Cultivating a song of gratitude...

Spending time counting gifts... preparing ears and eyes and heart - to sing His praise!

Doing some "housework" this week to prepare for Thanksgiving... ;)

Divine Appointments. Sabbatical Reading: He restores my soul.

Through a "divine appointment" this week, we met another pastor and his wife who were just finishing up their summer sabbatical.  We had the privilege of getting together for coffee and having them over for dinner with another local pastor and his wife. They were so kind to share with us what the Lord had been showing them through some reading material and recommended a couple books.

Both Ron and I each bought a book on our Kindle / iPad and have been reading portions of our books aloud to each other over the past few days. We've had a couple of great, long, quiet days of reading together and sharing with each other what the Lord is speaking to us individually.

Ron is reading On the Brink and I am reading The Rest of God. I haven't finished my book yet - Ron is going back over his again a second time.

God has been so good to supply us with encouragement in the most unexpected places and speaking specific words to us that are answering very specific prayers and questions we've had.

We are grateful for God's grace in divine appointments, new friendships, speaking fresh and healing words to us and restoring our souls during this time off.

One Thousand Gifts: Joy in the little things.

Paige and Jordan and Parker came this weekend for a visit. We didn't get any pics - we were too busy soaking up all the small, ordinary, uneventful - but oh, so, wonderful moments with them!

So our weekend?

Was filled to the brim with joy! Every, little, moment - an item on my One Thousand Gifts list:

• Staying up late to welcome them in from their night of travel. Seeing them safely arrived.
• Cuddling with Parker while they unpacked and settled in.
• Savoring the sights and sounds of her - soft baby hair, chubby cheeks, tiny toes, the way she looks like a blend of her parents,
• Remembering Paige as a newborn - and us as young parents.
• Having our Lucky Boy breakfast burrito brunch on Saturday morning.
• Taking a spontaneous trip to Griffith Park to sit outdoors to watch Shakespeare in the Park - a summer family tradition. Enjoying Mediterranean take out - picnic style.
• Late night conversations with our adult children - who've become faithful friends.
• Attending church and worshiping together, 
• Grateful to God for the grace and fruit we see in our children's lives. 
• Backyard BBQ - hanging out, talking, eating ,enjoying being together.
• The busy kitchen -the routine of  lots of meals, cooking and dishes - loving the chaos and fun of a full house. 
• Thankful for the gift of enjoying our family.

Parker.

weeones.briemarie.co

Posted with Blogsy

Sabbatical or Study Break...Either way- He.Restores.My.Soul.

Lynn's calling it a sabbatical.... we're calling it a study break because we feel that it's not a good time to be gone for two whole months straight.  In an effort to compromise, we have taken the last three weeks to take some RandR: spend time with family, visit childhood places / memories, and relish some alone time outdoors. Instead of being gone completely, we will still be in town during September, take some day trips and even some short  2-4 day trips back up the coast to Monterey (or anywhere else that strikes our fancy) - but Ron will continue to take time to do some studying and planning and praying - here at home, in coffee shops, on the golf course :) and sometimes sitting out in the woods.

Here are some pics of what we've been up to lately. God has been wildly generous to us - granting us time with extended family, being present at Parker's birth, spending time with Zach, Andrea and Jack... and giving us a couple of glorious days away up the coast; driving up the stunning Coast 1 Highway thru Big Sur to Monterey. We've spent time relishing in His goodness and celebrating His faithfulness to us, and counting all his gracious gifts and praising him for his bounteous blessings!!

More than that, God has refreshed our spirits and renewed our souls and given us fresh strength - the purpose of our time away - no matter what you call it!!

The lighthouse of our childhood: Big Red, Holland, Michigan

Celebrating my birthday at Lake Michigan watching the sun set.

Watching sailboats in the channel as we stood on the pier.

Didn't get a pic, but had a lovely dinner on Lake Macatawa @Boatwerks Restaurant with Ron's sisters and their husbands.

15 mile bike ride from Holland to Saugatuck!

(Another ride through Zeeland as well).

Kirk Park - favorite beach / park ever!

Hanging out with Ron's family at a cook out at sister Elly's

The woods leading to the beach at Kirk Park.

Didn't get a pic, but they actually have kids' life jackets hanging on a rack here...

Fully expecting people to borrow and NOT to steal them!

Gotta love Holland!!

Fulfilling my birthday wish to go canoeing.

This is the river that Ron and I canoed on as teens.

We had a lovely, peaceful afternoon - practically had the river to ourselves!

The Pere Marquette.

Ahhh, the memories!

This is the building we had our first apt. in - living over one of the stores below.

Downtown Holland.

This is the day after Parker was born.  Highlight of my life!

I drove Paige to the Hospital, was with her during labor and got to witness the birth!

What an amazing, wonderful, awe- inspiring event!

God was so kind to allow me to be there to experience it.

Sweet Parker.

I'm an Oma - again!

Going to church for the first time - with Paige, Jordan and Parker!

Worshipping with our dear brothers and sisters in Gilbert.

We love these people.

They have been so kind and encouraging... it makes me cry every time I'm there!

Wonderful little getaway to the Central Coast.

We stayed in the Paso Robles area and spent one day in Cambria - riding bikes, antique shopping and cafe hopping.

Chilling out at the beach - Moonstone Beach, Cambria.

We saw whales.

Drove up the coast to Monterey - the drive was spectacular!

Dinner time view... watching boats and seals play in the water.

Had dinner on the wharf, and then rode our bikes on the awesome bike path that lines the coast.

View during one of our rest stops along the bike path.

Panoramic view of our bike ride.

While we were gone, we kept thinking of Psalm 23.

The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.

    He makes me lie down in green pastures.

He leads me beside still waters.

    He restores my soul.

He leads me in paths of righteousness

    for his name's sake.

Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,

    I will fear no evil,

for you are with me;

    your rod and your staff,

    they comfort me.

You prepare a table before me

    in the presence of my enemies;

you anoint my head with oil;

    my cup overflows.

Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me

    all the days of my life,

and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord

    forever^]

Oh, Baby!

Yesterday, I had the privilege of attending the birth of Parker Everly Johnson (Born at 12:26 am- 7lbs. 13 os, 20" long- to my daughter Paige and her husband Jordan.)
I came to Phoenix last Sunday, so I could be with Paige during the birth of her first baby. While Parker wasnt due until the 18th, I wanted to be close by in case she decided to come a little early. And early she came!

While Paige and I were having lunch with Andrea at 11:30 yesterday morning, Paige started describing some symptoms she was experiencing, including consistent contractions, back ache and leaking amnotic fluid... As we were wrapping up lunch, and discussing her symptoms Andrea and I both said- Girl, you are in labor!- call Jordan and your midwife! So, I drove Paige to the hospital to get checked out
After being admitted to triage, Jordan joined us at the hospital, and it was determined that yes, she was in labor and was already dialated to 4!
I stayed with Paige during the rest of the afternoon and evening as her labor progressed. She experienced pretty severe back labor as the baby was face up. Paige spent time in the labor pool trying to get the baby to rotate. She must have been successful, because Parker came out in the correct positionn!
What an amazing experience to be with Paige and to not only watch Parker be born but to actually be a part of helping in the delivery!

This was my first live birth to be a part of- what an amazing, glorious, miraculous event! Paige wanted a natural child birth, and although there were many obstacles and it was extremely difficult, she stuck in there and did a brave and amazing job! So proud of her!
As soon as we get the pics from the professional photographer that was there, I will post some.
So grateful- to have had this experience- to see the miracle of a new little life come into the world and to be one of the first people to meet sweet Parker Everly on her birth day and welcome her to the family!

 

Posted with Blogsy

Singing a song of gratefulness.... For these beauties

 

Posted with Blogsy

Reading some Dutch history today....

William of Orange and the Siege of Leiden. One of our favorites!

http://www.hollandhistory.net/history_of_holland/the-siege-and-relief-of-leyden.html

 

Posted with Blogsy

Rereading an old favorite...

 

Posted with Blogsy

There's a name for it!

http://www.poopedpastors.com/blogs/mobbing/

Posted with Blogsy

Thinking about this movie recently...

(To Kill a Mockingbird)

Posted with Blogsy

Taylor is Graduating from High School!

We've been looking over family pictures this week in preparation for Taylor's graduation. What a wonderful time walking down memory lane remembering precious times with this sweet girl!

 

e

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Congratulations, Taylor! We are so proud of who you are!

Love you!!

 

Posted with Blogsy