The Last Thing

Over the weekend we took the young adults on our annual fall retreat.  56 of us headed to Port Aransas for a weekend stay at Port Royal Resort.  We have known for weeks that this would be our "last event" with The Call and the weekend we would end our ministry at Wayside.  I have had so much happening in my life for the past month that my emotions about the reality of this weekend had been on hold in some container of my heart leaving me distanced from feeling them or focusing on them.

The preparations and chaos of preparing to leave, getting to Port A, unpacking, setting up, getting the kids settled, greeting the young adults as they arrived, fixing the meals on Saturday and entertaining the little girls allowed to me to continue to keep my feelings in a container until Saturday night.

After dinner we headed to Sonic for some ice cream.  When we arrived Darin & Bethany had brought a cake that said "thank you Johnson Family We love You."

Darin stood up and began to talk about this being the "last thing" we would do with Mark being the Pastor over the young adult ministry.  The container in my heart opened and the feelings I'd been holding in there began to flow into the chambers of my heart and tears began falling from my eyes.  He spoke about lives changed, conversations had, laughter and tears shared.  The memories began running like a slide show through my head.

The first chili caroling party held in a house the church owned that we were temporarily staying in because we hadn't found a place to live here.  40 kids showed up and stood in the tiny kitchen eating chili I'd made in two crock pots, placing their drinks on the boxes stacked around holding our belongings, and sitting next to the half assembled Christmas tree we'd tried to fit in the front room of the house.  They were so excited to have us there and the evening was a huge success and became a tradition.

The first super bowl party held in our home 3 weeks after we moved in.  We had worked night and day with my parents to paint, gut the kitchen and bathrooms and unpack and settle our family.  60 kids packed into our home.  In the years to come the party would grow to nearly 100 and we had to move it to another home because we could no longer contain everyone.

Mark approaching the Board of Elders to ask permission for a Young Adult Worship Service.  35 kids coming to our home for 2 months to pray and dream about what this ministry would look like.  Choosing the scripture we would pattern ourselves after and choosing the name for this group.  The Call taken from Ephesians 4.  The first Sunday night, the band, the kids, the excitement and the ministry that grew from those 35 initial members.

 

Guys Night every Monday night for 6 years.  I would guess over the 6 years I cooked almost 12,000 meals.  Service guys in their flight suits walking through my door hugging and thanking me for feeding them on real dishes and making homemade mashed potato's and reminding them to eat some salad and veggies.

Forums of Four discipleship groups for 8 years.  I think I've led over 40 women in that setting over the 8 years here.  Most of them have gone on the lead groups of their own, some here in town and others across the country.

Bible studies with more girls than I can remember.  Grace Groups with young adults and members of the congregation at Wayside.  One on one meetings with girls over coffee at Starbuck's all over the city.  Listening to their stories and sharing mine.  I've heard secrets, dreams, hopes, disappointments, shame and redemption stories from men and women alike.  I've wept with them and celebrated with them.

I remember the first funeral for one of our young adults.  I remember the missionaries we've commissioned from inside The Call.  I remember the engagements.  I remember the weddings.  I remember the babies born. I remember the miscarriages, the showers, the retreats, the "kids" who lived with us...

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Today as I think about the lives we've impacted I am feeling the weight of how we have been impacted.  Ministering to these precious young adults has changed me, has changed us.  We've grown.  We've experienced the highs of celebrating with them and the lows of disappointing and hurting them.  We've been loved deeply, appreciated immensely and known by them in so many ways.

The family that arrived here 8 years ago

 

leaves this season having grown and changed in more ways than this post can contain.

 

I am so grateful for all of you who have lived this amazing time with us and allowed us to walk in your hearts and know the beauty of your souls.  I am also sad at the reality that we have now completed the last thing and our time as the leaders of the ministry to The Call is over.  I've cried today.

 

Comments

[Michelle]

Tracy I was thinking while I read your post that your ministry has not only impacted Frank and I in very deep places, but you and Mark have impacted the life of Caroline and any other children God blesses us with. Our children will grow up knowing that they bring glory to God because of who He has designed them to be. Caroline will grow to understand what femininity truly is and she will know that she is worth knowing. You have taught me those things and I will pass them on to her. Thank you for impacting generations to come in our family and for all of the love that you have shown to us. We love you both!

[LEP]

Ok....I am balling like a baby.
So many memories....its amazing the emotions I have come to the surface looking at these pictures and reading your words.
I really am at a loss for words at the moment but some things that are coming to mind are love, grief, God's goodness, pain, joy, friendship, young, beginnings, endings, hope, changed life-- all are a jumbled mix in my head and what I'm feeling.
I understand you not engaging with your feelings until its right there in front of you. Life seems to do that.
I wish so much we could have been there at the coast. It feels wrong that we couldn't go. But always know that God put you in my life, in Chris' life, at the perfect time. You have walked with me through the darkest time in my life and have shared in the joys of the happiest moments. Treasured forever are those memories. We will miss you. We love you.

[Gardiner Gab]

Thank you seldom feels like enough, but it conveys more than those 2 words. God has blessed your ministry in the past and he will continue to do so in the future. Praise to God that you are still here in SA and we will be able to catch up when time permits. Thank you for being a part of our life as a couple and our lives as singles.

[Letty]

It was an honor to be an older adult involved in your young adults ministry. I knew you had an impact on so many lives and this was something I viewed from afar, however when we came in closer and had an actual involvement is when I realized the magnitude of the impact. I also became aware of the time involved in leading this ministry, not just time at the church, but your willingness to meet one on one, the fact that your door was (is) always open to people at anytime of day or night. I'm glad you were able to cry, the end of this ministry is worth tears. You will be missed!
Love you...

[B]

Oh Tracy! I think I can see the screen again. This is my second time through your precious post and it yanks my heart out. I have no clue what or who I would be today if not for your ministry, your heart, your love.
I've learned that the most powerful words are Thank You, period. So, today, that is what I want to tell you. THANK YOU!

[Lib]

I'm speechless.

I'm hardly ever speechless,

but I'm speechless.

Words just don't do justice to the impact you guys have had...

[Hefe]

What a wonderful legacy! The impact of your lives written on the hearts of so many. What significance! It doesn't get any better than that. One thing ends now another begins.

[trish]

Your reflection reminds me of the longings of my heart to be ministered to as a single adult and how hard it is at times to feel embraced in my Church community. Thank you for what you have done in your ministry. From the outside looking in, I can tell it often was Holy Ground...love you both! trish

[Becky]

OK, I have tried 3 times to leave a comment - too many tears - too many emotions. Thank you doesn't seem to be enough for the impact you have had on Chuck's life but my life as well.

The times we spent together on our "chats" was/is church for me. Just because this season is ending for you guys at this time doesn't mean the end of the connection we have. We have or are leaving Wayside and finding other places to impact and to grow. I thank God for you and Mark and the children as the impact has been huge. I can't wait to see what God is going to do next with you guys!!!
You guys hold a special place in my heart - Love ya Lots!!!

[Nathan A.]

You both will be remembered as changing our lives to God's glory. Thank you for your input and guidance over the years. We are praying for you all.

[Darin Dunn]

Wow. What a post. So much has happened in these past eight years. As I reminisced with you I was struck but what a legacy you've created through Christ. Not just in my life but at Wayside, in San Antonio, and throughout the world! Marvin Smith once told me that we often try to close chapters but God does not work that way. I look forward to seeing how these experiences will factor in the next season of your ministry.

I'm looking forward to reliving some of these memories with you in person in just a few weeks!

[Jennifer]

When I've talked to others about the two of you, I describe you both as the two people in our lives who have impacted us more than any one else ever has. I'm not sure where either of us would be in life, in our marriage, and in those deeper places without the impact you've made there. The retreat was a bittersweet time for us as well, for more than one reason. But, the fact that it was the "last event" made it bittersweet and emotional on top of existing emotions for me too. I am more than excited about what is next for you both. More lives and hearts that will be impacted because of your heart for people and community and real relationships.

I loved what one of your other commenters said. You truly have left a legacy. And you're not even done yet! Love you both.

[Frank Dunn]

You guys have greatly impacted the lives of three of our children and one son-in-law. I don't know how you kept up the pace in the Call ministry. Wait a minute. I DO know how you did it. You always had your eyes on the Lord and looked to Him for wisdom and strength.

[Stacy]

I know you hear over and over what a difference you have made in so many lives. But I also know how humble you are and how much you give God the credit so that it is actually impossible for you to comprehend the depths of the impact for God's kingdom you and Mark have made as you forged along together. I think Jason and I were more happy than anyone when you finally arrived at Wayside. Trying to keep the group going while waiting for leaders was very tough at times and we longed for God's choice to come guide these wonderful singles. I am counted in the ones who you have wept with and comforted and guided. There are things that you have said to me that will stay with me my entire life. Wonderful memories. Wonderful lessons. In reality, you were impacting for God before you came to Wayside and you will continue after you leave. WIth joy I think about the next people who have been longing for God to send you and Mark to come and lead them. With joy I see that you are opening another door to continue down the path God has set before you. With joy I look back at your ministry and with joy I look forward at your ministry. With joy...but also tears. I love you!