Family Gathering

What a nice month March has been so far! My mom, dad and sister came to visit for about a week. Mike's brother Steve was also home for Spring Break. We had a really nice time. I love and miss them dearly! Anytime I can spend with them is precious. While they were here, we did some sightseeing at the coast and some work in our yard. Thanks to all of you who helped cut down trees, haul wood and till our garden! There truly is nothing like family.

"Bless the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits:"
-Psalm 103:2

Our new garden plot
Papa Caudle giving Malachi his first haircut

Real Joy

What fun we are having in the Johnson household lately! Late last night we returned home from our Reformers Unanimous meeting and Malachi was so tired, but he was having a blast playing with Daddy and the stuffed animal. Then without any prompting he started turning around in circles and getting really dizzy. This made us laugh really hard and Mike joined him. It wasn't long before Malachi was falling on the floor. So funny! Then he was rolling over and over on the floor. He was really quite entertaining! When it's finally time to relax, Malachi loves to have books read to him. This is a special, precious, cozy time.He's really getting around now, even able to drink from his sippy cup while walking.

Sets of keys are his favorite toy right now. His favorite thing to do is pretend that he's opening the front door. He is always very disappointed when we have to put them away. "Thou wilt shew me the path of life: in thy presence is fulness of joy; at thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore. "- Psalm 16:11

Homemade, Handmade

We are doing well here in the Johnson household. I praise the Lord for His blessings. Malachi is now walking quickly from room to room at our house. I'm sure he'll be running before long. One of our greatest delights these days is when he brings us a book to read him. Who can resist stopping right there to grant his request? We also love to see him spontaneously copy our actions. You should have seen him today pretend that he was sneezing. So funny!

Recently I reviewed the passage about the virtuous woman in Proverbs 31. For a long time I have thought that I would like to learn how to crochet so that I, like the virtuous woman, could keep my hands busy making something useful. My friend Lisa agreed to teach me the other day and then I picked up a beginner's book at a thrift store today. I look forward to seeing what I can create! Ally, if you're reading this, thanks again for the crocheted bibs you made Malachi. I love them and hope that sometime I can make something as useful and nice as them. :)

I have sold some more of my soap lately. Soon I plan to post some pictures and descriptions of what bars I have to offer. For now, I think that I have pretty much settled on the name Simply Soap by Shannon. If you have any ideas for a better name, feel free to leave a comment. Thanks!

"Give her of the fruit of her hands; and let her own works praise her in the gates."
- Proverbs 31:31

Snowing Again!

Our New Year has gotten off to a great start. Today it is snowing so beautifully. This makes the second time already this winter for us to have snow accumulation, which is a big deal here! I'm looking forward to seeing Mike in a few minutes because they he is coming home from work. They decided to close Chick-fil-A today due to the snow. Maybe we will build a snowman! I can't wait to take Malachi out to play in it. If it is snowing where you are today, I hope you enjoy it too!

"Come now, and let us reason together, saith the LORD: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow: though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool." - Isaiah 1:18

Merry Christmas!

Malachi at Home

I thought that I would take a moment to upload some new pictures of Malachi. He took his first steps about a week and a half ago and is just delighting us with all the new things he does. We love to see him take a few steps here and there.The other day he fell asleep in his high chair. This was a first. I let him sit there long enough to get a couple photos.I thought that it would be cute to get a picture of him with the Christmas lights that enthralled him so. Then yesterday I was tickled to see him fixing the vacuum cleaner just like Mommy. Being a mom is so much fun! I love you Malachi!
"Let every thing that hath breath praise the LORD. Praise ye the LORD."
- Psalm 150:6

From One Home to Another

Oh, my! So many things have happened over the last month! Towards the beginning of the month, I took Malachi to his first parade, the Veteran's Day Parade. We sat with some friends outside of Chick-fil-A where Mike works. That was a little chilly but a lot of fun.
Then Mike, Malachi, and I spent November 11th-22nd in Illinois. We really enjoyed being there. My parents took some time off and we saw a lot of family that week. Malachi was winning many hearts with his toothy grin. I shot a gun for the first time, Mike tried pickled beets and found out they weren't too bad that way, and Malachi had ate his first farm-fresh eggs from Papa and Grammy's chickens. Honestly, I didn't want the week to end.On the 13th my brother Bobby got married. It was a beautiful wedding, and now he has a great wife! I look forward to when they can come and visit us in North Carolina. Pictured below are Bobby and Rachel with all of his siblings "hamming it up" for the camera.
Malachi turned a year old on the 22nd. Can you believe it? My parents threw a birthday party for him while we were there. So much fun! Yes, I actually let him eat all that icing! He loved it, of course.
On the Sundays and Wednesday we were there we visited my home church, Bay View Baptist. Mike and I attended their Reformer's Unanimous meeting that Friday as well. We were grateful for further insight on how RU works in the church. Bobby's wedding was also there. I loved seeing my old church family and hearing Bro. Thibo's great preaching. He was fired up! Knowing that they are still standing for the truth really blesses me. Praise the Lord.

Back in North Carolina on Thanksgiving Day, we went to Mike's parents house and had a delicious meal. (Thanks, Mom!) Then we kicked back to relax and watch some videos from Dad and Mom's trip to Alaska. I am so glad they were able to take this trip. They came back with some great memories and breathtaking footage.

The next day Mike led his first RU training meeting at our church. We shared some prayer requests and watched a couple videos. Let me take a moment to say that we are very excited about how the Lord is working in our church concerning this ministry. Just as the Lord was leading our pastor to start an RU chapter, God was working in some of Mike's coworkers' hearts about turning from their addictions to Him. All glory to God, a couple of them have gotten saved and one in particular has really done a complete 180 degree turn in his life. If he remains faithful, I am sure that God will continue to use him in a tremendous way. Please pray for this ministry. We have no doubt that God will continue to bless it.

On Sunday Mike preached at both the services. Unfortunately, Malachi was sick so I had to stay home and listen to his messages later. I am so blessed to be married to a great preacher! His sermons spoke to my heart. Speaking of my hubby, I just got a call from him and he is taking me and Malachi on a date to Red Lobster, compliments of Dad and Mom Johnson for our 5th wedding anniversary. I guess I had better get ready!

"Seek ye the LORD while he may be found, call ye upon him while he is near: Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts: and let him return unto the LORD, and he will have mercy upon him; and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon. For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the LORD. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts. " - Isaiah 55:6-9