People have been incredibly thoughtful and kind throughout this whole business - there is no way Amy or I can express how much each prayer, each kind word, each thoughtful act means. So while I can't individually or equally thank each person for each act of kindness, here are a few events of the last few days for which I have pictures, and so would like to highlight:
Sketch 1A group of guys from the church is planning to come on Saturday to put siding on the garage (woo hoo!) so Keith Klobucher has been coming over most nights this week, to get it ready to go.
Sketch 2Mark Roth drove through the night to spend a few minutes with Dad. Dad remembered he had a water bottle of Mark's that he'd wanted to get back to him, so - although he's been on the couch almost entirely lately - hopped up and headed over to the garage to find it. Amy snapped this picture of them on the way back.
Sketch 3Jeff and Heather Hahn and their two boys stopped by. When Dad saw baby Zachary, he asked to hold him for a moment. Zachary didn't see anything the matter with him (oh for the eyes of little children!). He thought the NG tube would be fun to grab, so spent most of the time on Dad's lap being strategically diverted.
It's been amazing to read and hear stories about my Dad - to see sides of him I never knew he had, and to flesh out the likeness of a man who soon may exist here on earth only in the collective memories of us who love him. Until heaven, these are what I will hold when I think of him. Thank you for all that you have shared back with him, with Amy, and with me.
20 comments:
Dale,
As you know, we've been praying for you more than usual since the cancer was found. We've also been praying for Amy (an awesome lady, if I may add), your kids & lately grandkids (though at their young ages & limited contact w/ you, it's difficult to know what they're picking up on about you; probably more than we realize). And sooner or later, they will know the man of God their Grandpa is. I know the man of God you've been throughout my life & Christian who lives his faith. We love you & I'll close w/ Romans 12:12 which was shared in a special way to me a few yrs. ago by a Bishop Paul Dudley. "Rejoice in hope, endure in affliction & perservere in prayer" Take care,
Tim, Katie, Andrew, Amy, Sarah, Maria, Matthew, Rachel, Anna & Teresa.
Dale, Amy & Angie,
Anonymous from the previous comment would like to add at least one more thing. Amy, we've been praying x-tra for your kids too, esp. Grant & his wife (sorry I don't recall your name Mrs. ?) With eight of our own kids, I'm thankful I remember my own name on a hectic day. Anyway, if you want any specific type of prayers, please let us know or let us know however else we may be of assistance. Again, we will be keeping you all in prayer. Tim, Katie & our eight most treasured blessings.
One thing I remember about Dale was one summer when Katie and I lived together at the dorms in Northwestern. He and Amy came over with a gigantic (6 feet tall, I think!!!), beautiful wooden bookcase that he had MADE for Katie. We still talk about that! What a gift! I was just floored! What talent and generosity!
Dear Dale and to all the family,
Greetings from Quito, Ecuador! My thoughts and prayers are with you much since hearing the news. I am so sorry for what you are going through. Angie, thanks so much for the website. So many fond memories of past years. Dale, I will never forget your ventriloquist abilities as you presented Samson and Delilah when we worked with Aunt Pearl and Uncle Charlie. Also remember how good it was to see you a few years ago at Shell Lake when you came and did the MC part at my big birthday party.
May God be so near to you and to all in these difficult days.
May the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort (2 Cor 1:3) be so real to you.
Love,
Valerie
Angie, thank you for keeping the website going. It allows us to feel a closeness without feeling as though we are being intrusive during this precious time. Please know that we'te here for you if anything is needed. Love Jenn, Sam, Sydney and Sierra
Dear Pastor Dale & Amy,
We just wanted to thank you for being a part of our family’s life. We have so many fond memories that include the two of you. It’s hard to believe that it was ten years ago this past July that Dale married us at Friendship Church just weeks after the new church building was completed. The picture of Pastor with baby Zachary that was posted today brought back memories of him holding our children when they were babies and giving them the same playful look. Dale, thank you for the prayers that you have said for our children - you were always one of the first visitors at the hospital when they were born (you gave Carter his first toy truck when he was just hours old), and you offered a Prayer of Dedication for Avery and Carter. We have enjoyed celebrating many different occasions with you – whether it was just hanging out and watching a Packer game at our house or celebrating Thanksgiving together at Dayle and Jeannine’s house and sitting around the table talking, laughing and stuffing ourselves with my mom’s countless desserts. We genuinely consider you a part of our family and our hearts ache with sadness for what you are going through now.
With love, prayers, and tears,
Tracy & Tara Ternberg
Avery (7), Carter (4), & Landry (18 mo)
Pastor Dale,
Every Sunday you touch my heart. You have such a wonderful and genuine way of making people feel welcome. Every Sermon I felt was talking to me. Teaching me how to be better. I pray for you and Amy. You have touched so many hearts.
Thankyou!!!
Pastor Dale,
I want you to know that even though we haven't known you real long (I can't recall exactly when the Baptist Church was able to entice you to come to the "northland"),you managed to really touch our hearts. The words of encouragement and the time spent with my parents (Mack and Irene McClure) while my Dad wasn't able to attend church has meant so much to our family. You are a great person inside and out. May your spirit live on forever.
God Bless!
Denise Minor
Hi ya'all, we just got back from South Carolina, where Jo will be spending the next nine months in Seminary at Columbia University. Are we going to be able to come see Dale, is he up to it at all? We totally understand if it's not a good idea, but we sure would like to see all three of you. Our e-mail is tsilers@wwt.net Always in prayer on your behalf. Love Annie
Dale,
I hope you are able to read this message. You have been in my thoughts and prayers daily. I have always appreciated your huge influence on my life as a young Christian and young hunter/fisherman. I know what you are going through as I have seen it too many times in my career as a surgeon. Just remember you will have my dad,John Channer, waiting to welcome you home! Give him a big hug from me and let him know how much I am hurting from his absence here on earth.
Luke Channer
Uncle Bert used to sleep with his eyes open too. We have discussed that it was like he was waiting for the Pearly Gates to open.
What we are seeing played out for us as an example is a man of faith living out his faith to the finish line. We all need to pause and as St. Paul says in Phillipians: "My entire attention is on the finish line as I run toward the prize to which God calls me--life on high in Christ Jesus. All of us who are spiritually mature must have this attitude."
God bless you Dale in your race to the finish line, and may we who must run further, keep pressing on. God love you all!
Your brother in Jesus,
Sam Wood
Dale,
I have fond memories of you, and I thank God for you. When I think of Dale Johnson, the qualities of humility and perseverance come to mind. There was a Christ-honoring fragrance about you that reminded me of that verse in Hebrews 5:8 where we are told that Jesus learned obedience through what He suffered. I take that to mean that while Jesus was always obedient, the authenticity of His devotion to the Father was poignantly revealed in his suffering. While I grieve the pain you are enduring, and while I ache for you and your family, I am so heartened by your perseverance, Dale. And together with you, I rejoice in the hope of the glory of God. I weep, and yet I rejoice. And one day God will make everything right, and we will receive in full all that He has promised us. We are all getting closer to that day. In Christ, reunion is assured! I love you, Dale, and I am praying for you and Amy and your family.
Love in Christ,
Tim Haugen
Wish we could be there today to help with the garage, but will check in when we reach Iron River on Sunday or Monday, you are in our thoughts and prayers. Angie, your writting and pictures are awesome, you are a great help to Amy and your Dad. We have grown to love you all. Dan and Pat Nelson
Dale,
We were so sorry to hear of your illness a few weeks ago. You have been in our thoughts and prayers. You made a difference in so many lives, and I know the people in the Mondovi area have missed you. Your life will be an inspiration long after you're gone. Blessings to you and to Amy and to your entire family as you go on before them. You will be missed here in your earthly home, but God will be there to welcome you into your new home. Take care, my friend.
Pastor Dale and Amy, you are in our thoughts and prayers everyday. Thank you so much for all the love and support you gave us when we needed it. We will never forget it.
Love
Bob, Kathy, Tyler and Shelly
Hi Dale,
I didn't know you had been ill until Val Stellrecht told me. I have fond memories of all of us in youth group at Green Grove church. Have heard about you from people I know in Menomonie and Mondovi over the years.
I appreciated the Swan family pictures, and printed the Green Grove school picture, hoping I could recognize some of my family. Your mom was my dad's first teacher. She must have done a good job as everyone spoke so fondly of her.
My thoughts and prayers are with you.
Mel Higgins
pastor dale and amy,
im very sorry to hear about the cancer, to me, that word is the most frightening word in the universe. my dad said we were coming to visit you guys and see how the church was doing, but we never got around to it, and i wish we would have sooner, i apologize for that. i miss u both very much and hope to see you soon. we have had such great memories together at friendship church. you both are in my prayers, when i wake up, when i sit down at the table to eat, when i go to bed, and when i just feel like talking to god, i think of both of you. i hope to come visit with my family ASAP god bless you.
love always and forever,
Katherine R. Brunkow
Sunday eve August 20 from Marty and Luanne Swanson.
Dale and Amy, our prayers a thoughts have been with you since we were told of this journey a few weeks ago. You two have touched many lives in this community - We miss you! Dale, remember the day you took Amy on a hike to " Appleberry Hill" I believe you had given her a pair of bib overalls. You two were still dating at the time. Our prayers are with you. Marty&Luanne
Dale and Amy, not a day goes by that we don't think about the two of you. One day we were walking across the street in Mondovi and a green jeep drove past us and I told my husband there is a green jeep like Pastor Dale's. We thank you for performing our wedding (despite our problem). We are adjusting to life with a new baby. We were blessed with a beautiful baby girl named Lilac Blossom on August 2. She surprised us by coming a month early. She weighed 5 lbs. 13 oz. She is healthy and doing well. We only wish she would get her days and nights straightened out. Our 2 cats, Diode the Boxer and Lucy the Great Dane have adjusted well to having a new baby in the house. We truly enjoyed the time we spent with You and Amy at Friendship Baptist Church. Our thoughts and prayers are with you. God bless.
Cindy, Robert and Lilac Krett
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