God is Good to the Johnsons

Sometimes people ask me when it was that I first rightly knew that a Savior stands beside me, and knows me through and through. I can't tell them of a certain time, one sure moment, or firm scene Because God's been so good to me, I see his Son in everything I see Jesus in my Mother's smile as she makes friends at the store I see Jesus in the starfish when I walk along the shore See, my mother follows Jesus when she's kind to strangers and to friends And the creatures on this planet made by him, their breath he lends I see Jesus in my father, his hands work with tools and wood I see Jesus in my students, when a concept they've finally understood You See, Jesus was a carpenter too, and he continues to shape and build And He's the master teacher, and with each thing I learn, He's thrilled I see Jesus in my brothers, when we talk, they lend an ear I see Jesus in his prophet, for He is God's chosen seer Jesus is my brother too, my troubles he...

Have you ever planned a vacation on paper... or Google docs, and not taken it yet? And maybe you won't, for a long, long time? I have, I have and it's not that we won't go it's just that the vacation days and the pennies in the jar haven't added up yet but that ain't stopping me from making my vacation files and getting giddy about the far-offs in the far-future with you because why not? And don't worry, I'm enjoying the now, too But on occasion, I just need some time to dream up a trip 'cross the sky or the water or the road just for fun. And all the foods we'll eat at the pier and all the candies we'll taste in the Europe and all the shows we'll see on that Broadway and all the sun that will kiss us and all the rainwater that will drench us and all the hidden waterfalls we'll become acquainted with. And then I click save, and close. The vacation files, they stay where they be and I open them up sometimes...

In my High School yearbooks, the students of the graduating class each year got to choose a quote to accompany their picture. I'm pretty sure mine was by Dr. Seuss, but to be honest, I can't rightly recall. However, I distinctly remember a quote that my friend, Cami, included beneath her picture, I've thought of it often throughout the years: "I believe the secret to life is someone to love, something to do, and something to look forward to." -Elvis Presley I've found a lot of truth in that. I'm a lucky girl, and I've never had a shortage of people to love--and honestly, I can't think of a day when I haven't had plenty of things to do (or should do). But when I find myself in an emotional slump, I sometimes think of this quote. It doesn't always work, because heartaches and letdowns are real, but often my spirits have been cheered when I remember something wonderful coming up in my life. Here's a few I've got cooking in my look...

So... Kevin Johnson and I may or may not be obsessed with Rice Pudding at the moment. We're trying to be more responsible adults now that we have a mortgage, so going out on a whim for ice cream or stroopwaffel all the time isn't our style anymore (at least, that's what we're aiming for 😉). Rice pudding is this amazingly delicious, creamy, and inexpensive-to-make dessert that has us smacking our lips and wishing for more the very next night. Here's our go-to recipe, credit given to allrecipes.com ! Ingredients:  3 cups rice (already cooked. To cook it: Just boil 3 cups of water and add 1.5 cups of rice, boil for 15 minutes and you're golden) 3 cups milk 2/3 cup sugar 2 eggs vanilla and butter (optional) Instructions:  Mix the rice and 2 cups of the milk together in a medium size pot. Heat it for 15 minutes over medium heat, stirring at least once a minute. In a separate bowl, mix together the eggs, 1 cup of milk, and sugar. After the rice mixtur...

About four years ago, I told someone I look up to and trust that now that I've studied Spanish, I wanted very much to learn French. I'll never forget their look of general disdain as they asked me pointedly, "Why?" Their reaction surprised me. I don't remember how I responded. And sadly, I let that moment shape me. I put French on the shelf. I can't blame my confidant for my lack of effort. But I do think that the "shut-down vibe" as I'm going to call it is far to common in our tone as we converse with those around us, and that strain of negativity destructs the speaker and the recipient. Some other examples--a dear friend of mine (as a teenager) asked his mother if she thought he could finish the Book of Mormon in a week's time, she told him "No, I don't think you can." When I asked a talented classmate of mine some tips she'd have for me while I prepared for a high school choir audition, she responded that I shouldn...

I'm well aware this picture is blurry. But I love it. I love it because what if we were all as excited about literacy as my son? Excited to the point of reading our favorite books to our stuffed animal Monkey? Elated enough about words that we preferred them to playing with Duplo Legos and Hotwheels cars? What if we prioritized reading with our family members, and invited them to read with us, as he does when he hands books to me and his Dad and our friends and fellow babies and people in the pew behind us at church? What sort of well-read, intelligent, with-it and well-communicated world would ours be? I wonder sometimes. I'm also grateful that my toddler encourages me to read, and to love it, and to share it with others. Day #310

Sometimes I forget  how much I've learned in my life til seeing your hands Small, sweet, and shaky you sit in Daddy's strong lap trying out a fork I eat without thought I walk without noticing speak without effort But my little love, you're teaching me to give thanks for all that I've learned That God's given life To me, Dad, and you kids And time to learn much So next time I start belittling my efforts I will look to you Clapping your small hands When you cross the room in strides Despite a few falls God smiles on your growth I've learned He smiles on mine too Instead I'll rejoice. Day #309