Merry Christmas 2017

Perry & Cara Johnson, Catelin, Luke, Dayna, Barrett
Macy, Brexit the dog, Aubrey


Merry Christmas from all of us Browns.  We rejoice with you in the birth of our Savior!

Here is a quick update on our family.

Macy is in 8^th grade, and celebrated her 14th birthday in Marseille this year when Catelin and Cara took her along for a 2-week trip to Europe. She wants to work in law enforcement and enjoys criminology. We’ve watched many crime documentaries this year in support of this goal.

Luke is finishing his first semester as a grad student in Materials Science at UVA, where he has struggled with the “cold.” Over Thanksgiving he visited his girlfriend of a year, Summer, in Ireland, where she was studying for the semester. He has contributed to conversations around crime from afar.

Aubrey in her new shades

Aubrey has no sympathy for Luke, as he refuses to dress  appropriately. She is currently balancing teaching two Music History classes, managing backstage for Bach Festival concerts, and working in Personnel Records at Cru, as well as maintaining healthy self-esteem due to constant comments about her relationship status. This is the only crime that has been committed against her this year.

Cara and Perry at Stanford

Cara and Perry Johnson are expecting a baby March 6! They moved to Sunnyvale, CA, and Perry is a post-doc fellow at Stanford. Cara works part time for the Baltimore Engineering firm EBA.  When Barrett visited recently, they toured Alcatraz, where they learned more about crime.

Summer and Catelin in windy France

Catelin graduated with her Masters in HR, and to celebrate, organized the trip to Paris, Marseille and Edinburgh. A highlight for her was seeing Château d’If, made famous by The Count of Monte Cristo. Our interest in crime—real or fictional—spans the centuries.

Beautiful Dayna in Colorado

Dayna has recovered well from her gall bladder surgery this summer (the amount of discomfort she was in was truly criminal), and is feeling better overall. She just put on a lovely baby shower for Cara and Perry and is looking forward to a long visit to help with the baby in March.

Barrett in front of a murder site

Barrett visited 3 murder sites in Los Angeles to please his crime obsessed children. They were thrilled to receive texts with his location at each site.  He did manage to “mostly” finish the kitchen remodel he began almost a year ago. (Just a little left, really.) 

Mom and Barrett a few years ago.

And we all mourn the loss of Mom/Grandma Sandy this spring.

God bless you as you celebrate His wonderful love!

And have a crime free year.

The Browns

Gratitude 2017

       Earlier this month, I spent a week at home with the flu.  It was one of the worst I’ve had.  And, by the way, men DO suffer more from sicknesses like the flu.  It’s science. 

After Dayna convinced me to go to the doctor after 2 days of misery (hers and mine), I got my drugs and began my 4 days of recovery.  For a lot of each day, I sat outside and through my fuzzy brain, I began to consider how nice it was to sit outside and do nothing.  I thought about the blessings we have in life.  I began to thank God for our situation in life.

I talked to my friend Steven at the end of that week and remarked how that time had allowed me to express my gratitude for my life.  Often I think about what we don’t have, or what I haven’t finished, or a problem we face.  As I considered how much we have been given, I began to thank God for his kindness toward us.

Gratitude

And feeling thankful or grateful is one thing, but it is so good to express that gratitude.  It allows us to acknowledge to God and others that we see the blessing, and how much it means to us.

I know this is Thanksgiving week, and we will hear a lot about giving thanks.  But we want you to know that we are grateful for you and all you do to bless our lives.  Thank you for investing in our lives and ministry.   Thank you for your example of faith.

I thank my God every time I remember you. In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now, being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.  Phil. 1:3-6

With much love and thanks,

Stopping by San Fran

       Earlier this month after four days in Dallas, and three days in Los Angeles,  I was able to add on a stop in San Francisco (for only $60) to visit Cara and Perry.

Cara and I were able to tour Alcatraz, see Pier 39, and walk around the Embarcadero.  After church, Perry, Cara and I walked around Stanford before heading to the airport.  It was a short trip, but it was great to see them both.

We are happy to share that Cara is pregnant with our first grandchild!  Their baby boy is due March 6!  We are all thrilled!  Dayna is already making plans for a trip to California in March!