Travis Johnson

252,888,000 seconds. 4,204,800 minutes.  70,080 hours. 2,920 Days.  8 years.  It hardly seems like any time at all since Kelly said "I do."  She gave her short list of milestones on her blog, which includes our affinity for "24."  I could add quite a bit more.  But, its a great list for starters.

Some of my favorite memories with her are:

She's incredibly special and very much loved.  She brings out the best in me.  Happy Anniversary #8, babe.  You're the best.

I know I'm a little late to the Simpsonizer.  I had to at least keep up with Jesse.  Anyway, I present to you, "the Johnson's" by Matt Groening (who I actually interviewed in college along with Dave Barry).  By the way, if you know how those two super-genuises are connected let me know.  The first with the correct answer gets a virtual cookie.

We bedded down last night and slept great.  The girls were a lot of fun on the trip.  The first day, I just decompressed.  Now, I'm checking some things out and making my list of things I'm going to do.  Its going to look a bit like this:

Lobster mini-season opened this morning.  We were in the water from midnight until 10 AM.  We scored.  I'm having grilled lobster this week.  Hopefully, I can share some with Paul before he leaves to pick up his family for their move down.  He joined us on the trip and is well on his way to being one of us. 

The coolest thing of the trip is that somewhere around 4 am, I got a Hog Fish.  You never (rarely) catch these guys on a line.  You have to use a spear.  I got him from above (through the spine and out the belly) in about 12 feet of water...a really crazy shot (in other words, "luck").  I also bare handed a lobster that was getting out of Phillip's net...wish I hadn't done that.  I also wish I hadn't shoved my arm up under fire coral...bad move.

This isn't right.  Justice.  I thirst for justice!

I'm approaching midfield.  Another year.  Many more experiences.  God has been good to me.  Kelly wrote great virtual birthday wishes to me.   It made my eyes a little itchy.  I'm a blessed man to have so many rich relationships.

My old college roomie and now Miami neighbor, Matt Robinett got owned during a Kansas City Star news segment called "My First Kiss."  It was actually on the front page...must have been a slow news day in the bustling KC metropolis.  I have to say, the picture and especially the video makes Matt look like he's biting Danielle's head off.

My favorite quote from the article is:

Anyway, after 33 years of being an eligible bachelor, it looks like things may be changing for Matt.  Of course, Danielle gets a big thumbs up.  Matt on the other hand looks like a love smitten kitty cat.  He's 100% OWNED.  Hilarious!

If you happen to have any advice for old Mattimo, please share.  If you have any words of encouragement for the lovely Danielle, please share.  I've known Matt for about 16 years.  She'll need definitely need it.

Video - Article

In the past couple years, I can count the number of times I felt at ease about getting a haircut.  Typically, I just roll the dice at Hair Cuttery.  My usual experience is a very nice 65-70 year old lady that speaks zero english.  I do my best with my horrible Spanish to describe the hair cut I want.  I usually walk out with whatever they give me.  I just take it like a man. 

Yesterday, I stopped in at a new shop called "Miami Clippers: a family barber shop."  Black leather seats lined the textured yellow walls.  It was clean, open, and had hard wood floors.  Really, it is the nicest shop around.  This pretty cool cat from NY hooked me up with a cut.  His name was "el control."  It was the perfect place if I needed a fade.  He had this really cool picture of a spiderman fade he had given someone on his mirror.  He cut my hair and did a decent job, especially if you like a blond headed guy with a fade.  I dropped a fat tip, threw around some mangled spanish, invited this guy to church, and jetted.

A year ago, I stopped in at Woody's Barber shop.  What was I smokin'?!  I told them how I wanted my haircut and then proceeded to get the standard buzzcut.  Within a week, I was wearing Wranglers and chewing tobacco.

Artie has a great shop out in the Redlands.  He's a cool guy and gives good cuts.  I'd go there all the time but it is way out in the Redlands.  I may have to start going back there.  But, the distance is an issue.  Its a 45 minute roundtrip.

So far, everywhere I've gotten my haircut, the people have been great but there is always some kind of barrier (language, location, or style).  I need some help with a place to get a decent cut.  Any tips from my Miami readers?  Please?!

Kelly is at the Women of Faith Conference in Orlando with a group from our church.  I'm Mr. Mom until tomorrow night.  Of course, I have help during the day.  But, my hat is off to her and all moms for being quasi-superheroes day in and day out.

The girls are tucked in and asleep.  I'm working through some planning for the church (big news to announce on Sunday).  As I work on this spreadsheet, I'm watching/listening to the John Mayer concert at Webster Hall.  I recently picked up Continuum at Starbucks.  Its exactly the kind of melody this type A, hard driving reverend needs to chill after an adrenaline-filled night with my 1 and 3 year old.

Listen with me if you like - "Waiting on the World to Change"

I just got a call from my brother and some guys I was supposed to fish with in the Marquesas from Thursday until today.  At the last minute, I couldn't go.  I just got a call from Phil.  He caught a 9 foot shark and they got their limit on grouper, yellow tail, etc...around 100 fish.  Ouch.

I'm back.  Six days of rest and relaxation were just what he doctor ordered.  We took Carnival's Imagination to Ocho Rios, Jamaica and Grand Cayman.  We ate more than I would care to talk about, slept in daily, caught some rays, took in some shows, re-enacted the bow scene from Titanic (Kelly), swam with stingrays, climbed Dunn's River Falls, went sockless to a formal dinner (me), and read.  It was fantastic.

Being with Kelly apart from phones, internet, work schedules, and the girls (though we greatly missed them) was really a blessing.  She's a godly babe who has an eye for me.  I really am the most blessed man on the planet.

I also finished off a couple books, Breaking the Missional Code by Ed Stetzer and David Putnam and Silas Marner by George Eliot.  Thanks to all for the great book recommendations.  I'll be picking some of those up soon. 

Here are a few pictures from the trip.  I know you won't enjoy them like I did.  But, at least its not a slide show of all the vacation pics at Aunt Edna's house.  Peace.

Kelly and I are leaving in a few moments for a cruise to Grand Cayman and Jamaica.  I'm really looking forward to going on a week long date with Kel for our 7th anniversary. 

However, when I woke up this morning, I see that Ernesto is planning to be at my house on Wednesday at 2 am.  Ernesto es mi amigo.  But, I will not be home.  So, I will have to insist that he makes a hard right hand turn.  He cannot come over.

Technorati Tags: Ernesto - NOAA - Homestead, FL - National Hurricane Center

I lied.  I can't stop blogging.  I hope that blog entry doesn't kill my traffic that I have been enjoying over the last few weeks.

Tonight after picking Kourtney up from her grandparents' house, we were driving home.  Whenever she takes a "Daddy trip" (just me and her), she always wants to listen to rock and roll.  Of course, I indulge her.  As Guns 'n Roses played "Knockin' on Heaven's Door," she turned down the volume and said, "Dad, why are they knockin' on KEVIN's door?"

The lesson?  Make sure what you are saying is what they are hearing.  What is being said and what is being heard are largely two totally different animals.

Over the next couple weeks, my blogs will be rare.  I'll be moving this week.  If anything gets posted, it might be a picture or two of our adventure.  After we get settled in, we are throwing a big bash at our place and everyone is invited. 

Seven years ago today, she said, "I do."   Her dad, my dad, and Tony Scott performed the wedding in Toledo, OH.  On that day, we began a great journey full of the unexpected.

My greatest privilege in life is being Kelly's husband.  She's beautiful, intelligent, sarcastic, organized, strong, maternal, secure, godly, productive, and flirtatious.  She knows how to treat me and bring out the best in me.  At times, when I've been a wreck, she's reminded me who I am.  When I'm on top of the world, she is there with me.

When I push the limits and take risks, she is willing to go way outside of her comfort zone.  When I was pressed, she stood by me.  When I created problems and was under the gun, she stood by me and privately shared her perspective.

She loves to hold my hand and go on dates.  She keeps our home and lives in order.  She is playful and serious.  She teaches our children well.  She loves the girls passionately.  She is "smokin' hot."  I still get butterflies from time to time when I see her walk in a room.

Today, I celebrate the fact that the most gorgeous woman on the planet is my wife.  I thank the Lord for such a godly wife.

My wife has just assaulted me on the World Wide Web.  It is an attempt to chick-ify me in front of the world and I simply can't stand for it.  First, let me say that when I asked her out on our first date, she said, and I quote, "I will only go out with you if you will stop being so cocky."  My response was, "You are lucky I even called."  Now, I will admit that there was some gamesmanship involved on my part.  I wanted to go out with her badly.  But, I could not let her know.  That's how the game works.

My perspective on life has not change.  I was no sweater vest wearing pansy when we married.  I am no panty waisted little petunia today.  I am the King of my castle and simply cannot afford to back down in the face of this open rebellion!

At this very moment, she is hyping up a bunch of hormonal man-hating chicks over on her blog.  It looks like a lynch mob and I'm the target.  I seriously need your help.  Please spread this news far and wide.  If a man ever needed his friends, that time is now!

MEN ONLY - go here and help rescue me from this crowd of Angry Hormonal Females!!!

This brings back memories.  We had a sign just like this posted outside of both locations of our church in Chicago (Humboldt Park - Spaulding Ave and Western Ave).  It was freaky the first time I saw the sign.  Then, I saw the rat.  I tried to leash it and return it to its owner until I realized the rat was not a dog.  Thanks to Randall Friesen for the picture and the humor.

I guess my little girl is growing up.  Since her best friends, Julia and Sari had their dance recital at South Dade High School, she has not stopped talking about how she wants to be a "blue bird and dance on the stage."

Today, Kelly enrolled her at the Dance Studio.  She got fitted for her "GaLeotard" (for whatever reason, that is what Kourtney calls it), her ballet slippers, tights, and tap shoes.  I was in meetings and didn't get to hear it for myself.  But, she continues to ask her pretty mom, "Am I a ballerina?"  I know she's a little princess.  I know her dad is a sucker.  I'm bursting with pride.

See more pics on Kelly's blog.

In 1991, I met Paul Conn at the Florida State Camp Meeting.  I was looking at my options for college.  On my horizons were the University of Miami (via Naval ROTC scholarship), Miami-Dade Community College, and Lee University.  I wanted to go to Lee and I wanted to go to UM.  But, because I was a few days late on my ROTC scholarship application, I was not going to receive my scholarship until my sophomore year.  Miami-Dade was my outlet in the event I couldn't afford to go to Lee.  Meeting Dr. Conn cemented my desire to go to Lee.

God really favored me after my third try taking the ACT and I received a presidential scholarship based on that score.  Somehow, I managed to improve my score by a full 4 points.  I ran to Lee excited about life.  My parents also made major sacrifices to get me there and I worked through college from my sophomore year on.  I finished my senior year and graduated by paying my final semester with a Discover Card.

I will never forget my first few days there.  During that time, I met friends that are today more like family than friends(Matt Robinett, Jamison Creel, and Eric Kemerling).  Matt recently moved here to Miami where he is an ER doc, Jamison is an 8 year missionary to the Palestinians, and Eric is an Army officer.

When I walked into the scholars banquet, Dr. Conn came and greeted me by name.  I was blown away.  That was the first real moment of impact by this brilliant leader who was instrumental in shaping more lives than any other person in the history of our fellowship of churches.  He is intelligent, charismatic, compassionate, relational, and strategic in his ministry and leadership.  In my opinion, he is also one of the greatest communicators I've ever heard.

My head was screwed on pretty straight in spite of the fact that I spent my sophomore year working off demerits I earned during my freshman year so that I could keep intramural sports eligibility.  I will say I had nothing to do with toilet papering the entire campus the night before Homecoming.  The rumors that I blew the lid off of the dumpster outside of Ellis Hall with a match-head bomb was absolutely wrong.  I know who did it and am more than willing to spill my guts on that tall skinny dude from Atlanta. 

Steve Sherman, the Dean of Students seemed to keep a seat open for me in his office.  My best bud, Matt threw me under the bus in that office at least once to save his own hide!  Slacker.

On the functional side, I reflect on the gorgeous fall weather, the smell of fireplaces burning, the changing leaves, the crisp Tennessee air, the late nights, the early mornings, the cliffs at the Hiwassee River, Blue Hole on the Ocoee River, the afternoon classes with other hoodlums who now pastor and have turned into fine gentlemen.  I reflect on the professors and faculty members like Matthew Melton and Phil Barber who believed in me and spoke positive words into my life.  I reflect on impersonating Gerald Knowles and Tony from Philly over the speaker system in the Old Ellis Hall.  I will never forget the challenging chapel services and the God moments where I came face-to-face with personal sin and chose God over my sin and then stumbled onto a lifestyle of radical follower-ship of a risen Christ.

From my years at Lee, I got a first class collegiate education, a gorgeous wife who loves me passionately, great friends, my first full-time ministry opportunity at a great church, a deepened passion for Christ, and abundant opportunities.

Being in a reflective mood, I am asking what if... What if I had not gone to Lee during my malleable years?  What if I had gotten a 4 year NROTC scholarship instead of the 3 year?  I would not have met and married Kelly.  I would not have made the friendships I have.  I would not be in Miami today.  You never can tell but, I likely would not be in full time ministry.  What strategic decisions am I facing today that can potentially change the course of my life?  Am I prayerfully submitted to God so that I am recognizing and engaging those opportunities with courage and decisiveness?

I ask God that we would all immerse ourselves in the awareness that God directs the steps of His people.  I pray we do not inject ourselves into His agenda, manipulating or second guessing His course for our lives.  I also pray that we are brave and confident of that calling and walk in it not bowing to the pressures of double minded and unstable people or people who mean well but do not see to the end through the same binoculars you see through or who are simply people who are not brave enough to handle their own battles but glibly boo from the stadium as we battle in the arena of passionately lived destiny.

Life is worth living aggressively and with passion.  Living it, remaining shape-able, flexible, and fixed on a future of promise is imperative.  God is the author and finisher of our faith and life. Let us walk humbly and thankfully for His grace in our past and confidently for His future grace and direction.

The prettiest girl in the world and the love of my life celebrates her birthday today.  She's a dream come true.

Sunday morning I woke up early to be a part of our setup at the Theater.  I have been hands off in this area because we have capable people who have stepped up.  But, I threw in my help this Sunday because our setup crew has been a little on the slim side for the last few weeks.  I needed to be there with them to help raise the level of whats going on.  Those guys are awesome and appreciated.  But, they do need to stay fresh with new team members constantly coming on board to pump up our teams that are supposed to be rotating.

Service was awesome.  Remembering Christ through Communion was special.  Its been 2 weeks since I last spoke to our crowd.  I missed it big time!

Then, we hit baptism and the barbeque at Biscayne National Park.  I felt like a proud father.  These guys that were baptized are incredible.  Some I did not know well.  Some are very close friends.  All are now family!

But, this was truly remarkable about ministry on Sunday.  I went to visit a two year old boy who is connected to our church at Miami Children's Hospital.  I can't get into the whole story but, it is a miracle that he is alive following a very tragic event.  He had just been taken off of life support and was breathing on his own.  I held his cute little hand and thought about how precious he was.  He is the same age as my oldest daughter.  My buddy, Matt and I prayed for him and the family.  We loved on them and then were on our way out.

Another family had been watching us, approached me and asked for me to pray.  In my limited Spanish, i said, "Lo siento.  Me Espanol es muy malo.  But, Matt speaks Spanish." Matt translated and we prayed for her 3 month old with a tumor on her kidney.

The same scenario repeated itself with the family of a 15 year old boy with epilepsy and a 23 month old who had drowned in the family swimming pool.  Honestly, we probably could have stayed at Miami Children's all night praying for children and families.

I just have to say that I truly love the people of Miami.  I love that God has planted me here in this city and is working through me.  I've got some strong personality traits that are cumbersome.  The fact that God would use me in spite of those extremities is humbling.  This Sunday was amazing and very public and has caused me to be very reflective.

This is my college roommate, Jamison.  He's come a long way.  I guess he's always been a brilliant guy.  But, I would now call him inspirational.  In two weeks, he will begin his eigth year as a missionary in the Middle East.  He has been incredibly faithful and has had great success.  While in the Middle East, he met and married a really sweet girl, Kelly.  They now have two handsome children with a third on the way.

When he was 19, he was almost killed in an arson on the campus of Lee University.  That was really a turning point in his life.  Yesterday morning, we both spoke at Life Pointe.  Last night, Jamison spoke at Dwight Allen's church in Cooper City.  I am very excited for what God is doing in his life and invite you to pray for them daily with me.

Kelly had some great pics and thoughts to share from Indy here:
Off to Indy   Emily-apolis"   The "Air-porch"   The Disney Store   
Ahhhh....DZT!  Old Friends  Fun Times

What am I willing to die for?  This is it.