2009-06 (Jun) (69 photos), by Susan Johnson

I'd like to share my Snapfish photos with you. Once you have checked out my photos you can order prints and upload your own photos to share.
http://www1.snapfish.com/fbshareredirect/p=66721246553797793/l=1710020015/g=4563809/redirectURL=share/otsi=SALBBL/AlbumID=849276015/a=4563809_4563809/usercomments=I_xqd%20like%20to%20share%20my%20Snapfish%20photos%20with%20you.%20Once%20you%20have%20checked%20out%20my%20photos%20you%20can%20order%20prints%20and%20upload%20your%20own%20photos%20to%20share./counttext=69%20photos/COBRAND_NAME=bellsouth

My poor neglected blog!

Ok, Ok, I know I haven't updated since Christmas. I blame it all on Facebook! I am assuming nobody really reads my blog anyhow! I am going to try to post about our vacation and other summer adventures...stay tuned!

2009-06 (Jun) (111 photos), by Susan Johnson

I'd like to share my Snapfish photos with you. Once you have checked out my photos you can order prints and upload your own photos to share.
http://www1.snapfish.com/fbshareredirect/p=846291246301285691/l=1648951015/g=4563809/redirectURL=share/otsi=SALBBL/AlbumID=826098015/a=4563809_4563809/usercomments=I_xqd%20like%20to%20share%20my%20Snapfish%20photos%20with%20you.%20Once%20you%20have%20checked%20out%20my%20photos%20you%20can%20order%20prints%20and%20upload%20your%20own%20photos%20to%20share./counttext=111%20photos/COBRAND_NAME=bellsouth

We got elfed!

Send your own ElfYourself eCards

God Bless Them and Go DAWGS!

The Yellow River Game Ranch

Lance is on Fall Break this week, so we decided to have some family fun. Monday, he got to spend the night at Maine and Pop's house. Tuesday, Darren was off work. We picked up Luke from school then went to the park for a picnic. That night was had a back yard camp out which was very fun! We had a fire and roasted hotdogs and markmallows, then the boys slept in the tent and me and Levi came inside and slept in our warm beds. That's my kind of camping! Wednesday, we went to the Yellow River Game Ranch. It was a beautiful day and the boys loved it! Thursday (today) has not been as eventful. Luke went to school and Lance, Levi and I went to preschool to work for a couple of hours. We went over to Maine and Pop's to do some laundry and left Luke to spend the night. Lance had a game tonight and it was freezing! They did get their first win of the season, finally! Then we rode to Johns Creek to take Darren some eye drops, because he has pink eye again! Tomorrow we are making cookies for our fall gathering at the Rainey's on Saturday. Saturday, we will be busy. Pumpkin patch in the morning, then to the Rainey's for a short time before Lance's last (thank goodness) tball game at 3pm, then back to the Rainey's for more fall fun! Enjoy the pictures!

Happy Anniversary US! :)

Darren and I recently celebrated our 10th anniversary. I really loved the picture Lance took of us before we went out. We had a nice dinner at Shogun then went to see the Fireproof movie. We were supposed to go to the Shane Co. so I could pick out a ring to get made with my diamond earrings, but it closed at 5 so we didn't make it. We also need to get Darren's wedding ring sized so he can wear it again!

The Time of Your Life

Here's one to ponder...

The Time of Your Life

by Rick Warren


Make the most of every chance you get. These are desperate times! Ephesians 5:16 (MSG)


*** *** *** ***


Why is it that time drags when you want it to pass quickly and flies when you need more of it? It’s not very cooperative!


Time is the great equalizer. We all have the same amount of it. The difference between successful people and average people is this: Achievers manage their time wisely. Rather than wasting time or spending time, they invest time. They make the most out of each moment.


In these difficult days, people are realizing that time is more important than money. Money is a renewable resource - there are always places to get more of it.


But time is a limited resource.


You only have a certain allotment of time in your life. When it's used up ... that’s it! YOUR TIME IS YOUR LIFE.


When you give someone your money, you’ve given them something that you can replace. But when you give someone your time, you've given them a part of your life. This means time management is really “life management.”

The Bible has this to say: “Use your head. Make the most of every chance you get. These are desperate times! Don’t live carelessly, unthinkingly. Make sure you understand what the Master wants” (Ephesians 5:15b-17 MSG).


You could summarize these verses this way:


1. Analyze Your Lifestyle. Be aware of where your time is going.


2. Utilize The Present. Make the most of this moment.


3. Recognize What’s Important. Focus on priorities that last.


A question to consider throughout the day: “How much of what I’m doing right now is going to count ten years from now … 50 years from now … or for eternity?”


You have just enough time to fulfill God’s purpose for your life. If you can’t get it all done it means:


1. You’re doing things God never intended for you to do, or

2. You’re doing the right thing in the wrong way.


Prayer: “God, help me to manage my time wisely this week.”

I miss you

September 23rd a year ago, I got the devasting news that my little brother, Michael Dean, died. It is still unbelievable to me. I miss you Michael! I love you!

Gooooooooo DAWGS!

Labor Day at Station 24

Darren had to work on Labor Day, so the wives organized a cook out at station 24. It was a great day! I love spending time with the other families. It was a bitter sweet day, as this was probably out last get together before Darren leaves to work at John's Creek. Everyone at 24 is very special to us, they are family!

The Unsurpassed Intimacy of Tested Faith

Here's a devotion sent to me from Kelly that applies to all of our lives, but especially to a few that are very close to me. Keep the faith!

The Unsurpassed Intimacy of Tested Faith

Jesus said to her, ’Did I not say to you that if you would believe you would see the glory of God?’ —John 11:40
Every time you venture out in your life of faith, you will find something in your circumstances that, from a commonsense standpoint, will flatly contradict your faith. But common sense is not faith, and faith is not common sense. In fact, they are as different as the natural life and the spiritual. Can you trust Jesus Christ where your common sense cannot trust Him? Can you venture out with courage on the words of Jesus Christ, while the realities of your commonsense life continue to shout, "It’s all a lie"? When you are on the mountaintop, it’s easy to say, "Oh yes, I believe God can do it," but you have to come down from the mountain to the demon-possessed valley and face the realities that scoff at your Mount-of-Transfiguration belief (see Luke 9:28-42 ). Every time my theology becomes clear to my own mind, I encounter something that contradicts it. As soon as I say, "I believe ’God shall supply all [my] need,’ " the testing of my faith begins ( Philippians 4:19 ). When my strength runs dry and my vision is blinded, will I endure this trial of my faith victoriously or will I turn back in defeat?
Faith must be tested, because it can only become your intimate possession through conflict. What is challenging your faith right now? The test will either prove your faith right, or it will kill it. Jesus said, "Blessed is he who is not offended because of Me" Matthew 11:6 ). The ultimate thing is confidence in Jesus. "We have become partakers of Christ if we hold the beginning of our confidence steadfast to the end . . ." ( Hebrews 3:14 ). Believe steadfastly on Him and everything that challenges you will strengthen your faith. There is continual testing in the life of faith up to the point of our physical death, which is the last great test. Faith is absolute trust in God— trust that could never imagine that He would forsake us (see Hebrews 13:5-6 ).

He got off the bus with our neighbor, Lexie.

Lance's 1st day of Kindergarten! Sniff...Sniff

Here he is the big Kindergartener! For some reason, I can't seem to upload any more pictures. I'll try to do another post with more. Lance had a great day and was sad that he doesn't go back tomorrow. He was so excited to eat lunch at school and ride the bus. I think the bus was by far his favorite part of day. He is begging to ride it in the morning to school too. We are so proud of him for being such a big boy on his big day! We are also praising God for giving him a teacher whose favorite book is the Bible according to her Star of the Week board! It's going to be a great year!

For those who doubt or look for solutions in the wrong places...

The Bible: Useful in All Situations

"All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work" (2 Timothy 3:16-17).

All Scripture is helpful and relevant to your life. But the Bible is more than a good self-help book; it is a treasure trove of godly principles and truths that can radically change your life for the better.

"I know there are a lot of books, and people gave me a lot of books, but I think the best book is God's Word," says Bruce, a widower.

Heavenly God, when I open Your Word, open my heart to understand what You are saying to me. Show me the value of a biblical lifestyle, a life rooted in You. Amen.

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Suggested reading from the GriefShare HelpCenter

Women's Devotional Bible - NIV: The Original Collection of Daily Devotions from Godly Women


The number-one selling devotional Bible on the market provides inspiration and spiritual growth for today's Christian woman. Devotions written by, for, and about godly women, featuring over 100 well-known authors. A subject index and an author index provide the reader with easy access to particular topics or authors. Also available in the Nueva Version Internacional.

A couple more favorites

Some of my favorite vaca pics

Chef Clay

Loggerhead