Way Back When-esday!

As Thanksgiving is right around the corner, I am just so thankful to look back on these pictures and remember my sweet Brooklyn. She is still as sweet as ever, just a bit more opinionated as a three and a half year old. :-) Welcome to Way Back When-esday!

Year: 2005

Age: 9 months

Favorite Activity: Picking up Puffs all by herself!

Year: 2006

Age: 21 months

Favorite Activity: Playing with her "big sister" Allie

Year: 2007

Age: 2 years, 9 months

Favorite Activity: Decorating Cookies (and still loves playing with her "big sister" Allie)

And this picture was just taken last weekend....as you can see, Brooklyn STILL loves playing with Allie! :-)

Happy Anniversary Shout!

As mentioned in the previous post below, we celebrated 5 years of "Shout" on Sunday. For those of you who want to hear more, here is my "Intro" from Sunday Night:

In November of 2003, a small group of people here at First Lutheran sought a means to share their faith. We started with no pastor, no microphones, no communion, and even, as shocking as it seems, no snacks. Shout has no paid participants- only people with gifts they seek to share. The musicians, the prayer leaders, and the communion leaders provide a worship experience that we all enjoy, but those that choose to share their message make Shout a very special and unique experience.

Each week, individuals gather the courage to come forward to share how people have touched their lives, and how they live out their faith. We have heard about people who traveled to the gulf coast and Costa Rica to aid those in need, teachers who lift students in prayer, friendships established in the dark halls of middle school, the impact of Teens Encounter Christ weekends, people who have overcome addiction or who have provided service at a summer camp for kids with health care needs.

Tonight is a time to celebrate the gifts shared by those who make Shout special every week and those that open their hearts to share their message of His Message.

Five years later, we have more musicians, children, microphones and amplifiers, ample refreshments, and starting this evening, communion every week. In five years, we have baptized a baby, welcomed new members, celebrated the life of a woman named Ginny, and heard over 250 personal messages. You may have been here at the first Shout service five years ago, but tonight may be your first experience. Either way, may you be blessed in all that you hear and may you feel Christ’s presence among us. Welcome to Shout!

An Update and Way Back When-esday!

We've been doing great in the Johnson house....staying busy, as usual. Last week, I had a Girls Night with my dear friends, Heidi and McKenzie, and we went up to our old stomping ground, UNC, to see another dear friend, Brendan James. His name is in my "Music to Check Out" section on the left side of the page, and he did a great show with his band in our old Student Union. I just love Chapel Hill- there is just no other place like it. I had a great time there for 4 years, and despite missing Chad, it was some of the best years of my life. I'd like to say that I will be happy to let Brooklyn go anywhere she wants when she goes off to school, but I think I REALLY want her to go to UNC. :-) Then, Chad and I can have some of those Granville breakfasts again...right, babe? At least, we have MANY years for that decision.

And speaking of years....our Contemporary Christian service, Shout, celebrated our 5 year anniversary on Sunday. We had about 105 people attend, and it was just an awesome celebration service. For those of you who don't know, Chad and I helped start this evening worship service with about 10 other people in November of 2005. It's been a wonderful ministry to our church and the community, and we have formed such a great family with the attendees. It's been a wonderful 5 years, and we look forward to many more!

And finally, here are some pics for your Way Back Wednesday!

Brooklyn and her sweet "big sister" Allie (2006):


Brooklyn modeling a hat and gloves made lovingly by her Great Grandma (2007):

That's all I have time for today! I hope you are all doing well, staying warm, and gearing up for another joyous holiday season!

Way Back When-esday!

It's time again for another Way Back When-esday! Thanks, Cheryl, for hosting!

Year: 2005
Age: 8 1/2 months

*I was a slacker in November 2005....no pics from this week!

Year: 2006
Age: 20 1/2 months

Year: 2007
Age: 2 years, 8 1/2 months

A Be-Lated Halloween

Brooklyn had a great Halloween....she had fun dressing up all day at school (with trick or treating and a Halloween parade AND a Halloween party), and then we went to Oak Hollow Mall for our Grace Reigns Down show. Unfortunately, despite the fact that the mall TOLD ME they were doing trick or treating, they were not, so Zoe and Brooklyn just enjoyed wearing the costumes and watching the band (and riding the elevator from what I understand from the grandmas).

Here's our Sleeping Beauty:

Already has the Princess pose down pat!

Some friends from school:

And precious Zoe wearing Brooklyn's ladybug costume (to remember Brooklyn as the ladybug, scroll down to last week's Way Back When-sday).