Jackie's Journey "Eyes that See..."

“Eyes that See…”

           When was the last time you looked up toward heaven and thanked God for your sight?  “Ears that hear and eyes that see…the Lord has made them both”.  Proverbs 20:12  My granddaughter, Catherine, is leaving for college next fall and has been busy sending applications to various colleges around the country.  I was touched by an essay she wrote and I know you will be too…

 Some students have a background, identity, interest, or talent that is so meaningful they believe their application would be incomplete without it. If this sounds like you, then please share your story.

            You don't always get to choose your circumstances in life, but you do get to choose how you respond to them.  In 2005 I remember walking into the classroom of my first grade class. The teacher introduced herself and she pointed to something written on the whiteboard.  I had no idea what she was pointing at, but she kept reading what was supposedly written there.  My peers began to copy down what was invisible to me. Why could they see what was written and I couldn’t?

     The whole day seemed to pass in a blur (literally) as I tried to figure out what was wrong with me.  I remember looking at objects in the distance, like trees, as we walked to the science building, and realized that I could not see the leaves that I knew were there. My parents were concerned and set up an appointment with an ophthalmologist.  Doctor Leila examined my eyes and announced that I was legally blind.  My prescription, instead of being a perfect 20/20, was 20/-2.00.  I was seven years old and every year since then my eyesight has progressively weakened by -1.00.  As I approached my 18th birthday my sight started stabilizing.  Today I am close to 20/-6.00.  Anything -4.00 and above is considered extreme.  Without lenses I can barely recognize my own hand if it is nearly touching my nose.     

     Sight is something that we all take for granted.  It is a constant gift that allows us to carry on with our everyday activities and enjoy the world’s beauty.  Last year I attended a life changing conference in Los Angeles known as “WE Day”.  Over ten thousand people were invited to participate in this event.  I was fortunate enough to be selected along with thirteen others from my high school. I can’t imagine going more than ten minutes without being able to see clearly in such an unpredictable world, let alone a whole lifetime!  “WE Day” inspired me to help those who cannot see.  I had the opportunity to listen to speakers talk about how their particular area of interest motivated them to create change.  One inspired person can change the world.  It sparked an interest in me to pursue a career in medicine so that I can one day make a difference in someone else’s life.  There is nothing that brings me more joy than watching a child put on glasses and see clearly for the first time.

    Despite being legally blind I have been a 4.1 GPA student with four AP achievements in a highly competitive high school.  My family and my faith helped me to realize that I do not have to be defined by my disabilities.  Through hard work and determination, I realize that my academic success had more to do with intelligence than my ability to see.  I cannot see like “normal” people do, nor can I go out into the world without contacts or glasses, but I have learned that my life is not defined by the things I can and cannot see, but rather by the things I can and will accomplish. I have had the privilege of playing tennis at a competitive level since I was ten, I surf, wakeboard, volunteer at school and in my local community, play beach volleyball and snowboard with my family, and hike and explore many breathtaking places in our world.  Without the modern technological advances, I would not have been able to do any of the things I love most in life.  I have chosen to respond to these circumstances by allowing them to inspire me. 

 “So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen.  For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal”.  II Corinthians 4:18

 What do you do with your difficult circumstances?

 “Open my eyes, Lord, that I may see…” Psalm 119:18

~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 discipling 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. 

Jackies Journey "That was SICK...!"

 “THAT WAS SICK…!”

It is not often that our entire family can pull away for a few days.  I’m sure you know what I am talking about. With schedules that require coordinating and lots of activities and work schedules, it is a nearly miraculous feat when a good plan finally comes together! 

Listening to the chatter, daughters and cousins laughing and planning together, watching the wonder and living in the excitement of just being together is totally worth the undertaking.  Just stepping outside our regular pursuits and taking time to heed the familiar voices more carefully and more often is an instant stress releaser and sets the tone for a time of new appreciation, reminiscing and creating new memories.

It is silent, except for the roar of the boats.  The lake is crystal clear and smooth as glass.  It’s a glorious sunny morning!  .  I see the kids and grandkids fly by in the speedboat.   My mind is flooded with gratefulness.  Everything in me wants to shout out loud… How great is our God!  And this is only the first half of the first day!  Happy hearts are healing and invigorating.  Spontaneous hugs and unprompted conversations are the reward of “stopping the truck” for a second to regroup and realign our priorities to harmonize with His.  Each evening we stop to open the Word and open our hearts to His reality in our lives. 

“Thanks Grandma for the “sick” vacation!”   WHAT?!

Who calls a great vacation SICK?  This generation does…it’s a great compliment!

Definitely…worth it all!

As moms, our lives are not always moments of noteworthy exhilaration.  More often they are days, weeks, and months of focused commitment to the task at hand.  Jungle living was an exercise of endurance at times, as the days and weeks passed into months of isolation with every moment of the day packed with non-stop responsibilities…not unlike what you may be experiencing. 

Our girls were 3 months and 3 years old when we moved into Kunaland.  Our tribe had never had missionaries living among them and there were many adjustments to be made for both of us.  “Life isn’t measured by the number of breaths we take but by the moments that take our breath away”!  There was no lack in finding moments that took my breath away!  It was learning to relish those moments in the midst of a multitude of interruptions.  That quiet moment of discovery without the regular pursuits of daily living and ministry was often times beyond my reach.   My fear was that I would miss “the life-changing moments” in all that was going on around me!

Sitting in the hammock strung across our living room reading to my little princesses was a gift that rarely came without numerous disruptions.  The luxury of having the girls “all to myself” was more often an unfulfilled aspiration.  Learning to thoroughly enjoy my girls within the sphere of my life calling was a transitory exercise as the girls grew so fast.  Giving thanks for my girls, my circumstances, and my challenges brought those real “moments that take my breath away” into focus.

Today I face the same mayhem of life with the same challenge to stop and refocus on Him, His will and His design for my life.  Taking a quiet moment of reflection and conversation with Him allows me to step outside my regular pursuits and recognize that those moments that take my breath away are His gifts through those interruptions, wherever I am, whenever I have eyes to see them.

Will you join me in pausing long enough to focus on His heart?

Taking time to acknowledge that His interruptions

are those very moments we seek?

~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 discipling 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. 

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Jackie's Journey "They're COMING...!"

In the coming months The Princess Parables will be bringing to your little princesses two new releases.  We are excited to introduce  “Princess Prayers” that will be arriving this April … just in time for Easter!

The second publication, “The Daughters of the King Devotional will be released in October of this year!

We know these two books will be a blessing to your little ones, as the Word is being opened up to them each day in terms they can understand and relate to.  These treasurable books will draw small active minds into a God-consciousness and will inspire their thoughts, as they listen to mom or dad’s voice whisper to them prayers and teachings with God’s comforting and encouraging words.

Jeanna and I have been blessed to be able to bring our two seasonal books A Royal Christmas to Remember and A Royal Easter Story to you this past year.

There never was a person, who did anything worth doing,

 who did not receive more than he gave.” C.S. Lewis

 The Princess Parable Series continues to be a rich source of biblical truth and instruction for little ones eager to hear.  We hope you will be as excited and encouraged as we are to be able to carry truth from God’s Word to little waiting princess hearts.  Our purpose is that little princesses and young knights might be encouraged in heart and united in love, so that they will have the full riches of complete understanding, in order that they will know the mystery of God, namely, Christ, in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge. 

We want to thank you each of you that has welcomed

 The Princess Parable Series into your homes and hearts.

Please join us in giving thanks for these newest additions the The Princess Parable Series.

 Watch for them!

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 discipling 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 "Where's Your Road Map Taking You?"

There is a lot to be said about a winner.  They are a unique breed.  They possess qualities that set them apart from the pack.  Not everyone is a winner. 

I have just spent a week with a collective group of winners-in-the-making.  As I observed their character and began to take notes on what makes a winner, I realized I was in the company of some very special people.

A winner:

·      Is not afraid of losing

·      Does not waste time

·      Says, “ I’m good, but not as good as I could be”

·      Notes when people are doing things right

·      Encourages habitually, celebrating others

·      Sees opportunities; not problems with a complaining attitude

·      Feels responsible for more than his/her job

·      Easily admits when wrong…no excuses or rationalizations

·      Is one who listens, doesn’t interrupt

·      Works harder

·      Learns from others

·      Loves harmony over demanding his own way

·      Wants to make it better for everyone

·      Has no need to control, leads with eye on the need of the others

·      Serves others first

·      Expects success, not failure

·      Does what is right because there is no other option

·      Shows no favoritism

·      Is not interested in exclusivity; It’s one for all and all for one

If we were handing out Golden Globes, Academy Awards or Medals of Honor, these qualities would reveal the true candidates!   There was not an absence of conflict during our vacation at the lake, but there was a definite determination to resolve it quickly and restore the harmony!  There is a spiritual road map that leads to mature hearts that have jumped outside the “me, myself and I” philosophy and embraced God’s plan for success.

Let me introduce you to these outstanding young people.

Albert Schweitzer once said, “Example is not the main thing influencing others…

It is the only thing!”

As moms, we want winners.  We pray for dedicated young people that will count for the cross of Christ.  We labor toward their success.  We cannot, at any point, underestimate the power of our influence, be it good or bad. 

When I think back to the many positive influences in my early life, I recognize that one of the greatest gifts I received was the way my family approached learning about God and the importance of His character becoming our character.  Doing right was not an option…it was an imperative and God’s Word was the standard.   In a world where a godly “road map” is nearly non-existent, our responsibility to build a pragmatic faith in our children and grandchildren is daunting!

Catherine

My eighteen-year-old granddaughter told me recently that her teachers at school had asked her why she was so grounded and had such firm personal convictions.  She answered that her foundation in Christian values and the open door of communication with her family regarding the Word and Godly principles of life had formed her “road map” and given her security in her faith and an “eternal value” focus on life!  She’s a winner!

 Where’s your “road map” taking you?

~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 discipling 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? A Balanced Life!

Is Your Life in Balance?

“The worth of a book is to be measured by what you can carry away from it. To be wise, study the Bible; to be saved, believe it; to be righteous, practice it.”

Shortly after God walked into my life while attending the University of Arizona, Navigators, a campus Christian group, heard of my conversion and began to equip me with a powerful tool to maintain a dynamic Christian Life.  I made a note of it in my Bible and as I rehearsed its significance this morning, I decided to jot down the visual principles, in the event you girls might have an opportunity to apply them and to share them with your children.

There is a definition (you know I love definitions) for the word Bible that my husband gave me, as a young mom, when I was struggling with survival living and needing to take time daily to get in the Word.  It went like this:

 The Bible is the heart and mind of God.

One day you will spend eternity with Him, Jackie…get to know Him

THE NAVIGATORS WHEEL was that tool!

THE GOAL:  Keep the wheel balanced by keeping the spokes balanced.

THE HUB OR CENTER of the Wheel is Christ.  If He is not pre-eminent in your life, your life is already out of balance!

OBEDIENCE IN ACTION manifests itself in humility, growth and maturity.  (Phil. 3: 10)

The Key is learning to accept trials with joy and thankfulness!

PRAYER is the first spoke and is me talking to God.

“…Satan trembles when he sees the weakest saint on his knees.”

The evil one laughs at our toiling but he shudders when we pray.

Satan knows that power comes from prayer and…he needs to fear!

The WORD is the second spoke and is the foundation spoke.  It's when God talks to me.

 Other books are given for our information; the Bible is given for transformation.

I am my neighbor’s bible:

He reads me when we meet,

Today he reads me in my house,

Tomorrow in the street;

He may be a relative or friend,

Or slight acquaintance be;

He may not even know my name,

Yet he is reading me.

II Cor. 3: 2

FELLOWSHIP is the third spoke and focuses on maintaining my relationship with God and man.

Fellowship with God means warfare with the world.  Charles E. Fuller   Martin Luther is quoted as saying, “To gather with God’s people in united adoration of the Father is as necessary to the Christian life as prayer.”  To be in fellowship ask yourself two questions:

1) Do I have any unconfessed sin?

              2) Do I have any unresolved relationships?

If you can answer "no" to both questions you are in fellowship with God and man.

 WITNESSING is the remaining spoke and is my sharing what I am; what I believe and what I am learning.

A testimony (sharing what I am) is merely translating my weaknesses into a life message for the benefit of another person and the glory of God. Bill Gothard

 “What the world expects of Christians is that Christians should speak out,loud and clear…in such a way that never a doubt, never the slightest doubt, could rise in the heart of the simplest man”. Albert Camus

The Provision Comes through The Word

The Peace = Comes through our Obedience

The Power = Comes through Prayer

The Production =Witnessing

This is a new year, new opportunities, new visions, and new goals …

Let’s make 2017 a year that others will speak well of our Lord because of us.  Let’s determine to allow His plan for a balanced life to become reality in us…

 Will you join me?

~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 discipling 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 "Happy New Year: Where do We Begin?"

Where Do We Begin?

Oh, no…can it possibly be this time again?  We are starting another new year with everything that comes with it!  A new president, new responsibilities, and new opportunities… We set new goals and evaluate how we did with last year’s resolutions.  No, really…what happened to last year!!  There is a slight letdown after weeks of traveling, company and celebrations.  The re-grouping of priorities, getting the house back in order, school beginning after vacation and the need to get all that Christmas paraphernalia back into storage boxes is lapping at our heels.

Seriously, where do we begin?

“Our greatest danger in life is in permitting the urgent to crowd out the important.” Charles Hummel

Life is a race against time.  Time is limited and irrecoverable.  It is no respecter of persons.  We are accountable for how we spend our time and God establishes the number of our days.  Life at the longest is amazingly short. 

A converted Hindu who had been given a Bible and a clock said, ‘The clock will tell me how time goes, and the Bible will tell me how to spend it.”. Anonymous

The Bible uses several metaphors to help us visualize just how brief our life is.  My life is wind Job 7:7 and My days are swifter than a weavers shuttle. Job 7:6  The psalmist compares life to a fading flower or a falling leaf.  As for man, his days are as grass; as a flower of the field, so he flourishes…for the wind passes over it, and it is gone.  Ps. 103:15-16  Our days on the earth are as a shadow, and there is none abiding. I Chron. 29:15  And Psalm 90:9 reminds us; We spend our years as a tale that is told.  James 4:14 asks us, What is your life? It is even a vapor that appears for a little time, and then vanishes away.

“Life is so short that the wood of the cradle rubs up tight against

the marble of the tomb!”  George Sweeny

All of us are given an equal amount of time.  The only difference between us is in the way we spend it.

We are given 168 hours each week.

We spend approximately 56 hours for sleep, rest and recuperation.

We spend approximately 28 hours for eating and personal duties.

We spend approximately 40-50 hours earning a living.

We have 30-40 hours left to spend just as we wish!

How do we spend them?

Is the bulk of that time spent on:

Recreation and Entertainment

Devotions (Family and Private); Meditation  

Exercise and health

Family mentoring and fellowship (Mom's are blessed with more time in this area)

Regular worship of God

Personal Interests and Achievements

Conversations (Snapchat; Twitter; Instagram; E-mail; Pinterest; Facebook...etc.!)

Time entrusted in the name of Christ (Witnessing, discipling, teaching…)

The question is…

What do we do with our time?

Have we made wise use of our time as good stewards?

Maybe we are very busy with good things, yet too busy for the best things;

those things that have eternal value.  That is where we need to begin…

A New Year is an anniversary and “the chief value of an anniversary is to call us to greater faithfulness in the time that is left.” William Manning   Every hour that is lost is gone forever!

“So teach us to number our days that we might apply our hearts to wisdom. Psalm 90:12

~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 discipling 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 "A Bright Star"

A Bright Star

There is a story of a little princess who anxiously waited for the day of the Christmas pageant.  She was so excited about her part that her parents thought she must be one of the main characters, though she had not told them what part she would play. 

The day finally arrived and her parents enthusiastically entered the auditorium and watched as each of the children was called to take their place.  The shepherds nervously waited in the corner of the stage holding two sheep.  Mary and Joseph were placed near the manger.  In the back were the three Wise Men eagerly waiting with a small camel.  Each and every child was placed in position…except for the little princess.  She contentedly sat quietly.

The music started and the director began the narrative.  “A long time ago, Joseph and Mary went up from Galilee to be taxed. It was there that Mary and Joseph had a baby and they named Him Jesus,” the narrator began.   “And when Jesus was born a bright star appeared over the stable.  That was her cue!  She quickly jumped up from her chair, picked up a large, sparkling star and walked behind the manger, holding the star up high for everyone to see.  It flickered in the lights and all eyes were drawn to baby Jesus in the manger.

The story continues and finds the shepherds in the field with their sheep.  That was her cue…the little princess moved into position on stage, wiggling the shiny star to show the shepherds where to arrive at the manger.  When the director mentioned the Wise Men…the little princess quickly moved to meet them and lead the way to the Christ child.  Her face was beaming as bright as the star she was carrying!

The play ended with a round of applause and a standing ovation.  In the car on the way home, the little princess was happily chattering, “I had the main part, did you see?”   “You did?” her mother questioned.  “Yes” she said enthusiastically,

“I showed everybody how to find Jesus!”

This could not have been truer!  Showing others how to find Jesus Christ, the Savior of the world and to be the light that would draw them to Him has got to be the finest role we can play in life!

May the Light of the Christ Child be your focus

this Christmas and throughout the New Year…

~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 discipling 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: "As Promised, Here It is...!"

The latest book in the Princess Parable Series has arrived!  Our second seasonal book, “A Royal Christmas to Remember”, is just in time for Christmas stockings and the enjoyment of your little princess.  You will love this new adventure where the girls learn what is most important this time of year.  Our young chivalrous knights are again included in this exciting story and are just in time when needed most. It is based on the Parable found in Luke 12:15-21, The Rich Young Ruler.  All princesses understand that wise women still seek the King of Kings.  This newest book does not disappoint!

Feel free to order from our website and also see more gift ideas!

Jackie's Journey "'Twas the Week Before Christmas"

‘Twas the Week Before Christmas…

Well, here we are again…one week before Christmas Eve…in the throngs of chaos and deadlines!  The Nativity is center stage in every room, trees are dressed, the wreaths are hung, gifts are wrapped, the oven has not been turned off in days and music fills the house.  Friends and family are arriving from distant places, guest rooms have been readied and excitement is already in the air.  Expectations are high and time left is short and slipping precipitously by the nanoseconds.   The countdown has begun!  The blessing of fellowshipping with family and people we don’t have an opportunity to see all year makes it worth it all.

With the hustle and bustle of the holidays in full swing, we become acutely aware of our limitations.  Opening our home and believing God to use us to make others successful is the goal of hospitality.  It has been our joy over the years to have a home that is available to those God would bring our way.  Christmas is a lonely time for many who have not experienced the joy of His Coming. 

As moms, this time of year offers a multitude of opportunities to make ourselves accessible to others.   It starts in our homes with our husband and children.  The Christmas time of year offers the perfect training ground to introduce our children to the “real reason for the season”.  We, as parents, have the example of the One who left his home and dwelt among us.  He set the standard…

“Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others.

Your attitude should be the same as that of Jesus Christ:

Who being in the very nature of God, did not consider equality with God to be something to be grasped,

But made himself nothing taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness.

And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself and became obedient to death

Even death on the cross”!

Philippians 2: 4-8

 An open home means a heart that is wrapped in the needs of others before our own.  It is that life in opposition to comfort and convenience.  It is welcoming and finding joy in a life of servitude, humbly listening to His voice and instantly obeying.  It brings with it the blessing of experiencing His promise of grace with its power and the continual fascination of watching Him faithfully do it!  Philippians 2:13 and I Thessalonians 5: 24

 The dictionary defines hospitality as the friendly and generous reception and entertainment of visitors or strangers providing food, drinks, etc. for people who are guests.  We are commanded in Scripture to be hospital women. To invite people into our homes is to respond with gratitude to our God who made a home for us!

“Be hospitable to one another without complaint”.  I Peter 4: 9

“Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers,

for by this some have entertained angels without knowing it”!  Hebrews 13: 2

 At our front door, we have the words “As for me and my house we will serve the Lord.”  As a mom with young children it was a challenge to keep it all in balance when the house was already full of noise, continual movement and the regular activities that keep the ship afloat!  The joy of youth is that there actually is enough energy to do it all, if the attitude is that of an obedient and humble servant!

From our house to yours,

Have a Blessed Christmas!

~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 discipling 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 It's Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas

♫ It’s Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas ♬

In life we cannot anticipate what our future holds but we know who holds the future.  In our just released Christmas book, “A Royal Christmas to Remember”, our 5 princesses and 5 young knights are blissfully busy preparing for the upcoming Christmas festivities.  Opening the castle doors over the holidays is a tradition that opens the hearts of the entire village to the message of Christmas.  In an instant all their plans are dashed when a message of imminent danger arrives at their front door! The King instantly leaves with his knights to protect their kingdom.  The real meaning of Christmas quickly comes into focus. The girls choose to seize the moment of turmoil changing their destiny and bringing joy to their father and the whole kingdom.

December has arrived here in California and the events and activities of the season are already in full swing.   Having our “castle doors” open to family, neighbors and friends is a tradition we welcome each year. 

♫ It’s truly beginning to look a lot like Christmas. ♬  

In the midst of preparations and a very busy afternoon, I received an urgent call from Kim, my youngest daughter, who was teaching at an Elementary School a mile or so from our house.  The school had abruptly been put on “lock-down”!  There were policemen on campus and helicopters were swirling in circles overhead.   She was yet to be informed of the circumstances…was it a bomb threat, someone with a gun, …what??

Her daughter Megan Joy, my “pocket-baby”, was in the classroom next door huddled down behind locked doors and desks!  The teachers and students had been in this imposed silence and been inaccessible for almost two hours!   Frantic, my mind immediately went to pictures of Columbine in Colorado…

Now that… is a wake-up call!  In an instant my holiday plans took second place to the more important, as my priorities slipped back into a more realistic focus.  Dr. Bob Jones, Sr. used to say, “Don’t sacrifice the permanent on the altar of the immediate!”  No chance of that happening here.  What could I do?  Where was I needed?  When would we know my daughter and granddaughter were safe? 

As I watched and listened to the helicopters circling, hovering overhead, my curiosity overwhelmed me.   A song that comforted me in the jungles of Panama immediately came to mind.  ♫ He is my hiding place, He always fills my heart with songs of deliverance whenever I am afraid, I will trust in Him … ♫   Psalm 32:7   “God is our strength and power and makes our way perfect.”  2 Sam. 22:33   Our sovereign God was in control and He brought His “peace that passes understanding” in the turmoil.  I began to pray “the God of hope fill you, Kim, with all joy and peace as you trust in Him, so that you will overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit!” Romans 15:13  

 Two weeks from today families will gather to rehearse and celebrate the birth of the Savior of the world.  Christians will pause to praise their blessed promise and hope fulfilled in a manger bed.  Many will kneel and pray together giving thanks for His coming, His life and His sacrificial death in our place and His glorious resurrection.

 Will you be one of these?

Somehow… this particular Christmas 2016

 is going to be a singularly outstanding one for our family…

 A Christmas to Remember!

                                    Megan Joy reading "A Royal Christmas to Remember"

~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 discipling 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.