OK, out from the tomb I walk ... maybe that's what the smell has been around here. Anyhoo, hope you all are well. Two things from the Johnson house of which you may not be privy: baby and award nomination. No, they are not related.
First, we are expecting our first child smack in the middle of Holy Week. We are quite excited, and now beginning to have a bit of anxiety; normal, I'm sure, but that doesn't help my stomach. Certain grandparents-to-be are excited and manipulative ... it's like getting married all over again, but with lots of yellow and green baby things strewn about the house. I must say, Emily is doing very well with the pregnancy. She's a trooper, and leaves the complaining to me (I am much better at it, after all). We'll let you know when the big day arrives.
Also, our band m28 has been nominated again for a RAMI Award as the best area Christian Artists. We are excited about that, too. If you'd like to vote for us, you can do so here: Rockford Area Music Industry Awards.
The music ministry is going well. Our MySpace is a flurry of activity (If you don't have one to relate to your community's youth, you are really missing out ... MySpace is their community) and we are building relationships with people 18-35 all over the world. If I ever meet someone from your community, I'll be sure to send them your way.
The offer still stands to all of you for us to come and share our music in your community. Let me know how we can be a part of your participation in God's mission for your local church.
Love you all in Christ!
Saturday, February 24, 2007
Friday, February 23, 2007
Lazarus Time, Baby!
Hey everybody! I call this blog out of tomb! (Wait...that would make me Jesus...check that)
I thought that I would be the one to break the drought...with a call to arms (or pens, or whatever). Please fire out a quick paragraph or two letting us all know what's up. I know you're busy...we all are. Just a few words about your church and/or looking for a church. That's all. I'm going first.
Things are good here...although I am really feeling the weight of two things. First, I feel like I am running out of things to say. Sermon writing has become increasingly difficult over the past few weeks...especially on weeks like this one where I have three sermons (Ash Wednesday, Memorial Service, Sunday). Second, I really miss the community of UDTS. I think that part of problem number one is that I don't have people to bounce things off of, talk to, and the like. I'm still doing my share of reading...but without the processing, it just isn't the same. That, and I miss the recharging effect you all have on me (well, except you, Serverson...quite the opposite). I'm trying so different things that have be recommended to me, like reading more fiction, intentionally looking for mentors at presbytery, and "public journaling" (what the kids call "The Blogging"). They have all helped some...but it just ain't the same.
There are a lot of blessings alongside the challenges, too. We had a really simple Ash Wednesday service...and it was amazing. It was really powerful for me to administer the ashes...kind of sacramentally creepy telling all the people you have come to know and love that they are mortal. The town and the church have been very welcoming...I'm praying at the Boy Scout banquet on Saturday. The best news of all is that Julie got a job this past week. She is now working at the United Way of Fort Collins as a Youth Volunteer Coordinator. She helps organize and mobilize area youth to help out in the community. Perfect fit, methinks.
Anyway..life is busy, good, rewarding, and lonely in shifts. I can't believe it's been half a year since graduation. I just blinked and three weeks went by...I started writing this in January. And while there are moments...there have never been doubts that God wants us here and is using us here. The call is still strong...though the brain is tired. And so I am off to do some reading for our Synod's New Pastor's Retreat that I am going to on Monday (I found out that one of my fellow retreaters is going to be Jane Busey). Hope all is going well with you all...know that you are loved and missed.
I thought that I would be the one to break the drought...with a call to arms (or pens, or whatever). Please fire out a quick paragraph or two letting us all know what's up. I know you're busy...we all are. Just a few words about your church and/or looking for a church. That's all. I'm going first.
Things are good here...although I am really feeling the weight of two things. First, I feel like I am running out of things to say. Sermon writing has become increasingly difficult over the past few weeks...especially on weeks like this one where I have three sermons (Ash Wednesday, Memorial Service, Sunday). Second, I really miss the community of UDTS. I think that part of problem number one is that I don't have people to bounce things off of, talk to, and the like. I'm still doing my share of reading...but without the processing, it just isn't the same. That, and I miss the recharging effect you all have on me (well, except you, Serverson...quite the opposite). I'm trying so different things that have be recommended to me, like reading more fiction, intentionally looking for mentors at presbytery, and "public journaling" (what the kids call "The Blogging"). They have all helped some...but it just ain't the same.
There are a lot of blessings alongside the challenges, too. We had a really simple Ash Wednesday service...and it was amazing. It was really powerful for me to administer the ashes...kind of sacramentally creepy telling all the people you have come to know and love that they are mortal. The town and the church have been very welcoming...I'm praying at the Boy Scout banquet on Saturday. The best news of all is that Julie got a job this past week. She is now working at the United Way of Fort Collins as a Youth Volunteer Coordinator. She helps organize and mobilize area youth to help out in the community. Perfect fit, methinks.
Anyway..life is busy, good, rewarding, and lonely in shifts. I can't believe it's been half a year since graduation. I just blinked and three weeks went by...I started writing this in January. And while there are moments...there have never been doubts that God wants us here and is using us here. The call is still strong...though the brain is tired. And so I am off to do some reading for our Synod's New Pastor's Retreat that I am going to on Monday (I found out that one of my fellow retreaters is going to be Jane Busey). Hope all is going well with you all...know that you are loved and missed.
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