Christmas 2009

I have much more to say about Christmas this year but it will have to wait a few days. For now, I love Christmas..it's a miracle that the God of the universe made himself lowly to come to this earth and be born in a "barn" so to speak...His love cannot be measured. I want to learn to love like that. Wes Strickland quoted one of his Gateway professors when we shared a dinner with he and Darrah. His professor said this: "You know you've learned how to love if you aren't able to choose who you love." Isn't that the very definition of Jesus?

Merry Christmas from Lesh Johnson, Jen, Jonah and Jude!

Just a fun photo..

Birding and Remembering Lonnie Brown

I'm a birder. Yes, I love birds. Wild ones. About twenty years ago, Lonnie Brown piqued my interest in birds. I thought it an interesting hobby, but not one I was likely to pick up. We would sit in their breakfast room and watch birds and squirrels come up to the feeders on their deck. Lonnie could identify all of them and loved to watch them. It was always fun to see him get excited when a more rare bird would happen by.

Fast forward about 10 years. I married a birder. When he put up our first feeder..and not what you would think of as a feeder, (think 18x24 inch platform on a post out of the ground) I teased him a little. But then the birds started to show up. They loved the thistle, the black sunflower seeds, and the bits of nut and dried cherries. I quickly learned their names. Missouri has some gorgeous birds and we have always seen a huge variety...even the elusive blue bird.

Fast forward another 10 years. Since we've lived at the parsonage, we've not had a bird feeder. I've missed my wild, colorful friends. Shortly after Lesh came home from the hospital, I took the Armada to Home Depot and had them load a 14 ft. square post on my ski racks (which never get used for anything to do with skiing, unfortunately) and drove home carefully. Lesh was able to help some of the kids in our youth group build a new bird feeder. About three weeks ago, he finally had the strength to use the post hole diggers and put it up. It is posted in the ground and stands 12 feet tall so that I can see it from our french doors. It is no more than one foot from the door, so our view is amazing.

These are the beaked friends who have come calling in the past few weeks: tufted titmouse, chickadees, nuthatches, juncos, blue jays, male and female cardinals, yellow and purple finches, downy woodpeckers, yellow-bellied sap suckers (wood peckers), and the gorgeous pileated woodpecker.

Feeding them is like an adventure. You never know who might drop in. It's inexpensive entertainment and Jonah and Jude are learning the names of the birds. We can count on Jude to go growl at the occasional squirrel that scales our feeder to feast on the sunflower seeds. Jonah has learned to sit quietly so that he can watch the birds and learn their behavior patterns and names.

Thanks Lonnie for introducing me to birding. It's a simple pleasure I have come to enjoy. I think of you often and will never forget our bird watching sessions.

Batman and Superman and what Mom will do for love!

I drove to four stores yesterday evening looking for a Batman costume for Jonah. He has been wanting to be Batman since late August. He is a little under the weather this week and asked in his best frail "Tiny Tim" voice. After the third store, I called home and asked him if he might want me to improvise with my Barber cape and some black clothing... (He already found a mask at our church flea market) or, I could go to the O'Fallon Walmart and look for a "real costume". He meekly proposed that I go on to the O'Fallon Walmart to see if they might have one. So at midnight I drove to the O'Fallon superstore and got lucky. They had about 8 of them in his size. Tiny Tim is going to be so excited when he wakes up.

By the way, Jude is going to be Superman. He tested his flying skills by "flying" from his bed to Jonah's bed and back as his red cape whipped in the wind. He beamed proudly as we cheered him on.

(pictures to follow)

My Guys

This is my new favorite pic of my guys. They are my life. I am grateful that God gave Lesh his life back and that we can still share a life with him. And who can put into words the love you have for your children? They are unique, special, precious, brilliant and full of life. My life is richer because of them.

This was taken in front of the Spaghetti Factory at Laclede's Landing during General Conference.

Jonah started Kindergarten!

Not sure what this look is..LOL.

This is the excited school boy!

Jonah praying during Bible class.

My sweet baby. He LOVES to learn.

Jonah started Kindergarten yesterday! It was sweet, sad, and exciting. Lesh and I felt that we could provide the best education for him through homeschool. We decided on the Abeka DVD curriculum. We will supplement as needed. Jonah loves his teacher Mrs. Bere. He begins with Bible class each day. I love that.

To top it all off..he learned to ride his bike without training wheels! We're so proud of him.

Festival of the Little Hills, Return Trip

Julia and I took ALL FOUR KIDS to Festival of the Little Hills tonight, without husbands. An experience to be sure..will upload a movie starring our children as we left. They were wound up.

Dance..Dance..Dance..

The boys are having fun dancing today..they think they are "Happy Feet". Jonah's dancing is more Scottish or something..and Jude..I guess he just break dances..in this video..they were spinning and acting silly.

Praises From A Grateful Heart

God, thank you for strength when I learned of Lesh's accident. Thank you for friends that surrounded me with caring and their presence. Thank you for family that will be with me until I die. Thank you that Lesh was breathing when I found him at the ER. Thank you that he was cared for by excellent medical personnel. Thank you for a friend that was there when I was walking into a less than hopeful circumstance. Thank you for faith that you gave when the doctors thought he would die. Thank you for giving me strength to pray with faith. Thank you for friends who let me cry and who cried with me when my strength was gone. Thank you for the word that you sent by phone for me to "Don't be afraid. Just believe." Thank you for the many who ran to the hospital to be with us. Thank you that they prayed with faith. Thank you for allowing me to know You as "Comforter" in a new and thick way. Thank you for the peace that surrounded us like a warm blanket. Thank you for the joy that overflowed my heart. Thank you for saving Lesh's life. Thank you for guiding the surgeon's hand in the body that you created. Thank you for the good report that came forth. Thank you for the rapid healing that took place in his body. Thank you for helping him regain strength to be able to endure a second surgery. Thank you for again guiding that same surgeon's hands as he repaired the brokenness. Thank you that Lesh wiggled his toes on command. Thank you that he wiggled his fingers on command. Thank you when he nodded his head. Thank you that he recognized me when he opened his eyes. Thank you for helping him breathe when the ventilator was removed. Thank you that he began to regain his mental clarity. Thank you that he was able to sit up. Thank you that he was able to swallow. Thank you that he was able to stand. Thank you that he was able to eat again. Thank you that you were there when his heart rate was through the roof. Thank you for a friend that understood when I broke down. Thank you for my pastor who prayed in faith. Thank you for answering and lowering Lesh's heart rate. Thank you that Lesh was moved to the step down unit..it was a great day. Thank you for protecting him when he couldn't remember his accident. Thank you that he was able to see Jonah and Jude. Thank you that he saved a cookie for them. Thank you that he could hug them. Thank you for the loving family and friends who cared for my children when I could not. Thank you that children are resilient. Thank you for our church family who provided a place for us to stay close to the hospital. Thank you when I could go home. Thank you that he was moved to the rehab hospital. Thank you that he regained complete mental clarity. Thank you for the therapists that worked with him. Thank you for that beautiful room he was in. Thank you for his dad that was there to help me care for him. Thank you that I could bring him home. Thank you for parents that helped me get him in and out of our truck. Thank you that they helped with my children. Thank you that he was able to return to church. Thank you that he was able to stand and greet our congregation. Thank you that he was able to preach again. Thank you that he is able to use a walker. Thank you for healing his neck. Thank you that he is no longer wheelchair dependent. Thank you that he had strength to go down stairs. Thank you that he has not been depressed. Thank you that he has not been angry. Thank you that he does not complain. Thank you that he forgives me when I do. Thank you that he loves me. Thank you for friends who encourage him continually. Thank you for strengthening me. Thank you for friends and family who have cared for us continually. Thank you for every new day with my husband. Thank you for my family.

Your mercies are fresh each day and they endure eternally.

"You're great, So great, and Your love endures forever." "Hear these praises from a grateful heart, each time I think of You the praises start, I love you so much, Jesus, I love you so much."

Vacation

Lesh and I decided last Sunday that we would be leaving in two hours for Branson for an impromptu vacation. We tend to do most of our getaways like that. :) We didn't do a lot as far as shows and sites as it is still difficult for him to get around, but the change of scenery was wonderful for all of us. Lesh really only leaves the house for church and for doctor's appointments. It was a much needed get-a-way and the boys had a blast..I will post a few photos that I took on my phone (poor quality..hurry up Sony Ericsson! I can't wait for the C905a to come out! 8MB camera phone!! Woohoo!! :)

Sights
We did a drive-thru exotic animal safari in Strafford, Missouri off Hwy. 44 and it was so much fun! Completely worth the money we paid. Lesh fed a huge buck with a huge rack right out of his hand. He pet it on the head..amazing. He also made a good friend in something that I think was a Zedonk..or at least a close relative..he trotted along with our car for several hundred feet hoping for more food..cutest thing ever..the boys were cracking up laughing. Lesh has good pictures of that on his phone. They boys fed fawns and baby goats. Jude was fearless. We saw baby ligers that played and growled at each other..so cute. Monkeys, a wolf, wallabies, exotic birds, a lion, a tiger, camels..really neat place.

Good Eats
We shared a funnel cake at the cute little fifties diner on the strip..can never remember the name of that place..ate "espensive food" as Jonah puts it, at Red Lobster and ate less than stellar food at Lone Star. Ugh..

Fun
The boys and swam in a pool I have a sunburn to prove it. Haha. Lesh tried to fish several times but Lake Taneycomo was too high for him to venture into..he's barely mobile so trying to navigate flowing water wouldn't be a smart thing to do. We did visit the Bass Pro on the Landing and the one in Springfield so that was fun for him..he added to his fishing supplies. One evening we took the boys to a toddler ride area on the strip..they loved riding this little train and ringing the bell..a miniature ferris wheel, swings, saucers, and Jonah was even able to drive a gas powered go-cart!! Scary!! He did fine until he kept looking at me on the sideline..he would come around the circle, look at me as I waved and grinned, and then he would crash into the same place in the wall...at least four times. Finally, I stopped waving and told him to keep his eyes on the road. He was so proud of himself...too cute.

Hope you all have a wonderful day! I'm so happy to be home so that I can worship with my church family..I want more of God today!

A New Kind of Normal

Hi all. Been so busy I've not had much time to post, but here I am. We are doing well..I am exhausted and the boys are antsy, but we're all making it. Lesh is ready to get on to the next step, but he's still pretty exhausted most of the time. We venture out to doctor's appointments and not much else. He has been given good reports (see our facebook page for details) and is progressing faster than his doctors expected. God is so very good. We are grateful he is alive and doing so well.

I clean. A lot. Because of home care and helpers, we have people in and out of our house everyday. My first luxury, when I am able, will be to hire a cleaning service. Our church friends have been awesome with bringing in meals several times a week. We appreciated that so much. We are still getting meals some Wednesdays and that is hugely helpful. That is a big day for us. There are several guys taking turns on our lawn and Don Shields mows the field around the church. Andy Grace drags our smelly trash bins down our long driveway to the road..he deserves some kind of medal for that (think diapers). I'm not sure what we would have done without the help we have received. We are blessed with wonderful friends.

Church is going great..we have had wonderful speakers and Lesh is able to speak some now too, so that has been nice. Our music is getting better each service and it's great fun to worship with, and play with such fine musicians. Our worship team are awesome too..they are sincere worshippers and what a difference that makes.

Jonah is going to be starting Kindergarten soon..here at home. We will be trying out the DVD teaching series Abeka offers. We have his curriculum already, but I still need to order his DVD's. He is ready. He's sharp..asks a million questions (does every kid do that??? makes me tired) and he has a memory like an elephant. He knows every restaurant and store in town...and remembers things from when he was two and three...things I don't even recall. Amazing.

Jude is sounding more like a little boy now. He's also very intelligent..intuitive, loves to sing..just like his big brother..and sounds like a chipmunk..he loves to hug and snuggle. I LOVE it. He also drives me crazy when he whines. Because he received very little discipline during Lesh's hospitalization..his behavior suffered. Since daddy has been home, we've cracked down again and he's doing much better.

I bought the boys a Hotwheel racetrack the other night and they absolutely adored it..wish I had been recording when they first turned it on..they were so sweet..they squealed and laughed and thought it was hilarious. Jonah hugged me, unprompted, and thanked me for the "cool toy". Made me cry. Love my boys and am so thankful for them.

Exhausted and Happy

Just a quick update: I am exhausted, but so happy to have Lesh home. We are truly blessed beyond measure. His care is getting easier each day and our life is starting to feel a little more "normal" each day. He is still wheel-chair bound most of the time..he can use the walker some, but it exhausts him, but he's getting quite adept in the wheel chair. He's craving that independence as far as being able to do things for himself. He can open the front door, and do quite a lot of care of himself, for himself. I am always close to him to be sure he doesn't fall. We do not want to chance a setback, so we're very careful. We have daily visits from Home Health in the form of a nurse, physical therapist, and occupational therapist. We have some "outside the home" doctor visits soon, so those will be outings that should be interesting. But all in all, we're doing well. I am having to adjust to taking care of "three guys" in a different way, but would not trade having him here for anything. He loves being home, being in his own bed, and being with his family. The boys are loving it also. They missed his "firm hand" also. :) This is too funny...Yesterday evening, the boys were arguing over a toy or something and Lesh had already asked them to stop once. They continued and he said "Boys, if you don't stop arguing now, I'm going to take you in your room to spank you" in his most firm voice..with "the look". Jonah, matter-of-factly, asked "How are you going to do that?" He knew that Lesh's wheel chair wouldn't fit through their bedroom door." HEHE!! I got so tickled..Lesh started to reply "Oh I'll show you how I'll do it" and then I said "Oh, you've got to admit...that's funny!" Jonah was innocently inquiring as to how Lesh was going to accomplsh that! Too great.

I love my boys so much. Jonah is so smart...his world is expanding each day. He wanted to see pictures of our computers in our heads (brain) on daddy's laptop. He is constant questions..has been for several years now.

This evening, we had a somewhat ironic moment. The boys and I ran out for a few minutes to do a couple of errands while Lesh was taking a nap. We turned onto Prospect Road so that we could go to 40 East and head to Lowe's in Lake Saint Louis. Jonah started protesting and said that we couldn't go that way.."that is the road all the wrecks happen on." I assured him that wasn't true. He argued and said "yes..that's where daddy had his wreck!" And then I remembered that he was confused..that was the road we had taken each time we went to the hospital to see Lesh..that he must have been remembering that we went that way the evening we first learned of Lesh's accident..and then everytime after that. As we were entering the highway from the ramp, I assured him that we would not have a wreck..and then caught myself. I thought.. "what if we do have one? Then he'll think I'm a liar." So I quickly clarified and said, "We probably won't have an accident, but if we do, Jesus will protect us just as he protected daddy." The words had no sooner slipped out of my mouth when I saw a car about 200 feet in front of us start weaving wildly across the two lanes, enter the median area that is under construction and turn around several times and flip onto it's side. Talk about blow my mind!! Jonah said "See!! I told you people have wrecks on this road!" I pulled off the road quickly as did a driver or two in front of me. I saw a man jump out of his door..the one that was elevated in the air..and he ran around to the other side of the car. I started groaning inside thinking "Oh Lord..there must be someone else in the car..I hope it's not a kid. A couple of construction workers pulled up quickly and jumped out to help him and they pulled a little girl from the car. She was crying and clutching her daddy, but both seemed to be alright. The father sat down on the ground with the little girl and the workers ran to their truck and began doing something. I rolled down my window to ask if they had called 911, and then nodded that they had, so I left the scene of the accident to prevent us from getting hit. When the man's car hit the median area, he put a lot of rock all over the road that was flying up and causing more trouble for cars slowing down for the accident. I thought it best to leave the accident scene. After I got to Lake Saint Louis, I called my dad and told him what had happened, and he said "Well you know, Jonah was a prophet". We sing the Veggie Tales song all the time. Jonah has often commented that Jonah was a prophet of God and because his name is Jonah, he believes he is a prophet of God. (Truthfully, I don't think he fully understands what a prophet is.) I am grateful that God had his hand on us this evening. Makes me wonder how many things like that He protects us from on a daily basis.

Trying to catch up on bills, paperwork, church work, etc. I will be pulling some late nighters to catch up. Thinking of all my friends and those who have offered up prayers for our family. Cannot tell you how grateful I am. What in the world would we do without friends?

If you would like to see some recent photos, you can visit http://www.facebook.com/pages/Pastor-Lesh-and-Jennifer-Johnson/80354567101.

Going to get my baby...bringing Lesh home

This Friday, I will be bringing my husband home after a month of him being hospitalized. This evening, I transferred images from my phone to my laptop. I created a folder called "Accident" on my desktop where I am keeping images of him from the hospital, the "truck remains" images, and anything else associated with it. I started reviewing some of the early hospital day images and had to stop. It is painful to see him like that. My heart breaks for what he has gone through and will continue to go through until he has "fully recovered". I am not sure you fully recover from something like this. I want to keep the images because I want to be able to always look back and remember where God brought him from... a reminder of His healing power and of His amazing love to us. But to see your loved one in that condition..it's too painful to dwell on. Our bodies heal, our hearts heal, and we go on with our life..more aware..living with more intentional purpose..loving those around us more.

To try to understand why this has happened would be a futile exercise. GOD ALONE knows why, so we must trust that He has some purpose in this. I do know this: we have been able to share the greatness of God with more people this past month than ever before. It amazes me all the people that we come in contact with who have heard about his accident.

Lesh has an amazing attitude. He hasn't complained. He is weary, but he has a strong determination to get better..and to do it properly. He wants to come home, but he hasn't pressured the medical team to allow him to leave prematurely. He has come through too much to "jump the gun" and have an unnecessary setback. Slow and steady. He has made friends of all of his nurses and techs in typical "Lesh" style. He has received excellent care and I think new friendships have been created that will last for a very long time.

While in rehab, he had an opportunity to preach the St. John's Mercy Rehab Hospital chapel service. His text: Romans 8:28 and Psalm 23. His favorite song through this time has been Matt Redman's You Never Let Go. We have felt God gripping us tightly. Even our hearts. It is as if a thick, soft, but firm wall has been built around us to guard from bitterness, loneliness, and hopelessness. I know what it is to experience "The Comforter". From the prayer that was offered up in the OR waiting room that first evening to now, I have felt the comfort of the Holy Ghost in a way that is undeniable. This experience has not been easy. But God has given us the grace to face each day..sometimes..each moment.

I will share some experiences in more detail over the next few weeks: the Trauma ER, the OR Waiting Room, the ICU waiting room, Grant and Diana, Elevated Heart Rate, the TICU safety scare, and Rehab.

Thank you for every prayer you lifted on our behalf. It means everything to us.

Lesh's Accident

For updates on Lesh, please visit this Facebook page.

A Tribute to Jude

Jude turned three on Sunday. I have to be honest and tell you that Lesh and I were not sure we were ready for another child after Jonah. After all, we feel like we have many children, in a spiritual sense, and starting a church requires much time, attention, and dedication. But we knew we wanted another child, weren't getting any younger, and did not want Jonah to be an only child, and God gave us Jude.

Jude has blessed our lives immeasurably. He is the sunshine (and angst) in my days. His "schnuggles" are sweet warmth and his smile lights up the room. He is outgoing and loves to dance. He is strong-willed (to say the least), but puts his heart into most things. Jude loves his big brother, Jonah, and joys in playing with him.

Jude, mommy (yes mommy, not mom) "lufs" you and will forever. I'm so glad you are three.

Date with Jonah and other ramblings..

Jonah and I ran errands together this afternoon and had a date at Jimmy John's, the new gourmet sub shop in town. He was a great date. (Don't you just love this picture of him!..proud momma..I know.) I love this kid with all my heart..he's beautiful inside and out. He loves learning and loves to talk to us..he asks a ton of questions..a little sponge. We shared a delicious sandwich (homemade tuna with cucumbers and sprouts on freshly baked bread), interesting conversation and lots of smiles. Since Easter, he is noticing cross shapes everywhere..today, on the window frames. He and Jude make crosses with their fingers and talk about the crucifixion several times a day. At lunch, he did it within earshot of other diners. (Wondered what they were thinking.) He was proud that he had found another "cross that Jesus died on." He regularly asks the same question: Why did they kill Jesus? I wonder the same thing.

Did you know that lemon juice takes off hard water and calcium stains around your sinks? A simple lemon. I'm thinking of going green with my cleaning supplies..everything but the toilet. Can't beat Sno Bol for ease and working power. Who knows..maybe there is some natural remedy out there for that too.

It was gorgeous out today. Jude's fever broke..hope he's on the mend. He's a bear when he is sick. Today (Sunday) is his birthday. We'll be celebrating very simply.

Hope your day is blessed! Go to church and worship with your church family. Listen to some good preaching. God can draw and save you through the message your pastor preaches.

Piano In My Living Room

I posted this comment at www.mamalogues.com after reading this post by Dana Loesch. Thought I would share it here.

"These images bring back so many memories for me. I have played the piano since I was three..don't remember learning to chord. This was my therapy everyday after school. Some kids rushed to the kitchen for cookies..I rushed to the piano to pour out my soul. My mother still has that Ballwin in her living room. Can't wait to get one for mine!
This is a priceless thing to pass on to your children..awesome looking piano too!"

I can't afford the piano I want right now, so Lesh pulled his old Yamaha keyboard out and the boys have been having a blast on it. Jonah can play the bass line to "Sing Hosanna" on it. :) Then we dance around to the pre-set songs on it..fun times!

Family Church Grand Opening

We had an amazing weekend..will update with pictures asap.

Catch up..

Working at CWI killed my blog..going to resume now..here's what I never had time to post..wrote it..never had time to post.

"Yes..I'm still alive. :) In November, I began a temp job at CWI(Clinical Workflow Iniative), a division of BJC HealthCare. It has turned out to be quite the interesting assignment. Our team has been given the charge to standardize care, and identify the best practices to improve health care in all of the BJC Community Hospitals. As a project coordinator, I have been supporting the CPL's that are leading the Medication Administration (including Med Reconciliation for all you medical peoples) and the Discharge Transition teams. I have added to my acronym bank..they are staples in the information technology and health care fields. I have been able to share a few back... hehe (GEFWIF - Good Enough For Who It's For, by Jeff Dunlap..can't take credit for it. LOL!) I have had the privilege of meeting several of the hospital presidents. Being in a corporate setting has been an adjustment..to say the least. I will be thrilled to be working for our church again..full time. Until then, I am trying to help my family and fulfill whatever purpose God has for me at BJC between 9 and 5:30. :) I am not looking too far ahead..trying to take one day at a time. I have found that it is wonderful to plan and prepare for days to come, but in reality, our main focus should be on what we are presently doing. Less frustrated...etc. :)

Jonah turned five on February 13th. He is a little boy now..although he will always be my baby. Jonah is maturing faster than I want to think about. He is sweet, considerate, and a great friend to his little brother Jude.

Speaking of Jude..he used the potty three times yesterday and I thought Lesh and I would leap for joy..we clapped and hollered and made a huge deal of it. Then he went in to the living room and peed directly on the wood floor. (at least it wasn't carpet) Talk about a let down...lol. At least he is actually doing something on the potty. It will be a rapturous day when he stops wearing diapers.

He is talking like a big kid..he says "I so happy to see you mommy!" I love it. But on Tuesday evening I was having an ice cream craving and Lesh brought me a vanilla frosty from Wendy's. As he delivered it, Lesh asked "Will that make you happy?" and I confirmed that it would with a grateful smile. Jude was standing beside me and said "Mommy..did Daddy say "make you happy"?" and I said "Yes Jude..daddy wanted to know if I liked my ice cream." Without any hesitation he said "I happy to see that!" and pointed to my ice cream cup. I cracked up... He loves to eat..and loves sugar. (who doesn't?) Both of my boys still love to "schnuggle", as Jude puts it, with me and I love it. Jude's idea of a good time is sharing my pillow, playing with my hair and sucking his fingers..oh yeah..and watching Thomas. Jonah loves for me to play trains with them..he also has a new Leapster that he loves. It was a gift from his grammy for his birthday. They are quite educational.

I will update you on church news soon..signing off! Night!"