Update on the Last Month

     I know that Christmas was more than a month ago now, but I want to show a few of our Christmas pictures.  We had a wonderful Christmas.  It was especially fun since it was Nehemiah's first Christmas.  He, of course, had no clue what was going on, but it was still fun.  He was much more interested in eating the wrapping paper than anything else.  We spent the 22nd with Tyler's family doing our Christmas together.  The 23rd was our church's Christmas Cantata in the evening, and on the 24th we flew out for Indiana!  We had such a great time there!  It just seemed like we did not have enough time there!!!  I was not quite ready to get back to "real life", but time keeps moving on!

This picture makes me laugh...Nehemiah was not sure what to do with all the presents!

 



As I said before, he was only interested in playing with the paper and eating it.

 



Tyler's mom made Nehemiah a quilt...it was beautiful!

 



Opening a present from Great-grandpa and Great-grandma Johnson.

 



I tried to take a nice picture of Nehemiah in front of the Christmas tree, but as you can see I did not have much success!  He was too intrigued by the lights to look at the camera.  I also was worried that he might try to eat the lights!

 

Tyler got the blessing of carrying this chubby baby through the airports!  He was very good on the airplanes, which we were so thankful about! 

 

Reading the gun magazine with Uncle David

 

With Grandpa on Christmas morning 

 

Aunt Lorena had a grand time with him!!

 

When we got home from Indian, Nehemiah seemed to have a little cold.  After a few days it got a little scary because he was barely breathing, no matter what I tried to do to help him.  I had to take him to the doctor.  They gave him steroid shots to try to open up his airways, and also put him on a nebulizer.  Thankfully after about 3 days he started to get better!

 

A new development in Nehemiah's little world was the addition of "real food"!!  He LOVES to eat, and would eat all day long if I let him.  He gets so excited every time he sees me carrying him over to his high chair.  He gets very impatient when Tyler or I pray with him before its time to eat!  So far he has gotten to taste: bananas, carrots (his favorite), avocado (another favorite), peas, green beans (least favorite), apples, applesauce, cereal bars, rice cereal, cheerios, beef & barley soup, frosting, and ice cream.  Cheerios are his "comfort food".  No matter what is wrong, cheerios make him happy again:)!

 



First time eating carrots

 



"Bad Guy" Nehemiah

 



 Happy Nehemiah! 

This is how we like to see him!

 

 

Only To Me!!

     As I go through life, my days are often peppered with what I would call my "Mary moments".  They are crazy things that seem to happen only to me.  I like to think it is just a coincidence, but I have a feeling that it is because I am a little ditzy.
     Today I had one of those moments in the Wal-Mart parking lot, and I think my friends who know me well will appreciate it.  I went to make some purchases for the church, and paid for them myself and was then going to be reimbursed by the church finance office.With that in mind I kept telling myself to make sure I returned with the receipt.  I put the receipt into the front of the cart, with something heavy over it so that nothing would happen to it.  Half-way through the parking lot, I picked up the very thing that was holding down my receipt without thinking.  Of course, my receipt quickly "took wings" and began to fly away.  Leaving cart and all, I began to frantically chase it through the parking lot.  Hey, someone may run off with everything I had just bought, but at least my receipt would be safe...maybe!!  As I chased it, I saw it take a dive under a van.  I got down on my knees to try to get it, but it was too far for my reach. I quickly ran back to my car and pulled out the ice scraper.  When I got back to the van (hoping that the owner of the van would not show up at that moment), I was able to  successfully retrieve my receipt!!  Victory at last!!!
     Thankfully no one ran off with my cart of groceries, no one hit it with their car, or any other such disastrous thing that may have happened!!  I am still wondering if anyone saw me (which is very probable in a busy Wal-Mart parking lot), and what they thought of the crazy girl in a skirt chasing a receipt.

Little Friends

     We are enjoying our time in Indiana with friends and family.  We have been very busy fellowshiping and eating (of course)...I'm afraid I added a couple pounds:).  Ashley was over here yesterday for a few hours with Emily and we enjoyed talking and catching up!  When Nehemiah and Emily saw each other they screamed with excitement...it was pretty funny! They became fast friends, and  sat together contentedly for quite a while "talking" to each other and playing. A couple of times a problem arose when they wanted the same toy, but we tried to quickly resolve the problem. I snapped several pictures, and wanted to post of one of my favorites.  Later I will do a post with more pictures.

O Christmas Tree!!

     We finally got the time on Saturday to go up into the beautiful Black Hills and pick out our very own Christmas Tree!  It is quite wonderful to pay just 10 dollars and have miles and miles of hills to choose a tree from.  There are thousands of trees, and you have your choice of any one of them, as long as it is not taller than 20 feet!  We decided to leave Nehemiah with our friend Rachel, since we did not think he would really appreciate being carted around the forest in the very cold weather.  It was kind of funny because the very first tree I saw when I stepped out of the truck was "the perfect tree" in my mind!  It was tall, and full.  Since the trees in the hills are obviously not cultivated in special tree farms, etc. it is sometimes hard to find a tree that is nice and full.  Just for good measure, we walked around the forest for about 20 minutes, to make sure that there was not another good tree out there.  No matter how many trees I saw, though, I kept going back to that first tree, so finally we cut it down and took it home with us!!  It is all decorated now, and I think Nehemiah is still not quite sure what to do with it!

 

A self-portrait...I look like an Eskimo!!

 

 

Tyler carrying our beautiful tree!

 

 

Tyler's Dad was kind enough to take our picture...by this point we were VERY COLD!!

 



 

The finished product...not the best picture, but it will have to do!!

 

     Since Nehemiah is REALLY what everyone that reads this blog cares about:), I will put a couple pictures of him...

 

 

His favorite toys right now are plastic kitchen utensils

 

 

 

They often end up in his mouth...he likes to try out his two little, VERY SHARP teeth!



Daddy's Favorite Picture

Sleeping Like a Baby

This picture helps you understand what people mean when they say..."He is sleeping like a baby!"

Loss, But NOT DEFEAT!

      Of course, it is old news that Barack Obama was re-elected for another 4 years. As many of you, I am very, very, very disappointed in the results of the election, but I am not the least bit surprised!
      First & foremost, do you believe that God still reigns & is in control? If your answer is yes, then do you believe that everything that happens God allows? If your answer is yes, then God knew that Obama was going to be re-elected before the foundations of the world! Throughout the Bible, there are numerous passage that talk about the fact that God is in control of judges, rulers, etc. It is an indisputable fact that God is still in control & that it was His Will to allow Obama to be re-elected. To believe otherwise, would be to believe that God is weak & not in control of everything!
      Second, I believe the reason that Obama was re-elected is due to the many people that have rejected God & anything to do with God. Christian, the Great Commission has not changed, prayer has not changed & God still reigns! I am sure you have asked yourself this question: "What are we to do with Obama back in office? Our country is doomed!" Yes, our country is doomed, BECAUSE IT HAS REJECTED GOD! The reason that Obama was re-elected is because America has rejected God & His principle! Is there still hope for America? THERE IS CERTAINLY HOPE & MERCY FOR AMERICA!
      The first thing that we must do as Christians is continue to witness & tell others about Christ. The more people that are converted to Christ & truly saved will vote differently in the next election (if the Lord tarries)! The second thing we must do is PRAY, PRAY & PRAY SO MORE! Not just a quick prayer in morning to check off your list of things to do, but fervent, persistent prayer for God's mercy & power! And the third thing we must do is to FIGHT, FIGHT, FIGHT! Fight against ungodliness, wickedness, laws that undermine God's Word, false doctrine! There are many, many verses in the Bible that talk about fighting against false doctrine & wickedness!
      Below, I have posted an article from Mike Huckabee, who was the one of the presidential candidates for the 2008 Presidential Election. While I do not agree with everything that Mike Huckabee supports & believes, I believe that he "hit it on the nail" concerning the election in his "Statement on the Election".

      "There is a lot to be disappointed by in the election results this evening and I am disappointed, but not despondent. Tonight's results only remind me that our country has slipped into a deeper state of dependence on government than I wanted to believe. Where the Goliath of government has grown so too has our dependency.
     It's also increasingly apparent to me that our real problems are not political, but spiritual. Both parties have failed to acknowledge that. Democrats have not wanted to even acknowledge the need for God in our public institutions, but sadly, many of the Republican leadership will acknowledge God, but not because they believe we should be humble before Him, but to use God in our speeches and platforms. We wear our love of Israel like a badge of courage but on the issues of life and marriage too many of our leaders are more like lambs than Lions of Judah.
     Well now maybe our Republican Party will look at itself in the mirror. I feel that we shouldn't pack up and quit, but gear up and get ready for the next battle. That's what we do as people of faith and a party of principle. We don't stop believing what we believe. We do a better job of doing what we're supposed to do. That’s how you attract voters and win elections. And that is how you save America from herself. "  

 (http://www.mikehuckabee.com/2012/11/statement-on-the-election)

   One more thing I would like to post concerning the Elections is the lyrics to a song from a patriot cantata by Bible Truth Music-"This is My America". The song is entitled, "Turn the Tide". The lyrics are perfect for these thoughts concerning elections.

When America was founded she was strong & pure & good, 

and her leaders on their knees were not ashamed to call on God;

but our nation in her pride has turned her back upon the right,

and the clouds of evil threaten to turn glory into night.

Strong wickedness has crept in, like a cold & bloodly thief, 

those who know the Lord and do His will stand by in disbelief.

For the love of God and country, we must not cease for a day,

for the future of our children, we must life our hearts and pray.

Turn the tide, Lord, turn the tide! Open wide the flood gates of Your Power,

Stem the flood of wickedness; restore, revive & bless, turn the tide!

God's enemy is hard at work, undermining everywhere,

breaking down foundations, twisting laws & setting snares.

He would take away our freedom, and replace it with despair,

and he laughs at those opposing him as if they were not there.

God's children cannot sit by, we must stand up and defend,

for the battle is not over 'til our King declares the end.

We must work & fight & meet him, not as those who beat the air,

for the greatest weapon in our hands in strong & fervent prayer.

      

Turn the tide, Lord, turn the tide! Open wide the flood gates of Your Power,

Stem the flood of wickedness; restore, revive & bless, turn the tide!

Though the waves of immorality may beat upon the shore,

and it seems that all ungodliness is knocking at your door,

We must never give up hope, we must not let them win the war.

We must plead with Him who has the power to cleanse & restore.

Turn the tide, Lord, turn the tide! Open wide the flood gates of Your Power,

Stem the flood of wickedness; restore, revive & bless, turn the tide!  

      Christian, there is a work to do! "Let us not become weary in well doing..." We must fight, pray & witness until the Lord returns! To the work, to the work!

______________________________________

 A little update on our family! We are doing very good! Nehemiah is growing very, very quickly and showing his sinful personality! (We have our work cut out--that's for sure!) But we are so thankful to the Lord for Him! This next week, our church is having its 33rd Anniversary & annual Missions Conference! So please pray for the Lord blessing & conviction!