{Wordless Wednesday} Christmas Eve

All is Calm, All is Bright

"All is calm, all is bright."

What a week this has been. I arrived home late Sunday evening and we have been going non-stop since then. Baking, shopping, wrapping, get together with family, and of course lots and lots of coffee drinking. 

It is so easy to get caught up in the hustle and the bustle of the season and forget the real meaning, that Jesus Christ came to earth as a baby boy, for us.

One of my favorite Christmas tradition is our Christmas Eve service at Church, especially at the end when we light individual candles, turn down the lights, and sing "Silent Night." I look forward to it each year!

This Christmas season was a little different for me (I feel like I've said that for the last few years!). Since just a few weeks ago I moved to a new city and state, this Christmas was more simplified and I didn't have time to go all out on the decorations or the shopping or the normal Christmas festivities. After not being home on Christmas the last few years, it made this Christmas even more special. I have learned to not take for granted being home with my family for the holidays. 

And now here we are, it's Saturday already and I fly back to Tulsa tomorrow afternoon. I knew this week would go fast but it just flew by.  

Won't you please continue to keep me in your prayers as I return to Tulsa? It has been a very emotional month and it has been so nice being home where everything is familiar and comfortable. 

"Immanuel, God with us." 

That is what I keep reminding myself. 

Merry Christmas

Merry Christmas from the Johnsons!

Home for Christmas

Home sweet home. 

After an emotional month with more changes than I ever care to go through all at once again, it's so nice to be home. 

And right now, NY is home.

The tree is decorated.

Presents are beginning to appear under the tree (mine still need to be wrapped... I'm a little behind on that).

What have I been up to since I arrived home late Sunday night.

I have been baking...

... and baking...

.... and baking...

... and baking a little more.

Baking Christmas cookies has been "my thing" in this house.

Since I arrived home with only a few days before Christmas to spare, I have been doing a lot of baking the last two days (as you can see!).

 I am taking a minute to just sit and gaze at our beautiful Christmas tree.

Christmas is about so much more then the gifts and cookies, but He is the real reason for the season.

And may we never, ever forget that.

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

Shoebox Time!

It's that time of year again.... time to think about packing your shoebox for Operation Christmas Child! Right now is collection time!

Not sure what Operation Christmas Child is? Samaritan's Purse collects shoebox's from all over the country. These boxes are filled with goodies for a child in need in a third world country. They are then given to these children for Christmas! Not only are they given a Christmas gift (it may be their first one ever!) but they are also given something so much greater than gifts, they hear the gospel in their own language!

Want to be a part? First you choose whether you want to buy gifts for a boy or a girl and which age category (2-4, 5-9, or 10-14).

You then fill the box with little goodies! There are hygiene items like toothbrushes, toothpaste, soap, and wash clothes, as well as fun things such as coloring books, hair accessories, play jewelry, and stickers!

You then pack it all into a shoebox either provided by Samaritan's Purse or your own, and drop it off at the nearest location. It is suggested to give a $7 donation to help with postage to mail these packages overseas. And believe me, packages are expensive to mail overseas! If you give online, you can track your package and find out what country it ends up in!

Ready to be a part? Head on over to Operation Christmas Child to find out more!

Aren't able to go shopping? That's okay, you can build a shoebox online here!