(this update was borrowed from Kit Lauer's blog at kit-blog1.blogspot.com. Please go there to leave comments for Kit. If you would like to leave a comment for Joe & Karen, click the comment link below)
Loved ones...last night tragedy struck our dear friends, Karen & Joe Johnson and their family as their son Joey (my daughter's age) was found dead in his sleep. We don't know the cause, but we do know Joey has suffered from seizures in the past. Joey is in Southern California and the family is heading there right now. Please lift them up in prayer. Shelly and I are just broken hearted right now as is everyone close to the family. We have all grown up together, our families all intertwined and it hurts so bad to loose one of our beloved sons. Our solstice is in the knowledge of life in our LORD. We hold on to Him during this time. Joey is a wonderful young man full of life and creativity. The hole in our hearts is huge right now so your prayers are like a warm salve on our wound. God is in control even now...Karen & Joe know this and so does the family. Joe, Joey's father, has been a steady worship leader at Hope...we have done missions trips together...he is an elder/leader, a wonderful generous man of God and Karen is our counselor at Hope, a sensitive, wonderful, giving, woman of God. They just give, give, give...now they need us to give to them. So...our thoughts and prayers are with the family, for strength and comfort...our hearts aching with theirs...but they know the beauty of those who are in the shelter of His wings...for we as Christians; we do mourn indeed, but we do not mourn as if we have no hope...not at all...for our hope is in Him, the giver of life. Karen & Joe and their family have sown into this truth almost all their lives "...and He shall comfort the weak and give strength to the weary..." (Isa.40:30) The Johnson's are experiencing this supernatural strength and peace right now as we pray for them. Shelly and I are fine, my struggle pales in comparison to Karen & Joe's right now. We are trying to get stronger to come home June 1st. You guys have been our strength...please continue to lift up Karen & Joe and family.
love you
kit & Shelly
Saturday, May 24, 2008
Post from Kit Lauer's blog
Posted by Hope Chapel Admin at 2:00 PM
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18 comments:
Dear Joe and Karen
I'm speechless yet tearful with the news.
Please let me know if there is anything you need me to do for you other than lift you in Prayer.
Our heart goes out to you and your family, As John and I know very well how deeply this hurts to lose a child, yet rest and know God WILL get you thru,
Love you guys sooo much
In His Love,
John, Nancy, Jonathon and Michelle
Our hearts break for your entire family. We will continue to pray for God's comfort and yes, please let us know if there is anything we can do.
You are loved so much.
Karen and Gary Workman
Dear Karen and Joe,
I have a son close to your son's age and words dont seem to be enought to offer you at this moment. You have both been inspirational and supportive to me and my family in the past and my prayers will be with you as you fly to CA and taek care of all you need to do at this time.
I know you know htat we can't not see God's reasons but know that you have family at HOPE and we all care for you both.
Melissa Nelson
Joe and Karen,
You and your family were in my prayers last evening. I will continue to pray. I am so sorry to hear this news. I cannot express how deep my sympathy is for you.
Doreen
There is little I can say, but until I see you, please imagine a huge hug and shared tears.
Josh
Joe and Karen...
You are in our prayers...
I posted about Joey last night. I don't expect you to read it now, but later, when you get a chance...
Love,
Liza
Dear Karen and Joe,
My heart breaks for you.
Dear Jesus, please hold and support these precious parents. Your Father knew what it was like to loose His only Son too. Give them the grace and strength they need to face the days ahead.
With love,
Diane Lewis
Dear Joe and Karen,
My heart is hurting for you and your family. We are praying for comfort and to find peace that only God can provide. I know God had a plan when he called Joey home, and he was met with songs and trumpets playing.
Much Love and Prayers,
Susan and Chris Haynes and Nathan
Dear Joe and Karen ,
We are without words as well ,as so many with us,we will keep you in our prayers and thoughts ,may you find strenghth and comfort in our Lord Jesus ,
our deepest sympathy Anuschka,Alex and Mikela
Our thoughts and prayers are with your family right now. We will continue to have you in our hearts and ask that God's Love be poured onto you. We are here for ANYTHING you need. With Love, Garnett and Scott
JOE AND KAREN,
I AM SO VERY SORRY FOR YOUR LOSS OF YOUR SON AS GOD HAS ONCE AGAIN CALLED ONE SO VERY YOUNG ONE HOME EARLY. I OFTEN WONDER WHY IT IS WE HAVE TO STAY BACK HERE IN THIS PLACE THAT SEEMS TO BE GETTING DARKER AND HADER TO LIVEN IN. THE OLD SAYING ONLY THE GOOD DIE YOUNG IS KIND OF FEELING TRUE THESE DAYS SO MANY YOUNG PEOPLE I KNOW HAVE BEEN CALLED HOME. IT IS US BACK HERE THAT ARE REALLY THE ONES THAT ARE REALLY GONNA MISS THEM SO MUCH. THERE HOME RIGHT WHERE THEY WANT TO BE WITH OUR LORD JESUS. THERE DONE WITH THE RACE. I WISH IT WERE EASIER TO FEEL JOY FOR THEM THAN ALL THE PAIN WE FEEL. WHEN YOU FEEL SAD TRY TO SOME HOW FOCUS ON HOW AWSOME IT IS THAT GOD GAVE JOEY YOU FOR A SEASON TO RAISE AND TEACH HERE YOU DID THAT JOB WELL AND GOD SAID "GREAT JOB BUT I NEED TO BRING MY BOY HOME TO THIS GREAT MANSION THE ONE YOU WILL SOON COME TO JOE AND KAREN I KNOW HE IS GETTING TO COME BEFORE YOU BUT THAT ONLY BECAUSE I AM NOT DONE WITH YOUR WORK THERE YET BUT DON,T WORRY HE HERE WITH ME EVERYTHING WILL BE JUST PERFECT WHEN I BRING YOU HERE I WILL CALL YOU HOME AT YOUR APPOINTED TIME" IT IS A DAR GOOD THING WE TRUST AND LOVE GOD
LOVE DEBBIE UYETAKE
Dear Joe and Karen,
We are so sad for your family. Please know that our prayers are with all of you while you go through this very difficult time. God will guide you through and give you comfort.
We love you,
Lonny and Laurie Kelley
Dear Johnsons,
my heart is so very sad! I will always have great memories of Joey...he made life fun when you were with him.
I love you guys so much.
Maisha
All I know how to do is pray. So that is what I will do.
Our hearts to you,
The Strickland Ohana
Karen and Joe,
My heart is so heavy and I am so sad but please know that I am praying for you and your family. I love you - Ann
Dear Joe and karen:
We are still in shock over the news concerning Joey..He was one of the most special young men I have ever known.The year he came faithfully every single week end without fail to hose down the concrete areas of our home showed me what an outstanding young man he was becoming! You two have always been there for our family especially when Josh was left praaplyzed from his moped accident.
We look forward to seeing you in LA soon and wrapping our arms around you with love.Praying for you in the meantime,Joyce and Jesse
Dearest Johnson Family,
My heart is with you! The one thing we can rely on is Gods love to hold us up. If only we could have all the answers. In time we will learn but, I guess we just have to wait. A very hard thing to do! I know that there is nothing I could possibly say to easE your pain but, if you ever need anything or just want to talk with someone that truly understands feel free to contact me...you now where I live :) I wish I could express exactly what my heart is feeling for your family!! You will be in my thoughts and prayers!
God Bless you through your sorrow!
The Melia Family
**********
In loving memory of
Lcpl. Anthony C. Melia
USMC ~ 2/4 Fox Co.3rd. Plt.
Aug. 29, 1986 ~ Jan. 27, 2007
"SEMPER FI"
Our dear Karen, Joe, Joanne, Jaime
and family,
We are beyond words trying to comprehend Joey's sudden passing to his heavenly home. Our hearts our broken with yours at your loss. We are in constant prayer for you all. It is obvious that Joey was a wonderful gift to everyone who was blessed to know him! We know that the joy he brought your family (and so many others!) cannot be measured, nor the depth of your loss and pain...As parents and lifelong friends it is unimaginable. In John 15 Our Lord describes our lives as part of His vine. This is certainly true both physically and spiritually with your family and ours. Your pain is ours and we pray we can help ease some of it with you in time. We know that no breath you will ever take will be devoid of Joey's spirit, his energy, his goodness, his zeal for life. He may seem disconnected temporarily but we know there is a reality beyond mortality that is indestructible and unbroken. Hopefully this will bring you a bit of comfort, knowing he is with His Lord, his Friend whom he has loved and walked closely with each day. We are with you in our prayers and love. May you find His promise of peace that passes understanding. Thanking God for your love, friendship and unwavering faith in all you do. Hugs, hugs, hugs.
Alison and Glenn Goldberg, Rachel and Ashley
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