PPM Senior "Moments"

On Saturday 23 April 2016 the Senior Missionaries throughout the PPM gathered for a special day together to share testimonies and wisdom they have gleaned through their service.  Elder Russell M Nelson recently shared these thoughts:

Senior couples in the PPM truly bless many lives and strengthen the work of the Lord here in ways that only they can.  Their unique experiences, talents, testimonies and wisdom have a profound influence on the members, young missionaries and those seeking to know more.  We are so grateful for their willingness to serve in this mission.  

One of the activities enjoyed by all was a trip up the Duquesne Incline in Pittsburgh:

Sister and Elder Woolley

Rick and Lori Casler (Sister Casler is the new mission secretary)

Elder Clarkson (fleet coordinator for the past year) and Elder Haroldsen (new fleet coordinator)

Elder and Sister Gardner (oversee financial and housing) in the office

Elder and Sister Clarkson (has been the fleet coordinator and the mission secretary)

Left:  Elder and Sister Butler (Pittsburgh), Elder Clarkson (office), Elder and Sister Christensen (Area Mental Health Advisor), Brother and Sister Casler (office),  Elder and Sister Gardner (office), Elder and Sister Haroldsen (office),  President and Sister Johnson, Elder and Sister Samuelson (Williamsport), Sister Clarkson (office), and Elder and Sister Woolley (Gettysburg)

Elder Butler took a panorama of Pittsburgh from the overlook.

Time for lunch!

Elder and Sister Gardner did a wonderful job organizing the conference.

Elder Butler

Let's eat!

Update on Sister Young

Sunday night was one of the best moments of the 22 months we have served in this mission.  We had a “Why I Believe” fireside in Harrisburg.  One thing made this one especially inspiring, moving and unforgettable -- a surprise guest.

 

About 15 minutes before the start of the fireside, as the missionary choir was finishing their rehearsal, Sister Rachel Young and her parents walked in the chapel.  This was an electrical moment that everyone in the chapel felt – especially the missionaries.  I wish we had captured the missionaries’ faces when they realized she was there, in person. All were surprised (none more than Sister Johnson and me as that afternoon we had spent an hour with them at the hospital, and they had not given any indication they would be attending the fireside). 

 

She sang in the choir and bore a powerful testimony of the Savior.

 

This afternoon Sister Young’s mother texted:

 

“Rachel is out of surgery; all went well. We will go to her room soon.  She will be in sicu (Surgery Intensive Care Unit) at least tonight, maybe a couple days.”

 

Thanks to all who fasted and prayed for Sister Young on this surgery.  We pray she recovers quickly and will be able to fly home to Nevada in a few weeks.

 

God bless,

 

President Johnson

A Visit With Sister Young

Sister Rachel Young has been in the hospital for 2 months now following a tragic car accident.  She was in intensive care for 3 1/2 weeks and then in Hershey Medical Center for 2 weeks.  She endured 8 surgeries.  She was transferred over to the Rehab Hospital and has been doing intensive physical therapy for several weeks.  She has had an amazing attitude and relied heavily on her beautiful faith in Jesus Christ.  There have been many miracles along with many setbacks and hurdles to overcome.  She is fighting an amazing fight and has made remarkable progress!  Tomorrow, 12-April-2016 she faces yet another surgery.  

We invite everyone who will join with us to pray for Sister Young and for the Dr.s who attend her that they will be guided.

 We love this amazing missionary!

Gordon, Rachel and Linda Young.  Her mom and dad have been here cheering her on every step of the way!

Sister Young is an artist and has produced some very special art during her recovery. 

Sister Young's tribute to Sister Wells. . .

"Called to Serve"

"You are assigned to do the Lord’s work in a specific area. He wants you to watch over your area with love and great care."       Preach My Gospel

As President Johnson and I travel throughout the mission doing interviews and some training at district meetings we are ever inspired by the dedication, preparation, and growing testimonies of the Lord's missionaries.

Franklin District

Sisters Blackwell, Hansen, Elder Aitken, Pres. Johnson, Elder Boyes, Sisters Birch and Pena

Erie District

Front:  Elders Elkins, Uchytil , Rackham, and Bramwell

Back:  Sister Hamblin, Pres. Johnson, Sister Jensen

Jamestown District

Front:  Elders Elliot, Syndergaard, and Millis

Middle:  Elders Kapp, Story and Williamson

Back:  Elders Gull, Andrade, and  Pres. Johnson

Philipsburg District

Front:  Elder Holman, Pres. Johnson, and Rose

Back:  Sisters Simonsen, DeMille, Paine and Hale

We arrived just in time to share Happy Birthday with Sister DeMille!

Bread Making Contest in Phillipsburg

Each companionship scored a blue ribbon!  (Judges were pleased to do the tasting!)

University District

Front:  Sisters Wong, Ewell, Chuah and Wadsworth

Back:  Elder Eubank, Pres. Johnson, and Elder Robertson

"I bear you my witness that the Lord's pattern found in a committment invitation is inspired and, if extended properly- including promised blessings, powerful testimony, and earnest followup - will result in more of God's children experiencing the miracle of conversion. "Bishop W. Christopher Waddell

McKeesport District

Front:  Elders O'Keefe, Isom, Pres. Johnson, Elders Pirzadeh, and Mueller

Back:  Sisters Johnson, Beutler, Johnson and Welch

Gettysburg District

Front:  Sisters Wall, Smith, Woolley and Collins

Back:  Elders Ross, Tengberg, Pres. Johnson, Elder Woolley and Sister Manumaleuna 

Shrewsbury District

Front:  Sisters Blake and Sibley, Elders Vu and Meija

Back:  Elders Gates, Stevens, Pres. Johnson, Elders Spencer and Spencer!

Elizabethtown District

Back:  Elders Baxter, Gehrke, Duffy, Pres. Johnson, Elders La Fon, Hawley, and Davis

Front:  Sisters Davis, Johnson, and Hokafonu 

Lancaster District 

Back:  Elders Lundgren, Camp, Garduno, Pres. Johnson, Elder Woll

Front:  Sisters Busath, Canseco, Wilson and Sears

Harrisburg District 

Back:  Pres. Johnson, Elders Shephard, Herzog and Walker

Front:  Sister Johnson, Elders Gee, Ibarra, and Bryant

Camp Hill District

Back:  Pres. Johnson, Elders Ramos, Poulsen, and Wilson

Front:  Sisters Johnson, Harlan, Simpson, Palmer, Roden and Elder Hinckley 

Hershey District

Back:  Sisters Johnson, Ewing-DiBari, Maya, Wyasket and Forrest

Front:  President Johnson, Elders Renteria, VanLeeuwen,and Adams

Altoona District

Front:  Elders Averett, Cluff and Haskins

Back:  Elder Johnson, Pres. Johnson, Elders Hansen and Richens

Johnstown District 

Left:  Elders Cook, Segon, Woods, Pres. Johnson, Elders Wilt, Draper and Beal

Beaver District

Front:  Elders Foster and Pennington 

Sisters Bartlett, Smith, O'Reilly, Kwasney and Johnson

Back:  Elders Liston, Masina, and  Pres. Johnson

Cranberry District

Front:  Sisters Nelson, Wayman, Huffaker, Oliver and Johnson

Back:  Elders Mink, Cahoon, Schofield, Tunquist and President Johnson

Wheeling District

Sisters Johnson, Johnson and Roberts

President Johnson, Elders Taylor, Geockeritz, Mills and Hughes

Washington District

Sisters Johnson, Amendola, Thompson and Christensen

President Johnson, Elders Moon, Parke, Hummer, Cuthbert, and Christensen

Pitt 7 District

President and Sister Johnson, Sister and Elder Butler

Elders Hansen, Baker, Worsham and Ekins

Greensburg District

Elder Loreto, President Johnson and Elder Christensen 

Sisters Penrod, Taunima, Campbell and McDonald

Freeport District

Left Front:  Elders Wadsworth, Rayburn, Sisters Meyers and Jex

Back:  Elders Woodbury, Tidwell, Chafin, President Johnson and Elder Bates

Towanda District

Elder and Sister Samuelson, Elder Halls and Kotter

Back:  President Johnson, Elder Holdaway and Elder Montgomery

Williamsport District

Sisters Morrison, Allen, Roberts, Durfee, Elder Swisher and Sister Johnson

Elders Hyer, Davidson, Bell and President Johnson

Lewisburg District

Sisters Thorson, Schofield, Farnes and Crockett

Elders Holbrook, Saylor, Haroldsen, Selfridge and President Johnson

Chambersburg District

Sisters Durrant, Johnson, Evanson and Smith

Elder Hatch, President Johnson, Elders Perry, Gray and Coburn

Carlisle District

Sisters Noorlander, Faamaile, Johnson, Neville and Crisp

Elders Howard, Lebaron, President Johnson, Elders English and Smedley

Greentree District

Front:  Elders Bramwell, Slade, Posada, Wood and Whitby

Back:  President Johnson, Elders Ord, Miller and May

Pittsburgh District

Elders Wilkins, Nelson, Furniss, White, Devey and Lundberg

State College District

Sisters Brown and Hartman

Elders Simmons, Smith, Calaway and Curtis