Update: Baby Katelyn Jean Johnston comes home!!!

Eldon, Brandon

Kyle, Rebecca, Katelyn and Jared

 

Katelyn Jean Johnston, born June 11, 2014 (11 weeks early, weighing only 3 pounds and with a heart defect) was released from Primary Children's Hospital August 15, 2014. 

At about 5 days old, Katelyn's vitals indicated that something was seriously wrong.  After several tests it was discovered that her bowels were twisted.  She immediately underwent surgery to correct this problem. 

Katelyn's first heart surgery was at 1 month when it became necessary to slow down the blood flow in her pulmonary artery.  A small band was placed on the artery and so far---so good.

Katelyn now weighs 5 pounds, is taking nourishment from a bottle but still requires a feeding tube if she becomes too tired to finish her formula.  Medications are also inserted in the feeding tube.  She is also on oxygen to help keep her blood/oxygen levels where they should be.

Actually, Katelyn is doing very well.  She is a strong little girl and a fighter!!!............and I might say......she is a little doll!!!

We appreciate your love, your concern and your prayers!!!  Thank you for being such a wonderful caring family!!!

Letter from Sister Tiffany Johnson August 10, 2014

Hello everyone, 

This week we had the opportunity to meet again with our investigator Leroy (who has been investigating off and on for 13 years, his wife is a member) and his less active daughter Chelsea. Last week we taught them the restoration and had a strong spiritual experience and we committed Chelsea to continue meeting with us and her dad along with reading the scriptures that we send her everyday. Her dad wasn't sure she would do it. After about two weeks of sending her a scripture everyday we are pleased to say that she has read each one them and prayers everyday. I was watching her demeanor as we were teaching the plan of salvation this week and noticed she was in a way glowing. She was smiling so big. I looked right at her and said "why are you so happy?" She responded saying I don't know I just am. I reflected on the answer and know that it really was because she was receiving the blessings of doing her daily scriptures study and prayers. We know that when we apply this gospel to our lives that it really blesses us. However, this was truly amazing to see in Chelsea.
We actually meet Chelsea about two months ago while at her Dads house (She is in her 30's and has a few children but they have all been taken away). While we were eating Carol her step mom looks over at us and says "just as a heads up our daughter is here and she isn't emotionally doing well. She has threatened to take her life and is just extremely depressed with all the legal issues surrounding her and not being able to have her children." I told her how I can understand the stress they are in and that I have had to work with teens that were going through similar situations. She looked at me with an expression that expressed so much hope. When Chelsea walked in she looked at me with a red face and tear filled eyes looking completely hopeless. Her mom then says to her "Sister Johnson is experienced in what you are going through, what if you guys talk about things and you can get some help." I remember taking a deep breathe and think O man what have I just gotten myself into? She then started having a panic attack and I felt like we had to take her outside and go on a walk. We started to talk about things she liked and then she just started going crazy and saying everything that was upsetting. She explained how there is either no God or he hates her. She almost passed out and right as she started to sway I quickly grabbed her and stabilized her. Right when I had my arms around her I then felt an overwhelming amount of love for her and tried to express the feelings I was feeling. She was able to calm down. Since then she is still struggling emotionally but is doing so much better. She smiles and is able to talk about other things. She has even been to church the last two weeks and talks about taking her kids to church when she gets them back.
Together they are doing great. Leroy is planning on getting baptized some time in September by his father-in-law. Its truly amazing to see his light change as well and how he is able to bare a sweet testimony to his daughter about the love of our Savior. I know that doing the simply things is what makes a world of a difference. That is what they have been doing and they are becoming the people they have always wanted to be. I love watching them grow and seeing miracles every time we are together.
Another miracle of the week was while we were teaching Pete (our other investigator that started meeting with us after meeting with elders for 10 plus years). When we first got there Arty (the elder's investigator that they have kind of given up on) was there with them he is kind of there son in law. He was on his way out though so he said good bye and left. We started talking to Pete about what we have been teaching him when about 10 minutes had passed Arty walked back into the room. We were all surprised but continued with the lesson. They both then shared a concern they have been having. They asked "we want to know how this will change us." We smiled knowing it really won't because they both have been coming to church and Pete has been coming to church for years with his wife and besides a sip of coffee every once in a while he basically lives like a mormon. So I said "It really won't, but it will help you improve." I then felt inspired to put aside the lesson we planned and go through the interview questions with them. We went through each one and explained them to them and answered any questions they had. It was such a spiritual experience to help them see that they both actually had testimonies of these things. At the end they agreed to have a baptism interview on the 13th and then prepare to be baptized on the 17th. They also committed to live the word of wisdom. At the end Arty said "Its funny, as I was leaving earlier I felt like I had to come back and be apart of this lesson. I was needing to hear these things." I almost started crying because about 3 months ago we had dinner with Arty and I had a feeling that we were supposed to be teaching him. But I waited too long to say something and he left. I called the elders that night to tell them they have to talk to him when they saw him the next day. However, I never felt right about it, I always felt like we were supposed to be teaching him. Those feelings of guilt have been with me and I am reminded of my unwillingness to following a prompting from the spirit every time I saw him. So now we are teaching him to. it feels so much better now that Pete and Arty are learning together. They are a week clean of coffee and they came to church. Arty wasn't going to come because he had to drive his family out of town. But after our lesson on Saturday about church attendance. he told them "He will be going to church then he will drive them to Sacramento." His family all came to church with him. It was really amazing to see and I loved hearing them bare there testimonies in class when the lesson turned out to be on the Word of Wisdom. Arty says he is for sure getting baptized next week and Pete knows he will get baptized but not sure if he is ready for Sunday.
Please keep them in your prayers they are all so amazing and have such sweet spirits. They have all become like family to me, I love them and pray they can reach there goals and just feel the blessings of this gospel.
UPDATE: Glen's lungs have been feeling up with liquid and then it hardens. Because of this he had to have a pretty intense surgery. We haven't heard how he is doing now but hopefully the surgery was successful.
FUNNY STORY: Lately I haven't been sleeping all that great. Well Saturday while sleeping I felt a dogs nose rub against my hand I was so startled that I jumped out of bed and yelled "shew, get away from me." It kept rapping around me though. My companion jumps out of bed and is confused saying sister Johnson what's going on. And I was like "a dog" my eyes began to focus and I see my "attacking dog" was actually sister smiths bday balloon floating around me because of the fan. I was embarrassed and didn't say anything, I just turned around and walked to the bathroom like nothing just happened. I waited in there till my heart rate went back to normal. I went back to bed but before I did I made sure the balloon was no where near me. My companion had to stuff that stupid balloon under the bed so it couldn't haunt anymore of my dreams. 
   Well hope you all enjoy and have an amazing week. Next time I write you all I will know if I am moving or not. :) exciting part of me wants to stay because I love my area and want to help these people more. But another part of me is ready for new adventures. 
      Love you all thanks for your prayers and support. 
             Sister Johnson 
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