Johnson Family - Chris' Mom's Homegoing - Oct 2012

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Johnson Family - Chris' Mom's Homegoing - Oct 2012 CLICK HERE TO OPEN IN SEPARATE BROWSER WINDOW Here's what new and news with the Johnson family in Hungary! Is this email not displaying correctly? View it in your browser. Dear Friends,  For those of you who've not yet heard, my precious mother, Sammie Howell Johnson, entered the presence of her Lord on Sunday morning, September 30th.  Mom's passing took place at almost precisely 11:00 a.m.  On most Sunday mornings for the previous 40 years, Mother could be found in the alto section of the church choir which often sang a rousing refrain as a prelude to the 11 o'clock worship service.  It seems that on that particular Sunday, Mom was called home to harmonize with the heavenly choir offering worthy worship to the God she adored and followed. God granted us His grace and strength as our entire family rallied to assist my Dad in providing round-the-clock care for Mom for more than a month before her homegoing.  As difficult as it was to watch the ravaging effects of cancer, it was a joy and privilege to help serve my precious Mother during those days.  Recently, I heard a pastor say, "Heaven will be a place where everything that's good on earth will be perfect and everything that's bad will be absent."  Obviously, the hope of heaven is even sweeter for me these days. As she desired, Mom's memorial service was a true worship experience exalting God's faithfulness and victory over the grave.  The choir sang an inspired version of Mom's favorite song, "I Will Rise."  When they reached the chorus singing "Worthy is the Lamb" in full voice, people all over the auditorium rose spontaneously to their feet with many lifting hands in passionate praise.  Most people commented that they had never experienced a funeral service quite like it. If you'd like to listen to the service, I've posted a link below.  The other link will open a video of the slideshow we put together commemorating Mom's life. Sammie Johnson Memorial Service - October 3, 2012 (click here) Sammie Johnson - Video Slideshow (click here) My Dad is doing fairly well.  Obviously, his heart is broken at losing his soulmate of 54 years.  He's taking one day at a time, working part-time and slowly adjusting to his new normal.  Friends from church continue to be a strong support system for Dad and they've been incredible in providing meals and practical help. Mother taught kindergarten for 31 years.  She influenced the lives of more than 700 students (and taught many how to read) as a passionate teacher.  It was humbling and beautiful to hear and read their tributes to Mom.  Hundreds of others were impacted by Mother's testimony as she determined to give God glory and praise throughout her 3-year battle with cancer.  More than ever, I've realized what a special person my lovely Mother was and how blessed I was to be one of the two sons loved and nurtured under her care. With gratitude for your thoughts and prayers, Chris Johnson ABWE-Hungary Copyright © *|CURRENT_YEAR|* *|LIST:COMPANY|*, All rights reserved. *|IFNOT:ARCHIVE_PAGE|* *|LIST:DESCRIPTION|* Our mailing address is: *|HTML:LIST_ADDRESS_HTML|* *|END:IF|* *|IF:REWARDS|* *|HTML:REWARDS|* *|END:IF|*  unsubscribe from this list | update subscription preferences*|IFNOT:ARCHIVE_PAGE|* | view email in browser*|END:IF|*

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Johnson Family - Sept 2012 - Prayer for Chris' Mom

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Johnson Family - Sept 2012 - Prayer for Chris' Mom CLICK HERE TO OPEN IN SEPARATE BROWSER WINDOW Here's what new and news with the Johnson family in Hungary! Is this email not displaying correctly? View it in your browser. the Johnson Family September 2012 - Prayer for Chris' Mom Dear Friends, Greetings from North Carolina!  I know that it’s been several months since many of you have heard from us.  Thanks so much for your patience. We returned to the US from Hungary in mid-June to begin a 7-month furlough.  Just prior to our departure from Hungary, we received word that Chris’ mother’s cancer had returned. As you may recall, Mom was diagnosed with stage 4 ovarian cancer which had already reached her liver in August of 2009.  The diagnosis was dire.  Surgeries and radiation treatments were not considered viable options.  As a family, we supported Mom’s decision to concentrate on quality of life and trust God’s timing.  We watched in awe as God miraculously continued to extend Mom’s life.  Over the course of almost 3 years, she remained fairly active and even able to participate in many church activities.  After the diagnosis, Hospice nurses began regular visits, but later decided that their services were no longer necessary since Mom was doing so well.  Doctors could offer no medical explanations.  Obviously, something miraculous had happened and Mom was diligent to give testimony everywhere regarding God’s powerful work in her life. Shortly after her 72nd birthday earlier this summer, however, Mom’s health began to deteriorate and even involved a brief stay in the hospital.  Hospice is now back in the picture and our family has rallied to help Chris’ Dad in providing round-the-clock care for Mom.  Her pain has reached the stage where morphine is required.  She’s very weak and sedated most of the time now.  She had high hopes for at least one more trip to the ocean with the extended family next month, but at this point that doesn’t seem likely. So, this is the path we’re walking these days.  We know that many of you can relate from personal experience.  We’re grateful that God orchestrated the timing of this regularly scheduled furlough to fall during this time when we could be present to provide this kind of care and support for Chris’ parents. Thanks so much for your continued faithful prayers for us, Chris’ brother -- Kevin and his family and Dad and Mom (Phil and Sammie Johnson). Chris, Debbie & Brianna Johnson Copyright © *|CURRENT_YEAR|* *|LIST:COMPANY|*, All rights reserved. *|IFNOT:ARCHIVE_PAGE|* *|LIST:DESCRIPTION|* Our mailing address is: *|HTML:LIST_ADDRESS_HTML|* *|END:IF|* *|IF:REWARDS|* *|HTML:REWARDS|* *|END:IF|*  unsubscribe from this list | update subscription preferences*|IFNOT:ARCHIVE_PAGE|* | view email in browser*|END:IF|*

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Johnson Family - Hungary eUpdate June 2012

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Johnson Family - Hungary eUpdate June 2012 CLICK HERE TO OPEN IN SEPARATE BROWSER WINDOW Here's what new and news with the Johnson family in Hungary! Is this email not displaying correctly? View it in your browser. the Johnson Family Hungary eUpdate June 2012 Dear Friends, Just wanted to write you a few lines to let you know what’s up with us and to ask for your prayers for a special evangelistic event here in Hungary. Around our house right now the empty walls and stacked cardboard boxes scattered about are a sure sign that a move is underway.  Our family will be departing Hungary on June 15th for a 6-month furlough ministry in the USA.  During that time, we will be reporting to our supporting churches and raising additional funding for our ministry.  Of course, we’ll enjoy catching up with our families and making the most of our times together. God allowed us to find a lovely rental home just north of Charlotte, NC and just a few miles from our grandson!  We look forward to seeing many of you as well during our time in the States.  On June 1-3, the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association will conduct a “Hope Festival” here in Budapest.  For three consecutive evenings, Hungarians will be exposed to Christian musicians, testimonies and the Gospel message presented by Franklin Graham. Capacity crowds of approximately 15,000 are expected to attend the event each night.  We invited 2 couples among our closest non-Christian friends to attend the Hope Festival.  At this point, only one couple has agreed to go with us.  Please pray for God’s Spirit to work powerfully during these days!  Also, please pray for our Hungarian pastor/church-planting partner, Gyuri Varga, who will be the translator for Franklin Graham as he preaches. You can see and read more info about the Hope Festival on Facebook here and on the Hungarian website here. We’ll catch you up on all the other news later.  Thanks so much!  See you soon! Chris & Debbie Copyright © *|CURRENT_YEAR|* *|LIST:COMPANY|*, All rights reserved. *|IFNOT:ARCHIVE_PAGE|* *|LIST:DESCRIPTION|* Our mailing address is: *|HTML:LIST_ADDRESS_HTML|* *|END:IF|* *|IF:REWARDS|* *|HTML:REWARDS|* *|END:IF|*  unsubscribe from this list | update subscription preferences*|IFNOT:ARCHIVE_PAGE|* | view email in browser*|END:IF|*

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Johnson Family - Update Dec2011

Johnson E-Update Dec2011