Give God a thumbs up!

Good Morning Friends!  Wow!  It’s a “thumbs up” Wednesday!  Last night Cooper graduated from Kindergarten, of course Papa and I would not have missed it for anything, so after grabbing a quick bite to eat we headed to the school in plenty of time for the big affair.   We found a place to sit and then the wait.  Finally the principal came, welcomed us, and asked us to stand for the procession of graduates!  We stood, turned and smiled as we watched those precious little kiddos start down the aisle in their caps and gowns.  Oh my gosh, how cute they looked and were they ever serious!  They must have really gotten a talking to about being serious and walking slow (very slow)…..then we saw Cooper waiting his turn to go…..we both waved to get his attention, smiling as only a Nana and Papa can….only took a second until he spotted us!  His serious little face broke into a great big, ear to ear, smile!!!!  And then……out the blue, he gave us the “thumbs up”  high and proud, smile from ear to ear…..He was so happy we were there for him, to share in his big day…..just being there prompted him to “thumbs up”!  Gosh we were so happy…proud….The rest of the ceremony was fun, singing for us, a cute little movie interviewing them and then the diplomas and recessional!  A happy evening for sure!  As Papa and I drove home we beamed as we thought of him giving us the “thumbs up.”  My mind turned to our Father……turned to all the wonderful things He does for us, day in and day out…..He’s always there, everywhere with us, guiding us, supplying our needs, comforting us, giving us wisdom, blessings of family, friends, and HE’s always there….watching out for us….rejoicing in our happy times….Oh my….I just know that our Father would be so proud if we gave Him the “thumbs up” once in a while….just cause HE’s there…….ALWAYS and FOREVER present with us, for us……so come on all you all……one, two, three…..THUMPS UP!  Father, all honor, glory and praise to You….today and every day!

 

Rejoice in the Lord always.  I will say it again:  Rejoice!  Philippians 4:4. Rejoice in the Lord and be glad, you righteous; sing, all you who are upright in heart!  Psalm 32:11.  Be joyful always.  1 Thessalonians 5:16.  I delight greatly in the Lord; my soul rejoices in my God.  For He has clothed me with garments of salvation and arrayed me in a robe of righteousness, as a bridegroom adorns his head like a priest, and as a bride adorns herself with her jewels.  Isaiah 61:10.  May the God hope fill you with all and peace as you trust I Him, so that you may overflow with  hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.  Romans 15:13.

Love you all!!!!!

His most extraordinary, everyday blessings!

Good Morning Friends!  Totally, thankfully HIS, Tuesday!!!   This morning driving to work, I was thinking….”hope things are just a bit less hectic today….”  I was distracted when I saw cows in a pasture with grass at least a foot tall, poking their heads through the fence trying to get something on the other side….my gosh they had lush, green grass, in August right in front of them.  Couldn’t help but think dumb, greedy cows…they are so ungrateful for what they have!  I just couldn’t believe my eyes, but soon turned my thoughts back to a less hectic day….OH MY GOSH, BAM!!!!  DUMB and GREEDY….UNGRATEFUL!!  Those adjectives could easily apply to me…..for heaven’s sake….I am driving to work….First of all in these troubled times I have a great job!  Next, I am driving to it in my little black car….Yes, I live in the country and gas is high, but….did you hear me???  I live in the country, surrounded by lush, green pastures, tall trees, ponds and lots of critters….I live there….oh dear.  My job, is inside of a beautiful office, full of awesome friends and co-workers…My goodness, the friends I have made while at my job are such a huge blessing in my life…not to mention all the benefits…..After work, I go home to a loving, hard-working husband and our little dog Axle and almost always I hear from at least one of my out of state grandkids or maybe a visit from Cooper and Katy.  Last night I invited Katy for a Nana bath; Cooper was at firemen’s with Papa, so it would just be us girls.  They love their “Nana bath”  and it gives me so much joy….they are so grateful to have a bath at my house (of course I do have some really cool stuff for the tub)….a simple bath….Oh and it ended up firemen’s was short so Cooper got to have a “Nana bath” too and then we all sat on the porch and visited until the mosquitos ran us in.  While Harper was here one day Cooper asked her if she had ever had a Nana bath….how special is that?  He didn’t want her to miss out on the fun….shame on me for being ungrateful for even one second, when I have so much, my heart is so full…overflowing with HIS most extraordinary, everyday blessings!   Harper told Cooper, “Oh yes Cooper, I was having Nana baths long before you were even born!  Oh my, I have been blessed to be a Nana for a long time….Shame on me Father when I seem to be greedy and ungrateful for even a minute….I am so blessed by YOU and to be YOUR child…..Let my heart continually sing Your praises!

 

Everything God created is good, and nothing is to be rejected if it is received with thanksgiving.  1 Timothy 4:4.  Give thanks to the Lord for He is good; His love endures forever.  Psalm 118:1.  Thanks be to God for His indescribable gift! (every one, big or little).  12 Corinthians 9:15.  Sing and make music in your heart to the Lord, always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.  Ephesians 5:19-20.  Amen! 

Love you all!

It's the little things

Good Morning Friends! Thankfully His, Tuesday!  Recently Cooper, soon to be five, learned how to open the chicken coop.  The latch on the coop’s door is a bit tricky so until just recently, Cooper was unable to work it.  Yesterday he had no school, so mom dropped him off to spend the day with Papa while she and dad were at work.  Each morning as I leave for work, I stop and open the door to the chicken coop, fastening it with a bungee cord so they can come and go as they please during the day.  Yesterday, as I was getting ready to go to work I asked Cooper to go out and open the coop door and hook the bungee to keep it open.  No biggie right….but it would really help me and for him what a major accomplishment!  He was proud to go out and take care of the task, no matter how small, because he knew it would make his Nana happy that he was helping.  And indeed it did make me happy for several reasons…..It’s a joy to watch our grandchildren growing stronger improving their skills as they grow, I was proud that he had learned to manipulate the tricky latch.  I was of course happy to have one less little chore to do as I headed to work, but most of all I was smiling inside and out,  pleased that Cooper wanted to do something for me….to help….a small thing, yes, but huge in the scheme of things in this busy, hectic world.  As I headed to work, still beaming thinking about Cooper’s task, I felt the familiar tap on my shoulder.  “Good morning Father, wasn’t Cooper cute this morning?”  “Yes, Kathie, he certainly was.  I was so happy to see him go out by himself and take care of the door in order to help his Nana.  Kathie, I know that you think the little things you can do don’t really make a difference….but, My child, you are so wrong.  There is so much pain and suffering, worry and stress in this world, it is the little things that can make a big difference in someone’s day….maybe more than a day….the little things can truly lead to hope in a sad, worn out heart or mind…refresh, renew dampened spirits….boost confidence….dry tears….the little things, can heal in big ways.  The little things you do make ME smile…..I am pleased to see your faith in action, no matter how small the task may seem to you….do it….I will do the rest……Renew your spiritual energy, strengthen your faith….through the little things…..Smile as you do My work…..it matters.”  Thank you Father, for the little things that lift our lives….enable us to never tire of serving YOU, no matter how little it seems to us!  To YOU be all glory and honor.

 

Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.  Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people….  Galatians 6:9-10.  A cheerful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones.  Proverbs 17:22.  There are different kinds of service, (some big some little) but the same Lord.  1 Corinthians 12:5.  Be sure to fear the Lord and serve Him faithfully with all your heart; consider what great things He has done for you.  1 Samuel 12:24.  Be kind and compassionate to one another.  Ephesians 4:32.  Jesus said, “If anyone gives even a cup of cold water to one of these little ones because he is my disciple, I tell you the truth, he will certainly not lose his reward.”  Matthew 10:42.  I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who has given me strength, that He considered me faithful, appointing me to His service (not matter how small).  1 Timothy 1:12.

Love you all!

 

God's biggest fans

Good Morning Friends!  To know HIM, is to love HIM Tuesday!  Most mornings on my way into work, I call Kathyrn for a morning update and catch up on things…she is on her way to work, but first takes 3 year old Katy to sitters.  Katy is my biggest fan!!!!  And I must admit I like it!!  She has to talk to me every morning, bugging her mom incessantly until she relinquishes the phone….”Hi Nana” she says in the sweetest 3 year old voice, melts my heart.  Well, Mom says the last few mornings Katy starts bugging her to call me almost as soon as they get in the car.  They leave earlier than me, so Mom has to put her off, explaining that Nana is not in her car yet…..hard concept for a 3 year old that loves her Nana (aren’t I blessed) to understand.   Yesterday when I called, Katy actually answered the phone.  “Hi Nana, are you in your car?”  Not realizing what Mom had been through for the last 15 minutes, I just happily chatted away with her; several times I could hear Mom say, “give me the phone” to which Katy responded, “two more times, I talk two more times” and our conversation continued!  When she finally had to give up the phone to Mom, Mom was exasperated, “that girl, she started bugging me at 7:10…’I want to talk to my Nana!!!’  I told her she had to wait until you got in your car.”  My heart went pitter patter….how flattering and heart- warming it is to know that someone is so excited to talk with you….to share time with you….be with you.  Yes, just tickles me…..as I hung up the phone and got into work I could feel myself smiling from the inside out….then it hit me…a kid lesson, been a while since we had one.  The wonder of children…..a 3 year old so in love with her Nana desires to talk to her and be with her all the time…..Oh my…..Yes Father…..I can only imagine how thrilled you would be if we were so excited to talk to you…everyday…..many times a day….to spend time with You….be with You….Father, You are an AWESOME God!!!!  Waiting for us every moment of everyday!  Forgive us Father when we think more of ourselves than we do of YOU…..without YOU….there’s nothing worth our time!  And Father, thank you for loving us so much and finding joy in spending time with us. 

 

For a day in thy courts is better than a thousand.  I had rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God, than to dwell in the tents of wickedness.  Psalm 84:10.  The Lord appeared to us in the past, saying:  “I have loved you with an everlasting love; I have drawn you with loving-kindness.”  Jeremiah 31:13.  Give thanks to the Lord for He is good; His love endures forever.  Psalm 118:1.  Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful.  Colossians 4:2.  “Call to Me and I will answer you and tell you great and unsearchable things you do not know,” says the Lord.  Jeremiah 33:3.  Delight yourself in the Lord and He will give you the desires of your heart.  Psalm 37:4. 

Love you all!

 

 

Bumps in the road, but filled with joy!

Good Morning Friends!  Wise and wonderful is our God, Wednesday!  Been feeling kind of down and out the last few days….you know feeling sorry for myself…..hit some bumps in the road of life….nothing any different than anyone else goes through at times….but it’s me…and I’m tired….down and out…drowning in a sea of worry, stress, bills……Needless to say….my attitude….definitely was not shining with God’s love, quite to the contrary actually.  Snuggling into my recliner this morning I opened God’s word to Psalm 126…..”When the Lord brought back the captives to Zion”,…..OK now that hit me right off…..BACK the CAPTIVES….yep, there had been trouble for someone….held captive, but now they are BACK….OK, so I am captive right now, imprisoned by stress, worry, bills…..but I will be BACK!  “Our mouths were filled with laughter”  don’t feel like laughing right now, but I will be back….”our tongues with songs of joy.”  Well, kind felt like a slap to the face of my attitude…Maybe if I got to singing some joyful songs, praising and thanking God for His tender mercies…..Maybe…..Hold on….. "Then it was said among the nations, ‘The Lord has done great things for them.’  The Lord has done great things for us, and we are filled with joy.”  My goodness, the Lord has done great things in my life, I should be filled with joy….just found out that Hailey is going to have my second great grandchild……now what could be more joyful than that!!!!  And I’ve rediscovered the sheer delight of sour gummy worms, added bonus Katy loves them too!  Cooper is starting T ball, summer fun!  And oh my goodness I will have all my family together in California for Hannah’s high school graduation!  Added bonus Harper graduates from 8^th grade the same day, so we will get two for two!  Double bonus…..looks like Papa and I might very well get to bring Brayden and Dane back with us for a couple of weeks!!!!  Woo Hoo!  I AM filled with joy!  I am so blessed!  So many precious grandchildren, children,  a husband that thinks I am “impeccable”, house, home, food, clothing, great job!  I AM filled with joy!  A Wise and Wonderful Heavenly Father, that loves and forgives me when I feel sorry for myself, blesses me with HIS grace and mercy!  I AM filled with joy!!  The Psalm ends saying, “Restore our fortunes, O Lord….Those who sow in tears will reap with songs of joy.  He who goes out weeping, carrying seed to sow, will return with songs of joy  carrying sheaves with him.”   Restore…..HE will restore me, in HIS way, and HIS time….in the meantime I will be joyful and sing HIS praises…..looking forward to carrying in the sheaves of HIS LOVE!  Thank you Father, for the times that make me look UP to YOU!!!!  Fill me with the pure JOY of Your Perfect Love and forgive my weakness.

 

My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.  Psalm 73:26.

Love you all!

July 19, 2013

Good Morning Friends!  Forever His, Friday!  About 14 years ago my sister sent Kim and I some very special T-shirts; mine says, “Nana’s my name, spoiling my game” and Kim’s says, “Papa’s my name, spoiling my game.”  We loved them, and so began a tradition of wearing them to the airport when we went to pick them up for a visit and when we took them back to send them home!  Year in and year out each summer or winter visits to Alaska (I just put a turtle neck under mine) we wore our Nana/Papa shirts with love and pride!  The girls came to expect seeing us in them…….So last Tuesday as we were watching Hannah and Harper go through security at the airport, heading home after a wonderful visit, Papa and I were both shocked at Harper’s last words to us……”You didn’t wear your T-shirts!”  We looked at each other….horrified…..HOW COULD WE FORGET OUR T-SHIRTS!!!!!   They were both waving and smiling that, “we gotcha” smile as I said over and over again how sorry I was….Papa too!  As we headed back to the car, we both just shook our heads in disbelief….How in the world did we forget our T-shirts!!!  I truly felt like the worst Nana in the whole world, even though they both reassured me it was OK, I just couldn’t stop thinking about how disappointed they must have been….and then I got the most delightful idea!  While they were visiting, they talked their dad into sending me an old ipad that they no longer use because they have I phones…..Hannah got it all set up for me and taught me how to use it so that I could face-time with Tucker and them…..How special is that!!!!  So exciting for me and Papa!!!!  Wednesday was our first time….it was Tucker’s first birthday and to be able to see him crawling around, playing with his new toys and sing to him was a true joy…..a special blessing…..that happened because Hannah and Harper had a love-filled idea and acted on it…..and then we forgot our T-shirts…..oh heck, hang on….I know what Papa and I can do…..We can face-time them…..wearing our special T-SHIRTS!!!!  I was so excited to have a chance to make it up to them……last night was the special night….Papa and I got our shirts on and I called Hannah to see if they could face-time.  She said sure, so I connected on the ipad and WaLa!!!!  Hannah and Harper got a T-shirt fashion show!  I am not sure who was more excited the girls or me….I truly had the special “warm fuzzy” feeling….in my heart. I must admit that modern technology does have its plus side!  Warm fuzzies are a special blessing……Grandchildren truly are an endless source…..let’s learn from them and find someone that needs a “warm fuzzy” today…..I know our Heavenly Father will smile on us…..He is the Master of special blessings and warm fuzzies!   Thank you Father for filling our lives with special little joys that warm our hearts.  Help us to pass it on!

Do not forget to do good and to share with others, for with such sacrifices God is pleased.  Hebrews 13:16.  Do not forget to entertain strangers, for by so doing some people have entertained angels without knowing it.  Hebrews 13:2   Be kind and compassionate to one another.  Ephesians 4:32.  As God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.  Colossians 3:12.  In everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets.  (and everyone loves a warm fuzzy).  Matthew 7:12…….the greatest of these is love….

Love you all!

Kathie A. Johnson

June 6, 2013

Good Morning Friends!  My commute to work this morning was a little easier than the last couple of days, just a light sprinkle compared to the heavy rain the past couple of days….Thank  you Father.  As I got close to town a song popped into my head…..just out of the blue….an old one….I don’t remember all of it, but the main line is, “Getting to know you….getting to know all about you…..”  Remember it?  I have no clue why it came to me, but it has a cheery tune so I started humming it, thinking about the words….”getting to know you.”  My thoughts turned to a conversation I had with one of my granddaughters not long ago.  They had recently moved next-door to a family they had considered friends for a long time….they were excited about the move, just imagining how great it would be to be right next door to them….Well laid plans, right!?  Let’s just say that things have not been exactly as they expected….She was telling me about something that had happened one day and it was really quite crazy….and I said to her, “We never really know someone until we live with them.”  She said, “Well that’s the truth, Nana…that’s for sure!”  Thinking about her disappointment while humming “Getting to know you,”  led me to another thought….well actually…..I felt the tap.  “Good morning Father, like this song do you?”  “Yes, my child, there is a very good message in that song for you.

“Really?”  “Think about what you said to your granddaughter…..”  Wow…..How can we really get to know our Heavenly Father if we don’t “live” with HIM?  Start each day with HIM…..prayer and meditation….we have to get into HIS word to “know all about Him”  His word is a lamp to our feet and a light to our path….He is our strength when we encounter, “snakes,” He rejoices in our victories and cries in our defeats……He blesses us with family and friends and everything we “need” for our daily lives…..Because He loves us…..not because of anything we did…in His mercy He gave us His only Son….forgiveness.  Yep, start the day with HIM, keep Him with you all day long (trust me He won’t get bored) and let Him lull you into peaceful sleep…..Get to know Him…..because…..”To know, know, know HIM is to Love, Love, Love HIM”  and loving Him is the most important thing we can ever do!  Thank you Father for the music of Your LOVE….Help us to really get to know You and LIVE for and WITH You every day!

 

The wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all true; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere.  James 3:17.  If you accept my words and store up my commands within you, turning your ear to wisdom and applying your heart to understanding, and if you call out for insight and cry aloud for understanding, and if you look for it as for silver and search for it as for hidden treasure, then you will understand the fear of the Lord and find the knowledge of God (To know Him is to love Him….Getting to know Him).  For the Lord gives wisdom, and from His mouth come knowledge and understanding.  Proverbs 2:1-6.  The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom; all who follow His precepts have good understanding.  To Him belongs eternal praise.  Psalm 111:10.  No one has ever seen God; but if we love one another, God lives in us and His love is made complete in us.  1 John 4:12.  Getting to  know HIM……to LOVE HIM….

May 8, 2013

Good Morning Friends!  Wonderfully blessed by Him, Wednesday!  Yesterday Kim and I had to make some changes on our cell account and they needed him….couldn’t do it myself (let me tell you taking Kim to the cell store is more of an adventure than needed sometimes), so Kim met me in town a little after 5.  Even though he had worked cows all day and was totally pooped, he was in tip top…let’s have fun at the cell phone store mode!  After an hour and a half we were finally out the door.  To sweeten our time at the cell store we decided to go to Polo’s and have dinner!  We got right in, service was good, food oh so yummy…..while we were there Cooper and Katy’s mommy called…they were at our house…..oops (you know Nana and Papa are supposed to always be home).  Mommy had gotten a facial with all new make-up and wanted us to see.  We were both disappointed, so Papa said call her and tell her to not wash her face and we will come over when we get home.  We finished dinner and headed home….me in my car and Papa in his truck; I always hate it when we have two cars in town.  Well, I got home before him and never even saw him behind me….I unloaded the car and was changing clothes when he finally got home…..Aww….he proudly held two bags of M&M’s…One for Cooper and one for Katy.  What a sweet Papa!  I smiled, shook my head and said, “Oh Katy loves M&M’s!”  It was so nice out we decided to take the four wheeler…..upon arrival we found them in the bathtub having a splashing good time!  Papa couldn’t wait to show off the M&M’s so the bath ended rather quickly.  Cooper grabbed his, said thank you and headed down the hall.  Katy, oh my, that sweet, innocent faced, 2 year old dripping wet….Papa handed her them to her; her eyes lit up like 4^th of July fireworks.  She thanked Papa immediately and then looked at me and full of joy said, “bring M&M’s for me…..to eat?!”  She could hardly contain herself as she waited for me to say, “yes honey, for you to eat (if mommy says of course)”   Love just oozed from her….totally, completely grateful for a little bag of M&M’s…..As we rode home, I got to thinking…..here we go with that “childlike” faith again……thrilled, thankful, grateful for such a little thing……How often in our rush for the biggest and the best and in the midst of our whining, do we miss God’s “little” things…..hummingbirds feeding, birds singing, wildflowers blooming, someone to talk to in the cell store, a friend to share a ride with, an unexpected bag of M&M’s….Maybe we should reach into ourselves….go back…..find that childlike joy……And remember…..when we do, He loves to hear from us…..He doesn’t want us to hold back our praise just for the big stuff….Nope!  Our Heavenly Father wants to know about every “little” thing that brings us joy…..And oh my goodness….there are oh so many!  Thank  you Father for all the little things you send our way to bring us joy….open our eyes, ears, hearts, and minds to see and experience them….to Thank You, to Share, to give You Glory!  Thank you Father, for bubble baths, M&M’s and innocent grandchildren! 

THIS IS THE DAY THE LORD HAS MADE; LET US REJOICE AND BE GLAD IN IT!  PSALM 118:24. O Lord, how manifold are thy works!  In wisdom hast though made them all:  the earth is full of thy riches.  Psalm 104:24.  Taste and see that the Lord is good; blessed is the man who takes refuge in Him.  Psalm 34:8.  A cheerful look brings joy to the heart, and good news give health to the bones.  Proverbs 15:30.  Light is sweet, and it please the eyes to see the sun.  Ecclesiastes 11:7.  That everyone may eat and drink, and find satisfaction in all his toil-this is the gift of God.  Ecclesiastes 3:13.  Sing to the Lord with thanksgiving; make music to our God on the harp.  Psalm 147:7.  Give thanks to the Lord for His unfailing love and His wonderful deeds.  Psalm 107:21. Amen!  Praise and glory and wisdom and thanks and honor and power and strength be to our God for ever and ever. Amen!  Revelation 7;12.

Love you all!

February 28, 2013

Good Morning Friends!  Thankfully loved by Him, Thursday!  While I was talking with Hailey on the phone yesterday, Tucker woke up from a nap.  She got him up and was sweet talking him (makes me smile) when she laughed and said, “Tucker, look at your hair…..you got your ‘bed head’ from your Nana!”  She was laughing as she described his hair on the back of his head.  You see, in my family I am known for my “bed head” my hair just gets in a big ol’ mess on the back of my head when I sleep or nap…..it used to bother me but not anymore and especially not now that Hailey sees me in Tucker’s “bed head.”  Now that is a Nana’s ultimate delight…..of course as Tucker grows up I hope that there are some slightly more significant traits he gets from me, but for now……the “bed head” makes me happy!  Hailey sees me in Tucker…….We love for our children and grandchildren to inherit the good parts of us, we love to see ourselves in them….As I thought about this last night I couldn’t help but think about our Heavenly Father…..as His children….What does He see in us?.....Does He see His love in us, in our thoughts and actions…..how we treat others is a definite reflection on how we are loving HIM……Father, help us to shine with Your love so that we reflect You in all that we do.

The Lord has declared this day that you are His people, His treasured possession as He promised, and that you are to keep all His commands.  Deuteronomy 26:18.  We are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do. Ephesians 2:10.  A happy heart makes the face cheerful.  Proverbs 15:13.  We love because God first loved us.  1 John 4:19.  He has given us this command:  whoever loves God must also love his brother.  1 John 4:21.  Jesus said, “A new command I give you:  Love one another.  As I have loved you, so you must love one another.  By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.”  John 13:34-35.You yourselves have been taught by God to love each other.  1 Thessalonians 4:9.  In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father I heaven.  Matthew 5:16.

Love you all!