Michael Johnson ('09)

Michael and his bride were married June 13, 2009. Mike started his accounting job with Jaguar Communications in Owatonna, Minnesota in the same month. Mike says,

"God orchestrated the entire scenario [housing and jobs] for us to stay close to our families, and provided us both with wonderful jobs (working at the same place), and a great place to live. We can work the same hours, take the same lunch break, and go home together every day!

"[In January 2010] we signed the papers for our new house that we are having built for us in Owatonna. God provided us with decent jobs and the financial training necessary to be able to be debt free from school, and still be able to put more than 25% down on our house. So, in that aspect, thank you [business faculty] for your part of that financial training.

"It has been very exciting to get out and apply what I learned in school in the real world. I have enjoyed my job very much. I have been working here seven months now, and was promoted to the Accounting Manager last month. I was able to come in and set up some principles and guidelines for their accounting methods, as well as do some coding and data base work for their accounting software.

"I know that it is nothing more than by the grace of God that I am where I am. He provided my wife and I with what we have and where we are at, and I owe Him so much!"

Praise the Lord, Michael. We like that attitude!

Jeremy and Jeanna Zajicek ('03)

We received a great update from Jeremy and Jeanna!

"Much has happened in the course of the last several months. We did move back to MN after 13 months in WI. The move to WI was a great experience for Jeanna and me. The Lord opened so many doors for us to get to WI and then once we were in WI, the Lord started closing doors to making the transition final – the sale of our home in MN. So for 13 months we rented a duplex in WI and also maintained our home in MN.

"Despite the difficult financial times the Lord met our every need.... What a blessing to serve a God who holds the world in his hands! The move was a time of adventure, but more importantly a time of drawing closer to our heavenly father.

"The Lord did open doors for a good job back in Minnesota and we were able to move right back into our home. I have been working for Hennepin County for 9 months now.... I oversee the administration of several benefits and also supervise staff in my unit. The Lord has blessed me with a unique set of leadership skills and I have had the opportunity in many of my jobs to develop into positions above what I was hired for....

"I serve as a Deacon for First Baptist Church in St. Francis. The pastor is Steve Brower, also a graduate from Maranatha. I serve on a number of committees, including our Christian School board. Of course I love spending time with my growing family. The latest edition to our family is Natalie June born on December 23, 2008."

Kevin Miner (’04) and Phil James (‘04)

Kevin and James listening intently to Mr. Miller (as usual :^) ) while new professor, Jeff Drost, looks on with amazement during the 40th anniversary of Maranatha!

Kevin is currently working for Kerr Corp as a Master Scheduler/Forecaster in Middleton, Wisconsin. He and his wife, Brooke, are living in Lake Mills. They are serving the Lord at Rock Lake Baptist Church where Kevin is the King’s Kids director and church treasurer.

Phil lives in Morristown, Minnesota and works in Faribault as the dispatcher for the Midwest Regional Terminal for Aldi foods. He works for the company Black Horse Carriers which contracts with Aldi and other companies such as Menards, Pier One, Ford, Affiliated Foods (Shur Fine label), Deli Express, etc. He has been working in Faribault for a year and is spending some of his “free” time working on his house. He attends First Baptist Church in Faribault.

Rocco Fell ('94) and Shannon Sivula ('93)

While at this fall's 40th reunion, offered an update:

"Rocco is currently working at Brinks, Inc. as a Regional Account Executive in Minneapolis, Minnesota. He has been married to Shannon Sivula (’93) for 14 years now—crazy, I know! They currently have three dogs (chows) and three cats. His life revolves around work and anything with a motor!

"Shannon is currently going to school for Interior Design with a planned graduation date of May 2009. The plan is start an interior design business to go along with the bridal design business she currently owns."

Mark Wichman ('00)

Mark writes: "I’ve finished my second tour of 2 months here in Amsterdam! I cannot believe how many people I’ve met here from different regions of the world including China, Japan, India, Iceland, Australia, Ukraine, Russia & also a few from the US.

"I’ve been visiting Crossroads Church since I arrived here and have enjoyed the ministry and seeing American missionaries.

"I have been able to see a few more things on my off time including Antwerp and Brussels, Belgium. I tried all the food your supposed to eat as a tourist (the waffles & cream, chocolate, fries etc..) and most lived up to the hype!

"A Russian friend Alisa (only a friend people!) I met while on tour happened to be an atheist and I was able to share my faith with her. I challenged her to read the Bible & e-mail me with any questions she has so please pray that God will work in her life."

Rachel (Broom) Krumwiede ('03)

Rachel and her husband, Kerry, received a tax filing deadline blessing! We received an exciting post card from them.

Maxwell David was born April 15, 2008. He weighed 6 pounds, 10 ounces and was 20 inches long.

Here are two picture--Rachel with Maxwell and friends and Maxwell sleeping
...handsome young man

Brian Schoonover ('96)

Brian: "We have entered into week 28 and so far - no baby! I know that probably sounds crazy, but we are actually very estatic. That means our baby girl is still growing and protected. We do ask that you continue to pray for us, as we have a lot to deal with right now.First and foremost of course, is Jody and the baby. She has been on bedrest for 3+ weeks now, and I know she is getting sick of the whole thing. The contractions have started to hurt a little more, but still everything looks good, the baby is VERY active, and mom is doing well too, all things considered."

Here's a picture of Brian and birthday celebrants!

Check out Brian's blog http://schoonoversintouch.blogspot.com/

Brian Schoonover ('96)

Please pray for Brian Schoonover's wife, Jody. She is 25 weeks pregnant with their third child and was put on bedrest last week. Both of their boys were born premature, so they knew this pregnancy would be high risk as well. Pray that Jody will make it to at least March 17, which is 33 weeks. The Schoonovers live in Coon Rapids, Minnesota.