June 8, 2013

Good Morning Friends!  Forever His, Friday!  I’m excited about tonight….Kim and I are taking Cooper and Katy to the rodeo (well mommy’s going too, daddy has to work).  It will be so much fun watching their excitement as they take in everything going on!  Papa says we are even eating there….oh boy!  We will all have on our boots and jeans and Papa and the kids will no doubt be sporting their cowboy hats!  Good times!  I talked to Cooper early this morning and he is sooo excited; driving into work, thinking about our fun evening ahead, my mind filled with memories of earlier rodeo outings with Hailey!  When Hailey was a toddler we all lived in California rodeo -country, so we had lots of opportunities for good times at the rodeo!  We always got her duded up in her best cowgirl clothes and headed out for a day of fun!  Hailey was such a good girl , you could take her anywhere and always have a great time…..a trip to the rodeo always included cotton candy, popcorn and soda!  The funniest thing with her…..Hailey always rooted for the animals, hated it when the cowboy roped the calf, but loved the clowns….bull riding was always our favorite, but again….she was always yelling for the bull!  Memories….precious memories…..such a wonderful blessing to be able to pull out memories from years ago….especially the happy ones….All the times our kids were growing up and with the grandkids too, I am known to say…”Makin memories…..kids….we are making memories now!”  Often times I would say this as a form of encouragement for times that at the moment did not seem so fun!  Making memories…..oh how often do we do things that we hope no one remembers!!!  You know the times I am talking about….And then one day out the clear someone says….”remember when you…..”  and your heart drops.  Thinking about memories this morning,  a bible verse came to mind…..one that really made me smile and picked up my heart…..words from our Lord, “For I will forgive their wickedness and will remember their sins no more.”  Jeremiah 31:34.  Thank you Father…..for forgiving our mess ups and for forgetting them!  Help us to do the same to others~  Thank you for precious memories…..

 

For as high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is His love for those who fear Him; as far as the east is from the west, so far as the east is from the west, so far has He removed our transgressions from us.  As a father has compassion on his children, so the Lord has compassion on those who fear Him; for He knows how we are formed, He remembers that we are dust.  Psalm 103:11-14.  Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you. Ephesians 4:32. 

Love you all!

April 10, 2013

Good Morning Friends!  Wonderfully wrapped in His loving arms, Wednesday!  My oldest California grandson, Brayden has a birthday coming up….the big 8!  So, the other day I called mom to get some good ideas for his gift.  She said, “Oh you know him, anything to do with cowboys, horses, bulls….”  The boy, even though he lives in LA loves anything cowboy/country!  After a little more yik yak, Mom said…”Oh I know what he would love, a real cowboy belt buckle!”  …… guess you know what I am on the hunt for.  After talking with Annie about Brayden, I got to thinking about a story she had told me a while back when they were in the doctor’s office.  Mind you, this is in the big city, in a Kaiser facility…..big!  Brayden had seen the doctor for something and was heading down the halls when the doctor asked him what he was going to be when he grew up….he suggested a basketball player.  Annie said that Brayden bucked right up and said, “No, I am going to be a bull rider!”  The doctor chuckled and said, “Not many bulls around here, young man.”  To which Brayden responded, “My Papa Kim in Oklahoma has lots of bulls for me to ride!”  That was a couple of years ago and he hasn’t changed his mind yet, he is determined to be a bull riding cowboy!  He just loves it when the PBR comes to Anaheim (and a special blessing was getting to take him in OKC a few years ago).  Well, of course Brayden is young and who knows if he will be a bull rider or butcher, or an electrician, school teacher, contractor, fireman, maybe even a basketball player…..only our Heavenly Father knows…. most importantly, for Brayden, for each of us is that whatever we do we are doing according to God’s plan.  I was reading an article the other day and found a quote that had such a good perspective for us, “Not God’s plan for my life, but my life for God’s plan.”  Oh my…..what a wonderful thought….my life….little old me….little old nana from Lula….my silly, crazy, life for God’s plan…..If my life is following His plan….it’s got to be good!  To Him be the glory!  Father, it seems impossible that you could want us in Your plan, but we are so thankful that you do.  Thankful that you love us so much that we are forgiven through your Son’s death….washed from our sins so that we can follow your plan.  Father, open our hearts and minds to really hear, know, and follow…..and do the best we can….To Your glory!

And we know that all things work together for the good of those who love Him, who are called according to His purpose.  Romans 8:28.  For 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.  There are different kinds of service, 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.  I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who has given me strength, that He considered me faithful, appointing me to His service.  1 Timothy 1:12. 

Love you all!

Kathie A. Johnson