Gilels plays Rachmaninoff Prelude Op. 23 No. 5

WOW! Attempting to learn this piece myself, I can certainly appreciate Gilels amazing ability in having mastered this piece. Truly amazing!

Emil Grigoryevich Gilels ( 1916-1985) began studying piano at the age of 5, and proceeded to be one of the greatest pianists of the twentieth century. It has often been said that Gilels was universally admired for his superb technical control and burnished tone.

Enjoy!

Mother-Daughter Tea

Last Saturday, the Fondry girls, Looper girls, Hannah and myself organized a Mother-Daughter Tea, in honor of Mother's Day.
We girls had a lot of fun planning for the Tea, and we were happy with how things turned out (despite the rain)! It was a blessing to have the opportunity to demonstrate to our mother's how thankful we are for all that they have sacrificed for us over the years, and for instilling in each of us a love for our Savior.

Christiana kindly serving her sister, Mercy

We were thankful that the rain held off as long as it did; we were able to serve our plates before it started to pour... the rain resulted in some very cozy fellowship

My own dear mother sharing her love story with the ladies

I can't take credit for these two adorable shots. I was busy socializing, so Christie picked up my camera and captured these sweet memories. I definitely learned my lesson about what you can miss by running your mouth

Many thanks to each of you mother's who have chosen to raise up the next generation!

Stealthily Clever

Masterminds: David and Esther

Tim Hawkins on Chick-Fil-A

For my fellow Chick-Fil-A fans/addicts!

We all got a good laugh after watching this. Then we did what we Johnsons do quite often and watched it a few more times.

Enjoy!

One Very Full Day

We've been having fun with Christie and her little ones visiting this week!

Yesterday ended up being very full: beginning with strawberry picking, and proceeding to canning. The day advanced from one event to another, and we were all ready for bed as soon as the sun went down.

While everyone else went strawberry picking, Matt, Josiah, and I stayed home with the little ones...

"daddy's in training!"

Our little "Edwards"

The little theologian leaving after a visit with "those less fortunate"

The fruit of "our" labor

Christie's jam

Our jam

Whew! This was a big job. And that's with the dishwasher running too! One of the downsides to canning.

Tending to the Heart

I've realized the past few days just how much I hate crab grass!!!
While it looks easy enough to get rid of on the surface, all it takes is one pull and you realize how deep it really goes. When you begin pulling and getting to the roots, it seems they're all connected and go so deep you'll never find the core to be completely rid of them!

After a while of pulling today (and being attacked by fire ants), I began to meditate on how much like my heart the garden is. The invasive weeds that overtake our garden are much like the roots of bitterness, anger, selfishness, pride, etc., that I am daily finding new roots which go deep into my heart. On the surface they may seem harmless, but when they are not guarded against or tended to, the roots grow quickly into the depths of our hearts.

The Bible uses the metaphor of fruit when talking about the results/actions that will come about by the Holy Spirit's dwelling in us. We should carefully attend our hearts and guard against thoughts or meditations that could in any way result in or nourish the weeds of sin which so quickly take root and flourish.

"bring every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ"
-2 Corinthians 10:5

"Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things."

-Philippians 4:8

"Keep your heart with all diligence, For out of it spring the issues of life. "

-Proverbs 4:23

I pray that in time my heart will properly reflect Christ's beauty as this picture does. Realizing that any fruit produced can only be done through the Holy Spirit, it is to Jesus alone that we attribute any goodness or beauty.
Praise the Lord for leaving the Holy Spirit to sanctify and cleanse His people!

Picture from allposters.com

Experiencing Unfeigned Joy

My personal journey of sanctification has been a long one, requiring a considerable amount of grace from my loving Savior. I could never share every lesson that I learn throughout the day; as I seem to find myself frequently chastened by my Savior's gentle hand while I carry out the daily tasks He's called me to.

The greatest lesson He's taught me over the past months has resulted in an abundant amount of joy and peace. The lesson has consisted of enjoying my parents and doing my very best to bless them with the means I am capable.

We can all agree that the Bible gives clear commands to "Honor thy father and mother", and it puts strong emphasis and attention on the consequences of not doing so. But what does it truly mean to honor my parents? Is obeying them all that's required?

This morning I did a quick word search in Strong's Concordance about the topic of parents and the honor that's due them. You can see how importance this is to God by the long list of passages addressed to this subject. The consequences of not honoring your parents is all through the Proverbs, and we can see how it negatively effected many men and women throughout the Bible.
A subject that holds such importance to God should be heeded, right?! Should these commands be acted upon by the standards of our culture today?...

Merriam-Webster's 2009 Dictionary defines honor in this way:

one whose worth brings respect or fame, an evidence or symbol of distinction: an exalted title or rank, a person of superior standing —now used especially as a title for a holder of high office .

That's our cultures idea of showing honor. Here's what Noah Webster said in his 1828 Dictionary:

1. To revere; to respect; to treat with deference and submission, and perform relative duties to.

Honor thy father and thy mother. Ex.20.

2. A testimony of esteem; any expression of respect or of high estimation by words or actions...(emphasis added)


Honoring our parents entails much more than just obeying them because we're commanded to. It involves loving them in sincerity, resulting in our desire to act upon our love and express it to them through our words and actions! To truly honor someone, we must do all in our power to respect and bless them.

"There are those who curse their fathers and do not bless their mothers." -Proverbs 30:11

I've been convicted of how I've neglected truly blessing my parents over the years. But by applying and acting upon these truths over the past months, the Lord has blessed me so abundantly! I definitely think He was gracious in giving me the parents He did. My mother's joyful spirit and love for her children and husband; my dad's wisdom, patience, and love for the Lord... make it a pleasure to honor them! They have become my closest and dearest friends. I long for their counsel and praise God for His using them to lead me.