Red Kettle and Heavenly Stars

 What's that rriiinnggging in our ears? It's the sound of Christmas, more specifically the sound of Salvation Army bells. This past week we had the opportunity to be volunteer bell ringers. We were stationed in the ante way at our local Shopko. It was a totally gratifying experience. Around 50% of all of the shoppers stopped and donated. The Salvation Army is a great organization for helping families that are down on their luck. Most all of the money gets to its intended destination. We had one little girl who on her why past the kettle dropped in some coins. She was obviously struggling with giving up all of her coins to the cause. She decided to keep one for her favorite charity, herself. Her mother joined her just outside the outer doors and what ensued was a philosophical discussion about the merits of giving versus keeping. "Keeping" won, as she didn't donate her remaining coin...it was a cute parenting moment.

 Christmas is coming, I know that isn't news. We have been receiving cards and ornaments for our little tree all this week. A special surprise was a card and a note we received from a less active member we met in Watersmeet. This was the member who had been baptized 20 years ago and had received virtually no fellowshipping because she lives 100 miles away from the branch. In the note she commented that she has been reading the Book of Mormon we gave her. We sent her a card and a note and 2 Christmas DVDs. We will drive over in January, visit her and pick up the DVDs. This year we have decided to celebrate the season at home, just the two of us. It will be the first time in 45 years it will be just us. We will definitely miss everyone but we are looking forward to alone time as well. We won't be totally alone as we plan to video chat with every family. If you want to get in on the fun you (non-family) had better call and claim a time. 
 One of the important signs of the Savior's birth was the new star seen in the Near East. According to the B of M, residents in the new world observed a day, a night and a day with no darkness as the sun set. Now I want to share with you another witness. This one is recorded by Ignatius one of the early church fathers who is reported to have been the "Third Bishop of Antioch" and who lived during the time John received the "Revelation" on Patmos.

“A star shone forth in heaven above all the other stars, the light 

of which was inexpressible, while its novelty struck men with astonishment. And all the rest of the stars, with the sun and moon, 

formed a chorus to this star, and its light was exceedingly great 

above them all. And there was agitation felt as to whence this new spectacle came, so unlike to everything else [in the heavens]. Hence 

every kind of magic was destroyed, and every bond of wickedness disappeared; ignorance was removed, and the old kingdom 

abolished, God Himself being manifested in human form 

for the renewal of eternal life”.

Ignatius to the Ephesians, XIX

 We visited with a sister who is recovering from surgery for a strangulated hernia. She has needed hernia surgery for around 15 years. Instead of just sending her home...again they decided this time to operate. She is happy. This is the mother of the husband of the family we teach each week. She grew up in Ogden but has spent most of her life in the U. P. She is a great support for what we are planning to do for her family. Being back in a rehabilitation center brought back memories from when I was serving at Wasatch Villa. Some of you will remember visiting the Villa and performing around Christmas and at other times. I have very fond memories of the residents and the service I was able to give. I also have vivid memories of visits by President Monson and his playing the piano for the residents.


A great week,
Merry Christmas from Elder and Sister Johnson pleased to be in the service of our Lord and Master, Jesus Christ the Lord