Elder Whipple and I

SNOW IN TEXAS. It doesn't happen often, but It does happen. This was the first time in a LONG time that texas has gotten SNOW! Don't worry it covered the ground and melted in the same night!! Gotta love TEXAS

Kim and Joe's Yard Sale Christmas!!

(I hope Kim doesn't mind if I share this from an e-mail. I loved it. Mom)

I just read the "haircut" episode. I laughed soooo hard!!! I am reminded of Elder Worthlins talk this past conference. He mentioned the importance of laughing in situations like that instead of getting so uptight and reacting in anger. Klay is a perfect example! What a fun couple.

We had a great Christmas. In October I got this idea to have a yard sale Christmas. Since it is warm basically year round here there are always great yard sales on Saturday to go to. I have enjoyed going out with the kids and finding great deals so I decided that this year I would buy Christmas presents at yard sales. Might sound a little quirkey but it was fun! And I spent less than $100 on Christmas--except for the family Santa gift which I bought on ebay :-) Joe was a good sport about it. He always seems to guess or find or know somehow what I am going to give him for Christmas. This year I got him! Christmas morning after everything was opened he said, "You know, I never in a million years would have guessed that I was going to get a set of elephant book ends from Vietnam that were 70 years old." I finally did it! A surprise Christmas present!

Those Stripling Warriors!

Armed with the Word of God and great confidence!

"Maraming Bulo"

Dear family,

We are so proud of all of you for going to Utah and helping Grandma and Grandpa Johnson with repairing, fixing, cleaning and visiting. You are wonderful!! We are "maraming bulo"--puffed like a ball--with pride of each one of you. I can almost hear Grandma telling everyone that comes to the house about her worker children.

Dad thinks I hang with the natives a little too much. What do you think!!

I have a whole new appreciation for "building codes." We came upon this structure on our way to Banaue. Believe it or now, it is a little gift shop/residence. It takes courage to stand in the overhang, but we have courage.

Also, a recent picture of Dad, standing in the wind. Isn't he handsome?

We love you all and pray for you by name--daily! Now, be good and do good.

Mom

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.