Thursday, April 23, 2009, Nashville, Tennessee, 7:25 p.m., D.S.T. (Christ Community Assembly of God Church)~

Dear Journal~

Howdy-doo!  Johnathon here!  Hope this finds y'all well!

I'm doing okay; no new troubles to be had (and I pray this continues).  Haven't had any more  spells with the ol' ticker, and no seizures.  Still having to endure that darned old chest therapy, as well as trying to spark my appetite; just don't feel like eating, not with all the meds I'm on; they kill my appetite bad!!

I'm gettin' skinny; I weigh less than 70 pounds soaking wet!  No matter what I eat, or how much, I just can't seem to get any meat on my bones!  Doctor may have to have me go into the hospital soon to have a PICC line put in; I hope not!  I already have more than enough to worry about; I certainly don't need that hangin' over my head!!

It's been kind of nice having my girlfriend, Rebekkah, coming over every few days.  I just love her so much; she's always so upbeat and full of life, even though life has been less than kind to her!  She writes me little love notes or sends me cards, just to say how much she loves me; and the other day, she left me a sprig of flowers.  Very sweet on her part!

We went out to eat one day last week; we went to Antonio's Italian Kitchen, where we had linguini and a big salad.  She ate all of hers; I could just pick at mine.  I ate some, just not a lot.  Typical of how my appetite's been as of late; it's really a pain!  Nothing tastes good; whatever I eat tastes like cardboard!  It's disgusting!!

I'm glad the Cantata is over.  Now we can just sit back until June, when we have our revival.  Er, wait a minute; no we can't:  I'm in the middle of Cleansing Stream classes; already have had three classes, then have one more before the two-day retreat, then one final class after that.  Grrrr!!!

I don't mind CS, but I don't like all the extra homework I have to do!

Then get this:  Pastor Bilkey (the ol' sneak!) is going to tell us about the "New Testament Challenge"on Sunday, where we will have to read the ENTIRE New Testament of the Bible in just 90 days!!  Do you know how many words are in the Bible??  THEN we have to journal AND answer questions!  ARGGGH!!!!!!  I HATE homework with a purple passion; it's bad enough doing school work; now we have church homework, too??

NOT fair!!!!!

We will start that Sunday.  There goes my free time!!  Booo!!!!!!

I'm at church as I write this:  the choir's fartin' around, not really singing.  Our music pastor's not going to like it when he comes in; he wants us to practice our songs we are going to sing for Sunday's service; but who feels like singing when ol' Pastor Bilkey drops the New Testament Challenge bombshell on us????  Not me, said the flea!!

I think we ought to raise a protest about the New Testament Challenge, especially those of us who are going through the Cleansing Stream classes!!  We are already bogged down with homework now; why add more fuel to the fire????

Well, other than the church stuff and my health, nothing's new here with me.  Oh, I have school, but I'm more than ready for it to be over--like yesterday!!  I'm ready for a fun summer!!

By then, all this New Testament Challenge and Cleansing Stream stuff should be overwith! 

The weather here has been beautiful the past few days:  all the more reason not to want to do my homework, church or otherwise!  I would rather be outside with my family or friends than sitting by a computer or doing stuff in my notebook and reading my brains out!!

I know I shouldn't be complaining, but dang, a guy can only take so much homework before he's ready to go out of his skull with the heebie jeebies!!  I've done so much homework it's a wonder I even have a brain left!!!!

On Saturday, Ronee' tries out for her stupid show.  I hope she makes it, but I'm not ready to hear about Ronee', Ronee', Ronee' all over again!  Seems when she has an audition, everyone's up in arms about how good she is.  Well, that's fine, but what about ME??  Why wasn't I asked to try out??  NO FAIR!!!!

My sister, Steffi, broke her hip last weekend.  She has to sit in a wheelchair for six to eight weeks.  She fell while going to class last Saturday.  I hope she feels better soon; now she kinda knows how I feel!!  I sit in a chair all of the time (that is, unless I am in bed or in the bathroom, indisposed!)!  I sure wish I was still walking; I really miss it!!

Well, my eyes are jiggin' again, so I'm going to go now.  I will write in here when I can.  Hopefully my health won't give me fits; pray that this continues!  Keep me in your prayers; I'd really appreciate it!  God bless and stay cool!  I'll keep in touch!  Besides, the music pastor just walked in; gotta get busy!  'Bye for now!

~Love, your friend, Johnathon.  :)