Monday, May 18, 2009, Nashville, TN., 8:23 a.m., D.S.T.~

Dear Journal~

Johnathon here.  I hope this finds you well and (reasonably) happy:  as for myself, I am doing okay.  Great some days, other days, not-so-hotso.  You know how that goes; such is the cross I bear (muscular dystrophy, other health issues).

I'm not complaining, though; in fact, I consider myself blessed.  Very much blessed, in fact.  God's allowed me to live far longer than doctors figured I would (they said I'd be dead by the age of five!), and even with every (new) problem that tries to rear its (ugly) head, God always finds a way to bring me through it, making me stronger and better than ever before! :)

I have a very good life.  I have a family who loves me, I have a loving Saviour in my life, I have a girlfriend who is crazy-in-love with me, I am doing better in school, and I have a circle of wonderfully supportive friends.

What more could a little (crippled) boy like me possibly need out of life??  :)

This weekend promises to bring more blessings upon me and my life.  This weekend our church is holding a Cleansing Streams retreat, and it promises to bring hope, healing, and deliverance for those who come.  We last had it back in the fall of last year, and it was a time of release; it was incredible!!  Now I am going to it again (more "junk in the trunk" that needs to be dealt with), and I can't wait to see what God has in store for me then!  It's going to be an exciting time!!

School is just about overwith for another  year.  Yes, I am soon to be a junior come the fall; next year I will be graduating from high school, if God decides to let me be around that long.  Hopefully I will.  :)  Time sure goes by fast, doesn't it?  I am doing well in school this year; the lowest grade I've had this year was a C; every other time it's been nothing but straight A's and B's, a far cry from the C's, D's, and F's I used to make when I was smaller!

I can't wait for summer vacation!!  I'm more than ready to sleep in for a million years!  LOLOLOL

We recently went to the Breaux Bridge Crawfish Festival in Louisiana (that was last weekend); let's just say I smoked 'em!  I killed; I was good!  :)  The crowd loved me; they couldn't get enough!  I stole the show from my star sister; I was the star, and Ronee' was the one on the back burner!  LOLOLOL

It felt good to know I was getting the glory for once instead of RONEE'!!  :)

I had a ball at the Crawfish Festival; the weather was hot, the dancin'/music was hotter, and the Cajuns were all in a party mood!  It was great!  :)

I can't wait for next year!!  Whee!!  :)

Yesterday at church, they had the Newcomer's Lunch; it was hard to try to pay attention to Pastor Bilkey as he preached; I kept smelling the food cookin' from the kitchen; I know my stomach was talkin'/growlin' like a pitbull; it was talkin' big time!  I am sure mama heard it a few times; she kept lookin' over at me!  LOL

We didn't go; it was only for new members or guests.  We went to Black Eyed Pea instead; it was good.  I had baked beans, pork chops, salad, carrots, and for dessert, chocolate cake.  Or did until half of it ended up on my lap.  Tried to feed myself; didn't do too good.  Ruined my good light blue suit, too.  I was sooo annoyed!!  That always happens without fail!

Mama asked me if I was having a snack for later.  I didn't know what she meant until I saw the cake sittin' in my lap.  I just rolled my eyes and gave her a Look.  I didn't say anything; I guess she could tell I was annoyed.  Well, I was!

Well, home room is fixin' to end in about ten minutes, so I'd better get my stuff ready for my next class.  I will write in here again soon; until later, this is Johnathon signin' out of here!  Take care, and may God bless you!  I will write about the retreat next time; stay tuned!

~Love, your friend, Johnathon  Irwin-Allen Denver.  :)