Sunday Snapshot: Christmas 2013, A Little Late

I know it's January 19th but at least I'm posting some pictures from the Johnson family Christmas, right? Since Thaddeus and I flew to China on Christmas day, writing a post on Christmas escaped my memory until recently when I was going through pictures. There are a lot here, but I just couldn't decide. 

Our Christmas was a little different this year. Christmas fell on a Wednesday and our family did our "Christmas morning" Monday evening. Then on Christmas Eve, we went to our Christmas Eve Church service and then had everyone over at our house for dinner, gifts, and fellowship. It was such a fun time!

The Grandma's.

Uncle Tage, Uncle Thad, Landon, and Uncle Cael.

My Dad and Tage.

Landon with his Uncle Thad. Landon looks a little shocked!

Cael (with his new gift from Kiah) and Micah.

My Mom with her sister, Sharon.

Present time!

"Look at the tree!" - Micah

Strawberry ice cream pie.... a Christmas tradition in my house. And a favorite!

We have candles for each of our plates and then turn out all the lights. I just love it.

Beautiful

"For to us a child is born, to us a Son is given,

and the government will be on His shoulders. 

And He will be called 

Wonderful Counselor, 

Mighty God, 

Everlasting Father,

Prince of Peace."

Isaiah 9:6

Ni Hao Ya'll

Wordless Wednesday: Christmas

Sunday Snapshot: Christmas Parade

It's an annual tradition in our family to attend the Frewsburg Christmas parade. One of the perks of a small town!

Here's a picture of the "happy parade goers."

 Kiah with her hot chocolate being silly.

For some reason she gets tired of me taking pictures of her. Just wait until I get my new camera.... she'll be my subject as I'm learning how to use it! She doesn't know this yet...

 Christmas is in the air.

This picture just makes me laugh. I look extra special and my Dad and Tage were obviously distracted by the parade.

 So cute!

 Of course the float is pulled by a tractor.

 And more adorable little horses.

 Can't have a Christmas parade without Santa Clause. 
The Christmas season has begun!

Ni Hao Ya'll

Day 15 of Thankfulness: Holidays

I am thankful for the holidays.

For many people, the holidays can be a very difficult time of year. Whether it’s Christmas, Thanksgiving, Easter, or 4^th of July, if you aren’t close to your family or friends, it can be a very hard time. I am thankful to be close to my family and holidays have always been special in my family. We haven’t always had a lot, but my parents would always do what they could to make it special for us kids.

Christmas was always a blast in my house. I remember often thinking how boring Christmas would be as an only child. With seven kids, it was total chaos. I look back on all those Christmas mornings and smile.

One thing I am really looking forward to doing while I am home is baking Christmas cookies. Lot's and lot's of Christmas cookies.

Yes, I am extremely thankful for the holidays. For family, friends, food, and fellowship. But most importantly, that God sent His one and only Son as a baby to die for our sins. Now that is sacrificial love.

I Did It!

I did it! I survived Christmas 2012 away from home. When people ask how my Christmas was, I explain how it was probably the best it could possibly be while be away from my family. I missed them terribly. I missed the traditions, the get togethers, the baking, and of course, the FOOD (although I can't complain, I got pretty good food here as well!). I especially missed how beautifully decorated my Church and home would be this time of the year. 

Yes, it was hard to be here, but God is good. And He came through once again just like He always does. I felt such peace, joy, and comfort during the holiday season. And it also gave me a little insight into what some people go through during the holiday season. Now I wasn't completely alone so I guess I can't fully understand but I did learn what it is like to be away from family and friends. I know many people don't have anyone to spend Christmas with. The holidays are a time of loneliness, pain, and heartache. I feel like I can understand just a little more now.

We are gearing up to end 2012 and ring in the new year of 2013. All I can say over and over again is GOD IS FAITHFUL! Goodness.... you will read more about that tomorrow in my New Year's Eve post! He is good.... All. The. Time.

Now for a little exciting news (at least I think it's exciting!).... I am super close to buying my plane ticket home to visit in March through sometime in May! I will be home for close to 2 months and I can't wait. A vacation, 90th birthday party for my Grandma, time spent with family and friends, and of course raising support for another year in China. Hope to see many of you during that time I'm home!

A Double Birthday Celebration

Last Friday we had a double celebration. The festivities started off with celebrating Treasure's 1st Birthday and then we moved right into the birthday celebration of our Savior, Jesus. What a special day it was! And how special to have your birthday just a few days before Christmas! A reason to celebrate indeed!

I always stand in awe when I watch our children celebrating their birthdays. Another year that they are alive which is proof of a miracle. God is good. 

These children were once left. Abandoned. But now they are part of a family. Not their ultimate family, but a family all the same until their forever families can come and bring them home. 

Treasure wasn't quite so sure what to make of all the hoopla around her, but we think she enjoyed it. 

Happy 1st Birthday sweet girl, you are a treasure indeed!

Christmas 2012 Highlights

Well Christmas 2012 has come and gone. Amazing how much preparation we put into this one day holiday. All the shopping, cooking, baking, stressing for one day. This year I was able to relax a bit more on Christmas. It was probably the best Christmas I could have had away from home. I miss my family dearly, but God has blessed me people in China whom I could celebrate with.

Christmas Eve started off with saying goodbye to one of our little ones as he joined his adoptive family! Praise God! What wonderful Christmas present for them. Even though we will miss him, we couldn't be happier. After saying goodbye to him, it was cooking, cooking, and MORE cooking! A friend of mine who is an English teacher in my area, came over for Christmas Even dinner.

I cooked ranch chicken, potatoes, broccoli (had to throw some chinese in there!), and brownies and ice cream for desert. It was delicious if I do say so myself. We had our own Christmas Eve service with lighting candles and reading the story of Christ's birth. 

Afterwards we spent the rest of the evening with the Bush family watching Polar Express, which is a family tradition at my house. Christmas Eve came to a close with Skyping my older brother and his family. Loved seeing my nephews although I think my 3 1/2 year old nephew was a bit jealous when I told him that Santa came to China first. :-) After that, chatting with my best friend from college to bring in Christmas.

Christmas morning was definitely a bit different than usual. Look at all those presents from my family and friends. I am so blessed!

Before opening my gifts, I decided to make an all American breakfast and treat myself to bacon, eggs, and of course Starbucks coffee. Yummy. Then a little Christmas music and the gift opening began!

Thank you everyone who has sent me a gift. I was so blessed from family, friends, and others I have never even met. Thank you for making my Christmas special.

I have received lots of food this Christmas which I have LOVED! Here I am pretty excited about the muffin mix, brownie mix, and coffee. Thank you, thank you!

After my gifts were open, it was time to head over to say Merry Christmas to the children and then spend the rest of the day with the Bush family watching Christmas movies and eating. That's how Christmas should be whether you are in China of the US!

It was very relaxing and allowed me to really focus on the real reason for the season. I have so much to be thankful for. Good friends, amazing family, and 10 precious children to love on each day.

Merry Christmas everyone!