A New Year

Classes started today. I am totally unpacked and moved into my new dorm room and things are rolling. I am getting ready to shift into a new type of routine and ready for God to move in my heart yet another semester.

Was reading in Exodus 33 yesterday and was reminded again just how badly I need the Presence of God to walk with me, to distinguish me from all other faces on this earth and to be my witness for the life I live (vs 15-16). I want so desperately to see the glory of God here on this earth.

Check this out!!
Then the LORD came down in the cloud and stood there with him and proclaimed his name, the LORD. And he passed in front of Moses, proclaiming, "The LORD, the LORD, the compassionate and gracious God, slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness, maintaining love to thousands, and forgiving wickedness, rebellion and sin. Yet he does not leave the guilty unpunished; he punishes the children and their children for the sin of the fathers to the third and fourth generation."
Exodus 34:5-7

Wow, If that doesn't make me wanna fall to my face in complete awe of the God that I serve.

PS. Nick and I are working on a date for the wedding and will keep you posted on all the ways God keeps blessing us in this process of getting married!!

IM ENGAGED!!!

Yep! You heard it right, Nick proposed!! We are so excited! More details to come!!!

Would anyone notice

So, as you all know, I work where the source of all coffee flows from...just kiddin. Some probably think so though. And it sure seemed like the source of coffee also means source of life when a few days ago we had to shut our store down for NO MORE THAN 2 HOURS because of some construction around our store. The city had to stop the water, so health code says we can't be open. Not really a huge deal, you would think. At 9 am apparently this is a large problem here on Foster and Sawyer (the street corner we sit on). People thought we were joking. Like it was an end of the summer April fool's or something. Then, after they realized we weren't joking when we had to pry their little espresso sucking hands off of the door, repeating very slowly and carefully, "We are closed sir, sorry," people flipped! Totally flipped. "HOW THE HELL AM I SUPPOSED TO GET THROUGH MY DAY NOW???" was not an uncommon response. And, "Are you kidding me? This is ABSURD!" Ha, absurd? Really? Or, one of my favorites, "Where am I supposed to get my coffee now???!!" Well, right around that corner, or you could go up that street, or if you're headed that way there is one in the middle of the street so you don't even have to move one lazy finger from your vehicle.

Well, anyways, it got me thinking. What would happen if The Church (the Body of Christ) closed down for 2 hours? Would people notice? Would people not know what to do with the rest of their day? Would it effect anyone?

Sometimes, the answer sadly, and sort of ashamedly is, no. It wouldn't. But I believe that that can change. If we give ourselves up in a radical way. The way Jesus did. It would be noticed. The Kingdom of God would be essential for living. Not Starbucks.

NICK'S NEW BLOG

This rad dude named Nick has a new blog. You should at least give it a chance. You will get hooked. He is really stoked about it and would love for you guys to read it and leave comments!

(you can click the title above where it says "Nick's New Blog" and it will link you to the blog)
*If for some reason the link doesn't work for you go ahead and copy paste this into your web address ---> nicholasjamesjohnson.blogspot.com

Thanks guys.

Brit's 1st Soccer Game

It was Nick's 20th Bday this weekend and so I took him to a Chicago Fire Game (MLS), yep it was pretty sweet. And, as we all know, I have watched baseball games since I took my first breath. So, it was pretty fun to watch. Nick had to teach me what everything meant and how the game is actually played. So, I am learning. The fans are intense. There is a whole section that chants and plays drums and screams the entire time. There are some devoted people when it comes to soccer. It was a sold out game too. The stadium was totally packed. Everything was said twice, once in english, and then again in spanish. A nice cultural experience. (Actually I think its pretty great to be reminded that Americans aren't the only people on this planet.) Oh and apparently at a soccer game it is totally ok to wear a scarf in the middle of summer. Not so sure about that one. But, we won, 1-0. I know, high scorin game. End result, Brit is totally into the soccer scene and this won't be the last game I'm at. Sorry dad.