2011 been a great year for the
Johnson Pierson Family. Though we have a
difficulty believing it, Todd and I and the kids are all another year
older. We have seen a lot of changes and
a lot of fun activity. Most of all, this
year has helped us remember the many reasons we have to be grateful and the
many ways we are blessed!
Our year began on a sad note. We buried my grandmother, Eunice Read Simmons,
in Vicksburg, Mississippi. Grandma was a
tremendous influence in my early faith life.
She invited me to her church when I was a teenager and would faithfully
pick me up and drive me there each Sunday.
It is hard to believe it has been a nearly year since her funeral, but
then it is hard to believe she is gone.
I miss her.
Both Vivian and Roland and doing great. They both have the same wonderful teachers as
last year. Both are making great
progress. Vivian was even given the
Principal Pal award at her school this year.
Vivian is still collecting princesses
and fairies. She should probably go into
decorating as often as she rearranges her room.
Roland is still drawn toward any toy with wheels, especially trains. He is also enjoying a new passion: Angry Birds.
Once their mom and dad invested in smart phones, they joined the ranks
of many American children who are more tech savvy than their parents.
We enjoyed some fun travels this
year. We made what we want to be our
annual trip to Navarre Beach and to The Singing. (Read more about The Singing here
and here
if you haven’t heard of it.) While we
were there, we enjoyed being with family and seeing old friends. We visited Disney World twice this year. Yes, twice!
On one occasion, we experienced it from a tent while staying on the Disney
campgrounds. During our travels, we even
meandered through some back roads and visited some small towns and attractions around
the southeast. Each one was a
treasure. They included Enterprise and Dothan,
Alabama; the Cathedral Caverns in Woodville, Alabama; and after years of just
driving through it, we finally spend some time in historic Rome, Georgia.
Todd has been staying busy working in
many important ways. He has been our
family’s travel agent and trip planner as we have trekked around the country. In 2012, Todd will begin an important new venture;
he will lead our UMYF (United Methodist Youth Fellowship) program and has
already begun planning for it. As
always, he has put herculean effort into getting our kids where they need to be
and helping them to grow.
My work has changed over the 2011. As
the year began, I was working with Church Development. I had the blessing of leading programs at
both North Forsyth UMC and Sacred Tapestry.
What a great experience! I miss
you guys! In June, I was blessed to be appointed
as senior pastor to Christ United Methodist Church. My experience here has been wonderful. I
couldn’t imagine a better place to be appointed or a more loving and gifted
congregation to serve. Todd, Vivian, Roland
and I have received an exceptionally warm welcome. The kids have thrived in our wonderful
children’s program here. Roland even
worked up the courage to practice a little with the children’s choir. I have preached, taught, organized and guided
but, as in all the service that we offer to our God, I have received much more
than I have given.
As you can see, I’m still writing. I still send articles to the magazine that
used to be Around About Cumming, but in 2012 will be My Forsyth. I am still keeping up with my blog. My new schedule
keeps me away from the kitchen more than I would like, but I am still cooking
and writing fervently. I still love
putting thoughts into words, and transforming ingredients into meals. I still love feeding others. Even if I can’t keep up the pace I used to, I’m
not quitting!
We are a family very blessed by the graciousness of God and the love of our friends. That we can count you among those friends is one of the greatest blessings! Thank you for being part of our lives. May you have a wonderful Christmas and a blessed new year!
We are a family very blessed by the graciousness of God and the love of our friends. That we can count you among those friends is one of the greatest blessings! Thank you for being part of our lives. May you have a wonderful Christmas and a blessed new year!
Love,
The Johnson Pierson Family
Todd, Nancy, Vivian and Roland
I am bringing you good news of great joy for all the people; to you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is the Messiah, the Lord. This will be a sign for you: you will find a child wrapped in bands of cloth and lying in a manger.
Luke 2:10-12
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