The ITES Book

We’ve been reading the ITES book a few times together for Family Home Evening.  This morning when I came downstairs I saw the boys huddled over the book again – which made me smile.  I love that they love this great book.  And I love that they can be this close to each other and not be fighting.  

Update from Elder Johnson–January 2017

Monday, January 2nd --

I hope everyone had a great 2016 and I hope you are all looking forward to an even better 2017.

This was a pretty solid week. It was lots of fun. We taught Përparim. We are përparing him for baptism at the end of January. (But, actually his name means progress I think, our key indicator says Kurkuesit në Përparim (Investigators in progress). We just change it to Kurkuesit quhet Përparim (Investigators named progress). It's pretty funny.) 

We also found more less actives. Yeah!

On New Year's Eve, we had to go inside at 4 because Albanians go crazy with New Years. Lots of Fireworks and other craziness (sometimes guns).  We also got to watch movies Star Wars 7, Lord of the Rings 1, and Remember the Titans...but, no big deal.    Only 30 or so people showed up to church yesterday, because of New Years. The city was empty and nothing was open yesterday. Everyone was just chilling inside. It was crazy.

Today, we played some board games for P-Day. Poker and Bang! (You know, normal missionary appropriate games.) That was fun. We are hoping for a pretty solid week this week with lots of investigators on baptismal dates, lots of new investigators, and lots of less active members in church!  Lutjuni për ne. Pray for us.

The Atonement. is so important. It is how any and all of us grow and improve. and in my case, improvement is desperately needed. We need it every day, every hour and every year. So, for this year, just like the last year, I am making a resolution to study, apply, and focus on the Atonement. To start this goal off right, President actually asked us to read the entire Book of Mormon in the month of January, focusing on the teaching of repentance and the power of the atonement. I am excited. (If any of you want to join, feel free and then please tell me how it goes and what you learned if you do. Lexofshit mirë.) I love the Savior and I know that He really lives and suffered all things for us. He is the way, the light, and the reason. Follow him! That is all He asks. In his name, Amen.   Elder Johnson

Monday, January 9th --

Hello everyone-- This was a good week. Lots of fun knocking on people's doors. Lots of people's responses stunk and many were funny. One excuse was that they were too old and we should teach younger people. We get that one a lot. Lots of people respond that they are Muslim. Lots of people just say thank you and close the door.
On one floor, a guy came out as we were knocking on someone else's door and yelled at us to never cross to his side of the floor. That was fun. But, we also met an American living in Albania who had read the Book of Mormon and we are going to teach him the Plan of Salvation next week. Sweet. We also found one nice lady who said we could come in. We will send the Motrat to visit her.

Another door was sad. An old man answered and was so nice. We talked for a bit, and he told us to make sure we kept in contact with our families, and with tears in his eyes, told us about his children living in Italy who he hadn't heard from in a while. So sad. I nearly lost it there.
Also, we tried Albanian Hot Chocolate last Monday. It was delicious. It is a lot thicker than normal Hot Chocolate, but wow, it was great.

On Saturday, we had three lessons in a row, all of which fell through. But despite all those little things, like rejection and missed lessons, we are seeing the hand of the Lord in our work. It is so great to be able to touch people's lives. We are finding more people who might be interested and looking through our area book, we have found more people who are able to meet that had been dropped before. It is great to be a missionary. I love the Lord and His Atonement. It is so important that we understand and apply this life-changing principle. I know that if we take His yoke upon us, our burdens will be made light. It is so much easier when we have the Lord on our side. I hope you will all take some time to learn more about and apply this incredible gift. In the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.     Elder Johnson

P.S. Today, We went bowling to the one bowling alley in all of Albania, probably. It was sweet. I enjoyed it. Score of 140.

January 16th --

So, super great week.   This week, it snowed! In Tirana!  For the first time in 32 years. So that was so fun. All the Albanians were so excited about it and were making snowmen and throwing snow. It was great. It is super cold here, but I am fine. Also, everyone else in our district didn't have water for a few days after that. But, we did, so we are good.

My companion, Elder Larsen is so great.  Such a good example and fun friend.

The sisters had a baptism this week, so that was awesome. Përparim and Denis, our investigators, came to that, and hopefully they will be next. Përparim is set for two weeks from now. We have had some solid lessons this week with Përparim, Egezon, Denis, Myzafer and Xhemali, Arjan, and Klaus. It was a great week.

Also, the last two weeks, I have been playing the piano in sacrament meeting. That was fun. It wasn't great, but it wasn't bad either. Luckily, now someone who can play in the ward is back, so I don't have to anymore.

In my book of Mormon reading this week, I found Mosiah 4:11

11 And again I say unto you as I have said before, that as ye have come to the knowledge of the glory of God, or if ye have known of his goodness and have tasted of his love, and have received a remission of your sins, which causeth such exceedingly great joy in your souls, even so I would that ye should remember, and always retain in remembrance, the greatness of God, and your own nothingness, and his goodness and long-suffering towards you, unworthy creatures, and humble yourselves even in the depths of humility, calling on the name of the Lord daily, and standing steadfastly in the faith of that which is to come, which was spoken by the mouth of the angel.

The gospel has been such a blessing in my life, and learning of the precious gift of the Atonement brings me so much joy. I know that we can gain a remission of our sins, and by praying daily and standing steadfastly in the faith, we will be blessed and learn and grow even more.

Katie, Emily, Megan, Luke, and Matthew: I love you so much and want the very best for you! I know each of you are struggling with different things, but I will pray for you for sure.  I am so proud of you and how much you are improving and working and growing. You can do it! But not alone. Work together, love each other, and definitely let Jesus Christ, our biggest brother, do some of the heavy lifting. Ask Heavenly Father for His help with the improvements you want to make and He will help you. I love you and He loves you and your parents especially love you. If any of you have any questions or thoughts or concerns or tough times, just email me. You are all amazing.  Also, I would suggest FHE's with a special focus on the Atonement this month. The perfecting influence of the Atonement. Because I have found it to be the most important thing in my improvement. Maybe teach how you can study it, apply it, and be grateful for it.

I love my family and my life.  I love you all.  Have a great week.  Elder Johnson

Monday, January 23rd --

Be ambitious for Christ.   I love my life and I had a great week. I am so happy to be doing the Lord's work full time. It is such a blessing. 

These past two weeks have been the most successful weeks I have had on my mission so far. We had so many lessons with some really solid and nice investigators. We are very blessed.  We met with Egezon, Denis, Xhenis, and Përparim, all with baptismal dates for February and March. 

We had 53 people in church yesterday, including Egezon, our investigator who only speaks to us in English because he is really trying to learn it. (It is good, but not as good for me because I am really trying to learn Shqip.) Përparim is incredible. He has been investigating the church with multiple baptismal dates passing by for over a year now, and has made significant changes in his life. He comes to church every week, reads every day, and is so nice and has such strong faith and understanding. He is getting baptized on Saturday. I am so happy. My first baptism and he is so solid now. Some people need time and I am so glad that all the previous missionaries stuck with him and helped him so that he could get to this point. 

We have three sister missionaries in our ward. They serve in T1 and T3. (Tirana 1st Ward and Tirana 3rd ward) 

One highlight of the week was an exchange with Elder Divkoviç. It was so great. He is German, so funny, and so hard-working. We found a less actives house and talked to EVERYONE. It was so sweet. 

We also had a meeting on Saturday with every active priesthood holder in attendance. The stake president, President Mema, spoke on the blessings of the priesthood and he is a powerful speaker and teacher.

But, I am so imperfect it kills me. I am trying so hard and improving so much every day. Every day is better than the previous day here. It's hard but it's so amazing! Sometimes, my imperfections get me down. One of my favorite parts of every day is personal study. I especially love studying the Atonement. I never want this mission to end, because every day here I grow so much! It is so great. Elder Larsen is really helping me learn how to be a better missionary and be better in every aspect of life. He is a great example and reminds me of Dad.

Spiritual Thought for the day. I found an amazing scripture this week. It is D&C 67:10. I read it in Shqip and it really hit me with the spirit, but I guess it is good in English too. 

D&C 67:10  And again, verily I say unto you that it is your privilege, and a promise I give unto you that have been ordained unto this ministry, that inasmuch as you strip yourselves from jealousies and fears, and humble yourselves before me, for ye are not sufficiently humble, the veil shall be rent and you shall see me and know that I am -- not with the carnal neither natural mind, but with the spiritual.  

It is my privilege to be serving here in Albania. I love it. I hope to be a true disciple of Christ without jealousy or fear, but with humility and understanding. 

I love Europe, especially Albania.  I love you all. Have a great week. Kalofshi mirë!  Elder Johnson

January 30th -- 

Hi everyone,   So, a few special experiences from this week.

First of all, We had mission conference in Elbasan on Thursday. It was so sweet. We saw all the missionaries. I said hi to Elder Benson, Elder Samuel, and all my other friends.

We watched an incredible missionary broadcast and I was definitely enlightened and encouraged to become even better, and teach with more Charity. It was an amazing broadcast and really well done. Also, the schedule of missionaries all around the world has changed. The new schedule gives us more time in the evenings and mornings, reduces lunch time, and some study time so we can have more time. It really gives missionaries more responsibility to organize their own day in a way that they will best be able to serve the Lord and work effectively. It is nice. It is not a huge change for us though. We already had that freedom to move studies and lunch around to fit our schedule.

Also, the key indicators changed. Now, we only report 4 numbers at the end of each week.

1. Investigators baptized and confirmed.
2. Investigators with a baptismal date.
3. Investigators in church.
4. New Investigators.

It is pretty cool. I guess we are narrowing our focus on those things that are most important for us to do. Good, better, best.

All the Kosovo and Macedonia missionaries drove into Tirana the night before mission conference. The elders in Skopje, Macedonia stayed at our place for the night. It was a blast. So fun. They are all called Macedonian-speaking. Macedonian seems so hard. They are so great. We only have about 10 missionaries in Macedonia, while there are 80 missionaries in the whole mission.  (Side note: They speak Albanian in Kosovo. Well, a way harder dialect of Albanian called Gegë. I could totally serve there at some point. That would be sweet.)

Përparim has been an investigator for just over 1 year. He has made some incredible changes in his life, and was very ready to be baptized. He has come to church every Sunday for the past year or so. He is so humble and at the end of each lesson we have, he bears his testimony to us of what we taught. He knows the gospel, and he will be an amazing example to so many people. We had a very special lesson with him on Wednesday. We just talked to him and ended up talking mostly about the Plan of Salvation. It was so special. I committed him to be an active member of the church his whole life and we planned to meet up, Elder Larsen, Përparim, and I, in mbreterinë çelestiale (the celestial kingdom). The spirit was so strong. It is so special to have such an eternal and kind friend. He really is the nicest guy ever and makes sure to include me.

His baptism was so amazing. Elder Larsen performed the baptism. Such a special experience. Great talks. Përparim gave his testimony. He is awesome. And, yesterday, I got to confirm him. It was so great. I love the opportunities I have to exercise the priesthood authority of God. Actually, this week we gave a lot of blessings. Yesterday, we took the sacrament to a sick lady in our ward, and then gave her a blessing.

Street Contacting is always the best thing ever. I just love testifying of Christ and His sacrifice and love for us. One guy the other day stopped us for a solid 45 minutes, telling us the history of Albania and religion therein. (I honestly didn't understand most of what he said, just words and phrases and important names from Albanian history.) He then went on to tell us every major story in the Bible and Quran and how they could be explained away by Science or whatever. (most of which I understood because my gospel vocabulary is very large and expansive.) It was fun. My Shqip is definitely improving.

We had interviews with President Weidmann on Tuesday. That was so sweet. He is an inspired and powerful leader.

Also, Saturday night was TRANSFER CALLS. So, Elder Larsen is going to Lushnjë. He will be in the branch presidency there and he is going to do so great! I will miss him though. He has been a super sweet comp. We worked hard, and it was great to end our companionship with a baptism.

I will be staying here in Tirana First Ward, with Elder Ingram. I have heard great things about him, so I am looking forward to it. I am also serving as district leader here. And, Elder Samuel is coming down from Shkodër and joining our district as a Zone Leader with Elder Miller. We are going to have some good times.

Just as you have your new motto, "I'd rather go to Europe." I also have a new motto, "I'd rather stay in Europe!" I am so lucky to be here, and I seriously love my mission so much. I feel so blessed every day to serve the Lord, and I have learned and grown so much. I hope to continue that process. I love the Lord and am happy to be a tool in His hands. I only hope that I will be worthy to do so. I know that The Church of Jesus Christ is the true church, and that President Thomas S. Monson leads and receives revelation for this church. I love my Savior. He has helped me so much, and He can help you too. No matter where you are in life, he can and will help you. I testify that He loves us. In the name of Jesus Christ. Amen.

I love you all so much! I pray every night that you will be blessed and feel God's love for you.    Love, Elder Johnson

A Great Sunday

It was a really great Sunday.  --  Church at 9:00 -- A few traditional ‘after church pictures’ and ‘after church nachos’. -- Choir practice at 1:30  -- Homemade buttermilk waffles with strawberries and cream.  -- Wonderful and emotional family time writing birthday letters to Grandpa Johnson – An equally emotional Family counsel where we talked to the kids about new goals for our family regarding spending our money and spending our time.  -- Two new family motto’s: I’d rather go to Europe and Communicate, Connect and Feel the Spirit – Matthew’s GREAT TO BE 8 Fireside.  He sat in the front row with all the other eager seven year olds and smiled back at us nearly 100 times.  Boy, he’s adorable.  Can’t believe he’s our last to be baptized.    We definitely communicated, connected and felt the Spirit today.  It was a great Sunday.

Writing Letters to Grandpa

Grandpa’s birthday was Monday, January 30th.  To celebrate and think of him on that day, we decided to write letters to him on Sunday afternoon.  It was a really neat experience for the family.  We spent some time writing our letters individually and then silently read each others.  We were pretty emotional.  I had Emily read Dad’s letter out loud and we were all crying.  We had planned on tying the letters to balloons to release the next day but Chris had to work late and so we met at Olive Garden (one of Del’s favorite restaurants) to eat dinner instead.  

I added the original letters to each of the kids Family History binders but I will include the typed version here:

Chris' Letter: Dad, I have sure been thinking about you a lot lately.  I guess most of that has been thinking about all the things you were dealing with a year ago.  By the time your 70th birthday arrived, I think we all knew you were not going to recover, but it was still surprising how quickly everything happened.  I am so glad I was able to fly out to be with you on your birthday, and that we were able to go to Cabo together, and that I was able to be with you for your last few days. There were all hard times, but also oh so sweet.  I dread those memories but I also cherish them.  I miss you so much.  It still doesn't feel right that I can't reach out to call you or visit you.  You were such an amazing father and I am so grateful for all that you did for me and all that you taught me.  You were such a good man and your legacy lives on in your children and grandchildren.  Thank you for watching over Ryan in Albania.  Mom is doing ok.  She misses you but she is hanging in there.  I think everyone else is doing pretty well most of the time but we all think of you and talk about you often.  All of the firsts are hard without you around.  Christmas was hard.  Your birthday is harder.  The 1 year anniversary of your death will be even harder.  Mom has been here to visit three times without you.  That still doesn't seem right, but we appreciate her coming and I think it is important for her.  It is hard to think about you not being here for big events like Ryan's mission and Matt's upcoming baptism.  But I believe you are still a part of those events, I just wish we could share them with you.  I wish I could call you and talk about how hard it is to have Ryan gone for 2 years.  I wish we could talk about my other kids and how great they are all doing.  I wish we could talk about BYU and go to some games together.  I wish I could get one more Priesthood blessing from you.  I hope you know how much you are loved and missed by all of us.  That is a testament to how wonderful you are.  I love you, Dad.  Chris

Lisa's Letter: Del, I miss your sweet smiling face and twinkling eyes, but I know that you are closer to us than we even realize.  Thank you for peeking in on us from time to time -- especially for protecting Ryan in Albania.  Please watch out for us and send us inspiration and help when we need it.  I am working hard to strengthen my testimony and teach my kids correct principles so that we can all be together in the eternities.  I know family is everything.  You knew that here on earth and I bet you know it even more where you are.  I miss and love you.  Lisa -- your favorite daughter-in-law

Katie's Letter: Grandpa -  I miss you so much!!  You're so amazing and fun.  You're the best grandpa ever.  I remember how you would always joke around with me and cuddle with me and tell stories.  I always knew that you loved me.  You are such an amazing example to me.  You're such a hard worker and a faithful church leader.  It's really sad when I go to your houses and you are not there!  I cannot wait to see you again Grandpa!!  I hope you have a good birthday.  I will be thinking of you the whole time.  Happy birthday, Grandpa!  I love and miss you!  Katie

Emily's Letter: Grandpa - Happy 71st birthday!  I miss you so much!  You are the best Grandpa I could have asked for.  You were kind, and knowing, and quiet.  You were on amazing example to me, and you tuaght me a lot.  Thank you for all of that.  I am happy to be able to celebrate your birthday and think of you today.  I know you had a really strong testimony.  I love hearing stories of you and your life.  You were the best parent, husband, brother, and friend and especially, Grandpa.  I know that anyone who knew you would be able to say the same things that I have said.  I hope you are doing amazing, wherever you are, and that you will receive these letters, maybe not in paper, but in your heart.  I love and miss you so much.  Love Emily

Megan's Letter: Grandpa, Happy Birthday!  I love you a lot.  I also miss you.  I can't wait to see you in Heaven.  I know you're very happy up there.  I miss your smile.  I love how you loved to golf and watch everything from the side.    You were an amazing example to me.  You had an amazing testimony. You were the best Grandpa ever.  I love visiting your grave and remembering the many great memories we had, like Lake Powell.  You are very humble, reverent, righteous, loving and kind to everyone.  I miss so so much.   I can't wait to see you again.   I love you tons!  I hope you are happy up in heaven.  Happy 71st Birthday!  Love Megan

Luke's Letter: G: great R: reverent  A: awesome  N: nice  D: diligent  P: protective  A: amazing        I miss you grandpa!  I'm so excited to see you in heaven some day.  I love you so much!  I wonder of what it's going to look like in heaven and how do you know and find out of what plan of salvation planet type thing you're in?  I have so many questions about heaven and even I have questions about earth too!  I love you.  Love Luke

Matt's Letter:  Dear Grandpa, You are the best Grandpa ever.  You are very good at golf.  I miss you so much.  You are a great person and a great dad to Chris and all of your kids.  I am almost 8 and I will get baptized.      You are cool.  You like golf.  You are awesome.  You are kind.     DELMAR:  D: delightful  E: excellent  L: lovely  M: marvelous  A: awesome  R: reverent

Ryan’s response after reading all of our letters…

My amazing family,

I cried reading those. I actually thought earlier this week that I would share something for him too in my email, because it is his birthday, and I always share something for everyone's birthdays. I sure love him, and all of you. I am so impressed with all of you and the changes you are making. In fact, on my mission, I have repeatedly received revelations and thoughts for how I can be better in all aspects of my life during and especially after my mission. I want to be better. I am glad you do too. I always learn new things and new stories and all sorts of things that I just wish I could share with you. The mission has been such a blessing for me. Though I wish I could share more of what I have learned with you in person, I would never have learned these things if I had not come here to serve the Lord. 
You are all my very best friends. I love you all so much!

The best part about a mission is that everything is in the right context. Everything I think about, do, and am is centered and focused on the Gospel of Jesus Christ and The Plan of Salvation. It is so special for me, and I hope that I will never lose that focus and center for the rest of my life. I still make mistakes, but oh how wonderful it is that we can përmirësohemi (improve). It is such a sacred experience to rely on the Savior every day. He will lead us where we need to go. Elder Larsen and I spend basically every morning and night listening to BYU Devotional talks and General Conference talks and it is tradition I plan to continue. I learn some amazing truths and gain faith and hope from them. 

I love Grandpa Johnson. I know he is looking out for me. He was such an amazing example for everyone he knew, and he is my role model. I want to be just as loving and caring as he is. I know he is looking out for you too. Right now, he is in the spirit world, working, much like I am, and getting some well-deserved rest. I know he is close. Some of my most special experiences in the MTC, were nightly prayers, praying for all of you, and for Grandpa. There were many nights where I definitely felt that he was close. I guess I sent some letters to grandpa that way, through my prayers. Grandpa loves us. And I know we have countless other ancestors, posterity, and close friends on the other side cheering us on and they are all around us. I miss Grandpa, but I equally miss all of you. 

Well, thanks again for breaking my crying streak. I went 6 full months without a single tear, and then you all just had to break me. I love you so much. At times I wish my life was easier, but that is not the way it is supposed to be. Life is supposed to be hard, so that we can learn to rely on each other and on our Savior. We are all going through trials and pressure, so that someday, like the rock turned into a diamond, we can become perfect, like God is, and we can praise Him forever for His everlasting love and mercy. I miss you all. I love you all pa fund. (without end)

Love Elder Johnson 

Katie and Ethan–Winter Formal

Ethan T. asked Katie to Winter Formal.  She had a great time going with a big group of her friends.  They went to eat at Olive Garden, over to the Pine Creek dance and then over to Zac’s house for an after party.  Good friends. 

Festival Singers sing for CMEA

Katie and her group of Festival Singers were asked to perform at the Colorado Music Educators Conference.  A bunch of the other ‘Festies Moms’ and I met them at the Broadmoor to watch their performance and cheer them on.  They did a fantastic job!   I’m so grateful for such a great music program for my Katie girl.

FHE–Goal Setting

 

The girls were anxious to have a Family Home Evening where we could set goals for the New Year.  With company here well into January and a trip to Mexico, our New Year and all the new goals to come with it didn’t really start until the third week of January.  One Sunday afternoon we sat down to fill out goal-setting worksheets:

Mom – 42

• Spiritual Goals: Read the BofM Everyday!!!  Go to the temple at least once a month.  BE GRATEFUL
• Family Goas: Family Scripture Study after dinner, BE KIND, Less Contention, FHE’s on intentional spending/finances, how we spend our time/disconnecting, Family History, ITES book
• Health Goals:  No Soda, Exercise 5 days a week, drink more WATER, Bed by 11:00, avoid high fructose corn sugar and try to eat clean foods.
• Personal Goals: keep up on photo editing and blogging, read BofM in four months with Emily, Be present when the kids are home from school, Disconnect from iPHone

Katie – 16

• Spiritual Goals: Read the BofM everyday
• Family Goas: Fam scripture study, FHE with assignments, be nice, one-on-one time
• Health Goals: Workout/bike 1 time a week, drive safely
• Personal Goals: Journal every day

To Make the most out of 2017:

1. I will learn… sewing/cooking/ballroom/ukelele
2. I will improve… myself
3. I will avoid… bad movies and music
4. I will give… time to volunteer
5. I will make time for… scripture study
6. I will develop the habit of… family history
7. I will change the habit of… failing

Megan – Age 11

• Spiritual Goals: Do one Faith in Good every Sunday, Read a story from the Friend every Sunday
• Family Goas: Reading the Scriptures and saying Family prayer every day
• Health Goals: Workout every Saturday, run a lot, 20 push ups, 4 pull ups, 40 sit ups
• Personal Goals: Get good grades, Do homework right when I get home, Practice Soccer, Work Out

To Make the most out of 2017:

1. I will learn… to choose the right
2. I will improve… in soccer, in piano and being obedient
3. I will avoid… pornography
4. I will give… my love, my friendship and my happiness to everyone
5. I will make time for… scripture study
6. I will develop the habit of… doing homework the night it is assigned
7. I will change the habit of… going to bed without praying and reading my scriptures

Additional notes:

My Favorite Things:    Favorite sport: soccer     Favorite color: blue    Favorite class: Math/Science   Favorite Teacher:  Mr. T/Mr. Patterson   Favorite Music: Hamilton/Moana  Favorite Movie: Hunger Games  Favorite Holiday: Christmas   Favorite Season: Spring    Favorite Candy: 3 Muskateers   Favorite Drink: Sprite  Favorite Dessert: Peanut butter pie   Favorite friends: Brynn, Loryn, Charlee (and my soccer fam!!) Madi, Kaylee, Barbie, Aliya, Natalie    Favorite Book: Catching Fire    Favorite hobbies: Soccer and Swing Dance

Future Husband: Tall, nice, good with children, blond, soccer player, handsome, swing dancer and BIG BYU fan.

A typical day: I wake up at 6:30 for school.  I get dressed and do my hair. I go down stairs, eat and go to school.  On Blue days, I have social studies – Mrs. Murray then I have Math – Mr. T  On Silver days I have science – Mr. Patterson and Language Arts – Mrs. Hedrick.  I come home from school and start my homework.  Later on I practice the piano.  I go to Swing Dance on Mondays and Thursdays.  I go to soccer on Mondays, Tuesdays and Thursdays.  I come home, eat dinner, finish my homework and go to bed at 9:00.

Luke – Age 9

To Make the most out of 2017:

1. I will learn… to right cursive
2. I will improve… of not fighting with my brother
3. I will avoid… ‘robbers, theves and bad guys’
4. I will give… presents, love, kindness
5. I will make time for… my scriptures
6. I will develop the habit of… piano in the morning everyday

Matthew – Age 7

• Spiritual Goals: Pray every night, Read a story from the Friend every Sunday
• Family Goas: Family home Evening every Monday and Family prayer
• Health Goals: Run, Eat good food
• Personal Goals: Be good at school, not get frustrated

To Make the most out of 2017:

1. I will learn… to choose better
2. I will improve… in swimming
3. I will avoid… dangerous things
4. I will give… love to everyone and happiness
5. I will make time for… spending time with my family
6. I will develop the habit of… not fight with Luke
7. I will change the habit of… not screaming

Talent Show Swing Dance

Megan’s swing dance friend, Kaylee asked Megan, Ryan and Trevor to help put together a swing dance number to perform at her school’s Middle School Talent Show.  They performed early January and then were selected to perform again with all the top performers at the High School Talent Show.  They did a great job.  So fun to come and watch them perform! Megan sure loves to Swing Dance!

Bowling with Grandma

It’s tradition that Grandma and Grandpa Johnson take us bowling when they come to visit after Christmas. This time, though, Grandpa wasn’t here.  We ate great pizza at the Summit and cried talking about how much we miss him.  And then we bowled some great games.  Grandma and I both tied our first game with 149.  A record for me.  It was a fun night!

Luke has some pretty good reactions to his good and bad bowls, but this one makes me laugh out loud.  He’s so dramatic.  The agony.   ; )

My cute Megan.

Matthew is pretty dramatic too.  He falls upon  the floor after he bowls and waits without moving to see what happens.  He just wants people to look at him and laugh.  What a character.