Early Christmas

So, Rob and I are in Nebraska visiting his family and we are having a great time! This morning we had the Johnson family Christmas! It was fun to have Christmas so early! Today really feels like Christmas day! It feels like everyone is celebrating Christmas today. I almost want to call my mom to tell her Merry Christmas!
Christmas came really early for me this year when Rob completely surprised me by giving me my Christmas gift on Wednesday night. He presented me with this huge box in front of his whole family. I was completely shocked when I found that he had gotten me a brand new digital SLR Cannon camera. It is absolutely amazing! It came with a tripod, 2 lenses, case, and a card that holds a huge amount of pictures! I was so surprised. So, I have been playing with it for the past couple of days. It takes amazing pictures! It's so much fun! I have a great husband!
So, here are some pictures of our time here so far (taken with my new camera!)

This is Becca (Rob's twin sister) giving me a ride on her horse Sullivan!

Rob taught me how to shoot a gun! We had a lot of fun with the family shooting clay pigeons and I actually shot a few! I never really thought that shooting was so much fun, but we had a blast! I know my mom is going to love this picture!

Our niece Kylie is so cute. She just turned one and she loves to imitate people, as you can see!

At the Johnson Christmas everyone picks names and our brother-in-law pulled Rob's name. Our brother-in-law and his wife came and visited us in New Orleans a few months ago and we took them fishing. There were the most fish we have ever seen all grouped together, but they would not bite our lines. We all wished (especially Rob) that we had a net because we could have caught some fish then, but of course we didn't. So, they got Rob the most enormous net in the world! (it's so big, I don't know how we are going to fly home with it. It looks like we will have to mail ourselves a package!) So, it looks like we should catch some fish next time!

My New Family

So, we will be leaving tomorrow for Nebraska to be with Rob's family for Thanksgiving. We will be there for about 6 days! All of his immediate family is going to be there are we are thrilled to spend some quality time with them.
It is so interesting how when you first get married, your husband's family becomes your own. As I have come to know the Johnson's more, spending holidays with them, vacations, and even opening our home to them, it is amazing how a person comes to know and love a group of people as much as their very own family. Even though I did not grow up with the Johnsons and I haven't known them for a very long time, I have come to love them greatly. At first it was a little weird to know that I had a motherand father-in-law, sister and brother-in-laws, a neice and a nephew (and more on the way at some point, I'm sure) . They are a whole other family besides the one I grew up knowing, making memories with, fighting with, and loving. I have come to a point where I feel blessed to be called a Johnson and to be a part of the legecy of an amazing family. As cheesy as this sounds, it is so true, there is no other family in the world I would rather have added to my list of people I love and respect than the Johnson family. They are a blast to be around, an encouragement to converse with, and a joy to know.
So, we are leaving tomorrow to see my other family, the Johnsons and I am so excited to spend time with each of them!

I have some sad news

On Thursday night Novemeber 9, my grandmother, whom we know affectionately as "Honey" passed away in her sleep. Honey is my father's mother. Rob and I were fortunate enough to spend some last sweet moments with her, showing her some recent picutres of our honeymoon, trips we've taken, and friends we love. Her death came as no surpirze to the family as she was in her 90's and her health had recently depleated. Although, it does not make the loss any less. We love Honey very much. She was a wonderful grandmother who loved her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren deeply. Honey was a fitting name for her always sweet demeaner. She will be grealy missed.
If anyone is interested, the funeral will be held this Thursday Nov. 9th. Viewing is at 10 am and the service at 12 noon. Location: Lake Lawn Funeral Homes: 5100 Pontchartrain Blvd.New Orleans, LA 70124.
Please pray for our family during this time. For comfort, and more importantly that through this time our family member who do not know Christ in a personal way might come to know the truth of Christ's death and resurrection. That Jesus Christ is the only way to God.
My biggest comfort is to know that God is sovereign. I know that He is in control of all things and that He has a purpose for every situation. Praise the Lord that He is in control!

Women's Retreat

So, I went on my very first women's retreat. Honestly, I was a little nervious about going. I've never been on the same reatreat with my mom! A little weird. I've been on youth retreats and college retreats, so I wasn't quite so sure what to expect. I mean, what exactly does one do on a women's retreat.
Well, our adventure began with quite the surpirse. There had been a tornado the morning before that had touched down close to the camp we were staying at. So, no electricity in the woods. Good thing we were all told to bring flashlights. Everyone was ready for quite a night, but the ladies handling the retreat quickly made the adjustments, (order pizza and eat by fir light!) and everything went smoothly. The next morning we all awoke to electricity, and a surprise at who else was sleeping in our room (it was very dark the night before).
The women who put on this retreat were from Cedar Mill Bible Church in Oregon. There were about 30 women who flew down at their own expense, just to minister to the women of New Orleans and the surrounding areas. They did an amazing job of caring for us and praying for us. They even had women who go to the church praying for a specific woman at the retreat. How amazing! We each recieved a letter from that woman. I felt very blessed and encouraged. There is something about women ministering to other women and is just so meaningful.
One thing that I came from this weekend realizing is that people are people. Sounds weird, I know. Let me explain. It seems as though there is often a huge gap between "younger women" and "more mature women". But, we are all in this walk together. When it comes down to it, we are all trying to love the Lord with all our heart, mind, and soul. And there should be great unity in that This weekend, it felt like the age gap melted away and we were all just trying to live life together. We are all together here in the body of Christ, although we have different struggles, talents and interestes, we are just women trying to love the Lord.