Johanna Janssen
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Significant Women Podcast
Author Carol Mcleod interviewed me about my father’s experience as a soldier during WW2 on her Significant Women podcast, September 19, 2024. Continue reading
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Uprooted. An Eight-year-old’s Testimony of the Post War Move to Canada.
Dutch Families Uprooted. Although the immigrant photo dates to an earlier time, in the summer of 1957, my parents also followed their dream for a better life and stood in this same hall. In June, they packed a large crate… Continue reading
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The Fight for Freedom. An Interview With a WW2 Dutch Soldier Continues
August 1939, the Dutch government ordered the mobilization of her armed forces. Men that had been trained years ago were re-enlisted. They’d report to bases all over the country and arrived in cities such as Arnhem, where they were trained.… Continue reading
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There’s Freedom in the Air: Lancaster Bombers and Faith
Last Saturday, while sitting on my front porch savoring the September weather, a WW2 bomber flew over our house. Of course, I got up and waved. Not that the pilot of Canada’s Lancaster could see me. I didn’t know much… Continue reading
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Take Courage
For those who are weary today,God is with you and in control. Continue reading
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A Dutch Soldier’s Testimony
Interview with a WW2 Soldier Continued A continuation of an interview where my father tells in his own words of his experience leading up to World War II. This text is an unaltered transcript of the recorded interview. Last time… Continue reading
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When You Pass Through the Waters
An Ordinary Life The alarm pings on your cell phone, or your child tugs on your bed sheets. It’s time to get up. There’s food to prepare, clothes to wash, groceries to buy, and more. An ordinary life that can… Continue reading
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God’s Creative Beauty
Some things are too beautiful for words. Continue reading
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The Fight for Freedom
Interview with a WW2 Dutch Soldier Below is a tiny portion of an interview dating back to 1997, where my father tells—in his own words—of his experience leading up to World War II. This text is an unaltered transcript of… Continue reading
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God Watches Over You
You are More Valuable “Consider the ravens, for they neither sow [seeds] nor reap [the crop]; they have no storehouse of barn, and yet God fees them. How much more valuable are you than the birds.” Luke 12:24 AMP. Today,… Continue reading
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Do Not Be Anxious
Trust God’s Provision “Consider the lilies and wildflowers, how they grow [in the open field]. They neither labor nor spin [wool to make clothing]; yet I tell you, not even Solomon in all his glory and splendor dressed himself like… Continue reading
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White as Snow
Isaiah 1:18 “Come now, and let us reason together,” Says the Lord, “Though your sins are as scarlet, They will be as white as snow; Though they are red like crimson, They will be like wool.” NASB Drawn to this photo,… Continue reading
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THE LORD IS MY ROCK
When I saw this during one of my walks, I thought of the Lord, my immovable, unchanging rock and God of my salvation. Continue reading
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God, I Need Grace for the Battle
But First, What is God’s Grace. And is it For Me? Once, a long time ago, I called out to God to help me with this very question. This prayer led me on a journey to find God’s grace: Lord,… Continue reading
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Two Perspectives on Psalm 91
Those who live in the shelter of the Most High will find rest in the shadow of the Almighty. This I declare about the Lord: He alone is my refuge, my place of safety; he is my God, and I trust him. Psalm 91:1-2… Continue reading
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The Power of Three
The Trillium, Three’s in Writing, and God in Three Persons Tri is a root word for three. This, along with the Trillium—the official flower of Ontario—made me think about things that come in three. Three and the Power of Transmission… Continue reading
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New Life, Pentecost, and a Song of Hope
Photo Courtesy of Edith Lampman New Life in Nature Psalm 84:2, 3 “My soul longed and even yearned for the courts of the Lord; My heart and my flesh sing for joy to the living God. The bird also has… Continue reading
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Writing, Chicken Soup, and God’s Comfort
Photo Courtesy of Johanna’s Kitchen Sometimes Simple is Best A batch of homemade chicken soup sparked a thought about writing this week. Like a Comfortable Hug Chicken noodle soup can feel like a comfortable hug. Sometimes the simple soup… Continue reading
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GOD’S GIFTS: SPRINGTIME AND THE FIVE SENSES.
Springing Characters to life The transformation from winter to spring sparked an awareness of new beginnings, and God’s gift of the five senses. His Gifts of the Five Senses in Writing In writing, the burst of new color and smells… Continue reading
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GOING DEEPER
Making Characters Relatable This photo of a bee in flight triggered a few thoughts about engaging readers through a deep point of view (DPOV). Going Deeper In Writing With writing, I’ve learned from the book Writing Deep Viewpoint by Kathy… Continue reading
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God’s Strength, My Weakness
My writing world of late. Here’s a peek into my writing world of late. Doubts come. One negative voice that keeps popping up is, you’re not a writer. You don’t have what it takes. There are edits, more edits, there’s… Continue reading
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The Dutch Canadian Connection
The WW2 Dutch Canadian Connection…And why we should remember. Struck by these images, they reminded me of the great sacrifice our soldiers and their families paid for our freedom. How I Learned to be Grateful for Freedom.My parents left the… Continue reading
