Guest
2007-08-01

What a Great Woman
I had an awful childhood. As an adult, I decided to work through many of those childhood issues...Barbara Johnson's books helped me do just that. It seems as though she wrote a book when I needed it most. We will miss her and her books, but we know she is planting geraniums in front of all those mansions in heaven!

Shirley Garrison
2007-08-01

Friend
I loved her!!!! God used your Mom to save my sanity and pull the rug out of my throat when I learned two of my 3 children were gay. Her letters, visit, phone calls were such an encouragement. I had the honor of working her book table when she spoke in Naperville and she never forgot me when I went to the Women of Faith conferences in Chicago. Barbara was a warrior for Christ and an inspiration to many. David, your mom leaves a legacy of love, laughter, joy and now, she is face to face with Jesus. We will miss you, Barb. Thank you for loving us hurting parents and helping us hang on to Jesus and our children.

Rita
2007-07-28

Barbara, My Example
Because of Barbara I knew the one thing I could give my son when I found out he was gay was to love him unconditionally and always keep the porch light on. I read Barbara's book Where Does A Mother Go to Resign over and over. Then I wrote her. And to my surprise one day she called me. I then met her at a Women Of Faith Conference. She gave me big hug when I whispered in her ear I was one of her mother's. I still carry the little stone she gave me at the conference. And I try to follow her example by telling other mothers no matter what they face with their child to love that child unconditionally. Thank you "David" for keeping your mother's ministry going. And now that she is up in heaven I am sure she has one big "joy" room. And I will always be one of Barbara's mothers. One of my letters she put in her book I'M SO GLAD YOU TOLD ME What I Didn't Wanna Hear. I am the mother from Alabama on page 77. What a great blessing that was in my life to think Barbara felt I could help in some small way to be a part of her ministry. I have read all of her books. And they are part of my on personal library. I keep a "joy" box as well as a "joy" journal and I drink my coffee out of Barbara's joy mug. But most importantly, my precious son has always known his mom loves him just as he is because of this beautiful woman's example. I will meet her again in heaven.

Pastor Charles Denton
2007-07-28

Barbara Touched My Life
Dear David and Barney, Your mother and I had many conversations over the years. She even had a book signing party at my flower shop in Orange, CA. I have sat with her and Bill at St. Jude's Hospital and then when she was at Morning Side recovering. She was a fantastic person! Her humor is wonderful. I did not know her like you two did of course, but she is a part of my life. WOW! God IS Blessing You. Keep up the good work with the ministry and foundation and I am always here if you need me. Pastor Charles Denton

Mary K. from MN
2007-07-28

May Barbara rest in peace
I am very saddened to hear of your mother's passing. You have my prayers. Many years ago when I became aware of my family situation with a loved on, I wrote to Barbara. I had already been familiar with her writings by God's Providence. She called me! She was a blessing to me. God is amazing and just the other day as I read the last newsletter and how she bragged about David, I thought how Awesome God is. I pray for you David, as you carry on her work. I still need prayers for my loved one and thank you for offering your suffering for God's will for those afflicted with same sex attraction. Jesus, I trust in you to bring glory to God through all circumstances and crosses and pain.

Guest
2007-07-27

In Remembrance
in remembrance of a special friend live on you can shed tears that Barbara is gone, or you can smile because she has lived you can close your eyes and see all that she's left your heart can be empty because you can't see her, or you can be full of the love she shared you can turn your back on tomorrow and live yesterday or you can be happy for tomorrow because of yesterday you can remember Barbara and only that she's gone or you can cherish her memory and let it live on you can cry and close your mind be empty and turn your back or you could do what Barbara would want: take a deep breathe open your eyes love and live on! adapted from a poem by jasmin rae brantley Dear David... The above poem was given to me by an 11 year old girl who first wrote this poem for a friend of hers who had gone to be with the Lord at the age of 12-13 during a "Wrestling Match" at his school in London. I had asked her permission to use in my ministry... which I use it for loved one's gone on to be with the Lord. It is well loved by all who hear the message. Please know that our prayers are with you and all associated with the BARBARA JOHNSON FOUNDATION. Mikki from VA.

Guest
2007-07-27

Thank you
Dear David & Dean, How I loved your mother's books -- They were such an encouragement to me as I went through many difficult times after having a child with multiple disabilities. I read and reread your mother's books and they were such a help as she had been there and had experienced pain in her life. I thank God for her. Thankfully, Christine

Pauline Bartosch
2007-07-26

She spread JOY
My dear husband, Bob Bartosch, went to be with the Lord the day after last Christmas, so he will be there to greet her! He's known her ever since college days. Knowing the two of them well, they are exchanging jokes right now. Barbara was a bright light in a dark world, and was the ultimate overcomer. She will live on through her many books and continue to rescue others who need to be scraped off the ceiling!

Guest
2007-07-26

A Geranium in Heaven
My thoughts and prayers to all of Barbara's family. She has touched more people than she will ever know through her books and her appearances at various conferences. We know now that she is in God's garden of Heaven, pruning all the geraniums. Her laughter will live on in all our hearts. Her books were a blessing to me. God Bless all of her family. Please know we will never forget her! In deepest sympathy but with joy she is in Heaven, Debbie

Sue Falcone
2007-07-26

Christian Writer and Speaker
Dear David and Dean, I know that you lived Miss Barbara's stories over and over again, but now they are in the hearts of millions! This lady encouraged me into what I am now doing. She continues to be a source of Jesus's light to millions, even though she is now with Him. Thanks for getting the Foundation going, and keeping her alive in our hearts and memories. God Bless, Sue:)

Guest
2007-07-26

Lost a friend
I just recently learned of Barbara's passing and I am terribly saddened. She helped me at a time that I really thought I couldn't make it. Barbara always put the Lord first and helped us to stay focused on Him no matter what. Every time I see a marble I think of sparkles of joy. Because of her example I started a joy book, then a joy box and that grew into a joy room. In her memory I am doing the devotional for my ladies group this month. I'll bet she is keeping the angels in stitches!

Guest Susan from Maine
2007-07-26

I just Found Her
I have been going through a rough patch lately, with two of my grown sons and their wives and each with four children moving in with us. I have been feeling overwhelmed. A church friend of mind dropped off a book that she thought would be helpful for me to read. "Fresh Elastic For Stretched Out Moms" I fell in love with the way it was written and I checked into the website of the Spatula Ministries to see what else this brilliant woman would have to say to me. I was so sorry to see that she had just passed away. I will be looking for more of her books and keep checking in on her web page. Thanks to her son David her good works will keep going on. God Bless you.

Guest
2007-07-25

Saying we care
Feel like I am saying ''Good-bye'' to a good friend who decided to scoot. I enjoy her joy that she has shared with me and others... Going to find a joy box and make it up in her memory... Hugs to the family she loved so much, Huggles Meme--Canada

Guest
2007-07-24

An AMAZING Woman
Barbara brought much joy to my life while I was reading her book. It touched my life and made me realize how precious life really is. I cannot thank my grandma enough, one of Barbara's book friends, for introducing me to her wonderful work of God.

Guest
2007-07-23

Friend
She brought so much joy to myself and my Mom who lost her sight. I would read Barbara's daily calendar to her every day and she enjoyed that so much. I learned how to have patience and joy in my every day living from her. I thank her so much for that