A Deck, Trillium and Tatting

  We enjoyed a fairly normal week. We took some extra personal time to prepare lessons and talks (I was asked to give a Mothers Day talk in Sacrament Meeting). We have noticed that working with less active members requires us to prepare 2-3 different lessons each week in addition to the lessons for Sunday classes. We're not complaining it is just an observation. We did have one enormous bright spot. Br. Klingman had actually read and studied the lesson we asked him to in the Gospel Principles manual. This allowed us to have a fruitful discussion about "worthiness". Our meeting concluded with his volunteering to say the closing prayer, we have heard few prayers as heartfelt and meaningful as this one. He has committed to study, with us, a different Gospel Principles lesson each week. He has also committed to re-read the Book of Mormon. He will soon be returning to church and, by his own admission, is looking forward to the Elders Quorum party at his place on the 28th of July. Here is a picture of his new deck overlooking his backyard. He recently took a picture, which he showed us, of a bobcat that came into his yard to looked at the figurines he has there. Curiosity! 

Notice the quality of workmanship displayed; he made the beautiful design with the paddle and I will admit the railing design is a suggestion I made. As we have said before, his return to activity will be an important one for the branch as well as him.
  In our travels the last couple of weeks we have encountered a very pretty flowering plant which, in many places, covers the entire floor of the forest. It is called Trillium and it's picking or removal on public lands is prohibited in NY, MI and MN.

Trillium

It seems when you pick the "flower" (really leaves called bracts), it injures the plant by preventing the leaf-like bracts from producing food for the next year. For that reason it takes many years for the plants to recover. We have encountered a much more common flowering plant of which a person may pick as many as they want.

Yes, that is an entire field of Dandelions. I don't think the leaves will be harvested to be used in salads however. They grow everywhere. Very few people even try to spray for them. Our 1st counselor called them the State Flower...I think he was kidding.
  Bob Peters gave us some mixed messages. He very gently told us he doesn't like feeling pushed into any decision implying that he was feeling pushed. He is enjoying reading, with interest, the B of M for the first time in 30 years (since the rest of his family was baptized). We told him we would continue to support his reading and had him commit to baptism "when" he received his testimony. He said he would. We further asked him to not let stubbornness or personal pride get in the way. Again he agreed. We have had many discussions about faith, baptism, truth, testimony, etc. and he has, by his own admission, made progress. He is always friendly. We will keep visiting/teaching. We just hope he will receive his testimony before either he or we die. We asked him directly if he thought he would ever be baptized and he said yes...so therein lies our hope and faith.
  Sister Johnson enjoyed conversing/Skyping with almost all of our children and grandchildren on Mothers Day. It really brightens our day to hear of their many adventures and growth. When we count our many blessings, family is always number 1 on the list. Sister Johnson has told some of you about her new passion of Tatting. Here is a picture of some of her recent work.

Tatting is a technique for handcrafting a particularly durable lace constructed by a series of knots and loops. Tatting dates back to the early 19th century and is not uncommon in the U.P. It is used to make doilies, collars and other decorative pieces. Cindy Gordon the Relief Society President and Sister Johnson's Visiting Teacher tats and collects tatting. She taught her some basic techniques. At least it's not the other kind of tatting (tattooing), because I would be her practice canvas.

Off to another fantastic week,
Elder and Sister Johnson