March 2002,

I am a week late, but have to let you all know how very grateful we are for
all our blessings.  This month's Ensign has been an eloquent echo to my
thoughts and feelings about Motherhood and Womanhood.  I am so glad to be a
mother.  What great joy Dad and I feel in our posterity.  How very special
it was to be in Utah last week for the blessings of Natalie and Camden.  How
wonderful it is to see our daughters and daughters-in-law, and now
granddaughters, nurturing and caring for and loving the sweet spirits sent
from our Heavenly Father.  I feel that my Mother was by my Father's side in
those testimony meetings sharing his pride and joy.
Of course, sons and sons-in-law and grandsons-in-law are equally special as
you support and guide and strengthen your families!
For those who are looking and have not yet found your eternal companion, I
loved the ending of the article in last month's Ensign, Gifts of the Spirit.
"Many of you young adults are in the process of choosing a companion,...You
have spent years thinking about what qualities or attributes you would like
your companion to have.  But at the same time you must be working very hard
to make yourself the type of person who will attract the companion you
desire.
As you go through your dating and courting relationships, I would hope that
you will assess the spiritual inclinations of the individuals you're getting
to know better.  How is their testimony?  How do they treat their parents?
How do they treat their brothers and sisters?  Do they respect authority?
Do they love the Lord, His servants, and the scriptures?  What plans do they
have for their lives?
It isn't enough if they are handsome or beautiful, if they are rich or
poor, what kind of car they drive, what kind of clothes they wear, what kind
of athletic ability they have, or what kind of intellect they are.  You
should be seeking to understand the gifts they have that will be eternal in
nature."
It was a special month at the temple last month.  On Valentine's eve the YW
of the ward that meets in the building in back of the temple apartments came
and brought candy and carnations to each apartment!  That was really sweet.
I had two special experiences.  I have come to know the reality of the
promises of the endowment.  The second experience happened one day when the
Matron had to leave for an appointment.  A sister said she needed to talk to
the Matron.  I went to find someone in the Presidency to talk to her.  Pres.
Kimball told me to talk to her.  "When the Matron is gone, you are Matron."
(This was a day when I was Coordinator.)  He said he would give me some
guidelines.  We are all entitled to revelation in the temple.  All symbols
point to Christ.  But we each may see something different that applies to us
at that time.  Each person must find his own answers.  The sister had many
questions, but she seemed satisfied as I challenged her to come often to the
temple in prayer to find answers and peace.
It was fun to go to Ben and Christie's new home for dinner one evening.
They have a very comfortable home with lots of potential.  It is great to
see them happy and to see their new addition, a cute and gangly adolescent
black lab.
Hot off the press - ask Cathy about the day Dad came to their house to
help(?) Joe put down new linoleum in the bathroom.
In an email from Vilma she said Blackford High has become a Jewish High
School at a cost of $18,000 per year. (I guess that means tuition.)
Interesting!
Love to all

Leland & JoAnn Johanson