Grandma and Grandpa Johnson

On December 6 the whole Johnson Clan headed down to Provo to help Grandma and Grandpa Johnson get a few things taken care of before winter and to help get the Christmas decorations up. It was so fun to see them and, even though I think all the people wore them out, they were happy for the company. Grandma had even arranged for lunch that was like a Thanksgiving feast! Even though we told her we would take care of it there was ham, rolls, potatoes, corn, and jello waiting at the lunch table for all of us.
Grandpa is 96 and grandma is 87 and they still live in their home and take care of each other! What wonderful people they are! It's amazing to hear their stories and just be around them. It's hard to catch a picture of grandpa since he hates having them taken, so this is the best we could do. :)Grandpa has been working on his fence for 8 years because it has been falling over. The men took it into their own hands and completely tore it down and rebuilt it. Doesn't it look great?Boys will be boys :) Who knew a wheelchair could be so much fun?Kim and Kaelyne put the lights on the tree and then Lexi and Callie decorated it. Grandma was so excited to tell her visiting teachers that her two 8 year old grandaughters decorated it for her. All the babies that "helped" so much! (Ellie, Avrie, Harley, Grace) But grandma loved seeing them and holding them.
Everyone for one last picture at the end of a hard working day. What a fun day it was!

New Baby

Jodi and JD's beautiful baby boy. The girls and I went and took some pictures to post so Grandma and Grandpa Johnson and those not in IF could see the new baby.

Beautiful Port Lavaca Beach

Our district right after playing a little Beach Volleyball!!!

Miracle Baptism

This is Eva, She was baptized on saturday! She has quit smoking after being addicted since she was 14!!! She and her husband both said it would be a miracle if she ever stopped!! Well the scripures say that God never ceases to perform miracles and here is living evidence!! This is the Lords Work!!

DANG TEXANS

LIVIN THE TEXAN LIFE!!!

Elder Curty and Estrada

Johnson Family FHE

This Monday we had a big Johnson family home evening and had an intense night of kick ball.

Avrie was a good little cheerleader for the girls team.

Daidree and Callie posing in the middle of the game.

The kick ball game for the little kids. (This is the game Mark chose to participate in...)

Kalen going in to home base while Geoff tries to help out the girls.

Two little monkeys climbing in the tree.

Popsicles to be had by all at the end of the night (notice Mark is joining the little kids again!)

We all had a blast so thanks to Kaelyne for putting it all together! But we did miss our 3 little missionaries! :)

Un Buen Equipo!

Victoria District! Anything for a picture right? 3 of us are from Idaho, 1 from utah, 1 from california and 1 from Mexico! Workin Hard and Havin FUN!!!

Los Papi Chulos!

Man, I think Texas has really gotten to me! A member had a few extra suits so we decided to try them on! ~Los Papi Chulos!~

Those tender mercies of the Lord

Kyle seems to keep busy most of the time but sometimes wonders if they will be as busy as he would like next month. He does make sure that he makes time to play though. About a week and a half ago, he and some friends went 4-wheeling. I think there were about 10 of them alltogether. Kyle made it through the day okay, but the 4-wheeler did not. He said that about an hour and a half into the ride, he rolled the 4-wheeler. Fortunately he was able to jump off before it rolled and was not hurt. Ironically, I had just talked to my sister about insuring the 4-wheeler and was going to do it the following Monday. Such is life. :) We are slowly fixing the 4-wheeler and are extremely grateful that he wasn't hurt.

Portions of a letter from Kim

Dear Mom and DAd,
We made it back from Idaho safely. That is the first time I have traveled by myself with all of the kids. I can't say that I enjoyed the traveling, although the kids were great. I just kept thinking, what if I get a flat tire, what if the trailer gets a flat tire (I hauled a small trailer behind me to carry bikes, stollers, etc. and I wanted to bring some wheat back with me in case there ever is a time that we can't get to Idaho). The what if's helped me keep a prayer in my heart at all times. Coming home I had the reassuring feeling that the Lord was watching over me. I knew everything would be fine. And it was.
I stopped at Grandma and Grandpa's house coming home. I was there about 1 1/2 hours visiting. It was so nice to visit. While I was there Grandpa told Grandma that he refilled the ink cartridge in her pen and it would last her the rest of her life. Grandma said, "Thank you. That is my favorite pen." Then looking at me she said, " I don't know what I would do with out him." It was so sweet for me to see how powerful simple acts of kindness are. They both seemed in good spirits, but weak bodies. I'm really glad we stopped. Grandma took all the kids and held their little faces real close so she could get a good look. Then she gave them all a big hug. She even held Grace for quite a while, until she got fussy. Grandpa just enjoyed the company. We are heading that was again in August so we will be sure to stop in and visit.
Idaho was great!!! The weather was perfect-nice and cool in the evenings and warm during the day. It wasn't even too windy. It was good having Jill there also. We all just hung out together and did alot of nothing!
Thursday night at the BBQ Mark noticed I had brought a trailer. He asked what it was for and I told him I brought it up to take some wheat back. He went right over, hooked it up and sent Kalin and Colin over to Kaelyne's to load the wheat. He noticed my spare tire for the trailer had a hole in it (which I was going to get fixed the next day) and he took it and got it repaired for me. I jokingly told him if I got a flat tire on the trip home I was going to call him, and he said Absolutley! I know he would have traveled hours down the road to help me it it was needed. He's a great brother. All my brothers and sisters are remarkable people. I feel fortunate to be in this family. We all have a wonderful support system.

Dad and I were so excited to hear Ethan sing. His words are so clear. We enjoyed it so much I wanted all of you to have an opportunity to hear him sing. He has grown so much since we last saw him. Oh, if we could make time stand still for everyone but us.

Dear Family,
I hope that you are checking in on this blog from time to time. Please let us know if we should keep adding things for your viewing pleasure.
Come blog with us!!

Jodi sent the cutest little video of Ethan on his birthday. I hope it comes through. Love to you all.

Mom

Walking tall in the Philippines!

Walking tall in the Philippines. This young man has deformed legs from the knee down. He walks on his knees. He is preparing for a mission. If he can do it, certainly it should not be a problem for healthy young men and women.

Here is a picture of Marilyn, the woman who had her house robbed of her electrical wiring while she was job hunting. She is so happy and cheerful, but her life is crumbling about her. Faith carries here through each day. We love to see Marilyn come in the center.

Oh, these Filipinos. They are so clever. Here is a traveling used clothing store. They keep everything so neat and clean and ready for your viewing pleasure. They smiled as they saw us taking their picture. The Filipinos love to have their pictures taken!!!

Who said they have no power---

creative plumbing-a two liter pop bottle adapted to pipe.

Like son - - -

Pasay's fireside and job fair

Like father - - -

The traveling Walmart of the Philippines

At Value's training with Mary Anne.

Look at us Blog!!

Dear family,
I have asked what a Blog is and now I am doing it! What a world of high technology. One thing I know for sure, if I can do so can all of you. Thanks to Jodi for setting this up. Dad and I hope to add some pictures so that we can all stay connected. Kerri sent a link to her Lake Powell pictures. We loved them. We almost hear the water splashing against the boats. It was a wonderful feeling.

We have not been blown away by the typhoon that made national news. We only experienced heavy rains, but not much for wind. It was bad enough that church was canceled. There are only about 5 cars in the parking lot on a normal Sunday, so you know that 95% of the congregation arrived by jeepney, trike, or on foot.

We love you all and hope that you will take the time to "blog with us." Have a great day! Love,
Dad and Mom