Week 9

Jade and her Companion 

She says, "Don't worry, I'm not as tan as I look" 

Hey mom.

Weather. (since you asked) Uhm. Hot. haha. And humid. But I don't mind it too bad yet. I know it'll only get worse.

Our ward is completely in Spanish. I want to hit my head against a wall everytime I come home but oh well. Haha.

Hot in the house? Ugh. That would be hard. Yeah, It's so hot here too. Glad you know what I'm going through.


We have no time to shop. Like- ever. I don't have time to even write letters. P-days are crazy and probably the most stressful day of the week. We never have time to do anything.


K! So this week. Aaaah so much to say and so little time! This week has been amazing. Last Monday we went and saw a referral from Headquaters... so like a big deal. And his father in law answered the door... said he wasn't home. So we ended up teaching him the whole first discussion on the doorstep! It was awesome! Like- how much Spanish do I know? Nooothing. But Hermana Chavarria had me recite the first vision, cuz at least I know that. And like- it was crazy to see his countenance change and see the truth of what we were saying manifest in his eyes. The Spirit! So yeah, he invited us to come back! Soooo cool. Such a cool experience.


I think this week my epiphany was to act and not be acted upon like it says in 2 Nephi 2. Like- it's hard out here to feel like- well, almost like you're kind of on your own. My comp and I are completely new to the area and we don't know anyone. And I'm like "Once I feel like I belong here then I can help others." uhm... no. Doesn't work like that. So I just have tried this week to help others feel loved. And it's been awesome.


We went and had dinner at a member's house yesterday and She looked at me and said, "you know, you're lucky you're going Spanish speaking. Those English speaking people are great, but they don't love like we do. They don't need love like we do. This isn't our home. We're away from our families. We need to feel loved- feel really loved." And like- I almost started crying. Holy cow. Like- how alone must all these people feel? And I hope that God will help me use my talents, and help me develop my talents so that I can really LOVE these people and help them know that they are never alone.


Cool story number 3. We saw a referral from the ward yesterday, the most humble woman I ever met from Peru (everyone is from different countries here. haha) and we taught her the first lesson. I was freaking out cuz I don't know Spanish haha. but the spirit just comes to my mind saying "Don't worry about it, just love her." and so I didn't. And like all I said was: Our families can be together forever. Do you want that? "Claro." I know that through the Gospel it's possible.


And said the first vision and testified of it. And that's all I said, but like- the Atonement made up for the rest. I could see why we're sent two by two even though I feel like I don't have much to offer right now. The Lord made up for the rest and the Spirit taught her that day. She said "I have seen a lot of people teach about things of God with grand words, but when you two teach I can see how much it means to you and feel the love of God." Anyone can share the gospel. The Lord will make up the difference. All we need to do is open our mouths.


I'm so grateful for the gospel, so grateful for the opportunity to share this great message. It's the truth, and it's been the truth since the beginning and it will be the truth for all eternity. I'm so grateful for the plan of salvation, for the Atonement of Jesus Christ that gives me the hope that I can be with my family forever. We are literally hopeless without Jesus Christ but with Him we can do anything. (That's why I think things are so hard sometimes. We wouldn't see the miracles if things were always easy.) I love you. I'm so grateful for you! Thank you for teaching me and raising me the way that you did. Thank you for making our home one of love and happiness and kindness and friendship. I pray for you every day. I love you I love you I love you. The church is true!!


Hermana Johnson