tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6519200364941929712011-12-25T18:47:53.500+11:00A collection of our annual letters and photos since we became a couple in 1972.Joy Johnstonnoreply@blogger.comBlogger331100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-651920036494192971.post-85680853220586494842011-12-25T18:47:00.007+11:002011-12-25T18:47:53.508+11:00

Our thoughts go out to loved ones around the world as we celebrate our Lord’s coming as a human child into this world. Noel and I are well, and thankful for the many aspects of life that add richness and depth to our experience, and enable us to bring support and strength to others. We live in a rapidly changing world. Many of the experiences we encounter are not what we would choose, if we

Joy Johnstonnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-651920036494192971.post-42432416964283228452010-12-22T17:05:00.001+11:002010-12-23T09:17:09.938+11:00

Christmas 2010 – loving greetings from our family. As another year draws to a close, Noel and I are very thankful to God for the health and strength, and the wonderful family with which we have been blessed. As is clear from this photo (which has the photographer’s watermark on it), taken 11 December, we have welcomed another son-in-law into our family. We had a joyful time celebrating the

Joy Johnstonnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-651920036494192971.post-47656087803264434482009-12-19T14:23:00.002+11:002009-12-20T14:20:22.180+11:00

[Photo: This year we revisited the Windsor Presbyterian Church, Queensland, where we were married in 1973.]With our loving greetings this Christmas, and with a prayer for God’s blessing on you in the coming year.Joy and NoelThe God of eternityentered our time and space.Put aside infinityto join a frail race.Glorious mystery:babe in a lowly place,at mother’s breastcontent.Joy Johnston 2009

Joy Johnstonnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-651920036494192971.post-15155084479594208552008-12-10T10:04:00.004+11:002008-12-21T13:45:52.380+11:00

How quickly this year has passed! Once again we are receiving wonderful letters, emails and cards from our family and friends. In this brief letter we want to renew that link with some we have known all or most of our lives, as well as with those whose journeys along life’s path have only recently shared with ours’. We trust that this Christmas and new year will be a time of joyful celebration

Joy Johnstonnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-651920036494192971.post-19600488496961649672008-12-08T17:15:00.004+11:002008-12-14T20:18:38.495+11:00

As we join each year in the celebration of Christ’s birth, the annual letter has become a moment in which we reflect on the year that has passed, and look forward to the coming year. We remember our first family Christmas letter, sent from Michigan USA in 1973, complete with a picture of Noel and me proudly holding our baby Miriam. Over the years that picture has developed, as you know, and

Joy Johnstonnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-651920036494192971.post-13215688625838417832008-12-08T17:15:00.003+11:002008-12-10T09:25:12.080+11:00

12 December 2006If it’s true that a picture is worth more than 1000 words, I’m sure you will appreciate the value of a picture, rather than a long letter. This shows most of us at the recent wedding of Noel’s niece Francine Collier to Guy Jeffrey from Perth. (Miriam was not able to come to Melbourne at the time, and Poppy was being cared for at home.) For several years now we have valued your

Joy Johnstonnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-651920036494192971.post-67380121059308209112008-12-08T17:15:00.001+11:002008-12-10T09:26:42.499+11:00

From our letter ...December 2005This year’s photo brings you smiles from Noel and our darling wee Poppy who has sweetly taught us a new dimension of love. They were helping stir the Christmas cake, which has now been baked. A tree has been beautifully decorated, and a pudding is hanging up to dry. Our curious collection of old and new traditions that come together for the Christmas lunch all

Joy Johnstonnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-651920036494192971.post-1568734297248174632008-12-08T17:14:00.030+11:002008-12-26T20:13:01.939+11:00

December 2003Our dear loved onesAs we approach another Christmas celebration our hearts are thankful for the many wonderful people with whom we share parts of our lives. We can say with thanks to God that we have, in the past year, experienced more and more “how great is the love the Father has lavished upon us.” (1John 3:1)We are thankful for health and strength to do our daily work. Noel has

Joy Johnstonnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-651920036494192971.post-87413283934883256882008-12-08T17:14:00.029+11:002008-12-26T20:12:41.139+11:00

The year 2004 has been special to us as a family. We have happily welcomed two new members: a grand daughter, and a new daughter-in-law. In June, Poppy Isabella Johnston was born to Paul and Leanne, with midwife Joy in attendance. Poppy is a delight to us all.Last week Josh and Anna (Rosen) were married. It was a lovely Melbourne day, and Josh and Anna looked radiant. Both families are very proud

Joy Johnstonnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-651920036494192971.post-76864169888988829392008-12-08T17:14:00.018+11:002008-12-26T19:53:01.360+11:00

Loving greetings from the Johnston family in Blackburn South December 2002DearEach year over the past three decades, as we have crafted a brief annual report to our small group of friends and relations, there has been a sameness about it all. We have been an ordinary Australian family, with young ones growing up, living in an ordinary house in an ordinary suburb, and having pretty ordinary jobs

Joy Johnstonnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-651920036494192971.post-4918108444734971922008-12-08T17:14:00.001+11:002008-12-16T13:51:25.484+11:00

The children and spouses and (most of the) grandchildren of Frank and Ella White.Cousins at the White family reunion, Mt Tamborine, Qld.21 December 2001This letter comes with our love, and as an expression of our thanks to you for the contribution of dear friends and loved ones in our life's journey. We have been blessed during the past year, and over many years, with a very wonderful family and

Joy Johnstonnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-651920036494192971.post-78165276864444564532008-12-08T17:13:00.001+11:002008-12-16T14:05:09.278+11:00

December 2000Loving greetings at this festive season, as we celebrate the birth of our Saviour.The photo on the front of this homemade card is our most recent family portrait - taken 12 months ago.The year 2000 has flashed by, with hardly a dull moment! Joy has been well occupied in her midwifery practice, and related political and professional activities. She has been appointed to the Nurses

Joy Johnstonnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-651920036494192971.post-86426162650940049182008-12-08T17:12:00.006+11:002009-12-20T15:02:03.077+11:00

[Please click on picture to enlarge it]

Joy Johnstonnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-651920036494192971.post-36146938950302907152008-12-08T17:12:00.005+11:002008-12-16T14:39:16.447+11:00

January 2000A memory from my childhood is writing letters to Grandma or to family friends. I remember starting with the same words each time:"Dear Grandma, I hope you are well. We are all well."As I 'grew up' I decided that sort of letter was too childish. Now I am close to 50 years old, I am returning to the essence of that statement:"We care about you, and we want you to know that we are OK.

Joy Johnstonnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-651920036494192971.post-31772629087998341092008-12-08T17:11:00.010+11:002011-01-22T17:37:19.154+11:00

This is the letter and photo from 1996.

Joy Johnstonnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-651920036494192971.post-66885416266821935292008-12-08T17:11:00.001+11:002008-12-09T19:39:21.767+11:00

Joy Johnstonnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-651920036494192971.post-3365481510586941952008-12-08T17:10:00.005+11:002011-01-22T17:27:02.829+11:00

Joy Johnstonnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-651920036494192971.post-85039407896271494772008-12-08T17:09:00.006+11:002011-01-22T17:31:46.301+11:00

Joy Johnstonnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-651920036494192971.post-84186459458980082902008-12-08T17:09:00.001+11:002008-12-12T17:22:19.627+11:00

Joy Johnstonnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-651920036494192971.post-8832499539630450282008-12-08T17:08:00.007+11:002009-01-11T15:48:18.010+11:00

Noel grew an impressive beard.Josh began his musical studies.

Joy Johnstonnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-651920036494192971.post-32159553774202884692008-12-08T17:08:00.006+11:002009-01-11T14:57:54.349+11:00

Joy Johnstonnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-651920036494192971.post-64780048999098930292008-12-08T17:07:00.004+11:002008-12-09T18:50:20.462+11:00

Joy worked night shifts at the Royal Women's Hospital through the 1980s.

Joy Johnstonnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-651920036494192971.post-2444413657020364242008-12-08T17:07:00.003+11:002008-12-09T18:40:50.698+11:00

Josh with cousins Michelle and Francine Collier.

Joy Johnstonnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-651920036494192971.post-54978639429867759742008-12-08T17:07:00.001+11:002008-12-08T21:58:00.860+11:00

more

Joy Johnstonnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-651920036494192971.post-88609112039237308842008-12-08T17:03:00.005+11:002009-01-11T14:52:11.791+11:00

We welcomed Josh into our family.

Joy Johnstonnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-651920036494192971.post-41928658425209869582008-12-08T17:03:00.003+11:002008-12-08T21:43:31.340+11:00

Miriam, Rebecca and Paul

Joy Johnstonnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-651920036494192971.post-64172718245754706082008-12-08T17:03:00.001+11:002008-12-09T18:55:11.212+11:00

Paul with his Great Grandma White at Redland Bay.We came home via Hawaii!

Joy Johnstonnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-651920036494192971.post-40859872071017090382008-12-08T17:02:00.002+11:002008-12-16T15:21:38.409+11:00

Our little family grew again with Paul's birth.Excerpt from our letter to our parents, 31 December 1977From 703-202 Cherry Lane, East Lansing, Michigan 48823 USA"It seems that this will be our second last letter home from here [Michigan]. I don't quite know how we are going to do all the packing, but at least the thesis is shaping up nicely. Noel is working on it now. ..."When we arrive in

Joy Johnstonnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-651920036494192971.post-48341463581537639782008-12-08T17:02:00.001+11:002008-12-08T20:57:38.073+11:00

Joy Johnstonnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-651920036494192971.post-14117245137172552782008-12-08T17:01:00.002+11:002009-12-20T15:11:31.650+11:00

Rebecca Amy joined our little family in May. My mother, Ella White, came to stay with us, and is photographed here holding baby Rebecca, just prior to her baptism.

Joy Johnstonnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-651920036494192971.post-16414159403519007052008-12-08T16:59:00.001+11:002009-12-20T15:08:24.712+11:00

[Please click on picture to enlarge]Noel worked on his Masters Degree at Michigan State University, while I studied the fine art of mothering.

Joy Johnstonnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-651920036494192971.post-38845621949145887852008-12-08T16:58:00.001+11:002009-12-20T14:24:10.811+11:00

We were married at Windsor Presbyterian Church in Brisbane in January 1973. We moved to Michigan USA in September, bought a house [1454 Biscayne Way Haslett MI], and our beautiful Miriam Joy was born in November.

Joy Johnstonnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-651920036494192971.post-38003466375856516542008-12-08T16:48:00.001+11:002008-12-12T20:25:23.958+11:00

I [Joy] moved from Brisbane to Melbourne to study midwifery in April 1972. My sister Jane traveled with me, in my green Volkswagen 'bug'. Upon arriving in Melbourne we went to our Aunty Halley and Uncle Harold Nicholls' home, the Baptist Manse in Coburg. The next day, Sunday, we were taken by Uncle Harold to a missionary meeting of the Slavic Gospel Association, in Camberwell. As we entered

Joy Johnstonnoreply@blogger.com0