We cried.
We called Hospice and while waiting for the nurse (and later the funeral director) to come, sat next to Dad's body. We talked and read some of the verses that he had highlighted for us over the last few months. Here are a few of them:Psalm 119:112 My heart is set on keeping your decrees to the very end.
Psalm 146:2 I will praise the Lord all my life; I will sing praise to my God as long as I live.
Psalm 146:7b,8 The Lord sets prisoners free, the Lord gives sight to the blind, the Lord lifts up those who are bowed down, the Lord loves the righteous.
We're planning to have the visitation and funeral here in Iron River on Saturday. As we confirm more details, we'll post them here. One thing we have discussed: in lieu of flowers we'd like to have gifts go to the Grace Baptist Church building fund or to Wood Lake Bible Camp.
21 comments:
Angela (& Family),
I was in the process of writing an encouragement note when your new update came through. I am so very sorry for your loss! And while nothing is terribly comforting right now, just know that he is in a place where he no longer hurts and he no longer is weakened by illness - instead, he is walking hand-in-hand with his Heavenly Father. These next days will be busy and hectic, but take the time to remember the good times you've spent with your father - these memories are the footprints of his life, left behind but not forgotten. They are very sweet - trust me, I would know. Tom and I would like to come to the funeral, if we can make it. Can you please let us know when it is? Our e-mail is now kdorner@new.rr.com. We're thinking and praying for all of you, praying especially for God's peace to comfort and surround you and remind you that you are in our Savior's loving arms. God bless! Kelly & Tom
Dear Angela,
Kelly just told me about your Dad. I'm so sorry! I want to come and support you. Could you please let me know of the arrangements? My e-mail is jhartenberger@applefreechurch.org or phone is 735-9971 or home 727-9898. Love in Christ,
John H.
To the Johnson family,
Kris and I are sad and joyful at the same time. Sad, for a dear man of God is gone from our midst. Joyful, for God couldn't wait any longer, yearning for Dale, and called His dear son home to be with him.
Our faith is precious, even in times as difficult as this, for in Jesus, death, where is your sting? Grave, where is your victory?
Dale is more alive now than he EVER was and since he is in Jesus as we are, we are all united together. May God bless you Amy and family for your steadfast faithfulness during your ordeal. May your grief period be complete, and your healing and joy restored. As God was with Dale, He IS with you.
All our love and condolences,
Sam and Kris Wood
Oshkosh, WI
All week-end I looked for a new blog. Now i know my brothers home. his pain is gone,he is blessed to get to see jesus before the rest of us... Amy and Ang, i grieve with you, I know your lonliness for Dale will be great,such a wise and gentle man will be missed by so many. But the hole in your hearts can only be filled by the same Jesus that holds him now. Carolyn just called, we cried together. Were it not for Jesus how would we cope. I love you 2 and will keep you in prayer. Is there anything we can do? love, Annie
Dear friends:
I have been drawn to the computer much, checking on how things have been going and just reading the notes from people that love you all, people that I don't even know, but their words have also touched my heart too.
Please know how sorry we are for your loss of a husband and father. Words are hard to express at this time, but know that we continue to lift you up to our heavenly Father who will be the ultimate one that will give you the strength in the days ahead, and the peace that passeth all understanding. Hold tight to that. We would like to get to the visitation/funeral to meet you if it all works out(we also have a wedding on Sat.)
Please know that we care along with so many others and we will be praying for you!
Andy & Lindy Larson
Dear Johnson family,
Having just received the GLBC Ministry Partner Letter, I clicked on the link to an update on Dale for the first time and read the sad news. Dale was always such a quiet, faithful, steady, godly encouragement to me. His example and friendship were part of God's grace in my life--and I'll miss seeing him.
Please be assured of our prayers as you grieve and hope together.
In the conquering love of Christ!
Gregg and Heidi Heinsch
Orlando, Florida
To the Johnson Family,
I(we) want to send my(our) sympathy to all of you for your loss, while rejoicing in Dale's gain! To God be the Glory for His redeeming love!
I will forever remember your father because of a large Walleye that hangs on my office wall. Several years ago I was invited along on a Father/Son fishing trip to Canada. It was one of the most memorable weeks of my life. Dale and the other men at Friendship Church allowed my son and I into the inner sanctuary of their lives and made us feel like we were among the bretheren. We shared worship, teaching and fellowship. Normally, I would not have had a fish mounted, but Dale said it was one of the biggest fish he had seen caught in nine years of going on these fishing trips. That told me it was worth the memory. Now I know is was a memory of more than a big fish. It will always be a memory of a man who loved to fish, and a fisher of men. Thank you for sharing Dale with us. Love in Christ Ken, Jacqi and Morgan Lierman
The world now has a gigantic hole in it....our hearts hurt desperately for you......but are buoyed up with exhilaration for Dale....We pray peace and comfort upon you...
Love,
Mark and Jen Roth
Dear Angie and Amy,
We love you and please know that you are surrounded in love and prayers and your family/friends are here to help you through this in whatever ways you need.
Hugs, sadness, tears, faith - -
Shellee
Dear Amy:
I can't imagine the loss that you feel and yet the comfort in knowing that Dale is with our Lord! Thank you for allowing me to be a small part of your lives while you were in Mondovi--I am truly richer for it. I will cherish the memories that we shared. The laughter and silliness that we as clergy and spouses shared, the moments of tenderness and concern for our churches and friends, but most importantly those intimate times of prayer that we shared.
Amy and family, my heart goes out to you. And again, the words of a Sandy Patti song come to mind as I write this--for Dale telling us "I've just seen Jesus, I tell you He's alive!..."
Blessings and peace,
Kathy Stelzleni
He beat us "home". You and the family are in my prayers. Dale will be missed. I will always remember that our last conversation included the hope of doing some blue gill fishing. Rest well Dale....
Amy and Family,
I am so sorry to hear of Pastor Dale's passing. I am not sure what to say..... I haven't the words to really discribe how sad I feel right now. Can't even imagine your pain.
Well, here's is what is comming to mind...
I wanted to let Pastor Dale know much he has been instramental in my spiritual life. He allowed me to see that I was still a child of our Lord and that His love is forever. I wanted to also thank him for allowing me to make the choice of baptism when I was ready...he didn't pressure me.
that meant a lot.
Pastor Dale's generosity was great and endearing. I am still amazed at how God worked through him to bring others to the Lord. Whethter it was through his carpentry work, hunting trips/outings or just visiting.
I will always remember him as a man who seem to not pass judgement on others who were seeking or questioning the Lord. He may not have had all the answers..but; was patient, kind and truely listened.
(Oh,Pastor Dale had a great singing voice, too... Love that singing gig with the guys from Friendship @ Christmas. Those Scanda-hoo-vian tunes were a hoot!)
Finally, I have to Thank Pastor Dale for showing me how to bat properly during ball practice a few years ago. I still have yet to perfect the stance, but, at least I have the general idea now. (ha,ha.)
Amy, I wish I would've taken the time to get to know you and Dale on a more personal level. I will continue to pray for Dale and your family.
I hope to make it to the Funeral.
With Love in the Lord,
Terri Danzinger
To Angela, I just want to put in writing the love I feel for you for the love, care & devotion you gave to your Dad. You were such a joy and blessing to him in these past months and gave him so much happiness. He was so proud of you -you look like him and certainly have his kind, soft heart. He will live on through you and we will never forget what a gift from heaven you are to this Johnson family. Aunt Lynnette
To My Dear Cousin Angie,
I will always remember your father's face engulfing smile and his grizzly wrestling biceps. My thoughts are with you during this difficult time.
Love,
Jason
Dear Amy,Angie and The Johnson Family,
We are sorry to hear about Uncle Dale. He will always be remembered as such a brave and loving man. Thank you so much for keeping us updated on everything that was going on. You are 2 strong woman with so much love in your hearts. We are all praying for you. We love you and we are all here for you.
Love,
Cousin Sherrie, Kevin & Courtney
Dear Amy and Angie, I'm sitting here reading all the wonderful things people have to say about Dale. Pastor Gary Harrison called me first thing this morning to give me the news. I was leaving shortly for an hour and a half drive and my heart was so heavy I thought I might not be able to carry it.
When I got in the car I began to search through our CD case for anything that could lift me up to Jesus. My first CD was one our daughter had made several years ago. On that CD is a song she wrote about "faithful". A song written during the most difficult time of her life. It is speaking of how faithful God is to us when things in our life seem to be more than we can bare.
I sit here tonight crying as I write this ... not because I doubt that God is so faithful, not because I'm anxious about seeing Dale again when we all get to heaven and certainly not because I don't believe He can be trusted to give the two of you the peace that passes all understanding, but just simply because I am human and I will miss him.
When our daughter's boyfriend died the Pastor told all of us to never forget Jimmy. He said when Jimmy came into our lives he took up residency in his own room in our heart and it is right that he be allowed to stay there. I cannot imagine how many "heart" rooms Dale must have. Then he married you Amy and he brought you to each of our hearts and let you take up residency in your own rooms. So, twice he blessed us all.
May God be with you. Bill & Carol Strever
The hummingbird was a special piece; it reminded me of a sermon I heard Dale preach based on trusting God with the anxiety and cares of this world. Matthew 6:25-30. In closing he said; I know it works because he has taken care of us for the last 90 days and he will take care of you too! AS hard as these last weeks must have been for you; the things you have recorded here will be a treasure to hold near and dear. I find some of those things my Dad told me during his last days on earth guide me still to this day; I hope you find that true as well. Wilma
Angie,
Please know that you are loved dearly by your family as you go through this process. My thoughts are with you . . .
All my love,
Your cousin Abby
Amy and Angie,
We returned from an extended trip and read the news of Dale's homegoing. Thank you for letting us in on the journey. As difficult as it was for you, it was an encouragement to read of your reliance on Him and Dale finishing the course well. We will always remember the many great times together with Dale--from St.Paul Bible College days, the start up of the Waconia Alliance Church, serving together in Menomonie where Dale was a hero to so many--especially the teenagers--our Keith and Leslie just being two. The journey together in many other life experiences was a blessing--Dale was always the calm, stable, reliable and encouraging servant to everyone and was never a respecter of persons and always gave glory to God.
Our prayer is that you will experience God's comfort and peace in the days of transition. We know that you will cherish the great memories and know the love of Christ.
We want to follow the example of Dale as he lived his life to the fullest.
Gary and Betty Benedict
Dear Angela,
I am so deeply sorry for your loss. You and your family will continue to be in my prayers through this difficult time. You have been an amazing daughter and friend to your dad, along his bedside through a trying journey. How awesome though, that you know he's dancing and rejoicing with the Lord is all His glory. He's in such a better place than we are and how awesome that when you see your dad next you will also see your Eternal Father. Such a promise and hope we have as believers! I am here for you. Tracy R.
Dear Amy & Angie,
We have been reading this blog almost since the beginning, and I want to thank you Angie for do this, even though it was so hard. I kept thinking of you all over the weekend, and looking for updates.
As we were driving on Monday, we were in the process of planning a Boundary Waters trip for scouting, and Jim commented that he will always think about Dale whenever we go there, and whenever he's trout fishing. The only ones who will not miss Dale are the trout!
We wanted so much to see him again, but there is so much hope in knowing that while we didn't find time here on earth, that we know we can see him again in heaven. It's good to know that we can think of him in a new body with no pain.
Amy, we miss you so much. You are constantly in our prayers. Please let me know if there is anything we can do.
Love,
Chelle, Jim and children
Post a Comment