Sneezing and Snicker-doodles

 We have enjoyed a memorable Christmas week. As previously reported, Sister Johnson prepared a Christmas sacrament-meeting program. She used many of the branch youth and young adults who could be in attendance as readers (not many) and taught songs to the Priesthood and the Relief Society sisters. After planning and printing the programs, she then played all of the various songs and oversaw the “performance”.  I watched in amazement from the sidelines. Like usual I underestimated her determination and abilities. It was a spiritual meeting and one the members and investigators are not likely to forget. The Branch Presidency were pleased with the result. She received many positive comments. If we were staying here I'm sure she would be pressed into service doing programs not just for the branch but probably for the whole stake.

 Another possible result of the stress of all of the planning and organizing with which we were not so pleased was the exacerbation of a cold she was fighting to a full-on messy, snot spewing, coughing, sneezing, wheezing, sleep depriving (both she and I) event that lasted the week. We were able to make some of the visits we had planned but most of the time was spent waiting for the effects of her cold to wind down. It is good to report she is now on the mend.

 On Christmas day we, at the request of the President, attended our regularly scheduled District meeting. The previously arranged topic was the Doctrine of Christ, how appropriate. Sisters Johnson and Riley prepared a meal. The food was tasty and the instruction was delicious as well.

From left to right: Sister and Elder Riley, Elders Hansen and Heath all serving in Escanaba. Elders Christensen
and Trout serving with us in Iron Mountain. Elders Jackman and Smith serving in Marinette and
Sister Johnson and the empty chair...no, not that one...serving corn chowder
and hot buttered bread sticks. The center pieces were made
by the young women as gifts and contained
Snicker-doodles.*

*Much, much better than labradoodles. 

 . 

 Since many of the members of our Gospel Principles class have been called to attend the 7-week Temple Preparation class (a good thing); I invited the Missionaries, with my input, to make the Gospel Principles class an opportunity to teach the basic lessons to those who still come. We finished the first part of the Plan of Salvation lesson yesterday. Matt Oslund, their investigator who will be baptized this Saturday, is one of the class attendees and so has the opportunity to be taught/review these lessons each Sunday. The missionaries love it. Plus, we have some less active members attending who benefit as well. The class setting is less threatening and the members and investigators get to know and support one another. In another setting a fellowshipping family could be called to attend as well. I am thinking that inviting the missionaries to teach or team-teach the Gospel Principles class is another way to integrate the missionaries into any branch or ward.

Another Joyus Christmas season is now behind us, next year we're home so get the grandchildren prepared.

With much love and felicity, 

Elder and Sister Johnson

Another Christmas haul for the Johnsons:

Just some of the gifts (well most of them actually) we opened on Christmas. Thanks to all of our
family and friends for making our second U.P. Christmas really one to remember.