Colby and Cam are turning 8, HOLY COW!!! Talk about time flying by! They are wonderful little boys and so much fun to be around. Very active and full of life (sometimes more than this mom can keep up with) but really a lot of joy in this house comes from them! Frank is continuing going to college at night to work on his machining degree, he should graduate in November 2009 , if all goes as planned. I continue to serve as Children's Ministry Director for our church and I am so looking forward to directing our VBS this year! It's going to be great! Most importantly Frank and I are simply going to be praying and watching for God's direction in our lives. We both want more... more of Him and so as a team, as a couple, we are going to be encouraging and helping each other accomplish more relationship with our heavenly Father. I am excited to see what God has in store for each of us individually and as a couple! I feel like it could be a year of growing in Christ and closer together as husband and wife :)

I am closing this post with a prayer and a verse that I read this week in my devotion time. I pray that this year God is real to you in some way. That some healing will take place in your lives, and that the source of real happiness becomes very much a part of each day for all of us. We aren't guarenteed tomorrow, so live for today... for Him. Don't let a day go by without loving those around you and thanking God for each and everyone. HAPPY 2009!

Romans 15:13, “May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.”

Father God, I love you and I thank you for all that you are and all that you are going to show me this coming year. While I know that some of it may even be painful, I am trusting in You and Your promises that You are always there for me and ready to hold me in your ever loving arms. I ask you to touch my family and my friends in a very real way that you would let them feel your presence and your grace at their times of needs and it would cause a real hunger and thirst for more of You in their lives. Bless my friends and family and thank you for what each and everyone of them adds to my life,. I am so grateful for each of them.

Amen