The Johnson Family

Here we are again

After an extended absence, we return to update our family doings from the last several months.

Nicole's Summer

Wedding preparations for Nicole and Jeff were our primary occupation during the spring months. In addition, Mom was also able to see Nicole graduate from BYU twelve days before the big wedding day -- wearing the cap and gown Mom had worn the year before. Besides being able to be the proud parent, Mom also had the pleasure of camping out in Nicole's apartment while in Provo (many thanks to Ashley for supplying a sheet and towel). Then, with one short week at home, Jeff arrived from Utah, the ward sisters generously gave Nicole a lovely bridal shower, and we had the sweet and sacred afternoon at the temple for Nicole to receive her endowment.

Thanks to all our family and to Jeff's family, the wedding and reception in Utah was perfect -- even the weather smiled on our bride and groom. Jeff's family were incredible in all they did. We were also impressed with the efficiency and speed with which they did everything.

Thanks to family and kind friends, the reception in Maryland was beautiful. Thanks to Holly, we have many beautiful photographs to relive our memories.

What have we done this summer?

Dad is now semi-retired -- working three days a week with Thursdays and Fridays off. In the first weeks of being home, he single-handedly took down three mature trees, taking numerous trips to the dump with the branches, and creating an impressive stack of firewood. With the extra time, we are now able to attend the temple together each Friday.

Mom was called as a temple worker and now spends each Wednesday in the temple. One duty that was unexpected is the occasional assignment to be at the temple switchboard and take incoming calls. While Mom received very careful training in her other duties, the telephone training consisted of a five-second demonstration of which button to push to answer an call, and being handed an instruction manual -- the first page instructing what to do in case someone calls in a bomb threat. Fortunately, Mom's hour at the switchboard was uneventful.

Fun with Some Grandchildren

In July, Dad traveled to Oklahoma to bring Lindsay and Hannah to spend ten days with us. What fun! How nice to have children in the house -- and what charming and sweet grandchildren these two are. Of course, one of the biggest attractions was the opportunity to play with their cousins so there was great fun with overnights, picnics, beach, pie-making, and water park.

This year we did not attend Education Week at BYU as we usually do, which was a little sad, but we were home for once to harvest a bumper tomato crop. Wendy and Steve were in California and Hawaii at the time, we also got to harvest theirs.

New York

At th end of August, we brought Michael with us to New York to visit Grandma Morris. Now 89, Grandma looks wonderful, fixed us delicious dinners (over our protests that we would take over meals), and moves with impressive agility. We are glad Grandma has had a chance to get to know Michael better, and wish she could have this with all the grandchildren. We spent one day touring the Church historical sites in Fayette and Palmyra. We think Michael enjoyed climbing the Hill Cumorah and walking through the Sacred Grove but he really enjoyed the pizza we bought in Palmyra.

Mom has filled the freezer with blackberries, tomatoes, raspberries, and peaches. The Larriland peaches have been heavenly, as usual -- it's a little sad for the summer season to end.

Dad monitors the progress of the Clarksville chapel closely and we are excited to anticipate going to church there before the year's end. The interior walls are finished now and each week shows more progress.

A Brief Word from Dad

Nothing is more important to dad than family. He appreciates the words of the Apostle John who said, "I have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in the truth." (3 John 4) May we all walk in the truth.

Some pictures of our New York trip