{Wordless Wednesday} China Memories

{Wordless Wednesday} China Countryside

Labor Day 2014

Labor Day 2014 has come and gone which means that summer has too. The 4th of July usually starts the summer around here and Labor Day marks the end. What a crazy summer it was.... half of it was spent in China and half here in the US. This was the first time I have been home for Labor Day since 2011 and it was a fun day.  

A local park has annual festivities (this was the 35th year!) which I have never gone too. So I dragged Kiah down there for a few hours.

We listened to some music...

... and some delicious and healthy food while walking around and checking out the craft tents.

Afterwards, we headed home to prepare for our big picnic! In the past we have gone up to lake with my grandparents, but since they have both passed away this past year, traditions are changing a little for the Johnson family. We had a small group this year. It was just my parents, Grandma Rich, and Kiah. Cael made it home in time for our campfire in our semi-new fire-pit that Tage built this summer. Since Labor Day still counts as summer, we had to grill and have a picnic of course. It was a beautiful day and a lovely evening to have a picnic on the deck. 

The spread... 

rice pudding, baked beans, and spicy green beans. The sausage and chicken were still on the grill when this picture was taken.

I asked her to look at the camera and this is what I get. Typical. Can you believe she starts 8th (!) grade tomorrow?!?!

Cooking away in the kitchen. 

 Spicy green beans! They actually weren't too far off from the ones I ate all the time in China. I got a little dried chili happy and they were a tad too spicy (even for me). Next time I won't put quite so many in and I think I'll have it down! Since many of you have asked, I'll write a separate blog post later this week with my recipe.

The evening ended with s'mores, banana bars, coffee, and listening to fireworks going off (we can't quite see them from my house) by the fire. 

2014 was a pretty great summer. Tomorrow it's back to reality with school for my parents and Kiah and well... back to resume writing and job applications for me.

{Sunday Snapshot} Fun in the Sun

 Hard to believe that the end of summer is upon us. To me, Labor Day ends summer. And tomorrow is Labor Day. It's time to head back to school and get into "fall mode." For me? Well I'm still here.... my summer isn't quite ending I guess! This summer has been wonderful. Even though I missed half of it, the second half has been great. I have spent lot's of time outside and at the pool. Yesterday, my brother, sister-in-law, and nephews came down for one last trip to the pool. 

Happy Labor Day 2014, everyone!

And He's Off!

Brother #5, my baby brother, is now at college. How in the world did THAT happen? I have no idea.... all I know is that it's rather strange around here without him and I'm sure it will be for quite a while. Tage is Mr. Personality. Always makes me laugh and smile and his sense of humor is priceless. He's a lovable lug. And we will sure miss him but I am so excited for him and the next adventure that the Lord has him on. 

Yesterday was "move-in" day and it was a little more exciting because he is the first child who has decided NOT to go to St.Bonaventure University where the rest of us have gone. Nope, he is straying off the path and attending Houghton College which is about 45 minutes past bonas. Yesterday was a fun day of getting his room set up and helping him get settled. Yes, it's a new adventure, that is for sure. 

ID picture taken!

Now Houghton is located in the exactly the middle of nowhere. Honestly. Like there is a Subway and a Chinese restaurant (very important!) and that's about it. A good friend of mine from high school attended Houghton and she answered a very important question for me: "where do you get a cup of coffee?" The answer? There is a lovely little coffee shop in the basement of the main building and they serve Starbucks products. So of course I had to check it out. I approve. It's offiical, Tage can stay. 

Tage's new "home away from home." His dorm is gorgeous! So big and beautiful!

Houghton class of 2018!

On our hour and 45 minute drive back home, there was this gorgeous sunset. Tage, we will miss you, but God is truly at work in your life and I can't wait to have a front row seat to see what He will do!

"The Heavens declare the glory of God;

the skies proclaim the work of His hands."

Psalm 19:1

Reminder

"Lord, our Lord, how majestic is Your name in all the earth!"

Psalm 8:9

This verse kept coming to mind over and over last evening as I kept gazing at the gorgeous sky. The Lord has always spoken to my heart through sunsets (and sunrises when I'm up!). There is just something powerful about a gorgeously painted sky and being reminded of how majestic and powerful our Lord God truly is.

In this season of waiting and yearning for His direction and guidance, I felt Him place on my heart:

"Anneli, I am always with you, I know what I am doing."

I know that in my head, I just need to start believing it in my heart. As I try to hear His voice and know what way I should turn, He knows what He is doing through it all. Sometimes, He just wants us to be still and wait on Him. There is so much we can learn during the "being still" seasons in our lives and right now that is right where I am. 

"Be still and know that I Am God."

Psalm 46:10

A song that has been on my heart a lot lately I have been listening to over and over again is "I Am Not Alone" by Kari Jobe. Here are a few of the lyrics:

"I am not alone
I am not alone
You will go before me
You will never leave me"

by: Kari Jobe

Weekend Fun

This weekend was spent with my college friend, Carrie. Carrie and I met the end of our freshman year of college back in 2005 (wow!) and have stayed friends all these years. 

Even when I moved to the other side of the world for several years, she stayed my friend, visiting me each time I was back in the US for a visit.

Our time together is usually spent sitting and chatting for hours while snacking and drinking coffee. Yep, that about sums up how our weekend was spent.

Thanks Carrie, for being such a great friend all of these years! 

A Little Backyard Baseball

We have a baseball field in my side yard. Apparently that isn't normal. Who knew? The other day it was a beautiful summer day and Thad and Tage were out in the side yard giving Kiah some tips. I love watching them work with their little sister. Thought I would share a few pictures!

Happy Saturday!