God Breathed

"Tree, I say, and you know what I mean. You see one in your mind, or glance out your window and remember the much needed pruning...
                                            Tree, God says, and there is one...
                                                 But He doesn't say the word tree;
                                                     He says the tree itself.

He needs no shortcut.   He's not merely calling one into existence, though His voice creates.
                                           
                                                       His voice is its existence."  -N.D. Wilson

For our three month anniversary, Mark took me to Rogers Gardens! I hadn't been in a *very* long time! So I was quite excited! What made it even more fun was that it had just finished raining, so all the plants had leftover rain all on them. =)

I enjoy these dates most because I get to see how God made every plant different...how He breathed each of them into existence.

Here is just a little of what we saw at the gardens...keep in mind that all of this, is

                                                                                              God breathed. 

After the gardens we headed over to a beach near Crystal Cove. The clouds were GORGEOUS! Both of us could not stop saying: "Praise God". He was so loving to put those up in the sky for us...to glorify Him. 

God chose those clouds to be there right when they were. He positioned the sun to shine through them just enough to make rays come through those clouds. Every time I see rays through the clouds I say: "Jesus is coming back!" The wind was very strong, which reminded me what a powerful God we have. It was freezing, which made me thankful for my warm sweater, which makes me think of my job, and God's provision...

We serve a kind, gracious, wonderful, loving God...

Look and see Him...

  He is...                                     

                         Everywhere.

"He sends forth springs in the valleys; they flow between the mountains; they give drink to every beast of the field; the wild donkeys quench their thrist. Beside them the birds of the heavens dwell; they lift up their voices among the branches. He waters the mountains and their upper chambers; the earth is satisfied with the fruit of His works." Psalm 104:10-13

Mawwiage

On January 14th I married Mark Zachary Johnson. We had a wonderful courtship, engagment and wedding! We had SO many friends come, and it meant so very much to us! We felt totally blessed by the whole day! God is so amazing to give us such wonderful things even when we don't deserve them. =) Praise Him.

While on our honeymoon, Mark had been feeling a little discomfort in his stomach but nothing really to talk about...(he didn't tell me this till after)

After our honeymoon Mark got a fever and was real sick with rashes and all that...er...good stuff. haha. God was totally teaching me that: "The heart of a man plans his way, but the Lord establishes his steps." I was totally figuring when we got home, everything would be peachy and we'd concur the WORLD! (not really...but you know what I mean ;) Of course, Mark coming down with a sickness totally took me off guard, but God was gracious to this sinner, who often gets upset when plans get changed.

Within six days the fever hadn't really broken, we went to the hospital and Mark was checked for ALL sorts of things and it turned out to only be an infected gallbladder! =P When they told us about his gallbladder and how he was to have surgery the next day, I remember looking at Mark to see what his reaction would be. My mind went all sorts of places, starting to freak out a little but trying not to show it on my face. Mark just laughed a little and said: "Okay." with a smile. In my mind I went: "WHAT?" if I was in that situation I would be totally upset that the things I had planned were not going the way I intended.
Something I've always been told by Mark since we've been in a relationship is: "Do the hard thing, and trust God for the good thing." My husband, by God's awesome grace, was able to apply this so well, and by example really show me what that looked like. He was willing to do the uncomfortable thing for the ultimate good thing. Yes, I know in his case he kinda had to...but he didn't have to do it with a peaceful and trusting heart.

Honestly, if it wasn't for God's grace and my husband's great attitude with this whole situation I would've been a mess. I'm so thankful for the means of grace God gives in a husband. =) 

So two BIG things I've learned since I've been married: 1. Don't put your hope in things...just trust God for every moment in your life. 2. If God changes your plans...the only way we can stand is "on our knees with lifted hands".

So be willing, our God is a loving, kind, good and caring God. His Son died on the cross for our sin so that we might live with Him in eternity forever. This God that we serve, He wants our BEST, period.

"If you are willing and obedient, you shall eat the good of the land." Isaiah 1:19

New Years Resolution

Happy New Year!

So many things have happened this year! God has taught Mark and I SO much! From the beginning of year till the very end God has once again proven Himself faithful and true. =) 

From Edison tests, to getting a job with Mr. Sanders, to working for Uncle Tommy its been a HUGE year for Mark. God has taught me so much this year, how to encourage Mark and most of all trust in Him. 

One of my resolutions or my goals is to really try and love like Jesus loves. I realize I am NOT a giver, I'm selfish and the past few days of 2011 God had graciously opened my eyes to see how much I need Him in this area. Through out last year I knew I had this problem of selfishness in my life, but I figured I could be humble and loving on my own. It was more attractive to me to think I could do it on my own then to lean on Christ. A few days ago God used my closest friend to bring this sin area to my attention. The way that friend worded it was totally God through them. He opened my eyes in the moment and that's when I realized it's not about me being able to do anything, it's about God, He can do anything...He can turn this cold ugly heart of stone to a heart of flesh. Only by Him am I able to get through this sin. Asking His Spirit to fill me with a love like His own. 

This was Christmas at the Johnson's on Christmas eve! I had a wonderful time! Some of you may not know, but Grandpa used to be (and kinda still is) a carpenter. So he has a very special connection with Mark and loves hearing about his work. It was awesome to have Grandpa be able to see Mark's tools and stuff. As I stood there watching Mark talking to Grandpa about his work and his cool gadgets I got teary. This guy right here is one of the most selfless people I know. He has such a BIG heart for others and desires to serve them so much. I look up to this guy (literally) so much. One of the things that came time mind while I continued watching in awe, wanting to be like that so much, I thought: "I want to marry this man, over and over again." This picture, to me, is such a glory to God and His amazing grace in our lives.

"This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you. Greater loves has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends." John 15:12-13

Lemonade

Yes, yes, I gave into the blog thing. =P I decided this is a blog where I would share my thoughts, wedding stuff and soon to be, my life with my future husband, Mark. =) Mark will be blogging on this as well...well, when he has time. ;)


Yesterday, I went to the Rupprecht's house and hung out with Sarah for the whole afternoon! We made lemonade and cookies. =) Out of all my friends I think I've baked and made lemonade with Sarah most! That was just our thing when we were little, whenever I came over we had to be baking *something*.
I'm so very blessed by Sarah! She always has a listening ear for me, and all those around her. Sarah also knows just how to encourage and lift up. =) I enjoyed every minute of being with her. (and Johnny)

  
While we were making lemonade I got to thinking about the famous saying: "When life gives you lemons, make lemonade." That really should be: "When God gives you lemons, He'll make lemonade" and in little parenthesis put: "(He promises)".  

Looking at the lemons in the sink, it made me think of how when God brings hardships in our lives. They look very dirty and gross and seem sour to us, we think: "Why now? How come? When will it go away?" We don't even stop and think that God is faithful, He'll bring us through it. God is always good. 

When we finished making the lemonade it tasted perfect! (to me and Sarah at least =P) Which got me thinking, we just have to wait and rest on the Lord, for everything. Because even when times seem hard to us God is faithful, good, and loving and He's just waiting for the perfect time to make delicious, refreshing lemonade. =) 

 "Oh, how abundant is your goodness, which you have stored up for those who fear you and worked for those who take refuge in you, in the sight of the children of mankind!" Ps. 31:19