Dec 27, 2011
Dec 9, 2011
40 years ago today
40 years ago today, actually at 9:15 in the evening Johnny Wayne Leslie was born and my life was changed forever! I am so thankful for Johnny's mother Nancy and the 24 hours she labored to deliver him to this world.
So in honor of Johnny's 40th birthday here are just a few (40) things I love about him:
1. His blue eyes make me melt.
2. He is extremely generous.
3. He makes me giggle.
4. He's mad about me.
5. He is very easy to love.
6. He loves his children.
7. He reads his Bible daily, without fail.
8. He is a very hard worker.
9. He's a manly man.
10. He loves the Lord Jesus with all his heart.
11. He is as faithful as a man can be.
12. He is anything but a quitter.
13. He is unselfish.
14. He gives great back rubs.
15. He is very tender.
16. He's a man of his word.
17. He is masculine.
18. He's fun to be with.
19. He always smells good.
20. He is so good to me.
21. He loves Croatia.
22. He lives for the present and not in the past.
23. He loves the Bible.
24. He has strong principles.
25. He is my best friend.
26. He is purty. :0)
27. He is not picky.
28. He has never insulted me.
29. He is a people person.
30. Jesus has first place in his life.
31. He loves his family.
32. He's real.
33. He has self control.
34. He always holds my hand.
35. He loves the Croatian people.
36. He is thoughtful.
37. He's not afraid to get dirty.
38. He lives the will of God for his life.
39. He's the best Christian I know.
40. He's mine and I love his more today than ever!
Oct 28, 2011
Coolest Tutorial Ever!!!
Check out this awesome tutorial I saw over at Laura Thoughts. This is revolutionary especially if you have a dressing table. How cool. Anyhow, thought I would share.
I'm off to find some thrift store frames!
Oct 6, 2011
Ohio + Autumn = Magical
The name -- of it -- is "Autumn"
-- by Emily Dickinson
The name -- of it -- is "Autumn" --
The hue -- of it -- is Blood --
An Artery -- upon the Hill --
A Vein -- along the Road --
Great Globules -- in the Alleys --
And Oh, the Shower of Stain --
When Winds -- upset the Basin --
And spill the Scarlet Rain --
It sprinkles Bonnets -- far below --
It gathers ruddy Pools --
Then -- eddies like a Rose -- away --
Upon Vermilion Wheels --
We are loving the Autumn in Ohio. The colors are amazing and the feeling in the air is a bit magical. I love Autumn! It has almost always been my favorite season. The leaves putting on their color show and the wind helping them to rain down is just incredible. I'm so glad we are getting to see Autumn in Ohio, love it!
We are leaving Ohio on Friday morning headed to one more conference in Iowa before we head back to Texas. I'm so excited to get back to Texas and see our oldest son Cody. We have been on this road trip for 3 months and I miss my kid. I'm actually doing great on the road without him, which has really surprised me but I still can't wait to see him. Also we'll be packing up all the Bible and things for the container and loading them up and shipping them the end of this month. One our things are gone we only have 4 more weeks to wait. I'm so excited.
By the time we get home winter should be in full swing. I can't wait!!!
Oct 3, 2011
Gypsy Christmas in Croatia and Stuff
We were so blessed to get to spend some time with our good friends, the Madonna Family in Sterling Heights, this past month.
We love these folks and Mrs. Madonna is one of my all-time favorite preacher's wives. She's one of the sweetest ladies I know.
Anyhow, Covenant Baptist Church in Sterling Heights participated in the Gypsy Christmas and loaded us down with filled shoe boxes.
Many of our Gypsy children have never received a Christmas present before and the one we give out will be the only present they get for Christmas. It's my favorite time of the year. I love those children and I delight in seeing their smiles as they open the small gifts.
Josh and Hannah were in charge of fitting them all in our little trailer. Luckily they all fit.
We are looking forward to a wonderful Christmas this year. We're taking a container back filled with Bibles and other things. We're so happy to have some room in the container to bring some personal items and lots of stuff for our Gypsy Christmas project.
We have a great group from Bible Baptist Church in Rendon, TX, who decided to knit scarves and hats for our Gypsies. They along with several other churches have knit, as of right now:
37 pairs of gloves
1 shawl
1 poncho
1 pair of socks
31 headbands or earmuffs
10 blankets
854 hats
1,560 scarves
They call their project, Wrap Croatia for Christ. Pretty awesome! I'm so glad that the ladies at Bible Baptist had the vision to make a difference for little children they have never seen. It gets very cold in Croatia and many times the Gypsy children aren't dressed warmly. I'm gonna have so much fun wrapping those little children for all the ladies who took the time to make a difference.
On a side note, we're almost finished with our 3 month trip. I'm tickled because a week from Thursday we head back to Texas and guess who I get to see...CODY!!! I have never been away from our oldest son Cody for more than a few days and he has been in Texas at Bible college while we've been on the road.
As we travel and people find out that our son is staying behind for Bible college I hear all sorts of reports. From, "oh no, it'll be the worst time of your life." to " I cried every day and I still cry after all these years."
Very seldom do I meet a mother that is okay with her children being gone. I can understand for sure, I love my kids way too much but I'm a realist. I know for them to serve the Lord and do His will they have to eventually get out. I'm happy Cody is in Bible college and doing well, it's the Lord's will that boys become men and that's how it happens.
Sometimes I feel a little guilty that I am doing so well without him but them I realize that it's probably God's grace being poured out more abundantly in my time of need. I'm okay with it, thank the LORD!
On a second side note (he he) we are getting ready to pack up and head home. We will be back in Texas around the 15th and then pack up our container on the 1st of Nov. and then we'll be flying home on November 29th. I'm so excited! I can't even tell you how I'm looking forward to going home. Not only going home but we get to see all of our Croatian church family and friends. Anyhow, God sure is good to let us serve Him in Croatia, we're privileged.
Oct 1, 2011
awesome!
i saw this over at Home Stories A 2 Z and had to share it. this is so neat. since we're up here in Ohio and all the trees are gold and red and it's breeze and cool it's time for scarves again. i love to wear scarves and this is a great cheat sheet. enjoy!
Sep 20, 2011
Sep 12, 2011
Meeting Cyber-Friends
Sunday moring we were in Westview Baptist Church in Warren, MI and were so happy to meet Pastor Watson and his sweet wife Karen. They have a great church with a wonderful spirit.
Anyhow, this church was special because two of my blogging buddies go there. I have been reading the blogs of Amy and Kristy for years now. Amy sadly doesn't blog any more but Kristy still does. Anyhoo, they go to the same church so I was so excited to get to see them both on Sunday morning at church.
I had so much fun getting to meet Kristi for the first time and see Amy again.
Hannah had a ball with Amy's two oldest daughters. They got along great.
After church was over around 12:00 we stood around the church and fellowshipped fellow-shipped fellow shipped chatted for about an hour and a half. I was amazed. These folks love each other and church so much you have to remind them that they haven't had lunch yet. Finally we headed out to lunch around 2:00.
We had such a good time and the kids loved getting to know their new and old friends. Joshua and the Pastor's son Christian got along great, they're both 16.
I'm not sure who took this picture of Johnny talking with some men but I liked it and that's why I'm posting it! HA!
Sep 4, 2011
Dreaming of Home
Well with home just around the corner I have been spending lots of time thinking, planning and even dreaming of home. Hey I know they mission field isn't about making a house beautiful but my personal mission field (my family) sure does appreciate it. Anyhow, we rented a home in Croatia before we left for furlough. We moved in and then 1 month later we flew back to the states. We really didn't have any time to decorate so the house sits as it was when we moved it.
Anyhoo, I took photos of the house before we left so I would have some ideas of space, windows and layout. I'm gonna share them with you but don't be critical of the mess!
Below is our living room. I know it's so dark but we didn't have curtains so I had to keep the out door blinds closed because our neighbors were super close.
Anyhow, I found a few photos I really like, some of them are not possible but I still like the feel in the room.
Love the color of these walls and my couch is brown so that would actually go.
I just love the vintage feel in this room.
Don't know what all that stuff is, I just like it!
Like it!
This is our entryway, It's very typical for a Croatian house. Sorry it's so dark. We are going to strip all the wall paper off the walls and paint when we get back. The big, ugly glass door is gonna be a job. I was maybe thinking of using trim to make it look like a french door. Big project but it may be nice.
I love this little idea for a foyer, I think it feels so natural welcoming.
I like this one too!
This is our dining room, it's really small but it'll do for us. See all the snow outside? Man it really snowed right before we left. Isn't it purty?
Our kitchen is in major need of help. Since we are renting it we can't replace the cabinets but I would love to paint them. Any idea? The fact that they horizontal lines is a big of a bummer but I'm determined to make them work.
Then lastly I love this bright yellow wash room and guess what, I have one, a washroom! How cool is that? Don't think I'll stencil but I love the brightness of this room. My washer and dryer are pretty similar too.
Okay since you all are such faithful readers, I'm gonna give ya a bonus photo. This is the WORST room in our house.
Are you ready?
Really?
Get ready for a blast from the 70-s European era.
Guess I'll be doing a lot of this...
It's gotta be better than the green. I'm gonna try to take that whole wall of cabinets out, wish me luck!
Anyhow, these images have been filling my dreams lately along with dozens of dirty, little, smiling faces. Can't wait!
Aug 29, 2011
My Old Black Book
Okay, here's my old black maroon BOOK. Of all the things that belong to me my Bible is probably the most valuable. It's been with me for a long time and it is filled with memories and messages.
I've had this KJ Bible since 1999. It was a gift from a church in Dearborn Heights, MI. They asked us to give them a few items we would like and they would try to get them for us for the missions conference. I had a Bible but it wasn't very nice and so I asked for a Bible and they gave me the Old Scofield Study Bible. I immediately fell in love with this Bible. It had great references in the back including a proper name concordance. I know that Scofield was off in a lot of places with his doctrine and I wouldn't suggest this Bible to a new Christian but for me it was great.
I've personalized my Bible through the years. I have pictures of my family in the front and back. The above pictures are:
(the left cover across the top and then bottom)
Johnny reading his Bible in 1997 in Hungary on our survey trip to Croatia, My babies while we were on deputation, my family also while on deputation, my dear Daddy who died when he was 39, he's 38 in that photo.
(the right side across the top and then bottom)
the photo on our second prayer card, Joshua and Cody looking cool, and my sweetie
My Bible is filled with great quotes and sayings I have heard through out the years. I only have one signature in my Bible, that of Bro. McCracken's wife Nancy. I heard her testimony in a meeting in Romania and was so moved by her faith after a terrible crippling car accident.
Anyhow, I have some pretty nifty sayings too.
Treasures in Heaven are laid up as treasures on Earth are laid down. -Dr. Todd Lasseter (my pastor)
You can't clean a polluted well by painting the well house. -Dr. Bob W. Smith
I'm narrow minded because I travel a narrow road. -Bro. Floyd, Fellowship Baptist, Jackson, MI
I'm not shouting on credit, I'm should on a "paid in full" bill. -Johnny Leslie
85% of being successful is simply being in my place. -Dr. Smith
I'm a nut but I'm screwed onto the right bolt! -unknown
You fall the way you lean. -Charles Wetherbee
Meekness: Having strength under control. -unknown
To be a missionary you don't have to cross the see but you do have to see the cross. -unknown
Joy is not the absence of trouble but the presence of Jesus. -unknown
Stay in the Book till the Book stays in you. -Dr. Raymond Barber
I don't know how often Noah fell down in the Ark but I know he never fell out! -Dr. J.C. House
No man can ever be used of God until he's willing to be forgotten by all. -Veteran Missionary Jimmy Rose
If it doesn't move you enough to pray about it, don't whine about it! -Pastor Wes Bailey
A tear today is an investment in a laugh tomorrow. -Dr. Lasseter
A heart touched by grace brings joy to the face. -Dr. Lasseter
The church is not a museum of Saints. -Pastor Bocook
Anyhow, those are just some of the little sayings I have in my Bible. I love to go back every once in a while and read them all. They're like mini sermons!
I have on one of the front pages of my Bible this poem:
There is a treasure,
Rich beyond measure,
Offered to mortals today;
Some folks despise it,
Some criticize it,
Some would explain it away.
Some never read it,
Some never head it,
Some say, "It's long had it's day";
Some people prize it,
And he who tries it,
Finds it's his comfort and stay.
God gave this treasure,
Rich beyond measure,
His Word, we call it today.
Let us believe it,
Gladly receive it,
Read, mark and learn to obey.
-A.M.N.
Over the name of each book I have the name in Croatian. Several years back I realized I didn't know all the names so I thought that would help, it did.
Also above Genesis 1:1, I wrote DEAR TORI. Our preacher Dr. Smith preached once about the Bible being a love letter from God to us. He told us how he wrote in his Bible at Genesis 1:1: DEAR BOB and after Revelation 22:21 he wrote: LOVE, GOD. I loved this idea and I did the same with my Bible. It's a love letter to me from God!
My Bible is bilingual too. I have notes in both English and Croatian. I have many wise quotes from the national pastor, Rajko Telebar.
And again on the back cover I have more photos. Actually a lot less than I used to have. I need to add some more current ones soon.
(the left cover across the top and then bottom)
My best friend Amanda Rasbeary, Preachers wife in Wylie, Texas and I, Madison (Johnny's sister's oldest daughter), Johnny again, Madison and her little sister Kaitlyn (I super-love those girls)
(the right side top to bottom)
Johnny again (can't get enough of him), and my Daddy back in 1976 sitting with Santa
Anyhow, that's my Bible. It means a lot to me, not only because it is God's inerrant, preserved Word but because it holds 12 years worth of memories.
Anyhow, if you decided to share your Old Black Book, let me know so I can check it out!!
Aug 28, 2011
Taking advantage of the trip
I have always been a little interested in the different styles of homes and their periods but have only learned a little from watching HGTV, while on furloughs :0). Anyhow, we're in Ohio now and I am loving the variety of homes in the area. It seems like every other home is from a different period and I was baffled. I mean, I do know what the Victoria home looks like, but I didn't know that there are 4 different periods of Victorian homes.
I've recently learned about the Georgian style house.
and the Colonials are pretty easy to spot too.
But what about all the others; like the one below.
Or this beauty.
and this country cutie?
There are so many that I have no idea what they are.
So, while visiting the Half Priced Book Store in Cincinnati I picked up this gem. 
The Abrams Guide to American House Styles. AWESOME!!
I have had so much fun reading this book and finding matching styles along the way. (yes I'm a little weird that way and I do think it's fun) This book is so full of info and is really a beginners dummy guide. It's not exhaustive by any means but it's a great jumping off point.
Sadly, it won't shed any light into styles below but for the normal, sometimes boring world of American homes this book is a keeper!
No, the photo isn't upside down! :0)
Oh yea and just think how smart you will look while out garage-selling with girlfriends when you say, "Oh wow, look at that Stick Style Victorian. I tend to lean towards the late Georgian styles." HA! how fun!
