Olivia Marie

I had been married ten months when I found out I was expecting a baby. It was an ordinary day minus a small stomach bug I thought I might have, so I headed over to our universities nurses office to receive something that might make me feel a little better, so I could make it through my day of classes. Everyone on campus loved nurse Paul, and I knew he'd help me figure out what was making me feel so icky. Once I explained my symptoms. He said well maybe you have a UTI or possibly your pregnant?? I immediately declared "that could never be possible, I need to graduate college first and get a job, and a house..." He just made me stop and go take the test, and when I came back, a few minutes later ran back into the room and declared "YOUR PREGNANT!!" I think I about fainted, and then I cried and then I called Kirk, who said "your what?" I repeated myself" and then he screamed "YAY!!" I'll be right there" He ran in the rain and wind about a mile to the nurses station. He was SO thrilled, neither of us had any idea how our lives were about to change...for the better!!!




Olivia Marie Johnston entered our lives at 6:09pm on June 21st 2008 (3 weeks early) after an intense 24 hours of labor and eventually a c-section due to complications. She was born 4 lbs 10oz's, larger than they thought she would be. She was the most gorgeous thing I had ever seen and I loved her immediately. All the nausea, continual bathroom breaks, weight-gain, tiredness, pre-ecamplsia, restricted interuterine growth, anxiety, and fear went from my mind when I saw her face. Olivia was a huge blessing to Kirk and I's lives and marriage and we thank the Lord each day for her precious life. She has brought so much joy, laughter, and light to our family! She has had somewhat of a hard road these past two years with intense developmental therapy (OT, PT, Speech and EI's) but God has proven Himself faithful each step of the way, opening her mind to learn new things and catch up She is talking up a storm, walking, running, jumping, counting, and exploring her world with all her senses! The Lord has used Olivia's life to teach Kirk and I that His timing is always perfect, and although we map our "plans" for life, he guides our steps. We have been learning how to trust God in all things, we had no idea how to be parents to this beautiful gift He gave us but he has surrounded us with those who have guided us along the way. Giving advice, a listening ear, and gentle encouragement to run the race, and to raise her to honor the Lord. I am excited for our journey with Liv, she surely has made things a lot more exciting around the Johnston house!

Things are a changin'

We have some big events coming up in our family: one being that my mother is selling the house that she and my dad built together and is downsizing to a smaller home that is closer to Kirk and me. We are absolutely thrilled to have mom closer and to enjoy her company more often (if only we could see Kirk's parents more often, we miss them!!!) This move has proven to be very difficult in many ways for mom, she has had to pack up 25 + years of memories in only a few weeks and say good-bye to the home where she and my dad had dreamed of the future together. My dad passed away 5 years ago due to a sudden heart attack at the age of 50 and he is a dearly missed father and husband. While this move is sad in many ways it is also a time to get excited about what God may have for the future as she moves to Greenville from Powdersville. You could be in prayer for us as a family as we help mom move and readjust to her new home.

Another big event or should I say events coming up, are the birthdays of our two beautiful children!! Olivia will be turning 2 (June 21) and Isaiah turning 1 (July 13). They are both such a joy and wonderful additions to our family. They have taught us so much about our continuing need for the Lord and his grace and mercy. No two children have made us laugh as much as these two! We look forward to what all we will experience together as a family...

We are also gearing up for Kirk to start his masters program in the fall while teaching full time. This will be a new experience that we are a little hesitant and nervous about. We know that this is God's timing for him to pursue this degree, but we know it will take a lot of extra time outside of work. Kirk will be pursuing a degree in Apologetics. He absolutely loves this area of theology and he hopes to one day teach at the college level. So, we are excited to support him in this next step we believe God is leading us in.

Along with Olivia's birthday, comes the fact that she will be 2....AGH! Olivia is a very social, happy, and strong willed child. We have been seeking a lot of advice from those who we respect on how to best shepherd Olivia, to guide her in a way that honors the Lord. We are currently reading Shepherding A Child's Heart and Toddlerwise. We have gained so much knowledge from these two great books, and are continually trying to stay consistent with Olivia-pointing her towards the gospel, even if she has no clue what we are saying. This week we have decided to start "breaking her away" from the thumb sucking. This involves using a very nasty tasting (all-natural) liquid that we put on her thumbs to keep her from sucking them. She has been very unhappy about the fact that her thumbs taste so bad, BUT she has not once since the initial taste tried to suck her thumbs again! So day 1 is going pretty good...other than some minor frustration.

Next up: POTTY TRAINING!


The house my parents built together.

Vacation to Tennesse

This past week we packed the car up and headed to Tennessee to Kirk's parent's, more affectionately known as "Nana and Pop Pop". We decided to leave around the kids bedtime so that the kids might fall asleep and the ride be more peaceful for us. Our plan worked and we made it to Tennessee last Thursday evening. The week was filled with many happy memories including swimming, playing with the dogs, playing with Nana's tuberware, visiting their great-grand pa, going to McDonalds for Olivia's FIRST ever fudge sundae, running around the Johnston's 14 acre paradise (that's what I call it) and of course enjoying Nana's awesome cooking! It was a fabulous and relaxing week and we feel blessed to have had such a great start to summer after such a long school year for Kirk. We can't wait to go back for Olivia's 2nd birthday in a few weeks, my how time flies!

Please enjoy the pictures:

Modesty Among Believers

I have wanted to write a post on modesty, a huge issue in the church. Especially one for us as women seeking to honor the Lord and our spouses through our dress. I found this article by Dr. John Piper that I feel so eloquently addresses the topic. I enjoyed the read and greatly benefitted from his wisdom and truth from scripture. I hope you take the time to read it, it's well worth every Christian ladies time.


By John Piper November 19, 2007

Is modesty an issue in the church today?

Yes. And it's not just a problem for males. Women have issues with it as well. But it is true that males are more visually spring-loaded to lust or to think unhelpful thoughts when they see a certain picture or person, so that's where I'll focus here.

My concern today is that it seems like a lot of Christian women are oblivious to the fact that they have some measure of responsibility here. I say it carefully though, because I know that some women would turn the issue back on men as if it is their own problem.

But I know that a sincere Christian woman would not have that attitude. A Christian woman would respond, "Really? I didn't know. Please, tell me what the issue is here." She wants to serve her brothers, and her brothers want to serve her. The brothers don't want to put her under any artificial constraints and she wants to serve them. So there ought to be dialogue about this.

Necklines are an issue these days. Everywhere I turn—at the airport and at church—the necklines are plunging! Some fashion designers in the world are communicating to women today that the thing to do is have your neckline split extend too low.

Women should dress in such a way that they draw men's attention towards their eyes, their face, and not towards the other parts of their bodies.

A woman can test herself in this arena by how she dresses her little girl. What kind of bathing suit do you put on your little two-year-old? Is it a cute little bikini? Or do you begin from the very start to teach this little girl that there is an appropriate way to dress? Are you preparing her so that by the time she is seven, eleven, or fifteen her whole mindset is, I dress appropriately, modestly, and not to entice or flaunt?

One of the first words that my daughter Talitha learned was "appropriate." She didn't even know what the word meant at the time, but now it is built into her DNA as an eleven-year-old that she should dress in a way that is appropriate.

So I plead with the Christian women of the world that they take into consideration the things they are saying by what they're wearing. Dress to please the Lord.

And you can still dress beautifully. You don't have to look stupid or out of style to be modest. I know this is the case because there are hundreds of very attractive women at our church who dress modestly and don't cause men to stumble, and they don't look out of style.

Why do you encourage women to draw a man's gaze to their eyes?

There is something about the face that makes it the most full and complete expression of a person (see Numbers 6:24-26). My hands only communicate a little bit about me, my shoulders don't say much at all, and my belly tells you hardly nothing! But my face says a lot about me—my eyes, my countenance, and my mouth. Having someone just stare at another part of my body would make me very uncomfortable. I'd say, "Look at my face! I'm a person!"

But women are selling themselves because Madison Avenue has said, "Show your belly-button, your knees, your cleavage, etc." And women, evidently, are wired to want men to notice their bodies. And that is what must be channeled in an appropriate way.

Women should handle the desire to be noticed by preserving it for one man, whether he is present yet or not. They should also protect themselves (and other men) by not saying things that they don't want to say. We are always saying things by what we wear.

© Desiring God

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By John Piper. © Desiring God. Website: desiringGod.org

Top Three Thursday

Top Photos of the week.

Taken at my moms retirement gathering given to her by the teachers at her school and Greenville County 4K.

Through the Storm

Wow, the last two months have been a whirlwind in our family and I am just now finding the time to sit down and reflect. These past two months have brought Strep (2 x's), Multiple Sinus Infections, Stomach bug, Multiple Ear Infections, and a Severe Bladder infection to our family. We now know all the nurses at the pediatricans office and I think we might own stock in the minute clinic?? We have been through almost every free antibiotic from Publix and are well acquainted with the med aisle in Wal-mart. We have had to miss quite a few opportunities these last few months because of all the sickness including church, FPU, being with friends, going to small groups, and just being together as a family. I am praying that we might be coming near the end of this sickness and have a break for the summer and Lord willing on into the fall.

I know it may sound silly that these minor illnesses might effect my relationship with the Lord, but I surely neglected to come before Him. Often in my need I retreat. I try to rely on independence to get me through. I have always been a "get it done" kinda girl, and through these past two months I have really had to reach out for help... humbling. The Lord has been showing me that I need dependence on Him, even in the small things like a few cases of strep and ear infections. I have had to be more open to my wonderful spouse, that I need His help or that I am not feeling well, so he can drag me to the doctor (i'm stubborn about that). I have come to a deeper realization that the Lord cares about all our needs, not just the huge matters in our lives. These past two months sometimes all I could get out in an hour or day is "Lord be with me, give me strength." He never fails, He has met me everytime. He didn't always relieve my immediate situation or take away the pain...but He was there He was peace admist the struggle. I admit I asked him why he couldn't just make us all well, or why we seemed to be getting ill more frequently than others. But in His most gentle way He reminds me that He will never forsake me.

My husband told me this great quote I wanted to share with you all:

"God whispers in our pleasures, speaks in our conscience, and shouts in our pain." C.S. Lewis.

Top Three Thursday

Top three photos of the week. These were taken at the zoo.