With the presentation Sunday of a
well thought-out and achievable Branch Mission Plan, Sister Johnson and I could
see more clearly that we were sent to help hold this little branch together
through some pretty serious events just prior to and just after our
arrival. Up until now there had
been no mission plan. Accidental
deaths, deaths of spouses, chronic illness and even murder all combined to
change the focus of branch members inward and not outward. From a missionary
perspective, seeking out interested non-members was way on the back burner.
That has now changed. Our recent baptism, our most committed pair of young
Elders to date, a change in the Branch Presidency plus the passing of time has
once again brought focus to the future and growth of the branch into the minds
and hearts of the branch members. We see the hand of the Lord in the direction
and inspiration that has come to us to prepare for this time as well. It has
richly blessed us. When the Branch President demonstrated that through new
investigators, reactivations, and increased dedication to Home and Visit
teaching we could reach a Sacrament meeting attendance goal of 45%; individuals
in the room became excited, you could feel it. The excitement came from the
realization that, at the 45% attendance level, the building would be in line to
receive a phase II addition, which would mean a “real” chapel among other
improvements.
This past week was once again
pasty making week. We have just four more pasty making adventures left before
we return to Utah. Because of the flu we were short handed. But, in spite of
really sore muscles and clothes and hands that smelled like pasties and onions,
it is always a satisfying experience meeting once again with, and working with,
this dedicated group of seniors. Some of these individuals have been making
pasties 20 years and more. They will miss us and we them.
In our visits with members this
past week we had some choice experiences. One family where the sister has agoraphobia
(a fear of, or, anxiety around crowds) wants to take up our suggestion of
attending church services seated in a room away from the congregation where the
proceedings of the service could be transmitted and where they can still
partake of the sacrament. We are making progress with the 9-year-old daughter
of the Carlson family. We have been teaching the family by adapting and
simplifying the standard missionary lessons. We are using a three ring binder
we have named “Carlson Family Memories”. We have included pages the kids can color, pages with goals, pages with activities, simple directions to the parents of weekly concepts they can emphasize with small/short assignments for the coming week. For example this week the kids
(her 10-year-old brother is already baptized) have been asked to tell us a
story about a prophet from the bible. Our lesson will be about the necessity for
prophets and the restoration of prophetic leaders for us today. It’s fun. We even
had the father singing “Birds in the Tree” from the Children’s Songbook during
our last visit where the lesson was about families.
 |
| The Carlson Family |
Outside today it's sunny and -5 with a wind
chill of -25 to -30, inside it’s 72. Who knew that visiting the U. P. during the Winter of 2012-2013 would be a warmer experience for some of you!
Today we are staying in…besides it’s P-day
for us.
With twice warmed hearts,
Elder and Sister Johnson
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