Update on Tamandani and Sidala

First I would like to thank all of you for praying for these precious girls. On Monday December 29th the maternal uncle who holds the custody rights for the girls, visited the Good Samaritan Children’s Home. At the end of the meeting, he agreed to relinquish the custody of both girls to the Good Samaritan Children’s Home. Woohoo! On Tuesday we received word that the maternal grandmother caring for Tamandani and the paternal grandmother caring for Sidala are in agreement with the uncle’s decision. Today we received final confirmation from Good Samaritan that the children can be housed there.

Good Samaritan is not a baby orphanage. It is not set up for toddlers. Special arrangements had to be made for Savannah-Hope when she was brought there. Good Samaritan is also extremely under-funded as they have lost 1/3 of their support due to financial hardships among supporters in America. They really are in no position to take in two more children, let alone starving toddlers who will require specialized care. We are so grateful to the staff at Good Samaritan for agreeing to take the girls even though their “plate is full”. We trust that the Lord will make a way. I was so touched by the staff and the children during my visit there this past summer. They may have a shortage of funds, but there is no shortage of love.

If Tamandani and Sidala remain in their villages their death is imminent. If food and supplies are sent directly to their village, it is more than likely that it will not be used for them…and they will still starve to death. We were told by the missionary that the only chance the children have to live would be for them to be brought out of their villages and independently supported. We prayed and prayed and then waited for the Lord to reveal His plan.

The plan is now unfolding. The children will be brought to orphanage as soon as a nanny is hired for them, which will hopefully be by the end of next week. The girls are very ill and every day is critical. Please pray for wisdom for the orphanage director as she screens possible prospects. We have concerns that the children are at high risk for abuse due to their incessant crying and other behaviors that may surface as a result of their separation from their village.

The orphanage is reporting that it will cost $150 a month per girl for their care. Chrissie is working on getting a break down of the specific costs, some costs such a food won’t be able to be determined until the children arrive. The only specific cost that we know of right now is that their montly well-child exams will be $5 a piece.

We don’t have $300 a month to send to Malawi. If you would like to help sponsor the girls please let us know. Every dollar helps. You can send a tax deductible donation to:

Bible Baptist Church
Attn: Good Samaritan Orphanage
32 Adak Ave
Fairbanks, Alaska 99701

Please make the check payable to “Bible Baptist Church”
On the memo portion of the check please write “orphan twins”

In addition to their monthly financial support, it is being requested that one care package a month be sent for the girls. There are items that they need that can not be purchased in Malawi. The cost of shipping the box is $49.95. If you would like to pick a month to sponsor a care package let me know. If you would like a list of items needed for the care packages I can send you that as well. The girls' family is not willing to relinquish the girls for adoption. The current long term plan for the girls is to be cared for at Good Samaritan permanently. It is my hope that the girls will one day know the love of a forever family. We know the Lord has a plan for the girls, and are committed to do what we can to support them along the way.

These first two pictures were taken in June 2006, when the girls were receiving the items we had sent for them. They are 14 months old in these pictures. These were the first glimpses I saw of these precious angels.

This next picture is of the girls, their birth mother and maternal grandmother. They were returning to the village after spending 3 months in the hospital with their mother. This picture was taken in September 2006

This sweet face is Tamandani. Taken on Savannah-Hope's finding day, September 1, 2007

This sweet face is Sidala also taken on September 1, 2007

A spot for me!

I have been waiting and waiting and waiting on the Lord’s timing to begin nursing school. I have already completed all of my prerequisites and have applied to different nursing schools in the area. When I didn’t get accepted to nursing school in September 2007, I came to terms with it and felt privileged to be able to have more time at home with Savannah-Hope. This past Fall I applied again for the Spring 2009 semester. I was notified in October that I wasn’t accepted. I was placed on a waiting list and held out hope that there may still be a chance. On December 3rd I was told that all of the waitlisted spots had also been filled. It was over. I wasn’t going to get into nursing school for the Spring 09 semester. I was very disappointed. I started considering other options to see if maybe God had a different plan for me. Maybe a different school or a different type of nurse or maybe a different time or different degree all together.

Then a couple days ago I felt a sense of peace that God had chosen me to be a nurse and that I was going to begin that journey soon. It seemed impossible though because out of 279 applicants only 85 students are chosen. And all 85 spots were full on Dec 3rd. But I couldn’t shake the feeling that one of those spots were supposed to be mine. Today I sat at my computer and started drafting an email to the school. Before I could hit “send”, the phone rang. It was the school! They have a spot for me! For me, woohoo! I burst into tears and the school advisor started crying too. I told her that I was afraid I had been overlooked because I am a mother of 5 small children. I thought they would find me a risky investment and wouldn’t take a chance on me. But I got my spot! I start on Tuesday January 6th! And on that day I have to have 6 chapters completed in math and be prepared to take a test. Did I mention that I don’t have the math book and the book store is closed for the holidays? But I will find the book somehow.

I am determined to become a Registered Nurse. I won’t let God, my husband, my children or myself down. This is an open door and I am jumping through it…excited and a little nervous. Starting next week I will be working 20 hours a week, going to school full time and being a full time mother to five precious little one. I am so thankful to the Lord for such a wonderful husband. I couldn’t do this without him. I am looking forward to using my nursing degree to help others and serve God.

Update on "the twins" Tamandani and Sidala

It’s been 8 months since I held these babies in my arms. It feels like yesterday. I can still feel their weightless boney bodies in my arms. I can hear Tamandani’s cries. I can smell their scent. I can see their dirty little faces with those deep dark brown eyes. It doesn’t matter if my eyes are open or closed….those faces are always with me. I remember how it felt to walk away with their sister and leave them behind. I can feel the hot tears running down my face and landing on their little bald heads. I remember praying over them…not an eloquent poetic prayer, but a prayer of a heartbroken mother. A prayer that starts with “Oh God please….and through the tears your voice shakes and then goes silent and you know its okay because God knows your thoughts. I try not to question God and His plan although I don’t understand. I don’t know why the twins are separated or why Savannah-Hope is able to gain hope of a new life while they are left in a situation they may not survive. I feel grateful for the miracle of Savannah-Hope but my heart breaks….for her sisters….left behind.

Everyday I thank God for the children he has given me and the time I have with them. Being gone from them for 40 days has helped me appreciate and cherish every moment. I am thankful that I am the one to put the band-aids on their scraped knees, to read the bedtime stories, to scrub the chocolate stain out of their shirt, to mop up their spilt juice, referee their squabbles, administer their medicine, wipe their tears away, tickle their tummys, cheer them on as they master a new task, taxi them to activities, the hugs, the kisses….and to hear the “mommy I love you’s”. I am careful to not let our hopes for the future, take my focus away from the everyday blessings.

On Christmas Eve morning I received a phone call about the twins. I knew that their care packages had been delivered. The news we received was devastating. The girls are starving. One of them went without a bite of food the day before. They have lost a tremendous amount of weight. It is painful for them to be touched. Their bones are sticking out, their bellies are swollen and full of worms. They are sick, very sick. The tears flowed and my chest grew tight. I saw the living conditions 8 months ago. I can picture it as clear if I were standing there right now. I had heard a few weeks ago from Brother Gentry that their villages were experiencing a great famine. I know its rainy season. I know the type of care they are getting in the village.

I was told that the family was asked to consider allowing the children to enter Good Samaritan (orphanage where Savannah-Hope lived). The family was to have a meeting and then notify the orphanage director of their answer.

I have held these babies in my arms. I have felt their hearts beating against mine. I tasted their salty tears as I smothered them in kisses. My heart was so heavy hearing how they have deteriorated. I cried and cried. I prayed and put it in God’s hands. I made a decision to enjoy Christmas with my 5 little miracles. I soaked them up and hugged them tight. We laughed and played and celebrated the eve of Jesus’ birth.

On Christmas Day I received another phone call stating that the family is not willing to relinquish the girls. Out of respect for them and Savannah-Hope’s privacy I am not going to share their reasons. I will say that I am praying without ceasing that they have a change of heart. I am praying that they will choose to give them a chance to live.

The family member that has control of the twins' custody is supposed to be traveling to Good Samaritan on Monday for a second meeting. Please pray with me for Tamandani and Sidala and their future.

2008 Christmas Letter

Johnson Journal 1st Edition December 2008

Well this year has brought much excitement and many challenges our way. On January 9th we celebrated Amy’s four year gotcha day, it seems like yesterday we got Amy off that airplane but it feels like she has always been ours. She is a happy healthy 8 year old girl busy with dancing, reading, talking, doing girl scouts and planning her future wedding to Troy from High school Musical!! She continues to grow daily into a beautiful young lady and we are so blessed by her. She is our first adopted angel and we are thankful everyday God brought her to us.

On March 4 we finally received our approval letter to travel to Malawi, Africa and get our newest daughter Savannah-Hope Elizabeth Johnson. I traveled with a very special lady Ms. Sheila, who gave up her own time to make a long journey and we ended up staying 40 days while we waited on the baby’s visa. I will always be grateful to”Grammy Sheila” for staying on this long journey with us to get our daughter home. I am also very grateful for this amazing opportunity to see how great the needs are in my daughter's country and just how blessed our lives are in the USA. I visited her village and was able to take pictures with some of her family members. Her twin sisters are very frail and her brother who is in a little better shape. I left supplies and food for them but the need continues daily. I left a piece of my heart with many people in Malawi Africa and miss it daily. Please pray for this country it is so warm with people who love God and have so little yet give so much!

On May 5 we celebrated Savannah-Hope’s 1st birthday, she has just adjusted so amazingly and she is talking like crazy and into everything. She loves spending time with the big kids and has her dad wrapped around her little finger. He calls her his African princess!! She is another wonderful addition to our family!

In June Izabella and Amelia danced in their first recital together they both did wonderful!! It was an amazingly fun girl time for us!

July 17th Zach and Zander turned 8 years old it is hard to believe it has been eight years since these two made us parents! Zach and Zander continue to grow and amaze us each day. They are loving school this year and they are in cub scouts which they really like. They are still all boy playing with video games and super heroes but they are very kind and gentle with their sisters. They both enjoy reading and are getting better at it daily. The boys are really into Ben 10 this year. The boys are truly a gift from God and we could not think of any one better to have started out with. They have been wonderful kids from day one, and we love watching them grow in to Godly young men.

Izabella, who turned five on her daddy’s birthday, has gracefully given up her spot as the baby and loves being a big sister. I cannot believe she will go to school next year. She keeps us laughing with her funny ways and sense of style; she is prissy and always wears dresses. She still loves my little pony. She is a treasure, my blue eyed girl. I was so afraid when we adopted Amy that at some point would she ever feel different or left out but to my surprise Izabella says she needs to be adopted because she is the only girl in the family who is not adopted! I told her we would look for her a new family but she wants us to adopt her!!

Shane made a huge decision on September 24 to accept Jesus Christ as his personal lord and savior, and was baptized.

This was huge in our lives and it has forever changed our family. As always whatever Shane does he does it with all his heart and salvation is no exception. He has already made and started a one year plan to read his bible and he is teaching the kids along with me now. I am so humbled to see God’s hand in our daily lives and everyday I am so thankful for the blessings we have been given.

In this season and always I hope you remember Jesus is the reason for the season!!!

From our home to yours we wish you all a wonderful safe and very blessed Christmas and New Year!!

Shane, Crystal, Amelia, Zander, Zach, Izabella, and Savannah-Hope Johnson

Who's at the door?

The other day the door bell rang. The children were excited and ran to the door. I was in my room getting dressed for work. I told the children not to open the door just to peak out the window and see who it was. Zach came running back to my bedroom door and said it’s the “ups man”. I was thinking ups man? Who is the ups man? Zach said “you know the guy in the brown truck, he has a box for us”. Then it dawned on me! It was the U- P- S man! Oh I got a good laugh out of that one! And then my heart filled with joy and tears filled my eyes as I realized what the U-P-S man was delivering….an answer to prayer.

This is tight year finically for most, and our family is no different. Our children are getting one modestly priced special item for Christmas and then a couple of smaller things. Ameila’s “special gift” had to be ordered. After I ordered it, I received the shipping confirmation that stated your box has been shipped, unfortunately even though we said that it would arrive before Christmas, it won’t arrive until December 26th.

I was so disappointed. I immediately started thinking of clever ways we could fix this issue. Started writing letter’s in my head to Amelia from Santa or one of his elves. Those of you who know our precious Amelia, would know that this is the one child we have that would have not have taken this well. It is so important to her that she not be left out of anything. She would have been heartbroken not to have a gift to open on Christmas. And I was frustrated as her mom not to be able to fix this. I just prayed and gave it to God. And my prayer was answered. Not only did it arrive before Christmas….it arrived on the 22nd. What a blessing!

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Please scroll down to see the update on Izabella’s burn recovery. We are also asking today for special prayers for Savannah-Hope’s twin sisters who remain Malawi. We received news this morning that was very heartbreaking. I haven’t stopped crying all morning. We are trusting the Lord and praying without ceasing. I hope to be able to update you on these precious angels on Friday. Until then please pray for Tamandani and Sidala. Thank you! Hope our “ups man story” put a smile on your face. Wishing you all a wonderful Christmas Eve.

Remembering....and Praising Him!

Last year on this date (Dec. 23rd) while waiting to bring home our Malawian Princess and making final preparations for Christmas, Izbella had a tragic accident. Izabella suffered serious 2nd and 3rd degree burns to her leg and abdomen. We are so thankful to have a State of the Art Burn Center near our home. Izabella has received treatment there for the past year. She has an appointment for the first of the year for a check-up. She no longer has to wear the tubigrip bandage (wore it for 23 hours a day for nearly a year) and has minimal scaring. We thank the Lord today for His healing of our sweet girl. He protected her from infection, skin grafting and disfiguring scaring. We thank the Lord today for another miracle. We also want to thank our friends and family for faithfully praying for Bella throughout this year for her healing process.



Izabella played an Angel in her pre-school play last week.



Our little Angel loves her daddy!



Last year on this day my heart ached to take the severe pain away from Izabella. I cried and begged God to heal her. My arms ached to hold Savannah-Hope who was preparing to spend her first Christmas in an Orphanage on the other side of the world. I cried and begged God to let her feel our love and to bring her home to us. This was not the first Christmas we had one of our children across the miles spending the Holidays in an Orphanage. In 2003 while our family waited for the clearance to bring Amelia home, she spent Christmas in an orphanage. Today I am praising the Lord for my miracles. My children are healthy and happy, my arms are full of hugs and my face receiving sweet kisses. My heart is full of joy! We have truly been blessed.



Across the world tomorrow, the director from Savannah-Hope's orphanage will be delivering supplies and Christmas gifts that were sent to Savannah-Hope's twin sisters. We praise the Lord for His goodness! We are so thankful for the opportunity to demonstrate Christ's love to Savannah-Hope's birth family. They are in our thoughts daily.....

Johnson Elves

click below for a little fun:

http://elfyourself.jibjab.com/view/Ia5xcxQSpdhQO8IfsKID

Bella's Day of Beauty

A couple of weeks ago Bella and her best buddy Lindsey Miller had a day of beauty at Libby Lu's as a belated birthday gift. The girls had a blast.

They started their girls day out at McDonald's.

Then a ride on the carousel

First on the list: glittery manicures

Eye shadow next.

Here is Bella admiring her new look

Bella's first "up-do"

Look at those precious faces

Time for the fairy dust

Best buds

Our wore-out princess. Being beautiful is exhausting.

Trip to Kentucky

On the Wednesday before Thanksgiving we took a rode trip to Louisville, Kentucky to visit Victory Baptist Church. While we were in Louisville we met up with my friend Dawn and her children. All the kids had a blast playing at the playground on the church campus.

We have 9 Children between us, with the oldest being 8.

Victory Baptist Church is the home church for missionary Brother Gardiner Gentry. Brother Gentry has started over 400 churches in Malawi Africa, one of them being the church where Savannah-Hope's birth family attended and got saved. Brother Gentry knew Savannah-Hope's birth mother and covered many of her medical costs as well as the cost of her funeral. Brother Gentry gave permission for Savannah-Hope to be brought to his orphanage when she was near death. The Good Samaritan Children's Home is not set up for children under the age of 5. She was the very first infant ever to be brought to Good Samaritan. He gave special permission for Savannah-Hope to stay in the staff quarters with a private nanny. He was generous with allowing the orphanage staff and vehicles to be used to assist in Savannah-Hope's journey home. Brother Gentry also opened his home to me for the 40 days I was in Malawi. We wouldn't have our sweet angel without brother Gentry. We are so grateful for his calling to Malawi and the great work he is doing there. We are so thankful that he brought the Gospel to Savannah-Hope's village her birth mother was saved before she died.

Here is Savannah-Hope with Brother and Mrs. Gentry. She had fallen asleep during the service and woke up while this picture was being taken.

I would like to take this opportunity to ask for prayer for Savannah-Hope's twin siblings. While we were in Kentucky, brother Gentry shared that the twins' current situation is not good. Tamandani continues to live with the maternal grandmother in the one room grass hut where Savannah-Hope lived. Sidala continues to live in the neighboring village with the paternal grandmother. Both villages are experiencing a great famine. The crops were very bad this year and there is not enough maize to feed the villages. The main staple in Malawi is nsima which is made of corn flour and looks like hot cereal. The villages are now making nsima from the corn husks because there is not enough corn. This makes a very bitter tasting and non-nutritious meal. It is also the start of the rainy season. Neither grandmother has money to purchase plastic sheeting to cover the grass huts and keep out the rain. The rains also brings mosquitoes which leads to Malaria the biggest cause of death in Malawi. Both girls need mosquito nets. We are hoping to raise $200 which would cover the costs of supplies to help the twins make it through the rainy season.

The twins will be 4 years old in April. They weigh less than Savannah-Hope. Oh how my heart aches for these two precious girls. Please keep them in your prayers.

Christmas Tree 2008

We have a family tradition of cutting down a live Christmas tree the weekend after Thanksgiving. Last year we thought Savannah-Hope would be home in time to go with us, and were saddened to go without her. This year we were thrilled to have us all together.

The kids always carry the measuring pole out to where the trees are.

Measuring the tree

Amelia helping daddy cut down the tree.

Zander's turn to help

Zach helps daddy

Izabella's turn

Even Savannah-Hope got in on the action!

Next was the traditional hay ride.

And the traditional porch swing picture

It was Savannah-Hope's turn to put the angel on the tree

The finished product.

Click here to see us cutting down the tree last year.

Prayer Works!!!

On September 25,1998 I started a new job with San Diego County in Child Protective Services. This was also the day I met Shane the man I would marry one year later. I have always known Shane was my soul mate when I watched his gentleness with the children I fell more in love him each day. Shane was not a Christian and had no desire to become one, but I knew God had big things in store for this man whose heart is as big as Texas. I married him believing I could bring him to Jesus, but little did I know that is not how it would work. In the first year of our marraige I cried, pleaded and yelled that he must go to church(this obviously did not work) and made for a very unhappy young couple. A few weeks into our marriage we learned we were expecting twins(big surprise). At 14 weeks I went into labor and was flat on my back with the goal to make it to delivery. While months of bed rest might sound like a vacation, it is not. But God used this to shut my mouth and bruise my knees. I began to pray begging God to speak to Shane because I am not a savior and I no longer intended to do HIS job. Over the next 10 years, I continued this prayer daily daily sometimes minutes apart and I saw little changes here and there but I knew God was working. Then on September 24, 2008, Shane made the decision to give his life to God!!! Amen!!!!!!!!!!!!! Words can not describe the overwhelming joy this brought my heart! The rest of this story is his to tell please follow the link to the baptism video. It will bless you!!!

All I can say is this experience has changed our family forever!! Shane is so on fire, doing daily lessons with the kids and reading the Bible with intention! God has always blessed Shane with the heart he has but I am in awe of standing back and watching Shane allow God to use it for His glory.

To watch the baptism click here and then scroll down till you see "Shane Johnson"

Pumpkin patch 2008

This is our annual trip to the pumpkin patch we had a great time and our trick or treating pics!! I have more things to come that I will try to post soon! We are good but BIG changes going on around here!! SH loved her first halloween!! She is growing so fast :)

Make video montages at www.OneTrueMedia.com

Girls Night Out 2008

A few weeks ago we had the annual GNO at church they added slides,karaoke and a zumba class and of course there were three chocolate fountains!! We had a great time..thanks Monica,Shannon and Dina for a great night. Unfortunately we did not get it on video just still pics but our first karaoke number was baby got back(I am used to the shrek version) we had to cut it short :) we expect to be asked to leave the church at anytime!! Thanks to all the women behind the scenes who make this night available I enjoy it every year so much!!!

Make an on-line slide show at www.OneTrueMedia.com

Ram Run 2008

Zach, Amelia and Zander at this years school fun run

Ameila

Zach

Zander

Ameila running with her class

Go Zander Go!

Run Zach!

Zach and Zander's class

Just the boys.