A Fresh Start

I started this blog several years ago during a transitional time in my life. My life looks very different today then it did a few years ago. At the time, I wanted to blog, but I didn't know what I wanted to write about or why.

We all need a fresh start sometimes. This is a fresh start for my blog. I'm starting a new blog on a new site. I'll keep this blog up for now, but if you're interested in what I'm writing about, check out my new blog.

You can follow me over at The Other Johnsons.

I Left My Heart in Detroit City

Detroit, Michigan - the place I call home. You've probably heard about it on the news, and no, it's not the state capital. At one point in history, it was considered the poster child for cities across the United States. Detroit was the place where Henry Ford changed history, and Motown emerged. It's where the Tigers almost won the World Series, and the Lions never won anything.

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After the race riots and "white flight," Detroit took a detour down the road of infamy. When you hear about Detroit, your mind probably fills with images illustrating a reputation that has been well painted for you; a reputation hard to forget and easy to believe. Detroit is known as the city that declared bankruptcy; it's where abandoned houses have been left to decay, real estate is unattended, street lights don't turn on, and the water system has been forgotten. It's become notorious for racial tension and violence. Many people think Detroit is only a place where shootings occur daily, racism is commonplace, selling drugs is the typical occupation, women are mistreated, poverty is rampant, and danger is imminent.

Detroit is so much more than that. I hope I can play a part in changing that reputation.

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Detroit is a place that has stood as a forerunner in U.S. history. There is an array of exquisite architecture that remains as monuments to the city's story. It's the birthplace of Motown and other music legends. On the weekends, you can choose to visit the Fox Theater or the Detroit History Museum. People gather at local jazz clubs like Cliff Bell's or Bakers Keyboard Lounge. There is the Detroit Symphony Orchestra, which has been long ranked one of the top 10 symphonies, and the Detroit Institute of Arts, which holds an art collection ranking among the top six in the United States. If the arts aren't your thing, take a visit to the Detroit Zoo, grab a hot dog at a Tiger's baseball game, or go cheer on the Red Wings. Try some shopping at the Eastern Market on a Saturday morning. In the summer, you can go swimming at Belle Isle, take a stroll along the River Walk, and have dinner on the Detroit Princess Riverboat. The list goes on and on. Detroit may have it's problems, as every city does, but I think the media has long shadowed its beauty.

Let me tell you what I see in Detroit - the things that make it truly beautiful.

The beauty of this city comes from the faces I see every day. Any city can have special events or amazing buildings, but it's the people that make a city and a culture. The people in Detroit are some of the most loyal and tenacious I've met. It doesn't matter what comes against them, be it race riots or bankruptcy, residents of Detroit are dedicated to this city. These people know how to live through adversity. As the sign I pass every day says, "Nothing stops Detroit." Detroiters are resolute; their strength is rare. Many residents who consider themselves to be Detroit "lifers" have lived through some of the city's worst days, and don't plan on leaving. The people of Detroit are proud to call this their home, and that's a characteristic I admire. Their pride is both contagious and inspiring. You can't live here long and not develop an overwhelming sense of honor to call this your home.

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One of the things I love most is the community Detroiters have built. I think many people would be amazed at the camaraderie in Detroit neighborhoods. People stick up for each other. Neighbors actually know all of their neighbors. Sometimes I lose track of who lives in what house because neighbors are so invested in each others' lives. Everyone knows the mail man and the man who regularly walks his dog on a first name basis. On that point, everyone knows the name of everyone's dog. Block clubs meet regularly, and neighbors gather their resources together to better their community. One neighbor will be seen shoveling driveways and another will be mowing yards. Summertime is filled with people chatting on the porch, back yard barbecue's, and children running out to the ice cream truck. The smiles and laughter of the children are infectious. I don't know how your heart can't melt around them. Detroiters are people who know how to see beauty in brokenness and know how to make beauty from brokenness. They don't run from their past, but they take pride in how far they have come. I want to be more like that. I want to be a part of that kind of community.

A lot of people may think I'm crazy for living in Detroit, but spend some time here, and those people may change their minds. This is where my heart is. This is my home. And this is where I'll stay.

Hello Again

Hello there.

I'm writing this post to say, "Hello, again." I've been away for quite some time, and I haven't posted anything on my blog. Well, I'm here to write again. Hopefully, this time you will see a post more frequently than every nine months.

This past year has been an interesting one. I've asked myself so many questions, and so much has changed around me. Then again, when in life does that not happen? I've felt unsure, confused, and insecure. In the midst of my self-examination, writing a blog seemed pretty pointless and almost entirely slipped my mind. Thankfully, there are people out there who have encouraged me to continue writing. They have been unwilling to let me forget what I started. After all that's happened this year, I'm ready to start writing.

Here I am world. Let's begin.

Lessons from Year One

Well, hello world. It seems like forever since I've written anything. Even though I love writing, life always seems to run away with me. Fortunately, a wonderful life event has brought me back to my computer to share a momentous occasion with you.

Monday, May 20, my husband and I celebrated our first anniversary! Aaron, being the amazing man that he is, planned a whole weekend of first anniversary festivities. Now, don't think we went and spent ourselves into a frenzy. My husband and I live on a very slim budget. I'm talking about the Weight Watchers, counting every penny like a calorie, kind of budget. I believe this past weekend God blessed us through various family connections, local promotions, and unexpected gifts. We spent the weekend in a little cabin right on Lake Huron. It was the perfect rustic getaway. We were able to enjoy the beach, boat on the water, and explore the town. On the actual day of our anniversary, we stayed in a gorgeous hotel in Detroit. That was absolutely fabulous, because I love being pampered. I am a woman after all. On top of all that, my husband spoiled me with lots of coffee and the beautiful gift of not cooking - all weekend long. It was incredible. I am so grateful for the beautiful memories that we made and all the people God used to make it happen.

It's crazy to think that an entire year has already past. A year ago, it felt as if time was moving in slow motion as I awaited my wedding day. This year, time has passed me by in a whirlwind. The past twelve months have been filled with up's, down's, in's, out's, and lots of turn-around's. In sentimental moments, like our anniversary, I have a tendency to become exceedingly nostalgic. Plus, I like to look back at seasons in my life to process what happened and learn from the past. As I sat discussing the previous year with Aaron, he helped me uncover a lot of lessons I've learned. I am here to share some of the most important ones with you.

LESSON 1: This is just the beginning, and the best is yet to come.
We live in a culture steeped with the idea that the wedding day is the ultimate goal. Disney princess movies all lead up to the happily-ever-after ending that comes with finding Prince Charming. Shows, like The Bachelor, are centralized around the idea that we reach the pinnacle of our lives once we find love. To top it off, we idolize celebrity weddings on Bravo, and plan every detail of our weddings on Pinterest. I'm not trying to say these things are bad; I have thoroughly enjoyed several of them. What I am saying is that they all preach the same message - the wedding day is the final goal. How many chick-flicks have you watched about romance after the wedding? It's easy to let our desire to put on that white dress morph into our primary objective. Before my wedding, part of me had come to believe this cultural norm. Last year, my mom wrote in a card, "the best really is yet to come," and those words opened my eyes. What I've learned this year is that there is so much more after the wedding day. All this hype that our culture teaches shouldn't be about a wedding, it should be about a marriage. The wedding day is just the beginning. It's a celebration of the new life you are committing to with one person. Once the celebration is over, it is the marriage that continues. It's the marriage that lives on and shapes the rest of your journey. There is so much more beyond the wedding day, and I am excited to discover all that includes with my husband. A year ago, I didn't reach the pinnacle of my life; I started out on a new journey with a man I am committed to until death. This new life is just the beginning, and I can't wait to see what's ahead.

LESSON 2: Prayers are more powerful than words.
Sometimes Aaron needs to hear truth, whether it is in the form of encouragement or confrontation. Being the person closest to him, I often witness when we needs that truth. However, I made the mistake in thinking he needed to hear my words. He never needed my words; he needed God's words. Now, there have been times God has spoken His truth through me, but it hasn't always happened that way. On several occasions, I thought my words of truth were so powerful and that, if he heard them, everything would be better. What I quickly learned is that my words are nothing unless they are directed by God. It is only my pride that thinks my words are so powerful. More often than not, Aaron needs my prayers more than my words, and any words I want to speak, should first be brought to God in prayer. Prayer affects change. Without fail, every time I have gotten down on my knees to pray for Aaron, I have seen change take place because God is at work. Transformation is not it my hands, it's in God's hands. God uses a variety of avenues to speak truth to Aaron. I am honored and humbled whenever He chooses to use me. God has called me to pray for my husband, but it is always He who answers.

LESSON 3: "When life gives you lemons, make lemonade."
I think that no matter what age, season, or place you are in, you will always encounter hard times. Being in our first year of marriage, Aaron and I have come across a lot of life events that we've never experienced before, and not all of those have been pretty. As the common saying goes, "When life gives you lemons, make lemonade." This quote is commonly used, but, this year, I learned a new aspect of this truth. Making lemonade out of lemons isn't just about what you do, but it's about your heart. There were several times that my husband tried to "make lemonade." I would grudgingly go along with the idea because it seemed like the best option. What I didn't realize was that just because I was making lemonade outwardly, did not mean I was making lemonade inwardly. I would let my emotions overwhelm me and control my perspective on the situation. As a result, every batch of lemonade was mixed with the bitter taste of anger, disappointment, or frustration. All I did was add salt instead of sugar to create a bitter drink deceptively disguised as lemonade. When I let my emotions take control, I miss out on opportunities to enjoy life and taint new memories with negativity. Instead of letting my emotions control me, I need to control my emotions. That way, Aaron and I can look back on those hard times and not only remember the memories we made, but how we overcame the obstacles. All that to say, "When life gives you lemons, make lemonade," but don't forget to add the sugar.

Letters to Someone...

Over the past several weeks, I have unknowingly begun a blog series. I may not even call it a blog series. It's really more of a blog continuation. At this point, I'm not sure when or if this will end. It's still developing. This may become another permanent addition to my blog because this is something that I am passionate about sharing with all of you.

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For a long time now, I have struggled with what to write. I always feel pressured to write about DIY's, tips, and how-to's, none of which I am overly devoted to. Thankfully, my husband graciously pointed out to me that, more often than not, I write what I think people want to hear, not what is on my heart to share. At first I was frustrated when I realized this, because I don't want to waste my time writing about things that aren't important to me. If I'm going to spend time blogging, it's going to be because I am passionate about what I'm writing.

After hearing my husband's confrontation, I sat down and wrote one of my favorite posts, To the Dreamer. It was written as a letter from me to all the other dreamers out there. Once I published it, I realized that I have several different letters that I want to write. Not long after that, I wrote another post, To the Perfectionist. While writing these letters, I discovered there are so many words of encouragement and wisdom that I want to share with particular groups of people. Each of these words come straight from my heart, and I am passionate about sharing and sending them. That's when I realized that I want to add a new piece to my blog, and I have decided to call this, Letters to Someone.

Letters to Someone will be a series of letters for all different types of people in all different walks of life. I am going to share what's on my heart with all of you through these letters. I pray that all my letters will be sent to the correct address, and I don't receive any that are stamped with "return to sender." Be on the lookout, because the next letter I write may be for you to open.