2017 Year In Review
Hi Friends,
We hope that you've had a blessed Christmas time with your family. With the new year knocking at the door, we've spent a few quiet moments reflecting on our ministry and family life in 2017.
- 1 new baby!!
- 5 months of non-touring maternity leave
- 5 months of touring with 2 1/2 month on the road with a baby. Read about that experience here
- 1 USA music ministry tour
- 37 Concerts
- 6 flights
- 5,568km driven
- 5 years of music ministry full-time!
- 1 new music video created. Watch it here
- Hundreds of nappies changed!
8 1/2 months pregnant
Eric playing at New Life Believers Church, Victoria, Australia
We began the year pregnant and completing our last music ministry tour before becoming a family of three. We toured to different Victorian churches each weekend while being based at home.
Looking back it was a time of excitement, apprehension and growth of faith in God as we went head long around another blind corner of this journey. We each had moments of struggle, wondering and praying about how it was all going to work out.
Monique singing at Glen Huntly SDA Church, Victoria, Australia
First family date when Ezra was 8 days old
Then 10th April came and with it we became a family of three. Our little darling Ezra Eric Johnson was born. For the next 4 months, I (Monique) was on maternity leave with Eric working on booking and administration from our home office. It was such a beautiful, sleep deprived, frustrating and joyful time before we faced the world of music ministry touring with a baby.
Our first time taking a church service after Ezra was born at Dandenong Polish SDA Church, Victoria, Australia
Eric singing at Crossway North Church, Victoria, Australia
The remainder of the year included three tours; NNSW, SQLD, VIC and Oregon, USA.
Sing at Storyline Church, Oregon USA
Singing at 'Your Church' in Brisbane, QLD, Australia
House Concert at ARISE / Light Bearers campus in USA
Singing at Warragul SDA Church in Victoria, Australia
Sharing music at the Salvation Army in Leongatha in Victoria Australia
Ezra checking out the piano!
It was absolutely amazing to be back doing concerts together with our little roadie. After the 5 month break, doing concerts again was like an invigorating breath of fresh air. Each concert in every tour was amazing and special. We are so thankful to God for all the providential moments and to all the people who helped and supported us.
Ezra fast asleep while Monique sings up in Maitland SDA Church, NSW Australia.
Cannon Beach in Oregon, USA
Eric getting some admin work done on a sunny afternoon with Ezra hanging out
Ezra fast asleep after a concert in QLD, Australia
Off to USA with a baby on an extremely long flight!
Crater Lake National Park in Oregon, USA
Ezra exploring the keys!
We also just recently put out a new music video for our song 'God Is Love'.
It's been a year that we dubbed at the beginning as 'The Year of the Baby'. A year of change. One that has been both the slowest and quickest in our recent history. Yet one that has been filled with joy. We have exciting things planned for 2018 and we cannot wait to let you know more about that in the new year.
Happy New Year!
Blessings & love,
Eric & Monique
