everything's changin

Since our last post so many things have happened:

We celebrated the wedding of my former roommate, who is truly an inspiration in my life, to another admirable friend from college. It seems like every wedding reminds us of the blessing of marriage and helps renew our commitment to each other. 

We spoke at a junior high camp with St. Andrew Presbyterian Church's BASIC group and had a wonderful time with the junior highers as well as their high school/college aged leaders. were so blessed to share the life-altering truth that we are "beloved" children of God.

We moved to Lebanon, Ohio! Packed another U-Haul, towed the Jeep full of stuff and drove a stuffed minivan the nine hours from IC. Our first residence in OH was a fantastic historic home right next door to the church which we housesat for three weeks. It was dangerously close to two local ice-cream shops, which we may or may not have visited numerous times. Along our walks, we found several random bluegrass concerts. 

I took a two-week class back in Wheaton and had a wonderful time getting to know a new class of GRA's and reconnecting with friends from my cohort. Meanwhile, Andrew plugged away at his new job, visited a monster truck named "gravedigger" (apparently this is a famous truck), and handled all the negotiations for the next item on our list...

We bought our first house!!! With the housing market being what it is, our incredible distaste for renting, and the opportunity to invest our inheritance, we could not pass up our dream house! The process has been thoroughly stressful and exhausting (word on the street that it used to be easier to buy a house, but several agencies have cracked-down on the process significantly), but we are closing on the 15th and moving in on the 20th. We are SO grateful and look forward to being able to offer hospitality to our family, friends, and any body else. The only problem we are facing-- we have zero furniture. But that's not so bad!

We took a senior high trip to Cedar Point, and had a great time getting to know more of the students at LPC. After a whole day in the park, the group spent one night at a local campground in cabins, and then visited Lake Ontario and a local ice-cream factory (is that called a creamery?). It did not compare to Sherman's in South Haven, or even Whit's here in Lebanon, but worth the stop. 

I got a small job coaching one of the Lebanon Warriors' 7th grade volleyball team. Our season got off to a great start yesterday with our first scrimmage, and we walked away undefeated. My group of girls is tons of fun and eager to learn everyday. What a blast!

We spent a week in Michigan with a smattering of my mom's side of the family. Two days at the pool, one day at the beach, an entire day of kayaking on the Grand River, nightly campfires, crafting, and games. I loved having a running partner (Denver, the family dog), and spending time with my siblings in a variety of combinations. Every time we see cousins, it blows me away how we are all so different but share so many experiences, habits, and personality traits. While in W.Mich, we made a venture to GR to see five friends, and also got to meet up with another couple for coffee before heading out of town. We continue to be "smitten with the mitten."

It's been a busy past two months, but each event has been a sign of God's faithfulness and guidance in our lives. In the words of a favorite hymn by the Getty's: "my heart is filled with thankfulness."

waiting, sort of

Dear Husband, you got a sweet job with a sweet church in a (hopefully) sweet little town! Yes, that is right. We are moving to Lebanon, Ohio to join the youth ministry at Lebanon Presbyterian Church--major excitement. Can't wait to work, pray, struggle, rejoice, and grow in faith and love alongside you (Mr. ACJ) and teenagers again!

Dear In-Laws, it takes special kind of people to let their children move an apartment full of stuff into your garage/basement, crash in said basement, and then also feed said children. Your love, hospitality and generosity is such a blessing. I apologize in advance for our sprawl.

Dear Summer, welcome! It's going to be a great season of fresh berries, live music, evening walks, sailing, swimming, and campfires. Even though your blasting hot temperatures make me run at early hours of the morning, you are worth it.

Dear Ohio, here we come! Better get your DMV, Insurance and Bank offices ready cause we are establishing residency. You will be the first place these Johnson's technically live together, and even though you are not Iowa or Michigan, we're happy to be in the mid-west, in a place where the Big-Ten lives, and not too far away from our families.

Dear Better Half, You are currently running for your third day in a row. Way to go! It gets better from here, and I am proud of you for persevering this far!

big week

Dear Husband, it's been a special stage of life-- having the freedom to stay weeks at our parents' houses, meet up with friends all over the country, dream about ministry together, research different kinds of hypoallergenic dogs....what a blessing to be growing in friendship with each other!

Dear West Suburbs, Not going to lie--it's been a rough year. While I hope to never live in a place like this again, with miles of strip malls connected by four lane roads and fast food chains, you've taught me a lot. Discipline. Patience. Hope. Would I have grown in the same way if our circumstances were different? Maybe.

One of the Desert Fathers (I think it was Anthony) said, "Wherever you find yourself, do not leave easily." 

Will I be happy to move on? Yes. But these past nine months have been deeply formative, and as I reflect on the triumphs and disappointments of them, it will not be easy to leave.

Dear NBA, Basketball is not my favorite spectator sport, but you are doing a great job of piquing my interest this season. Maybe a small part of me is interested because of my proximity to Chicago and serious Bulls fans, but either way, these conference championship series are acceptable substitutes for football.

Dear Best Friend, you are having a baby SO SOON! I am really excited about this and am praying praying praying for a healthy baby boy and healthy mommy! Can't wait to meet junior and celebrate with you! (note the excess of exclamation points--mucho excitement)

Dear Other Half, WOO-HOO!

one more week...ish!

Dear ACJ, even though the amount of dirty dishes and laundry we currently have kind of drives me crazy, it is so awesome that you are totally comfortable with it, because I have not had time to keep up with it. Strange, but I guess I am thankful (at least in this moment in time) that you are messy. Sort of? 


Dear World, it may be that all you hear me talk about these days is writing papers. Well, I'm sorry to say, that is almost all that I think about these days. Finishing up one this evening, and then there will only be five to go in this semester. What was I thinking taking an extra class? Credit hours correspond way more with actual work load in grad school than in undergrad. Who knew?! 


Dear Church-That-Will-Not-Be-Named, even though I haven't met you yet, and even though we are just coming for a visit, and at risk of sounding desperate: I just want to say thank you for giving us a chance this far. Mr.J is so fantastic, I just am excited (and hopeful) that you will see the same heart for the Lord, the Church, and your teenagers in him that attracted me to him in the first place. What a stud! 


Dear Artsy-Fartsy Friends, what is this pinterest you speak of? Can I join your fun in approximately 9 days? And seriously, what kind of person sends homemade chocolate "Easter-bunny-barf" across the country? An awesome one, of course!


Dear Better Half, I know I am a grouch right now, slightly stressed out. As you jokingly say "somebody has to love [me]" and I am so thankful it's YOU!


Loving always (at least trying),
Christy

Wednesday

Dear Mr. Johnson, whether its finding new awesome music, cleaning the apartment like a pro, or calculating car rental-v-jeep expenses, you are the most thorough person I have ever met, and it's awesome! Have I said it lately? What a stud. Dear No-Bake Cheesecake, I understand that you are not healthy. I understand that you are not (actually) cheesecake, but sometimes, you are just right. Especially with homemade hot fudge sauce. Dear Legs, Welcome back! It has been really great to stretch and run again after a slight post-marathon breakdown. Can you make it through a 25k in three weeks? I think we can do it! Dear Mr. Johnson, Even though I have never won against you in Trivial Pursuit...you better watch your back cause I'm gonna study those cards for the next time we play and take the cake, or pie piece. That's a promise.


Love,
Christy

rainy saturday

Dear Mr. Johnson, I have known your stud-li-ness for four years now, so it's fun to watch other people catch on...especially people interested in hiring you to work with their teenagers. We're goin' for a visit! Woo-hoo! Dear First Friend at Grad School, so thankful for you and really looking forward to our coffee date this morning. Dear Legs, it was wonderful to spend some time with you again on the run yesterday. You ready for some more? Dear Buswell Library, I'll be seeing you...  
Dear Other Half, you are my best friend! Growing more and more thankful for you everyday!


Love,
Christy

Dear Mr. Johnson, Who knew that post-race support would be so important? Thanks for helping me go backwards down the stairs, making me eat when absolutely nothing looks appetizing, going for walks with me even when I wake you up early, and holding me when I cry for no apparent reason. Dear final papers and projects due in the next four weeks, To be honest, I am not very happy with you right now. Research, reflections, presentations...blah blah blah. Even though there are a million of you and only one of me: you're going down. Dear self, You can do it! Dear Other Half, While dollar tacos last night was a brilliant idea, and I agree that the steak is the best, maybe we should never spring for the chips & guacamole again...too much of a good thing, or something like that. 


Love,
Christy

marathon recap

About three years ago I started to run for a workout. Harkening back to my high school days, I was pleased to make it two miles without stopping, and thrilled to cover anything over three miles. After a few months of my new routine, the thought of running a marathon crossed my mind (this usually happened while I was running down a hill). I would chuckle to myself, but then think about all the people I know who have completed one...maybe it was possible.

This thought process continued for the following 2.5 years.

Then, when we moved to the 'burbs, I increased my run slowly but surely...all the way up to 4 miles!

With the flexibility of my schedule, my lack of significant (local) friendships, and my looming physical decay (read: 24th birthday), the marathon kept popping into my mind as a possibility. Someday. Maybe.

Well, I got a (sucky) job shortly after the move which required a lot of work hours--kicking the idea of a big 26.2 to the curb. 

Through some pretty awesome providence, I was able to quit that job and transition into a (better) work situation that was more flexible, less hours, and actually relating to my field of study (thank you, Jesus). And right around the same time, my sister-in-law announced that she was running the Go!St.Louis Marathon on April 10.

Well, add one more person to the list of "if they can do I probably could too!" 

And the rest (freezing cold training runs, many sore muscles, taste testing Gu flavors, etc) is history.

We left for STL on Friday in our swanky rental car, and arrived that evening. On Saturday we had a great breakfast with above-mentioned sister-in-law and her bf, then she and I hit up the expo. What a crazy thing! A few delicious meals and one anxiety-filled sleep later, we were at the starting line.

It was 70deg at the starting line, already 20deg above any of my training runs, but I was feeling optimistic anyway! I had a time goal, and was fairly on track until about half way, after running more hills in 3 miles than I had in 24 weeks of training...ugh. I won't go into all the details, but let's just say, it was a really hot really "ouwie" day for a 26.2 mile run. I had some back spasms, and near calf cramps, and eventually gave in and alternated running and walking a good distance of the second half. After about mile 16 I realized my time goal was as good as dirt, and aimed to finish the darn thing.

AND FINALLY IT CAME!

my parents traveled all the way down from W.Mich to cheer me on and run with me for a brief while, just when I really needed it. What can I say--they're the best.
(My in-laws are clearly awesome, too.
They were there for the whole thing, just not according to our camera)

And here is a happy picture, after I realized I was not going to spontaneously combust.

What a crazy thing to do! 

My brother (who I don't believe has ever run recreationally) warned me that marathons are like crack: "once you start you can never stop." I doubted him right up until the moment I woke up this morning when all I wanted to do was go at it again!

Judging by all the middle-aged people on the course, I'd say I have a few more years of functioning limbs, lungs, and heart to try again and maybe reach my time goal. Maybe.

a hilly leg of the journey

Dear Mr. Johnson, you are now officially tied with my parents for my biggest fan in the world. Thanks for making sure I had enough water and food last week, standing in the blazing sun for five hours to watch me run/walk, and letting me sleep on the comfortable side of the bed last night. Dear Enterprise, even though the whole purpose of us renting a car was to save money on gas, we enjoyed the free upgrade to the ultra-comfortable riding brand new taurus--I've always had a little place in my heart for Ford. Dear Sister-in-Law, thanks for inspiring me to Go! and for your enthusiasm for the last few months. Dear Better Half, one major event (Easter travels) to go between now and the end of this semester. We can do it!


Love,
Christy

following footsteps

A few months ago I started following a fantastic blog: Today's Letters.

The format and content of TL is short, funny, quirky, short, affectionate, positive, short...did I say short?
Well, in all seriousness, the way the authors use their blog to write short letters to each other has inspired me to celebrate life, marriage, family, friendship, and smaller things like music and food. Another bonus, I feel like I can write a blog in this style!

 It's been many moons since updating--partly because of how intimidating it is to update our lives in semi-interesting ways, partly because we've both been kind of depressed with life! BUT, I am going to try a new approach--thanks to Today's Letters.

I'm not quite sure what the plagiarizing rules are here, so maybe the Johnson's blog should be called something like..."From the desk of Mr. & Mrs. Johnson"


Dear Mr. Johnson, last night our ultimate frisbee team lost and you were disappointed, but I know that you are an ultimate stud. Dear Churches Looking for a Youth Pastor, you may or may not have gotten an e-mail from us last night--I know Mr. Johnson is a stud, but he is not too good to be true; I promise! Dear Marathon Cheerleading Section, thanks for all the encouragement you and you and you send me regularly! Dear Better Half, you let me take a nap last night while you made spaghetti dinner, and then were patient with me when I couldn't fall asleep because of that nap. In two words: thank you.


Sincerely, 
Mrs. Johnson

the rear-view mirror

It seems fitting to reflect on the old year past and the new year coming.




If we were being honest, we would say that the last year (particularly the last six months) has been a disappointing struggle. It started with missing some job opportunities in Grand Rapids. Then the cloudy decision to pursue grad school. Once we decided to move for school, there was disappointment after disappointment as Andrew searched for ministry jobs, which inevitably leads to questioning vocational calling. Our lack of a church home leads to isolation and anonymity.


If we were being honest, we would also say that the last year has been filled with the blessings of relationships. We were surrounded by good friends in our apartment complex in Grand Rapids throughout the summer--good nights of shared meals and playing games. We went on vacations with both of our families. I saw my best friend four times over the last year. We visited friends in N.C. and spent time in Iowa and Michigan over the holidays. Several friends have come to visit us here in the windy city and we have also been blessed by my uncle's family who lives nearby. My classmates are wonderful, friendly and fun; we've enjoyed playing games and having meals with them too.


Over the past few months, though, we have been most blessed by each other. When we were packing up our GR apartments, I realized how relieved I was to be making this transition with Andrew. Our lack of good friends in our daily life has definitely challenged in our relationship, because we are really the only people we see on a regular basis, but overall we have drawn closer to each other and are even enjoying each other more!


It's crazy that we are already preparing the next stage of life. I will be finished with my studies (at least the work I need to do on campus) in May, and so we are hoping to relocate this summer sometime to a place where Andrew can be in church ministry in a healthy and supportive church. I will finish my MA work through distance correspondence--after my last intenstive class in July, I will only have 2 classes left!