"Stand Ye In Holy Places", that is our theme for this transfer.  All of the sisters and some of the couples came to the Johnson Home for our training meeting and a tour of the home.  We all met at 8 and had doughnuts and juice, the training sisters did some training and then we divided the group into two and Holtrys did one tour and we did the others.  We had a total of 40 here with us.  Dan did the introduction in the Carriage house and then we divided.  Some of the sisters have never been here and others will not be able to come back so it was really a treat to be able to share the Johnson Home with everyone.  We truly stand in a holy place as we serve in this home because of the revelations and appearances of both the Father and the Son.  Joseph received over 20 known revelations in this home, 16 of which are recorded in the Doctrine and Covenants. Much of the foundation of the church was established in the Kirtland area including here at Hiram and the Johnson Home.  The more we study and serve, the more we love and appreciate the Johnson Family and their sacrifice for Joseph and the building up of the church.  Truly a special family who loved the prophet Joseph and the Lord, and truly a Holy Place.  Below is a photo of the sisters that were here for the training meeting.

     We had a very special tour today as a young couple from the Hiram area brought his mother from Peru.  He translated for her and she was so touched as she felt of the truthfulness of the things we were sharing with her.  She bore her testimony to us, in Spanish of course, but we felt of her spirit and her love of the gospel.  As the son shared things with her he was also touched and it was a very spiritual and special time and we loved and appreciated them for being there to touch our lives and strengthen our testimonies.
One day as we were driving around we found this tree farm and thought this was a fun thing to share.

 

On our P-day we drove down to Kent University and went into their museum.  It was showing fashions and history for the past 200 years, dresses, hats, shoes, corsets, etc.  Was well done.  One room also was a collection of glassware and another of dye resist techniques on different fabrics and from different countries.  Another room had a display of the vestibles (?).  the very ornate vests worn by the priests.  It was all very interesting.  We told the Holtrys about it so they went the next day on their day off.  It takes both of us to find the interesting things to do. We also got our taxes filed this week so that was a good thing, just watching for the refund now, YEA!                                             

As we have mentioned before, we have been assigned to work with the 30 and over singles in the Rootstown ward.  Well last night we had a meeting.  There were five of them in attendance and they are fired up.  They planned a barbecue for April 3 and are ready to run with things.  They are taking hold and going for it.  We are the cheer leaders, praising and encouraging.  Hopefully it will grow and be something special for these folks.  We have 97 of them on record.                                          

Friday night we attended the ward Chili Cook Off.  All of the missionaries ended up being the judges so we each had 8 cups with a bit of each of the chilies in them.  Taste this one, then that one, no for this one and maybe for that one.  Funny how they all tasted like chili....  We finally settled on # 8 with # 5 as alternate.  Turned out 8 was the reigning champion so he was pretty excited.  Some had hoped to dethrone him but we did our best.  Was a fun ward activity and good attendance.