The Love Line Update: Happy New Year

A New Years Message from The Director –
The Barbara Johnson Foundation

Dear Spatula Landers,

This year has been the most financially challenging I have experienced. Not only personally, but the foundation as well. Thank God we have survived the bureaucratic labyrinth (Red Tape) and that we've weathered the storm. Now I know the importance of the 1st of the Month and a New Year!

First, my mother's probate finally closed. Her "Joy Room” is being restored at the residence after dusting off all her awards and treasures from storage. Sorting and cataloging 30 years of Spatula Newsletters has become a major issue. Do you think we should re-issue them in future newsletters or post them on our website for posterity?

Thomas Nelson Publications, mom's major publisher, has refused to market or advertise her books much to our dismay. Richard Grey, a Board Director and attorney, has offered to help negotiate with the 30 plus contracts to continue the work. In the meantime, our on-line bookstore will expand providing a full range of books, including the different language versions, calendars, splashes of joy, gift cards, etc., but at our own expense. All future royalties made from the sale of her books are to be assigned from my inheritance to the foundation to keep its mission alive.

Our Yahoo Discussion group is still available on the Internet for parents and friends seeking advice and counsel regarding their individual needs. We want to expand personally assisting others wishing to create discussion groups, or Spatula Meetings in their local areas. I'm contemplating a Spatula Meeting here in Fullerton or the Chrystal Cathedral like Mom, had if there is interest.

The website is going to become more user-friendly and practical. Our Internet Site, www.BarbaraSpatulaJohnson.org, at last count, receives over 300 hits per hour from all over the world. Available in several languages, we are becoming very popular in Europe, South America and Asia. (Especially China, Japan and Australia - go figure!)

YouTube, Tangle, Facebook and MySpace, our social inter-network presence report over 200,000 people accessing mom's video clips and sharing them with others. Included in this letter is a page of comments gleaned from YouTube who have enjoyed hearing mom's message and the impact on their lives. (We are seeking volunteers interested in monitoring sites for daily inquiries and assistance.)

Financial challenges have prompted me to renew my State License in Marriage and Family Therapy, becoming certified by the Orange County Probation Department and start practicing with Action Consultants in Costa Mesa. Specializing as a Batterers Intervention Facilitator for court ordered Domestic Violence offenders, I will also be available for individual clients seeking Psycho-Therapy. It's rewarding work and mom's material comes in handily, encouraging others to be loving and kind, with a dash of her humor, of course!

Moving into our 4th year, your continued support of the foundation has been such a blessing. Our December Board meeting offered suggestions for fundraising and productive changes. I'm grateful for their direction and counsel after all we've been through. We're just beginning again and I know this New Year will be a turning point, picking up where the distractions left off.

Please remember us as you consider your support and end of the year contributions. And please feel free to contact me either by phone (562) 691-7369 (Best), or email (David@BarbaraSpatulaJohnson.org), or regular mail (2230 Lake Forest Circle, La Habra, CA 90631-5708). I apologize for delays and will be responding personally to your concerns, if I haven't already.

Your ideas, thoughts and concerns are valuable to me and, as always, look forward to hearing from you and sharing an encouraging word!



David Johnson, Executive Director
The Barbara Johnson Foundation, Inc.