Jackie's Journey "Mysterious Garden!"

Meet Princess Faith

In “A Royal Christmas to Remember”, there is an exceptionally curious princess with a grateful heart.   In “Princess Faith’s Mysterious Garden”,  Faith found a hidden parkland within the castle walls!   It was in ruins and she was determined to make it alive and beautiful again.  But when big and even scary problems destroyed the seedlings, Faith doubted and became discouraged and disappointed.  Will she have the courage to push through and keep planting?  But most of all, will she trust the planting that God is doing in her heart?  Even though we don’t understand why things happen around us, God uses these things to grow our hearts…

 In this demanding season of planning and preparation for our family and friends to join us in celebrating the birth of our Savior, we can find ourselves confounded by circumstances way beyond our control.  We, too, are preparing to plant seeds of truth in the hearts entrusted to us over the holidays.  Each opportunity is treasured and our careful attention to staying out of God’s way with our heart disposition is imperative.

 As we work our way through each situation allotted us, we, with a grateful outlook, choose to live and serve under God-control, trusting He will receive the glory due Him.  Princess Faith withstood the storm that washed her seeds away, the scary black birds that ate her newly planted seeds and the lost seeds that were scorched by the sun. Her doubts that her garden would ever grow were neutralized by her faith in her heavenly Gardner that knew what He was doing.

 Princess Faith trusted God even though she didn’t understand what was happening around her.  She was reminded of the parable where Jesus tells how the seeds that fell in the garden were like the words of God falling on our hearts. God wants us to listen to His words and like good soil to soak them in. These are days when we do not want to get too busy and neglect His Word.

 His words nourish us and make us strong, so that we are in “full bloom” for His plan and purpose for our life.  Troubles, difficulties, worries and uncertainties are simply reminders to trust, not doubt what He is doing. Matthew 13: 3-9. 

 Have a “Faith”-Centered week!

~Jackie Johnson - I am a former tribal missionary to the Kuna Indians on the Colombian border in Central America.  Fluent in several languages, my husband and I currently pastor a Spanish-speaking church in Southern California.  My passion is mentoring and equipping dedicated young women for life, marriage, motherhood, and beyond. I am the mother of two daughters and the grandmother of three Princesses and four young Knights. 

Jackie's Journey "Lost and Found!"

During this month of December, our focus is going to be on the character of the princesses of our seasonal book, “A Royal Christmas to Remember.”  There are five weeks and five princesses.  Princess Grace, who is also found in “Princess Grace and the Little Lost Kitten”, finds herself on a journey, not unlike my own…

 Princess Grace promised her father that she would care for the kittens she had found.  Poppy, the curious one was forever in trouble and ran away.  Princess Grace must find her, even if it means searching the entire kingdom…even braving the dark Black Woods!  Along the way, she remembers a parable Jesus told about His great love for each of us and how He too searches for each one that is lost.

 While in missionary training,  we heard about a remote tribe of Indians, deep in the Darien jungle that had never heard the name of Christ.  Like the challenge of Princess Grace, our hearts longed to find this hidden tribe and bring the message of truth to these lost in darkness.

 Princess Grace stood as her father staunchly instructed her to “search everywhere for the lost kitten and bring her back safely to the castle.”  Her love for her father and fondness for the lost kitten propelled her initiative to obey and respond instantly to her father’s wishes.  We too, listened to the voice of our heavenly Father and responded to God’s call and the need of this remote indigenous group of lost people.

 Just as Grace braved the dark Black Woods, we chose to face our fears;  understanding, that the Kuna Indians were loved and important to God and needed to hear His message to them!  God came with us, protected us, was our refuge in times of distress and encouraged our hearts, just as He was with Princess Grace in the Black Forest.  

 Our family,  like Grace, walked through the door of fear and was faithful to pursue the one that was lost and is now found safe in the care of the one true King  (.Matt. 18: 12-14)

 This is the month we celebrate the coming of our Lord and Savior, The One True King.

 Join me in rejoicing that He came, paid the price, sought and found us…

~Jackie Johnson - I am a former tribal missionary to the Kuna Indians on the Colombian border in Central America.  Fluent in several languages, my husband and I currently pastor a Spanish-speaking church in Southern California.  My passion is mentoring and equipping dedicated young women for life, marriage, motherhood, and beyond. I am the mother of two daughters and the grandmother of three Princesses and four young Knights. 

Jackie's Journey "What are You Marked By?"

The Princess Parable Series gives little girls the princess they want so desperately to connect with, while pleasing the parents and teaching eternal values.  They are introduced to an enchanting princess they will love and learn that Godly character marks the life of a True Princess.

 A child that has conflicts with his or her parents and is rebellious can usually trace the rebellion back to a violation, neglect or misapplication of one, or more, character deficiencies.  This is the specific red flag we need, as moms, to hone in on our child’s real need for godly character development in that area. 

 Character can be defined as “ the inward motivation to do what is right according to the highest standards of behavior in every situation”.  Understanding character helps explain why things happen to us. 

 “The final forming of a person’s character lies in their own hands.” Anne Frank

 While on the mission field, living interior, an event happened that shook us all to the core.  A raging flu epidemic had struck our village with a vengeance and almost, without exception, everyone was running a high fever, having difficulty breathing and experiencing extreme malaise. The babies and mothers with tuberculosis were especially affected, but the entire village was impacted  

 Our partners, Jay and Sue, had gone on furlough, which meant we were alone.  Ralph and I were busy day and night in homes and the medical clinic giving injections and looking for the key to the strain of infection that had taken us captive.  Our medical supplies and our need to replenish the clinics medicine was at an all-time high.

 Just as dawn emerged from weeks of intense activity and challenge, I started running a fever.  I was the last to be affected by the storm, as it made its way through our small Darien family.  My fever surged to 106 degrees and we were two days by boat to the nearest hospital and emergency room. The medicine in the clinic was depleted…what was to happen to me?

 Character transcends culture, race, age, social status, religion, gender and nationality, because it deals with the daily struggles of human nature.  “Adversity doesn’t build character…it reveals it!”   Character is based on universal standards that are time-tested and recognized as being right.  It is written on every person’s heart.  I was confronted with an opportunity to watch God reveal His character to me and for me to respond in harmony with Him and His will regarding my circumstances.

 My true character stood in the doorway of reality and my surrendering to Him would determine my genuine character.  Would I be marked by Godly character or be bound in fear, doubt and unbelief?

 Maybe you are facing  a circumstance in your life that is exposing you to the real you.  It might be a terminal illness or a loss of home or maybe even, loss of a person close to you…whatever struggle stands in your path…

 “Godly character cannot be developed in ease and quiet.

Only through experience of trial and suffering

can the soul be strengthened, ambition inspired,

and success achieved.”  Helen Keller

~Jackie Johnson - I am a former tribal missionary to the Kuna Indians on the Colombian border in Central America.  Fluent in several languages, my husband and I currently pastor a Spanish-speaking church in Southern California.  My passion is mentoring and equipping dedicated young women for life, marriage, motherhood, and beyond. I am the mother of two daughters and the grandmother of three Princesses and four young Knights.