Pregnant Pastor

Ever heard of such a thing? Me either. It's weird and I feel left with all kinds of unknowns. Before, I knew what I was doing. But pregnant? I don't know how to do this and my job. None of the guys I work with can relate and so I'm kinda left to figure this one out on my own. Will it still be "cool" to preach to teens when I have a giant belly? How unfun will it be to take 200+ students to Six Flags in October when pregnant ladies can't even ride rides? How will I feel missing my first Winter Camp in over 10 years because I'll be on maternity leave? How will I raise a kid, have time for Jake, and lead a youth group 7 days a week? I'm finding out these answers and more as each day goes by for these 9 months. I don't have one woman role model I've seen be pregnant and lead a ministry to watch. I've seen pastors' wives, but not pregnant pastors. Here's to trailblazing! For now I'd love to share with you a funny pregnant pastor moment...

So Saturday night I ate something bad and was suffering the next day (major indigestion). I wasn't sure I was going to make it. But I was there and I had to preach. I got up on stage and brought up a trash can with me. I told the teens,

"Guess what guys? It's Barf Sunday! Baby Johns isn't happy with what I ate last night and let's hope I don't throw up mid-sermon! This is some of the stuff you get to experience with me because you've got a pregnant pastor."

They were thrilled and really hoping I'd lose it. Thank God I didn't. It was hilarious and a really funny part of this journey. My pregnant life is on stage for all to see - the good, the bad, and the ugly. I'll make sure to continue to blog about it when it comes up.

Another woman in ministry whom I look up to sent me this sweet message the other day,

"I am THRILLED you get to do both right now (youth ministry and be a mom). God will lead you...just hold everything with an open palm. He knows what we can handle and will "manage" you/ministry/motherhood for you!" - Megan Hutchinson

Thank you Megan! You are a great encourager and I needed to hear that.

Baby Johns

The number one question I get from friends and family right now is...
"When will you find out if you're having a boy or a girl?"
And then the next question is always...
"You're going to find out, aren't you?"

The answers to those questions are...
1. We have our ultrasound to find out in less than 2 weeks! Friday, Sept 9th. It's taking forever!
2. Yep, we're going to find out and we'll make sure to tell you!

For now, we cannot agree on names. We've gone back and forth. Jake doesn't like my names, I don't like Jake's names. Jake wants to name our kid Breaux (Bro Johns), so now all the kids in youth group are calling our baby "Brode". LOL Yeah, not excited about that one. We wanna choose a name that's not ordinary but not weird - I know God will bring it to us in His time. I just can't wait!!!

I think when we find out if Baby J is a boy or a girl it will help a ton!

Restaurant Review

Our good friends Jen and Karl are bona fide foodies. Hanging out with them is always fun and exciting because they take us to really fun and unique places to eat. For instance last night we went out to...



Now, last night wasn't our first time going - That's how good this place is. You wanna go back again and again! - But I had to share with the world about it on my blog because dreaming about it is not enough! :)

It's 45 minutes from my house but so worth it! They have a simple menu, a fun atmosphere, and everything is fresh. Oh and did I mention... the BEST pizza, wings and sangria on the planet? Yea, I had to pass on the sangria last night. Boo. The sacrifices us girls make for being preggers. I had their fresh squeezed lemonade instead and it was perfect.

The coolest part of this place is it's attached to a really cute, hipster-like grocery shop that sells all kinds of unique foods and gifts.

Below are some pictures of what we ordered last night. Call me up if you ever wanna go!

Success

Ralph Quote of the Week:
"To laugh often and much; to win the respect of intelligent people and the affection of children; to earn the appreciation of honest critics and to endure the betrayal of false friends. To appreciate beauty; to find the best in others; to leave the world a bit better whether by a healthy child, a garden patch, or a redeemed social condition; to know that even one life has breathed easier because you have lived. This is to have succeeded."
— Ralph Waldo Emerson

Four Month Catch Up

What's Bri been up to these past 4 months while not blogging???

I took a fabulous group of students on a trip to Turkey to see the world and experience the Muslim culture...

Found out I was pregnant! The most exciting part of 2011! I'll be blogging more about the ups and downs of pregnancy. Thank God I'm in the 2nd trimester and out of those first queasy 3 months. I guess I was lucky - no barf! Woo!

Jake and I have been trying since last October so this was such a thrill! My friend Sara guessed it while we were in Turkey cuz I kept complaining of achy boobs and feeling tired. I took a test the day after we got back and it was positive! We'll be seeing this little guy/gal on or around February 5th. So much fun!!!

I took 140 students to summer camp at Chapman University. This is the cutest picture I could find from the trip. They love SoCal - The beach, the Orange Circle, we had a blast and we baptized about 8 of them in the Huntington Beach water! Oh... And at camp is where I told all the kids we were expecting. The screams and cheers were deafening - They are so excited about our new youth group addition!

The rest of the summer has been a beautiful chaos of having 80 students over at our house every week for "Hangin' at the Johns'", moving Kyleigh (Jake's cousin) in to live with us while she interned with me at Central for the summer, celebrating Independence Day like no other church with the amazing Fire in the Sky show we put on for the community, taking a week-long staycation to rest and reflect, and having a quick but sweet visit from my Mom.

Needless to say, it's been a crazy, busy, and exciting summer! Phew! You're all caught up. :)

Slacker

My good friend Landon text reminded me that April 25th was the last time I've blogged here. Shameful... especially when that last message was about "blogging more". I've blogged a couple of times for work so thought I'd share. Then... I'll get back to blogging my life stuff for reals! Promise! ;)

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