Thanksgiving Again and "You've Gotta Have Heart"

 We had been invited to spend Thanksgiving with Steve and Jan Lewis the branch mission leaders; however he became ill and was in the hospital. We took the opportunity to invite a single less active brother to a wonderful dinner that Sister Johnson made. 

2012 Thanksgiving Dinner created by chef Dawnine

(The dinner was great but all the extra effort and time on her feet gave her another reason, besides tryptophan, to take the traditional Thanksgiving Day nap.)  He is a fine man who was baptized a couple of years ago and whose young but not too responsible, family (non-members) gives him fits. I think Satan is whispering in his ear that since he joined the church, and his problems have been compounding, that the church must be the problem. It’s a common mis-perception and we all deal with it, “Who am I, saith the Lord, that have promised and have not fulfilled? I command and men obey not; I revoke and they receive not the blessing. Then they say in their hearts: This is not the work of the Lord, for his promises are not fulfilled” (D&C 58:31–33). We had the opportunity to talk with him about faith, patience and enduring. We would hate to lose him for the Lord’s sake, his sake and ours.

 Sadly, all of the other appointments we set last week were cut short or cancelled because of illness. At least our less-actives know we care about them and I am not just referencing the plate of cookies and pecan tarts that Sister Johnson also made and we took around. We have also had productive correlation meetings with the young elders. Since we have been here in Iron Mountain for a long (but happy) time we remember investigators previous sets of missionaries dropped. One of those investigators is talking about baptism. Yet another reason for Senior Missionary couples.

 Things are coming together well for our Mormons Next Door presentation next Saturday. We held a run-through after church yesterday and the participating members and others who watched it are all excited. We are getting reports of interest from friends and acquaintances of members. Like it usually happens it is the most recent members who seem to follow through the best. We took an invitation to a local judge and his wife who we met through our service at the senior center. They are very outgoing and open-minded. She said she would be there. (Her husband Ray, broke his foot while golfing and it is still healing but that is another story.)

 Now, to the report of our visit to the cardiologist for consultation about my suspected heart problem. The good news is there is probably not a problem and if there is, it is minor enough that no action needs to be taken at this time. They were worried about a dark spot on the “picture” of my heart that might indicate the muscle is not getting enough blood because of a blockage. Three things reduced his concern; first I have no real symptoms, second the dark spot could be the result of some other test variable and not actually there and third going in to look would be way more problematic, at this point in time, than just waiting and watching. For the most part he was happy with the medications I’ve been prescribed, some of which I’ve been on for 30+ years. The statins, in fact, may have gone a long way to prevent the heart problems that have plagued my brothers.

Not my heart even though there is a dark spot at the tip not unlike the one on my own heart.

With all our "heart(s)"... love, Elder and Sister Johnson

 Here is a photo from last week's Senior Missionary Training. The Ekins from Delta, UT and the McCalls from SC, left early before the picture was taken.

From left to right President and Sister Jones from Monroe, UT; The Johnsons from West Valley, UT;
The Heinzs from Gresham, WI: The Smarts from Clifton, ID; The Fackrells from Santa Clara, UT;
The Woods from No. Ogden, UT; The Shumways from Las Vegas, NV
 and the Rileys from Orem, UT.

Senior Training and Pig BBQ

 We experienced our usual highs this past week. We continue to make progress with Br. Rich Matson. Sister Johnson has asked him to play his acoustic guitar at this years Christmas sacrament meeting program. She has requested he play Silent Night. We think it will be a beautiful and spiritual experience. He hasn’t said yes yet but Dennis Klingman has offered to play chords on a different guitar to back him up. (This is only so he will feel more comfortable) Getting him to attend church is our foremost goal. Once more, while meeting with Bob Peters our investigator, we had an outpouring of the Spirit. It is frustrating because we know he experiences it, and this was not the first time. He will just not commit to baptism. We have explored the “why” and there is no good reason. Bob has been attending longer with more positive impact on the branch than many of the members. He would be such a great addition. He is still reading the Book of Mormon, attends church almost weekly and is praying (although he could pray with a little more intent). Family is not an issue. We think it may have to do with the deep hurt he experienced when his wife of 30+ years divorced him with “no good reason”. He may blame the church or someone in it, we can’t really tell. Those of you reading this blog who have any inclination, please join us and pray for him by name. Pray for him to receive the answers he seeks and we don't mean just about joining the church. He is troubled and needs the comfort that only the Savior's love brings. He invites us back for these weekly lessons and is happy to see us so, even though  we talk boldly, we don't think he feels like we are pressuring him.

 On Friday we attended a Senior Missionary training meeting in Oshkosh, our third. They just keep getting better. It was good to be able to meet the other seniors that have been called to serve here. They are all wonderful people with powerful and varied talents and testimonies. We anticipate they will be responsible for much future success in this mission. It did occur to us that from the stand point of being examples and because of the help senior couples offer to mission presidents, that senior missionary numbers will grow right along with the increased numbers of young missionaries. It was another witness to us of the importance of the revelation to adjust the missionary calling age. Coupled with the call for more seniors it is further evidence of God’s timeline for His creation, Earth. (Hint, the Lord is hastening the work see Matthew 24:22, I read "elect" as Saints). At this meeting were asked to teach the Restoration lesson using mormon.org. All of the missionary lessons are there under the heading "Our Beliefs" and President Jones wanted us to demonstrate how that could be done. We had never done it. To our knowledge no one in the mission had. Sister Johnson took the lead with the preparation and presentation and did a great job up to the point where the technology failed her. She was counting on the text from some of the slides on the webpage that didn't load and since it was our first time she had to "vamp" (look it up) her way through it. One of the Senior Missionaries complemented her on the great job although she was understandably a little frustrated. 

 We had a great experience in the Temple on Saturday. It was beautiful sunny, crisp fall day. 

You don't often see the back of the Chicago Temple, so here you go.

It wasn’t busy like we thought it might be. There was a wedding and it was kind of fun seeing all of the guests and the wedding photographers all waiting for the bride and groom. We did see and were able to visit with President and Sister Castleton (The Temple President and Matron) in the Temple. They had visited the Iron Mountain branch and spoken in Sacrament meeting about six weeks ago. They remembered us and were very supportive. On our way home we made our traditional stop at the "Apple Holler Family Farm". OK it was only the second time we have stopped there, the first being on our way home from the Temple last year, but it would become a tradition if we lived here. They have a wonderful menu with a great Cracker Barrellish ambience. Sister Johnson was right at home.

Let me describe, if possible, the wonderful dish Sister Johnson is eating, which BTW we
both ordered separately. The orange crinkly things are sweet potato fries. The name of
this deliciousness is "Pig BBQ", not elegant but descriptive, and consists of pulled
pork shoulder, onions, Wisconsin cheddar cheese and the most tasty BBQ sauce
you can imagine. The sauce, like everything else in the place, is made using a
small amount of apple in the recipe. All of this goodness was draped over
a French baguette that, as you can see, didn't quite fit. The only
thing missing were the bibs. Check it out online.

 We are headed to Green Bay on Tuesday (We will be missing district meeting) for an appointment with the cardiologist. He and I will discuss the results of my stress test and he will render an opinion as to my next step. We will let you know. 

It's great to be missionaries and y'all come out soon y'heah! (Sorry it's the Pig BBQ talking)

Elder and Sister Johnson

More Visitors from the West

 We enjoyed another busy week. Rich Matson is making great progress. He and his father are reading the Book of Mormon and asking questions. He has prayed nearly every week since we started teaching him. Our re-activated Elder, Dennis Klingman, lives in the same little town and has become friends with him. He invites Rich to come to church with him. The branch leaders are getting Rich to help his dad with the computer skills his dad needs as the new branch clerk. Sister Johnson has asked him to play Silent Night on his guitar at the branch Christmas sacrament meeting. When he does he will have then attended church, the last hurdle (excuse) before he returns to full activity.

 Elders Jones and Leavitt, our Zone Leaders, taught us at Zone Training Meeting this last week. We were once again reminded of the Spirit and power these young Elders possess. The organizational abilities, skills, concern, and pure love these elders share inspires not only us but also all of the elders and sisters in our district. This was demonstrated by the participation and willingness to commit to weekly goals by all present.  We always seem to learn something of value to help us with our investigators and less active members. This week came the reminder to ask those who are reading the Book of Mormon, “how does what we just read apply to your life?” Priceless! The meetings are all great but last week seemed extra special to us. The meeting was held 1/2 hour earlier than usual (although they forgot to tell us so we were late) because they needed to get to the town of Escanaba. They were moving furniture into a new apartment for an arriving Senior Couple, the Rileys from Orem, who have been assigned there. Not only will we have a new couple in the mission but they will be in our district. Yay! 

 We had another treat this week and I don’t mean pasty making, which came one week early because of the deer hunt. Our son Alex and his wife Amy, flew in from Mesa, AZ to visit for a couple of days. (Thursday – Saturday). It was really great to see and be with them. She is expecting their 4^th child, a boy, to arrive next March. He will be our 25^th grandchild.

Birthday gladiolas from Sister Johnson's visiting teacher.

 It was Dawnine's birthday on the 8^th so we scheduled dinner that night at the “The Four Seasons” resort where they stayed. A railroad company built it in 1925 to show off the north woods. Some members of the Chicago mob (think Al Capone) reportedly took a liking to the place, which made it the site of some nefarious activities.  It is situated on an island in the Menominee River about 8 miles east of Pembine, WI. (Still in our branch!) 

The Four Seasons Resort...it didn't look quite this lush and green last week!

Random visitors at the top of Pine Mountain.

 As you can see by the posted videos we captured shots of some daredevils, one who is climbing the rickety old ski jump on Pine Mountain; others, not with our party, are braving a seawall on Lake Superior, in a storm, even though the signs forbid it...there must be a college nearby.

 There are many, many veterans in the upper mid-west, Michigan, Wisconsin, etc., and that includes our branch. Even the Relief Society President is a veteran. So yesterday after church one sister made a cake and another brought ice cream and those that stayed paused to honor all those who have or are serving. The longer we live the more we appreciate this sacrifice. We are the "land of the free" because of the brave.

 Having family visit to support and encourage us coupled with the feedback we are receiving about how our children and grandchildren back home are focused on missionary work, is equally humbling and rewarding. And, to be able to live where we can freely share our message; our blessings are too many to even count.

With love, 

Elder and Sister Johnson

Spirals, The Deer Hunt and A Hernia

 It is humbling and amazing to see the way the Lord blesses those who keep His commandments. We are reminded of our own blessings or rather we see, with “new” eyes, the many blessings we enjoy by embracing His commandments when a less active member decides, with full purpose of heart, to rejoin the fold. As the reactivated member begins anew, step by step, to remake covenants, their blessings become many and easy to see. We, on the other hand, may have been taking those same blessings largely for granted.  An example of that is our Br. Klingman. With his new Elders Quorum presidency assignment he is now asked to teach the group at least once a month. This assignment means, of course, he will need to study and prepare. The experience will deepen his conversion, which will cause him to want to be closer to the Savior etc. This becomes an upward spiral, and it is a spiral not a circle, a growth spiral that leads him (and us all) to a perfected condition. 

We have been blessed to be and to continue to be a small part of this miracle.

 This coming week is Pasty week once again. It is scheduled one week earlier in November because nothing is allowed to get in the way of the deer hunt that begins on the 15^th. 

Bringing it home Yooper style.

 Also, this coming week our son and his wife are flying out from Mesa to see us and to see our area. They will be with us for just 3 days. They have asked to help with the Pasty preparation. We will see. The grandparents of his wife, our daughter-in-law, served their mission in Oshkosh and Iron Mountain in the 70s. Our daughter-in-law fondly remembers her grandmother’s pasties. One or two of the oldest members of the branch remember this couple, or think they do.

 

 We have friends (Gary and Nola Cockerham) who are serving in the office of one of the missions in the western U.S. Their president is telling them to expect a 30% increase in the number of missionaries in the next few months. According to what they have heard, because of visa restrictions, most of the recently called missionaries will be sent state-side. Procedural changes are being made. The MTC experience will be shortened, English speakers will have two weeks instead of three and foreign language missionaries will have six weeks instead of nine. In some cases the MTC experience will be skipped entirely with the training shifted to the mission. New cars, new apartments, new areas, new trainers, more office help needed, etc. we can’t imagine the challenges that will come with this latest “blessing”. The work is truly being hastened. (D&C 88:73)

 Elder Young who was "blessed" with a hernia which he discovered a few weeks back went into surgery last Friday to have it repaired. I picked up he and his companion at 5:45 AM that morning and went with them to the hospital. (I didn't know 5:45 came twice in one day) Everything went just fine. I knew he would survive when I offered to buy lunch for them and he said he wanted a "Baconator" and a large Coke from Wendys. I figured if the hernia didn't kill him then this probably wouldn't either. These Elders are amazing. They are frequently pressed into service moving members and non-members alike. I am surprised he has lasted this long without this happening. Also this week I was given the results of the stress test I took. My doctor was not happy with the results and has arranged for me to see a cardiologist later in the month. We will keep you posted.

With love,

Elder and Sister Johnson

A Fireside, A Trout and an EKG

 We enjoyed another full week. From FHE with a less active family on Monday to a Stake Youth Missionary Preparation activity on Saturday we were quite busy. Then on Sunday two less active members attended church for the first time in 3 years and a recent convert taught the Gospel Principles class, these two events were then followed with a Book of Mormon fireside, "A Journey of Faith"  Sister Johnson and I had previously arranged. We told the branch that we would provide a quarterly fireside the fourth Sunday of the first month of every quarter. Our next one will be the 27^th of January. We hold these firesides after a potluck meal served on that day. That way people don't have to travel as much because of the distances involved. 

 We are enjoying the Spirit of Elder Trout who took the place of Elder Allen. We think he will be a good replacement serving along side Elder Young here in the Iron Mountain branch. He transferred  from within 10 miles of the Illinois border all the way to Michigan. It is easy for him to make friends and he seems genuinely concerned when you talk with him. Elder Trout is is a twin and one of seven children. He has two older siblings then he and his brother (who is also serving a mission in Montana) are next. They entered the MTC the same day. There is another sibling then the final birth was another set of twins, a boy and a girl. The family is from Las Vegas. 

 A real highlight of the local missionaries’ activities this last couple of months was the activation of the five member Watt family. Those family members that could, received temple recommends and those who are not yet  fully eligible are working towards theirs. Their goal is to be sealed as a family. It’s humbling and exciting. In fact they will all be in the Chicago Temple this Saturday doing baptisms for the dead.

 We had another excellent meeting with Bob Peters our forever investigator. We asked him what his objections really are to being baptized. Why he didn’t do it with his family 30 years ago? He referenced the hypocrisy in the branch but what he couldn’t understand was the reason his own wife divorced him when families are so important in the church. We testified that his becoming a member wouldn’t change some things but what it would do, because of Christ’s Atonement, was allow him to forgive and must importantly allow the Savior to heal his heart. Tears flowed and the Spirit was thick. We once again challenged him to be baptized and to experience this wonderful gift from God. Our faith was strengthened and we are even more hopeful.

 In addition to our visit with Bob last Thursday we participated in two quite different events. The first was my (Elder Johnson's) visit to my doctor to check up on the meds I am taking to see if they are actually doing any good (they might be). While there I mentioned that my two younger brothers, each living life in a riotous manner (they have been known to eat cheeseburgers and even an occasional Polish Dog), had some troubling heart problems. One, the youngest, with full-on bypass surgery and the other recently undergoing a stent procedure. My doctor, never one to ignore my idle chatter, suggested we might want to just see what my insides, especially my heart, were up to. An EKG was administered by two 12 year old nurses, one with hands she must refrigerate between patients. After the machine whirred and buzzed it spit out a slip of paper indicating an electrical disturbance in a lobe of my heart. According to the doctor all perfectly normalish. The result is I have a stress test and a carotid artery ultrasound both scheduled for next Thursday morning. I did get even however by giving her a Book of Mormon with encouragement to read it. I asked and she did say it was the first Book of Mormon she had ever touched. Prayers in my behalf are solicited, much appreciated and will be readily accepted. 

 Our other Thursday event was attending the annual Breen Senior Center dinner to honor its many volunteers. the food was great. We have grown quite fond of several of the volunteers that serve area seniors at that facility. We both commented on the caliber of the people present and their positive attitudes. It has been an honor to help this worthy cause.

Having “real” fun,

Elder and Sister Johnson

Mission Tour and a "New" Place

 We had a busy week last week with our appointments, pasties, the mission tour and a youth missionary preparedness event in Marquette on Saturday. We felt good about all of the activity even though we continually notice we are unable to do all the things we used to be able to do. When we run we actually do “get weary” and I am pretty sure it has nothing to do with ignoring the Word of Wisdom, because we don't.

 Our General Authority visitor at the mission tour was Elder Golden of the Seventy. It was a very inspirational meeting. He reminded us that as members of Christ's Kingdom and His Church we, as a group, have very low expectations for ourselves and of what we are capable by exercising faith in the Lord's ability to move the work forward. He then challenged us to double and even triple the number of baptisms in the mission. I am pretty sure most of those in attendance will be embracing the same low expectations they came to the meeting with. It's simple. We all have a comfort zone and we do not like to be moved out of it. Those that are willing and do move become our leaders here and forever.

 Our branch council members were excited on Sunday when we presented the idea of the “Mormon Next Door” presentation we have arranged for. It will be 3:00 P.M. on Saturday December 1^st at the Dickinson County Library. At this point we will select various branch members to read the script because, after all…these people are the Mormons next door. They could introduce themselves as, “Hello, my name is Myron Berry, I’m a Mormon and I am your neighbor”. Our plan is to have the missionaries and members bring people (friends, relatives, part members, former investigators, etc.) who we will be able to follow through with after the meeting. Sister Johnson and I have been appointed to spearhead this activity. We will oversee promotion, refreshments, and handle the actual presentation details. If any of you would like a copy of this presentation just request it via e-mail and we will send it.

 Our little house here in Kingsford experienced a mini-extreme makeover. So just in case anyone has plans to visit us and they are using Google Street Views, we have posted pictures of the the place with its updated exterior.

Here is how she looked when we arrived 13 months ago. No beauty but serviceable. 

Here she is under construction from the rarely seen "backside" of the house.
(The A/C doesn't work and, according to the landlord, won't be repaired)

Here is the first "after" photo taken from near the same spot as the "before" photo.

Cool looking, eh? Next spring they plan to paint the window frames white. That will make them pop.

 We feel totally blessed to have such a nice place to call our "temporary" home. If they move the next set of Senior Missionaries to another place in the mission, which is likely, our landlord will probably sell this place.

 We continue, with the Lord’s help, to make good progress with the less active members we visit. We are trying to add more families to our teaching pool including some they have given us to home and visit teach.

Happy in the U.P. part of Zion,

Elder and Sister Johnson

A Striped House and a Presentation

We have enjoyed quite a wonderful and varied week. We took our P-day and traveled to the westernmost part of the mission to visit a branch member, an Elder, who is currently incarcerated in the prison located about six miles south of Marenisco Michigan. This will be the third time we have visited since we have been here. I visit while sister Johnson waits in the car. (She watches a movie on the computer) This young man (he’s 35) has been doing a splendid job with his life in spite of his circumstances. We help him as an e-mail go-between. He is allowed only 15 minutes at a time up to one hour a day on dedicated, e-mail only, kiosks. He will send us an e-mail regarding the college course he is currently taking and asks us to then forward it to his professor, counselor, the bookstore, etc. We then return any responses to him. We were able to discuss his hopes and dreams for after his release sometime in 2014. He makes only $50 a month with his prison job.  After paying his tithing, paying tuition and buying texts is a challenge. He has friends and members who help him with these expenses. When he is released he will almost be in his junior year of college.

One morning this week we were startled by loud banging on the house. It was like the house was being ripped apart. It sorta was. Our landlord had begun the process of removing decorative strips from the house before the installation of new siding. This gave the house a kind of striped effect. 

Our house waiting its new raiment. 

We are excited to see the completed new look. The update should be finished by Friday of this week. We will include pictures with the next post. We are told that the siding will be much lighter. If so, that will completely change the appearance. We have also been told that if the mission decides not to maintain the presence of couple missionaries in Iron Mountain our landlord and his partner may sell the place after we leave.

On Wednesday we arrived at the senior center, as agreed, to make the request that would allow us to present “The Mormon Next Door” slide show. However, they had moved the meeting time up without telling us so we couldn’t make the hoped for request. We did, however, have an alternative idea. I am excited to say we requested the use of a large meeting room at our local library to be able to share the presentation. When they understood we were not holding religious services but that our presentation would be informational they were very willing to grant our request. I have called the Branch President and cleared the idea with him. He was also excited. We are hoping to make the presentation December 1^st.  Unless the branch council decides differently we will involve local members with the presentation. If Romney wins next month it could actually become a big opportunity. President Jones found an unused projector in the mission home and left it with us for our use with our laptop. We will use it with our presentation. After buying and attaching a mini DVI to VGA connector everything worked perfectly. 

It has been extremely satisfying to watch our less active brother return to activity. Yesterday after a wonderful sacrament meeting with talks by the Chicago Temple President and Sister Castleton, Br. Klingman was sustained as the second counselor in the new Elder’s Quorum presidency. After Priesthood meeting he turned to me and humbly commented how blessed he was feeling. Next month when he visits his family, including a child with heart problems; he plans, he said, to take consecrated oil to give her a priesthood blessing. During our visit previous he asked us for a copy of “The Miracle of Forgiveness” which we were able to procure. It is times like this we can easily see where our service as Sr. Missionaries is used by the Lord to bless His children and more precisely the members of His kingdom. We feel blessed and are grateful to just be a part.

In it for the duration,

Elder and Sister Johnson

Bonus picture:

After using my old phone for the last 5 years I finally
broke down and bought a new iPhone 5. Yep it is the
"Bomb" as my daughter is fond of saying.