Prison, A Quilter and Beagles

 We enjoyed a very good week. On Tuesday we received a response from a letter we sent to a 30 year old Elder who is incarcerated in a minimum security facility way out west in Marenisco, MI. Pres. Berry wanted us to contact him and see about his situation. He is a tithe payer and his letter indicated a strong interest in contact with other church members. We will combine our visit to him with one to the member living in Watersmeet which is along the way. On Saturday we visited with two less active families we hadn't been able to see before. These families live in Iron River about 60 miles from here. (See documentary film of the trip below, warning...a full screen viewing will make you sick) One is a young husband with a 2 year old and a non-member wife. He indicated a willingness to receive us for future visits. The other is an older sister; who was excited to see us and, as it turns out, is accommodating an LDS friend while she is going through a separation. Sister Johnson was able to establish a great relationship with this new sister because she is a "professional" quilter. Her position in the Relief Society allows her to know about activities and other events we can encourage these sisters to attend.

 We are still teaching a less active family and a less active single man each week. The brother has attended church each of the last two weeks. The family we teach is more challenging. Church attendance is our goal but distance from church and the father's Sunday job are serious barriers. Our most exciting news, however, is the committing of our investigator Bob Peters, whose entire family are members but him, to read the B of M. At our last District meeting we visited with the sisters about their success with Br. Syria (he was baptized) who's wife and family have been members for the last 30 years. The sisters' insights were most helpful and then we, as a District, were committed to follow up more frequently with our investigators which we have done with Bob. He has 25 years of inertia to overcome so once he is rolling we need to be there to keep him rolling. I was impressed to encourage him to keep a journal with the B of M so that as he reads he can record not only questions but impressions that will come to him. I assured him that this journal will become one of his most valuable possessions. I believe he will be blessed and touched. I reminded him that prayer before scripture reading is always a good idea as well.
 We met another less active member on Wednesday. He moved up here from Milwaukee and built a nice house overlooking a forest area. His backyard is a veritable local zoo. He gets visits from all types of local fauna including bobcats looking to lunch on his beagles. His beagles are used to hunt rabbits. The hunters use automatic pistols which gives the rabbits more than just a fighting chance.

It's been a fun week.
Elder Grandpa and Sister Grandma

A Great Branch Conference, Ramblings

 Yesterday we attended one of the best branch (ward) conferences we have ever had the opportunity to attend. What was so special? Plain and simple truths were taught in a most profound way. Spirits spoke to spirits; instruction edified and lifted and expressions of love and friendship were genuine. In short we had a mini "Zion" experience. We are continually astounded by the depth and power of the commitment of the saints here in the "mission field". We received the 2012 stake goals, the activation and attendance parts of which fit exactly with what we have been led to do since we arrived in Iron Mountain. We will continue to contact less actives, where we can find them, and follow up with correcting the branch records so that we can get a more accurate picture of Home/Visiting Teaching activity and Sacrament Meeting attendance. We can certainly do more and we are looking forward to Spring and Summer when the weather will be less of a barrier.
 You might remember I referenced a member whose "name " was Pops. Well, during the sustainings I found out his first and middle names are actually Lacey Dudley so "Pops" seems like a perfect nickname. He is from Tennessee where those names may be some of the more prestigious ones. I don't know.
 Sister Johnson received in the mail a response to a birthday card from the Relief Society she sent to a less active sister. The sister was very much impressed by the thoughtfulness of that small gesture. We have been at this sister's door at least twice since we have been here but never found her home. We will be making another effort later this week.
 It was -1 this morning when we awoke and it was snowing. I remember telling my children it was too cold to snow...apparently not. The best part, however, is that I can remove the snow with my broom because it is so dry. Also it is totally crunchy to walk on.
 The Oldsmobile (My spell check doesn't think Oldsmobile is a real word. Maybe that is how you know your time is up, you begin to gradually disappear from databases.) is holding up very well. I just had the 120,000 mile service done and except for half-gone brake pads everything is copesetic. (It doesn't think that is a word either.) I've replaced the radiator and installed winter tires but except for routine maintenance that is it. We are putting about 2,000 miles a month on the car, but that is why I brought it to Wisconsin/Michigan.
 It has occurred to me that the reason seniors have so many aches and pains is this; it is a reminder to endure to the end. Our Savior's actual pains were so much more intense and there were so many more and He endured to the end. Our pains are a small reminder of His pains and His example to endure.

And so we will,
Elder and sister Johnson

Nimrod, -30 and 4th Time's the Charm

 Monday of this week we had the opportunity to once again meet with the sister who lives in Watersmeet, the home of the Nimrods. (Nimrod, according to the bible, was a mighty hunter. See "Man's Dominion" Hugh W Nibley, October 1972 New Era) We had arranged to pick up some Christmas DVDs we had mailed to her. Before we went to her house we ate lunch at "Big Mama's" where I had the Nimrod sandwich. I recommend it. She invited us to come in and visit with her about the B of M. as she was confused about some of the timelines. We were there two hours because of her interest and questions. We left for her use a copy of the 2011 October Ensign the special B of M issue. She was excited about what she was learning and kept saying "marvelous", "fantastic", "isn't that great", etc. This particular sister was baptized over twenty years ago in Florida; soon after that she moved to Texas where she married. She and her husband then moved to the U.P. where her family was from. Her husband died 2 years ago a victim of MS. She was a member in name only having lost all but minimal contact with the church. She was "just" a name on our list of branch members when we first met her. What a blessing it has been for us to have met her. She had questions about the afterlife which we will address on our next visit.
 So here was the the weather advisory we tuned in to last week...
... VERY COLD WIND CHILLS EXPECTED THIS MORNING AWAY FROM LAKE  SUPERIOR OVER WESTERN UPPER MICHIGAN...  A LOW PRESSURE SYSTEM LOCATED OVER EASTERN LAKE SUPERIOR HAS PUSHED A  COLD FRONT THROUGH MOST OF UPPER MICHIGAN EARLY THIS MORNING.  TEMPERATURES THAT HAVE FALLEN INTO THE SINGLE DIGITS ABOVE AND BELOW  ZERO... ALONG WITH STRONG NORTHWEST WINDS GUSTING UP TO 30 MPH... WILL  LEAD TO VERY COLD WINDS CHILLS THIS MORNING.  EXPECT WIND CHILLS OF 20 TO 30 BELOW ZERO THIS MORNING AWAY FROM LAKE  SUPERIOR OVER THE WESTERN HALF OF UPPER MICHIGAN. TEMPERATURES WILL  BE NEARLY STEADY TODAY AND WITH WINDS GRADUALLY DIMINISHING THIS  AFTERNOON... THE WIND CHILLS WILL WARM SLIGHTLY INTO THE TEENS BELOW  ZERO.  THESE VERY COLD WINDS CHILLS COULD RESULT IN FROSTBITE AND  HYPOTHERMIA IF PRECAUTIONS ARE NOT TAKEN. BE SURE TO DRESS  APPROPRIATELY BEFORE HEADING OUTDOORS. REMEMBER... SEVERAL LAYERS OF  LIGHT CLOTHING PROVIDE BETTER PROTECTION FROM THE COLD THAN A SINGLE  HEAVY GARMENT. MITTENS ARE WARMER THAN GLOVES. BE SURE TO WEAR A HAT  THAT WILL PROTECT YOUR EARS FROM THE DANGER OF FROSTBITE.
 I have never really ever owned a winter hat and I thought I would be able to get away with not buying one here, plus I didn't want a knitted beanie or one with giant earflaps that you tie over your head; although I am told by U. P. guys that chicks dig them. I settled on the expensive but guaranteed for life Tilley winter hat. It even comes with earflaps that pull down when needed.

Cute Huh!

 Yesterday we were excited to witness the first convert baptism in Iron Mountain since we arrived. Elders Church, Day and now Smith have been teaching this young man since October right after Elder Church arrived. (Elder Church came out the same time as us.) Tony's original date was Dec. 24th. but the girl with whom he was living was not interested and finally ultimated ;) that it was either her or the church. Tony had a testimony by then so it was not that hard of a decision for him to make. The challenge came yesterday afternoon. It seems Tony is extremely afraid of water, not the drinking of but the going under. The first attempt at the baptism saw Elder Church making a mistake with the prayer and Tony's feet coming up. On the second attempt Elder Church made a different mistake with the prayer and Tony's hair and hand surfaced. On the third attempt the prayer was fine, but now Tony, who is completely flustered and very agitated, begins to hyperventilate and passes out in the water in Elder Church's arms. Elder Church handles it very well eventually picking up the small Tony and carrying him back into the men's dressing room where he revives. To his credit Tony calms down and indicates he is ready to continue. So...the 4th time was the charm. A most unusual baptism, but a baptism for sure. All and all a great and wonderful experience.

Cold but so alive,

Elder and Sister Johnson

Naugas and Black Boxes

 This week we enjoyed the first major snow storm of the year. We left for our Friday zone meeting on Wednesday evening to be ahead of the storm. It arrived, with wind, from the northwest and literally blew across the state of Wisconsin. It only deposited 4-5 inches on the flat but there were drifts that needed to be shoveled and plowed. We braved the storm to find me a coat. Although it has been "cold" and I already bought a heavy coat, I needed a lighter one because we are not out in the weather that much. I decided on a vinyl, faux leather, coat. At least it wasn't naugahyde as Naugas are an endangered species;)

 This was one of our quarterly zone meetings. I commented to Sister Johnson that it would be worth it to be on a mission just to attend these meetings with the Elders and Sisters. President Jones gave us his goal for baptisms in 2012. (300) He cautioned the missionaries that it was his responsibility to set the goal for the mission. It is our responsibility to work hard and leave the the conversions to the Lord. So it comes back to that old maxim (I made it up a couple of weeks ago) Activity Equals Opportunity. Make the visits and the calls, keep the commandments, follow the rules and expect something (good) to happen. The Elders and Sisters were required to bring their cars to this meeting to have them inspected for wear, damage and cleanliness. Also at the meeting technicians attached black-boxes to the cars that will send information to Salt Lake about how the cars are actually driven. Most every modern car already has a computer that stores and can release all of the information (speed, braking, temperature, etc.) collected in the course of everyday driving. These black-boxes are private, however, and are not subject to privacy issues that already starting to be debated about the B-Bs the manufacturers install.

 So how are we doing? The following pictures will give you an idea.

Me, giving everyone in earshot the 211 about all things important.

Sister Brady, cute Senior Sister and Sister Maughn

We're having a great time, wish you were here!

Elder and Sister Johnson

Snow, Ice and a Dead Refrigerator

 So it's winter in the U.P., we think. Just like in much of the country it has been unusually warm here with one day last week getting up to 50. I've enclosed a couple of photos that prove we do still have some snow and ice to deal with.  This photo was taken in the parking lot of the chapel in Marquette. New Years Day we had a snow storm that turned into a lake effect monster with some areas, along the coast, getting 2 feet or more. Marquette received about a foot. This photo was taken at our District meeting on Wednesday. This was a transfer week in addition to a holiday week.

 New to our district and new to the mission field is Elder Serrano from Orem. He was sent to Houghton on the Keewaunau peninsula, the farthest north city in the U. P.; it literally snows there every day. We have two other missionaries who transferred into the district. They seem like great missionaries. One, Sis. Bastian, "got" to come to Marquette where she replaced Sis. Maughn. The new missionaries are well trained and enthusiastic and we are always excited to get them. 

 This week we moved some of our regular lessons around and began new teaching cycles with Br. Peters and the Kopskis. People make progress at different rates. Also I was finally able to talk again with the young man who had requested a B of M and a Bible.  Lucas is a very busy young adult so it may be awhile before we can connect. He said he needs to go Marquette for some training. That is a good thing. While in the city where Lucas lives we shared the "Bible Videos" with a sister in her 80s. We have them loaded on the I-pad, she became fascinated with the miracle that is the tablet computer. We agreed, it seems like a miracle for sure. The I-pad has given us an extra dimension to our efforts. Some have heard rumors that the missionaries in Japan have I-pads issued to them. I don't know about that but I can see where they will become a part of missionaries' futures. (Thanks again to our wonderful families for their thoughtful gift of our I-pad, it has made a BIG difference!)

 In a place where the winter temperature rarely is above freezing you would think a refrigerator would have a easy time of it. But nooooo, ours figured it was time to go on vacation. We tried everything including plugging it in several different outlets. No luck, it kept tripping breakers. Our landlord came and replaced the breaker to no avail. Turns out the repairman couldn't come until Monday, 4 days later. So, we have taken our food from our refrigerator to an empty one at the church. We have eaten out more (found at least one good restaurant), eaten stuff that comes in cans and boxes and reduced our grazing. Turns out that living where it is cold in the winter does have one advantage, we are able to store perishables outside on our deck. In spite of the afore mentioned warming trend it is still cold enough at night to keep our stuff cold.

 Speaking of cold, below is a picture of a circular depression just 3 blocks from the house in Kingsford. When we arrived in September we could not figure out what it was for. Now you can see that it is used as a skating/hockey rink, and has been for years. By the way it is across the street from the only Mexican restaurant we have found in the area...Maria's Cantina.

Can you find the hockey pucks, there are at least two?

We had a great Testimony meeting today with one member giving thanks and credit to a faithful home teacher who stuck with her and helped her back into activity. I was also asked to give a blessing of comfort to a non-member who is having some real challenges at home. She came to church with her member friend. It felt great to be on the Lord's errand and to help provide comfort to her that only the Lord can give His children.

With love from the U.P.,

Elder and Sister Johnson

Life of a Missionary...Revealed

 The last couple of weeks we have prepared and taught some lessons, visited the sick, retained a new doctor, paid some bills, ordered new sheets and a coat, lived through both Christmas and New Years Eve, baked and delivered holiday cookies to members and investigators, cleaned, shopped, did laundry, prepared meals, avoided cold and snow, "Facetimed" our families, talked with our grand children, survived another transfer, fed missionaries, knitted caps for newborns, traveled to Marquette for district meetings, reported to the mission president, felt the Spirit of the Lord and just enjoyed our service opportunity. Those of you who have served missions will recognize the many mundane things that missionaries do. It seems, as Senior Missionaries, that is all we do...but then again our clothes aren't strewn all over our apartment and our dishes are done more than once a week.


 Oh another thing; the missionaries were out of the monthly miles they are allowed for their car with one day to go in the month so being good missionaries they went tracting all day the 31st. They reported finding 5 individuals who invited them back. I reminded them that activity equals opportunity. Because they chose the harder path, it (activity) brought them success (opportunity). It's a true principle of life that works for all of us. If you want success in life one way is to learn to do the worthwhile things others refuse to do.


 And finally for you Genealogy/Family History buffs. If you haven't seen this already make a note because it is soooo cool. Enjoy. 
https://lds.org/youth/family-history/serve?lang=eng#see-my-family-tree

For your enjoyment what follows is the conversion story of Shari Lane a member of the branch, a nurse and the first convert to be baptized in the Iron Mountain Branch.

Shari Lane’s Conversion Story:

  Iron Mountain Branch

I was 21 years old; my husband was in the Air Force, stationed at Grissom AFB, Indiana.  We were renting a mobile home, which was located in the middle of a field, out in cow country.

One day, there was a knock at the door, and there stood a man who said, "Would you like to save money on your car insurance?" There had been a blizzard the night before, and the snow was hip deep.  He had braved walking across the field in that deep snow! So I took pity on him and invited him in for a piece of homemade bread, that I’d baked that morning, and a cup of coffee.

He answered, "The bread sounds great, but I’ll pass on the coffee."

"I suppose everyone gives you a cup of coffee, you’re probably all coffee’d out, hey!"

"Actually, I don’t drink coffee – it’s against my Church’s beliefs, and it’s against my personal convictions."

"What on earth kind of church doesn’t drink coffee?”

"The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints; I’m a Mormon."

The first words out of my mouth were, "Wow! How many wives do you have?"

He laughed and explained the Church does not practice polygamy, as most people think.  But I knew nothing about the Mormon Church, so I started asking questions about what they believe.

Two hours later, we were still sitting at my kitchen table, my Bible open, and I was asking one question after another!  The poor guy was a new convert, baptized just 6 months previous.

I was raised Baptist, and knew my Bible well!  He apologized for not having all the answers, but he said that surely I was not the 1st to ask these questions.  And if the Church didn’t have the answers, it would have never have stood this long.

And he knew a couple of fellows who knew the answers to any questions I might have!  He said he’d send the missionaries to talk to me, but in the meantime, would I like to come to dinner and meet his wife and kids?

"Oh, your wife would shoot you if you brought home a stranger for dinner without letting her know!"

"No, really, she loves to be imposed upon!"

He gave me directions, and since my husband wasn’t going to be home for supper that night, I went.  What a wonderful family! Their home was so "homey", and their 2 little boys were so happy!  Sure enough, his wife was delighted to have a stranger walk in for supper!  We talked of food storage, and a living Prophet and Apostles. Their beliefs were fascinating, and I wanted to know more!  The wife invited me to a Relief Society social.

A few days later, she and I went to the Chapel where there was a gathering of "Sisters", and long tables of food.  The thing that struck me, was that the women were incredible!  I kept thinking that if any one of them were placed in the midst of a crowd, they would stand out somehow – they would glow!   I was certain that every head would turn and everyone would be aware that they were in the presence of someone very special.

The girl smiled and said, "Isn’t that wonderful!"

"You mean you believe me?"

 "Of course, we all lived in the spirit before this life, and we knew one another!"  She told me about the pre-existence, (and about a book called "Added Upon", which I have since read.)

 Wow!  I was hooked!  This Church had the answers I had been searching for, for many years.  And their answers made so much sense.  A living Prophet and Apostles, the counsel to have food storage, the knowledge of the pre-existence and much more!

 My Husband and I started the discussions with the missionaries, but the Air Force decided to give him an "early out", and we left the area very quickly.  We came to the UP, where we wanted to make our home and raise a family.  I soon realized the LDS Church was not to be found here.

 The next 3 years, there was an empty space inside of me that just kept growing bigger, and more empty.  I prayed for 3 years that the Lord would show me "The Truth", and I vowed to follow Christ.

 At La Leche League, I met a gal, Laurie, who was moving out of Niagara, and we were moving in.  Her toddler fell down the basement stairs and needed stitches.  She came to my door and asked if I'd keep her nursing infant while she took her little girl to the ER.

 When Laurie returned, I told her I thought I might be pregnant again.  She was leaving the next day, but she gave me her new address and said to drop a Christmas card and let her know if I was. I thought to myself, I don’t even know this gal, I’m not going to write to her.

 A few months went by, and I was indeed pregnant – but sadly I miscarried the baby.  I was very sorrowful, and my Husband freaked out.  He wouldn’t let me talk about it, and I didn’t know anyone there.

One day, I was looking for something in a desk drawer, and found Laurie’s address. Starved for someone to talk to, I sat down and poured my heart out in a letter, and sent it to her.

 A week later, her answer arrived. She too had lost a baby recently, and she said my feelings were very much like hers. In the course of the letter, she referred to Heavenly Father, and Relief Society.  I threw the letter up in the air and shouted for joy! I had found the Church again!

 Laurie lived 50 miles away; I got directions at a gas station.  When I knocked at her door, she looked confused, "I didn’t expect to see you again, come on in, what are you doing in Escanaba?"

"I came to see you!"

 "Wow, all the way out here, just to see me?"  She sat me down at the table with her daughter and a bowl of chili.  She looked really confused!

 "Where is the Church?" I blurted out!

 "Well… I belong to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints; I’m a Mormon….."

 "Yes, I know, that’s why I’m here!  Where is the Church?"

 She nearly fell off her chair! Three families with young children had recently moved into the Iron Mountain area, and they were taking turns meeting at each other’s houses. They had just received a pair of missionaries.

That was 1977, and I was baptized in Timm’s Lake, near Pembine -- the 1st baptism in the Iron Mountain Branch.

Merry Christmas 2011

We hope that, like us, you are enjoying the special spirit of the

Savior’s birth and life that we are experiencing this wonderful time of year

May we keep that spirit this Christmas season and always

Is our fervent prayer

Merry Christmas

From

Elder and Sister Johnson