Questions...

You know, how there are some birthdays that really make you think about your life, well this sure is one of them. So, I'm 25 now, married, no kids, living here in New Orleans, and working for a contractor, feeling like I don't have much time or energy to do anything besides work and take care of my household and husband. But, what am I doing with my life? I mean, I graduated from college almost 3 years ago. I have my bachelors in Bible and Theology and I'm working for a contractor? What I am doing today, does it really matter? I mean, I still feel like I am trying to get off my feet from college. How long does it take to get out of this "transition" stage from college to life. I know that I am living life, but I don't really know what I am doing with life. Does that make sense? I mean, we are paying the bills, doing the "adult" thing, and in the eyes of American culture we are doing really well. But, Rob and I both know that where we are at in life right now is not the place we want to settle.
What does God have for us? Should we go overseas? Should we stay here and pursue working full time in a ministry down here in New Orleans? Or does God just want us to wait right where we are at? The older I get, the more God gives me a heart for overseas missions. But what does that mean? Does that mean that God wants us to be missionaries? Does that mean that God just wants us to promote awareness of what in going on in the global church to the American church? Or is God just working on my heart to mentally get me out of this American complacency I've been sitting in for the last 25 years? Does it mean that Rob and I need to make as much money and possible here so that we can send it overseas? The only answer I have right now: I don't know. I genuinely don't know. I have no clue where Rob and I will be in the next year. We very well could be doing the same exact thing we are doing right now, or we could be half-way around the world doing something completely different. I don't know. Questions. I have so many questions in my head right now, and not one answer. How's that for my 25th Birthday?

In terms of Centuries...

So, my birthday is coming up in a few days, and well, I'm going to be 25. So, my dad called me and said, "So, the other day I realized that my baby girl is going to be a quarter of a century old." Yeah, I know. Just think of your age in terms of centuries. Not really a pleasant thought is it. I must say 25 sounds a lot younger to me than a quarter of a century old. Thanks dad!

Lazy Dayz

Last Saturday Rob and I decided to enjoy the uniqueness of living in Louisiana. So, we went to Jean Lafitte Park, where they have a trail for you to walk along the swamp. Of course Rob was looking for alligators the whole time. Unfortunatelty no alligators revealed themselves to us, but nonetheless we had a very pleasant afternoon. Here are some pictures of our time:

Invisible Children

So, we took the college group from Berean to this college gathering in New Orleans called HimNI. Anyway, they had people connected with Invisible Children come and show a documentary about the children in Uganda. In case you have not heard about the Invisible Children in Uganda, there is this war going on in Uganda. There are rebels who are stealing children 6-13 years old and forcing them to see horrific things all with the purpose to desensitize them to be soldiers in their "army." There are thousands of children who cannot spend the night with their families because they fear being kidnapped. So, they have to travel into the city to spend the night in hospitals and parks where it is safer.
This documentary was filmed by 3 guys who went on a trip to Africa and stumbled upon this story during their trip. They decided to make a documentary out of the footage from their trip.
I can recall a friend of mine from college talking about his friends' trip to Uganda and what they had found out about the children there, speaking with him only months after his friends' trip. Now, 3 years later, they have come up with this documentary and an incredible ministry to the children of Uganda. They have started schools and mentoring programs. It is incredible to see all that God has gone in this country over the past 3 years and how God has used 3 college aged students with a video camera to shed light on this crisis.
Here is the website, please read about what is happening. Rob and I ordered a copy of the documentary, so if any of you would like to borrow it (well, those of you who live close to us), we would love to lend it to you.
http://www.invisiblechildren.com/

Next Year...

Well, better luck next year. Those Saints are a young team, next year will be even better. I got so into this Saints stuff (mostly at the end of the season), but I think I'll watch quite a few games next year (my husband will love that!) I guess I'll have to go for the Colts. I know, I know, I lived in Chicago for a while and I love the city, but I'm not so sure about those Bears. They beat our Saints. And the Colts have Payton. A least we have one New Orleans boy in the Superbowl.

Saints Fever

Ok, so a part of my job is to go to city halls to pull permits for jobs we are getting ready to start. Can I tell you that this city is going crazy over the Saints, especially today! I went to Jefferson Parish and everyone was wearing Saints clothing. There were people who had even painted fluer de lis on their faces. They had the building and all the offices decorated with black and gold streamers and Saints decorations. While I was there talking to a plan reviewer about a permit, this lady who worked there started yelling "Saints go all the way." It is really crazy down here. I have never seen a city so excited about something.
Well, I got back to my office and we started talking about this Saints fever going around and decided to join the crowd. There was only one problem, none of us have any Saints stuff. So, a co-worker and I left and bought Saints shirts for everyone in the office. We had to go to 4 places looking for shirts and finally ended up at Academy Sports. As we walked in the front door, we saw this huge crowd around racks of black and gold jerseys and tshirts, and we knew we had come to the right place. So, now we are all proud owners of Saints shirts and jerseys, that we will be modeling on Sunday! (Go Saints!) And Monday at our office is going to be black and gold day where we will either be mourning or celebrating.

Life Lessons

I had to take a little road trip the other day for work. Getting a little tired of the radio I popped in a CD that Rob had made a while back of some of the songs we really like. The song "Praise You in this Storm" came on by Casting Crowns. It's a song I know well, and have really liked for a while. As I began really thinking about the words, I could not help but think about people in my life who have been really going through "storms" recently. I have been so encouraged by these people in how they have reacted in the midst of their challenging time. They have been such women of faith, strongly professing that God is in control and they are going to trust Him no matter what the circumstance. You know, you never really know how a you are going to respond to life's challenges until you have to face them.
I feel like Rob and I have really had it easy. There really has not been anything in our lives in the past few years that we would classify as a "storm" in our lives. So, I can't help but wonder what my response would be if I lost someone I loved, or someone I love was diagnosed with cancer, etc. Will I really praise God no matter what? Will I have the faith like a child and know with all my heart that God is in control? Will I really believe that God has a greater plan for everything? That He is sovereign over all things? These are all things that I know and believe now, and I hope that faith will continue no matter what happens in my life.

Praise You in This Storm
words by Mark Hall/music by Mark Hall and Bernie Herms

I was sure by now, God You would have reached down
and wiped our tears away, stepped in and saved the day.
But once again, I say amen and it's still raining
as the thunder rolls I barely hear You whisper through the rain,
"I'm with you"and as Your mercy falls I raise my hands and praise
the God who gives and takes away.

Chorus: And I'll praise you in this storm and I will lift my hands
for You are who You are no matter where I am
and every tear I've cried You hold in your hand
You never left my side and though my heart is torn
I will praise You in this storm

I remember when I stumbled in the wind
You heard my cry to You and raised me up again
my strength is almost gone how can I carry on
if I can't find You
and as the thunder rolls I barely hear You whisper through the rain
"I'm with you"and as Your mercy falls I raise my hands and praise
the God who gives and takes away

Chorus

I lift my eyes unto the hills where does my help come from?
My help comes from the Lord, the maker of heaven and earth
I lift my eyes unto the hills where does my help come from?
My help comes from the Lord, the maker of heaven and earth

Chorus

Who Dat?

"Who dat... who dat... who dat say dey gonna beat de'm Saints?" It's a line from a song I can remember hearing as a child (and thinking, yeah right! Every team in the NFL, that's who). BUT... It's the first year we can actually sing that song with pride. I must admit, I'm not the biggest football fan, but there is just something about this year, the excitement in the city, I have never cared so much about football in my life. I even find myself excited to see the game on Sunday. Who would have thought? Me, excited about a football game! Of all years for the Saints to win the Superbowl, this is the year (Hopefully)! The year when the city is in the misdt of rebuilding from complete devastation. Amazing! And even if they don't win, it's been an exciting football season for so many Saints fans! So, I ask with pride "Who dat say dey gonna beat dem Saints?!!!!" ( And I know deep down inside, you are all pulling for them, no matter where you're from!)

Spontaneous New Years

Well, Rob and I decided to be a little spontaneous, so we packed our bags and drove 3 hours to Penscaola, FL. We stayed there from Saturday to Monday. It was a blast. Although the weather wasn't perfect, we still got to enjoy the beach. I have been to Florida many times, but I have never gone in the winter. Although the water was too cold to swim in, it was so much fun to just walk along the beach. The waves were huge! And there were a lot of people surfing (another thing you don't really see during the summer. I guess winter is the best time to go surfing in Florida, who knew?!)
My favorite part was on New Year's Eve, we went and bought fireworks. We found a part of the beach where there was hardly anyone and we got to shoot fireworks right there on the shore! It was so much fun. Rob put on a good fireworks show for me, although most of them were the same exact thing (Yeah, don't buy fireworks at Walmart, they might all look different, but they are really the same exact firework, just in different packaging.) The rest of our time was filled with putt-putt, fishing, bowling, walking on the longest pier into the gulf, and just enjoying to beach! I think we are seeing the benefits of being DINKS right now (Double Income No Kids)!

Celebration in the Oaks Fun Run

OK I wrote this blog a while ago, and forgot to post it, so here it is. The race we ran was on Dec. 9th:
So, last Saturday Rob and I ran a 2 mile run through New Orleans City Park for the Celebration in the Oaks Fun Run. It is an annual run. I ran it once in high school, and thought it would be fun to do again. Rob and I had fun running together (yes, he ran with me the whole way, even though he runs much faster than me!).
For those of you who don't know what Celebration in the Oaks is: During Christmas time they decorate city park with a LOT of Christmas lights and decorations. And you can just walk through the park and enjoy. After the run, they gave us "free" (we had to pay to be in the race) enterance to the part of the park that is decorated for Christmas. Although they don't change a whole lot every year, it is always something I enjoy going to. I can remember walk through that same park as a little girl, and now I can go with my husband! How fun!

Our First Christmas Together!

Last Christmas was Rob and I's first Christmas together and needless-to-say it was quite interesting. We had just moved down to New Orleans, we had just got hired with a contractor, and we were living in a FEMA trailer. Now, as many of you know, those trailers don't have much room. We didn't have the room or the time to even consider decorating for Christmas. Christmas kind-of came and went in a blurr. We didn't even get to have our first Christmas tree together.
Although it is a little sad when I think about it, we are having so much fun this year. It feels like our first Christmas together. Last Saturday we went and chopped a tree down, went shopping for Christmas decorations (we only had about 4 ornaments for our tree, now we have about 15), went home and put up lights and our tree! It was so much fun! I never really realized how much fun it could be to decorate your own place! It just makes me want to curl-up next to my husband every night, with a cup of hot chocolate and watch Christmas movies! (Rob loves that!) Here are some pictures of our day:

Here is my buff husband carrying our Christmas tree after we chopped it
down.

The tree must be decorated!

Here we are by our very first Christmas tree!

Early Christmas

So, Rob and I are in Nebraska visiting his family and we are having a great time! This morning we had the Johnson family Christmas! It was fun to have Christmas so early! Today really feels like Christmas day! It feels like everyone is celebrating Christmas today. I almost want to call my mom to tell her Merry Christmas!
Christmas came really early for me this year when Rob completely surprised me by giving me my Christmas gift on Wednesday night. He presented me with this huge box in front of his whole family. I was completely shocked when I found that he had gotten me a brand new digital SLR Cannon camera. It is absolutely amazing! It came with a tripod, 2 lenses, case, and a card that holds a huge amount of pictures! I was so surprised. So, I have been playing with it for the past couple of days. It takes amazing pictures! It's so much fun! I have a great husband!
So, here are some pictures of our time here so far (taken with my new camera!)

This is Becca (Rob's twin sister) giving me a ride on her horse Sullivan!

Rob taught me how to shoot a gun! We had a lot of fun with the family shooting clay pigeons and I actually shot a few! I never really thought that shooting was so much fun, but we had a blast! I know my mom is going to love this picture!

Our niece Kylie is so cute. She just turned one and she loves to imitate people, as you can see!

At the Johnson Christmas everyone picks names and our brother-in-law pulled Rob's name. Our brother-in-law and his wife came and visited us in New Orleans a few months ago and we took them fishing. There were the most fish we have ever seen all grouped together, but they would not bite our lines. We all wished (especially Rob) that we had a net because we could have caught some fish then, but of course we didn't. So, they got Rob the most enormous net in the world! (it's so big, I don't know how we are going to fly home with it. It looks like we will have to mail ourselves a package!) So, it looks like we should catch some fish next time!

My New Family

So, we will be leaving tomorrow for Nebraska to be with Rob's family for Thanksgiving. We will be there for about 6 days! All of his immediate family is going to be there are we are thrilled to spend some quality time with them.
It is so interesting how when you first get married, your husband's family becomes your own. As I have come to know the Johnson's more, spending holidays with them, vacations, and even opening our home to them, it is amazing how a person comes to know and love a group of people as much as their very own family. Even though I did not grow up with the Johnsons and I haven't known them for a very long time, I have come to love them greatly. At first it was a little weird to know that I had a motherand father-in-law, sister and brother-in-laws, a neice and a nephew (and more on the way at some point, I'm sure) . They are a whole other family besides the one I grew up knowing, making memories with, fighting with, and loving. I have come to a point where I feel blessed to be called a Johnson and to be a part of the legecy of an amazing family. As cheesy as this sounds, it is so true, there is no other family in the world I would rather have added to my list of people I love and respect than the Johnson family. They are a blast to be around, an encouragement to converse with, and a joy to know.
So, we are leaving tomorrow to see my other family, the Johnsons and I am so excited to spend time with each of them!

I have some sad news

On Thursday night Novemeber 9, my grandmother, whom we know affectionately as "Honey" passed away in her sleep. Honey is my father's mother. Rob and I were fortunate enough to spend some last sweet moments with her, showing her some recent picutres of our honeymoon, trips we've taken, and friends we love. Her death came as no surpirze to the family as she was in her 90's and her health had recently depleated. Although, it does not make the loss any less. We love Honey very much. She was a wonderful grandmother who loved her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren deeply. Honey was a fitting name for her always sweet demeaner. She will be grealy missed.
If anyone is interested, the funeral will be held this Thursday Nov. 9th. Viewing is at 10 am and the service at 12 noon. Location: Lake Lawn Funeral Homes: 5100 Pontchartrain Blvd.New Orleans, LA 70124.
Please pray for our family during this time. For comfort, and more importantly that through this time our family member who do not know Christ in a personal way might come to know the truth of Christ's death and resurrection. That Jesus Christ is the only way to God.
My biggest comfort is to know that God is sovereign. I know that He is in control of all things and that He has a purpose for every situation. Praise the Lord that He is in control!

Women's Retreat

So, I went on my very first women's retreat. Honestly, I was a little nervious about going. I've never been on the same reatreat with my mom! A little weird. I've been on youth retreats and college retreats, so I wasn't quite so sure what to expect. I mean, what exactly does one do on a women's retreat.
Well, our adventure began with quite the surpirse. There had been a tornado the morning before that had touched down close to the camp we were staying at. So, no electricity in the woods. Good thing we were all told to bring flashlights. Everyone was ready for quite a night, but the ladies handling the retreat quickly made the adjustments, (order pizza and eat by fir light!) and everything went smoothly. The next morning we all awoke to electricity, and a surprise at who else was sleeping in our room (it was very dark the night before).
The women who put on this retreat were from Cedar Mill Bible Church in Oregon. There were about 30 women who flew down at their own expense, just to minister to the women of New Orleans and the surrounding areas. They did an amazing job of caring for us and praying for us. They even had women who go to the church praying for a specific woman at the retreat. How amazing! We each recieved a letter from that woman. I felt very blessed and encouraged. There is something about women ministering to other women and is just so meaningful.
One thing that I came from this weekend realizing is that people are people. Sounds weird, I know. Let me explain. It seems as though there is often a huge gap between "younger women" and "more mature women". But, we are all in this walk together. When it comes down to it, we are all trying to love the Lord with all our heart, mind, and soul. And there should be great unity in that This weekend, it felt like the age gap melted away and we were all just trying to live life together. We are all together here in the body of Christ, although we have different struggles, talents and interestes, we are just women trying to love the Lord.

Katrina Land Right Next Door

So, now that Rob and I have moved, our new apartment is right next to the 17th Street Canal. As many of you know, the 17th St canal is one of the canals that broke during Hurricane Katrina. We are living on the side of the canal that didn't break. The neighborhood right on the other side of the canal from us is where many of my family lived, including my gradmother. What once was an area of life, has now been replaced by complete destruction. In recent days, I find myself driving home from work, passing houses that were once so familiar, and now gone.
Living down here in Katrina land, there are times when I just get completely use to the destruction. Sometimes when I am driving down the road and I see water marks on the eves of homes, vacant guttted houses everywhere, I don't even give it a second glance. And then there are times, when I pass by my grandmother's house, schools I have attended or even the house that I grew up in and I greive as if Hurricane Katrina just happened yesterday. I have so many memories of this city. It is amazing how a place can be so familiar and so foreign at the same time. Despite all that has happened, there is one thing I know for sure, New Orleans will always hold a speacial place in my heart, no matter what it looks like.

Moving Again....

So Rob and I are moving, again. I realized that we are about to move into our fourth place since we have been married and it's only been one year!!! How crazy is that? I guess, we just can't settle down. We are going to stay in the New Orleans area, however we are moving to a location that is more centralized. Since Rob is working in consrtuction and he has houses all over the New Orleans area, we are moving to a place that is more accessible. We are not really excited to move all our stuff AGAIN, especially since we are moving from the 3rd floor of one apartment building to the 3rd floor of another apartment building. (Anyone want to help us?) Oh yeah and there are no elevators in either building. (still want to help?) But after our stuff is moved we will be excited about a new place.

College Friends

You know those kind of friends who you haven’t seen in a long time and when you get together with them, it’s as if you were never apart. You just pick-up where you left off. I love those friends! Over Labor Day weekend, Rob and I went on a camping trip with those kind-of friends, and we had a blast!. From hiking to boating to just hanging out around the campfire and even a quick trip to Wal-mart (you gotta love “camping” in America!) we enjoyed every minute.

Now that we are living here in New Orleans, we are finding it difficult to find friends who are in the same season of life. Although we are getting more involved in our church and meeting more and more people, there are no friends like the ones you make in college. I wonder if it is because you have more time to hang-out together or because you are in a season of life where it is easy to connect with people. Whatever the reason, it seems like your friends from college are going to be your lifetime friends

Just Getting Started...

So, I have been thinking about having a blog for a while now, and I guess there's no time like the present. As most of you know, I am horrible at keeping in contact with people. Although having a blog doesn't give me an excuse not to answer my cell phone, I do think it will be an opportunity to keep in contact with all of you, as well as give me an outlet. So, if you are ever wondering, "What is going on with those Johnsons I never hear from???" here is your answer, hopefully. And if this doesn't answer your question, just give me a call..... I'll try to answer my phone!