Dana
2007-09-05

Misery is Optional
I remember the first time I read one of Barbara Johnson's books. I laughed until I was sick. One of the best lines ever was "Pain is inevitable but misery is optional." I've remembered that. We miss you Barbara, but I'm sure God is laughing in Heaven.

Shirl Perkerson
2007-09-04

Pain is inevitable, Misery is optional
These words stuck with me when I read them in her first book. And many times the words came back to me as I wallowed in my own pit of despair. I have read all of her books & lend them to bring joy to others in the midst of pain. I was blessed to get a name from her website several years ago, and began a long correspondence with a precious sister in South Africa. We have shared our lives with each other & I have been so blest knowing my "long distance sis". I won't grieve for Barb. She is with her Saviour, her two boys, and her Bill. She is no longer hurting. The wonderful joy she has brought so many will spill over & multiply. I will never forget calling Women of Faith headquarters & asking how she was doing. (several years ago). The person said, "Why don't you call her & talk to her?" I said, "me..call her!!" She said "yes, she would love hearing from you." I did & was so overwhelmed when she answered the phone...I just blurted out, "Barb, I love you!..She said, "why hello, who is this??" I told her and we had the most delightful conversation. I will never forget Barbara Johnson!!!

Guest
2007-09-04

God's Servant
Your Mother made it so easy to identify with her as she spoke at Women of Faith. The Lord used her to reach so many women in need and now He has called her home. May you be blessed with the knowledge of her work for Him and may He bless you as you continue with that work. Her books will be her remembrance! Praise God for that!!

Guest
2007-09-04

what a blessing
Thank you for keeping up with the newsletter and all the work you have been doing. Your mother was such an encouragement to me and to many others. When I found out about my son so many years ago, she gave me the courage to keep going and all her books and newsletter just helped so much.

Betty Smith
2007-09-04

Mrs
It has taken me along time to get my thoughts together regarding how i think about Barbara. I has read and re-read her books througth out the jears. I have a Joy Box and a Joy Room . My Joy room is filled with all my Toy Story characters. It makes me feal good to come in here and be on the computer and see Buzz and Woody and all. Your mother was a very special lady put on this earth to spread joy as well as let us know how she suffered too. Heavenly Father as a special manion and a mission in Heaven for your mother.

Pam Smith
2007-09-04

In Memory of Barbara
We will miss having Barbara here with us but, we can see her handing out spatulas and geraniums in heaven with Gopher Bill, Tim, and Steve. Her books and messages of love and laughter will live on through all she has helped. We love you Barbara and will miss you but, will see you soon.

Guest
2007-09-03

Thank You
I just wanted to thank Barbara Johnson's family for sharing her and her humor with the world. I have read many of her books and have enjoyed everyone I've read & I am happy to say that I have 15 of the 19 books she wrote. I hope to obtain the remaining 4 I don't have. She brought me laughter & tears of joy when I read her books & it was a joy to know through her writings. I know she brought joy & tears to many other mothers & women who also read her books. You have a mother to be proud of. Just remember the love she had for you & the joy & good times you shared together & she will never be far from your thoughts & heart. Most of all remeber her LOVE for the LORD & love Him as she did & she will live within you forever. MAY GOD'S PEACE & LOVING HANDS ENFOLD YOU AS YOU GO THROUGH THE GREAVING PROCESS. NEVER FORGET HE IS THERE FOR YOU. JUST REACH OUT OR CRY OUT FOR HIS HELP & HE WILL BE THERE FOR YOU.

Diane Pulsone
2007-09-01

Thank God for Barbara!
I thank God for Barbara's life and faith. I hope that I can choose to trust God despite depressing circumstances in my own life and stay near to him avoiding rebellion and depression.

Greg Griggs
2007-08-31

She Changed my life
She wrote about me in chapter 10 of "Splashes of Joy" book. She was responsable for being the first Christian to ever tell me that God loved me. She introduced me to a church family and a wealth of friends 18 years ago that I am still intouch with today. I will miss her greatly and just know her mansion will be much bigger than mine, what with all the treasures she has there.

Guest
2007-08-31

Barbara Johnson meant a lot
I first become acquainted with her books while walking through a bookstore and the zany titles attracted me. I wrote her to get on the mailing list of the "Love Line." Everything about her books and writings blessed my heart - and I can't begin to imagine the lives she has touched - and what an inspiration to me to live for Christ ...and have a sense of humor too. Truly she has had a big reunion in heaven and she has heard the words of our Saviour say, "Well done, good and faithful servant." That motivates me to keep living for Christ. BTW - I am a guy and her love for gay people really touched my heart. I have several gay friends and am active in a gay Christian website - seeking to share the love of Christ with folks there. Thanks so much for letting her share her life with us and for letting God use her so wonderfully to bless others.

Guest
2007-08-31

Friends,
The earth is a less lovely place with the passing of Barbara. I have loved her books for many years and very much enjoyed and learned from her during Women of Faith Conferences. While the earth glistens just a little less, Heaven is all the brighter with her there. I will look for the mansion with geraniums. My sincerest sympathy to her family and friends.

Guest
2007-08-30

Your life saving message.
There are not words to tell you how your books and humor have made such and incredible difference in my life. In December I found out that my beautiful, sweet, athletic daughter had decided that she was gay. It has been a heart breaking journey and one that to this date has kept us apart. I spent 20 years devoted to raising my children and giving them the best of everything and now to see her walk away is almost unbearable. My husband and I would have been lost had I not found your book at the bottom of a shelf at half priced books. I know God put my hand on that small book titled, Where Do Moms Go to Resign. It truly has given me the strength to nail her to the cross and let God have her now. Thank you for your selfless sharing of your personal pain. I would love to meet your son who walked away from this life. If he reads these my number is 281-342-6176. God has a wonderful new addition to his heavenly family. With a most grateful heart, Thank you, Donna Phillips

Guest
2007-08-30

What a woman
Your mother helped my through a drug addiction with my son. She filled my heart with laughter and pointed to Christ. I will be so happy to hug her in heaven. The Geranium on her halo will be a dead giveaway.

Guest
2007-08-30

God Bless
I had the opportunity to hear Barbara at Women of Faith. She was one of my favorite speakers. Her testomies, her life stories, is one that has and will always stay with me. When you think things are bad, always look beside you, because someone is usally going through something a lot worse. She was an inspriration to me. She will be greatly missed. I am glad I had the opportunity to have heard her speak. Amazing lady. God Bless the family in their loss.

Vickie Copeland
2007-08-30

Thank you
The worries of this world have weighed heavy on me and the one comfort I find is sitting back and reading a novel. I bought He's Gonna Toot and I'm Gonna Scoot years ago and it was packed away. I had given it to my daughter-in-law to read and while I was having a feelin sorry for myself day she gave the book back. I started reading the book and it has been such an encouragement. Laughing when I didn't think I had it in me and lifting my eyes towards heaven and realizing that there is a place where there aren't any more tears, or pain.....and HOPE (He, Offers, Peace, Eternal)!!!!! Thank You Barbara!!!!