Well the deer hunt is done. The newspaper reported that they harvested 150 deer inside the city limits of Iron Mountain and Kingsford. The meat is given to local charities. We have seen piles of hides, carcasses hanging from rafters and trees and surprisingly few on the front fenders of the cars and trucks. Only one bear hide has been visible and no moose, elk or reindeer. Considering the time of year that should make the youngsters very happy.
As you might expect, the residents here are very traditional when it comes to Christmas. There were almost no decorations up before Thanksgiving but lights are being hung everywhere. There are plenty religious messages as well. It is exciting to be a part of a community that values traditional Christmas celebrations. Our branch Christmas party will be this coming Saturday. Sister Johnson and I are considering attending Christmas celebrations sponsored by some of the churches and organizations in the community. We received a "cute" Christmas tree from our daughter Jenny and have begun to receive ornaments from each of our families. (Pictures to follow)
It is difficult being away from home for this special time of year as it causes some measure of homesickness. We are coping and we will survive. It also helps to rehearse the blessings with which the Lord has blessed us. We are also trying to be involved with those around us; "...when ye are in the service of your fellow beings ye are only in the service of your God".
Our teaching pool is about the same. We are having to postpone some meetings because of illnesses, seasonal disruptions, weather and the like. We did talk to Lucas Kirkpatrick who requested a Bible and a Book of Mormon. His father will not allow us to come to his house to visit with him. Hopefully, however, we will be able to soon meet his father. Lucas is 21 and suggested we meet with him in town. We told him that that would be fine. We haven't been able to find a time...yet.
Winter is starting to arrive. We have had two snow storms this week for a total of around 6 inches. There are some major snowplows in these towns and is evident that they are excited to get out and plow something, anything. Every block, it seems, has a pickup truck with a plow attached. Our landlord was here today with a snowblower on steroids. I think the long winters give the people here plenty of time to think of stuff to make and figure out how to make it hence the world's biggest working chainsaw (according to Guinness) powered by a 305 c.i. chevy, is from the U.P. This is a link to some serious silliness and other Yooper information http://dayoopers.com/
Looking forward to the Christmas season,
Elder and Sister Johnson
It is difficult being away from home for this special time of year as it causes some measure of homesickness. We are coping and we will survive. It also helps to rehearse the blessings with which the Lord has blessed us. We are also trying to be involved with those around us; "...when ye are in the service of your fellow beings ye are only in the service of your God".
Our teaching pool is about the same. We are having to postpone some meetings because of illnesses, seasonal disruptions, weather and the like. We did talk to Lucas Kirkpatrick who requested a Bible and a Book of Mormon. His father will not allow us to come to his house to visit with him. Hopefully, however, we will be able to soon meet his father. Lucas is 21 and suggested we meet with him in town. We told him that that would be fine. We haven't been able to find a time...yet.
Winter is starting to arrive. We have had two snow storms this week for a total of around 6 inches. There are some major snowplows in these towns and is evident that they are excited to get out and plow something, anything. Every block, it seems, has a pickup truck with a plow attached. Our landlord was here today with a snowblower on steroids. I think the long winters give the people here plenty of time to think of stuff to make and figure out how to make it hence the world's biggest working chainsaw (according to Guinness) powered by a 305 c.i. chevy, is from the U.P. This is a link to some serious silliness and other Yooper information http://dayoopers.com/
Looking forward to the Christmas season,
Elder and Sister Johnson
No comments:
Post a Comment