family

I Love You; Prove It.

Antarctica, explore, faith, family, Uncategorized, worldview

I wondered why I was drawn to Colorado this week with Cousin Samuel.

Higher elevation appears critical for me to rise to a place of action–to have the difficult conversations with myself.

Now, I pause to glance back at my hearty writing session from only an hour or so ago.

I am allowing you in on this fiercely floral conversation.

Tickled by my tone, cadence, and posture, I now grow even more thankful for my growth.

DISCLAIMER:  Don’t be alarmed; I’m not always this cold, blunt, or rigid. But some days require it.

💐It begins here:

I dug, trespassingly into my comfort zone and •went• there. Asking rhetorical questions, I ripped at my own ego.

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One Bus to India, Please!

explore, faith, family, travel, Uncategorized, worldview

My trip to India in July was quite a colorful one. I took a 24+ hour bus ride from Omaha to Toronto, Canada so that I could secure a cheaper flight to Kerala, India for a friend’s wedding. I really understood the whole “time is money” thing after that trip. You should’ve seen the lady’s face at custom’s when I told her my route. Believe me, that won’t be happening again. 

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But what did happen was a heart-felt family reunion.  While living in Saudi Arabia from 2014-2015, I was richly blessed to be adopted into the Grace Outreach Riyadh church family. Being thousands of miles away from family was a definitely a challenge, but I was honored to be loved on from such an incredible tribe. 

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Cyber Silence

explore, faith, family, Uncategorized, worldview

It’s okay to step away from your device sometimes. They might miss you, but you won’t miss out.

cy·ber                                                                                             /ˈsībər/

adjective
of, relating to, or characteristic of the culture of computers, information technology, and virtual reality.
“the cyber age”
synonyms: electronic, digital, wired, virtual, web, Internet, Net, online
“our relationship was more cyber than face-to-face”

si·lence
/ˈsīləns/

noun
complete absence of sound.
“sirens pierce the silence of the night”
synonyms: quietness, quiet, quietude, still, stillness, hush, tranquility, noiselessness, soundlessness, peacefulness, peace (and quiet)
“the silence of the night”

She sat to the right of me on the couch that night. I was in Hangzhou, China (circa July 2013) and Emma was my roommate.

“We haven’t quite figured this thing out, you know?” Emma said.

Minutes before that statement, I was talking to her about how I accidentally left my phone in a cab. I was frustrated not just about losing my phone, but that I had nearly hit 500 followers on Instagram and I wouldn’t be able to see when I hit that number.

Scary.

Insert pyschological syringe. I was on drugs. Addicted to say the least.

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30 Years & 30 Lessons from My Mom

faith, family, Uncategorized, worldview
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My mom still lets me sit on her lap. I’ll do it as long as I can.

My mom, Tina Roberta (Thuston) Johnson, has been sharing nuggets with me all of my life.  Over the past 30 years of my life, I’ve collected a plethora of these nuggets. In honor of Mother’s Day, I’m sharing them with you.  Mom, thank you for each and every token of love that you’ve tossed my way. I love you and I’ll always treasure you. 

In no particular order, here are 30 lessons (and things) I’ve learned from my mom over the past 30 years.

#1 Try out for the team. If you don’t make it, go to the camp the next year. If you make it, go to the camp the next year.

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White House, Pink Eye, Red Dress, Black Man

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It’s been 22 days since my last post and a lot has gone down since I’ve last written you all. Well, it’s gone up, really!

First of all, after a quick Google a few minutes ago, I stumbled upon this article that was written a few months ago by Janice Gilmore for the Omaha World-Herald, “Her ailment proved to be a stroke of good fortune.” I didn’t know that it was posted online. I called the OWH months ago to see if they would post it, and they did. Woohoo!

Last week I was one of the 8,000 Nebraskans who flooded the Baxter Arena to hear from the most famous, current resident of the White House. Standing beside my oldest sister and my oldest nephew, we listened as President Obama spoke in our home state. Having my family by my side made me treasure that experience even more.

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Days later, I was bummed about the gunk that I gazed at in the mirror. Did I touch too many rails?

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What a Weekend! COGIC World Missions & Johnson Family Reunion

travel
Mathews to Moody

Photo from COGIC Missions Army page.

I’m still on a high from such a power-packed, fun-filled, and love-flowing week. Going to St. Louis and Kansas City was just what I needed. Here’s my recap on an unforgettable weekend with leaders, friends and family!

The baton has been passed! Bishop Moody and Bishop Mathews sharing a moment during the Holy Convocation in St. Louis.  The Church of God in Christ has been richly blessed by Bishop Moody’s leadership for decades and I know that God has anointed Bishop Mathews for this great task. Bishop Mathews, we stand with you and we’re praying for you!

missions breakfast

Those who worked on the Voice of Missions magazine and the World Missions Breakfast did a stellar job with the presentation. Remarkable!  The speaker at the breakfast was Elder Charles Blake II.He’s a fellow ORU grad.  I was honored to

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Silly Prayers, Stupendous Answers – Gospel Today Magazine

travel

Since I’ve returned to the States, it’s been an honor to speak to various groups of people back in my home country. Today, I was gifted with the opportunity to speak to “God’s Covenant Prayer Partners” and share my testimony right here in “The Heartland.”  During my presentation today, I mentioned that I write for Gospel Today Magazine.  I’ve been writing for Gospel Today Magazine for about a year now and it’s been such an honor and joy.  I’m excited to share my newest article with my Seven by 30 subscribers and readers.  Please let me know your thoughts on this and share the wealth.

Silly Prayers

Dear Diary,

Sometimes I pray silly prayers. I mean really silly ones. Prayers like, “God, please let there be at least one Black person on my cruise in Antarctica.” Prayers like, “Lord, I don’t want to have to buy sunglasses for my expedition. Can someone on the ship have a spare? I want to save my coins.”

– See more at: http://www.gospeltoday.com/blog/2015/09/16/silly-prayers-stupendous-answers/#sthash.bmusHCU8.dpuf

Karissa & Karisa in Kenya

Uncategorized

P1190016 - CopyIt was an honor to meet this man named Karisa.  Before I left for Kenya, a Kenyan friend of mine let me know that I had a man’s name and I’d probably meet a man named Karisa while traveling. Well, I met two while in Kenya.  I learned that the Chonyi name for Karisa means shepherd or herder.  What an honor to carry such a great name.