As in years past, a huge piece of our lives involve ministry and our church, Southeast Christian. Aaron and I love our Sunday school class, Crossroads, and are enjoying the friendships we're cultivating there. Aaron taught a Christian worldview and apologetics program to high school and college students last winter and spring; he plans to teach it to our couples group this spring. We have lead a Bible study for married couples in our home each Sunday night, although our group has been on a break for a couple of months. Aaron and I each are enrolled in the Discipleship Curriculum, a Bible study that over a nearly 2-year period challenges small groups to read the entire Bible, as well as other Christian books, and commit about 70 Scriptures to memory. Together, our respective groups are learning the history of the church and important points of doctrine, as we learn to teach and disciple others. Aaron will finish up the program this spring, and since I only enrolled this fall I will have another year to go. We continue to serve in many other areas at church. It is a blessing to give as God has given to us.
This past spring, Aaron and I took Adam on our biannual trip to Hawaii, leaving Katie at home with Grandma J. Hey, it was fair to take only Adam - Katie had her solo trip to Hawaii before he was even a glimmer in our eyes. Since 2010 also marked the end to one of our favorite television shows, please indulge me while I reminisce using lots of references herein: We visited the LOST island (Oahu), where our airplane came to rest (Softly). We braved the elements (Light drizzle during a horseback ride on the North Shore which, of course, subsided to reveal perfect 80-degree sunshine). We communicated with the natives (ordered breakfast at Zippy's) and tasted exotic foods enjoyed only in their culture (Spam). Thankfully, we never were confronted with a smoke monster or polar bears, but when was the last time you saw a penguin in the tropics? (They were waddling around for display at the Hilton Hawaiian Village on Waikiki, presumably borrowed from the zoo.)
The only other out-of-state trips we made as a family this year were to upstate New York for our annual week at Camp of the Woods to visit with Grandma J and the Wellman family at their lakehouse and the aforementioned Christmas celebration in New Jersey, where they live most of the year. We love spending time in such a beautiful place with our loving extended family! And for the first time, Katie and Adam were old enough to enjoy playing with their cousins.
We've done a lot as a family, but each of us has had an eventful year. Here's a glance:
Katie: Our firstborn just turned 3 and is growing into the prettiest little girl, if we do say so ourselves. Precocious and strong-willed, Katie keeps us on our toes - a tiny force to be reckoned with, to be sure. A doll, nonetheless. We're still trying to potty train and are told that one day she'll just do it; we live for such a day and hope that it comes before college. Katie loves to sing and twirl, play with her dollhouse and watch Pixar movies (her latest obsession: Toy Story).
Adam: I'm convinced that Adam is the sweetest little boy in the whole world, as at 16 months old he still loves to snuggle with his mommy. Of course, he calls me "Daddy," but such indiscretion is easily overlooked when perpetrated by one so incredibly cute. Adam loves to explore the world, now that he's mobile, and he particularly enjoys turning off the television while his sister is watching the Mickey Mouse Clubhouse. Much like his daddy, Adam would much rather spend his time reading books than watching tv. His vocabulary is small but Adam enjoys a good chat, so long as it regards food. Considering his mommy's preoccupation with that topic, I suppose that apple didn't fall far from the tree, now did it?We're thankful to God for the abundant life He's given us, for bringing us together as a family and for putting each of you into our lives as well. We wish you all God's best in 2011!
The Johnsons
Aaron, Tonia, Katie and Adam
