Small Group

Pam and I will be facilitating a new "Small Group" from our church, Community Church of Chesapeake. We met last night for the very first time. We are a set of 4 families that all live within a mile or so of each other, so we share geographical closeness as a commonality. We all have children. Some are home-schooled, and some public.

We also hosted two missionary couples last night, because this weekend is missionary weekend at church. One couple participates in "church planting" in the inner city of Norfolk. The other couple is preparing to move to La Paz, Mexico to work at a youth outreach camp. Both couples were able to tell us about what they are doing and what their visions are for what they are doing.

The theme for this weekend at church is "How will they know...?" Our church is VERY mission focused; 30%+ of our church budget goes to mission work, both locally and abroad. Pam and I are very mission minded so, we feel this church is where we belong.

We'll try to keep updating about what's going on there.

Jesus Vs Religion -

Happy New Year!

Yesterday was Pam's Birthday! Yup, on Friday the 13th. She handled it well.

So what will 2012 bring?

• Leah is graduating from High School, she plans to attend a local community college.
  
• Joey has braces coming (to expand his upper palette), (his 3rd set of braces).
• July, will be our 3rd year in this house (the longest Pam and I have lived - anywhere).
• June will be my 3rd year at my job with the IRS. (Longest I've held a single job since retiring from the USAF) I still love my job, which is fantastic. And, Yes, one can be a Bible believing Christian and be a tax collector at the same time. Trust me, I prayed about this.
  
• We're praying on whether we want to home-school the younger ones in the next school year or not. We know plenty of the pros/cons. It's a matter of whether it's something we really WANT to do.
• We've been keeping our eyes open for a rental home that would be better suitable - our "Wants" are to stay in the same high school district, larger kitchen, larger dining room, and a bathtub in the master bath. Of course, we're hoping the keep the cost of it down. That last part is what's keeping us in this house.

I'm watching these kid-lets grow and mature (mostly). It is absolutely amazing to watch God at work in their lives. I love to watch or hear them play and/or work together while Pam and I are in another part of the house. I still love to hear their stories from school. I'm sad when one of their friends move away or when they lose a friend who has become less of a friend. I laugh at the silliness that kids get to be. I try to ease their tension on upcoming events - like the ACT for Leah or weekly tests for Zoe. Spring soccer season is coming soon. Busy, busy, busy.

I want this year to be a memorable one. I want it to be one the kids can hang memories on and say I remember 2012 because... Not all years can be like that, sometimes that's good, sometimes not. When I try to think back, there are plenty of years that just blended in with the rest. That's why life seems so short as we get older, because the years just blend in with the day-to-day grind. The sun comes up, the sun goes down, and the man works to feed his family.

I guess it really boils down to me trying to do things that will help them have memories to hang on to, huh? Well, I better get started then.

Blessings

Juan

Another Year coming to an end

The end of 2011 is coming down the stretch! The kids are looking forward to Christmas, of course. What happened? I laid down to take a nap this summer and the next thing I know, I'm thinking about what we're doing for Christmas and New Year.

The Lord has kept us safe and secure. I don't know how any of you think about things, but prior to now, Pam and I have lived such a tension filled life together, that we actually looked at the possibility of a normal life with apprehension. Over the past12 years we've had a multitude of job gains and losses, and we've lived in 7 different cities in 9 different houses/apartments.

We gained 7 children and 2 grandchildren, and we lost one child. Our children span in ages from 10 to 36. So many different personalities, needs and wants. There are adults, high school, middle school, and elementary school students. We have one graduating this spring and that is weighing on our minds. Mine especially.

The kids at home are all strong and healthy. They are all Christians. It doesn't get any better than that. Now life is school, soccer, laundry and trips to the dentist.

I'm loving it.

Let's try this again

It has been a year since I've done this, so I'm a little rusty at it.  I actually miss the writing. Admittedly, I actually was burned out by the time we closed this down the last time. 

In the year since we last "talked", not a whole lot has transpired, with me in particular, that is note worthy. I still have the same job (2 1/2 years now). I haven't picked up any hobbies.  I tried to build the boys a loft bed - total disaster! I'm not good with my hands and no amount of wishing and trying has improved that...so far.

I've lost 15lbs!  Whoohoo!  That's something.

Anyway...I'm looking forward to spending some quality time here and hope to even develop a few cyber "friends" along the way.

"Talk" to you later.

Blessings
Juan

Adoption Month

A short Story.......

When every baby is born they are given a blanket. This blanket is supposed to be warm and soft and protective. It usually has beautiful colors and satin edging. It is wrapped around the baby and the baby is at peace.

Sometimes, the blanket is old. It hasn't been washed and it is made of burlap, but it is wrapped around the baby, and even though it is a little smelly and scratchy, the baby is at peace.

The blanket for this baby has big problems. There are holes in it. It looks like it had satin edging once, but that has been torn away. It may have had soft pastel colors, but it is now a dull and dirty brownish grey. It is wrapped as best it can be around the baby, and the baby clings to it for peace. But the baby is cold and can't get comfortable. Now, both the baby and the blanket are dirty and smelly, but it is the baby's blanket, and baby holds on to what little comfort it knows, and tries to have peace.

Suddenly, the blanket is ripped away. Baby cries and reaches for the blanket, but it is gone. Baby knows it wasn't a good blanket, a warm and soft blanket, but it was baby's, and with it baby knew the only peace that baby has ever known.
Someone has wrapped a new blanket around baby. It has pretty satin edging and soft fleece. It smells fresh and inviting, but baby throws it off. That is NOT Baby's blanket. Where is baby's blanket? Baby cries and cries as the new blanket is wrapped back around baby's body. Baby notices warmth that baby has never felt before. This is a trick. Yes it is warm, but IT IS NOT MINE!!!!! Baby had better not get used to this. Baby doesn't have a warm, soft blanket. Baby only knows the scratchy, dirty and cold blanket. Baby kicks it away.

Baby is cold and lonely and misses the old blanket.

Baby toys with the edge of the new blanket. Baby feels that it is soft and inviting. Baby can tell it is warm. Maybe baby will just hold the edge of this blanket for a while. It is not baby's blanket, but it is here, and baby is sad and needs comfort.
Someone keeps trying to wrap the whole blanket around baby, but baby still throws it off. Baby will only hold the edge. Why won't baby take the blanket? Can't baby see how much better this blanket is? It is warm, it is soft. Come on, it is polar fleece!! What is baby's problem? It is such a great blanket!!
Baby continues to reject the entire blanket, but is still holding on to the edge. Eventually, baby can cover one arm and rub baby's face with more of the blanket, but baby stops short of wrapping up in it. The new blanket providers have stopped trying to force baby to wrap up in the blanket, and have accepted that baby can't or won't use the whole thing, and have settled on waiting on baby. Sometimes baby brings the blanket to them and asks them to drape it over baby's arm in just the right way so that the satin edge touches baby's face the way baby likes it. This continues for a time and baby realizes that even though baby misses the old blanket, baby has a peace that baby has not known before. Baby thinks it might be this new blanket. Baby is torn. Baby misses old blanket, but old blanket didn't protect baby like new blanket does. New blanket is warm. New blanket smells good and is so very soft.

Old blanket is gone.

One day, baby needs help with the new blanket. Baby takes it to the ones who gave it to baby and they wrap it gently around baby's shoulders. Baby holds on tight to the blanket and baby is at peace.
*****
I know I talk about a baby in this story. I do it so you think about just how long your "baby" has had that old blanket.

Here we go again!

I have missed the blog so here we go again! The Johnson's have stayed busy. Justin is now playing soccer on a travel team. He LOVES it! I guess we as his parents love it- I love that he is doing well and he loves it! We do a lot of car travel these days.... The youngest kids ( Jaden, Zoe and Davis ) are playing soccer also- This fall their birthdays fall so that all 3 are on the same team (9 and 10 year old's ). In the Spring we will go back to 2 teams for them and Ana plays for school in the Spring- Boy soccer is fun! Joey is back to his skate board and doing lots of jumps. We have a wonderful dog now. Her name is Daisy. I will attach her picture. I hope that you all come along for the ride! Blessings, Pamela

We are SAD to have to do this but.....

Due to various reasons and issues, I have decided to no longer keep this blog up. I want to thank each one of you that has prayed for us and has helped my family in many many ways.
I wish you all a very Blessed Christmas season, celebrating Christ's Birthday and a very Happy new 2011.

If you want to get in contact with me, please just email- thanks

Blessings, Pamela

HAPPY BIRTHDAY ANALYSE AND DAVIS

HAPPY BIRTHDAY ANALYSE AND DAVIS
16 and 9 wow-
And both of their names mean Grace in their native country.
We love you both so much!
We have a wonderful dinner and 2 kinds of cake!
Both of you make your dad and I very proud. And best of all, you both know Jesus.

Blessings, Pam

I Quess With a Big Family there is Always CAKE!

Our son turned into a teenager yesterday!-- JJ is 13! - He is so cute too. He is on his way to a soccer game. His love.

November brings birthdays- JJ yesterday, Ana and Davis share a birthday on the 29th (and they share that with my sister too) Heather's birthday was in November too- the 18th, that day will be hard for me. November is a busy month.