Here's the view from/of our apartment

Our apartment is at the top of the stairs, in the center.

It would be even nicer if I was a golfer (some free golf for residents), but unfortunately I'm not. Anyway, our apartment is very comfortable, and we are glad to be here.

We found this great store!

Wow! We found this great store in Starkville, MS. It's called Wal-Mart. Wait . . . they have them everywhere don't they? Anyway, the first thing we did was go down and buy $300 worth of supplies. Reminds me of when we got married (in 1973), we went to the store and bought $65 worth of household essentials, and when we got home, we still had nothing to eat.

The news is: We are living in Starkville instead of West Point, though that is still our area of service. The mission apartment in WP is . . . substandard. Really, it was a dump. Most of the places I lived in on my mission in Canada 40 years ago were better than this. Pres. Holzapfel had a feeling that he should provide better housing for us, and we are grateful. We are now on the 2nd floor of a newer 6-plex, looking out on #5 green of a golf course. I will send photos later.

Please disregard the prior West Point address. Our new address for mail is:

Elder & Sister Johnson

42 Snead Way #11

Starkville, MS 39759

We just got internet connected today, so our email addresses work. We are just on the edge of ATT cell service, so some of our calls may get dropped.

Sis. Johnson has been in a cleaning frenzy for the last 2 days, but the apartment is now nearly up to her standards.

We head to Birmingham for a Senior Missionary Conference tomorrow, then back home late for our first Sunday meetings with the West Point Branch.

The last snow - hopefully

We're on the road, east of Albuquerque. Roads were pretty dicey, but the little Liberty handled them, and our U-haul trailer very well. No more snow for us til November!! We'd been in 4WD several times before this. The entire trip was 2125 miles. We only had 2 "incidents" the entire way: One goofball weaving in and out ahead of us blocked the view of a tire tread on the road, so we ran over it, without incident we thought, but when we got to Tupelo, MS, one back tire was low. Luckily, I had a can of slime and a little compressor, so I pumped it up and made it the rest of the way no problem.

The U-Haul trailer was a great idea (Thanks to Ryan Park). We'd never have gotten all our "essentials" packed without it.

On the road

This could be Mississippi, except for the snow. This is actually Fredonia, AZ. We wanted to make the drive through Jacob Lake to Flagstaff, but there was such a storm that we had to re-route through Page, AZ. It was longer, but safer, and we drove through Flagstaff for an overnight in Albuquerque.

I was really tempted!!

I had to give the C14 (Kawasaki Concours 1400, one VERY fast touring bike) one last run. I was really tempted (well, not really) to bring it along. Too bad it's not approved Senior Missionary transportation. It will sit in our St George home, under its cover, on the trickle charger, til I get back.

We're on our way!

We're in St. George, for an overnight stay. Then on to Albuquerque tomorrow, 610 miles. Next to Checotah, OK and finally to Mississippi. Take a look at our rig: The little Jeep Liberty is full, as well as the U-Haul trailer. I'd give you a list of everything that's in them, but it would be too long. Anyway, we should have everything we need. BIG NEWS: We're not going to be living in West Point (though we will still serve that branch). We just got word that we'll be in Starkville. Evidently, President Holzapfel (Mission President), thought that the West Point apartment was too dumpy, even for us. Word is the Starkville apt is very nice, so much for roughing it.

Ready to leave - almost

Our experience in the MTC was exceptional. If I can say that, you know that it was. More on this later. Really, it was great.

Our U-haul trailer will be packed to the gills, we never could have made it without that. A big snowstorm tonight, hope UDOT gets I-15 cleared by tomorrow morning.

Right now its 10:00pm, and Sis. Johnson is still vacuuming!! Enough with the cleaning already!! Let's get some rest and hit the road tomorrow morning.

MTC Day 3

Today was very intense, with study, and teaching a discussion. Our "investigator" was a sweet older man, a WW2 veteran, who had recently moved to Utah to be near his family. We taught the 1st lesson about the Restoration. Sis Johnson was quite nervous at the beginning, but quickly got into it with her unique, sweet, sincere way. Pretty soon she was a little teary, and it made him teary as well. She is wonderful, and I can tell she will love teaching opportunities.

Just a few words to all prospective Senior Missionaries: Everyone who comes here, whether its for Member & Leader Support (like us), Visitor's Center, History, or Public Affairs gets the same orientation and training. Some will get specialized training and instructions next week. Anyway, all of us are taught how to give discussions, from the Preach My Gospel manual. Just because your assignment may not be specifically MLS, you will still have the opportunity to teach. They have promised no tracting though. So being a Senior Missionary really does have the same focus as the youngsters. The idea of teaching investigators was quite daunting to some in our group, but they all stepped up with enthusiasm and commitment. I (surprise) actually look forward to these opportunities. We are studying tonight for another teaching opportunity tomorrow!!

There are about 40 Senior couples in our group this week. Everyone of them, our leaders and teachers here at the MTC are the most delightful group of people we have ever met. There are about 3,000 young missionaries here, they are very kind to us oldsters, open doors, let us go to eat ahead of them, etc. I think they know that if they are not kind and polite, we won't feed them when we get out in the field, so they are on their best behavior.

The MTC is very well organized and well run - a well oiled machine. There are about as many missionaries and staff here as on a cruise ship (in a space not that much bigger) so you can imagine the logistics and coordination, plus food, They have to be with all the people they have here, and the teaching and language that has to go on at an intense pace. The food isn't as good though, and they are somewhat short on entertainment - though there was a very good devotional last night with Elder Kevin R. Duncan of the Seventy. They had a Missionary Choir for the event, and Sis Johnson was in it!!

Sister Johnson gets shot!!

There was a deliberate shooting at the MTC today. Sister Johnson was the victim. If she had got her tetanus booster, this unfortunate event could have been avoided. I got one as well. It's always good to have your vaccinations current, for wherever you're going in the world

MTC Day 2

Yes, it's really us, and we are really here at the MTC (Missionary Training Center). Our day is full of scheduled training, study, and of course eating that the MTC is infamous for. We have recently returned missionaries as our teachers, and they are really good. They have brought their recent experience as missionaries, so in addition to them teaching us the skills we will need, they have their own experiences that they can relate to us. Since they have served all over the world, there is usually someone who has served at or near the areas where we or our fellow seniors are going. Two of our young teachers served in South Carolina, and they were very positive about the opportunities to meet with and teach people there. Since that's close to Alabama and Missisisippi, we're expecting the same.

Today we're getting ready to teach a lesson tomorrow. They have local "volunteers" who act as investigators, and they will present different challenges to us as we teach. Sis Johnson is nervous, but I know she will do very well.

We tried to check in . . .

We tried to check in, but there was this confusing sign. . . . just kidding. After a few minutes we got to where were supposed to go. Lots of helpful people here.

MTC - day one

Lots of old folks here! Mostly wearing black and white and sensesable shoes. They are so very nice and going to lots of interesting places. The director says they are seeing a large number of Sr. missionaries since Oct. Conf. Many of these couples are on 2nd missions. The foreign miss. have been studying their new language for 3-5 months by skype on the computer. Three couples are going to Russia. I am happy to be wintering in Alabama! We are staying in beautiful new rooms next to the MTC. The beds are so soft. The cafeteria food is plentiful, but not so lovely. We Sr. missionaries were all looking pretty sleepy throughout the day. We are suppose to study a bunch of material tonight. I can hardly keep my eyes open, though. Actually all the reading seems a bit overwhelming at the moment, but I tend to be overwhelmed with new learning rather easily, product of a small brain. Time for lights out for me. We have to eat at 7am again. Alot of sitting and eating. Love to all, Dawn/mom/grandma

Our address and phones:

Our apartment address is:
Elder and Sister Johnson
42 Snead Way #11
Starkville, MS 39759
our personal cell phones and email are:
801/557-1178 Elder Johnson patj@p-a-t.com
801/557-6639 Sister Johnson reneehart52@gmail.com

The Mission Office is:
Alabama Birmingham Mission
3100 Lorna Road, Suite 102
Birmingham, AL 35216
205/979-0686

Elder and Sister Johnson: Alabama Birmingham Mission, January 2012