Family Reunion

Johnson Family Reunion - August 2012

After 11 years we finally had the opportunity to gather together with our four kids and their families this August.  What a blessing to be able to spend time together talking, laughing, crying, singing, cooking, playing games and just hanging out.  For some of the grandkids it was the first time to meet cousins.

I am especially thankful to God that I was able to witness this wonderful event.  We had planned to do this three years ago, but our plans changed when I was diagnosed with breast cancer.  Having gone through that experience makes me even more thankful for each day that God allows me to live here on earth.  
 

Our family tree - Psalm 103:17
 

This year Howard and I celebrated 36 years of wedded bliss!  The kids surprised us with a picture of our family tree made up of all the names of our children with their spouses and all our grandchildren.

"But from everlasting to everlasting the Lord's love is with those who fear him, and his righteousness with their children's children" - Psalm 103:17



Dear friends,

Thank you for all your prayers this week for the family camp with Adams Lake Indian Band. We had quite a few families join us. There was much laughter, good food, good talks, lots of stories by elders and all around a wonderful time to gather together. The camp was held at a traditional winter village site along Adams Lake. We used the canoes to cross the lake to see ancient pictographs and the kids enjoyed cliff diving and swimming. We had great weather and everyone was kept safe and healthy. God answered your prayers. Howard was kept busy as children patiently sat and watched him make bows and arrows. He also showed them how to make stone arrow heads. Steve, Rick, Bob and Chris were a great help with the canoes and with the food preparations. We are so grateful for their commitment of their time and resources to assist us and be a blessing to our Secwepemc friends.  We just wanted to let you know that good and meaningful relationship were being forged during these 5 days that we had together. God is working in the hearts and lives of our Secwepemc friends.

A few weeks ago we asked for prayer for a dear elder who has cancer. Early this morning (July 21st) God took her home. We were glad to be able to have visited with her yesterday and at the request of family sang her some of her favorite songs and prayed with her. We ask you now for your prayers for this family as they grieve her death and as they are making preparations for the funeral in a few days. Pray that God will give us opportunities to share His comfort and peace with family and friends. We are saddened at her passing, but rejoice that we will meet her on the other side of eternity.

"When the Lord our God calls his people home, do not be afraid as they journey the road. Hand in hand they'll be walking with Creator God. On the wings of an eagle they will rise, they will rise. On the wings of an eagle they will rise."

Kukstemc (thank you)

A ministry moment...

“You can go see Mum; she is in her bedroom,” Karen said.  Karen has been a major care giver for her mother, now in her 80’s.  Her mother got to know Jannie when they were both at the Cancer Clinic in Kelowna, BC.  We have been in touch ever since, dropping by for visits when we had a chance.  The relationship has blossomed over the past two years, and we have enjoyed our visits very much.

We slipped down the hallway, and greeted Mum as we cautiously entered her room.  Mum was sitting on the edge of her bed, looking at the lake and the mountains past the window.  The thin curtains fluttered a bit as the cool air came through the narrow opening, which was cooling a food supplement drink on the sill. 

Mum greeted us cheerfully, and welcomed us in.  Jannie and I sat on the edge of the bed, sharing time with our dear friend.  She looked like she had lost more weight.  She was just a shell of the feisty ol’ gal we used to know.  In the past, she was active in environmental and Indian Rights issues.  She was a powerful lady with lots of grit.  But that was before the cancer spread.  She wasn’t eating much anymore.  Her days were numbered, and she knew it.

Our conversation turned to spiritual things.  We talked about Heaven, and what the Bible tells us about it.  We talked about the crystal river that flows from the throne of God, and the trees that line the bank.  We talked about seeing loved ones, and the indescribable wonder and variety of the Holy angels.  We talked about seeing Jesus in all His glory and splendor.

Mum sort of sighed, and quietly said, “It is hard to imagine how nice it will be.” 

She loves the Lord, and we asked if we could pray with her before we left.  She said that would be nice; the deep furrows in her face yielding to the smile as she closed her sparkling brown eyes.  After the prayer, she said she was ready for a nap.  We said we would be back again soon, and made our way back down the hall, to visit with her daughter.  We plan to return each week.

We believe that it is the prayers of the Body of Christ that advance the kingdom of God in this world.  You will be pleased to know of some of the answers to your prayers in the past several months.  Here are some reasons to praise God:

                ~ in a recent medical checkup, Jannie remains free of cancer.

                ~ a weekly Bible Study of the Book of Hebrews is well attended.

                ~ a family outreach called Creator’s Talking Circle is well attended                    and the Gospel is being proclaimed.

                ~ trust from community leadership has led us to serve a                                  community breakfast every Tuesday morning.  It is a great way                      to practise servant hood and has expanded our connections                          within the community.

As you pray, would you please ask God to guide us in possible opportunities for involving Summer Missions teams?  People from several churches have indicated that they would like to come out to give a hand with ministry.  Possible areas of service might be VBS, a Reading Program, Camping Outreach, and construction projects.  We want to think big and seize opportunities, and yet stay in step with what God is doing.  The area of partnering with volunteer short term missions teams could be a tremendous blessing.  It also requires a willingness from the local Reservations for those programs to be implemented.  Pray that God would open doors of opportunity for those ministry teams that He is sending. 

the blessings of music

Yesterday we went to a nursing home to visit with some dear senior saints.  We were there with several other people from the church to sing and share with the people in the nursing home. We handed out the songbooks to everyone and started singing some 'good old' hymns.  What a delight to sing praises to God together with these seniors.  One lady in particular caught my attention as she said she didn't need a book, because she knew all the songs by heart.  And she sure did know them as I saw her sing along with each song.  As we finished Amazing Grace, I couldn't help but comment on the last verse where it says "when we've been there ten thousand years, bright shining as the sun, we've no less days to sing God's praise then when we've first begun".  I turned to the ladies next to me and said, "can you just imagine this incredible massive choir singing God's praises together on the other side of eternity?"  They both smiled and commented on the fact that we would be there forever and that we wouldn't be stuck in wheelchairs.  We will receive a new body!  That is surely something to look forward to, especially for those who are suffering from so many physical and mental limitations. 
We also sang a song most of us have learned as young children. "Jesus Loves Me".  So simple, yet so profound.  I recalled a story I had heard about a famous theologian who had a tremendous grasp of the Scriptures.  He had studied many years, and was a sought after speaker.  One day, someone asked him what the greatest theological discovery he had made during his life.  He thought for some time and finally stated, "Jesus loves me this I know for the Bible tells me so!"  All of his years of study and meditation had left him with one indelible impression.  The song he had learned as a small child, burned in his mind and the simplicity of this truth jumped to the forefront of his mind after he was confronted with this question.

As we were ready to leave we shook hands and many expressed thanks to us for coming.  But I was the one who was thankful as they blessed me with their joy in singing and reciting Scripture from memory.

Did you know that we have a God who sings over us too?  I love this verse in Zephania 3:17
"The LORD your God is with you, the Mighty Warrior who saves. He will take great delight in you; in his love he will no longer rebuke you, but will rejoice over you with singing."

still here...

It has been more than 3 months since my last posting.  We were having computer issues and access to the internet was limited for a while.  So we hope to get into our regular blogging again.
In March we traveled to Victoria.  Now this was not a vacation trip, as nice as that would have been.  But Howard was scheduled for a day surgery at a hospital there.  In the last three years Howard had been experiencing arrhythmias (or supraventricular tachycardia for those of you in the medical field).  The arrhythmias would occur more frequently.  This day surgery or ablation procedure promised a more permanent solution to this problem with a cure rate of 95 % and a low risk of complications.  They sedated him while they went in with a catheter into his heart to locate the abnormal tissue responsible for the rhythm abnormality.  Then they delivered a radiofrequency energy to the area to destroy it.  The surgery was successful and after a 4 hour recovery period he was released from hospital.  It was a long day though, since they didn't start his surgery until later in the afternoon, which meant that we didn't get back to our hotel until 10PM.  The day before Howard's surgery we had some sunshine and were able to enjoy the Butchart Gardens which are located just outside of Victoria.  There we were able to admire the first signs of spring!

We are glad with the warmer weather of spring.  By March we are very much ready to get rid of the snow. On Friday we did some yard cleanup.  There is lots to do.  We rototilled the vegetable garden area.  This year we were eager to start our plants indoors.  I think we may have jumped the gun a little, but we do have some very healthy looking tomato plants :)  Hopefully we can get some more work done in the next week if the weather stays dry.

"This is the day that the Lord has made, let us rejoice and be glad in it." Psalm 118:24

A blessed New Year...

This year I am reading a daily devotional that we received from Howard's parents about 20 years ago.  It's the classic "My Utmost For His Highest" by Oswald Chambers.  These are good words to ponder as we find ourselves at the beginning of a New Year.

WILL YOU GO OUT WITHOUT KNOWING? by Oswald Chambers

"He went out, not knowing where he was going" - Hebrews 11:8

Have you ever "gone out" in this way? If so, there is no logical answer possible when anyone asks you what you are doing.  One of the most difficult questions to answer in Christian work is, "What do you expect to do?"  You don't know what you are going to do.  The only thing you know is that God knows what He is doing.  Continually examine your attitude toward God to see if you are willing to "go out" in every area of your life, trusting in God entirely.  It is this attitude that keeps you in constant wonder, because you don't know what God is going to do next.  Each morning as you wake, there is a new opportunity to "go out," building your confidence in God. "...do not worry about your life...nor about the body..." (Luke 12:22).  In other words, don't worry about the things that concerned you before you did "go out."
Have you been asking God what He is going to do? He will never tell you.  God does not tell you what He is going to do - He reveals to you who He is.  Do you believe in a miracle-working God, and will you "go out" in complete surrender to Him until you are not surprised one iota by anything He does?
Believe God is always the God you know Him to be when you are nearest to Him.  Then think how unnecessary and disrespectful worry is!  Let the attitude of your life be a continual willingness to "go out" in dependence upon God, and your life will have a sacred and inexpressible charm about it that is very satisfying to Jesus.  You must learn to "go out" through your convictions, creeds, or experiences until you come to the point in your faith where there is nothing between yourself and God.

May we put these words into our daily practice throughout this New Year!

Christmas and the New Year...



providing music at a Christmas brunch

It's been over a month since I last blogged. I am sure that I am not the only one who finds the Christmas season a busy one. Since coming back home after our furlough, we found ourselves in a state of transition to get back into the daily routines here.
In the last couple of weeks we have been visiting with our family and friends here in the different Native communities.   We were asked to share Christmas music at one of the celebrations.  So we had a wonderful opportunity to share about the birth of Christ and remind everyone who Jesus is and why He came to earth.

Immanuel, our God is with us!  What an incredible truth to realize that God himself is with us.  Knowing this helps us go through life and face the future.  What comfort and hope.

Marc is sharing a story

Of course we had some fun when Mr and Mrs Claus stopped by to bring some cheer to the community. 

The Salmon Arm team with Mr and Mrs Claus :)