A recent conversation with the female clerk at the small corner store.
Clerk, pointing to my missionary tag, "Is that the same church that Mitt Romney attends?"
Me, "Yes"
Clerk, "Good, we sure hope he wins!"
That was the first time that has happened. We expect for it to happen again and again this election season. I was unfortunately surprised by her question and not ready with a response. We will be better prepared next time.
We experienced a strange and wonderful car problem and "solution" (That is the wonderful part). Friday evening before Kyle and Sandy arrived we were merging into traffic in front of WalMart. It's a road where the cars are traveling quite fast so I had to accelerate quickly to merge. All of a sudden a loud whine began to emanate from somewhere in the front of the car. The whine increased in sound with each shift of the transmission. "Oh oh", I thought, "there goes the transmission." That would present a serious dilemma. A new transmission would cost about $3000 which is about the same amount the car is worth. (That, in spite of the fact the car is in excellent condition and serves us well) These things always seem to happen on a weekend and there was, of course, no one available to look at it. We were scheduled to show our little part of the U.P. to them, including a trip to lake Superior, it wasn't until the following Tuesday that I was able to get the car in. So, expecting the worse, I settled in the waiting room for the inevitable bad news"
Service writer, "I have some good news and some bad news."
Me, "What is the good news?"
Service writer, "It's not the transmission. We disconnected the serpentine belt and the whine went away."
Me, "That's not good news that's great news!"
Service Writer, "That means the problem is either with the alternator or power steering pump but we can't tell which. I don't want to replace something that isn't broke."
Me, "What would you do if you were me?"
Service Writer, "I would drive the car and watch closely to catch early any problems."
Me, "Great, that's what I will do."
So five minutes later and $41.00 poorer I am on my way home. Now for the "wonderful" part. The WHINE IS COMPLETELY GONE and has been since it was looked at. It may not be a major miracle but it couldn't be appreciated more if it were.
What was it like turning 70 this last week? It was pretty much the same as turning 69. There was, if I am being truthful however, a stronger realization of my own mortality and, conversely, a deeper awareness of my immortality. As a person matures they are given many opportunities to come closer to their maker, that God who gave them this mortal opportunity. This closeness which for me comes through glimpses into my future, is provided by a spiritual gift, the Holy Ghost, and is real and comforting. I believe most people who live positive, purposeful lives experience the same peace. Am I ready to "meet my Maker", yes, but not quite yet. I still feel I have much to accomplish not the least of which is this mission. So...onward and upward. For me any life event, like a significant birthday, is an opportunity for honest assessment. Am I headed in the direction I really want to go? Am I getting there? Is there an opportunity to improve (repent)? How can I do it better? These are some of the important questions I ask myself. The answers are often sobering. It does/has lead to incremental improvement(s) that are mostly recognizable only with backwards glances over these past 70 years. So, for me, that was what is was like turning 70.
Best birthday gift...so far, my companion polished my shoes for me. Thank you companion. I love you.
As for our missionary activities for last week, all of our less active members found reasons not to have us come. Br. Peters on the other hand received us at the usual time and in the usual manner. We keep asking the Lord to show us the way to reach his spirit so that he may also experience the peace and happiness the Gospel brings. Like many others he seems content, but there is so much more. It's like settling for a Hershey's Kiss (not bad) when Godiva chocolates (so much better) are available for the asking.
Living, and living well,
Elder and Sister Johnson
Clerk, pointing to my missionary tag, "Is that the same church that Mitt Romney attends?"
Me, "Yes"
Clerk, "Good, we sure hope he wins!"
That was the first time that has happened. We expect for it to happen again and again this election season. I was unfortunately surprised by her question and not ready with a response. We will be better prepared next time.
We experienced a strange and wonderful car problem and "solution" (That is the wonderful part). Friday evening before Kyle and Sandy arrived we were merging into traffic in front of WalMart. It's a road where the cars are traveling quite fast so I had to accelerate quickly to merge. All of a sudden a loud whine began to emanate from somewhere in the front of the car. The whine increased in sound with each shift of the transmission. "Oh oh", I thought, "there goes the transmission." That would present a serious dilemma. A new transmission would cost about $3000 which is about the same amount the car is worth. (That, in spite of the fact the car is in excellent condition and serves us well) These things always seem to happen on a weekend and there was, of course, no one available to look at it. We were scheduled to show our little part of the U.P. to them, including a trip to lake Superior, it wasn't until the following Tuesday that I was able to get the car in. So, expecting the worse, I settled in the waiting room for the inevitable bad news"
Service writer, "I have some good news and some bad news."
Me, "What is the good news?"
Service writer, "It's not the transmission. We disconnected the serpentine belt and the whine went away."
Me, "That's not good news that's great news!"
Service Writer, "That means the problem is either with the alternator or power steering pump but we can't tell which. I don't want to replace something that isn't broke."
Me, "What would you do if you were me?"
Service Writer, "I would drive the car and watch closely to catch early any problems."
Me, "Great, that's what I will do."
So five minutes later and $41.00 poorer I am on my way home. Now for the "wonderful" part. The WHINE IS COMPLETELY GONE and has been since it was looked at. It may not be a major miracle but it couldn't be appreciated more if it were.
 |
| As good as...NO, better than new! |
What was it like turning 70 this last week? It was pretty much the same as turning 69. There was, if I am being truthful however, a stronger realization of my own mortality and, conversely, a deeper awareness of my immortality. As a person matures they are given many opportunities to come closer to their maker, that God who gave them this mortal opportunity. This closeness which for me comes through glimpses into my future, is provided by a spiritual gift, the Holy Ghost, and is real and comforting. I believe most people who live positive, purposeful lives experience the same peace. Am I ready to "meet my Maker", yes, but not quite yet. I still feel I have much to accomplish not the least of which is this mission. So...onward and upward. For me any life event, like a significant birthday, is an opportunity for honest assessment. Am I headed in the direction I really want to go? Am I getting there? Is there an opportunity to improve (repent)? How can I do it better? These are some of the important questions I ask myself. The answers are often sobering. It does/has lead to incremental improvement(s) that are mostly recognizable only with backwards glances over these past 70 years. So, for me, that was what is was like turning 70.
Best birthday gift...so far, my companion polished my shoes for me. Thank you companion. I love you.
 |
| Smug, having lived for SEVENTY years! |
Living, and living well,
Elder and Sister Johnson
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