We had a miracle occur in our mission this past week. Anna, a young woman from China was baptized in December. She is here going to school for a doctorate degree. Her husband came to visit and he doesn't speak any English. She wasn't sure how to translate our 'church' terms into China and so it was hard to explain things to her. Well, it just so happened that a new sister missionary from the MTC because she speaks fluent Mandarin Chinese, was assigned to our mission until her visa comes. The mission president assigned her to the Historic sites and guess what???? The sisters were able to spend some time with Anna's husband and also get him books and pamphlets so he could study. He has already read over 100 pages in the Book of Mormon. Just chance that she was assigned here so that she could meet with him? Another interesting fact is that she had lived in his community in China for 4 months. Truly a blessing and a miracle.
We also had zone conference this week in Youngstown. Never been that direction before so it was new country for us. Was a snowy day but we didn't have trouble with the roads but those coming from Cleveland and Kirtland did. In fact our mission president was 45 minutes late. Was a great day and we learned lots and had a spiritual feast as we learned and shared testimonies. There was the usual 'keep your apartments clean,' 'stay healthy', 'drive safe', then a nice luncheon. In the afternoon we studied the pamphlet on the Law of Chastity. It was really good as we were taught by the young missionaries, shared our testimonies and taught them. Three elders in our group said they never had a real testimony of Chastity until they had studied it this week. OOPS... It really was good and we enjoyed the day. We loved being with all of the missionaries and feeling of their spirit.
Our mission president gave us some statistics on the 'new' missionaries. We have 29 new missionaries coming in the first week of March and will be opening up 13 new areas. Then six weeks later we will be getting 22 new missionaries with 10 new areas. We get 15 new cars and they are scrambling to find housing and of course trainers for that many. We have had about 170 missionaries in our mission but that will climb to 250. The work of the Lord is going forward. Hopefully they will be able to touch those who are prepared and ready to accept the gospel.
We had two men walk into the Johnson Home this afternoon. They were non members but had seen the sign of the Historic Home and came to check us out. We gave them history of the people and the home and also bore testimony of Joseph Smith, his revelations, and visitation of the Savior. They felt the spirit and seemed quite open, even took some pamphlets. We felt good about it and enjoyed sharing with them.
Sunday, February 24, 2013
Sunday, February 17, 2013
Well, we thought after the big last week things would slow down....not much. Monday the Holtrys traded us shifts and we were able to go to the Log Cabin in Burton, OH where they make maple syrup and candies. They were able to explain about the process of collecting the sap from the trees, cooking it and making the real maple syrup, which by the way is quite expensive. It takes about 50 gallons of sap to make one gallon of syrup. It was very informative. We see the buckets or plastic bags hanging on the trees so they are starting the collection process. Only happens in North America and only in the early spring when the sap flows in the maple trees before they begin to leaf out. Also visited another antique mall and then came home, had lunch, cheese sandwiches with some of the Hot pepper Jack cheese we had purchased earlier. YUUUUMMMM. After that she headed for Akron and her flight and we went to work at the Johnson Home. We truly loved our visit with her, was a special weekend and fun surprise. Glad it worked out with the Holtrys so we had the time with her.
Wednesday we went into Kirtland for the dentist again. Just a consult but still another hour trip into Kirtland. We have had 4 really special tours this week. One was a family with some small boys. Another was a girl and her aunt. The girl is attending BYU Idaho and is thinking mission but not sure. We gave her name to some of the sister missionaries and they will be calling her.... Both of them told of their conversion and shared healing experiences and testimonies. Another one was a group of three women who had come to celebrate a birthday, one has been inactive but has come back into activity. The one woman told of her mother who was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer and given weeks to live. She had a blessing by her sons, husband and friends and the next morning the doctor could not find any sign of the cancer. She is now in her 90's and going strong. Another couple from Idaho had just been released from their mission to the girls camp at Heber. They were so excited to visit the Johnson Home and kept saying over and over how much their testimonies were strengthened by being able to visit the places where these special events took place. We invite visitors to share testimonies of healing when we tell the story of Elsa Johnson's arm healing and then again in the revelation room where Joseph received over 20 known revelations, the Father and Son appeared and the Savior appeared several times and conversed with them. Many are really touched and share beautiful testimonies which only strengthens our testimonies and makes us so grateful for the opportunity to serve here.
Saturday we went to a baptism for a young father in our ward, Ryan Lynn. His wife is a member and he finally knew that he needed to be baptised. It was a special baptism and so many were there to support him. He just glowed. We came home from that and served our shift at the Home. Then we went back down to Ravenna to meet with Sis Alexander to try and get something going with the older singles in our ward. She is so excited and hopefully we can help and support her to get something going. Today it was back to the ward. It had snowed during the night so the roads were snowy and slushy, made it just fine however... We had a missionary correlation meeting and then ward council. As we reported on our singles goals several of the council were getting excited and offered to help. We might get something going yet. It has been a good week. We are feeling good, loving the work and staying happy.
Wednesday we went into Kirtland for the dentist again. Just a consult but still another hour trip into Kirtland. We have had 4 really special tours this week. One was a family with some small boys. Another was a girl and her aunt. The girl is attending BYU Idaho and is thinking mission but not sure. We gave her name to some of the sister missionaries and they will be calling her.... Both of them told of their conversion and shared healing experiences and testimonies. Another one was a group of three women who had come to celebrate a birthday, one has been inactive but has come back into activity. The one woman told of her mother who was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer and given weeks to live. She had a blessing by her sons, husband and friends and the next morning the doctor could not find any sign of the cancer. She is now in her 90's and going strong. Another couple from Idaho had just been released from their mission to the girls camp at Heber. They were so excited to visit the Johnson Home and kept saying over and over how much their testimonies were strengthened by being able to visit the places where these special events took place. We invite visitors to share testimonies of healing when we tell the story of Elsa Johnson's arm healing and then again in the revelation room where Joseph received over 20 known revelations, the Father and Son appeared and the Savior appeared several times and conversed with them. Many are really touched and share beautiful testimonies which only strengthens our testimonies and makes us so grateful for the opportunity to serve here.
Saturday we went to a baptism for a young father in our ward, Ryan Lynn. His wife is a member and he finally knew that he needed to be baptised. It was a special baptism and so many were there to support him. He just glowed. We came home from that and served our shift at the Home. Then we went back down to Ravenna to meet with Sis Alexander to try and get something going with the older singles in our ward. She is so excited and hopefully we can help and support her to get something going. Today it was back to the ward. It had snowed during the night so the roads were snowy and slushy, made it just fine however... We had a missionary correlation meeting and then ward council. As we reported on our singles goals several of the council were getting excited and offered to help. We might get something going yet. It has been a good week. We are feeling good, loving the work and staying happy.
Sunday, February 10, 2013
SURPRISE, SURPRISE, SURPRISE......Wow this has been a week of surprises and what a fun week it has been. Guess birthdays make for lots of fun. First of all Dan schemed with some of the other couples and they had a surprise birthday party for me Tuesday night. They fixed a delicious dinner, gave gifts and then we played games. It was the four couples of us that came out from the MTC together so it was a fun evening. Wednesday we drove to Kirtland for a dentist appointment, not too bad, and lunch with the FM (maintenance) missionary couple, Elder and Sister Miles. They are really a cute couple from California and we enjoyed being with them. When we walked into the visitor's center, there were three sr. couples and six sister missionaries all singing 'Happy Birthday' to us. We got lots of hugs and well wishes and we left with great big smiles on our faces. Who wouldn't be smiling with all those friends? Thursday was just a full day at the Johnson Home and then Friday the Holtry's said we should do FHE since we had missed it earlier because of parties and why not go to Subway for supper that night...okay that sounds good. Well, we got our sandwiches and then came home for our FHE. Sister Holtry got a phone call and ran into our bedroom to take it....that's a bit strange. Then a few minutes later there is a tap on our door. Dan opened it to find Melinda standing there...aaaaaaaaaaaaaaa...Melinda!!!!! Guess she had schemed with the Holtry's to make sure we would be there. They quickly left for home leaving us still smiling and shaking our heads. They told us they would serve all day Saturday and we could be with Melinda. Well, we did the temple, went out to see Lake Erie, did a tour at Kirtland, went to dinner at Mary Yodders, (Amish) bought a bumbleberry pie, checked out an antique shop, went to the cheese factory, and of course the Chocolate factory. Came home and grabbed a breath and went to Rootstown for a ward talent show. Melinda walks in and there are squeels and hugs. She found a friend from Provo. How fun!!!
Today we attended meetings in the ward and then came back to serve this afternoon at the Home. We did a tour for her and then about 4:40 one lady came by and we did a tour for her. She had just returned from a tour of duty and was trying to get home to Boston. We left the Home and drove over to Lorenzo Snow's childhood home. The family were so great to receive us and show us through the home. They love the history of the home and being able to share it. Was nice.... Came home and had waffles, played a game and watched a movie. I think we are all tired. Tomorrow we will do a couple of close things and then she heads for home and we face the rest of the week. It has truly been a fun, special week and we appreciate it all so very much. Thanks for the cards, gifts and well wishes. We will truly remember this birthday for a long time:) :) :)
I'm posting a couple of photos.... one of the Kirtland Temple, the Whitney Store, and sitting in the Lorenzo Snow home.
Today we attended meetings in the ward and then came back to serve this afternoon at the Home. We did a tour for her and then about 4:40 one lady came by and we did a tour for her. She had just returned from a tour of duty and was trying to get home to Boston. We left the Home and drove over to Lorenzo Snow's childhood home. The family were so great to receive us and show us through the home. They love the history of the home and being able to share it. Was nice.... Came home and had waffles, played a game and watched a movie. I think we are all tired. Tomorrow we will do a couple of close things and then she heads for home and we face the rest of the week. It has truly been a fun, special week and we appreciate it all so very much. Thanks for the cards, gifts and well wishes. We will truly remember this birthday for a long time:) :) :)
I'm posting a couple of photos.... one of the Kirtland Temple, the Whitney Store, and sitting in the Lorenzo Snow home.
Come and see us and we'll also give you the whirlwind tour.....
Sunday, February 3, 2013
What crazy weather we are having. Tuesday we had rain, I mean RAIN in buckets. Boy did it come down and of course that took care of the snow. So Wednesday night when we got home we didn't cover our windshield and guess what....snow in the morning. Goes from the 50's down to the single's. Some rollar coaster. Then Friday it began snowing about 8:30 that morning and didn't stop until after 8:30 that night. We ended up with 6 or so inches. They do some plowing here but the big thing is to salt the roads and so you can imagine what our car looks like....pretty sad. Will get a bath tomorrow.
Wednesday we went to a YW New Beginnings and it was really special. They had the theme "Choose where you put your shoes!" to go along with this years theme of stand in Holy Places. They had a pair of shoes for each color value and different activities to go with them. Some spiritual and some fun and sort of crazy. Very nice.... and then the refreshment was a cupcake made into a high heeled shoe. They have cute girls and very good leaders so it was fun to be with them.
On our P-day we went to a couple of antique malls and walked and walked until our legs gave out. I tell you there is no end to antique malls out here and some of them have some really nice stuff. The people at the one mall recommended a place for lunch and it turned out very nice. It was called the Welshfield Inn. I don't think we would have ever stopped there but we will go back.
It has been very slow at the home as far as tours go but we had a couple that we really enjoyed. The people are so fun to get acquainted with and are really touched with the spirit as they feel of the sacred things that happened here in this home with the Johnsons and the Prophet. We love it.
Good News!!! they came Wednesday and so far the furnace is fixed. We hope for good, love that central heating. Those little heaters just don't cut it.
Transfers were last week so we have 2 new sisters serving with us. Sister Bell and Sister Maynard were transferred out and we now have Sister Joseph and Sister Christiansen both from the SL area.
Wednesday we went to a YW New Beginnings and it was really special. They had the theme "Choose where you put your shoes!" to go along with this years theme of stand in Holy Places. They had a pair of shoes for each color value and different activities to go with them. Some spiritual and some fun and sort of crazy. Very nice.... and then the refreshment was a cupcake made into a high heeled shoe. They have cute girls and very good leaders so it was fun to be with them.
On our P-day we went to a couple of antique malls and walked and walked until our legs gave out. I tell you there is no end to antique malls out here and some of them have some really nice stuff. The people at the one mall recommended a place for lunch and it turned out very nice. It was called the Welshfield Inn. I don't think we would have ever stopped there but we will go back.
It has been very slow at the home as far as tours go but we had a couple that we really enjoyed. The people are so fun to get acquainted with and are really touched with the spirit as they feel of the sacred things that happened here in this home with the Johnsons and the Prophet. We love it.
Good News!!! they came Wednesday and so far the furnace is fixed. We hope for good, love that central heating. Those little heaters just don't cut it.
Transfers were last week so we have 2 new sisters serving with us. Sister Bell and Sister Maynard were transferred out and we now have Sister Joseph and Sister Christiansen both from the SL area.
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