Just finished up dinner a few minutes ago and am sitting here listening to one of my favorite Christian Christmas albums that I purchased last year…

If you want to check the album out, you can see details here on Amazon.com: http://bit.ly/peaceonearth

Just as I can recall several other terrible events in my life:
* The shooting of President Regan
* Coming home from school to learn that my dad was in the hospital after his van was crushed by a truck
* The explosion of the Challenger Space Shuttle
* The L.A. riots
* The Northridge earthquake
* And many others

So where were you when you heard the news about the first plane hitting one of the Twin Towers?

I was heading into work at the plant and had a meeting scheduled with Neutrogena in Los Angeles for later in the day… was listening to the radio and heard something about a plane hitting a building in New York. As I kept listening then it became apparent that there was something really wrong with the situation and it was more then just some small propeller plane with a lone pilot that had somehow gone off course, but a full sized commercial plane with innocent civilians and crew on board.

I immediately called the house, and got a hold of Nicholas and asked him to go get mom out of the shower so she could turn on the news for more details. The rest of the day was spent watching tv updates and listening to the radio. Of course, Neutrogena and other businesses close to LAX airport announced immediate closures for the day for safety reasons and sent employees home.

So a lot of memories of images and stories about the horrible events of the day…

…and yet there are even more amazing stories of men and woman, making sacrifices and bringing hope to others. Friends and neighbors–that they may never have personally known–but due to circumstances were willing to help and give up their lives for others. Some police officers and firemen, city workers and businessmen. Ordinary citizens doing whatever was needed to try to survive and help others in an uncertain moment.

Think back to this day, and the days that followed as a nation, the United States came together in charity and grace to give of their time and money and resources to help. I recall the Red Cross receiving a surge of blood donations in the weeks after 9/11 as we came out to help prepare for what might be thousands of people in need of life saving blood. I remember the news stories of people leaving their homes and jobs and heading to New York to volunteer with the victims and the families touched by this day. Of the ways that clothes, food and money was donated to help go to rebuilding a city in shock and a country in mourning.

So as we stop to remember this 9/11… 9 years after 2001… may we give thanks to God for his continued goodness and blessings and be grateful for the privileges and the responsibilities we have in this great nation. May we continue to give thanks for the men and women that serve in our military here and abroad. For those that continue to serve as Police and Firemen and Medical professionals. May we give thanks for a new day to bring forgiveness, and love and unity to each other.

Never Forget.

Amazing home video a couple took that were a few blocks away from their apartment balcony:

Lynn, Nick, Mitch, Garrett and I just wanted to wish everyone a wonderful Easter holiday weekend! Whether your staying close to home or out traveling to go visit family, we hope its filled with lots of love and laughter and reflection on the joy we celebrate…

Remember…

…”He is risen! He is risen indeed!”

Many Blessings,
Jerold

Dan Woolley, a fellow graduate from Azusa Pacific University with Lynn & I, was in Haiti when the earthquake struck last week. He was there filming a movie about the poverty in Haiti with Compassion International. Buried in the hotel lobby with 6 floors of rubble over him, Dan used his camera and iPhone and notebook to take pictures and write goodbyes to his family and children not knowing if he would survive!

Lynn found this on MSNBC.com a few minutes ago so wanted to share with others…

Here is the article:
Dan Woolley – Haiti article

Here is the video with Dan & Christy
Dan & Christy Woolley Interview with Today Show video

I just read a blog post by a buddy online by the name of Mark and he discusses how having a “big picture” theme can be a great way to help you move towards what you want more of in the new year.

Theme is kinda like the Chinese do with “the year of the tiger” or the “year of the cow”, but in your case or my case its a punchy little way of setting an energizing vision for the new year…

So what is YOUR 2010 going to be focused on..?

Here is my theme for 2010…

“2010: The Year of Jubilee”

You can read my comment and explanation of my thoughts and feelings under Mark’s blog post found here:

Big Picture Theme 2010

Many Blessings for your 2010 and a Happy New Year!

Jerold, Lynn, Nicholas, Mitchell and Garrett Johnson

Here is a quick 30-second video showing some upclose shots of Jesus and his Disciples during The Last Supper…

The Steinkamp-Chamblin-Carlson-Johnson families are celebrating the life of Sally Louise (Chamblin) Steinkamp today…

Today, October 4th is the 10th anniversary since she passed away.

Sally’s parents, Keith & Louise Chamblin had lived in retirement up in central California residing in Templeton, Mt. Hermon, and Cambria, California.
Beside her parents, Sally had 2 brothers, Terry and Dion. Keith passed away December 2002 and Louise passed away November 2008.

Married to James Steinkamp for 33 years and the mother of two wonderful daughters, Lesley Louise and Lynn Catherine.
Grandmother of 5: Brian James, Nicholas James, Claire Louise, Mitchell Dale and Garrett Noah (who was born 3 years after she had passed).

Jim and Sally lived in southern Orange County for most of their lives between Irvine and then San Clemente. As a local resident Sally was involved in the daily lives of her family, her church and volunteering at the local hospital in San Clemente for many years. One of her many accomplishments was the restarting of the “Candy Stripping” program at San Clemente Hospital and of which Lynn started her “medical career” under.

Sally also showed a great love of flowers and creativity that she was able to express through her work at a local flower shop. Of course she made all the center pieces for Lynn & Jerold’s wedding–a cute plant with ceramic angel and a wicker heart display, wrapped in our colors.

Ray & Anne Ortlund, Ray & Nancy Otis, Glenn & Audrey Johnson, and Russ & Janet Landreth were among Jim & Sally’s closest group of friends. Friends that shared in the triumphs and trials of life together.

After many years of stuggling with lung disease and other health issues Sally passed away at home with her husband and daughter by her side. She went calmly and with peace into the presence of Jesus on October 4th, 1999. Shortly after she passed she was cremated and her ashes were spread with rose petals out on the Pacific Ocean not far from their home in San Clemente.

Its with loving memories that we remember our mother, wife, daughter, aunt, grandmother, and beloved friend!

We welcome with love our newest Johnson family member:

Emmerson Faith Marlow

She’s a healthy little girl and mom, dad and big brother Damion are doing well, along with Nana & Granddad Johnson are thrilled!

Here is a picture of Jen and Emmerson…

More updates to follow over the days ahead.

Thank you Lord for your Blessings and your hand upon Jennifer & Emmerson during the entire pregnancy… your mercies are new every morning!

Lynn, the boys and I are looking forward to going to Tucson for Thanksgiving so we can see Emmerson in person!

With love,
Jerold, Lynn, Nick, Mitch and Garrett