Whooooo....Summer is almost over...

Wow, so it is now verging on the brink of August and i'd like to say i don't know where the last 2 months went, but i know exactly where they wound up...completely consumed over 7 weeks by 12 teams during The Next Level. We are finished and have had the first part of the week off (which i have spent diligently training for about 5 hours a day and have the rashes, burns, bruises, and sore muscles to show for it) and Wallace, Hooptie, and i meet back at 9 to make some sense of what's next and to close out TNL. Tammy is currently flying back from Las Vegas where she was in a nursing convention for the first part of the week and we may actually get to start seeing each other again.

What i mean by that is i would be with teams from about 7 or 8 in the morning (She doesn't get back until about 9) until between 11 to 2 in the morning (which is after she has left for work). So do the math...6 days a week...we went almost 3 weeks without seeing each other for more than a 2 hour period one day. Needless to say we're looking forward to life getting a little more normal. And CV (CitiVision) and I will be assessing the schedule again...we have better plans to make it work even better next year since it sounds like the 3 of us will continue to do this again as well as hopefully we will get to get all 4 of the interns we budgeted for....who would have thought spending a summer in NYC would be soo hard to sell to late HS and College students...

Well the summer was great and it was a fantastic reminder to me to give my seat up on the subway, not to ignore the homeless, the body of Christ can function in unity, i need to always be open to reproof, it's okay to admit i went the wrong direction trying to find the subway, let God interrupt my schedule, i don't know everything about everything, and to be patient, walk in mercy and grace, and love genuinely. 

On top of actually making a little bit of money for our home CV or Wallace, i'm not sure which gifted me and austin with iPhones! woooohooo! i love this thing...all phones should be so fantastic, and it's really helped pass some time between classes at the academy when i have no one to roll with. So that was an unexpected and thrilling gift....it may have made all the late nights worth it...may....

Speaking of the academy, while i've been able to train a bit more this week, Tammy and I decided i should focus some more of my time in training since i have such a unique opportunity to train with the Gracie family here in NY. Which as an aside i was training yesterday and today along side the 2 highest ranking Canadian fighter next to GSP yesterday and today....for those of you that understand that sort of thing...Anyway, i am going to be working out my training schedule with Walter as we look at what the rest of this year and possibilities concerning TNL next summer as well...Tammy is still undecided if she wants me to do it again, as am i, though i believe we can work out a better schedule now that i've done it once...So that obviously affects how much i will be teaching as well...so i'm looking at moving to a new location but before i commit to do that i want to make sure that we have time together...so pray for wisdom in the future for us.

I'm pretty sure NYC agrees with us...randomly i was thinking yesterday while i was eating some lunch under a tree on 34th between 7th and 8th that this city is still amazing to me...i forget to look up sometimes, i've decided that tall buildings are like blinders once you've been around them for awhile...you don't look up much...so i'm trying to do that more. The people are great here...in the words of my friend Eric "i like the way they think." And where else could Tammy and i go to a packed showing of Batman on IMAX at 4:10 AM? Where i ask you? 

i'm reminded by a text message from our last intern about the longing to return here tammy and i experienced our first year before we moved...it amazes me how God places such a passion and love for people in our hearts especially as they are tied to a location. (for us New Yorkers) This life change has certainly made me a believer in the Exodus concept and the "hometown prophet" deal...i know i was cynical and bitter about the Church as i saw it and especially about where i worked, mostly i see now due to a simple difference in ministry philosophy, but i can definitely see how God takes people from their homes from their comfort and transplants them, like He did Israel...several times, so His greater will can be accomplished...fantastic!

now for some pics....

Honey Bunny with the newest Peagler infant....yes Chris is a dad...

When NY Comes to SC...we are the universal balance for all things good...

We are supper heros...Noemi likes my Mandatory Meal times...

Love you guys all, see you in a later date....

Jontastic

Update log 72136.9001

Yo! so it's time for our monthly posting...mainly because if we stop posting most of you would forget that we're alive...So many of you might now we passed by the SC on our way to Bahamas for two quick days, and our best souvenir is a picture of Amelia on our fridge. (just so you know the Bahamas are way overrated.) 

So i was talking yesterday with Walter and Austin and something i realized i forgot to share (mainly because i think whatever is in my mind leaks to everyone else) came up. I mentioned in a previous post that CitiVision and Sheng Tai Studios are working with a non-profit from Dallas called Heart of a Champion to start a character development program in the fall with 2 public schools in our community. Well one of the schools i've had the pleasure of meeting with the principle, Dr. Drysdale, on two occasions now. She is a very energetic and fun lady who is ecstatic about the program and martial arts. So that being said, last summer the Next Level (missions experience i'm working with this summer) had teams go in and paint class rooms in the school and this was the beginning of our relationship with her and that schools. The class rooms are very nice blues and greens.

So while we were meeting with Dr. D, we asked what we could do for her and she told me they didn't have A\C! i said what! 20+ class rooms with no A\C and they have summer school all year round, and the windows only open 6 inches and they are on the top floor of a 4 story building = HOOOOTTTT! I couldn't believe it and we said, "Okay, we'll get you A\C's" but were all three of us thinking..."where the heck are we going to get 20 something A\C's for this school..."

So we left later that day from the meeting and Austin went by the World Vision storehouse in the South Bronx. This is a warehouse full of stuff for ministries and organizations free of charge provided by World Vision. And he was talking with the director over there as they were walking through the place and he goes, (the director to Austin) "man we got this huge shipment of A\C's today and i don't know what we're going to do with them." Austin proceeded to pass out on the floor and get a rather nasty concussion, where he had to be rushed to the hospital for a frontal lobotomy. He's now fine, but has found he has super psychic powers and is currently fighting crime at night when he's not preparing very nicely done Excel sheets for the ministry. Ok well that last part was made up, but the A\C stuff is true.

So amazing how God provided for this School! Whoo!

We things are good here except it was 70 when we left for Bahamas and has consistently been 50's since we got back...other things of interest, we are almost ready to start the Next Level (TNL) the last day of this month. This will be Austin and I's first time leading teams for TNL so be in prayer for us, we are doing a lot with Wallace (aka Walter) for training and it should all go well but we have redesigned the implementation of the program so it should be interesting. We are hosting 12 teams over 8 or 9 weeks. We've never done this before, but with the three of us it should work. Plus we are praying to get 4 interns in July to help as well as Seacoast's very own Caroline to help with photographing June. These are big helps so pray they come through.

Other news, Walter and Victoria are pregnant with #3. Pray walter doesn't run himself ragged this summer just because he's used to it being hectic in the past. we've got a pretty good plan with the three of us. Tammy is rocking the face off of the hospital staff. She constantly gets words of thanks and confidence from the staff there. She is really a tremendous example of positivity and hard work. they way a nurse should be. Just last night the surgical team was coming down to pick up a patient and found our that the patient was Tammy's and they (surgeons, attending, surgical nurses, etc) told her they were glad she had their new patient b\c she always takes care of all the testings that need to be done and get them the patients on time. That may not sound like much, but it's surprising how little teamwork there seems to be in the medical field. So she is being a huge min

ster to the people she works with.

On another note please be praying for our friends Joey, Celenia, and their runt Millania. Joey  has been pursuing his own business since leaving CitiVision (he was TNL guy before me for 2 years) and because of economy, business is slow. so that's stressful for them and Celly has gone back to school to finish her degree, so all that is a challenge. Plus little Millania. so thanks for that.

Well i have to go do my studio office work. Hooray for quickbooks and coffee shops! We love you guys all. and if your bored and want to see me sound professional (unlike in the photo) check out the studio website, www.shengtaistudios.com

hugs and boogers,

jonathan

The Spring is coming...

I awoke this morning about 5am with a horrible headache. Silly pressure system that causes rain. I overlooked that and heard and owl hooting. That was a first for me here. Yeah, we have birds here mom. haha. I've heard birds outside before, usually pigeons... the rats with wings. Or the little finches, but never an owl off in the distance. I guess between the rain and the early situation, not many people wanted to be loud this morning. Usually, I hear the car alarms because a lot of people don't know how to use them, or the garbage truck, or kids yelling, or their rigatone music...  Oh, i also hear the pipes in the apt. Which provide us lovely heat, but are very loud... the steam rolling pipes. Stay with us during the winter and you will understand. At first, it starts as a little tinkly, spritely sound.. you think, "santa?" and then, when the superintendent gets really cold, he turns it up and your like, "mr. freddy? freddy kruger?"

Anywhoo.  I do love the sounds. Seriously. It is all about the experience of this adventure God has taken us on and I am loving it. 

Sorry, I have been awal over this cold season.  It has been very busy...  I've had to get used to working night shift which I started in December.  I like nights a lot better than days actually. For many reasons. And yes, Jon and I spend enough time together... we eat breakfast together. Then he leaves and I sleep... then we meet up for dinner and I leave for work.  Pretty awesome.  

Speaking of experience...  I want everyone that has the luxury of a washer and dryer duo in their place of residence to know how fortunate they are. Because when you have to wash clothes and its snowing... it pretty much effects your desire to wash clothes.. you have to put on the snow boots and the big jacket and walk a block in that snow.. ha. Or rain. Or heat.  The owner of our laundry mat is named Santiago.  He knows us. He waves as we pass by the place... a really nice guy. He tries to speak english with us and we stumble over our spanish with him, but we all smile and that is fun.

Ya know, speaking of walking. It's not strange at all. In SC, if you see someone walking it's strange. That place you have to have a car because no one cares about CARTA. Here, everyone knows about and relies on MTA.  That is Manhattan Transit Authority if you ever come here and wind up on cash cab.

I've always loved walking.. my parents know about this. I'd put on my walkman and walk about the property.... or to my friends house... or to one of their friends houses and then I'd get in trouble because it wasn't good to walk around like that.  I think God was preparing me even then for this place.

So, the other day, it got up to 60.. for only a day, but I think everyone remembered spring. Mr. Softee was out, the ice cream truck with the BEST soft serve vanilla ice cream ever. Of course he had a line and I definitley spent my buck fifty that was going to contribute to drying our clothes on some. While I was waiting for my clothes to finish drying, I traveled the neighborhood.... a lot of people were outside. Laughing, playing, living. I was exhilarated.... excited about the coming season....   soon it will be a year since our move. 

I hope that I am still in God's will.  daily.  There are days when I am selfish and think about only what I want... and that happens more than I would like to admit.  I need to be more focused on our original call. It's easy to forget when the bills are paid and we have extra funds to spend in this city...  comfort.  

Thanks for praying for us.... keep it coming.  We have decisions to be made and we definitley want them to be true to God's call.  I love you all... thanks for listening to my rambles. Just wanted to share.  

tammy

Bananas in my Oatmeal

A Pictorial Tribute to Man Trip '08

First there was a dream -

Then there was a Steve - 

And a Carl -

Then along came a Craig -

And a Jon - 

And a fierce Gil completed them - 

Then one day this team of great people...this A-team, found this creepy picture over their breakfast....

But that's has virtually nothing to do with anything...But they had found snow and a mountain...

And they did the only thing men knew to do...

They conquered the mountain...and became life long friends

So they went to these guys for make overs and pictures...

Then relaxed for a smoke...

While they admired God's handiwork...

The End

For A Video Tribute please go here...link

Winter Observations

Okay so it wasn't tomorrow but today when i post this update. sorry. I didn't consider that i hadn't seen my bride in  a week and she had to work last night so here i am today posting, lucky you. I know the suspense was killing you. It's okay i feel that way every time i'm waiting for the weekend so i can have Dunkin' Doughnuts.....yum.

So if you didn't know I was in WV for a week (by way of Charlotte) for the Third annual Man Trip. I'll make these few observations then leave the pictures and video (yes i said video) to detail the trip. The first thing that stands out to me is my return home, after a week in the relatively secluded mountains and mostly empty slopes of WV, NYC can be rather surprising to come home to. Now that being said, i can't complain. I mean i love this city, but i forget how peaceful it is in nature. There's something very...wonderful about being in a place where all you have to worry about is your next meal and where you mind can find silence. I envy monks. I think i always have, that's part of what i love about martial arts, the heritage of aesthetic and almost monastic life. Seclusion, peace, nature. Of course it's very self centered at most of it's core, but appealing nonetheless.  I am reminded of why i started rock climbing years ago. There is something inherent to the heart of a man (and maybe people in general, i'm not sure) that soars at those moments of when it's just him and the mountain. There is a singularity of focus and purpose there that as a man i appreciate, especially as one who lives in NYC and the 21st century.  So all that introspection to say, it was fantastic, just me and the mountain, and 5 glorious minutes of freedom carving (and falling at times) the snow. If I was David and wrote the 23rd Psalm, i think God would have led my by the snowy mountain trail and given me a snowboard instead of still waters...but the concept's the same.

Another observation, I'm flattered and humbled by my friends and thankful for how negligible distance is in love. I know what "they" mean by absence growing your feelings to a loved one. It was so great to hang out with my friends, some i hadn't seen in a year +. And again there is something inherent in a man, to go to a cave and beat his chest and grunt, and express his manhood along side other men. Don't know why, but man time is great. And i am fanatically in love with my wife, so i can only imagine what it must mean to those guys who begrudge their marriages....It was great to spend a couple of days with Gilliam in Charlotte before Man Trip began on Monday (he has fantastic music with a band named the falls lost, so go to iTunes and buy it so he can release a new album), then Monday morning when he and i showed up at Craig's house in Rock Hill for breakfast and truck packing ritual, my tall buddy Carl answered the door and i could have sworn i was just walking into his and Lindsey's place in Summerville, like no time had past. Then of course theirs Craiger who was in his pj's busily making everyone a HUGE breakfast (which we managed to devour without remorse) and Craig rocks because i think he is possibly the nicest guy i know in the world. A real peaceful dude to be with, always smiling and laughing (and snorting...i love that). i mean even his road rage is nice....and of course we would have had no Man Trip without the tireless efforts of Stevo.

Now while we were in a hot tub at a Days Inn, eating Taco Bell, and Cracker Barrel (the BEST oatmeal), sleeping on hard beds and getting bruises and rashes from wiping out on icey snow in 60 degree temperatures, Tammy and Jane and Sarah G were here in NY Getting a 3 hour spa treatment and massage going to Broadway shows, drinking gourmet chocolate milk in Brooklyn, and dining of fine Italian. But to each their own....

Home Sweet Home...

Hey all, so we are obviously very seriously LAME bloggers...well, forgiveness is a virtue i'm sure you all posses, so we'll just skip the messy apologies, move right on through your forgiveness, and on to the happenings...

So i just got home from a lovely week of fun, frolicking, and frivolity all summed in the phrase "the Third Annual MAN TRIP '08" I love man trip...it's great. i won't give all the details right now mainly because i want to eat some food...it's late i'm hungry and fighting off a cold, as usual when i travel. Which poses an interesting question, does airborne really work? hm? you think on that and get back to us, and i'll update some more tomorrow. Hugs to all...

for a taste of what we did in WV, check out my buddy Carl, and Craig on the slopes....Camera work care of Stevanie Bruchette 

Carl goes downhill

Oblah Dee Oblah Dah - Life Goes On...

Hey all, so i don't actually know who out there is still reading this, (other than parents) but to all who are (including parents) kudos to you...Why you may ask? Because i can give them to you...that's why...so kudos...whatever those are anyway...and do you think they are edible?

well anyway, aside from the food that is always on my mind, we've had a couple of unique days...this weekend was a bit...funky. I was in a funk basically. And that's never good. Although my lovely bride and i had wonderful date night Saturday out in the East Village, along with about 2,000 santa clauses - beats me... We were able to go to our new favorite ultra cheap sushi joint called Avenue A sushi. It is yummy, however it's not cheap on the weekends, no early bird special, but it was filling and good none the less. On Sunday we did a little bit of Christmas shopping, which jeffery is busy digging around in right now, sorry Jane - he really seems to like your present, and he looks so darn cute under the tree i can't help but watch him...hence why i will be a horrible father, "Look honey, Jr's so cute playing with the skill saw!! quick take a picture!" yeah, still growing up here...afterward we were able to go and help make a Miranda Christmas house! which basically means we were able to help some friends put up a christmas tree (my first real one i can remember) and eat junk food and watch classic christmas filmage. Along with the wonderful, and unfortunately late night, was our exposure to a wonderful little card game popular in Pennsylvania called "Dutch Blitz." It may be even better than Egyptian Monkey Slap, though i haven't decided yet...so watch out Steve and Jane, we're bringing the game next time we're down...if we can only find the cards...

as to today, Walter and i met for the afternoon and worked on many details of CitiVision's existence and even managed to squeeze in solving world hunger after a solid morning prayer session where we just bared it all. it was great, and i don't use that word lightly. Concerning prayer, please be praying for our friend Joey's brother John. He had an unfortunate issue come up this weekend, he is okay, but in need of prayer, hopefully this is a God wake up call for him. As well a pastor out of Floria named Keith is dealing with colon cancer. He has young daughters and a son, as well as a wife.

in addition to that Walter and i continued to go down the road of tedious stuff that makes the summer missions experience The Next Level happen. It's been a lot of fun despite some of the more tedious elements, but that's life. I've really enjoyed getting to know a lot of the leaders from various churches, schools, universities, and such over the past couple of months. I am looking forward to the 13 weeks this summer we will be hosting teams. I thrive off of smaller group dynamics and engagement. I will really enjoy being able to share more of God's calling to urban centers and His people with the Jr. High, High school, and college\ young professionals this summer. Of course be praying for us, that we can meet the financial need for the program, as well as just be prepared b\c it is very physically demanding going from about 6 am till after midnight every day for the entire summer. we have included some time off in our schedules and have planned for 4 interns to help us, but some schedules change and all the interns we had have had to back out, so please pray for 4 (or 5) able and willing individuals to help us this summer! we desperately need them with our new plan of action for The Next Level! PRay Pray Pray!

Also exciting was a solid conversation that more clarified my role with the organization with a hopeful, strategic, and attainable goal for a steady income for me! now that's exciting! Not that it's all about $$ but i do like to feel like i'm contributing to my school loan debt reduction and the family financially...some stupid guy provider gene thing...go figure

so also please pray for where we are headed. My buddy Austin from TX has decided to stay on for another year with us. He is seeking out an apartment and trying to solidify the option he has for one now. He is a tremendous asset to us in so many ways, and not to mention i like him. He reminds me of my friend Carl from SC. except considerably shorter, and not as prone to retaliate against my harassment's with wedgies...*sighs* memories...some how money is necessary for paying bills so, while he is raising a steady amount of his own support with him moving to the city (where he really needs to be) this incurs and automatic huge cost increase in his budget.

thinking about all the things that go on behind the scenes here that you guys don't even get to hear about b\c it's so much to say, but i'm so impressed with how God is bringing people of like minds, ministry concepts, passions, and various gifts together. And i'm humbled to work along a man like Walter who is so very wise, straight forward, and just awesome. Now this is not to say we don't butt heads sometimes, or get short with each other, but it's been great being with him and seeing his love for life and love and GOd and ministry...it is also humbling to be beside him as he relates knowledge, and wisdom, and life lessons to me and with me. his humility and desire to continue to grow and remain teachable, open and rebukeable is a good reminder to my self to fight my own arrogance and pride and to revel in the joy and true Gift of our wives and the soooo unconditional love they give us...

i can't begin to say how much life has changed...how much i have changed, or tammy for that matter here. Full time ministry looks so different than i ever thought it would in college or before, while i sat in theology classes arguing mentally arrogant positions for no reason other than we could, or while is at behind pianos, guitars, or in vocal lessons thinking i'd be a full time worship leader...some people, like Jil (aka Poo Brain) thankfully have pursued those callings and will fill that role beautifully, but i am thankful for the curvy, switchback, lumpy, and foggy road of life that has lead me here. I am reminded even now of God's mercy in my life, of His never ending Grace at my screwed up everything, and His crazy love for me. As we prayed this morning i was thankfully reminded, after a frustrated rant to walter about stuff, how God is so far above all our earthly concerns with his greatness, all resources sit at his command, all knowledge and wisdom are his, the Creator of all things out of nothing, but even with that, He my great God, being above the ridiculous things i let consume me, he so desperately is interested in those same things...He is a paradox, a vast dichotomy i fail to understand and am thankful for the cause of the ignorance...

So once again, thank you to our families and friends and mentors who without we would not be where or who we are today. And to those who pray for us, please...never stop! even if it's once in a blue moon (does that really even happen?) and thank you for those prayers, we covet your battling along side us in seeing God's Kingdom take shape in an unexplainable,incomprehensible Love being lived, not religion being preached. And to those who for the last 6moths to a year and even longer have financially supported and gifted to us...THank You!!! THank you!! THank YOu!! We really are at a loss of words for your sacrifice...we live in a consumerist nation, that says money is the ultimate end. and you have made, consistently and graciously, huge sacrifices for us to be able to live out God's love in Manhattan and the rest of NYC. God bless you all...seriously, never mind the cheese sound...

I am humbled some days as i walk down the street in our neighborhood and see the shoes of kids and teens that were killed in gang violence hanging from electrical wires above me, or when i step off the subway on 33rd street by madision square garden as i head to the Gracie jujitsu studio i train at, or when is stand barking push up counts at a bunch of kids, whose parents have entrusted me to teach Martial Arts and to help their children realize their potential...we live in New York City, NYC, the place people would die to be. Rightly called by new yorkers, the true capital of America, the greatest city in the world (i'm still holding out that Tokyo may be cooler...slightly) and we live here, everyday of our lives, likely we will raise our children here, we will set in place a legacy of God's grace and mercy for thousands of people of many years of slow, practical, loving, tedious, and joyful ministry...Thank you.

your humbled brother,

Jonathan.

and thank you to the Working Title for providing pleasant and appropriate background listening for this post...