JOY!

Joy to the World! The Lord has come!

Yes, He has come...He has loved...He has redeemed....and He shall come again!

Merry Christmas....from the Johnston family!

Kenny and Julie

Evangeline Betsy (7)

Landis Miller (5)

Samuel Elias (2)

Come, Lord Jesus, Come!

He came the first time....

and HOPE was born.

He is coming again....

AND JUSTICE WILL REIGN!!!!!

"And God will wipe every tear from their eyes; there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying. There shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away." Revelation 21:4

"Rejoice! Rejoice!Emmanuel,

Shall come to thee, O Israel!"

Come, Lord Jesus, Come!

7 Months.....Waiting

Today marks the 7 month mark of being homestudy ready and officially waiting. And yes...that's in addition to the months prior when we started this adoption journey. We never, never, ever thought we we would be waiting this long. How to I find my heart today?
Quiet, calm.....and (for the moment:)...content with the wait.

Oh, don't get me wrong, we are ready for that call to come. We are longing to meet our peanut.
But this journey is the Lord's, written by Him...and we are willing to wait on our child.

When that day comes.....I know we will be filled with nothing but praise.

I cannot think about our baby without also praying for our birthmother. Seven months we have been waiting. Has she been pregnant these seven months? Is she even pregnant now? Has our child been in foster care all of these months? Has our birthmother lived at home with a family who loves her? Is she being treated with extra mercy and kindness this Christmas? Has she seen our profile yet? Does she want to choose our family for her baby, or are we her only choice? Does she know we don't "just want her baby", but long to meet her as well?

I have been asked the following question many times, and have asked it myself even more:

"If there is such a need, why are we waiting?"

Are there really children in the US who need homes, or are we simply adopting domestically to "get" a newborn.

Children are starving, dying, longing for a home all over the world.....and here we sit, profile ready...just. waiting.

I know the truth, though it is not always easy to "feel".

This journey is the Lord's. It is He who knows our child...who knit this child together. Yes, we pray and even long to adopt children internationally. Children who who are sick, have special needs, have never felt a mother's love.....who are HIV positive and life on earth could be cut short.

However...at this time, in this adoption.....our child is here. And we must wait on that child! We have "done" what we can in this adoption....and now we will wait.

Our baby isn't ready yet.

When the day comes that our baby is ready, that phone will ring. And the wait will be over.

And the celebration will begin.

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We never thought we would pass through the summer without meeting our child. Much less the fall....and certainly not celebrate Christmas without our baby in our arms.

The journey is the Lords and we are blessed and thankful to be a part of it!

We cannot speed it up....try as we may.

This Christmas, I pray our birthmother may relish the moments her baby kicks within her. I pray she is shown love, grace and mercy.

And if our baby is in foster care, I pray this little one is doted on and celebrated......

and millions of pictures are taken:)

Seven months waiting.....means we are 7 months closer!

Future Men

Kenny came home late last night after a long day of work. He was greeted by a sick wife, a pitiful dinner and a broken dishwasher. Without so much as a grumble, he got down on the floor and started in. This would have been so much easier to accomplish without the "help" of two curious little boys.

Yet he patiently and gently let them climb all over him, whacking him with flashlights and screwdrivers as he talked through what he was doing.

Kenny knows he is not raising little boys, but future men.....

who may just one day have wives who clog up the dishwasher with popcorn kernels and sippy cup straws.

Please Pray for Tucker

Please pray for baby Tucker. He is a little guy in Ethiopia waiting to come home. His parents leave in just a month to meet him for the first time. He is very, very sick.......and I can only imagine the anguish Lauren and John are in aching to go and bring him home!A few weeks ago, I had the honor of doing a bit a sewing for baby Tucker. (Not sure if his Momma knows that yet:) It is always such a joy to sew for a little one....a precious child waiting in an orphanage...not knowing how hard his parents are working to bring them home! I always feel such a connection with these little peanuts after sewing for them and thinking of them with each stitch.Tucker....I am praying the Lord covers you with His healing power!(You can go here to read more about Tucker)

This Kid....

...is all boy...

I think he must dream in mud, bugs and sword fights.

It is such an honor...

a frightening, terrifying, blessed honor to raise tomorrow's men.

I am so thankful and humbled at the blessed gift of sons!

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"My son, keep your father's commandments and do not

forsake your mother's teaching. Bind them around your heart forever; fasten then around your neck. When you walk, they will guide you: when you sleep they will watch over you; when you awake, they will speak to you."

Proverbs 6:20-22

Last Chance for Christmas Gifts!

It's not too late to order a Flitterbug for a special Christmas gift......but you need to go ahead and email me your order today or tomorrow so I can make it and mail it to you in time! (Gift certificates can be ordered anytime.)

Christmas day is just 2 weeks from tomorrow....can you believe it?!?

You can order dresses, wide ruffle pants, skirts and apron....pop on over to the HOME page to see the pattern selections!

You choose your favorite fabric HERE and I'll make your little one's Flitterbug! All of the dress styles can be worn with a turtleneck in the winter...so you have a year-round fit.

Add leggins as your peanut grows to squeak several seasons out of your dress....I love all things frugal:)

Have any questions? Pop on over HERE and see some FAQ's.

Email me at jubug231@aol.com if you would like to place an order.....and I'll have it to you in time to put under the tree.

Go ahead and place your order today.....I'll be taking a little break soon to spend time with my sweet hubby and kids over the holidays!

The Past Few Weeks......

Have been busy, busy, busy. A good, full busy...but busy!

And since blogger will not let me drag my pictures around today.....here is a peek at our "busy" in total, random order:)
I'm so thankful for our little family. I love my hubby and sweet kiddos more and more each day. What a privilege and joy to be a part of each of their lives! And yes...once again this year a fourth stocking does not hang along with the children's'....but "hope" does. Perhaps we will still yet hang a stocking this year?!?! Only the Lord knows!

I got to go with Evangeline and a sweet group of girlies from church to paint ornaments. I love getting to be with this little lady!
I have been sewing, sewing, sewing like crazy.
...For our kiddos....some special French handsewn and other southern heirloom style things for baby....Christmas gifts for everyone and yes,
lots of Flitterbugs! We are thankful for each order that comes in.

It has actually turned COLD in Georgia! I have to go bust the ice off of the chickens' water a couple times each day. (Sooo not typical for Georgia!)

Sweet baby girl. Evangeline is becoming more and more my helper with each passing day!

We went to see Kenny's family at Thanksgiving....and had such fun being with cousins.

How I love my little people! What a blessing and a joy!

We had one of the most amazing and humbling experiences several weeks ago. Kenny had met a man from Haiti named Vilmer Paul through his online seminary courses. Vilmer came to Mississippi to take some residency courses last month, and was able to come and meet our family one weekend. It was truly life changing for our family. I will have to tell you all about Vilmer and his ministry in another post!

Kenny has been hard at work lately....and I have to brag a bit:)

Kenny is a cabinet builder and carpenter....and yes, he is GOOD. The best:)

I snagged a picture of an entertainment center he did for a customer recently. The picture really doesn't do his work justice! If you live in GA and want some beautiful well made, handmade cabinets.....the Hubs is your guy!

Landis (5), Samuel (2) and Evangeline (7)
We love evenings at home just being together. One of our favorite new games....called "Pa's a crab!" Such a joy to hear the squeals of delight from the kids!

Me and my wonderful hubby....yes, posing with the compost bin my mother in law gave us:)

I was soooo excited! Who has a MIL cool enough to give her a compost bin?!?!

I love that lady.....she knows me well:)

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I am busy finishing up Flitterbug orders for Christmas gifts.

It's not too late to order something....just get the order to me soon so I can get it to you in time for Christmas!

You can also email me if you would like to give a gift certificate to someone....I will mail/email you one.

I have several new fabrics I am working on posting.....and sewing up a stash of dresses for a sale....and several pictures to post of little girls in Flitterbugs. Whew....can I get a few more hours for my day?!?!

Thank you, thank you, thank you to everyone who has placed an order lately.......we so appreciate your support in our adoption! I can't wait until the day when I get to post those 4 coveted words....we got the call. Not yet, but longing for that day!

I'm Still Here and Sewing....

If you have sent in an order or email in the last few days.....and things have been quiet/silent on my end....I'm still here and sewing!

Our computer is having major struggles- I don't quite understand the virus things.....but they have pretty much shut us down:)

I have received orders...and am sewing and shipping out Christmas gift orders like crazy, I just am having trouble on the message/email end. Your orders are on their way!

(most boring post ever....don't you agree?:)

Anyone Want It?-SOLD!

SOLD!

The cutsie Christmas outfit that is....not my little best friend:)

I made this for Evangeline last year.....she only wore it twice as I did not get it finished until Christmas week!
It is a size 5...A-line top to be worn with a turtleneck and wide ruffle pants.
It is red featherwale corduroy.....with ornament appliques.
Just $35 shipping included!
Email me at jubug231@aol.com if you would like to buy it.....I will mail it right out to you!

(And don't forget......tomorrow I will announce the winner of the $75 Flitterbugs gift certificate! Pop on over HERE to learn more!)

Beautiful Blue Eyed Girl

Thank you, Lauren, for these sweet pictures of your beautiful little one in her Flitterbug!

Would you like to win a $75 gift certificate to Flitterbugs?!?!

We are having a little photo contest.....you can read more about it HERE.

The contest ends on Saturday....hop on over to read more and vote on your favorite Flitterbug!

Hunormous Giveaway.....Grab a piece of "The Pie"!

Would you like to win:

20 shirts

3 hats

12 handmade items (yes...any Flitterbug of your choice is in the mix!)

and even better...

help to bring home a baby from Ethiopia

AND support Amazina Ministries?!?!

Pop on over to "The Farmer's Wife Tells All" and "grab a piece of the pie"!
This is a huge, huge giveaway......and does so much more than just get you cool shirts:)

There are about a bazillion ways to enter....you know you want to be a part!

Head on over and see all of the great stuff you can win!

Going....Going.......

This is the last chance to order your Christmas Flitterbugs and ensure I get them to you before Thanksgiving! Next week.....I will begin pulling the Christmas fabrics off of the fabrics page....and start sewing up a stash of dresses and aprons for a sale!
To order.....just click on the home page to choose the style of Flitterbug you like. Then head over to fabrics and choose your favorite fabric. Email me with your choice....and I will get started on your order.
********I will be taking orders throughout the Christmas season....I just cannot ensure I have your order made and to you before Thanksgiving unless you place your order in the next day or two!

Thank you, thank you for your support of our adoption!

Yes, we are praying to have a baby soon......

but constantly having to remind ourselves WHO is in control of this journey. We know HE knows HIS timing and HIS timing is best.

If only my heart and emotions could follow that truth!!!

Order Now For Christmas!

Pop on over and see a few new Christmas Fabrics I just posted......

Be sure to place any order for a Christmas Flitterbug no later than Thursday (Nov. 11th) to ensure that I can make it and have it to you before Thanksgiving!

Don't forget to enter the Photo Contest......winner will receive a $75 gift certificate to Flitterbugs!
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No news on the adoption front yet...but our agency does have a fundraising banquet tonight that I am so excited about. I'll try and not pump our wonderful caseworker for any info:)

Have a blessed Monday!

Win a $75 Gift Certificate to Flitterbugs!

We are so thankful to all who have ordered a Flitterbug and are helping to bring our little one home.

How about a little photo contest, and a chance to win a $75 gift certificate to Flitterbugs, as a "thank you" to our customers!!!

How to Enter:

***Pop on over to Flitterbugs on Facebook

***Upload a picture of your child wearing any style of Flitterbug.

***Invite your friends to vote on your child's picture.

***To vote....simply click on the "like" button under the picture.

(You will need to "like" the Flitterbugs page in order to be able to click on the "like" button under the picture!)

***Whoever receives the most "likes" will win!

***Contest ends Saturday, November 20th.

(If you are not sure how to upload pictures to facebook.....you can just email it to me and I'll upload it for you!)

Little Flitterbugs

Shopping With A Purpose

"A Place Called Simplicity" is graciously hosting a "Shop With Purpose" link up!

Pop on over and see many families who are selling tee-shirts, jewelry, handmades....all sorts of things to help fund their adoptions.

Buy something unique......and help bring a child home!

A wee bit about our family.

We are the Johnstons......

Kenny and Julie..

Evangeline (7)

Landis (5)

Samuel (2)

and are waiting to get the call on our domestic adoption!

(We don't know who our little one will be.....boy/girl...special needs/healthy....we are excited to see whom the Lord brings into our family!)

I am sewing children's clothes.....

mostly dresses and skirts for little girls...

and aprons for girls and mommas....

to help bring our peanut home!

Pop around on my site for a bit, or hop back over to the link up to find more families!

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(And if you do not follow Linny at "A Place Called Simplicity", I'd encourage you to do so. She has so much wisdom and experience in the adoption arena. I most appreciate her devotion to prayer. Each time visit Linny's blog...I come away encouraged to pray and praise! Visit and be challenged!)

SALE!!!! Long Sleeve Flitterbugs in Little Sizes!

Many of you have asked for a sale price on smaller size Flitterbugs.

I made a little stash of Long Sleeve Dresses....ready to ship to you!

They are just $25 each....shipping is included in that price.

If you would like to purchase a dress...just leave a comment or email me...first come first serve! I will mail the dresses out in the morning.

Size 6-12 Months- Pink Polka Dots

Size 6-12 Months- Freebird Flowers

Size 12-18 Months- Woodland Delight-SOLD!

Size 12-18 Months- Fall Dots-SOLD!

Size 24 Months- Moda Flowers

Size 24 Months- Pumpkins-SOLD!

Size 24 Months- Tweet Tweet Butterflies

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You can also pop over and see all of the lovely Christmas fabrics. Christmas orders are rolling in....place yours before your favorite fabric is gone!

What If It Were Today?

Each day......several times each day, I think, "Will it be today?"

While writing out the date, I often wonder, "Is our baby being born today? Is our birthmother's due date today?"

Sometimes, I cast a glance at the phone, as if I could will it to ring, yet at the same time and in some supernatural way, I am content and confident to let the Lord write this adoption and timeline. (As if I have any control of it anyways!)

Some days, Kenny bluntly and randomly states, "I am ready for our adoption to happen." He has a child he loves and longs to meet.

It has been 8 years since the Lord wrote adoption on our hearts....15 months since we officially began our adoption journey.....and 5 months and 3 days since we were officially homestudy approved and waiting. Honestly, I never thought we would be waiting for so long....and I a ready for the waiting to be over. Oh, please let it be today!

This morning, "could it be today?" casually crossed my mind, as it does everyday. Then me heart realized, as a Christian, I should live in that state. Jesus is coming....what if it were today? Do I not long for that day? I admit, I rarely think about it. It could be today, it could be tomorrow....it could be in a thousand years...but it will be. Why do I not think about that as I wake, plan my day and prepare for tomorrow? Would it not change the way I live...would I not walk my days in a more eternal perspective?

Four years ago, in a unexpected blink of an eye....I almost met my maker. One day I will share those moments and what went through my mind. I will tell you it has changed my perspective on life and how I live. How I mother, what kind of wife I want to be and my desires in life have forever been altered. But even though I experienced first hand how quickly our lives can end, I still do not often think.....

"Today could be the day! The eastern skies could split, the trumpet could sound and the Lord could descend. Hallelujah!"

Just as wait in hopeful anticipation for the phone to ring, just as we long to receive that call and meet our child, I want to live in hopeful anticipation and expectation of the Lord's return. Heaven and Earth have been waiting for over 6,000 years....and it could be today!

"So you must also be ready, because the Son of Man will come at an hour when you do not expect Him." Matthew 24:44

What if it were today? Are you ready?

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(If you are going on the "Created to Care" retreat.....scroll down to yesterday's post to leave yoru link!)

Who Going?!?!? LINK UP!!

I am so, so excited about the "Created to Care" Ladies Retreat in February....and so thankful my parents and hubby are making it possible for me to go. (And really hoping I have a little peanut to tote along!)

After I registered.....I sort of realized....."ummm, I going on a weekend retreat...where I do not know anyone."

If you know me...this is so not like my shy self! Kenny tells me that adoption and orphan care has brought out something in me that nothing else ever has....and he thinks it is good.:)

I am sooo excited about meeting so many ladies who I have gotten to know through the "bloggy" world....and would love to know if any of you are going?!?!

Sooo......leave a comment or link up your blog below. I'd love to know who all will be there!

Are you going on the Retreat? Link up here!

The Lord's Provision...and His Generous People

I think we plunged into this adoption journey as many families do: excited, hopefully, eager and with high expectations. You hear stories of families who complete their paperwork overnight, get FBI clearances before they are even fingerprinted, receive a check in the mail on day one to cover all expenses, get their referral call 3 hours after the waitlist, get the call for twins, have the kiddos placed in their arms the next day and never have so much one second of court holdups. Our adoption...just like every other hopeful families....was going to go just.like.that. :)

Then we started to process, and the Lord showed us that His ways are not our ways...and praise Him for it!

Many days we have wondered why He led us down the domestic path, even after approval with AGCI for Ethiopia....and then praised Him at details of our current journey. Many days I have cried over the exhausting hours of sewing and fundraising...only to realize precious little has been raised.....then PRAISED Him as His faithful followers have bestowed their love and means upon us. Many days we have sat frustrated as we sit waiting....knowing that there are millions of children who are n desperate need of a family.....then praised Him as we pray for our birthmother, whom we so long to meet.

Most of our encouragement, support, funds, and excitement have come in ways, and from people, we had never anticipated being a part of our journey.

Day by day, detail by detail, He is proving to us that this journey...this child....is His, not our. He is writing this story, and His narrative is higher and greater than ours.

This past week, He has once again encouraged and strengthened us....in the most random of ways!

One huge aspect of sewing...is fabric. And fabric, nice fabric, is not cheap. I spend tons of time on the Internet looking for nice, high quality fabric at sale prices in order to offer Flitterbug clothes at a good rate to you all. Making a garment, from start to finish, takes a lot of time....and some days it seems like to slowest way possible to fund an adoption!

A couple of weeks ago, I received an email from a lady I do not even know....a "friend of a friend" she stated. Could she send me some fabric as a "donation" of sorts for our adoption?!?!

Wow~how neat! I am constantly surprised at the creative ways in which people have been a part of our journey. Her email was such an encouragement to me.

Over the course of the last few days......we have received package after package after package of beautiful fabric from our, now dubbed, "secret fabric lady." Each yard of fabric has been met with squeals of delight and gratitude! Yesterday, the children and I took to posing with our new, beloved stash:)

The Lord has once again provided through the generosity of His people, and we are left praising Him for it!

I wish I knew who this "secret fabric lady is....I would hug her neck and smother her in thanks!!! (So if you know who she is....please do so for me:)

See the fabric stash in the above pictures?!?! It is enough to make 120 Flitterbugs.
I'm ready to sew like a deranged woman:)

Praise the Lord, who gives good gifts in His time, in His ways and for His glory!

Two Winners and Free Shipping!

Thank you, thank you to all who entered the Long Sleeve Flitterbugs Giveaway!

We had close to 100 entries left here..and on Facebook...and emailed in.

The children and I had fun pulling 2 names out of the hat!

The winners are:

Lauren Evans

and

Erin McCoy

Ladies...I'll send you an email with more info!

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How about a special on this beautiful fall day?!?!

FREE SHIPPING ON ANY ORDER PLACED TODAY ONLY!!!!

Just pop on over and see what style of Flitterbugs you like...then choose your favorite fabric.

Email me with your selection...and I'll make your little ones Flitterbug!

Have a lovely Columbus Day!!!!

GIVEAWAY!!

Thank you, thank you to all who invited your friends to follow Flitterbugs on Facebook!
We are over 500 fans.....so it's time for a giveaway.

Winner will receive a Long Sleeve Flitterbug Dress....

any size and fabric of their choice!

You can enter up to 3 times!

To Enter:

**Leave a comment below (or email me your comment..and I will leave it for you)

** Leave a comment on Flitterbugs on Facebook

**Share this Giveaway on Facebook

We will draw the winner on Monday morning.

Have a beautiful, blessed day!

11 Away.... Then a Giveaway

If you follow Flitterbugs on Facebook...then you may have noticed a Giveaway is coming.

We are up to 489 fans....as soon as we reach 500 it will be time for a Long Sleeve Flitterbugs Dress Giveaway!

So pop on over to Flitterbugs on Facebook......click "like" and invite your friends to follow.

I occasionally offer sales and giveaways on Facebook that I don't post here....

head on over and don't miss out! Winner will get to choose any size and fabric they would like for their little one's dress.

This beautiful fall weather is making me want to bake.....perhaps the next giveaway will be for a ladies apron.

What would you like the next giveaway to be for?!?!