Another tough day.....
.....the Embassy has not yet opened the envelope that contains Crystal's paperwork. They only work on documents for Americans on Tuesday's and Thursdays. They may get to it tomorrow or they may not. They refuse to give an estimated time frame. She will not be able to bring Savannah-Hope this week.
Please keep praying
Other news: Clifford's sister has been hospitalized for TB. Henry's (Good Samaritan Bible College President) young son Lil' Gentry has a problem with his hip. He had a surgical proceedure today and something was removed for a biopsy. Two girls at the children's home, Ida and Alinafe have infections. Missionary Brother Gentry arrived today.
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Wednesday April 16,2008
My Dear Daughter,
As I talked to you today my heart aces for you to be home with your whole family intact. As I pray for you this morning I am reminded of this scripture. Many are the plans in a man's heart, but it is the LORD's purpose that prevails. Proverbs 19:20-22. I know this is so hard for you because you are such a planner but maybe just maybe this is the area that God is working so hard on. Let go and Let God lead you and guide you in everything. You will be amazed at how strong Shane has been he has just handled every situation with such calmness and yet with so much strength. The two of you are such amazing people for your ages. I believe God is seeing just how faithful to Him and to each other and your family you can be apart so he knows how amazing you will be together. I believe he has great plans for the JOHNSON GANG in the future. When I stop to see some of the things that even your children have gotten from this, I see Zach kneeling in prayer alone at 7 years old and that is powerful. God is truly at work in the lives of the Johnson’s. He is grooming missionary hearts in such small children. This just may mean that thru your stories your children go back to countries just like Malawi and carry the good news of JESUS someday all because you were faithful when you needed to be and they saw you giving God the Glory and counting your Blessing in a time when it was so hard to do that. I know God is in control even when we want to be it just makes it harder for us to see the big picture sometimes. But when you get to feeling like you can’t stay another minute turn to God and give that feeling to him and just praise him for all things.
Until you get here to kiss your babies I will promise to keep kissing them twice as much for you and for me. I promise to even give Shane a smack on the cheek for you everyday.
Keep staying strong because every day you amaze me more that the last. And I will be looking forward to seeing you and Savannah-Hope soon.
Love Mom
XXXOOOXXXOOO
Seems to me God equips parents at the right time with knowing what to say....and when it is necessary. Your Mom blesses me when she blesses you!!!
God is so moving throughout all of adoption....just as I know your Mom's words must truly bring you peace, comfort and rest....so, you must be bringing peace, comfort and rest to Savannah Hope...
Praying you home,
Diane
P.S. I know, Crystal, you might be thinking NO WAY, but, once you are home for a bit....and it won't take long:).....your little heart and Soul is going to be aching to get back to Malawi and the people you have come to love....
Hi Crystal,
When I saw day 30 it made me think of the Lord and his time in the dessert--40 days! I'm hoping you don't end up staying that long!! God is good. Some day you will look back and see something you can't see while you are in the midst of the event. Your family is building strength during this time as are you. Once you have been through something like this, it will amaze you at how God uses your testimony--perhaps to blow open Malawi adoption. You just never know. Hang in there. We're all praying for you.
-v
Babygirl,
It is hard for us not to want to put our hands on problems and fix them. We can but when get in God's way, that is when we get into trouble. Take you hands off of this and just let God work. He is working in your life, the lives of the people there and your families lives.
Don't have a heavy heart. Let your heart rejoice that God is God. He said "I am who I am." Exdous 3:14.
None of you will be the same when you get back because God knew from the foundation of the world how this would all play out.
Be quiet and listen to the Lord.
Psalm 37:6-8
6 He will make your righteousness shine like the dawn,
the justice of your cause like the noonday sun.
7 Be still before the LORD and wait patiently for him;
do not fret when men succeed in their ways,
when they carry out their wicked schemes.
8 Refrain from anger and turn from wrath;
do not fret—it leads only to evil.
Enjoy this time while you have it. You will look back over this in years to come and wonder why you were weary.
Love you
Big Papa
Crystal,
As I follow your post every day my heart aches for you to be home with you family, but I know that God's plan for you and your family are being laid out everyday. Seek him like you have never done before and be at peace knowing it is all in his hands and his timing. I will leave you with my favorite scripture. Jeremiah 29:11-14. For I know the plans I have for you declares the Lord. They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope. In those days when you pray, I will listen. If you looks for me wholeheartedly, you will find me. I will be found by you, says the Lord. I will end you captivity and restore your fortunes. I will gather you out of the nations where I sent you and will bring you home again to your own land.
Can't wait to hold Savannah Hope at dance.
Kristi R.
Crystal,
Praying the paperwork is looked at tomorrow...love you.
The Top reasons I will be glad when you get home.
1. I can sleep with just my husband again alone and not with 3 children, 5 ponies, a Sippy cup, a pink doll, a red monkey & a pink blanket all at the same time.
2. I will be able to stay covered up all night with out a little blonde 4 year old kicking off all the covers.
3. My ribs can recover from someone (I am not calling names) that like to lie across the bed and kick of the covers & kick your ribs at the same time.
4. I can watch a complete TV show without getting up and going downstairs if I am upstairs to do something or upstairs to do something if I am downstairs.
5. My washing machine and dishwasher will thank you also.
Remember to give God all the Glory for the adventure of this wonderful Journey to bring our precious Savannah-Hope Home.
Jeremiah 29:11-14
11 For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. 12 Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. 13 You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. 14 I will be found by you," declares the LORD, "and will bring you back from captivity. I will gather you from all the nations and places where I have banished you," declares the LORD, "and will bring you back to the place from which I carried you into exile."
Here is a few funnys for you.
Yo daddy so fat when he jumped into the ocean the whales started singing we r family even though ur fatter than me.
Yo daddy so Fat he played king of the hill and he was the hill
Knock Knock!
Who's there?
Yo momma.
Yo momma, who?
Seriously, it's yo momma, open the dang door!
Knock Knock!
Who's there?
Tennis.
Tennis who?
Tennis-see!
My son was going through potty training on a day when I had several places to go. I attended a mothers' Bible study and then went to the grocery store. I was asking him quite frequently if he had to use the bathroom. At Kroger, I said to him, "Do you have to go potty?" He said, "No. I went at God's house."
We were teaching our 4 year old to say the Lord’s prayer.
We would say a line and then prompt him to repeat it.
He did pretty well to keep up until we got to
“Lead us not into temptation.”
We are not sure whether he had not fully mastered the language or
Whether he had not heard us properly but he responded:
“Lead us not into Playstation.”
How true.
An old lady was on a flight. She was sitting beside a young businessman.
After the in-flight meal she took out her Holy Bible and starts her devotion.
The businessman glances at her and said. Do you really believe those stuff in the Bible is true?
"Well, yes, as a matter of fact I do," said the old lady.
"Yeah, right..." the man scoffs, "like... what's that guy's name, the one who got swallowed by a whale..."
"You mean Jonah?"
"Yeah, Jonah, I mean, how do you actually survive for 3 days in a fish's bowel?"
"I don't know," replied the old lady, "but I can ask him when I see him in heaven someday."
Feeling smart, the young man said: "Ok, but what if he's not in heaven because he went to hell?"
"Then young man, *you* can ask him" replied the old lady calmly.
My daughter (now 19) was about 2 years old when we sat down at the dinner table to eat. When asked if she would like to say the blessing, she was excited to pray. With hands folded and heads bowed she began...God is great, God is good, let us thank Him for our food..... if he hollers, let him go...eeeenie...... then she realized what she said and looked up at all of us who were laughing hysterically. It was so cute. Of course, we won't let her forget that.
I got to get to bed I love You From the lighter side of me .
Mom
XXX OOO XXX
i have no words, but i am sending love, kisses, and prayers ... you will one day be thankful for all the trials and Savannah Hope will know what you went through for her and how she have been valued by many ...
The people you are spending this month with need prayers, and you are allowing all of us to be a part of what the Lord is doing with your African family. I do pray for their faith, health, healing, hope, food, donations, protection, and all those PAPERS!!! Wisdom for Thandie, and comfort - physically and mentally- for all those precious children - and your children and husband too!!!
Love Shannon
HI,
I am praying they open your envelope TODAY. You are a amazing women and mom and rememeber that. There is a reason you are staying longer there. I loved reading your mom and dads comments. (I know where you got it from:)
Keep smiling
Diana
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