Susan Has Blessed Me (by Lynn Rodriguez)

Susan has been a blessed influence in my life and a lot of other people’s lives. She has provided us with a lot of memorable moments. I just wish I could remember those memories better and tell the tales like Susan can. (Susan, please edit my memories as needed.)

I think I met Susan in 1982; I know it was at a Northway Baptist Singles Bible Study. I was new to Dallas and had visited Northway. I had met Jo when she came on a visitation visit and she introduced me to Susan at the Bible Study.…and here we are 25+ years later. Susan and Jo were gracious enough to open up their hearts and include me in their friendship. In my mind, we became like the female version of the 3 musketeers.

There are so many memories: puppet practices, shows and even a roadtrip, aerobics in Northway’s gym, basketball, softball, the Singing Christmas Tree (one year we were all 3 angels, hard to believe!), talent show (Susanna Rosanna Danna, the Singing nuns), Northway singles videos (Eat It!), dynamic duo custom party (Aunt Jemima and Uncle Ben), and long weekends at her parent’s lake house (I counted 12 singles plus Susan’s Mom and Dad one weekend).

Susan is always “up to” or planning an adventure. We can add “breaking and entering” and “trespassing” to Susan list of misadventures. Susan and I “broke” into Jo’s apartment (using Jo’s mother’s key) to decorate and booby trap Jo’s apartment for her 30th birthday.

I was one of the 8 people on the sailboat that Mark and Susan were on. It was very interesting to watch their friendship grow. I really think everyone could see the sparks flying and knew that it would develop into something serious. If I remember correctly, after the trip Mark used the excuse he wanted to make a journal about our adventure in order to spend more time with Susan. Instead of the journal being titled “The Trip” it should have been titled “The romance of ‘GQ’ and ‘Booger Buzz’.” Every time I hear “Louie, Louie” I think of that trip.

It was an honor to be included as a bridesmaid at Susan and Mark’s wedding. I wanted to return the honor when I got married (later) but Susan was 8 months pregnant and she decided she would rather sit at the guest book.

Susan is always there for her friends. One morning back when Susan and Mark lived in Carrollton and had 1 or 2 small kids, I locked myself out of my house. I called Susan to see if she could bring me the spare key I had given her. She loaded up the girl(s) and immediately came to my rescue.

Then Susan and Mark moved to Temple. Susan invited Jo and I to come down for a play date and sleepover for us and our kids. Temple was always a welcomed stop on our long family trips back from Laredo.

Susan was always watchful of my spiritual life. When I got a job downtown, she invited me to join her and her friends at a Bible study that met downtown during lunch. Then later after I was married, Susan introduced me to BDG in Carrollton even though she was living in Temple. Then when she moved back she was the BDG leader for one of the Carrollton Bible Studies.

Susan is a born leader. Jo and I still defer to Susan when we need to decide where to eat or what movie to go see. Jo and I may now think twice before we follow her down a mountain (remember Petite Jean), but we will still follow because she hasn’t led us wrong yet!

I am still amazed at her mental math skills. I always look to her whenever it comes time to split the bill and figure tax and tip.

I look forward with anticipation to all our continued memorable moments and reminiscing about them. My life has been so much fuller and blessed for having Susan in it.

Love,
Weenie

‘Youngest’ 50 year Old I Know (by Sam Dennis)

Susan -

There has never been a time in the years that I have known you (late 70s early 80s, just shy of 30 years) in which I have not been moved by your genuine love and interest for others and... your enthusiasm. It is no wonder that you and Mark found each other, for you are both so well suited. And... your girls? Nothing short of you both!

Wonderful.My memories of you are 1. your ready smile, 2. your easy laughter, 3. your leadership in our Single Adult Sunday School Class, 4. your playing softball, 5. your organizing of many singles class functions, and... – 6. your always having Fun! How neat it is that the fun has continued as you now work in the church office across the hall from me :)

I am proud to be your pastor and friend, and, want to tell you that you are the ‘youngest’ 50 year old I know – giving ‘50 something’ a whole new meaning.

Love

Pastor Sam

HAPPY FIFTIETH BIRTHDAY,SUSAN! (by Alice Johnson)

How happy I am to have a daughter in law and one who has those strengths that you so ably demonstrate.

You find time for teaching not only in Sunday School but in the community! You are thoughtful and creative in family life. Family, friends, committees!

HAPPY FIFTIETH BIRTHDAY, SUSAN!

Alice

Happy 50th

Dear Susan,

My how the years fly by.....hard to believe its been over 25 years since we met at Northway, the safe haven for Christian singles (and future spouses for many of us)!!!! I'll never forget our years out on the softball field, sharing stories and solving lifes problems. Just wish I had had time to find pictures of those years and sweet memories.

You're a dear friend who I've enjoyed both single life with as well as married life with kids....our visits at MacDonalds, Temple visit, seeing each other watch our kids at track meets, as well as your wonderful family Christmas party every year. Next to come are those wonderful retirement years when we're putting our kids through college!! Not too relaxing for awhile, but exciting.

I love you as so many friends do and treasure that friendship eventho we don't get to see each other real often. However, I know I can always count on you in times of need as well as celebration. You have been richly blessed with an awesome family and group of friends. See ya tonight-SURPRISE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Love, Jeri

The years have gone by so fast - they've been good to you (by Lisa Stapp)

The years have gone by so fast - they've been good to you, I might add - but nothing can erase those crazy times at Baylor and the special friendship you offered that has lasted these 30 years. (Yikes - did I really write that?!)




I remember the first time you invited me to your parents' house in Houston for a weekend and how at-home your parents made me feel. That was the first time you exhibited your amazing singing act for me, hairbrush microphone in hand. And who could ever forget watching you eat a cracker in your own unique way??



And then there are all the Young Life memories. As I flipped through the piles of photos stuck for years in a bag (no scapbooking for this woman - the last photo album I completed was in 1979!), I found discriminating evidence of a few of those shennanigans as seen below.

"Clash Night" at club, Spring 1978
(Why don't the guys look any
different than they normally did?)

"Old Folks Night", Spring 1978
Hmm, is this what we'll look like soon? After all, we ARE in our 50's now!

One of the biggest things that always attracted me to you, Susan, was your positive spirit. That and your desire to tell high school kids about Jesus, while having all the fun one could possibly imagine. There was never a dull moment with you! I was honored that you agreed to be my Ring-Out partner as I graduated from Baylor in 1979 - there was no else to whom I would think of passing down the tradition.

I even found photos of your visit to Germany with Trina sometime in the mid 80's. You looked so cute in that worker's outfit at the Salzberg Mine!

Oh, and those wedding memories! I loved having you in mine, and so appreciated getting to share your special day. That cross-stitch project I finally finished for you several years later was a labor of love, even if it is probably in a box in your attic!

I was grateful for your friendship then and am even more thankful that the Lord in His infinite mercy and grace has allowed me the privilege of calling you sister and friend. And thanks to you for your persistence in writing - I can always count on a fun Christmas card to catch me up on the Johnson clan!

Thanks for your prayers and hugs over the years, my talented, gifted, amazing mother and wife, committed and funny friend.

In His loving grip,

Lisa Brewer Stapp

RRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR!!! IT’S YOUR 50TH BIRTHDAY!!! (by Rachel Johnson)

RRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR!!! IT’S YOUR 50TH BIRTHDAY!!!


I couldn’t ask for a better mom than you! And here’s why:
You have raised me since I was a tiny cat whiner, you were there when I took my first steps, and have been cheering me on with my many steps in cross country and track, you have helped me with my math homework, you have put up with getting up early and made breakfast, you have cooked soooo many good meals, you care about everything that happens in my life, you care about what happens in our family and the people in it, and you still have time to work, and volunteer at church and school, you lead a bible study, one of the most important things is that you love God, you were one of the people that introduced me to God, you have encouraged me to go to church and develop relationships with the people there, you have told many great stories about your childhood, you have made countless lunches, you have gotten me to a lot of soccer and basketball games, you have driven me to lots of friend’s houses, you care about the people around you.


You helped convince dad to get Patch, you let me have gerbils, fish, hermit crabs, and BONGO!, You support me in extra school activities, you give me responsibilities and trust me, and you love me just the way I am!


Thanks for everything and I hope you have an amazingly spectacularly awesome birthday! I love you!




Love,

Rachel

Happy Birthday (by the Colvins)

Susan,
I can't believe you are celebrating 50, it just doesn't seem like we should be this old. It seems like yesterday that you and Mark were meeting us at Westwood Shores for the annual Thanksgiving celebration or we were heading out to the Cayman Islands for a Caribbean vacation. Since it seems like memories are what you think about on these "Biggies", remember the pillow fight when we were kids. Mom and Dad had a party going on and a couple of other kids had come over with their parents, I don't remember who. There were five or six of us in your room and we decided to turn the lights off and have a pillow fight. We were going at it hitting each other until someone said, "Turn on the lights something happened to my pillow!". The lights went on and it looked like a cartoon scene. There were feathers floating in the air and all over your room. We thought we would be in big trouble, so we grabbed the vacuum to get rid of the evidence. Of course the vacuum was like turning on a jet engine and Mom came in about a minute later wondering what was going on. Busted!! I think we got off pretty light since the party was in full swing, the other kids were there and we were at least making an attempt to clean up. Have a great Birthday making more memories. I love you.
Ken


Susan,
Happy 50th!!! You have been a wonderful aunt and I always look forward to seeing you on vacations. We have all shared some great memories and I know we always will. I hope we can create some new ones this summer when we all go to Big Cedar. I can't wait to kick your rear-end in Acquire. Happy Birthday!
Taylor


Aunt Susan!
Happy 50th birthday! You are an amazing person and an even better Aunt. I will always remember my dad always telling me the story of when you got stuck in your fence going to your neighbors house, and Nana had to go help you get out! That's a story that will always make me laugh, and hopefully many more will that are yet to be created. Have a fantastic birthday!!
Love,
Turner


Susan,
Happy happy birthday!!i hope your day is filled with love and not to forget, fun!!! i am so excited for Big Cedar this year, it will be nice getting away from cold weather and having a great time with our family. looking forward to see you all very soon, and again have a wonderful birthday!
Love,
Hayley

A Daughter's Testimony (By Julie Johnson)

A mother is there to comfort, to teach, to love, and to always believe in her children. A mother is one of the first people that a baby is connected with, and there is a special bond between her and her child. Without a mom, a daughter can have a missing part in heart and a lack of womanly advice at times.


As I look back at my life in the past 16 years, I could never imagine what my life would look like without a mother. No Mother’s Day cards would have been written. No art projects or pictures would be brought home with a picture of what vaguely looks like a mom on it. No hugs from mom at the end of a hard day would have existed. And the words “I love you mommy” would never have been uttered.


My mom, Susan Johnson, was and still is a big part of my life. She has always kept a joyous heart and a persevering spirit. She has taught me my morals and beliefs, comforted me through hard times, given me advice countless times, has always believed in me, reprimanded me when needed, and has always loved me. As a young girl, I remember her playing with me in my kiddie pool or dancing to old records on the record player at our house. She was always willing to give of her time and of herself in order to nourish the needs of her daughters. As I got to the age of grade school and the dreaded homework once a week, she was always willing to sit down and help me with schoolwork. When my eighth grade year rolled around, and I was freaking out over my four year plan, my mother eagerly gave advice to me. Even now as I am in high school preparing for college, I know that she is behind me one hundred percent.


The little things that my mother has done have meant a lot to me too. Hugs given late at night when I am trying to finish my homework, notes from my mom in my lunchbox, or cookies when I come home after the first day of school have always made my day. That is one of the special things about my mom, she shows that the simple things in life can be the ones most worthwhile.
My mom has taught me many things in life, but one that is the most important out of all of them is love. By loving me, my mom has taught me how to love others as much as I can. She has also given me her optimistic outlook on life (and her shortness, apparently). I hope that one day I can be a loving and joyous mother just like she has been to me.



Happy Birthday Mommy! I love you.


Julie

Happy Birthday (by Steve and Lisa Armstrong)

Susan,

Happy Birthday to You!

Wow! I can’t believe you are the first of the Temple Supper Club to turn 50!! (Which we will always remind you of). Remember us? I have such wonderful memories of our many monthly dinners together as couples and families. Do you remember things like: the “humming game”, big hair nights, charades, losing teeth in the middle of dinner, birthday celebrations, family swim parties, game nights and Southern Living recipes that actually looked like the picture? What fun we had! I also have fond memories of church activities with the kids, swimming at Cheryl’s, Ladies Night Out and bible studies on Tuesday mornings. You were always full of wisdom and insight. You have such a servant heart which is evident in all that you do. Your love of God and family was always at the center of your activities. You live life to the fullest and have been a role model for so many-including me. Thank you for the great times we shared and I hope that you will remember us from your life here in Temple . Many blessings to you!

Steve and Lisa Armstrong