Thoughts Along the Journey

Several years ago, I wrote a post to honor my dad Vernon.  I shared the story of his time in Korea. I did my best to share his heroism with my readers.  I wanted the world to know what an amazing man the simple farmer from Kansas truly was.  I wanted to honor my hero. This past week, I lost my "other" dad.  My father-in-law, Keith, passed from this life to the next.  It has been a difficult time, to say the least.  Let me introduce the man who became Dad Johnson to me almost 36 years ago. I briefly met my husband's family on our college campus.  Little did I know that two years later, I would again be introduced to them, but this time as their son's girl friend.  Keith (my husband) and I were traveling to Michigan to begin our summer internships.  His family graciously met us in Terre Haute, as we had left Springfield, MO, in the wee hours of the morning.  From the moment we made acquaintance, I was wrapped in their love and joy.  T...

 We have a pope! Millions around the world were glued to their TVs, computers, phones, and radios as the white smoke came streaming from the chimney atop the Sistine Chapel.  Then, the time of more waiting, as the result of the vote would be announced.  Cheers rang out as the name of the new pontiff was declared:  Cardinal Robert Prevost is the new pope, choosing the title of Pope Leo XIV. I will admit, I have never heard of Cardinal Robert Prevost.  I was shocked to learn of his birth and upbringing in Chicago.  An American pope?!  I never thought I would hear those words in my lifetime! After the proclamation, I made the mistake of scrolling through social media. I erroneously imagined the world rejoicing at this moment.  However, all the trolls came out of the woodwork.  Anger against the Catholic Church (and Christianity in general) was spewed all over the internet.  Accusations hurled this way and that.  Ugh. Our family convert...

Today we celebrate the conversion of St. Paul.  (see Acts 9 and Acts 22)  It is an incredible story of a man (Saul) set on exposing the truth while he was unknowingly fighting against the truth.  He was a devout Jewish leader, searching for those who would teach against the Laws he knew so well. The conclusion of his journey (and the beginning of a new path) came unexpectedly as he traveled to Damascus, seeking those of the Christian faith.  Light pierced the sky, a voice spoke from heaven, he was unseated from his horse, and an encounter with the risen Jesus took place.  He gained a new perspective and a new name (Saul became Paul).  He met a man (Ananias) who prayed for the scales to be removed from Paul's eyes (both figuratively and literally).  He baptized Paul, and introduced him to the Man behind the voice.  In that moment, Paul saw the fulfillment of all he had been taught.  His Messiah had come, and had a mission for Paul....

 Hello, blog readers!  I haven't posted in forever!  Our old laptop became more of a burden than a tool.  This year, my wonderful family gifted me a Chromebook for Christmas.  Hurray! I'm going to address the obvious "big story" of the week: the inauguration of Donald Trump as our president.  Unless you live under a rock, you probably know more about this than I do.  I watched the major event of the oaths.  I heard President Trump's acceptance speech.  I viewed the footage of the Bidens leaving in the helicopter in a peaceful transfer of power. To me, one of the bright spots was Carrie Underwood's impromptu Acapella version of "America the Beautiful".  (Sound systems seem to be the bane of everyone's existence!)  As the crowd joined in singing, I had such a feeling of patriotic pride.  Yes, please!  God bless America! Do I have opinions about our new president and vice president?  For sure.  But my approach to ea...

Five days ago, there passed from this life a woman who influenced my life so greatly.  She was, first of all, my aunt. She was also my Missionettes leader, my Sunday school teacher, my children's church teacher, and so much more. Her daughters and I grew up attending the same school and the same church. We are all pretty close in age. I spent many Sunday afternoons and overnights at their house.  I always knew that if my own mom wasn't available, Aunt Sue was. When I was pondering about a way to pay tribute to her life, one word kept coming back to me:  genuine.  There are a lot of other words to describe her. Everyone knew her as one of the kindest people they knew. She was a servant in every way.  She made everyone feel that they were important to her, and that their life mattered. But to say she was genuine, I feel speaks of the love she showed to everyone because of the love she had for her Savior.  To say she was the most genuine Christian I have ever ...

Sunday, May 14, 1995 Mother's Day had become a burden.  After almost six years of marriage, it was yet another holiday to be celebrated without a child.  I had not anticipated this day, but rather dreaded it.   The previous week, we had attended our denomination's District Council.  I had no doubt I was not pregnant, as the usual monthly cycle had come once again.  I was quite depressed.  I spent some time away from the meetings and fellowship.  Sleeping in the hotel was my little escape. The last morning of the council, in a very special service, our district superintendent spoke.  I honestly don't remember his sermon.  What I do hold in my memory was the moment he said the Holy Spirit was leading him to have us pray for those who needed healing.  Keith took my hand, and we stood together.  We told no one of our childlessness.  They simply laid their hands on us and prayed. When Mother's Day arrived, Keith and I planned ...

It has been two years since you left us. Yet, if I blink my eyes...  I can see you sitting in your favorite chair. I can hear your voice as you talk about the state of the crops, or the condition of the cattle market. I can recall your playful tone when I called and said, "It's Joni", and you responded, "It is you, isn't it?". Or when it was Mom's turn, you handed her the phone, and said, "It's Jopey."  I have memories of you crawling under whatever tractor decided it was good to break down during planting season--or a combine with the same crazy idea during harvest.  Your implement store cap, bill upturned, shading your face, but never stopping the dust of the Plains from coating your face. The grease from a thousand and one repairs  never completely erased from under your nails. The farmer's tan, earned from decades of working under the sweltering Kansas sun. Wrestling and roughly rubbing down a newborn calf to coax warmth and li...

Have you ever looked into the eyes of someone who was less than thrilled with a gift? You can see it the moment the paper falls away. What is revealed is far less than what they had expected. Disappointment is very obvious. The words are still spoken, "Thank you!", but there is no doubt the recipient is feeling let down. The problem is, you had spent hours and hours looking for just the right item. You put a lot of thought and time into choosing a gift that would bring a smile to the face and joy to the heart. Yet, there is only a forced smile and a pretense of gratitude. The same holds true for the ultimate Gift Giver. His greatest Gift to the world was not a spur of the moment decision. When searching for the very best Gift, money was no object. He would not give anything less than the very best. He held nothing back. Scripture says, "Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing...

I could simply type "2020" and everyone would have a whole recollection of "firsts" for the past year.  So many unexpected experiences.  I have seen the word "unprecedented" more in the past twelve months than I have in my whole life.  Yes, it is definitely a year that will not quickly pass from memory. Like all of you, I have undergone a series of "firsts": 1) First time wearing a mask when entering a bank (add church, grocery store, etc. etc.); 2) First time not going to church for two months, because we weren't allowed to be there in person; 3) First time seeing our family and not hugging them; 4) First time attending church at a distance from others; 5) First time attending church and being told not to sing; 6) First time staying at a motel with a complimentary breakfast--and being given a brown bag; 7) First time trying to connect with people without them seeing me smile back; 8) First time visiting friends with a door, window, or at lea...

One week ago, we were all rejoicing at the glory of Christ's resurrection.  We recalled His triumphal entry into Jerusalem.  We mourned as we remembered His cruel death.  We waited in silence, as we called to mind His time in the grave.  On Sunday, though, we were full of joy as we relived the discovery of an empty tomb.  There it is.  One more Easter in the books.  Let's move along and bide our time until Memorial Day.  Check off another holiday! Not so fast! In the Catholic Church, we celebrate a time known as the Octave of Easter.  Eight days of singing the Gloria! and letting forth a resounding Alleluia!  Today, on the eighth day, we celebrate the Feast of Divine Mercy .  How glorious it is to call to mind the great mercy of God, who sent His Son for our salvation.  Check off another holy day! Not so fast! This is just the beginning!  We also celebrate not just one day, but a season  of fifty days ...

As most of my readers are aware, I am a person who struggles with anxiety, worry, and panic attacks.  It is something I've battled most of my life.  When faced with a new, or unfamiliar situation, something builds up inside me.  I can't concentrate on anything but that situation, and how I will solve it or end it.  It has been the shadow that follows me whenever change is about to take place. One would think, then, that with the worldwide pandemic situation, I would be a mess.  All the usual things should be plaguing me:  Who else is going to contract coronavirus?  How many more people will die?  What if one of my family members shows symptoms?  What if life has changed forever?  What if this quickly-moving virus has stolen everything we thought we knew? I can honestly say, though, this has not happened to me.  I am naturally concerned.  I do worry some when I feel like people are basically "thumbing their noses" to all the...

As a continuation of my last post from Holy Saturday... Everything seemed dark for the followers of Jesus.  It had all come crashing down so suddenly.  The joyful celebration of Palm Sunday had so quickly turned into the frightening, tear-filled night of Holy Thursday.  The ruthless death of crucifixion had taken Him from them.  Three years of learning, growing, sacrificing...and for what?  The future loomed ahead with so many unanswered questions. Early Sunday morning, Mary Magdalene came to them with the craziest notion:  she had seen the Lord.  Alive.  He spoke to her.  There were angels as well, telling her not to seek the living among the dead.  What was this nonsense?  Peter and John ran to the tomb.  Someone must have stolen the body of Jesus, and was playing some kind of cruel trick. But stepping into the darkened space, they saw something beyond belief.  There was no longer a body of a dead Man.  Ther...

As we observe this Holy Week, beginning with Palm Sunday (followed by Holy Monday, Holy Tuesday, Holy Wednesday (Spy Wednesday), Maundy Thursday (Holy Thursday), Good Friday (Holy Friday), and Holy Saturday), there is the gamut of emotions.   Palm Sunday began with the triumphal entry of Jesus into Jerusalem.   Crowds took up the shouts of “Hosanna to the Son of David”, “Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord!” “Blessed is the kingdom of our father David that is coming!”, and “Hosanna in the highest heaven!”   Palm branches and garments were strewn across His path.   Such actions were surely in recognition of a king, or maybe…the Messiah?   He was nothing less than a great teacher or prophet, this Nazarene.   Stories of His teachings, His miracles of healing, the multiplying of bread and fish, and even the raising of the dead had circulated throughout the countryside.   The pilgrims were numerous, as they approached the city to celebrate...

Last night, as I lay awake (insomnia is great for introspective moments), this blog came to mind.  It was begun back in 2006, as our family made a faith journey, as well as a literal journey from one state to another.  I needed a sort of "incognito" space to express my thoughts and feelings as we moved from the denomination of our childhoods to a new place.  (As a wise friend put it, we were learning to stop putting God in our boxes.)  From time to time, I also shared some of the struggles of dealing with anxiety and panic attacks. Then, as we settled into a new phase of life, the postings became a bit more of the practical, day-to-day-in-the-life-of-a-home-schooling-mom style.  It was an outlet for me.  I spent most of my hours being "mom" and "teacher".  Sometimes I just needed to be "Joni". Along the way, I met several other bloggers.  I learned so much from their writing styles and techniques.  On a deeper level, though, I learned fr...

I gasp when I see the time lapses between my posts.  This blog used to be a daily ritual!  It's not that I have nothing about which to write.  I often lay awake at night, thinking of a myriad of topics I could address.  But alas, life and it's busyness take over my time.  Writing is a luxury, not a priority. And now, on with the post! This evening, I was viewing a one (of the thousands) of videos that pop up in my Facebook news feed.  It caught my attention, as I have been intrigued (and sickened) by the Holocaust since my childhood.  It is a level of inhumanity I cannot comprehend.   The subject of this particular video was Eva Mozes Kor, one of the "Mengele twins".  If you're not familiar with this term, these twins were the human guinea pigs of Dr. Josef Mengele ("Angel of Death").  Dr. Mengele conducted experiments on these children, with seemingly no care for their health.  His goal was to find new ways to exp...

Credit: baranq - Fotolia Copyright: BartekSzewczyk.com What a crazy spring and summer it has been! In April, my dad fell a couple of times.  He had just recuperated from Influenza B, and was coughing again, too.  Thankfully, after some quick phone calls, he was taken to the ER.  He was experiencing several health issues.  Within the next two weeks, we almost lost him.  Dad was taken to the Kansas Heart hospital, and went through a couple of weeks of tremendous pain and sickness.  While Dad was in the hospital, Mom had eye surgery for wet macular degeneration.  I'm so thankful for my three older sisters, and all the ways they cared for my parents during this time!  The following weekend, Dad's condition worsened again.  Our family made a quick, one-day journey to Kansas.  The day after we arrived, Dad began a  transition into hospice care.  Within a short time, he was moved to a nursing care facility closer to th...