Telling My Story... Dana Johnson-Walden

 

 

I grew up in a house of 6 children, 7 including myself. I am a product of adoption as were the rest of my siblings. My mother raised 11 children all together.

As long as I know, I have attended church. It seemed like we were in church all day every Sunday – Vacation Bible School in the summer was a must.

My father passed away when I was 12, my mother who was a homemaker never remarried. My mother raised 4 boys and 3 girls by herself with only $900 per month in SSI. We were always clothed and had 3 meals a day…not steak and potatoes or fancy clothing or shoes, but we were clean and we all went to church every Sunday – all day.

I thank God for our dog, his name was Sugar and he loved table food – however my mother never knew! Under the table is were Sugar had a feast some nights as we were not allowed to leave anything on our plates – People in Africa are starving she would always say! Liver and Muskrat were the worse for me, again thank goodness for Sugar!

We had boxed milk, no frills cereal which we loaded with plenty of sugar! Pineapple and Mayonnaise sandwiches, P&J which I love to this day! Oatmeal out of the Quaker box not in sugary little packets like they have today.

I had my first and only child when I was 18 years old; my mother warned me and my siblings about becoming pregnant outside of marriage. My Mother was disappointed but she supported my son and me until she passed away in 1988 of Lung Cancer.

I believed in God, however my life style did not reflect it. I attended church every Sunday but knew I was not doing Christ’s will…I met Sid in 1988. God placed him in my life to become my soul mate for life. We have been married for 22 years which is a blessing in itself.

During my journey as a Christian I thank my mother for planting the seed of salvation in my life. She was a God fearing woman and my hero, my mentor, my matriarch. I dearly miss her and know one day we will be together again in Heaven.

If it had not been for the foundation laid by my mother inspired by Christ, I would not have been able tolerate the pain and heartache of the drama with my grandsons since 2014. My family and I have been tested beyond measure, but God, has provided victory in a lot of situations – peace – and strength through the tears and devastation. God is still working it out – I tell people I am in God’s waiting room – a great place to be during tribulation.

God never said He would remove me and my family from valley of darkness, He promised if we Trust in Him He would walk with us, protect us and love us. We still are going through, but God has given me His Word in my heart to assure me All is well – Trust in Him – He is in control – Wait on the Lord ----God will Show up!

I won’t let go, I won’t give up
I'll stand right here, till God shows up
Though I don't see Him anywhere around
I believe He has a plan for me

Though it seems like I've lost the fight
And His ways I can't figure out
God would not have me to break, He's just building my faith
I believe that He does have a plan for me

Though it seems like I've lost the fight
And His ways I can't figure out
God would not have me to break, He's just building my faith
I'll never be forgotten
God will, show up
My God will show up
I believe that he has a plan for me