Rick and Rose Johnson renewed their vows in front of their nuclear, extended and church family this summer. Rick and Rose are the proud parents of three adult children and their oldest daughter is following in her parents footsteps by becoming a foster parent for high risk, medically fragile infants. Both Rose and Rick claim that their current vocation is to care for three adopted foster children (Martin, Joshua and Jacob) and they are prayerfully hoping to adopt a three year old girl in the coming months. They also have grandchildren and their daughter, Theresa, gave birth to their most recent granddaughter on September 30, 2008 Lindsey Marie Stewart at 6lbs 5 oz.
Rose says that Bridge of Peace is part of her family and here she finds a place that not only accepts her differently-abled children but loves them unconditionally. Through God's grace she has been able to find resources and assistance in addressing the needs of her three youngest sons who are diagnosed with autism, muscular dystrophy and hearing losses. The congregation actively advocates for their needs and raises funds through activities like the Autism Walk. We thank God for Rose and Rick, their leadership and their ability to understand that they must clearly be "heads of their household" as Luther wrote. They understand that they must encourage and train their children with the help of their church family and that they must advocate to see their children educated both for the good of the world and the church.
“For if we want capable and qualified people for both the civil and the spiritual realms, we really must spare no effort, time, and expense in teaching and educating our children to serve God and the world.” LC, Ten Commandments, 172, in BC, 410.
