Lessons & Blessings by Brad Overson

Hello, I was asked to write a few words about my HOME town St. Johns.  My name is Brad Overson and St. Johns is where I was raised.  I am the fourth generation of Overson’s to live in St. Johns from my great grandfather to myself. My Parents are Ross and Dana, two of the best parents anyone could ask for, whom I owe a great deal to for giving me the opportunities and the lessons that get me through life today.   Growing up in St. Johns was truly a blessing; I may not have said that in my teen years, but once I was on my own I learned that I had experienced more in this small town then most do in a life time. 

Some of my memories have become cloudy in my old age, but a few still stand out as if it were yesterday.  Remembering how comfortable it is living here when as kids could take off on our bikes all over town, could walk to the pool to swim at 1 every afternoon, when summers consisted of working and then playing.  We didn’t have cell phones to check in nor did we have to have a parent sitting watching our every step because of BUSY traffic. Raising animals and learning how to care for them, I was a member of the 4H club here when Sister Humes was the leader of the western horse showing, Scouts with Vergy Postered as our leader, sports as we got older with dads coaching the teams.  You just can’t get any better.

Not only is this a comfy place but it’s full of good people.  I cannot think of an instance where someone needed help and couldn’t get it.  More often than not my father, who was a great example to me of service, would spend more time helping others than on stuff of his own.  Hard work is a must was his phrase of choice.  Spending the majority of our time getting wood, fixing someone’s vehicle, or gathering cows, and loving every minute of it of spending time with my father and others who gathered together to help someone.

I was always looking for work as a teen ager and got my first job working with my grandpa at the tire store and on the ranch, although I was a chatter box I spent a lot of time listening when he would tell stories of my dad when he was my age and stories of him and his father going horse back to Holbrook to see the first train go by, and flying in WWII, helped me  I got my first job outside of family with the feed store in town, Clint and Cherie Wiltbank gave me a job helping around the store.  Working there my entire high school I grew leaps learning how to talk to people and staying motivated to finish tasks.  From there I went and served a mission in Boston Massachusetts, and boy was I thanking the people of St. Johns as the experiences of helping those was a rewarding blessing with countless opportunities to help with vehicles and handy guy repairs which lead to teaching opportunities.

Now with my own family one little boy and a girl on the way, my wife and I have returned to raise our family and offer the same opportunities that we count as priceless. Lessons and blessings this small town.

Small Town, Big Hearts by Michelle Maestas

Growing up in a small town is something the city kids will just never understand. I’ve lived in small towns before and this is one of the smallest towns I have lived in and I wouldn’t change it for the world. Some of my experiences in St. Johns are only something others from St. Johns would understand.  

You see here in this town you usually know the name of every person you graduate with, although I did not graduate from St. Johns I know everyone in my daughters graduating class. It’s a great way to get to know who’s in town and who the parents are just by saying a name AMAZING!! I remember calling a wrong number one time and the person on the other line politely gave me the right number and told me that they were not home just yet.

Living in a small town allows you to leave your home and not even locking the door at night, crazy in this day and age.  But the neighbors are going to let you know if you had visitor or even call you on the cell phone to let you know. You can even charge things at Bride’s or Wilbur’s without a credit card and the clerk knew who to charge it to without asking for your name……….again small town.

People can always find you in a small town. Flower deliveries made it to you no matter where you were at the time because the delivery person knew where to look and who to ask. Talking to one person you realize that person is related to nearly everyone in town……again small town. My adorable niece was very attached to her “binky” and no one could seem to find one so that she could go to sleep. So, my sister-in-law called the owner of the Wilbur’s store at 10:30pm, he came and opened the store and they got the “binky” so my niece could sleep…………..small town.

An exciting day is the days you drive 45 minutes to the nearest Wal-Mart with the family. Stopping to eat at all the nice restaurants and getting everything you need so you do not have to make another trip until next month………small town.

The only traffic jam in town was experienced during 4:30 in the afternoon when the plant was changing shifts and everyone was going home.  Or during a football game against Round Valley and trying to get home (which was down the street from the school). One great thing about this small town is no stop light, really who needs one.  Traffic jams happen when we have a parade downtown celebrating homecoming week with the rest of the town folk…..small town

Giving directions in St. Johns is based on who you know and where they live. If you are going to so and so house you give directions by saying “Do you know where the Smith’s live?” We don’t use google maps we just need to know where you are going so we can give you directions………small town

One thing that can be said about this great small town is that the people in it have HUGE hearts. If you know of a family in need people in this small town are right there to help out in any way they can. If you have ever missed a Sunday in church people want to know that you are okay. We help each other out and lend a hand because you know that they would do the same for you. Thank you St. Johns for being my small town….there is a lot to be said for living in a small town, while this list is an overview of my personal experiences and observations in my small town, I’m sure you can relate to many of them.

5 Life Lessons I Learned on my Mission---by Austin Davis

Life Lesson #1: We need to forgive.

         You make everyday choices either to forgive or not to forgive,

and it will have an impact on whether you are friends with someone or not. The Lord forgives those who forgive. Sometimes it's so dang hard to be humble and repent and forgive, but once it's over, you feel better, that person feels better, and you know you did the right thing. Sometimes you don't even mean to hurt someone’s feelings, but the other person is totally offended. That's when you have to rely on The Lord and just act as He would and repent with a full heart. I know it's hard, but if you need to apologize to someone, do it. You will never regret it.

Life Lesson #2: God is kind.

God truly knows us. We may think, "Oh how can he know me? There are so many people?" Sometimes Heavenly Father answers my questions before the question even comes to mind. I know God is kind. He has forgiven me and will continue to forgive me. Sometimes we screw up, but this life is about progression, not perfection. Keep your head up. God didn't provide a Savior for us for no reason. Use that Atonement that Jesus Christ performed for us.

Life Lesson #3: Look at the situation slowly.        

I met a man who only could talk about pornography & sex. He was so engulfed in it. It was disgusting. It was hard to see someone have all of that and not want to rid themselves from it. I learned from this that you must look at the situation slowly, kind of like baseball; you have to look at the pitch slowly! This experience he did not want to give up. Satan had a hold of his mind and his will. As we look at situations that might seem harmless, they could lead us down trails we should not travel. This man did not truly understand why we are here on earth! It is to come closer to our eternal maker.

Life Leson #4: The Value of True Friends

True friends, real friends, just put things into perspective. I'm thankful for true friends because they are not afraid to put you straight and give you the answer that sometimes you don't want to hear. You will always heed your true friends’ counsel. I received a Priesthood blessing this week, and how thankful I am for my friends holding the Priesthood just as the apostles of old.

Life Lesson #5: Turn to God for help through trials.

Heavenly Father needs for us to go through hard times to see how much we really love Him and to see how strong we are. He wants to see where we will turn when we fall. Will we turn to the dark and ignore God, or at our weakest state will we be humble enough to ask God for help? We need to ask Him prayerfully to have safety for our souls.

For these lessons I have learned, I am grateful, for a great change has been written on my heart. I know that Christ lives. I know that pain that He felt when the nails went through His hands and feet were for me. I am eternally grateful for his service and the Atonement He performed for me.