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. 

Well, we have had snow all week long.  Probably only accumulated about 3-4 inches but it is nothing but fluff.  It falls like downy little feathers night and day.  Today we actually saw the sun and it warmed up to 27 degrees.  Course on our way down to church it was only 1 degree.  We haven't been bothered much with snow on the road, did have to shovel a bit at the Johnson Home.  Oh, and the furnace is out 'again'.  Hopefully more parts and a fix this week.  We are grateful that our office is warm with a little space heater and that tours don't take too long so it is not too bad.  Just feel bad for the visitors.
We had the special opportunity to be taught this week by Brother Karl Anderson.  He has been in CES here in Kirtland for thirty something years and he knows lots and lots about Kirtland.  It is truly amazing.  Well, he and his wife brought a couple that were on their way to serve as site directors at Sharon, VT , the prophets birth place.  Found out that he was related to Mildred Johnson from Huntington and had been in the little green home there in Huntington many times as a youth.  He also knows Garth Wakefield and Bob Tucker.  Small world.  Anyway, Brother Anderson invited us to be in the home with them.  Brother Anderson asked me to give the account of the Tar and Feathering of the prophet which I did.  Other than that we were taught by him. It was so special as we sat in the revelation Room and he read and explained the 76 Section of the Doctrine and Covenants, the way it happened, the people involved and what it really means.  We were truly taught and how grateful we were to be a part of that.
Then on Saturday our new site director Elder Sorenson from Cache county, has been a sealer in the Logan Temple, and his wife and the two training sisters came to meet us and do a tour.  We called in the Holtrys and together we were able to present the tour for them.  We split it up with the Holtrys, them doing some rooms and us the others.  We felt really good about what we said and know that we were helped and guided.  Elder Sorenson complimented us and talked to us about our presentation and then he taught us, again in the revelation room.  He talked about the power of the temple, and the power we have as members of the church who are temple worthy, the blessings and protection we are promised.  Wow, it was truly a special teaching moment!  It will be a great blessing to serve with them.  They are a strong and special couple.  It all sums up to another very spiritual week with great teachings.  There are no words to describe our feelings in serving here in the Johnson Home.  We just truly love it. 

Well, this has been one of those super special weeks and sorry I didn't post last night.  We were in Kirtland and didn't get home until late so decided it could happen Monday just as well.  To first of all catch up on things, my tooth or lack of tooth is doing great.  Healing very fast and all is good with it.  We ended up with some real rain storms and that took care of our snow.  Funny to see the green grass.  Some say that the grass is greener now than in the summer.  We'll see...
We had a meeting with our ward mission leader and then had lunch with he and his wife.  Very nice family and he is working hard to make everything work.  They have only been members of the church for 4 years.  We then did some driving around into new areas.  Found Milton Lake and Newton Falls.  The lake is very low but boy were there lots of docks.  In the summer there must be lots and lots of boats.  Will have to go back and see it then.  In Newton Falls couldn't find any falls but a small community big enough to have a Walmart and Giant Eagle.  We then came home the back way and that was new as well. We went with the Sister Missionaries from Ravenna and Dan was able to give a blessing to a sister they meet with.  Went to DQ for blizzards afterwards....
Saturday we had the group from Hiram College come in.  They had told us this was an architectural class and not a religion class so we weren't sure just how to handle it.  We knew they were aware of the home and its purpose and we have been told as missionaries to testify boldly so we did.  We gave the tour mostly as we usually do.  In each room the professors would point out special things in the building and we were taught many special things about the home.  At the end he also basically bore testimony saying that this was a sacred home and especially the revelation room because of the things that had happened there and the people that were there and the things they did and stood for.  Was awesome.  A special perspective from non-members.  Then Sunday we had Brother Robison from the Rootstown ward bring some of the High Priests and their wives for an 'inside tour of the home'.  He was one of the main people involved in the restoration of the home and he was able to give us much more insight into the home and the renovation that had taken place.  Super special!!  Then last night we drove into Kirtland for an investigator's fireside.  Since it was the last one before the Edmans leave they were the speakers and many came from the community and Kirtland stake to be there for them.  Special talks and such a special spirit about the whole meeting.  Was truly wonderful.  Afterwards all of the senior couple missionaries had gone in on a large painting of the Kirtland temple which was presented to them. They have been really touched by all of the love and gratitude extended to them.  The truck is there to move them out today and they leave for home on Friday. 
Then today we had Elder and Sister Miles bring their son down.  They had requested that we do the tour for them, which we did but we also related some of the new things we had learned and they really enjoyed it all.  Both of them  bore testimonies in the revelation room and it was very special.  They are FM missionaries, that means they are facilities workers, keeping everything running behind the scenes.  A wonderful and very humble and sincere couple.  We truly love them.  It certainly has been a spiritually high week and we have learned and felt the spirit and know that Heavenly Father and the Savior definitely know the workings of the Kirtland Area.  What a blessing to serve here!!!!

Awe...what a winter!  They keep telling us this is the year for a hard winter.  Well, today it was 64 degrees.  All the snow is gone and the grass is green and it is wonderful outside.  They have threatened us with heavy rain but hasn't bothered us.  However, our temp is supposed to drop later in the week so we will see how nice it is then.  
Last week was a different one.  We had an interview with our Mission President, Pres Valinga on Tuesday afternoon.  We served at the Johnson Home in the morning then drove to Kirtland for that.  We enjoyed our visit with him and no he didn't say anything about sending us home.  Guess we are okay.  After that we did a bit of shopping and then met at the Petersons and had dinner with them and the Palmers and of course played some games.  Was a fun evening.  We stayed there with the Petersons, I got a blessing and then we were at the dentists at 8 the next morning.  I had a big molar break off and so had to have it pulled.  It turned out to be quite a process, was in the chair for over an hour.  However, in my blessing I was promised that there would be no pain and I have had that come to pass.  I did take 2 big IB but other than that only tylenol.  I was really concerned so consider this a real blessing.  We then served at the home all day on Thursday as the Holtrys had to go into Kirtland for their interview.  Then the rest of the week has been as usual.  However, we were asked to talk in church today so we did some talk preparation.  Our talks today turned out really well and we had several comments about them so hopefully it was the message that was wanted.  We are being accepted and pulled in more and more.  We were given a list of over 30 single adults they want us to begin working with to see if we can get some activity.  Looks like a process to us, should be interesting.  The Hiram sisters were at the Holtrys for dinner tonight so they invited us as well.  Yummy and I didn't have to cook.  After the sisters left we played a couple of games and here we are.  Sorry no pictures this week....wasn't in the mood.  We did have 5 tours on Saturday that were special, course that was after none for the whole week. 
We had a new bishopric sustained in the Cleveland 2nd ward today.  Bp Guymon was released and Bp Jim Jennings was sustained with Hans Peterson and Kendall O'Neil as counselors.  They are all relatively young families that have moved into the ward. Should be a great group and we are excited for them....Have a great week, everyone....

Well, here we are in the new year!!  Not sure where the last went and we are afraid this one will go by too fast as well.  We have had several tours at the John Johnson Home but a lot of down time as well.  Things are traditionally slow at this time of year so we had better take advantage of it now because full times are coming.  We took advantage of  good weather on our P-Day and drove 1 1/2 hours to Dover, Oh.  We headed for Warthers.  All of the missionaries talk about it so we went to see what it was all about.  Well, 2 1/2 hours later we still wanted to look more.  What an amazing story, he was certainly a master carver.  He could make a working pair of pliers from a stick about the size of your pointer finger with just ten cuts with his knife, no shavings or loose pieces, in 10 seconds.  Said he probably gave away over 70,000 of them in his life.  I have included a photo of one of their pamphlets to sort of give you an idea.  While he was carving, she was collecting buttons and what a display that was.  They make knives and wood products.  Truly a fascinating place.  (I'm having trouble with including photos tonight so will try to add them tomorrow.)  Sorry!!!

Button  Collections

Trains carved out of ebony and ivory. Scaled 1/4 inch to a foot.  Each depicting an event in History involving trains.  He only went to 2nd grade but what a mind he had.

After leaving Warthers we drove through Amish country and ate lunch at Der Dutchmans. YUMMY!
We then went on over to Berlin and visiter August Wendells.  He does work in metals and again a truly fascinating place to visit.  By then it was getting late so we headed for home but definitely plan on making a return visit, perhaps more than one.  Was a great day!!!
We keep finding projects to do so really don't feel like we have any down time, just are enjoying being a bit on the lazy side. 
Just a note of interest.... we were visiting last night with our friends the Holtrys that we serve with here in Hiram at the Johnson home and he mentioned that his grandma Jensen from Bear River City married a Hall.  I immediately came up for air.  Turned out his grandma Pearl Jensen married our Grandpa Hall and my dad performed the ceremony.  We are all still shaking our heads, can't believe it.  What a fun connection!!
I will also include a picture of one of the old homes here in Garrettsville that I love.  Notice the fancy work around the eves and the coloring.  Beautiful and there are lots of them.  People have done a lot to preserve some of these old homes. 

 

Can't believe Christmas has come and gone and we are ready to begin another year.  We have especially enjoyed being a part of the nativity display as it helps us to remember the true reason for Christmas and the great gift of God's son to us and all that He did and continues to do.  We loved our contact with all of our family, both skype and phone.  You are all growing up so fast but please remember our love for each of you. 
We had snow the Friday before Christmas so it was a white one.  Then the day after was another big snow and again the next Friday.  We even had some this morning but the roads were not too bad as we traveled to Rootstown for church.  The snow makes it beautiful and I wanted to take some pictures this morning but forgot my camera.  Next Week!
We had a special dinner with our friends the Holtry's and played games.  Then Christmas morning was a slow one with special memories.  That afternoon we rode with the Holtry's up to Kirtland for a dinner with all of the missionaries.  They sure do know how to make good food and lots of it.  Was fun visiting with all of them.  Then the sister missionaries did a talent show.  We thought, singing, etc. but no it was a funny one.  They did skits, danced and made us all laugh until we had tears.  It was so fun and we all loved it.  Then Elder and Sister Edman bore their testimony since they will be leaving us in January.  The Sr. missionaries had done the 12 days of Christmas for them and they had no idea who had done it.  Sister Edman even went home early one day to try to catch somebody but fell asleep and when she woke up, there it was.  It has meant so much to them and made Christmas special for everyone.  They thanked whoever had been involved and said there would never be another Christmas like this one.  It has been a special one with lots of special happenings. 
The furnace is still out at the Johnson Home so we appreciate little space heaters, makes it okay.  We had several tours this week.  One day we had a tour of 4 at 9:30, 15 at 11:30 and 8 at 12:30.  Wow, how exciting for us and each was so very special.  Loved it!!!  Another day we had a Spanish family and it was another special one for us.  Sister Miles, a FM missionary, had translated the tours into Spanish and made a book for each of the sites.  We were able to use that book for the grandma.  At the end of the tour she told us, "my testimony is much bigger now".  They shared an experience of healing by the priesthood.  Their young son has seizures and has to have medicine to bring him out of them.  Well on Thanksgiving Day, he had one and the medicine did not work.  The father gave him a blessing and he was able to come out of it.  They all recognized that the blessing had helped him.  A beautiful young family. 
We love these special moments and are still learning about all of the history of this area.  We do love it.  We send our love and best wishes to each for a Happy New year, may it be great for all.

Can't believe it has been another week.  What fun it is!!!  Tuesday we drove to Rootstown for a baptism for Anna Bin Liu, a Chinese sister.  The sister missionaries have taught her and it was a very special meeting.  The talks were good and then she bore her testimony.  She had written it out so she would say it right.  Her mother had cancer when Anna was very young and her father had a picture taken of the three of them. She says that now she can look at that family picture with a different view and know they can be together.  She has a strong testimony and a great desire to learn more.

 

Wednesday we drove to Kirtland to the dentist.  I had a tooth break off so needed to get it taken care of.  However, he couldn't do what was needed so referred me to a specialist.  I can't get in there until the 31st so still have that to look forward to.  He was a good dentist, a member of the church from Salina and most of his workers are LDS.  He didn't charge me anything for the visit or x-ray so that was good of him.  Since we were out and about we went to the Koehn Home in South Euclid.  This is a picture of the outside of the home.  No photo were allowed inside but it was filled, every square inch, with Christmas of every description.  Was really a special visit seeing all of those special things.  He is the one that did the big nativity at the Center in Kirtland.

Thursday was the Holtry's p-day so we were at the home all day and ended up doing two tours so it was a great day.  We love it when people come so it is not so lonely but mostly because we are able to tell them about the special things and people of the Johnson home.  These are pictures of the Kent and Ravenna Sisters that are assigned to the Rootstown Ward that we work the closest with.












Rasmassen & Bell                                                                                Maynard & Palmer


Thursday was the day of the big snow.   It started about 5 am and was still snowing when we went to bed that night.  In the morning we had over 8 inches of snow and lots of wind to go with it. Wondered if we could get into the parking lot at the home but made it just fine.  However, no visitors.  Below is a picture of the first snow.  Tried to get dad as he was working and you can just barely see him at the back of the car.  Was a fun day.

 

 

Today in church they did a special Christmas program and we decided they have some very good musical talent in this ward.  The organist used to play in all of the churches around and was paid good money for it.  However, he now is happy playing for the ward.  Really an awesome musician.  The choir leader has an amazing voice and knows his music so together they had a great choir along with other numbers, the flute, solos, and even a professional xylaphone, primary and YW.  Was very nice.

We hurried home, ate a bite and went to the Johnson Home.  After arriving back at our apartment the door bell rang and guess who came to see us.....

 

 

We promised him that we had been good....

 

MERRY CHRISTMAS TO EVERYONE

We send our love