September Update

Well, it's my (Shalen) last week at my job. I have been working at High Point in Dallas for almost 3 years! It has been a blessing but I am ready for something new, also! So, next week I will start substitute teaching in the Carrollton-Farmers Branch School District and will be anticipating what the future might bring! I am so fortunate that we are in a place that allows me to slow down a bit and be more available to Kyle and allows me to get more involved with Young Life.
On another note...we have decided to put the house hunt on hold until the spring/summer. After having contracts on a few different houses that fell through for one reason or another (as many of you know!) we felt that maybe God is telling us "not yet". We have signed a 7 month lease on a 2 bedroom apartment in Carrollton. Stop by and see us when you are in the neighborhood!
We've had a lot going on in the past couple of weeks with Young Life. Last Monday night was the first Club of the year. It was a great success! There were about 60 kids and all of the leaders did an amazing job! Carrollton Young Life is greatly blessed by an incredible group of committed leaders! This past Saturday night we had a night out to Babe's in Carrollton for some fried chicken with the committee and leaders. There were 25+ of us!
We will post some pics of the past few weeks soon!

Kyle and I enjoying our pedicures!

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Originally uploaded by kyleandshalen.

Kyle's pretty feet!

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Originally uploaded by kyleandshalen.

Ok now, let me explain! My mom got us "pedicures" and I didn't want to be a party pooper.
Actually, without sounding like a girl, it was fun to hang out and do something a bit different. Even though men walking by were laughing at me. Today's lesson: Don't take yourself too seriously!

Shalen and I in Parkville! Cute little town!

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Originally uploaded by kyleandshalen.

We had a great time, eating in a hometown restaraunt and walking around the tiny, old and small town of Parkville. It has a lot of little shops and art galleries that were fun to peek in and check out!

Sunday in Parkville, Missouri

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Originally uploaded by kyleandshalen.

Tri the Rock

Tri the Rock
Originally uploaded by kyleandshalen.

Well we did it! (hmm....read that as Kyle did it!) Kyle competed in his first triathlon (300M swim, 14 mile bike, and 3 mile run), Shalen competed in her first duathlon (swim and bike)! Kyle is looking forward to doing it again. I think I will stick to running, shopping and laying out by the pool. I never thought that I would willingly put a picture of myself on the internet where I look this bad! Yikes!

WE NEED YOUR PRAYER!!!

FRIENDS and FAMILY,
Boy howdy have these last few weeks been a whirl wind! It seems every corner we peek around has some "drama" going along with it! From a home we're trying to buy (and the seller's seem crazy in the head), to our YL committee experiencing a few personal family crisis', to learning the budget and some other important details of being a YL Area Director, to planning a Leadership Retreat (this list is only the beginning of a good 10 things going on!)....IT'S BEEN CRAZY! At dinner the other night, as I thanked God for the meal, Shalen and I began laughing at the number of things we needed to lay before Him! Overwhelming to say the least! PLEASE PRAY FOR US, as this time is fairly stressful for some reason, on each of us personally and in turn on us together! We know we need His strength and rely on you to beg God for it along with us! THANK YOU!
KJ

Kyle and Shalen

Kyle and Shalen
Originally uploaded by kyleandshalen.

We went out on a date this past Saturday night to Mi Cocina at the Galleria in Dallas.

Getaway to SoCal....

The Johnson BLOG

This past week, I had the opportunity to go to San Diego with one of my best friends, Molly. We had such a great time and really used it as a time to just relax!

On the way to Coronado Island

On the way to Coronado Island
Originally uploaded by kyleandshalen.

Our first day in San Diego...we had so much fun!

Hotel del Coronado

Hotel del Coronado
Originally uploaded by kyleandshalen.

This is the hotel where Marilyn Monroe shot "Some Like It Hot". It's supposedly haunted.

Lost in Tijuana

Lost in Tijuana
Originally uploaded by kyleandshalen.

So we took the wrong bus and were in the WRONG part of town...scary for 2 girls in their beachwear!

Playing at Mission Beach

Playing at Mission Beach
Originally uploaded by kyleandshalen.

Me and Molly at Seaport Village

Me and Molly at Seaport Village
Originally uploaded by kyleandshalen.

6th Annual 'Tri The Rock' Triathlon

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Originally uploaded by kyleandshalen.

In about a month, Shalen and I will attempt our first Triathlon! We are really excited and have so much fun 'being active' together. We're in training right now. I'm learning how to run distance (which I stink at) and we're getting her used to swimming in a pool instead of just tanning by the pool side. It should be fun. We'll let you know how it goes!
The Rockwall Tri is a 300 yard swim, 14 mile bike and 2.9 mile cross country run in Rockwall, Texas; Sunday, August 28, 2005 7:15 AM.

It's all about the Loin Cloth...

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Originally uploaded by kyleandshalen.

One thing I'm glad for is that I don't tend to take myself too seriously all the time. And, I would say, neither do these boys with me as we made makeshift 'loincloth' uniforms for our volleyball tournement. What an incredeible weekto watch four of these boys here begin a relationship with Jesus Christ! If dressing in a loin cloth is what we have to do....well then here's whereyou'll find me every time! Thanks for praying for Carrollton Young Life.
Now, although you see me happy as can be here, I can assure you thatI missed my wife incredibly. I was so glad to be back alongside her on the10th and it encouraged us all the more to make the move for her to have moreflexibility with her work schedule and come alongside me in ministry more! I can't wait!

Off to Windy Gap!

Kyle left on Saturday, the 2nd, with a bus load of kids for camp at Windy Gap in Weaverville, North Carolina. Please be praying for the hearts of the kids that do not know Jesus! Also, please pray for the leaders to stay energized to keep up!! Pictures will be posted once Kyle returns this next weekend!

Young Life here we come!

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Originally uploaded by kyleandshalen.

Carrollton, Texas Young Life! We're beginning to pray and approach folks to join our Prayer Team (we need 8 committed families) or our Financial Support Team (we have a goal to raise $60,000 for 3 years; almost $1700 a month to allow us to share Jesus' love through YL to kids in Carrollton). Please pray and consider joining us! It's a commitment you'll be glad to have made!
For more information about YL's mission to share the love of Jesus with every kid everywhere, check out www.younglife.org

Durango, Colorado May 2005

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Originally uploaded by kyleandshalen.

I had to go to Durango for work and luckily Kyle was able to come with me! We had a great time exploring Durango...white water rafting was a blast!!

Mr. and Mrs. Kyle Johnson

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Originally uploaded by kyleandshalen.

This is one of the wedding pics from April 2. Here are a few others from the past couple of months! We have been very busy, but it has been so much fun!