Reflections on Service

In reading the local paper (Online edition) I noticed an article about the sentencing of a woman for a home invasion robbery. She had broken into several homes looking for drugs. It is sad to think that a 37 year old mother of four would find herself in such desperate circumstances. She pled guilty to the charges and since this is her first offense the judge did not send her to prison rather he assigned her to the local county jail where she can get help for her addiction. I was attracted to this article by the woman's name. It seemed like a name I recognized from the branch list. Sure enough. It is a member we know little about having not yet been to her home for a visit.

It occurred to me that this good sister needs some help, love and support. These are the people the Savior was referencing when he said, "they that be whole need not a physician, but they that are sick." We are the workers on whom the Lord depends for that care..."and now, as ye are desirous to come into the fold of God, and to be called his people, and are willing to bear one another’s burdens, that they may be light; yea, and are willing to mourn with those that mourn; yea, and comfort those that stand in need of comfort... Mosiah 18: 9-10. So, are we willing?

Sister Johnson and I brought up this woman's predicament to the branch council. To their credit they have begun the process to see her and to discover how we may be of service to her and her family. The young missionaries were already set to visit an investigator at the jail so they will try and see her this week. Look around you. Be sensitive to others needs. Be a blessing to all. Become as the Savior is.

We have had a new missionary come to us this week, Elder Aubrey from American Fork, Utah. He is the fifth of a family with ten children. He will serve with Elder Smith who will be his trainer. Elder Church who was transferred to Chilton, WI as a senior companion, was an excellent elder. He overcame a less than totally engaged first companion to set an example for a strong work ethic and rule keeping. We will miss him.

Last week was pasty making week. This is a great but painful experience for us each month. We do a lot of lifting, pushing, reaching, standing, etc. but we are very much appreciated for the help we give the Senior Center. If I remember, next month I will shoot and post a video of each step of the process.

It has been another good week,

Elder and Sister Johnson

Ski Jumping and Prison...again

Here is an "old-timey" post card showing the Pine Mountain event.

 Today is the final day of the FIS Continental Cup Ski Jumping Tournament at Giant Pine Mountain. We dropped by on Friday to see what the venue was like. Turns out it was tailgating time even though the temperature was hovering around zero and the wind was such that the jumpers couldn't practice. People were building little ply-wood shelters to protect themselves from the elements. At least it was easy to keep the beer cold. It is the 73rd year the tournament has been here in Iron Mountain. That means it started here even before I was born. The local Kiwanis ski club  www.kiwanisskiclub.com is the main sponsor. Our branch president is the current Kiwanis president. One of his responsibilities is to help with the parking for the event so yesterday, he and the Elders were standing outside in the single digits and 20+ mph wind. He called late Saturday night after being outdoors all day asking me to teach the combined RS and Priesthood meeting on Sunday. His claim was, "he isn't as young as he once was". Who is? It was fine and turned out to be a good class.

 Bob Peters has been reading the B of M as he said he would and had some good questions to show for it. It is a truism that when we do things without focus or "intent" we don't pay the same attention as when it the result/payoff is personally meaningful to us. He was in church again today. We have high hopes for him.

 On Saturday we made the 2.5 hour drive to Iron River followed by Watersmeet and then on to the prison facility in Marenisco. We left a DVD about Jesus Christ in the door of the sister in Iron River who is the quilter that we met with last week. In Watersmeet we once again met the sister we have been reacquainting with the gospel after 30 years of no fellowshipping. She made us some very tasty lasagna for a quick lunch before I left to go to the prison facility. Sister Johnson then had a great time answering some of her questions and sharing some more of the gospel with her. She wanted to know about life after death...not, is there one; but, tell me all about it! Sister J. shared with her a video about Relief Society. Sister Anys was quite interested, it is a very nice video. She is sharing the DVDs we are leaving with a friend. She is also getting some push back about the Mormons from a local minister. It is good for us to be there often. (When you live 90 miles away often seems to be once a month) Sis J. also took the opportunity to practice the talk she gave in church today. It went well...both times.

 So if you have never been to prison and you need to go, this is the only way.  Show up with a minister's credential and you won't have to fill out all of the regular visitor paperwork. You will still have to go through the metal detector, be patted down and have the insides of your shoes examined. A small price to play to be able to visit the member I found in this very out of the way place. He has served 7 years of a 9.5 year sentence. He enjoys full membership in the church, whatever he did, (He will send me a letter explaining his mis-deed) was not serious enough for him to lose his membership. He is about half way through earning an Independent Studies degree from BYU. He really appreciated my visit. The last time someone had visited him was about 2 years ago. When he was 13 he sent for a free B of M advertised on TV. He read it and put it aside. Years later when he and his wife were going through a "rough patch" part of the decision they made was to see if they could find a new church they could both feel comfortable with. He found and gave the B of M, which he kept all these years, to his wife. His instructions were, "read this and see if this is anything we would be interested in". She came back 3 days later saying, "you've got to read this".  He did, for the second time, and then they called Salt Lake and had them send missionaries. Some sister missionaries came and as the say, "the rest is history".

 Speaking of missionaries, this is transfer week and we are losing Elder Church who came out the same time we did and Sister Brady up in Marquette. We will get some great new ones, that is they way of the mission.

Could life be any better,

Elder and Sister J

 

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