Once upon the year 2009, the Johnsons set out to make a difference. We wanted it to be something grand, something glorious, something earth shattering and far reaching. Our sights were high. Kings, presidents, newspapers, all would be touched. Everyone would be blessed and happier because we were alive!! But as the year began, we found we could not yet begin our grand plans. First we had to start preparations for dear Ben’s baptism. He would be turning 8 in October and his lessons commenced in early January. We taught him all about Jesus Christ and the plan to return to Him. Then our house was filled with new sounds: the sounds of a gurgling, cooing, happy baby. Because Noah David never cried. And we each found many hours spent laughing and clapping and holding and feeding and changing and watching and crawling and protecting and teaching this new little baby boy. Pretty soon, as we continued with our normal lessons and sports (basketball, soccer, football, theater, singing, piano, horses) we found that we were spending lots of time studying together in the evening, doing our family home evening lessons, attending church, and our church activities. And then there were some local needs to be met. The girls organized book drives, supported canned food drives and clothing drives. We continued to try and help victims of domestic violence. We were active in the schools. What family of six children is not?!! But these were small things, tiny! As we tried to serve and love, we realized there was no way for our family to make even a wrinkle of change in the vast and broad problems of poverty and substance abuse. We supported the soldiers and thought, “but there is no way to truly thank them or pay them back for their supreme sacrifice!” We sent food in for the homeless and thought, "But what about tomorrow's meal?" But we have to try don't we? We all have to try. And quickly, the year sped onward until November was upon us once more. And, with our glorious plans unrealized, we began the Thanksgiving holiday seeking for those things that merited gratitude. We thought of our dear friends whom we love so much. We thought of our distant families who we wish were SO much closer. We thought of our home and stable environment. And we were filled with love for our dear Savior Jesus Christ who makes all these blessings possible. But we felt a twinge of disappointment and despair as we remembered how little we had done in return for these great blessings! We thought of kings and presidents who don’t know our name. We thought of countries untouched and world problems unsolved. What happened to those grand plans once laid? Where was the difference we had made? Our thoughts were interrupted by a noise at the table as we were gathered around the turkey, and we gazed on each smiling face. Mandi was growing into a beautiful thoughtful and wise Young woman, Sarah was eternally kind and loving, Ben so tenderhearted and driven to succeed, Andrew cheerful as ever and praying to obey, Audralynn healthy strong and happy keeping us all in line, and Noah sweet, so so sweet. Our mark on the world this year begins and ends with each sweet soul in our dear family. And although we have so much more to learn, we love them so much and as we work for this eternal family, we know the truth of the words, “Be not weary in well doing for ye are laying the foundation of a great work and out of small things, proceedeth that which is great.”
We love you and Merry Merry Merry Christmas!!!
Love,
Dustin, Jennifer, Amanda, Sarah, Benjamin, Andrew, Audralynn, and Noah
