(here's a hint: technically the special day begins at 9:10PM tonight...)
(...that would be 9:10AM in China...)
Oh Lovely Day!!!! Happy Happy Day!!!! :):):)
Maybe this will help:
Tuesday, March 16, 2010
Does anyone remember...
...what tomorrow is?
(here's a hint: technically the special day begins at 9:10PM tonight...)
(...that would be 9:10AM in China...)
Oh Lovely Day!!!! Happy Happy Day!!!! :):):)
Maybe this will help:
(here's a hint: technically the special day begins at 9:10PM tonight...)
(...that would be 9:10AM in China...)
Oh Lovely Day!!!! Happy Happy Day!!!! :):):)
Maybe this will help:
Friday, January 1, 2010
Say "Hello" to 2010
I hope you are having a great start to 2010. The old year is behind us, and ahead lies the unknown.
I'm beginning to like The Unknown (thought I'd never say that!). For me, looking into 2010 means new challenges, new friends, new experiences...new opportunities. Opportunities to learn more, love more, serve more, share more, praise more, know my Savior more.
Yes, there will be hardships and difficulties, tears, stress and frustrations before us.
But there will also be rich blessings, joy and laughter too.
2010-- I welcome you.
Lord, bring it on!!!!!!! :-)
I'm beginning to like The Unknown (thought I'd never say that!). For me, looking into 2010 means new challenges, new friends, new experiences...new opportunities. Opportunities to learn more, love more, serve more, share more, praise more, know my Savior more.
Yes, there will be hardships and difficulties, tears, stress and frustrations before us.
But there will also be rich blessings, joy and laughter too.
2010-- I welcome you.
Lord, bring it on!!!!!!! :-)
Saturday, December 26, 2009
Our 2009 Family Christmas Letter...and some BIG NEWS!!!
This is the letter we sent to our church congregation (minus 1 photo we can't put online, yet). And we finally reveal our ADOPTION NEWS!!!
Dear Family and Friends,
2009 has been a year filled with joys and challenges. Here are a few highlights of how God has enriched us.
As a family we started the year with a clear goal-- we felt led to adopt a specific nine-year-old girl from Taiwan. We signed with an adoption agency in March, completed our home study, sent our dossier paperwork to Taiwan and received adoption approval from the orphanage in June. Unfortunately in August we received word that the orphanage had changed its mind and rejected our application. This was very disappointing, as we had already begun to love C*** in our hearts. We did all we could to appeal, but finally had to conclude that short of a miracle, there was nothing more to do. Then earlier this month God sent that miracle! The orphanage contacted our adoption agency and specifically asked if we were still interested in adopting C***. After prayer and some really neat confirmations from God (that’s another exciting story…), we decided to jump back into the adoption process. If all goes well, we will have C*** in our home next fall(???)! In the midst of all these adoption ups and downs, we finally sold our house in Richmond, Eric received his 3rd degree Black Belt and started teaching karate in Chattanooga, Jennifer started a part-time job (she works in the coffee/juice bar at the new Earth Fare in Chattanooga), and Jennifer’s parents moved to town. Noelle brightens our days as an energetic three-year-old. She continues to blossom and grow before our eyes.
The church is doing very well. We are blessed to be in partnership with such loving, faithful people. Over the last year we have added a staff family. Roberto and Rhesa Rodriguez are specifically responsible for developing our Hispanic ministry. We are expanding our outreach to our Spanish-speaking neighbors, offering ESL classes and have even started Spanish as a Second Language classes for those who want to better communicate with our neighbors. We took our first step into closer partnership with our Jewish neighbors and offered a “Philanthropy Camp” one week in July. We look forward to partnering in future compassionate ministry activities and meeting the practical needs of our community. Our music minister Rob Hambrick expanded his scope and started a small-group ministry. It’s been neat to see new families enter the church through this Bible Study/Fellowship group. The children’s ministry is thriving under the leadership of George Lawson. We had close to thirty kids in the children’s program earlier this month (almost double from this time last year-- thanks Christy & Sarah). I wish I had time to share with you about our Spring Homecoming or Fall BBQ outreach; our different prayer groups and Fall revival or simply how people keep asking, “Can we start this new ministry?” It’s hard to keep up with all the great and Godly opportunities!
As we come into the New Year we simply ask God for strength to stay near to him. We are confident that as we hold close to God, he will lead and provide all that is needed to grow in him and serve others!
May your joy be found in Jesus~
Eric, Jennifer and Noelle
P.S. I will try to write my next post with the specifics of how our Taiwan adoption finally came back together. You won't believe some of the super-cool things God did to make it happen!!
2009 has been a year filled with joys and challenges. Here are a few highlights of how God has enriched us.
As a family we started the year with a clear goal-- we felt led to adopt a specific nine-year-old girl from Taiwan. We signed with an adoption agency in March, completed our home study, sent our dossier paperwork to Taiwan and received adoption approval from the orphanage in June. Unfortunately in August we received word that the orphanage had changed its mind and rejected our application. This was very disappointing, as we had already begun to love C*** in our hearts. We did all we could to appeal, but finally had to conclude that short of a miracle, there was nothing more to do. Then earlier this month God sent that miracle! The orphanage contacted our adoption agency and specifically asked if we were still interested in adopting C***. After prayer and some really neat confirmations from God (that’s another exciting story…), we decided to jump back into the adoption process. If all goes well, we will have C*** in our home next fall(???)! In the midst of all these adoption ups and downs, we finally sold our house in Richmond, Eric received his 3rd degree Black Belt and started teaching karate in Chattanooga, Jennifer started a part-time job (she works in the coffee/juice bar at the new Earth Fare in Chattanooga), and Jennifer’s parents moved to town. Noelle brightens our days as an energetic three-year-old. She continues to blossom and grow before our eyes.
The church is doing very well. We are blessed to be in partnership with such loving, faithful people. Over the last year we have added a staff family. Roberto and Rhesa Rodriguez are specifically responsible for developing our Hispanic ministry. We are expanding our outreach to our Spanish-speaking neighbors, offering ESL classes and have even started Spanish as a Second Language classes for those who want to better communicate with our neighbors. We took our first step into closer partnership with our Jewish neighbors and offered a “Philanthropy Camp” one week in July. We look forward to partnering in future compassionate ministry activities and meeting the practical needs of our community. Our music minister Rob Hambrick expanded his scope and started a small-group ministry. It’s been neat to see new families enter the church through this Bible Study/Fellowship group. The children’s ministry is thriving under the leadership of George Lawson. We had close to thirty kids in the children’s program earlier this month (almost double from this time last year-- thanks Christy & Sarah). I wish I had time to share with you about our Spring Homecoming or Fall BBQ outreach; our different prayer groups and Fall revival or simply how people keep asking, “Can we start this new ministry?” It’s hard to keep up with all the great and Godly opportunities!
As we come into the New Year we simply ask God for strength to stay near to him. We are confident that as we hold close to God, he will lead and provide all that is needed to grow in him and serve others!
May your joy be found in Jesus~
Eric, Jennifer and Noelle
P.S. I will try to write my next post with the specifics of how our Taiwan adoption finally came back together. You won't believe some of the super-cool things God did to make it happen!!
Thursday, December 10, 2009
Earth Fare Chattanooga - Grand Opening photos!!
Check out the link below to see some photos from the exciting day yesterday. I had tons of fun behind the Coffee & Juice Bar counter, but were we ever swamped!! It took 4 baristas plus our cashier to keep up with the crowd. What a rush!! :) Hundreds of people came through the store every hour and the check-out lines looked like the typical Black Friday shopping lines. Crazy!! But the shoppers were in a great mood and LOVED the store. And tasting samples of EVERYTHING couldn't have hurt either! LOL
http://www.flickr.com/photos/earthfare/sets/72157622822120023/
And guess whose photos are on there? Noelle! See if you can spot her with Santa.
And FYI, my next shift is on Saturday. Come visit me!
http://www.flickr.com/photos/earthfare/sets/72157622822120023/
And guess whose photos are on there? Noelle! See if you can spot her with Santa.
And FYI, my next shift is on Saturday. Come visit me!
Tuesday, December 1, 2009
SAVE THE DATE! -- Dec. 7th
Hey ya'll! I'm having lots of fun as a cafe barista at Earth Fare, a.k.a. The Healthy Supermarket!!!!!
All my friends and family are invited to attend "Family and Friend Night" at Earth Fare (on Gunbarrel Rd. next to Target) on Monday December 7th. You will get a tour of the new store and will be able to sample in-house, made-from-scratch sandwiches, pizza and desserts (for free). If you think you might come...call me, text me, email me, post a comment here, or just show up! Just be sure to find me to say hi! The specific time is still TBA, but approximately 5:30 or 6:00pm.
I'm having lots of fun with my training thus far and am blessed to be working with some really nice folks. I hope you will stop by Earth Fare OFTEN - we open to the public Dec. 9th - and I'll make you a delicious latte, chai, hot chocolate, gourmet tea, or luscious smoothie in the cafe at the front of the store!!! :-)
~C U there~
All my friends and family are invited to attend "Family and Friend Night" at Earth Fare (on Gunbarrel Rd. next to Target) on Monday December 7th. You will get a tour of the new store and will be able to sample in-house, made-from-scratch sandwiches, pizza and desserts (for free). If you think you might come...call me, text me, email me, post a comment here, or just show up! Just be sure to find me to say hi! The specific time is still TBA, but approximately 5:30 or 6:00pm.
I'm having lots of fun with my training thus far and am blessed to be working with some really nice folks. I hope you will stop by Earth Fare OFTEN - we open to the public Dec. 9th - and I'll make you a delicious latte, chai, hot chocolate, gourmet tea, or luscious smoothie in the cafe at the front of the store!!! :-)
~C U there~
Thursday, November 12, 2009
Excuses, excuses!
I have a whole list of excuses for why my blogging has fallen off in recent weeks (...months...). But the list would bore you, and I certainly don't want to bore my readers! :-) I do know that there are some faithful aunts, cousins, parents, far-away-friends who check regulary for new posts (or at least there were??!). To you good folk, I say "Sorry." :-(
But in my defense, such as it is, I am in gooooooood company. When I do grab 5 minutes here and there to scan others' blogs, I often read posts similiar to this one.
And what is our BIG EXCUSE???
FACEBOOK!!!
Yes, it's the truth. I have been spending more time posting photos and stories and chatting on facebook than writing about family stuff here. I am really trying to limit my time on the computer so I can be engaged in my real life (virtual reality is no reality!). So the blogging has suffered. I do hope to continue blogging long term, as I enjoy writing and I do like to document the life of our family. But realistically I may only get a couple posts up here every couple weeks. Sometimes I stress myself out with self-imposed blogging deadlines. So I think I'm better off to just concentrate on 3-4 posts a month and be satisfied. And if I get more in, that's just a bonus!
But for those of you who want more of the Johnson's, become my facebook friend! Just click on the facebook badge on the top right of this blog. It will take you to a page where you can request to be my friend. Okay? Hope you come find me!
~See ya'll at my next post!
Jen
But in my defense, such as it is, I am in gooooooood company. When I do grab 5 minutes here and there to scan others' blogs, I often read posts similiar to this one.
And what is our BIG EXCUSE???
FACEBOOK!!!
Yes, it's the truth. I have been spending more time posting photos and stories and chatting on facebook than writing about family stuff here. I am really trying to limit my time on the computer so I can be engaged in my real life (virtual reality is no reality!). So the blogging has suffered. I do hope to continue blogging long term, as I enjoy writing and I do like to document the life of our family. But realistically I may only get a couple posts up here every couple weeks. Sometimes I stress myself out with self-imposed blogging deadlines. So I think I'm better off to just concentrate on 3-4 posts a month and be satisfied. And if I get more in, that's just a bonus!
But for those of you who want more of the Johnson's, become my facebook friend! Just click on the facebook badge on the top right of this blog. It will take you to a page where you can request to be my friend. Okay? Hope you come find me!
~See ya'll at my next post!
Jen
Saturday, November 7, 2009
Jen's New Job
Yes, you read that correctly. I've got a new job! :) In addition to the ones of "mom", "wife", "pastor's wife"...you get the idea. This job is a part time gig to help improve our family's financial situation. We lost a considerable chunk of our retirement and investments with last year's drop in the market, but what hurt the most was going almost 10 months before selling our house in Missouri. So I got a job.
I applied at a few places but got hired Wednesday at our town's brand new Earth Fare, "the healthy supermarket". I first discovered Earth Fare in Knoxville when my parents still lived there. It is a funky and fun store that I loooooove to spend time in. Such a vast array of organic groceries, local produce, vitamins and supplements, natural skin care, fair trade coffee, gourmet teas, chocolate, cheese, decadent baked goods, delicious hot foods and salad/soup bar, and so so much more. I will be working in the coffee & juice bar, which is just the position I wanted. :) I loved my brief stint last year as a 'barista' (someone who prepares and serves espresso-based coffee drinks) at Enigma Rarities before adopting Noelle, so I look forward to this new opportunity. I love interacting with customers and getting to know the "regulars", and I take pride in preparing a delicious espresso-drink that will bring people back again and again.
This Chattanooga store will be a design prototype for future Earth Fare's - i.e. it's gonna look super cool in there. You will never know you are in a grocery store! The cafe area has the feel of a restaurant and customers are encouraged to hang out for a while by the fireplace and enjoy the free Wi-Fi...and of course, the delicious lattes or smoothies I serve you.
Our job orientation takes place November 23-24 and then we begin training on-site from November 30th until the store opens December 9th. We employees will be practicing our food/drink preparations and serving each other. We will also be feeding all the corporate folks hanging around for the grand opening. We are told there will also be a day just for our friends and family to come tour the store and sample the healthy and delicious foods. I'm not sure yet what my schedule will be, but we are supposed to discuss this at orientation. I hope that I will get around 20 hours a week. Noelle goes to Mom's-Day-Out 2 days a week, and my parents are also happy to watch her on another day. One very cool thing is that the food service manager, Troy (my boss), has promised I will never have to work on Sundays. (yes!!) Good thing, because I wouldn't have taken the job. God is working things out, to be sure!
Ok, there is still more to tell - about how I actually got the job - but I will save that for later. It is actually a very neat story about how God put all the pieces in place. Another day, another post...
I applied at a few places but got hired Wednesday at our town's brand new Earth Fare, "the healthy supermarket". I first discovered Earth Fare in Knoxville when my parents still lived there. It is a funky and fun store that I loooooove to spend time in. Such a vast array of organic groceries, local produce, vitamins and supplements, natural skin care, fair trade coffee, gourmet teas, chocolate, cheese, decadent baked goods, delicious hot foods and salad/soup bar, and so so much more. I will be working in the coffee & juice bar, which is just the position I wanted. :) I loved my brief stint last year as a 'barista' (someone who prepares and serves espresso-based coffee drinks) at Enigma Rarities before adopting Noelle, so I look forward to this new opportunity. I love interacting with customers and getting to know the "regulars", and I take pride in preparing a delicious espresso-drink that will bring people back again and again.
This Chattanooga store will be a design prototype for future Earth Fare's - i.e. it's gonna look super cool in there. You will never know you are in a grocery store! The cafe area has the feel of a restaurant and customers are encouraged to hang out for a while by the fireplace and enjoy the free Wi-Fi...and of course, the delicious lattes or smoothies I serve you.
Our job orientation takes place November 23-24 and then we begin training on-site from November 30th until the store opens December 9th. We employees will be practicing our food/drink preparations and serving each other. We will also be feeding all the corporate folks hanging around for the grand opening. We are told there will also be a day just for our friends and family to come tour the store and sample the healthy and delicious foods. I'm not sure yet what my schedule will be, but we are supposed to discuss this at orientation. I hope that I will get around 20 hours a week. Noelle goes to Mom's-Day-Out 2 days a week, and my parents are also happy to watch her on another day. One very cool thing is that the food service manager, Troy (my boss), has promised I will never have to work on Sundays. (yes!!) Good thing, because I wouldn't have taken the job. God is working things out, to be sure!
Ok, there is still more to tell - about how I actually got the job - but I will save that for later. It is actually a very neat story about how God put all the pieces in place. Another day, another post...
Wednesday, November 4, 2009
November 8 is ORPHAN SUNDAY - You are invited to...
...attend the following events celebrating this first annual national event - Orphan Sunday!
By joining us at Chattanooga First Church of the Nazarene:
~10:45 am
Special Service honoring adoption and sharing the needs of orphans around the world
~5:00-7:00 pm
Stephen Curtis Chapman Concert event (live via web cast)
*Please bring snacks to share! :)
*We are also working out a plan for childcare
RSVP to Jennifer or Eric Johnson at:
423-893-7756 (church)
423-693-5394 (jen's cell)
OR eric.jennifer.noelle@gmail.com
Church of the Nazarene
5455 N. Terrace (across the interstate from the Rave Theater)
http://www.chattanooganazarene.org
Check out http://www.orphansunday.org for more details!!!
By joining us at Chattanooga First Church of the Nazarene:
~10:45 am
Special Service honoring adoption and sharing the needs of orphans around the world
~5:00-7:00 pm
Stephen Curtis Chapman Concert event (live via web cast)
*Please bring snacks to share! :)
*We are also working out a plan for childcare
RSVP to Jennifer or Eric Johnson at:
423-893-7756 (church)
423-693-5394 (jen's cell)
OR eric.jennifer.noelle@gmail.com
Church of the Nazarene
5455 N. Terrace (across the interstate from the Rave Theater)
http://www.chattanooganazarene.org
Check out http://www.orphansunday.org for more details!!!
Sunday, October 18, 2009
This is THE ANSWER:
"If my people, which are called by my name,
shall humble themselves,
and pray,
and seek my face,
and turn from their wicked ways;
then will I hear from heaven,
and will forgive their sin,
and will heal their land." 2 Chronicles 7:14
That says it all!!
shall humble themselves,
and pray,
and seek my face,
and turn from their wicked ways;
then will I hear from heaven,
and will forgive their sin,
and will heal their land." 2 Chronicles 7:14
That says it all!!
Saturday, October 17, 2009
Poor, pitiful Jack
Jack got left out in the rain, on our porch, and was forgotten,,, for a few days.
He was a sad pumpkin before. Now he's REALLY SAD.
Noelle saw him, frowned and tipped her head to the side and said, "AWwwwwwww" in a voice heavy with pity (for him, not her - lol).
(Notice the chin drool-- a nice touch, I think.)
A Sweet Good Morning
Eric had to leave the house early this morning, before Noelle and I were awake, to drive to a church activity in Knoxville. When I opened the fridge to get the milk, I found a sweet note and a prayer from my hubby! Awwww!! 'Put a happy-silly grin on my face, I tell ya. :>}
Friday, October 16, 2009
Please Pray For This Young Girl--
One of the ladies in our Tuesday prayer group shared this story/prayer request: about a girl who lives in another state:
Last Friday a 15 year old girl went to an abortion clinic to abort her baby. She did not want to go through with the procedure, but she lives in an overly crowded house with relatives who cannot affort the money or space for a baby. They wanted her to make a choice: the baby or your home with us. So the teen did go to her appointment at the clinic. She tried to follow through. But she ended up running out of the place without having an abortion!!!
I was and am deeply moved at this amazing show of courage. This girl is in such a difficult situation and faces losing her home...yet she bravely chose life for her unborn baby!! All of us ladies found ourselves weeping as we spent several minutes in prayer for these two precious lives.
The director of the local crisis pregnancy center opened her home to the teen for a few days until they could figure out what to do. She (the director) has asked us to pray for God to intervene in this situation. The young lady has been in much physical discomfort and had an ultrasound which showed the baby has a very weak heartbeat. Please pray for her heath and the baby's. But on the positive side, the relatives are now possibly reconsidering their initial untimateum. It looks like may be able to stay with them during the pregnancy. There are still many unknowns, however, and anything could change.
I will be seeking updates about this young lady and will let you know how things go. Just please, please pray for her and for God's best plan.
Last Friday a 15 year old girl went to an abortion clinic to abort her baby. She did not want to go through with the procedure, but she lives in an overly crowded house with relatives who cannot affort the money or space for a baby. They wanted her to make a choice: the baby or your home with us. So the teen did go to her appointment at the clinic. She tried to follow through. But she ended up running out of the place without having an abortion!!!
I was and am deeply moved at this amazing show of courage. This girl is in such a difficult situation and faces losing her home...yet she bravely chose life for her unborn baby!! All of us ladies found ourselves weeping as we spent several minutes in prayer for these two precious lives.
The director of the local crisis pregnancy center opened her home to the teen for a few days until they could figure out what to do. She (the director) has asked us to pray for God to intervene in this situation. The young lady has been in much physical discomfort and had an ultrasound which showed the baby has a very weak heartbeat. Please pray for her heath and the baby's. But on the positive side, the relatives are now possibly reconsidering their initial untimateum. It looks like may be able to stay with them during the pregnancy. There are still many unknowns, however, and anything could change.
I will be seeking updates about this young lady and will let you know how things go. Just please, please pray for her and for God's best plan.
Friday, October 9, 2009
Taiwan Adoption UPDATE
Stop by our other blog for the latest news posted today:
www.johnsonfamilyadoption2.blogspot.com
www.johnsonfamilyadoption2.blogspot.com
Thursday, October 8, 2009
Chattanooga Cupcakes - yummy yummy!!
Eric and I had a rare Thursday afternoon date today. My parents volunteered to watch Noelle, so Eric took part of the day off from work so we could have some 'quality fun'. :-)
The fun included exploring downtown Chattanooga on foot... Which brought us to a brand new shoppe: Chattanooga Cupcakes on Broad Street. The sign in the window said they would be opening on Monday. But the lights were on and we saw scrumptious looking cupcakes on display!
The door opened at our touch, so we ventured inside. The gal behind the counter introduced herself as Sonia. She said they we not open for business yet, but would we like to try a free cupcake...as a sample?
Would we!??! Of course!!
She was giving the delectible treats away to test them on the public. We were quite willing to be test subjects. The choice was difficult, but Eric went with the carrrot cake with butter cream frosting and pecan bits. I chose the chocolate cake with white chocolate truffle frosting. She packed them carefully in a to-go box, and we walked back to our car. Eric thought we should drive to another destination to get something to drink and then eat our treats at the park.
The fun included exploring downtown Chattanooga on foot... Which brought us to a brand new shoppe: Chattanooga Cupcakes on Broad Street. The sign in the window said they would be opening on Monday. But the lights were on and we saw scrumptious looking cupcakes on display!
The door opened at our touch, so we ventured inside. The gal behind the counter introduced herself as Sonia. She said they we not open for business yet, but would we like to try a free cupcake...as a sample?
Would we!??! Of course!!
She was giving the delectible treats away to test them on the public. We were quite willing to be test subjects. The choice was difficult, but Eric went with the carrrot cake with butter cream frosting and pecan bits. I chose the chocolate cake with white chocolate truffle frosting. She packed them carefully in a to-go box, and we walked back to our car. Eric thought we should drive to another destination to get something to drink and then eat our treats at the park.
Thing is, my cupcake didn't last that long. It was gone before I got out of the car!
Ohhhhhhh people! Our taste buds were in heaven!! You've got to try some of this lady's moist, decadent cupcakes. Stop by her place at 500 Broad St - Chattanooga, TN. These are tough economic times, but I sure hope her business thrives. Everyone needs a sweet pick-me-up from time to time, right?
BTW-- Eric said he would pay 5 whole dollars for one of these babies. That is high praise, indeed. ;-)
BTW-- Eric said he would pay 5 whole dollars for one of these babies. That is high praise, indeed. ;-)
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